The Pledge of Allegiance, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” is a symbol for the American culture to salute, but does everyone in the United States have justice? Men and women almost have equal rights. African Americans, Latinos, Caucasians and other minority ethnic groups have a lot of rights. However, do homosexuals have the same rights as other minority groups or heterosexuals? In 1960s and early 1970s, a potent number of homosexual groups, family members, and friends organized the first homosexual movement. It was a movement that proposed changes to society behavior, political, religion, and law views.
The words of the Pledge of Allegiance most likely represent the lifestyle of most of the United States citizens. However, not everyone has “justice for all.” Homosexuals are not treated equally like other minority groups or as heterosexuals, although, they are humans with a different lifestyle. Many heterosexuals and churches do not agree with same-sex marriage, or homosexuals’ style of living, beliefs, ideas, and opinions. Same-sex marriage has been and will continue to be a controversial
, historical movement, and an issue for our American society. However, homosexuals deserve the same right as any other American citizen.
After forming the first homosexual movement “the 1970s were years of significant achievement,” homosexual’s “liberation changed the sexual landscape of the nation”.1 Many gay and lesbian come out to family and friends admitting to be homosexual, same-sex attraction. Society was not openly minded about homosexuality behaviors. In the past, homosexuals did not have the same opportunities to be “successful” as they do today, and they were discriminated against by heterosexuals. Society is changing and there are “celebrities and famous homosexuals who are having a successful life”.2 Some heterosexuals feel uncomfortable with gays and lesbians, but our society is changing for a better future; its “reward is progress”3. The gay community has been and it is important because it brings history, diversity, different opinions, and a different culture. The homosexual movement has been the largest gay organization. This organization protected and fought for homosexuals’ rights and behaviors4. There is nothing wrong with being gay, but being out, admitting verbally that someone is gay, can be a terrible experience because discrimination is heightened when she or he is coming out of the closet.5 Gay people need civil rights protection mostly to protect them physically.
“Until recently, there was no way for homosexuals to be out and successful.”6 Homosexuals are getting a better life, but not the best. There was been many successful gay, lesbians, and bisexuals in history; Julius Caesar (100?-44 B.C.), Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.), Susan Brownell Anthony (1820-1906), James Baldwin (1924-1987), Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519), Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), Tennessee Williams (1911-1983), just to name a few.7 Many homosexuals have been successful in the past and become famous. There have been writers, politicians, reformers, actors, economists, anthropologist, artists, composers, etc.8 Homosexuality behaviors are history; it has existed since humans been alive.
Homosexuals have the same rights, just like any other human. The homosexual movement helped gay and lesbians to come out of the closet, to be them selves, and to become successful in their personal life. Tennessee William (1911-1983) became a famous U.S. playwright. Mr. William gain success and respect for his famous work, plays, including The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Mr. William was open of his homosexuality, 1975 he published Memoirs. A publication, in which, he described and expressed his career, his love affairs, and his one-night stands. Memoirs brought attention to the general public about his sexuality and personal live.9
Most of the time homosexuals are discriminated against by heterosexuals. This is why gays move away from the straight community and form their own gay communities where they feel safe. It is important for homosexuals to find a place where they can feel safe and they can express themselves, but preferably, they should feel safe anywhere. Since 1970s’ when the homosexual movement was organized, the U.S. society is slowly accepting the gay culture. Now some heterosexuals are more open minded when they see a homosexual scene on T.V., but there is always discrimination against homosexuals in real life. Other heterosexuals call homosexuals “fags” or when something does not look right to them they will express themselves by saying, “Oh, that’s so gay!” While some organizations, like GLTB (Gays, Lesbians, Transsexuals, and Bisexuals), fight for the gay rights and for total justice10. This kind of peace will take forever because different people have strong opinions on how other ought to be.
The problem is not only at the Supreme Court, but also an issue for some churches. Some “churches do not bless same-sex marriages”.11 Church-members are separated in opinion because some churches have approved to “bless same-sex unions, or the approval of ministers involved with the gay community,”12 and some other churches have not accepted and approved the gay culture. Some pastors and priests believe that “God loves all of his children”13 and therefore, they are more accepting. A policy in the Episcopal bishop in the United States says, “No pastor may engage in heterosexual or homosexual relations outside marriage – and it defines marriage as a lifelong relationship between a man and a woman.”14 But that definition does not fit everyone’s idea of marriage or a lifelong relationship.
The main idea of the homosexual movement was to supports homosexuals’ rights; family and friends, not only the United States government, but also the churches should accept gay rights to show respect. The Supreme Court has not passed a law about the rights for same sex-marriages. However, just the fact that they are considering it is interesting, considering the United States has promised a separation of government and church. Some churches have passed the right for same-sex couples and the gay community is growing. The United States is going to have to accommodate with this change.
The number one city with the largest gay population is San Francisco, California. “Same-sex marriage is a debate”15 in the United States, but especially in the state of California. In February 2004, San Francisco, California, began granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Over 4,000 couples had taken their vows from February to August, 2004. Same-sex marriages have been an issue and a problem all over the United States, and around the world. In November, 2003, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial court ruled in favor of same-sex marriages. Gay men and lesbians should be able to get married, like any other citizen. If the Supreme Court passes the law of gay marriage, it is going to be a new progress for the community in general.16
One of the reasons why the homosexual movement was because there was and still is a controversy about same-sex marriages, but a new law could possibly be passed so that gay men and lesbians could be able to get married if they wished; “They want recognition”17. Homosexuals should have the same rights as heterosexuals. The Supreme Court should make the law to be equal, as the Constitution said that everyone is equal.
