Gay Rights Essay, Research Paper

No one needs to be looked down upon

Two men want to adopt a child in Texas. They have been together for five years and a child would be the one detail that would complete their lives. They filled out the application and it was perfect… it was the perfect home for a child; except there was one small problem that caused their application to be rejected; the fact that they were gay. These people can never have the life that they desire because of their sexual orientation. Scenes like this are happening all over the country and they are going against every thing America stands for. Every one should have the basic privileges of marriage, children, working at a certain place and much more despite their sexuality. There are reasons for and against to deny homosexuals the rights that heterosexuals have . There is no need to take away peoples dreams and freedoms just because they are different. Homosexuals should have the same legal rights and privileges as heterosexuals in the community and elsewhere.

Together with much controversy the state of Vermont has taken a step in the direction of honoring homosexuality. In April of 2000 the House passed a Bill of Civil Unions. (Vermont governor) This bill grants gay and lesbians the benefits of marriage. The governor promised to sign the bill, and the first civil unions may take place July 1st, 2000.(Vermont’s gay marriage bill). Consequently some people are outraged by this decision. Dr. Laura Schessionger has been urging her listeners to demonstrate by calls and mail to Vermont that they are outraged by this new bill (Stop Dr. Laura). She is one of the many opposed to being gay. She calls she calls homosexuality “Deviant and Dysfunctional,” she also calls homosexuals “biological mistakes” (Stop Dr. Laura) Even if homosexuality is dysfunctional does that mean we have a right to outlaw that lifestyle because the majority opposes it?

“I think it is courageous and powerful statement…” a Vermont Democrat said. (Qtd. Vermont governor). This issue is such a hard call to make about marriages between same sex couples. There is a great deal of controversy and an almost equal balance of supporters and those opposed to the proposition. In fact the House passed the bill on a small 19-11 majority.( Gay benefits) It’s evident that there are some homosexual supporters who are not homosexual. In spite of that Vermont realizes that there are basic need people that people required. “Vermont is taking care of its gay and lesbian citizens in away that other states are not.” Said David Smith of the Human Rights Campaign. .(Gay benefits) One of these needs of life is to have a family. People need love and security as much as they need any thing else in a life and no one can deny that. This may possibly also mean that people would travel to Vermont for their civil union ceremony and go back to a state where marriage/civil unions are not allowed.

In response to the idea of traveling to Vermont for the purpose of marriage other states in all probability will not recognize Vermont civil unions.(Vermont’s gay marriage bill) This means these states won’t give them the benefits of marriage/civil union like medical responsibility and state taxes. In fact California has proposed a law that would not recognize marriages from other states.(California passes ban) The state would be as legally sneaky as possible. They are doing something called “Limit on Marriage.” ( qtd. California passes ban) They are insuring that marriage remains a “bond between a man and a woman.” (qtd. McCaleb) How can you say these people aren’t against same-sex marriages?

As soon as Vermont passed its new bill allowing Civil Unions many people stood by with signs and protested. They are so clearly opposed to them you would have to be blind not to see it. California is trying to bend the rules so they won’t have to deal with gay marriages. Miriam G. Santacruz clearly says that under California law, “…it also recognizes marriages from other states.” (qtd. McCaleb) So they will be changing the laws because of, “most people believe marriage should be between a man and a woman,” like Santacruz says. Alongside of California the state of West Virginia is also thinking a similar bill. (Without Standing) This bill would be passed by primarily heterosexuals, also known as the majority of people in the U.S. Throughout time America is not a place where we change to make the majority happy, here in America we care more about individual rights. As Dan Faber said, “We go through the same things heterosexuals do.” (qtd. McAllen) Nevertheless 30 other states have passed laws stating that they would not recognize same sex marriages from other states. (McCaleb) 30 other states are willing to sacrifice one minorities right for the beliefs held by majorities it is starting to look like. It is evident that the gay community is not being treated fairly and given their just privileges. This community is not being treated the same as others in fact. Like patron Gary Murphy said, “What is so ensuring is that gay people will remain second-class citizens,”. (Qtd. California passes ban) What other ways are these people being treated like second-class citizens?

