Discrimination Against Homosexuality

Throughout man’s history, homosexuality has often been looked down upon and homosexuals have been discriminated, disowned, and even killed because of their preferences. A majority of this prejudice is commonly defended by religion, as many religions pronounce homosexuality a sin. Constantly faced with adversity, the homosexual community find the strength in the belief that one day homosexuality will be just as equal as heterosexuality. This may be happening in the American culture as the population of the homosexual community is rising, therefore, increasing their exposure which can eventually lead to acceptance. Because of this increased exposure to homosexuality, the American society has begun to discriminate much less towards homosexuals,
People are often disdained on the terms of difference, and homosexual preferences differ completely in regards to heterosexual preferences. The discrimination was so great that homosexuality was determined a mental illness and remained that way until 1974 (Hickey). Consequently, homosexuals were admitted into mental institutions and treated as if they were mentally ill, like schizophrenics. The American society was so harsh towards homosexuals that they believed putting them in hospitals would help turn them straight. In addition to mental institutions, various camps were setup that forcibly tormented and attempted to convert homosexuals to heterosexuality. This is greatly exemplified by Dr. Walter Freeman’s practices who reportedly “jammed an ice pick through a homosexual’s eye into the brain and performed a primitive lobotomy” (Mixner). This shows that attitudes towards homosexuals were very harsh in America’s history, so much so that even medical doctors went to drastic measures to conform homosexuals to heterosexuality. Exodus International was a dominant organization that aided the conversion effort. Exodus International sought to offer “freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ,” which further shows how religion played a major role in attitudes towards homosexuality (Payne). Attitude changes towards homosexuality has
The movement for equality started back in 1951 when a national organization focused on gay rights was founded (Head). Then in 1993 when the Hawaii Supreme Court said that denying homosexuals the right violates equal protection. In contrast, the biggest roadblock towards equality was the adoption the Defense of Marriage Act (1996). It ultimately defined marriage, in the United States, as “the union of one man and one woman” (“DOMA”). Homosexuals, regardless of the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause, were denied the right to legally marry in the United States. This was a major blow to the homosexual community. The only fighting way left for homosexual equality was to fight the issue in court. Not many cases were won in the infancy of the law’s adoption. Although some states allowed homosexual marriage, their recognition was denied in federal court, which also meant they could not file as spouses on taxes nor claim damages. Basic civil rights promised to heterosexual couples were denied to homosexual couples. This continued on for several years until eventually coming to an end during the summer of 2015 when the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional and that gay marriage is now legal in all of the United States [cite?]. Homosexuals all over the country rejoiced as marriage