Employment discrimination and marriage rights for gay Americans

Gay Rights

Despite the gains of the Civil Rights Movement, discrimination still exists in many forms. One of the most enduring prejudices is related to sexual orientation. Indeed, many analysts believe that gay people continue to be the targets of much social stigma and even attacks.

This paper argues that gay and lesbian people are entitled to the same rights and protections as all Americans. This includes the right to marry and protection from discrimination in employment.

In demanding the right to marry and protection from discrimination in employment, this paper maintains that gay people are not demanding "special rights." Rather, gays and lesbians are arguing that they should be entitled to the same protection as are anyone else.

Discrimination in employment

In the United States, rights are not granted by the Constitution, the President or by any other body. Instead, the Constitution specifies that these rights are inalienable, that all Americans already have these rights. The only caveat is that these rights have to be recognized.

However, for many gay and lesbian Americans, rights such as non-discrimination in employment. Critics of this statement argue that the popularity of television programs like Will & Grace and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy seem to illustrate a growing acceptance of homosexuals in today's society. However, it should be noted that such as Will & Grace and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy continue to present gayness as a lack of masculinity. Furthermore, the shows present gay people in stereotypical roles, such as hairdresser, fashion expert or, as seen in the character of Jack, the flamboyant gay man (Battles and Hilton-Morrow).

The situation is different in more traditional occupations, such as the military and corporate America. In this setting, former President Clinton observed that "some of the old kinds of discrimination we have sought to rid ourselves of by law and purge our spirits of still exist in America today" (Clinton). Indeed, many critics argue that having gay people in traditionally-masculine occupations such as professional athletes and the military interferes with the development of essential camaraderie and the bonding process.

During his term, then-President Clinton fought for the recognition of an Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would make discrimination in employment illegal. This includes hiring-based decisions, as well as decisions regarding advancement. In addition to gay and lesbian people, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act also outlaws discrimination based on gender, race, religion or national origin (Clinton).

In the 21st century, discrimination against gays and lesbians continues to run rampant. Many gay people do not have any legal recourse when they are unjustly fired from their jobs or evicted from their apartments (Gallagher). This problem further illustrates the need to protect gay and lesbian people from being discriminated upon, both in the workplace and beyond.

Equal rights

Critics of measures to protect the rights of gay and lesbian people in the workplace and in marriage have often painted homosexuals as arguing for "special rights" legislation. However, the right to marry and the right to protection from unjust firings are far from special rights. As stated earlier, these rights are guaranteed in the Constitution, and are inalienable. What remains is for the rest of society to recognize the rights that already extend to all Americans.

The movement for gay rights, however, has engendered a backlash. Many critics equated the recognition of these inalienable rights as special rights legislation. As a result, many uninformed members of the public voted to repeal state-based non-discrimination measures. Maine, for example, voters in Maine decided to do away with anti-discrimination instruments in their state constitution. Similarly, voters in Oregon did not approve a proposal to include similar legislation into the state constitution (Gallagher).

In conclusion, gay and lesbian activists could therefore benefit from emphasizing the protection from discrimination in the workplace and the right to marry are not special rights. In fact, these are rights that, as Clinton observed, extend to all Americans. During the Civil Rights movement, for example, there was great awareness that people were fighting for equal rights, not simply Black rights.

Similar awareness should be cultivated regarding the campaign to recognize the rights of gay and lesbian Americans.

Sentence Outline

Gay and lesbian people face discrimination in both professional and private life.

The American Constitution guarantees the protection of the inalienable rights of all Americans.

These inalienable rights already extend to all Americans.

Despite these rights, gay people continue to face discrimination in employment, from the hiring process to unjust firing.

Gay and lesbian people are remain forbidden from marrying.

Most of the arguments against same-sex marriage are based on religious doctrine and questionable "facts."

Marriage is an inalienable right for all Americans.

Therefore, there are no good reasons to prevent same-sex marriage. The inalienable right to marriage therefore extends to all, gay or straight.

Conclusion - Gay and lesbian rights are not special rights. On the contrary, measures to protect one's rights in the workplace and in marriage are a guarantee of equal rights.