The Stonewall Riots, 1969 — A Turning Point in the Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Liberation This incident took place in New York’s Greenwich Village at the Stonewall Inn whereby homosexuals perform violent demostrations against a police raid. It is cited to be one of the first instant in American history for the homosexual community fought back when the government restrict sexual activities being approved, and it has since became the defining event that marked the start of gay rights movement in the United States around the world. Early homosexual groups in the U.S. sought to prove that gay people could be assimilated into society and that they too can be look upon as equal individuals. Not many places accept the presence of gay people, those that did were often bars and pubs. The Stonewall Inn, at that time was run by the Mafia.
In many states, these battles are still ongoing for gay marriage and rights to be treated fair. Before World War I there were few attempts made to create advocacy groups for the gay and lesbian community. When World War II came along it allowed isolated gay men and women to meet as soldiers, war workers, and other volunteers from small towns that got displaced all over the world to help in the war effort (apa.org). In the early 1950’s Senator Joseph McCarthy held an investigation of homosexuals holding political positions. More importantly, he raised awareness and started the first American based political demands for fair treatment of gays in mental health, public policy, and employment.
While the men were away at war, women took advantage of rare occasions (open jobs men were associated to) by taking jobs as journalists the way men previously were and etc. "The war really created opportunities for women" Winona Espinosa said. It was the first time women could actually show that they were capable of doing things only men had done before. Moreover, the tough physical labor increased women's self confidence as an individual, and the income as well. These are some positives for women, however if there is a positive thing about something most likely there are going to be negatives to go along with it.
The War Labor Bond outlawed unequal pay to whites and non-whites doing equal work. Before the war, the African American population had been mainly southern, rural, and agricultural; within a few years, a substantial percentage of African Americans were northern, urban, and industrial. While discrimination in the workplace was hardly eliminated, twice as many blacks held skilled jobs at the end of the war as at the beginning. The northward migration of African Americans accelerated the rising demands for racial equality. As nearly 750,000 blacks relocated to northern cities, many sensed the possibility of political power for the first time in their lives.
Homosexuality has not always been discussed on television. It was once considered a taboo topic but once the AIDS epidemic hit in the early 1980’s homosexuality was everywhere. HIV/AIDS was dubbed the “gay disease” and lead to much gay hate on both television and in public (Gross 145). Gay men and women on TV were portrayed as hypersexual beings that deserved to contract this terrible illness. It wasn’t until the late 90’s with shows such a Will and Grace and Friends that TV’s portrayal of homosexuality changed from negative to positive.
As the movie played out, only the gay relationship of Collins & Angel really championed over all others, for at Angel’s funeral service, speeches were given about the great life he had and how they wished they could have the same. Sarah Schulman on the contrary states “Rent clearly depicts a world in which heterosexual love is true love. Homosexual love exists but is inherently secondary in that is either doomed or shallow or both.” (SSR). I would have to strongly disagree with Schulman, for I believe she took the movie out of context. Larson did not purposely kill off angel and make the relationship of Maureen & Joanne difficult to point out that homosexual relationships doesn’t last, it’s just the way the movie went.
This is because people all over the world are classified by these things, not just Americans. Sometimes these classifications are implicitly or explicitly expressed in hopes of avoiding discrimination. For instance, my mom only goes to gay men to get her makeup done. This is because like many Americans she believes that gay men are great cosmetologists. Next social class is implicitly identified.
Just the Way We Are Everyone thought that there are similar differences between males and females. Both genders are different through their social, emotional and intellectual qualities. Gender roles influence women and men in virtually every area of life including family and occupation, but are women and men subject to different roles or behavior expectations? Gender role by definition is,” the public image of being male or female that a person presents to others.” (Dictionary.com). In early American culture it was common for a women’s job to be an obedient housewife in clear contrast to the male’s duty to be a job holder.
I have many gay friends and I love them just as much as I would my other friends who are not gay. I do not judge. He told me that “I needed to be more open minded, and that my explanation made no sense”. The second political debate we had was about abortion. If a women is raped then yes they should be allowed to have one, however; if a woman goes out has unprotected sex on purpose, and gets pregnant she should have to deal with the consequences she made instead of murdering a baby.
The Right to be Equal Imagine not reaping the benefits of marrying a loved one or getting turned down at a job interview not because of your resume but because of your sexual orientation. Imagine living a lie to make others happy and disguising yourself to be the ideal human being in the eyes of society, all because being a homosexual is different. Although rights for homosexuals have improved a great deal, the gay community is often still frowned upon and lacks equality. Homosexual lifestyles need to continue to be recognized and offered the same rights as heterosexuals. All people deserve the right to life, liberty and happiness, regardless of their sexual orientation.