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Gay Rights. ... Despite the fact that US is considered to be the most “democratic” country in the world, meaning that it allows the citizens to participate in the political life and influence the policies introduced by the government, gay rights of the US seem to be lagging behind the same issues in many other developed countries. Gay Rights movements have raised serious concerns by the American population and the debate is sometimes used to manipulate the political influence in the country. The amount of gay population is rising steadily, because of more liberal policies and protection of their rights many gays are willing to come out of the closet and admit their sexual orientation. ... Several key points need to be mentioned to understand the nature of gay rights movements in US and the importance of the questions that have been raised by the process.
Brief History on gay rights and gay rights movements in USA.
The June of 1969 is considered to be the starting point for the gay rights movement in US. ...
The early history of the gay movement has started in 1860’s and 1930’s. Of course gay people existed even before that, but it was the first time in history when they openly started to fight for their rights. ... In his works he also opposed the violence against gay population and anti-gay laws (Rake).
In US gay society has emerged in 1920s and 1930s, and again the gays did exist earlier in US, but this is when they started to be noticed by the society and policy makers. It was still hidden at that time, but because gay interest groups were getting bigger, they have attracted the attention. After the World War II gay groups have become even more notable. ... In 1940s first gay bars have started to emerge throughout the country.
In 1950s as gay society has become more visible, the intolerance by the rest of the population and the government has increased dramatically. ... Disappointed by the lack of freedom and inability to protect their rights, gays started to organize political movements and unite in order to be able to fight unjust treatment. ... It was a small group of men led by Harry Hay and Chuck Rowland to protect gay rights. ... In the 1950s these organizations were still very small and provided little if any protections for gay rights, but they stared to raise the concerns in the society by publications in the magazines that were organized and published by the members of the organizations.
In 1960s gay rights movements were influenced by the success of the same issues that were addressed by the black civil rights fighters and gay activists started to make claims for equal job opportunity and against harassment by the police. In 1969 there was a significant number of gays who were fighting for their rights and organizations were steadily gaining power.
The most memorable day for the gay rights movements was Friday, June 27, 1969 when the police in New York City raided a Greenwich Village gay bar, the Stonewall Inn. Gays started fighting back and it created the 3 day riot, after which the term “gay power” was introduced.
“ By 1973, there were almost eight hundred gay and lesbian organizations in the United States; by 1990, the number was several thousand. By 1970, 5,000 gay men and lesbians marched in New York City to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots; in October 1987, over 600,000 marched in Washington, to demand equality.”(“Milestones…”)
The rise in the number of gay population has led to serious consideration of the issues by government and state authorities. ... Although the state governments have recognized some of gay rights, the social conditions for gays in everyday life of America were still far from perfect. ... The debate is still in question even at present, but the appraisal of gays in June 1969 was the start for the gay society to have some fundamental freedoms. ... Businesses owned by gays and lesbians were started, they had their own clubs and other social organization that united the gay society of America even further.
The success of the gay movements has created disappointment of the conservatives and the opposition started to influence and slow down the development in the area. ... There is also another fact that was provided by research "the assumption that all or most gay people have AIDS [.
Approximate Word count = 3647
Approximate Pages = 14.6
(250 words per page double spaced)
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