Gay Marriage
http://voices.yahoo.com/gay-marriage-social-policy-11286164.html?cat=7
Gay Marriage and Social Policy
By Mark Gittner
The history of civil rights has been a long one. America first addressed this issue in the Declaration of Independence by declaring that "All men are created equal" (Congress, 1776). Since that time, America has tried to address issues by ending slavery, extending the vote, and addressing the rights of women and other races. However, hidden in the background has been the issue of gay rights.
Homosexuals were not seen to have many rights in early America. In fact, laws were created, such as the "Sodomy Laws" that were used primarily to target homosexuals (Nguyen, 1999). Employment was mostly barred to open homosexuals in federal agencies such as the military and the FBI. There were few who were willing to stand out and advocate for gay rights. The earliest known group to do so was the Society for Human Rights in Chicago, created in 1924 (The American gay Rights Movement: A Timeline, n.d.). The Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis were to follow in the 1950 's. Then, 1969 would see the beginning of what is known as the Gay Rights Movement.
The Gay Rights Movement has its historic beginning in the Stonewall riots, marking the first major attempt of gays to organize them and to resist discrimination (Nguyen, 1999). In 1969, policemen in New York started to raid gay bars. One such was the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village. The unlicensed bar was raided by policemen in the early mornings of June 28th 1969. As the policemen made their arrests, they confronted an angry and violent mob outside the Stonewall Inn. The mob was yelling, throwing coins, rocks, beer bottles, and bricks at the policemen. During the violent struggle the protesters were beaten by policemen. In retaliation, the crowd tried to set the bar with the policemen inside on fire. The crowd of protesters would grow to 400 but re-gathered for two following nights in
Gay Marriage and Social Policy
By Mark Gittner
The history of civil rights has been a long one. America first addressed this issue in the Declaration of Independence by declaring that "All men are created equal" (Congress, 1776). Since that time, America has tried to address issues by ending slavery, extending the vote, and addressing the rights of women and other races. However, hidden in the background has been the issue of gay rights.
Homosexuals were not seen to have many rights in early America. In fact, laws were created, such as the "Sodomy Laws" that were used primarily to target homosexuals (Nguyen, 1999). Employment was mostly barred to open homosexuals in federal agencies such as the military and the FBI. There were few who were willing to stand out and advocate for gay rights. The earliest known group to do so was the Society for Human Rights in Chicago, created in 1924 (The American gay Rights Movement: A Timeline, n.d.). The Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis were to follow in the 1950 's. Then, 1969 would see the beginning of what is known as the Gay Rights Movement.
The Gay Rights Movement has its historic beginning in the Stonewall riots, marking the first major attempt of gays to organize them and to resist discrimination (Nguyen, 1999). In 1969, policemen in New York started to raid gay bars. One such was the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village. The unlicensed bar was raided by policemen in the early mornings of June 28th 1969. As the policemen made their arrests, they confronted an angry and violent mob outside the Stonewall Inn. The mob was yelling, throwing coins, rocks, beer bottles, and bricks at the policemen. During the violent struggle the protesters were beaten by policemen. In retaliation, the crowd tried to set the bar with the policemen inside on fire. The crowd of protesters would grow to 400 but re-gathered for two following nights in
References: Focus on the Family. (2006, September). Retrieved from Right Wing Watch: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/focus-family Gay Rights Movement Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships. (2012, January). Retrieved from National Conference of State Legislatures: http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/human-services/same-sex-marriage.aspx Camenker, B Congress, 1. U. (1776). Paragraph 2. Declaration of Independence. D 'Emelio, J Department. (2008, May 22). A Brief history of: Gay marriage. Retrieved from Time.com: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1808617,00.html Focus on the Family Fox News. (2004, March 22). The Real Impact of Gay Marriage On Society. Retrieved from Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,114697,00.html Hertzog, M Meezan, W., & Rauch, J. (2005). Gay marriage, same-sex parenting,and America 's children. Marriage and Child Well Being, 15(2). Messerli, J Nguyen, M. (1999). Civil Rights: The history of gay rights. Retrieved from Enderminh.com: http://www.enderminh.com/minh/civilrights.aspx Tice, J., & Perkins, K