Many people would automatically assume, given Portugal’s strong Roman Catholic values that it would be one of the last countries in the world to consider legalizing same-sex marriage. People have the misconception that because of the strong religious values the country holds it still has an outdated and old-fashioned mindset. But truth be told Portugal did indeed legalize same-sex marriage on June 5th, 2010. It was the eighth in the world to recognize same-sex marriage, putting itself ahead of more wealthy European countries such as Great Britain and France. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Portugal have improved substantially in the past decade and are now among the best in the world. But just because Portugal is ahead of other countries, it doesn’t mean it was an easy journey nor does it mean they have reached full civil right justice.
Same-sex sexual activity was first decriminalized in 1852, but it was made a crime again in 1886, and Portugal gradually became more oppressive of homosexuals until and throughout the years of Salazar’s dictatorship. It wasn't until 1982, eight years after the Carnation Revolution that same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized again. After the reign of Salazar, Portugal emerged from the previous years determined to exhibit a modernity and concern for human rights. Spain legalizing same sex marriage definitely had an enormous influence in Portugal’s decision. Spain’s first initial step reflected that even though the vast majority of Spaniards belonged to the Catholic Church that hold on everyday mores and behaviors also had an impact in society and Spanish Parliament regardless approved the law. Nonetheless, Portugal wanted to stay in place with modernizing boarding neighbor Sp...
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...wards a productive civil rights movement. Even though the church has opposed the measure, but Portuguese society appears to be largely supportive. Portugal is definitely beginning to move in the right direction and setting an example for many other countries to follow, but they still have much progression of their own to do in order to reach maximum equality amongst all citizens.
Resources:
Bruni, Frank. “One Country’s Big Gay Leap”. www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/opinion/sunday/bruni-same-sex-marriage-in-portugal.html. Accessed April 1, 2014.
France-Presse, Agence. “Portugal Rejects Gay Partner Adoption Law”. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140314/portugal-rejects-gay-partner-adoption-law
Accessed April 3, 2014.
Richard. “Portugal adopts Trans Law – 8 days for Legal Gender Recognition” http://www.tgeu.org/PR_Portuese_Trans_Law. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Within America’s society today, 3.8 percent of the population is gay, lesbian, or bisexual. With only 17 of the 50 states legalizing and recognizing this type of relationship (“History…”), it puts a stronghold on same-sex couples to publicly declare their love with the promise of marriage. Same-sex marriages should be legalized because everyone has equal rights of freedom and liberty.
For example, gender differences in Brazil are based on differences of people’s sexuality rather than their biological sex. There is a sexual and gender division between the transgendered prostitutes and their clients. It is considered
Currently, only 13 countries offer rights for members of the LGBT community. Within those countries, few offer equal rights such as health care, marriage rights, and adoption to LGBT members. Many people around the globe would agree that these rights, along with all other rights granted to heterosexuals, should not be granted to these members of the LGBT community. One prevalent notion is that being gay, or being included in the LGBT community, is unnatural. This notion is simply incorrect; everyone, no matter their gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation does, in fact, deserve the same liberties as their heterosexual counterparts. Being a member of the LGBT community has no negative effect on the lives of others unless those people view heterosexuality in a negative light, allowing it to bedevil them, and ultimately change the way they live their life. Being gay is completely natural. Though some would argue that homosexuality is unnatural, others would disagree, being that research has been conducted. The conclusion was that the way people think and feel towards others is s...
Tatchell, Peter (1992). Europe in the Pink: Lesbian and Gay Equality in the New Europe. London: GMP.
the beginning the text has an exciting tone since the authors describe the overwhelming emotions of individuals as well as the celebrations that took place after the law allowing same sex marriage was approved. By starting the article in this manner the writers are trying to provoke feelings of excitement from their readers in order to make them think that this event is a positive aspect of our society. Also, by mentioning the gay movement’s multiple efforts over the past “forty-two years to ensure the marital as well as civil rights of homosexuals” (Virtanen, Hill, and Zraick 1), the writers motivate their audience to be sympathetic towards these individuals. Moreover, the authors try to make people become more suppo...
