Gays in a civil rights movement?

[greenpartyTX]

I have some gay friends who compare the current gay rights movement to the civil rights movement of the 1950's and 60's.

Is this a valid comparison?
On what levels?
Does this comparison offend other minorities?
Should we have a federal decision on this issue?

Thanks for your input,
gpTX

[kayky]

The fight for civil rights by African-Americans certainly affected a larger number of people with a broader range of grievances. This should not detract from the need to protect the civil rights of gay people. If you are being denied your civil rights, it hurts you and diminishes your life.

[Bio-logical]

I have been saying for years that gays are the new blacks, but I do agree with kayky that the blacks had a much wider range of grievances than they gays do. The comparison is valid insofar as the Jim Crowe style laws that have been enacted against them and repealed in often very controversial court cases as well as the steps being taken to gain the same freedoms as the rest of the population.

I believe that hatred and persecution is, in a sense, the American way. We as a culture will not be happy unless we have an easily recognizable "untouchable" style class. My prediction is that gays will have their freedoms within fifteen years and the next target will be atheists, but I think that struggle will be shorter since there are more atheists in seats of power than any other minority.

[JoeyKnothead]

I have some gay friends who compare the current gay rights movement to the civil rights movement of the 1950's and 60's.

Is this a valid comparison?
On what levels?
Does this comparison offend other minorities?
Should we have a federal decision on this issue?

Thanks for your input,
gpTX

I see little to no difference between the two. Slavery and other such oppressions were and are horrible, however it can be reasonably assumed that homosexuals have faced oppression throughout the entire course of history.

When someone feels their being oppressed is equal to what others have faced, how can we judge their opinion of such?

[HappyTikiman]

Is this a valid comparison?

On what levels?

I would think so I think the point being made here is that we are a civilised society and we shouldn't be doing this kind of thing anymore.

Does this comparison offend other minorities?

well yes, should it? I don't see why it would. Its that type of mindset that brings about that type of oppression.

Should we have a federal decision on this issue?

In some country histories you would get married for the state's benefit not for religious means. That is where the main conflict in opinion happens. In my Opinion, I think equality amongst the human race would result in a happier society. Government's main focus should aim for that especially modern democracies. The main issue here is, does government work for society or religion?

[Homicidal_Cherry53]

I have some gay friends who compare the current gay rights movement to the civil rights movement of the 1950's and 60's.

Is this a valid comparison?
On what levels?
Does this comparison offend other minorities?
Should we have a federal decision on this issue?

Thanks for your input,
gpTX

I see little to no difference between the two. Slavery and other such oppressions were and are horrible, however it can be reasonably assumed that homosexuals have faced oppression throughout the entire course of history.

When someone feels their being oppressed is equal to what others have faced, how can we judge their opinion of such?

While I would agree that homosexuals have been persecuted since the beginning of western civilization (ok, well after the fall of Rome, as it was relatively common in ancient Rome/Greece), this persecution was never legalized. It was, more than anything a social stigma that gave homosexuals the choice of staying in the closet or facing ridicule and social isolation (in extreme cases, I wouldn't be surprised if the person was run out of town or lynched). While that is certainly terrible, it just isn't anywhere near slavery, Jim Crow Laws and the litany other disgusting and oppressive things that have been perpetrated upon African-Americans.

The two do have some similarities, but black people were truly oppressed in so many areas in almost the entire country until the civil rights movement. Yes, gay marriage is not recognized in many areas, and yes homophobia is widespread, but at least there is little in the way of homophobic legislation that makes gays into second-class citizens.

[kayky]

Do you think that banning gay marriage is legalized discrimination?

[JoeyKnothead]

While I would agree that homosexuals have been persecuted since the beginning of western civilization (ok, well after the fall of Rome, as it was relatively common in ancient Rome/Greece), this persecution was never legalized.

First I'd like to point out I respect the position, and the poster, but not necessarily in that order...

Homosexuals are legally hanged in some parts of the world, to this day. Further, history has many examples of homosexuals being tortured and killed for their "crimes" as part of the legal code. Even England's Kings were not safe from such.

It was, more than anything a social stigma that gave homosexuals the choice of staying in the closet or facing ridicule and social isolation (in extreme cases, I wouldn't be surprised if the person was run out of town or lynched). While that is certainly terrible, it just isn't anywhere near slavery, Jim Crow Laws and the litany other disgusting and oppressive things that have been perpetrated upon African-Americans.

I can see where some would think your take to be "more correct" but I'm not willing to retract or cede my contentions yet.
A group that is forced "into the closet" must surely feel safe in that closet for a reason.

The two do have some similarities, but black people were truly oppressed in so many areas in almost the entire country until the civil rights movement. Yes, gay marriage is not recognized in many areas, and yes homophobia is widespread, but at least there is little in the way of homophobic legislation that makes gays into second-class citizens.

Bans on gay marriage. Bans on homosexuals serving in Federally Chartered organizations (i.e. Boy Scouts). "Blacklisting" of homosexuals for jobs (it is legal to discriminate based on sexual orientation at least here in Georgia, USA). The list goes on and on.

Of course mine is opinion, but I will stick with my contention that one group has been just as oppressed as the other.

[kayky]

One big difference, though, is that you can hide being gay--you can't hide being black.

[Bio-logical]

One big difference, though, is that you can hide being gay--you can't hide being black.

I've known some guys that couldn't hide it from anybody. No matter how much they denied it even to themselves, everybody knew.