2008 Woodie Awards
Point/Counterpoint
"Has America become more accepting of the homosexual lifstyle?"
Alli Kirkham
Issue date: 9/20/06 Section: Opinion
Most people think that America has recently become more accepting of homosexuals. I, unfortunately, don't think this is true.
It is true that Hollywood is becoming more accepting. Brad Pitt has recently announced that he won't get married (again) until homosexuals can. Shows like "Will and Grace", as well as "Queer as Folk" and "The L Word" have helped to familiarize the American people to some aspects of gay culture, but, in spite of what Hollywood may think, making TV shows and movies about
homosexuals isn't going to win over the anti-gay world.
Consider Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka. Phelps made a name for himself protesting at the funeral of Matthew Shepard, and has since been in the news for
bringing his congregation to funerals of American soldiers while screaming that our boys died for "defending a nation of fags."
And though Phelps may be an extreme example, he is certainly not the only example of intolerance in America. Nineteen states have voted to uphold "traditional" marriage, effectively banning gays from marrying in their states. Even those states normally considered liberal have shied around the issue.
San Francisco was, for a while, issuing marriage certificates to gay couples, but the "Governator" put a stop to that. So even California, one of the most gay-friendly states in the union, doesn't give homosexuals the right to marry. Massachusetts is the only state upholding the rights of the gay population of America. What the hell are the other 49 doing?
Maybe this is a debate on semantics. Have things gotten better for homosexuals? Yes. They now have the right not to be persecuted for their sexual
orientation, to be fired based on who they sleep with, or to have to sit in the back of the bus because they like sex with the same sex.
But they also have to put up with slurs in public, and not only from the public, but the people in their lives. Have you ever heard of a black person being ostracized from his or her family because of their skin color? Or of a Christian whose mother told them they would burn in hell for their sins? Homosexuals deal with attacks from all fronts, and it's about damn time they got a break.
Acceptance of homosexuality can't be on a public basis only. It needs to come from all angles, and until our society learns to be more open minded as a whole, we can make no progress as a nation.
There can be no forum for civilized discussion and democratic debate when people are nurturing hatred; and no true liberty when all of our citiczens are in some way bigoted.
It is true that Hollywood is becoming more accepting. Brad Pitt has recently announced that he won't get married (again) until homosexuals can. Shows like "Will and Grace", as well as "Queer as Folk" and "The L Word" have helped to familiarize the American people to some aspects of gay culture, but, in spite of what Hollywood may think, making TV shows and movies about
homosexuals isn't going to win over the anti-gay world.
Consider Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka. Phelps made a name for himself protesting at the funeral of Matthew Shepard, and has since been in the news for
bringing his congregation to funerals of American soldiers while screaming that our boys died for "defending a nation of fags."
And though Phelps may be an extreme example, he is certainly not the only example of intolerance in America. Nineteen states have voted to uphold "traditional" marriage, effectively banning gays from marrying in their states. Even those states normally considered liberal have shied around the issue.
San Francisco was, for a while, issuing marriage certificates to gay couples, but the "Governator" put a stop to that. So even California, one of the most gay-friendly states in the union, doesn't give homosexuals the right to marry. Massachusetts is the only state upholding the rights of the gay population of America. What the hell are the other 49 doing?
Maybe this is a debate on semantics. Have things gotten better for homosexuals? Yes. They now have the right not to be persecuted for their sexual
orientation, to be fired based on who they sleep with, or to have to sit in the back of the bus because they like sex with the same sex.
But they also have to put up with slurs in public, and not only from the public, but the people in their lives. Have you ever heard of a black person being ostracized from his or her family because of their skin color? Or of a Christian whose mother told them they would burn in hell for their sins? Homosexuals deal with attacks from all fronts, and it's about damn time they got a break.
Acceptance of homosexuality can't be on a public basis only. It needs to come from all angles, and until our society learns to be more open minded as a whole, we can make no progress as a nation.
There can be no forum for civilized discussion and democratic debate when people are nurturing hatred; and no true liberty when all of our citiczens are in some way bigoted.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Dana Williams
posted 9/22/06 @ 7:07 PM PST
Alli, it's great to read your stuff again. When first reading the topic of the Point-Counterpoint, I admit jealousy for the inability to provide my two cents in print form. (Continued…)
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