Summary
On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts made history by becoming the first state to allow same-sex marriages. "To have the highest court in the state affirm your right to be a family was wonderful, and it just gave you courage," said Marcia Hams, who camped out in front of Cambridge City Hall on Sunday with her bride-to-be, Susan Shepherd, to be the first in line to apply for a marriage license" (CNN). Many towns in the state opened up their licensing offices late on Sunday so they could hand out marriage license applications right when it became legal. Crowds cheered and sang the Star Spangled Banner as the clock struck 12, allowing the same-sex couples to finally apply for marriage. This marks a milestone in the Gay Rights Movement, however, conservatives are fighting for the act to become illegal across the country, and pushing for states to make bans on same-sex marriage. According to polls, approval of gay marriage is growing and unapproval is sinking.
Anaylsis
On May 17, a milestone was definitely hit. After decades of fighting hard for it, gay marriage was finally legalized in a state. It may be just one state, and there may be many people against it, but it definitely progress.
Questions
Which will be the next state to legalize gay marriage?
Which state will be the next to put a ban on gay marriage?
Citation
CNN. (2004, May 17). Same-sex couples ready to make history in massachusetts. Retrieved from http://articles.cnn.com/2004-05-17/justice/mass.gay.marriage_1_lesbian-couples-marriage-law-federal-constitutional-amendment?_s=PM:LAW
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Obama Supports Gay Marriage
Summary:
Recently, president Barack Obama became the first president in history to approve of gay marriage. “I’ve been going through an evolution on this issue,” Obama told ABC News Wednesday. “At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married" (Obama). Mr. Obama originally believed that civil unions would be enough for same-sex partners, aware of the fact that the word "marriage" evokes religious traditions and beliefs. He has now come to the point though that he believes the nations same-sex couples should be allowed the right to marry.
Analysis
This is to be considered a monumental step in the gay rights movement. Obama is the first president in history to approve of gay marriage, and if he is re-elected in the upcoming election, this idea could help change the rights of the LGBT community in America forever. It's amazing that after years of this idea being unapproved of, the leader of our nation finally supports the equal right of marriage. This shows that times are changing and people are becoming more approving of and open minded of homosexuals.
Questions
Why did it take Mr. Obama 4 years to come to this conclusion?
If Obama is re-elected, will he help further the legalization of gay marriage?
Citation
Video taken from "The Blaze" (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/obama-same-sex-marriage-should-be-legal/) [same page as article]
Morgenstern, Madeleine. "OBAMA: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SHOULD BE LEGAL." TheBlaze. TheBlaze LLC, 09 May 2012. Web. 27 May 2012. <http://www.theblaze.com/stories/obama-same-sex-marriage-should-be-legal/>.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Stonewall Riots
Summary
The Leadership Conference, . "Stonewall Riots: The Beginning of the LGBT Movement." The Leadership Conference: The nation's premier civil and human rights coalition.. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, 22 07 2002. Web. 22 May 2012. <http://www.civilrights.org/archives/2009/06/449-stonewall.html>.
On June 29, 1969, in Greenwich Village, New York, riots broke out at a popular gay bar called the Stonewall Inn. At the time, there weren't many places in the country that could be "openly gay". "New York had laws prohibiting homosexuality in public, and private businesses and gay establishments were regularly raided and shut down" (The Leadership Conference). After growing angry about harassment from police, a riot broke out at the inn, and the rioters were soon joined by more homosexual people from around the area, who soon began to throw items at the police and shout "Gay Power!" Even though the crowd dispersed by police, demonstrations continued on days afterwards. On the 1st anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the first Gay Pride parades took place in cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Analysis
The Stonewall Riots are considered the event that pushed the Gay Rights movement into motion. This was one of the first events where gay people took a stand for their rights and showed police that they wouldn't take the discrimination anymore. After this event, Gay Rights groups were started in almost every major city across the United States. This event showcases the fact that gay people were finally fed up enough with the harassment that they took a stand, and this stand against the police caused a chain of more events to happen, which have led to some of the rights granted to them today.
Questions
What made the customers at the Stonewall Inn finally take a stand against the police?
Did "Mob Mentality" take a big place in some of the actions of the rioters?
Citation
The Leadership Conference, . "Stonewall Riots: The Beginning of the LGBT Movement." The Leadership Conference: The nation's premier civil and human rights coalition.. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, 22 07 2002. Web. 22 May 2012. <http://www.civilrights.org/archives/2009/06/449-stonewall.html>.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The Project - Currently.
