Lgbt Reform Thesis

1341 Words6 Pages
Throughout time various groups have been looked down upon and treated differently. It has been apparent that people do not embrace change easily. The dawning of something new is terrifying to most people. They do not know what to expect so therefore there is the fear of the unknown. When the South lost the civil war, nothing could have prepared them for the changes that were about to happen. Both whites and blacks were faced with a new life of social and political reformation. In today’s society we are still continuing to have reforms and laws being changed. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT for short) community are fighting for equal rights and to be released from their current oppression. LGBT activists have been slowly trying…show more content…
Not having access to certain aspects in life can cause a lot of pressure in society. One planter claimed, “What I want here is Negroes who can make cotton and they don’t need education to help them make cotton.” After the slaves were freed, black people had an overwhelming desire to learn. Education was “the next best thing to liberty”. Since they had no previously been allowed to have schools, many different ages of blacks had to learn to read and write. There was an overwhelming amount of education that “took place outside of the classroom” as well. The desire to learn was probably sparked by the reform of black politics. They needed to be literate in order to protect and educate themselves on the changing laws. Gaining benefits proved to be monumental in giving blacks power to complete receiving equal treatment. Benefits and privileges are just as important to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Although married, gay couples have a hard time receiving benefits programs. The Justice Department just acknowledged “same-sex couples for the purpose of a number of benefits programs it administers, such as the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, and the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program.” All of these awarded benefits are long past due. LGBT advocates argued that no matter the person’s sexual orientation, certain benefits should still be granted. Attorney General Holder makes a powerful stance by stating, “When any law enforcement officer falls in the line of duty or is gravely injured, the federal government should stand by that hero’s spouse-no matter whether that spouse is straight or gay.” This break through ensures equal treatment throughout varies government agencies and also applies to gay marriages no matter where the couple
Open Document