I sometimes hear the statement that "we shouldn't devote our efforts to promoting the rights of lesbians and gay men, since there are more important and urgent human rights issues that deserve our attention." I also see others not taking any action out of fear of reprisals, passing the buck to others to take action or simply just ignoring the cause altogether. It’s simply passing the buck!
I am taken aback. As a 54 year old gay male who strongly identifies with being “queer,” a word that often was used hatefully towards me during my childhood years, a negative word which I, as many others have done, have taken and turned into a personal positive expression of my own Pride, I, like many others in the 70’s, realized that doing nothing to make a change was wrong. I worked and lived like most Americans, paid my taxes and mike many gay men and women found myself being discriminated against in housing, employment, making decisions in healthcare for my partners, not getting the same tax benefits and more – the short of it was and still is I do not get basic human rights.
Rights and Liberties which this country was founded upon. If I were to go out in many areas of this country holding my partner’s hand or kissing him in public I would certainly be harassed and may even get physically harmed or killed. Getting killed because I want to express the same love I have for another man. Now into the 21st century Hate Crimes laws are still being knocked down because of homophobia. Many of these same laws, Texas was a glaring example of this, were pushed before politicians to only get stalled because of homophobia. In Texas an innocent African American male was dragged to his death by two white men. Attempts to put a Hate Crime bill into effect in Texas were stalled because of the “gay issue.” In many states these laws are stalled or killed, as in Georgia, by many politicians and religious right wingers by the simple remark “It’s a homosexual agenda.” In Georgia this bill came up because a white Jewish man kept getting Nazi swastikas painted on his garage.
What prompted this article was my recent viewing of the film, V For Vendetta, and an older film, THX 1138. The older film, THX 1138, was made over 30 years ago. If you view this film today you certainly will see its prophetic nature.
Today many countries including Canada, Spain, Australia, South Africa, Mexico, and countries in Europe, and some third world countries such as Columbia, and other countries allow gay unions and/or marriage. Even Cuba and Uruguay – Hispanic & Latino countries where religious dogma is dominant but human rights prevail – countries that are progressive and change with the times.
In many countries gays are put to death after being tortured and beaten publicly – see the related video on the main page.
Our country was founded by men and women who left Europe from religious persecution, those who wanted their rights to believe in a different faith and who were looking for more freedom and independence.
In the film V For Vendetta, released in 2006, there is a scene called Valeries Letter, and it has a powerful impact as to what happened to people including those who loved differently than what society dictated, homosexuals were sent to die in camps.
Some quickly would say that this is nothing more than a movie and we certainly would not do that to people. History does repeat itself. Our founding ancestors fled England because they were persecuted. Today we are persecuting people in this country because of not just who they are but their religios beliefs, skin color and sexuality.
As it stands now, nothing seems more important than bringing both equality, and general acceptance, to gay and lesbian people. Although there have been many mistakes made in the past regarding such human rights issues as slavery, race and gender rights, gay and lesbian rights should be pushed to the top of our list of priorities in that gays and lesbians are the people who appear to be facing the most discrimination and lack of ethical treatment in today's society; nothing deserves our attention more than what appears to be the biggest form of prejudice currently plaguing our culture - intolerance of those living a homosexual lifestyle, also known as homophobia.
In the United States, there is social unrest regarding the government’s denial of the right to marry for homosexuals. Plenty of conservatives are completely against gay marriage; and many of liberals are fighting for equal treatment. The neo-Christian politicians are using religious arguments to establish that homosexuality is an abomination. While this may be their belief system, this country was founded on religious freedom, where the people are allowed to worship how they see fit. A ground rule, set up from the beginning, states that separation needs to be made between religion and government, so the two shall never meld to become a theocracy. With the issue of gay marriage, lines get blurred and religion rears its head to influence a government’s decision of who shall be married and who will be refused.
Should gay marriages be legal? Clearly we as a nation are undecided on this issue. 36 states have passed legislation banning gay marriages, yet the state of Vermont passed a law that allows homosexual couples the right to participate in civil unions. Some other states are also debating whether or not to allow these couples to marry.