“There are more gay and lesbian couples now than in the pass”18. Homosexual relationships are just like heterosexual relationships. Gay and lesbians are coming out of the closet, and society is becoming more acceptable about homosexual relationships. However, society still thinks and believes that homosexuality is wrong. “No, Homosexuality is not a sin and it is not immoral”19 In reality, no one has the answered how someone can be homosexual, since the year 1860 medical research study homosexuality.20 In 1864, Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, the first man with out training in science and medicine to come up with a scientific theory of homosexuality.21
“Ulrich Regarded homosexuality as an inborn benign anomaly and posited the notion of a third sex in order to explain its existence. Ulrich’s ideas also posited that homosexuality was an attribute of a particular type of person, marked by the paradoxical presence of characteristics of both sexes.”22
A beautiful white wedding gown, flowers, family relatives, friends, a husband who vows to love the bride unconditionally, and the future prospect of a healthy and happy family; this is a great picture that society has in mind for a perfect wedding. But what happens when there are two beautiful white wedding gowns or perhaps two tuxedos instead? The society of the United States is becoming more open-minded and heterosexuals are slowly being more accepted, but still many heterosexual people have a difficult time accepting gay people as a couple. Many heterosexual people believe in equal rights, but when two men or two women decide that they want to show their love and commitment to each other by getting married, but some heterosexuals do not respect their decisions. Civil rights do not seem to be happening for homosexuals. Not everyone accepts same-sex marriages, and this leads our country to a controversial issue. Day by day, the diversity of the United States is growing with people coming from all over the world, and people with lifestyles that are unfamiliar to most Americans. Homosexuality is a type of diversity. The majorities of humans are attracted to the opposite sex, or in other words, are heterosexual. Gay and lesbians couples are everywhere; at the store, church, school, street, etc. People not only know someone gay, most of them love and respect someone who is gay.
Everyone enjoys freedom, and everyone wants freedom. Freedom allows everyone to do basically whatever he or she wants with his or her life. It also gives the legal recognition and protection of marriage. According to the United States’ Constitution and The Bill of Rights, everyone has the same right and everyone is treated equally. Over the past years the United States has experienced several dilemmas dealing with the freedom and recognition of gays and lesbians. Everyone should have the same rights as every other person, no matter how uncomfortable people are with their lifestyles. It is not about whether or not someone has a religion that agrees with a homosexual lifestyle. Many heterosexual people have a difficult time accepting gay people as a couple, but that is not the point. The point is, as humans, they cannot be denied the same rights as other human beings. The United States Constitution is based on equality, but the American people are making that constitution hypocrisy in itself. Not everyone in the United States has equal rights. Not everyone is the same in the United States, which is something that Americans usually pride themselves about. The United States is going to have to include everyone in their famous quote “with liberty and justice for all.”Notes
1. John D’Emilio. Making Trouble; essays on gay history, politics, and the university. (New York: Routledge, 1992), 3.
2. Richard Goldstein. “Fighting the Gay Right.” The Nation. June 1, 2002; 3.
3. Goldstein, 3.
4. Enrique Rueda & Michael Schwartz. Gay, AIDS and YOU. Connecticut: Devin Adair, 1987; 36-37.
5. James T. Sears. Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Issues in Education; Programs, Policies, and Practice. New York: Harrington Prk Press, 2005; 86.
6. Goldstein, 3.
7. Don Romesburg. Young, Gay, and Proud! Fourth Edition. Texas: Alyson Publication, August 1995; 116-131.
8. Romesburg, 116-131.
9. Romesburg, 130.
10. Sears, 69.
11. “Churches Take Steps on Issue of Marriage Between Gays.” The Washington Post. January 14, 2005; A12.
12. The Washington Post; A12.
13. The Washington Post; A12.
14. The Washington Post; A12.
15. Joe Dignan. “Gay Couples Challenge Calif. Marriage Law.” The Washington Post. December 23, 2004; A14.
16. Joe Dignan; A14.
17. Joe Dignan; A14.
18. Eric Marcus. “Is It A Choice?” New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1999; 79.
19. Eric Marcus; 80.
20. Jennifer Terry. An American Obsession; Science, Medicine, and Homosexuality in Modern Society. The University of Chicago, 1999; 42
21. Jennifer Terry; 43.
22. Jennifer Terry; 43.
Bibliography
“Churches Take Steps on Issue of Marriage Between Gays.” The Washington Post. January 14, 2005.
D’Emilio, John. Making Trouble; essays on gay history, politics, and the university.
New York: Routledge, 1992.
Dignan, Joe. “Gay Couples Challenge Calif. Marriage Law.” The Washington Post. December 23, 2004.
Goldstein, Richard. “Fighting the Gay Right.” The Nation. June 1, 2002.
Marcus, Eric. “Is It A Choice?” New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1999.
Romesburg, Don. Young, Gay, and Proud! Fourth Edition. Texas: Alyson Publication, August 1995.
Rueda, Enrique, & Schwartz, Michael. Gay, AIDS and YOU. Connecticut: Devin Adair, 1987.
Sears, James T. Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Issues in Education; Programs, Policies, and Practice. New York: Harrington Prk Press, 2005.
Terry, Jennifer. An American Obsession; Science, Medicine, and Homosexuality in Modern Society. The University of Chicago, 1999.
