Gay Rights

The gay rights movement began with the Stonewall Riots of 1969 in New York City. Since then the movement has expanded to include parents, brothers, sisters, and other family members of gay people as well as gay people themselves. The goal is to change laws that discriminate against people of different sexual orienatations.

About Gay Rights

The term gay rights refers to the movement to change laws discriminatory to gay people. and prohibit gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual people from enjoying the same rights and freedoms as do heterosexuals. These rights include marriage, adoption, military service and general anti-discrimination. Many believe that the discrimination against gays is unfair and against the Constitution of the United States.

Others firmly believe that being gay is against moral and religious beliefs. This division in attitudes and beliefs often causes arguments, violence and intolerance.

In 1969 a raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York, police began arresting people and seizing the alcohol. As they were waiting for the wagons to come to take those arrested a crowd began to form and watch.

Many in the crowd were also of the gay community and the crowd grew to over 150 people within minutes. One woman in handcuffs attempted to escape and was hit on the head by a police officer. She yelled to the crowd to do something and her words sparked something. Instantly the crowd began fighting back. When the police attempted to control the crowd it only got worse and police wagons were overturned and tires slashed.

The police barricaded themselves into the Stonewall Inn as the crowd had grown to over 600 strong. The rioters broke windows and threw things at the inn and attempted to light it on fire. This riot sparked the Gay Rights Movement that still continues today.
Within 6 months of the Stonewall Inn riot a newspaper was launched titled Gay’. Through this newspaper organizations advertised gay events and meetings.

On the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots a march was planned in New York City and advertised through the gay newspapers. The New York Times reported that the marchers stretched for 15 blocks. Today, the Gay Pride Parade is held every year on the anniversary of Stonewall and is found in cities such as Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and Atlanta just to name a few.

The battle for and against gay rights still takes place today. The most recent topics in the United States have been Prop 8 in California which dealt with same-sex marriage and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Intolerance has come to the forefront due to the increase of suicides by gay teenagers caused by bullying and intolerance from their peers.

Supporters of LGBT teens wore purple on October 20, 2010 to show that they care and bullying will not be tolerated.

~ExtraordinarilyYours

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