Gay Rights - Will Gays Ever Be Treated Equally?

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Not all stereotypes are about their looks and style but some stereotypes are very serious and cause gay persons a lot of pain. One example of a hurtful stereotype is AID’s is a gay disease. AID’s is not a gay disease and anyone can contact AID’s. Many people believe if they contacted by a gay person they are exposed to getting the disease. People feared gays for several years and didn’t want nothing to do with them. Another stereotype that affect gays is gays are bad influence on children. People fear that gays may turn their child gay if they are around them. Research has proven that gays do not have an influence on a child’s sexuality but sexual orientation is fixed by biology early in life. This fear has made it difficult for gay males to get job in teaching, counselors, and youth group leaders. Another fear is that ay persons are sexual perverts and tend to be child molesters. This stereotype is false as well, each year a few straight and gay persons are convicted of child molestation, regardless of sexual orientation (Norma Carr-Ruffino 467). There are very offensive stereotypes about gays but what laws are in place to help protect gay persons from harassment and discrimination.

What laws are in place to protect gay rights?

Gays are entitled to equal rights such as equal employment rights, marriage and parenting rights, and freedom from criminal charges based on the sexual activity. Most gay persons are faced with work discrimination all the time because of the stereotypes listed above. In the united States gay persons are not included in federal Civil Rights laws that protect other groups from discrimination in the workplace, housing, marriage and parental matter, military service, and other areas. In 1998, President Bill Clinton interpreted the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 that prohibits federal government workplace discrimination including sexual orientation as a factor not related to job performance. In 2009 Barack Obama announced an EEO policy that protects both gay and transgender federal employees. There has been an ongoing battle with Democratic lawmakers trying to protect gay persons and Republicans have fought against gay protection. Although, there is no nation wide protection for gay rights there are 21 states and District of Columbia that have protection laws for gay rights. This law protects private business workplace and state and local government workplaces. Twelve more states prohibit discrimination against public employees on sexual orientation. Law varies from state to state when it comes to protection from workplace discrimination.

Hate crimes are very common for gays and in 2010 showed a 13% increase from 2009, according to leaders of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence programs (Norma Carr-Ruffino 489). It wasn’t until the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 that sexual orientation was protected from hate crimes. Gay also have family rights that gay activist are fighting for equal rights. Some of the family rights that are denied is gay partners cannot file joint income tax return, gay employees usually cannot add their partner to their health plan, gays are denied custody or rights of their children, and can not take time off if their partner is ill or die. Domestic, civil union, and same sex marriage are laws that address family rights. Domestic partnership gives employee benefit rights to gay couples who are unable to legally marry. Civil union laws have been passed by some states that recognize same-sex unions. Civil union gives legal rights and responsibly to partners that is stated for married partners. Same sex marriage laws are the same as other marriage laws. There are laws and rights in place to ensure that gay persons are treated equally. There have been many movements and struggles to get gays rights to where they are today.

Gay Right in the Present and Future

Gay rights have come a long way and is continue to close the gap of equal rights. Although, there are still hate crimes and society not approving gay persons we have seen a movement of acceptance in media. In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres comes out of the closet. More celebrities and famous people are coming act and are having a great influence on younger people by showing its okay to be gay. Tim cook, CEO of Apple is also a great example that gay persons can be anyone not just a hair stylist or dancer. Tim Cook is a very successful businessman and he shows that you can be successful as an open guy man. There are also TV shows, such as Modern family, Glee, and the New Normal that have a direct impact on audiences’ stances on the LGBT community. As the Hollywood Reporter is reporting, 27 percent of viewers surveyed said that gay TV made them more in favor of gay marriage (Huffingtonpost.com). By having gay couple appear on shows and famous people coming out and accepting whom they are has made a big impact on society and their acceptance of gay persons. Although, some shows may act on the stereotype of gay persons, Sara think media is a good way to get society to accept gays for who they are. By seeing more gays in media and peoples acceptance of gays is going to encourage gays to be who they are and accept that they are gay with out feeling scare or ashamed.

Conclusion

The fight on gay rights is on its way but have a long way to go. There are still states that need to legalize gay marriage and protect gays from workplace discrimination. Gays will continue to fight for their rights and have several organizations to help them with their struggle. There are many LGBT organizations in schools, workplace, and public that gay persons can go for help and support. Gay persons will always be challenge from religion and politics. The fight for equal rights will be won once society accepts that gays are born this way. Being gay is who they are and gay is not a choose or a sin and until society understands that the fight for equal rights will continue.

Recommendation

As a manager gay rights is an issues that we are going to face during our careers. As managers we need to show all our employees with respected and equal regardless of the sexual orientation. I recommend every year there should be a mandatory training on equal rights in the workplace. This training should include and not limited to LGBT. Each employee should understand and agree to the no tolerance for discrimination in the workplace. If you hear or see an employee being discriminated for being a gay person you must address it as soon as possible. In addition to discrimination employees will not be denied job or promotions due to their sexual orientation not job performance. I recommend if