Unfortunately, the dispute has left the United States homosexual community in an awkward position. There are some people who think that gay people have no rights and should never be allowed to marry. Other people believe that gay people are just like anyone else and should enjoy the same rights and privileges as heterosexuals do. I think that the United States should allow these couples to marry just like any other couple.
There are many opponents of gay people as it is, and they all have their reasons to dislike the idea of letting them get married. One of the main reasons is that the primary purpose of marriage is procreation. Because gay couples are unable to have children, they should not be allowed to marry.
Another main argument is that the word marriage means the union of one man and one woman. This is a long-standing theme of most major Western religions.
Under proposed bills known as the Defense of Marriage act, marriage is defined as “a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.”
Gay Rights – Some Facts
Family and Relationships
Adoption: 19 states allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children in a complex and expensive two-step process, in which one parent first adopts and then the second can petition for joint rights.
Ceremonial Marriages: Same Sex Marriages may be officiated by church officials, or anyone else, but ceremonial marriages in and of themselves involve no civil laws and carry no legal benefits or responsibilities.
Domestic Partnership Registration: is a means by which some cities allow opposite- and same-sex couples to go on public record as a non-married couple. The major benefit is used to establish legal responsibility for debts after a relationship ends.
Domestic Partnership Affidavit: Many private employers and municipalities offer domestic partner benefits to their workers, based on signing a legal affidavit that defines an economic relationship.
Civil Unions
In Dec. 1999, the Hawaii Supreme Court reversed a 1996 ruling, and defined marriage as between different sex couples.
In April 2000, the Vermont House of Representatives gave final approval to same-sex marriages. Gays and lesbians may join in "civil unions," which are no expected to be recognized by other states and will not entitle the partners to federal benefits. The Vermont Supreme Court had ruled in December that gay and lesbian couples denied the right to marry were suffering from unconstitutional discrimination.
In June 2000, the Supreme Court let stand a New Jersey ruling that allowed the Boy Scouts to ban gay scoutmasters.
In July 2000, Vermont began offering a separate form of marriage, conferring about 300 spousal rights to same sex couples.
The Civil Union license is obtained from town clerks. There is a $20 fee. The Unions are "certified" either by justices of the peace, judge, or willing member of the clergy. Civil Union couples also have the right to dissolve their unions through a "dissolution" process in Family Court.
Civil Unions Benefits
Definitions: Use of State laws that confer benefits or rights to people based on their marital or family status, such as family landowner rights to hunt and fish, or definitions of family farmers.
Adoption: Entitled to all the protections and benefits available when adopting. Same-sex couples already are allowed to adopt, but laws would reflect that those couples would now be treated as spouses.
Compensation: Use of victims' compensation and workers' compensation related to spouses.
Discrimination: Use of laws prohibiting discrimination based on marital status.
Health Care: Able to make medical decisions for incapacitated partner. Able to visit hospitals visitation and be notified of a partner's condition.
Insurance: State employees are treated as spouses for insurance or continuing care contracts.
Lawsuits: Able to sue for wrongful death, the emotional distress caused by a partner's death or injury, and loss of consortium caused by death or injury.
Property: Entitled to joint title, transfer from one to the other on death, and property transfer tax benefits.
Probate: Use probate law and procedures.
State Tax: Treated as an economic unit.
Testimony: Not be compelled to testify against one another.
Federal rights NOT Covered by Civil Unions
Immigration Rights: Cannot have a non-U.S. spouse become a full citizen.
Social Security: Cannot collect benefits upon death of a spouse.
Federal Taxes: Cannot file jointly as a married couple
Societal Issues
Boy Scouts: In June 2000, the Supreme Court ruled that the Boy Scouts of America can bar homosexuals from serving as troop leaders.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: The Clinton administration in 1993 enacted a "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Under the existing rules, gays can be discharged from the military for homosexual contact and for stating their sexual orientation, but the military is not allowed to ask them their orientation.
On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts began allowing same-sex marriages. This followed a ruling by the Massacshuetts Supreme Judicial Court in a case known as "Goodridge." The Massachusetts legislature passed a bill to allow voters to decide on a Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marraiges, but the referendum vote will not occur until November 2006. The Massachusetts law only applies to in-state residents, but many cities and towns have declined to ask applicants their residency.
