My first website provides a brief history of the American Gay Rights Movement. Although it is brief, it does give a considerable amount of information as to how far America has come as a nation in accepting this minority. The website is historical in that it ends at 2004, and as you will see below, there have been some major changes since then.
http://civilliberty.about.com/od/gendersexuality/tp/History-Gay-Rights-Movement.htm
I think that this website is a great source of information for people (like me) who until I went looking for it, did not know alot about the rights of gay men and women in America. Some of the hell that they have been through in order to fight for their rights is tragic and I think it really does shame some people in regards to how they have treated their fellow Americans. It's unfortunate that the phrase 'All men are created equal' does not apply across the board and I think that in reading this brief history you will become more aware of the problems that gay people in America face and I know that it has certainly change my views and had an impact on how I think too. The Stonewall Riot's is a paticular high point for me as it was the event that promted gay pride, a parade that occours across the world and celebrates being gay and being an equal.
My contemporary website focuses on an issue that has caused alot of uproar in America of late- Gay marriage.
Currently, same-sex marriages can be performed in 4 of the 50 states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vemont. Starting from January 1st 2010, New Hampshire shall be added to this list. The most recent controversy surrounding this issue is Proposition 8. Whiteknot comments on this, but it is mostly a website that is fighting for equal rights. However, as it is the one year anniverary of Prop 8, I thought it would be fitting to comment on this.
Proposition 8 was an amendment to the constitutuion of California which stated that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. As previously mentioned, Gay marriage is not yet legal in the majority of states but what caused uproar in California was the fact that same-sex marriage became legalised on June 16th 2008 and as little as 5 months later, Proposition 8 reversed the decision to the outcry of many California residents, as well as others across the country. Out and proud homosexual blogger, Perez Hilton commented frequently on his blog and reffered to the proposition as 'Prop H8te' as it was seen as discrimination against gay men and women. Rallies were held and petitions were signed and $43.3 million was raised in campaigns against the proposition. Unfortunately, this has not had an effect on the government and Prop 8 is still in place today.
It is unfortunate that this further proves that Gay men and Women are discriminated against and they are not treated as equals. In Britain, I think that we are generally more accepting of the gay lifestyle, and certainly you will find that alot of cities in America are almost havens for members of the gay community. However, there is still alot of hatred towards this minority, certainly in the south and also in congress- the Republican Party is famous for being outspoken on this issue. Particularly in the last election...yet another reason why Obama won!! It doesn't look like much will change anytime soon, but hopefully with a Democrat back in the White House, there will be some changes made that will make America a more accepting country.
And just for fun.......
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones
Proposition 8 was an amendment to the constitutuion of California which stated that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. As previously mentioned, Gay marriage is not yet legal in the majority of states but what caused uproar in California was the fact that same-sex marriage became legalised on June 16th 2008 and as little as 5 months later, Proposition 8 reversed the decision to the outcry of many California residents, as well as others across the country. Out and proud homosexual blogger, Perez Hilton commented frequently on his blog and reffered to the proposition as 'Prop H8te' as it was seen as discrimination against gay men and women. Rallies were held and petitions were signed and $43.3 million was raised in campaigns against the proposition. Unfortunately, this has not had an effect on the government and Prop 8 is still in place today.
It is unfortunate that this further proves that Gay men and Women are discriminated against and they are not treated as equals. In Britain, I think that we are generally more accepting of the gay lifestyle, and certainly you will find that alot of cities in America are almost havens for members of the gay community. However, there is still alot of hatred towards this minority, certainly in the south and also in congress- the Republican Party is famous for being outspoken on this issue. Particularly in the last election...yet another reason why Obama won!! It doesn't look like much will change anytime soon, but hopefully with a Democrat back in the White House, there will be some changes made that will make America a more accepting country.
And just for fun.......
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones
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