GAY RIGHTS
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The issue of gay rights continues to create controversy in American society and among U.S. legislators and policymakers. For much of American history, homosexuality has been a taboo subject and even a crime in itself (Gay 2003). Today, millions of gay and lesbian Americans are open about their sexuality and actively seek the same legal rights afforded to heterosexuals, including protection against discrimination and the right to marry. Over the past twenty years, the American publicÆs attitude toward homosexuality has become more accepting. According to Public Agenda, ôA majority of Americans now say that homosexuality should be considered an acceptable alternative lifestyle,ö (Gay 2003). Many states afford homosexuals greater rights than ever before including issues on employment discrimination, adoption, and marriage.Despite the move toward greater acceptance of and greater legislation protecting the rights of homosexuals, many Americans and religious-based organizations are staunchly opposed to homosexuality. Many groups view homosexuality as a sin and gay marriage as an assault on the nuclear family and traditional family values. Those opposed to gay rights view homosexuality as a choice and government policy affording it special rights as money spent reinforcing a behavior they find offensive. Gay rights advocates in contrast argue that like race or disability, sexual orientation cannot be changed. They argue that because of this fact
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significant role in promoting the Gay Rights Amendment, 2004, among their colleagues. By helping inform other policymakers of the discrimination homosexuals are routinely subjected to, these elected officials demonstrate why such should not be the case in American society. They of all gay Americans can demonstrate to other policymakers that it is unconstitutional to discriminate against individuals based on sexual orientation. Having worked with many policymakers they will also be able to demonstrate that homosexuality is an alternative lifestyle but not a choice any more than is heterosexuality.
I would also seek out various national, state, and local gay advocate groups in order to generate a grassroots movement with national influence. I would appeal to the leaders of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund (GLVF), the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association (NGLJA) and others of varied interests in order to gather support and gain public awareness from the local to national media. I would also make an appeal to more radical gay advocacy groups like ACT Up that the time has come from progress to take a more rational and political approach to change. Various leade
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Approximate Word count = 5035
Approximate Pages = 20 (250 words per page)
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