Well, so far (for the time I have had access to a computer) I have very much enjoyed myself during this project. I enjoy being able to express myself when it comes to creating both a blog and website, for i'm allowed to design it and create it however I want. I am also very happy with the fact that even though some of them may be controvesial, we were allowed to choose our own topic to research and present, which means a lot. I'm happy I get to do a research project on the progress the Gay Rights Movement has made so far.
I have learned so much from researching this project. I noticed this last week when I participated in a trivia game we had at GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), the LGBT club we have at Cypress. Some of the harder questions had to do with certain dates in the movement, and I quickly knew the answers to them. I was very impressed with myself! I also find all of the information very interesting to know and realize how much change has really happened in the past century.
I admit, I do need to add some more to the blog and gain more pieces of information on events that have happened, like the Stonewall Riots and Daughters of Bilitis, but understand, these will come to view soon on my website and blog. I am very excited to continue researching my subject, and can't wait to see how my final project turns out.
I have learned so much from researching this project. I noticed this last week when I participated in a trivia game we had at GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), the LGBT club we have at Cypress. Some of the harder questions had to do with certain dates in the movement, and I quickly knew the answers to them. I was very impressed with myself! I also find all of the information very interesting to know and realize how much change has really happened in the past century.
I admit, I do need to add some more to the blog and gain more pieces of information on events that have happened, like the Stonewall Riots and Daughters of Bilitis, but understand, these will come to view soon on my website and blog. I am very excited to continue researching my subject, and can't wait to see how my final project turns out.
New Project Website!
Our class has begun to move our blogging to a new source of gaining information: Websites! We are using google sites to each design our own website with all of the research and information we have gained so far, and all of my current information will be able to be found on it. Google sites is very interesting and a great way to get creative with the research and design it to the hearts contempt. I am looking forward to researching more and posting all of my information so my research project will be complete. This is the link to my website: https://sites.google.com/site/equalrightsforlove/ enjoy!
Marriage Legalized In Maryland
Summary
The Governer of Maryland, Martin O'Malley, signed the bill to allow same sex marriage in Maryland on March 1, 2012. This could help influence three states to do so that already have the idea. The law doesn't take effect until 2013, but this doesn't matter to gay rights activists. They believe that the mindsets of people are changing, and that Maryland won't be the last state this year to legalize gay marriage.;
Analysis
More and more states every year are legalizing Gay Marriages and Civil Unions.This has and always will be a very big part of the Gay Rights Movement, for this is the main thing that has been fought for for decades. The constitution promises equality to all of the United State's citizens, but gay people are still not allowed to marry their partner for the most part, and some don't get the same benefits that straight couples do. Love is love, I am certain of that, and people, whether straight or gay, should be able to marry the person they want to spend the rest of their life with. More states are possibly looking on ending the ban on gay marriage, including Washington State. This only shows that people are leaning more towards equality.
Questions
What other states allow Gay Marriage/Civil Unions?
Why will it take until 2013 to swing into effect?
Citation
The Governer of Maryland, Martin O'Malley, signed the bill to allow same sex marriage in Maryland on March 1, 2012. This could help influence three states to do so that already have the idea. The law doesn't take effect until 2013, but this doesn't matter to gay rights activists. They believe that the mindsets of people are changing, and that Maryland won't be the last state this year to legalize gay marriage.;
Analysis
More and more states every year are legalizing Gay Marriages and Civil Unions.This has and always will be a very big part of the Gay Rights Movement, for this is the main thing that has been fought for for decades. The constitution promises equality to all of the United State's citizens, but gay people are still not allowed to marry their partner for the most part, and some don't get the same benefits that straight couples do. Love is love, I am certain of that, and people, whether straight or gay, should be able to marry the person they want to spend the rest of their life with. More states are possibly looking on ending the ban on gay marriage, including Washington State. This only shows that people are leaning more towards equality.
Questions
What other states allow Gay Marriage/Civil Unions?
Why will it take until 2013 to swing into effect?
Citation
Linskey, Annie. "Same-Sex Marriage Bill Is Signed Into Law." Baltimore Sun. 02 Mar 2012: A.1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 24 Mar 2012.
From the 1600s to Present: A Timeline
Summary
This is a quick summary on basically the Gay Rights Movement since the late 1600s. Many events have occured since then, both bad and good, that have effected the outcome of how things are today. The Stonewall Riots of 1969 was the initial kick that the movement needed, and everything after that has only gone uphill. Marriages and Civil Unions have become legalized in some states, Don't Ask Don't Tell (military policy) has been lifted, and society as a whole has become much more accepting of the LGBT community.