Living life as a transgendered person is not easy. There are very few times when someone comes out as transgender and their lives are still relatively easy to manage. There are a copious...
The purpose of the article is to compare and contrast the two cases of analyses of Buenos Aires’ and Mexico City’s passage of same-sex marriage. Whether one is affected by same sex marriage or not (the latter being those that don’t marry a partner of the same sex), the adoption of same sex unions in countries is an interesting one and also very important, even from the latter’s point of view. Adoption of same sex marriage is a stride in the direction of equality, and which countries, states, or cities do indeed adopt it can be extremely interesting especially, as in Latin America, there is a history or persecuting those who would have a same sex marriage. This change and steps toward greater acceptance is a big deal when considering that history.
Under a Civil Code reform put into place in 1962 women were considered to be in the same legal category as minors (Aboim, 2004). Women of middle and upper classes could not legally represent their family or administer the families’ assets. Nor were they able to work outside of the house without the consent of the male head of household (Alvim, 2000). Before the creation of the new Brazilian Constitution of 1988 which granted men and women equality under the law, the father or husband of a woman had the right to control any employment contract she entered into.
Society is created with both homosexual and heterosexual individuals. Previously when certain laws discriminated against others, such as law for women's rights to vote, these laws were changed. Changing the traditions of the country does not mean that it will lead to the legalization of other extreme issues. Each ...
"50 Years of EU Gender Equalitylaw." EUROPA. N.p., 25 Oct. 2007. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.
In addition to the struggle to change existing laws and create new laws, they’re emphasizing the demand for more rights, new public policies, and more participation. Presently, feminist movements are concentrating against human misery and women’s exercise of citizenship. “Brazilian Feminists struggle in congress, in the streets, for the right to formal education, to vote, equal salaries, and suitable working conditions. In addition to obtaining control over their bodies and sexual pleasures.”
(Caron) In the US, “the birth of the gay rights movement began in 1969... the Defense of Marriage Act, enacted in 1996 has since been ruled unconstitutional as of 2013...and since 2011, gay and lesbian individuals have been allowed to serve openly in the military, (Caron).” As far as Mexico is concerned, regarding LGBTQ issues, discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation has been illegal since October of 1999 and the legalization of same-sex marriages in Mexico only took place in 2010 and is restricted to the residents of Mexico’s
Viscusi, G. and Smith, H. (2011, Jan. 29). France Has Power to Ban Same-Sex Marriage. The Gazette (Montreal, Que), p. A2
If the constitution promises equality before the law, what justification can there be for clearing rights to any member of society? More specifically what justification can there be for clearing rights to gays and lesbians? Lots of questions come to mind when the topic of gays and lesbians having equal rights as any other citizen in society would have. Should gays and lesbians have equal employment opportunities? Should they have the right to adopt a child, and should they have the right to marry their own sex partner. Well of course they should have the right to do all of these things just because they are human beings also.
Gender and sexuality can be comprehended through social science. Social science is “the study of human society and of individual relationships in and to society” (free dictionary, 2009). The study of social science deals with different aspects of society such as politics, economics, and the social aspects of society. Gender identity is closely interlinked with social science as it is based on an identity of an individual in the society. Sexuality is “the condition of being characterized and distinguished by sex” (free dictionary, 2009). There are different gender identities such as male, female, gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual that exists all around the world. There is inequality in gender identities and dominance of a male regardless of which sexuality they fall under. The males are superior over the females and gays superior over the lesbians, however it different depending on the place and circumstances. This paper will look at the gender roles and stereotypes, social policy, and homosexuality from a modern and a traditional society perspective. The three different areas will be compared by the two different societies to understand how much changes has occurred and whether or not anything has really changed. In general a traditional society is more conservative where as a modern society is fundamentally liberal. This is to say that a traditional society lists certain roles depending on the gender and there are stereotypes that are connected with the genders. One must obey the one that is dominant and make decisions. On the other hand, a modern society is lenient, It accepts the individual’s identity and sexuality. There is no inequality and everyone in the society is to be seen as individuals not a part of a family unit...