The Next Social Civil Rights Movement

Gays and lesbians.

One of the issues in the presidential election is Gay Marriage. Should people of the same sex be allowed to marry each other for basic civil rights such as visitation in hospitals, tax breaks, buying homes without being turned away, and etc. Each candidate has stated their views about Gay Marriage and in my opinion under a McCain/Palin administration we will have another four years of what we are doing about the situation now...nothing. If under a Obama/Biden administration I feel that there will be strong efforts to come up with a positive solution about the issue, thus, action.

Nevertheless, I strongly believe the next civil rights movement is the issue of equal rights for Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgender (GLBT) people. There are two arguments that involve how civil rights movements begin. Some believe that a law has to take into effect and that would spark the movement. Others say that it occurs once that population is tired of the inequality and because of the lack of action, and/or lack of support to make certain law, the peoples involved will start the movement.

I believe it will take a combination of both. I feel that once a federal law passes that states that Gays are allowed to have either a Civil Union or Marriage that a movement will start and that law will spark other issues, such as discrimination, to come into the American light and the government will have to make moves to establish or elaborate on existing Civil Rights Laws. I feel that under an Obama and Democratic congress that Obama will select some new Supreme Court members that are more liberal, thus, such an act or law will pass. Moreover, a more Democratic House and Senate will also eliminate the possibility of Republican Filibusters and have bills go into action to vote to pass on or not.

Finally, because of the era we live in today the society is more accepting of the GLBT community. However, there is still acts of discrimination and unequal rights that exist that still prohibits some people to come out. Moreover, some specific cultures in the United States are strongly opposed to homosexuality and with more programs and information about the GLBT community will hopefully educate those communities and make it more accepting for such lifestyle. Further, I feel that more younger Americans are more accepting of the GLBT community and my fellow Dead Presidents might agree that we know there is nothing wrong with the GLBT community and it is a simple lifestyle that existed for thousands of years. Why as a nation of freedoms and equal rights that we still have an issue with granting those same principles of equality towards Americans with a different sexual preference? These hypocrisies are the very reason why so many Americans believe in an ideal of change. I believe that we still have 20th century laws in the 21st century and we have to make the adaptation.

My final opinion. What needs to happen to really spark this movement?

Comparing the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s to the possible GLBT movement I have a list to break down what I feel needs to happen before this movement is a reality.

1. The U.S. Military must rid the Don't Ask/Don't Tell policy and accept Gays into the military. (Other major NATO powers such as Great Britain, Canada, etc. have accepted Gays into the military) [The US Military under the Truman Administration granted Minorities in the Military equal rights]

2. Pass a Civil Union Law.
[This may be similar to the Brown v. Board law which sparked some controversy and some Historians agree was the one of the first acts of the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s]

3. A number of incidents occur that project discrimination.
[They already exist today, but let something occur like certain states (i.e. Mississippi) not support such Federal law. This will spark demonstrations, rallies, protests, etc.]

4. Possibility of other GLBT issues brought to the Federal Government level and thus address Civil Rights for all GLBT.
[Similar to the 1964-65 Civil Rights Act]

5. This can start the next possible social movement: Gender issues.
[After examination of sexuality, it will lead to looking at the inequalities of men and women issues...which has been long overdue]

Conclusion:

Civil Rights Movements are a long process and depends on who is in office and what major party rules the House, Senate, and Supreme Court. Nevertheless, I believe it will happen in the next 10 years and no more than 20 years. Once this movement is over, I believe it will spark the issues of gender inequality and will lead to an examination of gender roles in our society as a whole.

--Mr. Lincoln