My video on gay equality

Imagine A World Where Being "Gay" The Norm & Being "Straight" Would Be T...

Works Cited

"Hate Crimes." Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. Gay Marriage Research, Gay Law Report, Professor’s House David Bailey, "Minnesota Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage," Reuters, May 14, 2013 William P. LaPiana, "Domestic Partnership Chart," www.actec.org (accessed Aug. 10, 2012) White Paper: A Healthy Chicago for LGBT Youth.February 9th, by Dr. Mustanski in Allies, Featured, Researchers, Youth Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, Sexual Transmitted Diseases and Tuberculosis Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "Same-Sex Marriage." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 12 Sept. 2013. "Hate Crimes." Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 12 Sept. 2013. "Homosexuality." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 12 Sept. 2013. "Gays in the Military." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 12 Sept. 2013.

Mary Lambert - She Keeps Me Warm

Exploratory Essay

Since I was at the age where I could understand what love truly was, I have always been very forwarding with the fact love should be with anyone you feel that way for. Gender, skin color, weight, body type, and so much more should not affect who anyone can or wants to be with. Growing up I was not raised to believe gay equalities were either wrong or right. It was not until I reached the age where I could understand and really view that love is love. In middle school, I came to realize that a few of my friends had been picked on for stating they either liked the same sex or thought of liking the same sex. On VH1, a music channel on television, there once was a show called “Tila Tequila” and in this show it was based on a young woman who was bisexual. Tila was on this show to find love, which did not technically mean a man or woman. Love was who she found was the person who was there for her, would do anything for her, and who would not be afraid to show that. Gender was not a deciding factor on who Tila wanted to be with, it was her heart those this person and not what society told her. My best-friend is also a bisexual woman and in a time where gay equality was not fond upon, she struggled to come out with herself. When she had done so, a lot of people were with her. She is proud of who she is and would not ever think of changing herself for anyone besides her for their own benefit. In 2013 not only are interracial couples allowed to be together, family members can marry one another, and bestiality is legal but the LGBT community is not allowed to have these same rights. Is it not wrong that two people can not love one as a man and a woman love each other? So I ask this; why should being with someone of the same gender be a rising controversial issue in our country? Why is it so wrong to want to love someone who is no different than yourself only the same gender? For those who do not know the LGBT community, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, are the human beings who are what our society calls “gay”. A “lesbian” is a female who is also into females or who is willing to be with a female if that is what she feels is right. “Gay” is what, sadly, our society sees men that also seek relationships with other men. “Bisexual” is a person who seeks relationships with both genders, while a “transgender” is a person who feels as if they were born to be the opposite gender. Back before the issue of same- sex marriage was around, the word “gay” did not describe someone's life style. Gay meant happy, but now most struggling gay members of society are nothing but happy. The fact that in this time of changes that a member of the LGBT community can not be happy with who they are, what they do, and who they love is very disturbing. No one should have to hide who in their soul feels that they should be, even if that includes wanting to be with the same gender. In trying to find research that favors my opinion of equality, I came across an intriguing book. “Same Sex Marriage: Pro and Cons” written by Andrew Sullivan. In this novel, Sullivan explains not only the pros and cons of legalizing same -sex marriage, but also the background and orientation of marriage all together. Sullivan quotes Plato's Symposium, “Notice how same-sex love is put on the same plan as opposite-sex love, but also how marriage is not identified with it.” This quote explains how love to one man and another man is the same as a man and a woman's love, but without the ability to hold hand in marriage. By Sullivan quoting Plato, he is showing that not only are same-sex couples in this day in age are not able to marry but so were the same brand of couples unable to do so in past; centuries ago. It is not only breathtaking that between centuries and centuries of love, two people of the same gender are still unable to marry but it is distasteful. This article has helped me realize that this is not a new controversy, but a reoccurring one. You see two ladies or a man kissing on a social media website and it’s a huge public matter. In my opinion, two people who like each other should be able to kiss or be in a relationship without it being a deal. Let love be love and leave it alone. I find it very unsettling that in 2013 it is unacceptable for two people of the same gender to be criticized for the way they live their life. There are thousands of men and woman in this world struggling to come out and say who they really are; gay. The fact that in America people cannot do what they want, with who they want, without someone judging them is very disturbing. I support equality for both men and woman, even if I stand alone. In a world where celebrities can perform private matters in public, drugs can be taken without any enforcement, or teenagers can walk the streets without parental control, saying “I do” to the person you love should be legal. No, I am not a member of this community but that does not mean anyone who is not can not support the right to let love be love. Fight for equality, after all how would you feel if you could not hold hands in marriage with the person you love?

