gayrights

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W e c a n e n d d i s c r i m i n a t i o n

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=Proof of Gay Discrimination = In many states, same-sex marriage is illegal. There are different views on the issue and a number of reasons why it is not allowed. David Zweibel states that “same sex marriage would harm children and weaken the visible link between marriage and children.” There are numerous people who believe marriage between two people of the same sex would undermine the constitution of marriage and could even harm children’s ideas of marriage (Burman Skrable). Legalizing gay marriage would further erode marriage and would legitimize homosexual behavior. Same sex marriage is only allowed in Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. That leaves 45 states that two homosexual people cannot get married. Robert P. George and David L. Tubbs believe that “if marriage is redefined out of existence, our entire society will be harmed. Redefining marriage to this extent will ultimately destroy it.” This is exaggerating a bit, and people should be able to be with who they want without restraints. Same sex marriages will be unstable in the eyes of these people... but is this true? How do these authors and such know for sure which marriages will fail and which will succeed? The stability of a marriage depends on the two people involved, not the sex of these people. It is unfair that homosexual couples cannot make it completely official, like ‘regular’ couples can.

Another issue is that homosexuals cannot adopt in a number of places. Gary Glenn writes that “Children adopted  by adults involved in homosexual behavior face not only secondhand exposure to the risks of such behavior by their ‘parents,’ but are more likely to suffer firsthand by engaging in the same high-risk behavior themselves”. David Zweibel says that adopting children into a home with two homosexuals will harm them and encourages and unnatural upbringing. Florida is one state that bans same sex couples from adopting children. The National Catholic Reporter tells about a specific time in Florida when “U.S. Judge James Lawrence King ruled against Steven Lofton and Douglas Houghton, who wanted to adopt the foster children in their care but were denied because they are gay.” There are also unfair statements that psychological and physical welfare of the children may be affected and that there is more violence, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and tobacco use associated with homosexuals rather than heterosexuals. This is not necessarily connected to the sexual orientation of these people. Authors state that children growing up in an environment with homosexual couples will be subjected to this behavior secondhand or firsthand. However, many people are raising their children to believe in unjust ideas such as disliking gays, discriminating, and teaching them that being gay is wrong and immoral. This is just as bad, and should not be tolerated as well.

Homosexuals are discriminated in the workplace as well, and also in the military. There are countries that restrict gays from serving in the military such as China, Cuba, Egypt, and Turkey just to name a few. The countries that ban gays from serving do not have a weaker nor stronger military than the countries that do allow it, so what is the problem? The places that forbid it need to take a look at Peru and Australia’s military, two countries that allow it, and take after them. Afraid of rejection and not being able to follow their dreams, homosexuals are forced to lie and not show their true colors if they truly want to serve their country. Also, there are people who cannot accept others and would not work with gays. In Canada, 45 percent of service members stated that they would not work with gay or lesbian colleagues. This is unjust, seeing as a military is such an important thing and many people look up to it. Everyone should be able to follow their dream and do what makes them happy. However, it is not just the military that is discriminating, it is other workplaces too. A study by the University of Texas says that male homosexuals earn 22 percent less than similarly qualified heterosexual males. Numerous jobs treat gays unfairly, and if they know beforehand that someone is a homosexual, some places will not even hire them; no matter how qualified the person is. Many jobs will go as far as firing employees if they find out about the person’s sexual orientation later on. Karen Tumulty states: Maybe the worst thing about campaign-season outing--whether it brings out the truth or spreads a usable lie--is that it depends upon a climate in which simply labeling someone a homosexual is an insult. The tactic won't work on the day when calling someone gay might be an error but not an accusation. "The sad thing in all this," says Tafel, "is that everybody involved believes that being 'charged' with being gay is bad." Not only are homosexuals being discriminated against publicly, but privately as well. People believe being gay is a bad thing, and calling someone gay would be an insult. The truth is, everyone should accept others for who they are, not how they are.

= Causes of Gay Discrimination =

There are many causes of discrimination against homosexuals. Two, for example, are biblical literalism and anti-homosexual bigotry. Biblical literalism is basically the bible being taken to literally. Anti-homosexual bigotry is worse than homosexual discrimination. People who are anti-homosexual bigots take it further than words. They do things physically that will discourage homosexuals. One type of gay discrimination is biblical literalism. An example of biblical literalism is, Marriage shall consist of a union between one man and one or more woman ("Everett"). Another example is, the "Holiness Code" condemns a man "who lies with a male as well as a woman" ("Everett"). Most people take these sections of the bible literally. Another form of gay discrimination is anti-homosexual bigotry. Anti-homosexual discrimination is something that is physically and hatefully done to or directed towards someone, or even their property. For example; In the April of 2007, Erin Davies found the words "fag" and "you are gay" spray painted in red on her car ("Scott Waldman"). This is one of many occurrences that have happened.

