Articles

The United States is facing a frightening upswing of bias based violence and other related forms of discrimination against a group of its citizens, not unlike that which occurred during the civil rights struggles of the 1960s. In this case the victims are those who were born with a sexual orientation which differs from that of the nation's majority. Through no fault of their own, they find themselves the targets of a host of unjustifiable and illegal acts.

In order for gay civil rights to be recognized and respected, it will be an uphill struggle, as is demonstrated in the history of gay civil rights. For example, the struggles that homosexuals have had just to be recognized as a legal family unit, and other governmental entities do not recognize gay marriages as equivalent to traditional different-sex weddings. Even though the couple is committed, the government entities will not permit them to have a legal wedding, like heterosexual people do.

Gay civil rights are an area of law that is improving. Many new laws have been instated to make sure that housing and employment opportunities do not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. While this is a huge step forward for gay civil rights, it is not guaranteeing that gays are offered the same chances as those who are not gay. Many employers and the like have found ways around these laws, especially in the 'right to work' states.

Statistically, gay hate crimes are in decline. However, that doesn't necessarily indicate that they are happening less often. Since the struggle for homosexual rights is still very much ongoing, many gays are frightened or embarrassed to notify authorities when they are victims of such incidents. For this reason, while the numbers related to reported violence may be right, many occurrences are never talked about or are called in as another type of illegal behavior.

Certain groups strongly oppose any change to the existing order. Such conservative individuals typically have a stake in the current system, and do not approve of anything which they consider a disruption. In some instances, the hatred is based upon a religious conviction that homosexuality is a sin. While beliefs are the domain of the individual, the community cannot allow them to be used to oppress or cause injury to another.

Little by little, civil rights for homosexuals are altering and are becoming a part of the public consciousness so that they may actually afford a greater degree of protection from violent and non-violent bigots alike. And while the country may never see true equality in this area, there is much to be learned from the civil rights struggles of the 1960s. People must also begin to discuss this subject more frequently, because it is always easier to combat any discrimination when it is out in the open.