Analysis
This video shows that even since the late 1600s, there has been discrimination and unequality, but with time, things have gotten much better. Many things have become legalized for the LGBT community, giving them equal rights they should have had to begin with. Things really got kicked off in the late 1960s, and have only gotten better since then. People are becoming more accepting, and society is starting to notice that gay people really don't have fair treatment.
Questions
What states currently allow Gay Marriages and Civil Unions?
When was the first Gay Rights march or parade?
Citation
Instablogs. (Videographer) (2009). Timeline of Gay Rights Movement in USA [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f47EUoeqdzM
Don't Ask Don't Tell Lifted
Summary
After almost 18 years, the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy was lifted on September 20th at 12:01 am. Don't Ask Don't Tell was a policy that allowed the LGBT community to serve in the military, but not openly. Many of them had to hide who they truly were, but felt sudden relief when the day came that they were allowed to say, "I'm Gay", and keep their job. The 14,000 gay people that were discharged from the military were then able to reenlist and possibly get their jobs back if they wished to do so. The LGBT community hopes that it will help end discrimination and hatred, but feel that the most difficult part will be the acceptance from fellow colleagues.
Analysis
Don't Ask Don't Tell was a policy that discriminated against the LGBT community by not allowing them to serve openly in the military. Basically, if you were open about your orientation, you were not allowed to serve in the military or were discharged. What confuses me about this, is why did you have to be straight in order to serve and fight for your country? There were many gay people who wanted to do so, but could not be who they truly were to do so, and that wasn't fair by any means. 14,000 members of the military were discharged just because they liked the same gender. 14,000 people who wanted to serve the country they love, and help make the world a better place, just because of their orientation.
Don't Ask Don't tell was lifted on September 20th, 2011, and was a giant step in the Gay Rights movement. It shows that the opinions of people have changed and become more for equality among everyone in the past 18 years, and have only been continuing to do so.
Questions
Why did you have to be straight in order to serve your country?
What exactly happened to the gay members of the military who were discharged?
Citation
After almost 18 years, the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy was lifted on September 20th at 12:01 am. Don't Ask Don't Tell was a policy that allowed the LGBT community to serve in the military, but not openly. Many of them had to hide who they truly were, but felt sudden relief when the day came that they were allowed to say, "I'm Gay", and keep their job. The 14,000 gay people that were discharged from the military were then able to reenlist and possibly get their jobs back if they wished to do so. The LGBT community hopes that it will help end discrimination and hatred, but feel that the most difficult part will be the acceptance from fellow colleagues.
Analysis
Don't Ask Don't Tell was a policy that discriminated against the LGBT community by not allowing them to serve openly in the military. Basically, if you were open about your orientation, you were not allowed to serve in the military or were discharged. What confuses me about this, is why did you have to be straight in order to serve and fight for your country? There were many gay people who wanted to do so, but could not be who they truly were to do so, and that wasn't fair by any means. 14,000 members of the military were discharged just because they liked the same gender. 14,000 people who wanted to serve the country they love, and help make the world a better place, just because of their orientation.
Don't Ask Don't tell was lifted on September 20th, 2011, and was a giant step in the Gay Rights movement. It shows that the opinions of people have changed and become more for equality among everyone in the past 18 years, and have only been continuing to do so.
Questions
Why did you have to be straight in order to serve your country?
What exactly happened to the gay members of the military who were discharged?
Citation
Cloud, David S., and David Zucchino. "Military Gays Celebrate New Freedom." Los Angeles Times. 21 Sep 2011: A.1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 24 Mar 2012.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
This is a very interesting website on the progression of Gay Rights since the earliest of times.
http://www.gayrightssite.com/
http://www.gayrightssite.com/
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Gay Rights Movement
I added this video because it is a powerful and touching example of the Gay Rights movement, showing the effects of the discrimination, how legislation has changed, and that LGBT people aren't alone.
2nd Class Citizens
The essential question I will be answering through my research is "What progress has the Gay Rights movement made in the past century?"
I chose this topic because I am both disturbed and fascinated with how people can be denied rights just because of their sexual orientation. The constitution promises equality among all people, yet gay people are treated like "2nd class citizens". I have many LGBT friends, and it hurts me to know that one day they may not be able to get married, adopt kids, or even give blood. I feel strongly about this controversial subject, and would like to share my views, beliefs, and research on how the Gay Rights Movement has progressed.
I chose this topic because I am both disturbed and fascinated with how people can be denied rights just because of their sexual orientation. The constitution promises equality among all people, yet gay people are treated like "2nd class citizens". I have many LGBT friends, and it hurts me to know that one day they may not be able to get married, adopt kids, or even give blood. I feel strongly about this controversial subject, and would like to share my views, beliefs, and research on how the Gay Rights Movement has progressed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)