Free Essays on Gay Rights

When people think of gay rights they think that homosexual people want to have special rights, rights that heterosexuals do not have, but this idea is entirely wrong. Homosexuals just want to have the same rights as heterosexuals, nothing more, and nothing less. Homosexuals are a growing minority with nearly a million gays and lesbians identifying themselves as members of same-sex couples in the 2000 census. But the total gay population is much larger, since the census didn’t provide an opportunity for single homosexuals to identify their sexual orientation, and didn’t count gay couples who live apart. There are no legitimate reasons why homosexuals should not have the same rights as heterosexuals. Many countries such as the United States disgraces itself when it â€Å"[†¦] accepts homosexuality as a sufficient cause for deprivation of normal civil rights [†¦]†. If a homosexual is a citizen of any country in the world, they should receive the same right s as all other citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. Gay men and lesbians deserve the right to marry, too not be discriminated against, and to be in the military. Marriage is ever changing. Wives are now equal rather than subordinate partners; interracial marriage is now widely accepted; and marital failure itself, rather than the fault of one partner, may be grounds for a divorce. With all of these changes would it not be accurate to say that legalizing and recognizing same-sex marriages is the next step? Marriage is more than a commitment to love one another. â€Å"Aside from societal and religious conventions, marriage entails legally imposed financial responsibility and legally authorized financial benefits. Marriage provides automatic legal protections for the spouse, including medical visitation, succession of a deceased spouse’s property, as well as pension and other rights† . Gay Rights 3 Same-sex couples do not want to get married to rub it ... Free Essays on Gay Rights Free Essays on Gay Rights When people think of gay rights they think that homosexual people want to have special rights, rights that heterosexuals do not have, but this idea is entirely wrong. Homosexuals just want to have the same rights as heterosexuals, nothing more, and nothing less. Homosexuals are a growing minority with nearly a million gays and lesbians identifying themselves as members of same-sex couples in the 2000 census. But the total gay population is much larger, since the census didn’t provide an opportunity for single homosexuals to identify their sexual orientation, and didn’t count gay couples who live apart. There are no legitimate reasons why homosexuals should not have the same rights as heterosexuals. Many countries such as the United States disgraces itself when it â€Å"[†¦] accepts homosexuality as a sufficient cause for deprivation of normal civil rights [†¦]†. If a homosexual is a citizen of any country in the world, they should receive the same right s as all other citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. Gay men and lesbians deserve the right to marry, too not be discriminated against, and to be in the military. Marriage is ever changing. Wives are now equal rather than subordinate partners; interracial marriage is now widely accepted; and marital failure itself, rather than the fault of one partner, may be grounds for a divorce. With all of these changes would it not be accurate to say that legalizing and recognizing same-sex marriages is the next step? Marriage is more than a commitment to love one another. â€Å"Aside from societal and religious conventions, marriage entails legally imposed financial responsibility and legally authorized financial benefits. Marriage provides automatic legal protections for the spouse, including medical visitation, succession of a deceased spouse’s property, as well as pension and other rights† . Gay Rights 3 Same-sex couples do not want to get married to rub it ... Free Essays on Gay Rights LAW (Gay Rights/Legislation) Constitutionality of Same Sex Marriage in the United States of America The proposed legalization of same-sex marriage is one of the most significant issues in contemporary American family law. Presently, it is one of the most vigorously advocated reforms discussed in law reviews, one of the most explosive political questions facing lawmakers, and one of the most provocative issues emerging before American courts. If same-sex marriage is legalized, it could be one of the most revolutionary policy decisions in the history of American family law. The potential consequences, positive or negative, for children, parents, same-sex couples, families, social structure public health, and the status of women are enormous. Given the importance of the issue, the value of comprehensive debate of the reasons for and against legalizing same-sex marriage should be obvious. Marriage is much more than merely a commitment to love one another. Aside from societal and religious conventions, marriage entails legally imposed financial responsibility and legally authorized financial benefits. Marriage provides automatic legal protections for the spouse, including medical visitation, succession of a deceased spouse's property, as well as pension and other rights. When two adults desire to "contract" in the eyes of the law, as well a perhaps promise in the eyes of the Lord and their friends and family, to be responsible for the obligations of marriage as well as to enjoy its benefits, should the law prohibit their request merely because they are of the same gender? I intend to prove that because of Article IV of the United States Constitution, there is no reason why the federal government nor any state government should restrict marriage to a predefined heterosexual relationship. Marriage has changed throughout the years. In Western law, wives are now equal rather than subordinate partners; interracial marriage is n... Free Essays on Gay Rights A battle is being fought and it’s a battle for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) rights. Currently the LGBT communities and its supporters have overcome mountains to get where they are today, but where they are today isn’t much better than where they were when this battle started. There currently are no federal laws protecting the LGBT community from discrimination in the work place, or society in general. There is still a lot of hostility towards the LGBT community in the military, and in just about all 50 states it is illegal for same sex partners to get married. Throughout the country there are many groups such as the ACLU and the HRC (human rights campaign) who are out there fighting the good fight to help the LGBT community to get laws into the books that will condemn hate crimes and discrimination against people of different sexual orientation that the majority of the population. There are also social conservatives who are fighting with organization like the HRC to stop these laws, and are even trying to create ordinances to prevent sexual orientation from being included in any anti-discrimination laws. Currently gays and lesbians are not protected from discrimination by any federal law. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin currently have laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation (www.Speakout.com). Colorado, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington have barred discrimination in public employment based on sexual or ientation (www.Speakout.com). On April 25, 2000 President Bill Clinton attempted to expand current hate crime laws to include crimes committed based on the victims sexual orientation, gender, or disabilities. This all came after the murder of Matthew Shepard. Shepard was murdered because of him sexual orientation. â€Å"The bill that Clinton was trying to put through would have all... Free Essays on Gay Rights Gay Rights â€Å"Gays†, â€Å"Lesbians†, and â€Å"Homos†. What so they all have in common? The slang’s and terms used to degrade them. Many people look down on gay an lesbian associations. There are some that feel sympathetic or even sorry. No matter how u feel you can hide that fact that being gay tough. The way they have to change their whole life around, things that they have to change, just to get by day to day. No matter where u stand as of right now, you know that being gay is the most difficult path that you take about your sexuality. This is a very talked about topic. This has been fought about for many years. Should two members of the same sex be allowed to engage in a marriage, let alone a relationship? This has been a strong compromise, gay people and there rights as humans. Now there are many unions and groups supporting gay rights. More then ever, gay people now are comin out of the closet (a term for finding ones sexuality as a homo) and â€Å"startin g there own life’s over†. All humans are t! o be created equal an to be free. So why shouldn’t they be able to determan who an who they don’t want to be with, rather that be man or woman. After your 18th birthday, you can be drafted into the army and give your life for your country. So you should be able to choose your sexuality....