June 2008: California Supreme Court allows Marriage. A voter initiative will go up before California voters to allow them to decide against this later. Many other states are proposing bills to stop civil unions and marriage.
Top 10 Ways To Support Gay Rights
1. Register To Vote!
Tell our government how you feel is to vote! Be sure to update your address if you are registered to vote or sign up if you are not.
2. Sign a Petition for Same-Sex Marriage
Your single signature may at first seem irrelevant, but among millions change happens.
3. Write Your State Senator or Representative
Your State Senators and Representatives were elected by you and act on your behalf. Let them know how you feel.
4. Contact the White House
The Bush Administration opposes equal gay rights. Send letters supporting gay equality directly to our leader. Let's keep the upper hand by expressing our opinions with respect and professionalism.
5. Support Gay Schools
Help the Hetrick-Martin Institute alleviate queer youth from the perils of harassment and violence by contacting the New York City Department of Education or by providing funding to The Harvey Milk School.
6. Write the Church
A simple email to gay-friendly churches can go a long way towards the confirmation of gay clergymen.
7. Support the Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund
The SLDF needs your support as the leading advocate for gays in the military. Not only do they educate servicemembers on the current "don't ask, don't tell" policies, but they provide free legal advice.
8. Watch Gay Television Shows
Despite what your parents said, watching television is good for you- especially if you're gay! By watching gay-theme television shows you increase their ratings. Increased ratings make the high-power networks and advertisers very happy. Hopefully, happy enough that they can't afford not to have gay programming. Showing Americans gay life on television may also lessen the fear of gay equality.
9. Volunteer for a Gay Rights Organization
There are several organizations that help promote gay rights and safety. Find the one that best suits your lifestyle.
10. Lobby for Gay Adoption
The American Bar Association had recently agreed to endorse and lobby states for equal
TWO IMPORTANT LINKS ON THE WEB
http://www.hrc.org/
http://nmmstream.net/hrc/downloads/meetup_docs/HRCActionGuide.pdf
HOW TO WRITE YOUR ELECTED REPS LINKS
“......fear became the ultimate tool of this government......People should not be afraid of their governments.....Governments should be afraid of their people.....then you fear no more, you are completely free!” Quotes from V For Vendetta
"Two of the gravest general dangers to survival are the desire for comfort and a passive outlook." QUOTE FROM U.S. Army Ranger Handbook
Sitting idly by watching to see what happens next does not help any of us enter into the "exclusive rights club." The Valerie clip from V for Vendetta is moving, and expresses love in the unconditional way we all want to feel it. Being brought up in a Southern Baptist household, keeping things hidden became not just a way of life, but living behind a mask. It is no way to live. Get out from behind the masks and start living people...People should not fear their governments, governments should fear their people...Because of my government, if I am bludgeoned because I am gay, it is a simple assault charge in the state I live in. It is 10 times more likely to happen to me if I display affection to my partner in public than if a heterosexual couple did the same thing.
Twisted logic in the hands of the wrong groups can lead us to persecution of old. Arizona is putting the marriage ammendment on their ballots again. The ugly head rises every presidential election year. Politicians use us as a wedge to incite the religious right to the polls to further the conservative agenda. What will it take to incite our collective group to the polls to begin to achieve the rights we so richly deserve. If you are under 40, you have probably seen more public affection displayed amongst your peers than those of us over 50. And many of us think that because we have gay meccas like San Francisco or Key West that we have made progress. But Key West is still in Florida, and in many areas around San Francisco it is still frowned upon to be yourselves. Why do I have to go to a "gay" bar to be myself? Why do I have to go to a "gay" mecca to do in public what my neighbor does outside of her front door everyday?
The answer is I don't have to, but I do have to look over my shoulder to make sure the wrong person is not watching. Or if I display pride in my neighborhood there is a great chance it will be desecrated or I could come to some physical harm. These are not the rights I want to live with. We were once considered a progressive nation because of our consitution and guaranteed rights. Unfortunately, it does not apply to sexual orientation. If I sit idly by, it may never apply to me.
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