Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mr.Yates
Pre Ap English
12/2/14
Social Issues are refers to as issues that affect society by small or large group of
individuals. These are all problems many people believed should be corrected or fixed. Human
rights and equality are also classified as a social issue. In that category are gay and lesbian rights.
The term gay and lesbian can also be known as homosexual. This is when people are sexually
attracted to others with the same sex. These people received unfair treatments and abuses and
This issue have been going on as part of a movement since the 1924s to gain the rights
for gay and lesbian. For many gay and lesbians, “the phrase ‘in the closet’ refers to gay and
lesbians who hide their sexual orientation” and are afraid to show their true self (Gay and
Lesbian Rights). LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisextual, and transgender. The purpose of the
LGBT movement is to gain equal rights and acceptance. LGBT movement fight for rights
against discrimination in employment, business, and housing. The founder of gay rights
movement is known to be Harry Hay. More than “ 4,380 gay men and women had been
discharged from the military and around 500 fired from their jobs with the government” because
of their sexual orientation (Gay Rights Movement). In 1953, president Dwigth Eisenower banned
homosexual from working for the federal government. There were riots known as Stonewall riots
to police officer which eventually lead out to blood on the street in 1969. Currently, even though
some rights were gained, the movement is still going on as part of the American life.
For LGBT, they believed their rights were being limited. Gay and lesbian needs Civil
their sexual orientation (Civil Rights 101). In the Declaration of Human Rights, this violated
article 5. This article stated to be no cruel and torture and also inhuman treatment. Many gay and
lesbian receives violation against discrimination in both jobs and housing. Many people received
transfers, declination, and discrimination for employment and even health services. Threat for
campaign and even verbal abuse are all part of the violation of people with different sexual
orientation. Some might say this also violated article 16 in Human Rights. Men and women
“have the right to marry and to found a family” but in many states gay marriage is not allowed
(UDHR). 15 states have banned same sex marriage by Constitutional Amendment and State Law
ever since 1996’. Many same sex couples want the right to be legally married and live with the
person they love and honor their relationship with a child. Therefore, the banning of gay
Human Rights. Many people have realized this and are working to gain rights for LGBT.
Today, there are many gay and lesbian centers and medical association provided for
LGBT. Gay and lesbian medical association was provided for equality on health care and for
orientation and gender identity” through today (GLMA). GLMA stands for gay lesbian medical
association and is designed for LGBT to receive their full medical care and also provided home
for professional LGBT nursing. Rights also have been violated “because the proposed law by its
express terms forbids same-sex couples entry into civil marriage, it continues to relegate same
sex couples to a different status” not receiving equal rights (Goodridge V. Department of Public
Health). Many gay and lesbian did not want special treatment, they want equality. An example of
one is getting to be legally married to the person they love by choice. Gay and lesbian centers
from all around America are working to help fight for their equality, provided families and
medication needs, and gave an opportunity for the highest education. Since many states have
approved of gay and lesbian there are fewer and fewer discrimination and violence against them.
Gay and lesbian right is still being debated today. Many associations are working hard
for their equality and the right for marriage. Many also believe that the purpose of marriage is to
produce and raise children, gay and lesbian marriage could lead to weakening of institution of
marriage and it would be more of an adult gratification. However, gay and lesbian rights is a
social issue that many people believed should be fixed. Rights have been violated and ignored.
These group of people are pending for the acceptance of society that will lead them to full