Chayanin Suksunpantep

Mr.Yates

Pre Ap English

12/2/14

Gay and Lesbian Rights

Social Issues are refers to as issues that affect society by small or large group of

individuals. These are all problems many people believed should be corrected or fixed. Human

rights and equality are also classified as a social issue. In that category are gay and lesbian rights.

The term gay and lesbian can also be known as homosexual. This is when people are sexually

attracted to others with the same sex. These people received unfair treatments and abuses and

they fight for their equality to be accepted in the society.

This issue have been going on as part of a movement since the 1924s to gain the rights

for gay and lesbian. For many gay and lesbians, “the phrase ‘in the closet’ refers to gay and

lesbians who hide their sexual orientation” and are afraid to show their true self (Gay and

Lesbian Rights). LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisextual, and transgender. The purpose of the

LGBT movement is to gain equal rights and acceptance. LGBT movement fight for rights

against discrimination in employment, business, and housing. The founder of gay rights
movement is known to be Harry Hay. More than “ 4,380 gay men and women had been

discharged from the military and around 500 fired from their jobs with the government” because

of their sexual orientation (Gay Rights Movement). In 1953, president Dwigth Eisenower banned

homosexual from working for the federal government. There were riots known as Stonewall riots

to police officer which eventually lead out to blood on the street in 1969. Currently, even though

some rights were gained, the movement is still going on as part of the American life.

For LGBT, they believed their rights were being limited. Gay and lesbian needs Civil

Rights protection against “hostility, discrimination—and sometimes deadly violence” because of

their sexual orientation (Civil Rights 101). In the Declaration of Human Rights, this violated

article 5. This article stated to be no cruel and torture and also inhuman treatment. Many gay and

lesbian receives violation against discrimination in both jobs and housing. Many people received

transfers, declination, and discrimination for employment and even health services. Threat for

campaign and even verbal abuse are all part of the violation of people with different sexual

orientation. Some might say this also violated article 16 in Human Rights. Men and women

“​have the right to marry and to found a family” but in many states gay marriage is not allowed

(UDHR). 15 states have banned same sex marriage by Constitutional Amendment and State Law

ever since 1996’. Many same sex couples want the right to be legally married and live with the

person they love and honor their relationship with a child. Therefore, the banning of gay

marriage by the government is a violation to an important article of Universal Declaration of

Human Rights. Many people have realized this and are working to gain rights for LGBT.
 Today, there are many gay and lesbian centers and medical association provided for

LGBT. Gay and lesbian medical association was provided for equality on health care and for

many. An association known as GLMA help “limits on discrimination based on sexual

orientation and gender identity” through today (GLMA). GLMA stands for gay lesbian medical

association and is designed for LGBT to receive their full medical care and also provided home

for professional LGBT nursing. Rights also have been violated “because the proposed law by its

express terms forbids same-sex couples entry into civil marriage, it continues to relegate same

sex couples to a different status” not receiving equal rights (Goodridge V. Department of Public

Health). Many gay and lesbian did not want special treatment, they want equality. An example of

one is getting to be legally married to the person they love by choice. Gay and lesbian centers

from all around America are working to help fight for their equality, provided families and

medication needs, and gave an opportunity for the highest education. Since many states have

approved of gay and lesbian there are fewer and fewer discrimination and violence against them.

Gay and lesbian right is still being debated today. Many associations are working hard

for their equality and the right for marriage. Many also believe that the purpose of marriage is to

produce and raise children, gay and lesbian marriage could lead to weakening of institution of

marriage and it would be more of an adult gratification. However, gay and lesbian rights is a

social issue that many people believed should be fixed. Rights have been violated and ignored.

These group of people are pending for the acceptance of society that will lead them to full

equality and human rights.