Gay Rights The struggle for equal rights for all

Human Rights Campaign The Human Rights Campaign is one of the biggest organizations to support gay rights The Human Rights Campaign is one of the biggest organizations to support gay rights Their mission is to create an America where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of the American family at home, at work and in every community. Their mission is to create an America where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of the American family at home, at work and in every community. You can visit Human Rights Campaign for more information You can visit Human Rights Campaign for more informationHuman Rights CampaignHuman Rights Campaign

American Civil Liberties Union Another large organization that supports gay rights is the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU Another large organization that supports gay rights is the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU The LGBT Project fights discrimination and moves across five issue areas: Relationships, Youth & Schools, Parenting, Gender Identity and Expression and Discrimination in Employment, Housing and other areas The LGBT Project fights discrimination and moves across five issue areas: Relationships, Youth & Schools, Parenting, Gender Identity and Expression and Discrimination in Employment, Housing and other areas For more information visit American Civil Liberties Union For more information visit American Civil Liberties UnionAmerican Civil Liberties UnionAmerican Civil Liberties Union

Gay Rights in Court One very important case in the gay rights movement was Lawrence v Texas. One very important case in the gay rights movement was Lawrence v Texas. An office responding to a weapons disturbance in a private residence and walked in on John Lawrence and Tryon Garner engaging in a private and consensual sexual act. Both were arrested and convicted deviate sexual intercourse. An office responding to a weapons disturbance in a private residence and walked in on John Lawrence and Tryon Garner engaging in a private and consensual sexual act. Both were arrested and convicted deviate sexual intercourse. Lawrence and Garner won on account that saying two people of the same sex can’t have intercourse is a violation of the Due Process Clause Lawrence and Garner won on account that saying two people of the same sex can’t have intercourse is a violation of the Due Process Clause For more court cases on gay marriage visit ACLU Gay Right Court Cases For more court cases on gay marriage visit ACLU Gay Right Court CasesACLU Gay Right Court CasesACLU Gay Right Court Cases

Gays in the Military Gays and lesbians are pushing for acceptance in the military, because during World War II, the military made an official policy to exclude gay people from serving. They believed that gay personnel would hurt troop morale. Gays and lesbians are pushing for acceptance in the military, because during World War II, the military made an official policy to exclude gay people from serving. They believed that gay personnel would hurt troop morale. Bill Clinton promised to lift the ban on gay people in the military if he was elected President. Once elected, Clinton ran into a storm of protest from military and congressional leaders. Clinton and Congress agreed to a compromise policy, called "Don't ask, don't tell.” Bill Clinton promised to lift the ban on gay people in the military if he was elected President. Once elected, Clinton ran into a storm of protest from military and congressional leaders. Clinton and Congress agreed to a compromise policy, called "Don't ask, don't tell.” Under this policy, the military may not ask whether an individual is a homosexual, and homosexuals may not reveal their sexuality. Under this policy, the military may not ask whether an individual is a homosexual, and homosexuals may not reveal their sexuality.

Same-sex marriage Same-sex marriage has only been legal in the United States since 2004 Same-sex marriage has only been legal in the United States since 2004 Six states have same-sex marriage rights. Those states are MA, VT, ME, CT, IA, NH Six states have same-sex marriage rights. Those states are MA, VT, ME, CT, IA, NH Rhode Island, New York, and Maryland recognize same-sex marriage from other states Rhode Island, New York, and Maryland recognize same-sex marriage from other states

Other Statistics In November 2008, California voters approved Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage, thereby overturning the state Supreme Court decision that gave gay couples the right to wed just months before. In November 2008, California voters approved Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage, thereby overturning the state Supreme Court decision that gave gay couples the right to wed just months before. In the U.S., 75% of students have no state laws to protect them from harassment and discrimination in school based on their sexual orientation. In public high schools, 97% of students report regularly hearing homophobic remarks from their peers. In the U.S., 75% of students have no state laws to protect them from harassment and discrimination in school based on their sexual orientation. In public high schools, 97% of students report regularly hearing homophobic remarks from their peers.

Sources "11 Facts About Gay Rights- Do Something". Do Something. 16 May "11 Facts About Gay Rights- Do Something". Do Something. 16 May "Equal Opportunity in the Military". Constitutional Rights Foundation. 16 May "Equal Opportunity in the Military". Constitutional Rights Foundation. 16 May "HRC- Human Rights Campaign- Home". Human Rights Campaign. 16 May "HRC- Human Rights Campaign- Home". Human Rights Campaign. 16 May 2010.

Sources "Lawrence and Garner v. Texas, U.S. Supreme Court Case Summary & Oral Argument". Oyez. 16 May "Search- American Civil Liberties Union". American Civil Liberties Union. 16 May Vestal, Christine. "Gay marriage legal in six states". Stateline. 16 May 2010.