Homosexuality and the Right to Form a Family

Equality of Homosexual Rights Most American politicians believe that everyone should be treated equally especially because it is stated in the United States Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers wrote these words to protect all individuals. Those Americans who abide by the rules and who are upstanding citizens have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, Americans who are not the typical heterosexual are restricted from their rights even if they are faithful citizens.

Homosexuality is most commonly defined as a person who has a sexual attraction to someone of the same sex. To many gay men and lesbians it means much more than just a sexual attraction. It means being able to have a loving relationship with the person they choose based on their beliefs and for some the right to have this love legally acknowledged through the institution of marriage. As with many minority groups, the one thing they all have in common is to be able to live their life free from hatred and discrimination. Over the years, homosexuality has been a significant topic of discussion in our society. Although progress towards altering public perception of homosexuality has been made in the last thirty years, significant homophobia remains pervasive in society.

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 ...

The acceptance of “abnormal” sexualities has been a prolonged, controversial battle. The segregation is excruciating and the prejudice remarks are so spiteful that some people never truly recover. Homosexuals have been left suffering for ages. Life, for most homosexuals during the first half of the twentieth century, was mostly one of hiding: having to constantly hide their true feelings and tastes. Instead of restaurants and movies, they had to sit quiet in the dark and meet each other in concealed places such as bars. Homosexuals were those with “mental and psychic abnormalities” and were the victim of medical prejudice, police harassment, and church condemnation (Jagose 24). The minuscule mention or assumption of one’s homosexuality could easily lead to the loss of family, livelihood, and sometimes even their lives. It was only after the Stonewall riots and the organization of gay/lesbian groups that times for homosexuals started to look brighter.

Homosexual Families and Parenthood across Cultures Not so long ago in United States family was defined as; a couple, a man and a woman with children. Times have changed. Today, people are moving away from this definition and now going for a modern description of what family refers to. From divorced parents, single par-ents, no children families, and gay parents they are all now included to this new definition. Ac-cording to the national census bureau “A family consists of two or more people (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption residing in the same housing unit” (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010).

Our culture and society has always been afraid of escaping our comfort zone and accepting differences in people. Distinctions between others segregate rather than invite differentiated groups as a result of ignorance and intolerance. Human sexuality, although seems like a very one-dimensional topic, examines a wide range of themes, including sexual orientation and homosexuality. The unfair treatment of gays and lesbians has existed ever since ancient times. People were slaughtered and executed solely on the basis of who they loved. Religious persecution, family disownment and simply the fear of death kept gays and lesbians from promoting any kind of change. It wasn't until after the Second World War that many started encouraging change and equal treatment for all under the law. The 1950s through the1980s served as the most important time frame in which movements, leaders, and support thrived in the United States as well as all around the globe. In addition, the rise of influential and important leaders such as Harvey Milk take the stage as an advocate and voice for gays during a time of a great need and a desire for reform. Protesting and political demonstrations provided a form of vocal advocacy intended to be heard by higher political positions. Around the turn of the century, the media played a crucial role in spreading awareness for equality, gaining mass attention, and assisting in policy innovation. All of these factors have evolved over time to what is now being considered the modern-day Gay rights movement. Many conditions have improved drastically since then, but obstacles still stand in the way from achieving social and legal equality. Today, the fight continues for marriage equality and acceptance into mainstream societ...

Homosexuality has existed since the beginning of recorded human history and yet, attitudes towards gay and lesbian individuals vary extensively. Some societies tolerate them; others openly welcome and encourage them; and most blatantly condemn them (Bates, 46). Throughout our country’s history, homosexuals have been misunderstood and discriminated against, leading many to acquire an irrational fear of gays and lesbians. Known as homophobia, this fear has prompted heterosexual individuals with a feeling a superiority and authority when using the word “homosexual” interchangeably with the words pervert, faggot, sodomite, and so on. Homophobes typically perceive homosexuality as a threat to society. Nonetheless, the Gay Rights Movement has achieved impressive progress since 1973 when the American Psychological Association (APA) eradi...

As generations proceeded, institutions such as the American Psychiatric Society began to classify homosexuality as a disease, which was later retracted in the 1970’s and was no longer considered a mental disorder. At this time many homosexuals decided to start “coming out”, a process in which people talk freely about their sexual orientation to family and friends. Then in the1980’s new adversary for the gay community became the forefront of debates worldwide. The AIDS crisis, which seemed to be only contracted in the gay male population, paved the way for brutalizing words such as “queer” that was used to describe all sexual minorities. In the 1990’s where the gay rights movement saw more victories with the United States military instituting the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy.” This policy gave homosexuals the right to serve within the military. Then in the year 2000, Vermont became the first state to allow same sex civil unions (Pitas).

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination of an individual on the basis of their race, sex, religion, or national origin fails to provide federal protection to individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation. The fact that this landmark federal policy does not include civil rights protection for homosexuals has put them at a disadvantage legally and socially. Although social attitudes towards homosexuality are slowly progressing, erroneous myths and bias attitudes within the legal system continue to persist. Since homosexuals are not legally protected, these myths within the judicial system are allowed to flourish. Judges' biases and prejudicial viewpoints contribute to the outcome of legal decisions. Legal and economical privileges guaranteed to traditional heterosexual families are eliminated because of the denial of legal protection. Some of these privileges that are granted to heterosexual families, but not to same sex couples include: income tax benefits, life insurance, property benefits, and rights of inheritance. Due to the lack of federal support, the contemporary gay rights movement has taken a more proactive approach to abolish social, political, and economical discrimination. The purpose of the gay rights movement is to enlighten and inform citizens of alternative lifestyles with the intention of abolishing myths and ill-founded beliefs about gays (Cabaj 1998).

As a result of the negative attitudes portrayed toward homosexuality their lives are affected in a myriad of ways most of which can lead to rejection by family and friends, discriminatory acts of violence that usually result in harm to the individuals; along with these many challenges faced on an almost daily basis persons of the homosexual persuasion have to contend with the fact that the basis of our nation’s laws and policies will have an adverse effect their lives. This can result in damaging effects to the individual or group making them reluctant to open up about their sexual orientation, and accessing health care from public health centers, which are responsive to health issues that they maybe facing. This can also affect their income, employment status and the ability to get and keep health insurance. Being in a country that ...