I have made the comparison many times when talking to friends, between the struggles of African Americans during their Civil Rights Movement, and the struggles of the gay activists now. Black people were seen as inferior, as gays are now. You can't control being black, and you can't control being gay. Many believe that homosexuality is acceptable if you "never act on it". Just as African Americans were acceptable if they didn't intergrate with whites. The majority imposed strict regulations then, on monitering what was 'acceptable', just as they do now with GLBTQPA persons. Obviously there was a time that marriage rights were not given to blacks (before the end of slavery), and even after that there were more rules and regulations along with their marriages (Can't marry whites, can't marry in a "white only" church...). Now GLBTQPA people are being denied marriage rights, and the few states allowing it have rules/regulations (You have to call it a "civil union", you might have your marriage liscense revoked...). And of course religion was used against African Americans, just as it is being used against gays now. There are obvious differences, but one that really sticks out is this: African Americans were a community. They had their families, their childhood friends, their churches. What do gays have? A handful of strangers? There are no entirely gay families, neighborhoods, or churches. When black people were discriminated against they leaned on their siblings and parents for support. Gays? Many families do not support them, some are even disowned by their families. Gays don't have one defined civil rights leader like MLK Jr. They don't have define communities. It's nice to know there are other gays out there, it's nice to be friends with other gays. But you can make the comparison: family/life long friends, or new friends. The GLBTQPA community is lonely and hurting and need guidance of a strong leader. Will one emerge, or is the road for gay rights going to be long and desolate?
Harvey milks life was dedicated to gay rights. He even died for his beliefs. That's a lot like Martin Luther King Jr. Gays do have support from the gay community and online and even from their families (some of them) It's wonderful that so many young people care about this issue. What that shows is that WE will change this world for the better once it's our turn. But you do need to do a bit more research.
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I agree. It's not something you can change. If you're gay, you're gay. If you're straight, you're straight. That's life. People need to learn that not everyone who is gay is the stereotypical "Mr. Garrison of South Park" gay. They're just like everyone else. Go Gays! I salute you for your patience!
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you are correct with your statement and however the fact that we dont have a single leader is true but we have a few celebrities who have support the gay rights movement. great article
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After not being on this site for quite a while, it was nice to read up on the new posts, and I came acrossed this one, and was amazed. You are very correct in all your facts, and it is true that gay marraige rights, or even "civil union" rights are few and far between. But what can we do to help change that? Perhaps what can we do to "integrate" more of the gay community?
Shoot me and email sometime if you have any ideas. It'd be nice to hear some!
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SammySingally : Hey Activists! how are you all? I've been doing quite a bit of activist work back here. How bout you? Here's a reminder that you can post journal entries of activists things you've done on here and you can support or give your opinion about causes or people's journal entries.
Gays do have support from the gay community and online and even from their families (some of them)
It's wonderful that so many young people care about this issue. What that shows is that WE will change this world for the better once it's our turn. But you do need to do a bit more research.
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Shoot me and email sometime if you have any ideas. It'd be nice to hear some!
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