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The Changing Perspective of Homosexuality in the United States

 

 

Crowd in support of Gay Marriage

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The United States has started to see greater advances in the perspective of homosexuality over the last few years. This has not only been a surge of empowerment but also of legislation.

One of the most contentious issues in the last decade has been the argument over gay marriage. State by state, the battle has been on to pass legislation either to ban or approve the union of a gay couple in their constitutions. As more states have made it legal, it has put increasing pressure on other states to follow suit. This has been key to issues related to gay marriage such as life insurance, guardianship of children and other issues that are adversely affected when a ban is in place.

This same change has been seen in the United States military, which has carried a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy regarding homosexuality for a long time. Current legislative changes have been made to get rid of this policy, opening the doors for gays in the military to be open and others to enter without fear of being discovered and discharged.

Society is slowly starting to change its perspective on homosexuality as well, opening up more minds to a lifestyle that was posed in a negative light in the past. This will hopefully continue to grow as television shows, movies and books show this lifestyle increasingly in a positive way. Then acceptance will be offered more and the gay community can enjoy the benefits of equal treatment from others.

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What is Pride?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 07: The Rainb... 

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The concept of “gay pride” emerged as a civilian battle cry for equal treatment. Like the rainbow that symbolizes this unity, all types of colorful people and personalities have banned together in the name of human decency. For many, this unity empowers them to be who they are without fear.  What gives a person pride?

Self Esteem

So many variables play a role in your self-esteem, but being content with who you are and improving yourself in areas that can be, and should be, changed play the biggest roles in self-esteem.  Achievements yield confidence, which in turn yields contentment and motivation for growth. In many cases, self-esteem can be simply improved by facing the fears of and becoming more comfortable with who you are.

Dignity

Knowing you deserve to be treated with respect plays an important role in pride. The United States was founded on equality for all people, in theory at least. Every human deserves that equality.

Virtue

“Love virtue, and the people will be virtuous. The virtues of a superior man are like the wind; the virtues of a common man are like the grass — the grass, when the wind passes over it, bends.” Henry David Thoreau… Virtue is basically doing the right thing, what you feel in your heart is right. Many men have defined, and sometimes rather badly at that, morality based on their own perceptions, interpretation, and temptations. Virtue does not define what is right. It simply asks you do what you believe is the right thing.

Pride yields respect. If you have pride for yourself, the community around you respects you. Empower your movement with pride.

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Same Sex Adoptions

Legal status of adoption by same-sex couples i... 

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Many children sit in the government system waiting for an adoption, whether it’s because their parents gave them up or lost parental rights. Even though many children still need a home, the controversy over whether or not same-sex couples should adopt continues. Each state has its own rules regarding adoption, and one of the biggest barriers is the legalities involving same-sex marriages; however, they estimate about 4% of the adopted children live in a home where the head of the household is gay, and that statistic continues to rise.

The American Psychological Association “promotes a safe, secure, nurturing environment for all children,” and in that spirit, they take a solid stand opposing discrimination against same sex couples for purposes of adoption, custody, visitation, foster care, and reproduction. Studies have shown that the sexual orientation of parents do not affect the child’s psychological development, environment, or well-being. In addition, the American Association of Pediatrics also supports same sex couples adopting children.

The arguments against gay adoptions are mainly based on discrimination against gay people placing irrational principles over the welfare of children. Those who oppose gay adoptions are also concerned about the harassment and ridicule the child might receive, from people like themselves, if the child is placed in a gay home.

If interested in adoption, for anyone, know your rights, know your laws, and find a good attorney. The outside world is often a cruel place. No matter what people say, the important thing is a child has a safe, secure, nurturing home for rest and regeneration, a place to help them cope with the world’s demands.

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Future Looks Bright for Same-Sex Couples and Adoption

Louisiana’s House Civil Law and Procedure Committee decided in May that same-sex, unmarried couples don’t have the right to adopt children. That’s the bad news for homosexual couples that want to expand their families by adopting children. There is, however, plenty of news showing that the House committee is hopelessly behind the times.

Rainbow American flag promoting equality for e...

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Same-Sex Marriage Approval Up

A recent Gallup poll shows that the majority of Americans have finally come around to recognizing the rights of all people to marry the ones they love. The 2011 poll showed that 53 percent of Americans were in favor of making same-sex marriage legal. That’s a huge jump from a poll conducted 15 years ago that only showed 27 percent of Americans in favor of equal rights.

The Changing Tide

Polls show that the tide is changing in favor of equal rights for all people. Perhaps even more telling, however, is how out of touch opponents of equal rights sound. The Catholic Church, for instance, doesn’t think that same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt children because it doesn’t benefit the spiritual and moral interests of the kids. This misses the reality that thousands of children in Louisiana alone are in dire need of caring homes. While priests spend time worrying about the moral development, the children sit in foster homes and orphanages, often without any true moral instruction from some who cares more about love than dogma.

The fact of the matter is that the House committee is now in the minority. Most people support equal rights. It’s just a short matter of time before all people in this country are allowed to marry and adopt freely.

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