FREE ESSAY ON GAY RIGHTS

GAY RIGHTS

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. 
Word count: 1636
Bibliography
Works Cited
"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