In his essay, “The Legacy of Antigay Discrimination” George Chauncey convinces readers that homosexuality discrimination has existed for a long time. Chauncey uses facts and statistics to strengthen his argument on harsh homosexual treatment in the past. Chauncey focuses on the treatment of homosexuals in the past to provide readers on the things they did not know about. For example, banning homosexuality in Hollywood films and American theater, the government, municipal work, and business associations. Chauncey includes how major rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly were denied and taken away from homosexuals because back then homosexuality was unacceptable in society.
Just like the African American community, the LGBTQ community has suffered from inequality. Both communities are parallel with the amount of injustice they have had to deal with. In the article, Making Black History for Gay Rights, author Pamela Lightsey argues how considering President Obama’s 2012 presidential bid, African American and LGBTQ communities united instead of divided despite of religious leaders trying to tear them apart. This immersion commitment between the two communities showcases how united they stand and how understanding they are of one another. Lightsey assertion is significant because today post Obama era racism and bigotry has been more prominent then it has been in decades.
A brochure for “Reminder Day” expressed that homosexuals were often not treated as equals and that the Federal, state and local governments have shown bias towards these individuals. Although some religions would perceive homosexuality as a sin, the individuals are still human and should be given the same opportunities as the rest of the population. In the past, the Declaration of Independence promised natural rights for all men, but some rights were not realized for minority groups. Over time, parts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were revoked and amended so that in today’s world, all “men”, including women and minority groups, all have the same rights.
If no one respects anyone else, then nothing will get done. The idea of gayness being biological gives some people hope that they will not contract it like a disease. If it is a mental phenomenon, then there can be rulings to improve civil rights, but also there is no question about how someone got to this
“Once known, the fact that a person is a homosexual or a member of a racial minority group is regarded by members of the majority group (heterosexuals, Whites) as one of the most important pieces of information about her or him (Hereck).” The law of marriage only to opposite couples had affected a large portion of people that had different sexualities. This law encouraged people to go out and fight for their rights by starting petitions and protests as well. In this case, I believe that it was also seen as an unjust law, where it was only fair to part of the
In the Victorian era, homosexual relationships were generally accepted as long as it did not interfere with the traditional marriage. In the 1960s, homosexuality was seen as a political choice in the 1960s, while also being criticized by the mainstream and radical feminists. In the 1990s, it was portrayed as a threat by the Republicans and defended by the Democrats, only to be slightly pushed back by Clinton’s decision to sign DOMA (Friend, 470). According to this perception, the perception of Homosexuality has become gradually more grim following the 1800s, and its progress forward from the 1960s and 1970s to earn civil rights has been difficult (Stansell 84, 91-92).
In today’s society,
While many Americans hold a general knowledge of GLBTQ history, a significant chunk of this history is still missing from the public, and even academia’s knowledge. The span of time from 1890 to 1940 saw a wealth of gay activity go unrecognized in favor of the dominant “progress narrative” which, instead, remembers only a linear progression of gay history. This linear progression posits that the fight for gay rights didn’t exist until a rather recent point in time, and rights were only given, and never taken away after this point. The idea of a linear timeline doesn’t allow for any fluctuation in the liberties held by gay people, but George Chauncey attacks this idea in his book Gay New York Gender, Urban Culture, and the Making of the Gay
Society has limits and ideals, and if you don’t agree or try to test them society will find a way to limit them. For example, in Clint Smith’s “The Danger of Silence”, he talks about someone he knew who was gay. “When Christian was beat up for being gay, I put my hand in my pocket and walked with my head down as if I didn’t even notice.” (Smith). Being gay is not an ideal in society, so people judge gay people and beat them up.
In future history books the 20th century might be best remembered as 100 years of racism and sexism. These future books will discuss one group that was rarely mentioned during that time period: homosexuals. Between 1901-2000, mass homophobia existed in the United States. Much like today, America was a place of fear and consternation for the LGBTQ community, and it seemed like there was no hope towards acceptance for members. In April 1952, homosexuality was even formally declared a mental disorder with limited empirical and scientific data supporting the claim.
Gay people have found themselves not having access to the rights promised to them by The Declaration of Independence. A pamphlet detailing this disparity said, “The homosexual American citizen finds himself denied many of the unique and special features of American life that are guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence.” (Document H). Gay people were prosecuted by many people in the 1960’s. Being an openly gay person opened you up for being unjustly arrested, losing your job for no reason, and other things similar to that.
Homosexuality is an old issue that was mentioned and dealt with in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Nowadays this concern confrontation is a genuine level headed discussion in the U.S on whether gay people ought to have social liberties, for example, serving in the military, adopting kids, getting married, and in particular the privilege to have the relationship without feeling rejected, and to be dealt with like others. No one needs anybody to infringe upon his liberty, protection, or decision. The fourteenth amendment in the U.S does not permit individuals there to be made inferior or denied equivalent rights others have. In the U.S the significance of liberty is exceedingly esteemed.
An important and impactful U.S. document, known as the Declaration of Independence states “ …that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are like ordinary U.S. citizens and deserve the same freedoms. As of now, discrimination of a certain race being higher than another, is not the only problem. LGBT people around the U.S. are being harassed, discriminated, and freedoms and rights are being taken away. A person’s sexual orientation can force them to not eat at a particular restaurant, adopt a child, or even buy a simple wedding cake.
Tyler Oakley once said, in his book Binge,“This is why homophobia is a terrible evil: it disguises itself as concern while it is inherently hate.” This is one of the most important topics the world is facing: Homophobia. Homophobia is the fear & hating of people in the LGBTQ+ community. People in this community face discrimination from all around them. However, I believe this shouldn’t be the case.
It is a melancholy to those who walk through this great country of the United States when they see the streets crowded with people of the same gender kissing and holding hands in public. They are our friends, our co-workers, even our family members. It is a disgrace to the American culture that homosexual people live among us. All parties agree that the amount of homosexuals who walk our streets in the United States are far too great to be tolerated in our world. For instance, for every five straight people, there are twenty homosexuals.