An additional story is of a woman, a woman in Trenton New Jersey who was denied joint custody of her twins. (joint custody denied) She is only allowed visitation of her children because she is the lesbian partner and is not of actual blood to the children otherwise she would most likely have joint custody. The only reason she even gets that little privilege is because she holds a status as a “psychological parent.” Instead her lesbian partner has custody because she is the one who gave birth through artificial insemination in 1994. (joint custody denied) I find this all very terrible. It is the worst feeling in the world not to have your children. Also the associate justice Virginia Long said, “Each appears to be a fully capable, loving parent committed to the safety and welfare of the twins.” What I keep thinking is if this woman is a good capable parent what is the matter? The answer is nothing… the only thing that is keeping her from her children is the fact she is a lesbian. Does that mean if my father became gay he would loose all rights to me? That is not right at all. He would still be the same parent he was before. Like the woman in this case said, “Biology truly doesn’t have anything to do with a parent providing a loving, nurturing environment.” (. joint custody denied) I’m very sure most would agree. Some are still not pleased with this ruling. Despite the fact that they think that same-sex couples should not have children at all they state that this ruling sets an example. Beatrice Dohrn, legal director of the Lambda Legal Defense Fund, said it secures parental status for nonbiological parents in gay families. (. joint custody denied)

Considering that many other states are ruling the same in such cases of parenting and adoption, like the case in Mass. Over two women and their 3 year old son and the couple are separating. (court won’t review) There is also a Florida mans is getting a chance to sue for the ban on adoption to homosexuals. (Florida man can Sue) She should realize the inevitable; the average American family is changing. For example in Florida a man is filing a suit because of their ban on gay adoptions. The American Civil Liberties Union is taking the case. (Florida man can Sue) You can see the idea is spreading over the U.S. that the average family is not what is used to be years ago.

All sorts of ways of life are changing in the U.S. right now. For years churches were strongly opposed to homosexuality. Now thanks to the efforts of the Methodist Church homosexuals are allowed to go and worship and in fact the Methodist church in Omaha has agreed to allow gay members of the congregation. (First United Methodist) furthermore the people of this church voted and 85% voted in favor. (First United Methodist) I think this is a wonderful step because faith and spirituality are a big part of a persons life. It is just as important, if not possibly more as work and family. The Methodists realize that homosexuality is a growing issue that can not be stopped. From the looks of it they are following the saying “If you can’t beat them, join them.” That is exactly what they are doing. The Methodists are pushing to let homosexuals join their congregations nation wide. (First United Methodist) Most are hoping that this will set a precedence to show that being same-sex oriented is not a sin or a crime in the eyes of God unlike it was thought to be years ago.

So now with the changing times we ask the question of what is right in America. The answer is fair treatment; it’s very simple don’t you think? I don’t find it very hard to be polite and fair. It’s not that hard to do. Most would say that it was a fair desire. Every one has life long dreams that you want more then any thing in your life like children, marriage, and faith. The homosexual community doesn’t have these privileges. It’s evident that the homosexual community deserves to be treated fairly. No one needs to be looked down upon and not given the same treatment and rights every other person seems to have. It looks like we are taking the right steps to ensure what these people, and all people deserve; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“First United Methodist Church of Omaha Joins reconciling congregations.” 2/19/00. on-line at

www.pflag.net

“Florida passes ban on marriages.” USA Today. 3/9/00. on-line at

www.usatoday.com/news/e98/e1327.htm

“Florida man can sue over adoption ban.” April 28, 2000. on-line at www.advocate.com

“Gay benefits legislation advances in Vermont. State Senate.” CNN April 19,2000. on line at

www.cnn.com

“Gay marriage vote could be far-reaching.” USA Today. 5/1/00. on-line at

www.usatoday.com/news/e98/e906.htm

“Mississippi tries again to deny adoption rights to same-gender couples.” News and Breaking stories about

the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. April 24,2000.On-line at WWW.glaad.org

McCaleb, Ian Christopher, “ ‘Prop 22’ social referendum grips California voters.” March 3, 2000

On-line. Internet April 30,200. On-line at www.spokeane.net

“Standing in West Virginia.” Glaadalert April 13, 2000 on-line at www.glaad.org

“Without standing.” Charleston Daily Mail. April 10,2000

“Vermont’s gay marriage bill wins approval; governor will sign.” The Associated Press. April 25,2000.

On-line. Internet April 30,2000. Available at: www.CNN.com

“Vermont governor signs gay marriage bill.) USA Today 4/27/00. On-line at

WWW.Usatoday.com/news/washdc/neswed07.htm