=Effects of Gay Discrimination = Being a minority that others are discriminating against is difficult. In many people’s eyes, a way to make a relationship permanent is for the couple to marry. The only state that issues marriage licenses to gay couples is Massachusetts; other states offer civil unions. According to Dr. Donald DeMarco, “homosexual love is naturally inferior to heterosexual love”. DeMarco, and others who share his beliefs, think that marriage is mainly about providing children so that society can grow and prosper. The idea that “marriage” is only productive when children are born is obscure. In that case, couple who can not have children (such as ones that are infertile), should not be able to “marry” either. These are the types of thoughts that each state’s government sticks to, as well. Eleven states in 2004…define marriage as a union between a man and a woman (Stone). With this definition in mind, it makes is next to impossible for gays to “legally” marry. Not only do homosexual couples want a marriage license, they want the benefits that come with it, the same that heterosexual couples receive. The discrimination of homosexuals deprives them of their basic rights as a couple, to marry their significant other. It is every couple’s dream to have a child to raise, and to love. Adoption allows many couples who are unable to get pregnant on their own, have a child of their dreams. For homosexuals, the dream is cut short. Adoption is about giving a needy child a good home. It was presented predominately as child-friendly, not gay friendly (Seth Grob). Many states that are against gay marriage, are allowing only gay singles to adopt. Although this is step up for the ongoing culture wars, the efforts to keep gays from being an equal part of society are still in full effect. People feel that letting single gays adopt is okay for getting children out of an orphanage, but doing this still takes away the hope of gays being a couple. States also think that since they are giving the chance for one person of the couple to be a legal guardian, everything is right, and there is nothing to be fought over. What they are not thinking about is if something tragic is to happen, what will happen to the child? As with straight couples raising an adopted child, the child’s future will not be to go back to foster care. There are about 100,000 kids still waiting to be adopted, and yet Florida does not allow homosexuals, single or as a couple, to adopt at all. The discrimination homosexuals go through to try to adopt is sad, but not as depressing it is to think about the child that will have to wait for another family, when an ideal one is already there. Companies state that they hire anyone who is qualified to do the job. This is not entirely true. Employers can discriminate any way they please. It is unjust, and ethically wrong, but it happens. Male homosexuals actually earn 22 percent less than similarly qualified heterosexual men, according to a recent study from the University of Texas (“Gay Pay”). Many companies look at is as the fact that gay men will not be raising any children, so they will not have to have as much money to get by (compared to that of a heterosexual man). An employer can fire a homosexual on the spot, if they want to. The military is an example of this kind of discrimination. In President Clinton’s term in office, he came out with the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy. With this, homosexuals can serve in the military, just not openly. One can fight for his is or her country, but that patriotic duty will end if he or she is open about sexual orientation. Bowman states that: We also know that most heterosexual males’ ideas of masculinity are inextricably bound up with what we now call sexual orientation. In other words, “being a man” typically does mean for soldiers both being brave, stoic, etc.—and being heterosexual. According the militaries eyes, a man can only be a man, if others portray him to be. Homosexuality is not looked at to be “manly”.

= = =The Solution to Gay Discrimination= While there is really not a solution that will stop gay discrimination in an instant, there are many ways we can make America an equal place for everyone. Whether a person may be Gay or straight, everyone should have their own freedom. That is why America is called “Land of the free”. There is a list of things that people can do to make everyone happy if they don’t agree with the way gays are. Some people might think gays are all great and don’t need to change. All people should come together and see if they can figure something out that can make it easier for both of them to cope with the big issues they may be having. Being Law abiding, American citizens, Homosexuals should have the same rights as all heterosexuals; period. Many people think the only way for gay discrimination to stop is just not to tell anyone you are gay. That does not work for people because people cannot just hide their feelings. If you told a straight person to start acting like they are gay but they aren’t, they wouldn’t be able to do it and it’s the same way around. In the military there is a law called “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). It is a law that was passed by congress in 1993 that says that any openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual service member will be discharged from the military(Wyble). More than 13,500 service members have been fired under the law since 1994. President Obama is trying to repeal that law and is calling it urgent. There are 187 members of the House of Representatives that have signed on to the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. The Military Readiness Enchantment Act introduced by Rep. Ellen Tauscher on March 3, 2009, would repeal the federal law; “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” ("DADT"). Homosexual marriage is also a big discrimination issue against Gays. Any Marriage performed by the state should be legal as told by the civil union. It shouldn’t matter if it’s two men, two women or one of each, entering into a civil union offers a contract between two people, and everyone should have the same rights by law. This leaves a marriage solely up to the church. The church, being completely separate from the state and is free to decide who they will marry according to its own belief. Those who do get married in the church will still need the marriage license to be accepted by law (as it is now), and those who only get married by the state will technically enter into a civil union, not a marriage.

This, to me, seems to be the best compromise for everyone. For those who believe marriage to be a sacred union between a man and women, they can keep that belief through their church. At the same time, under the law, everyone who enters into a civil union is equal with the same rights. If someone has a problem with a church’s attitude on gay marriage, then that’s between that person and their God. The government should not interfere with them. This solution gives a solid and clear solution of church and state and offers a solid meaning on both sides of the people who agree and disagree.

I truly believe this solution could work but regardless of whether or not it would or not, I truly hope a fair and clear solution is agreed upon soon. I think it keeps getting worse and worse over time. It is un-American to deny any law abiding citizen his or her rights for any reason. The First Amendment clearly says that Congress has no right to prohibit which religion you practice, so why does marriage have to be any different? This seems like a simple, clear solution to this troublesome problem. It doesn’t violate any of the sacred qualities of marriage; in fact it ends years of government violations of religious rights. It doesn’t add more of the useless things to the constitution or waste more time and money on pointless unchangeable laws. Finally, it allows most adults to live however they want as long as they do not harm anyone. The most important thing in ending gay discrimination is to be open-minded which for some can be a challenge, and we should all work together to solve this big problem. The best solution there, is being patient and working together to achieve something great.

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