Cause and Effect

Everyday members of the gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual community struggle to come out to the world and say who they really are which is someone who likes the same-sex. Many people struggle to do so because over forty-seven percent of Americans strongly oppose the gay communities, (Gay Marriage Research, 1). Although there is nothing wrong with being enjoying the company of the same-sex, those who are open about their sexual orientations are most often shunned from society, bullied more frequently, and have their rights taken away more than one who is straight. This not only affects the gay communities, but everyone around them as well. There are about nine-million LGBT members in America, (Politico, 2). Within this large number, only fifteen states legally allow these members to marry the same-sex, (ProCon.Org, 2). There are fifty states and only fifteen allow equality under the law, which is breathtaking. Not allowing these marriages to happen can cause many protests, heartbreaks, and the Constitution to be questioned. If we were “all equal”, would marriage really be favored for everyone? A whopping forty-three percent of people favor same-sex marriage, (Gay Marriage Research, 11). Considering how many United States citizens there are, this is a very low number and should gradually become higher. Members of these communities often face the most hate crimes, brutal beatings, and bullying among classmates and/or even parents. Often gays are the ones most vulnerable to be shunned from society for their way of life. These actions cause many day to day problems as includes: suicide, depression, and acts of self-harm. “LGBT youth were more likely to report depression and depressive symptoms, previous suicide attempts, and non-suicidal self-injury” (Dr. Mustanski, 3). When society is against everything that you are, most people turn to self-harm or suicide to cope with who they are, gay. The rate of homosexual suicide is sixty-two percent, (National Coalition for the Homeless, 16). Not only are the gay community youth more likely to result in harm, but also to drug abusing. “In terms of substance use, LGBT youth were more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana” (Dr. Mustanksi, 3). Drug abusers usually turn to drugs to get away from their problems, similar to the way obese society members turn to food or depressed people turn to self-injuries. Teenagers who are members of the LGBT community are more likely to be abandoned by their families’ out way “straight” children. “Twenty percent of homeless youth are LGBT. In comparison, the general youth population is only ten percent LGBT” (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2). These teenagers or even adults are commonly known for being removed from their religious families because most religions believe homosexuality is a sin in the eyes of God. “LGBT youth, once homeless, are at higher risk for victimization, mental health problems, and unsafe sexual practices” (National Coalition for the Homeless, 5). Homeless gay citizens are more likely to endure themselves in prostitution, horrific surroundings, and are at a higher risk of HIV/AIDS. MSM (Men who have sex with men) account for more than half of the HIV population among the gay community. “MSM accounted for 78% of the new HIV infections among males” (CDC, 23). Teenagers, adults, and elderly are not limited to be affected by the hatred against the LGBT societies. If more people do not become more tolerant of these communities, suicide numbers will gradually become higher, the homeless homosexual rates will grow, and America will continue to be indifferent. Support same-sex couples and do not discriminate, we are all the same.

Understanding Gay Rights: Mural.ly

Narrative Poem

FOREVER, MY DEAR

She's sitting there under our tree

She's the most beautiful thing to see 

Her hair is perfectly brown

The sun shining on her frown

She wonders why we can't be free

She question why there can't be a we

Three years I have loved her 

My life before her is a blurr

Her smile lights up my life

Keeping us a secret is like getting stabbed with a knife

I love her so

But I'm too scared for everyone to know

My parents don't 

And so they won't

A disappointment I will be

If they ever knew the real me

They'll question what went wrong

But I was this way all along

They wouldn't allow it

A child like me, how could they have it?

They'll say I'm a disgrace to God

So I stay quiet, a fraud

Pretending to know who I'm not

All because the bible says I'll rot

What will people at school think?

They'll beat me in a blink

Everyone would call me names

And I'd be the only one to blame

I tried to change, I really did 

But no one loved me the way she did

She's sitting there under our tree

The only person who knows the real me

She's strong, strong like no other

I couldn't imagine being with another 

She's my all, my everything

For her I'd do anything

We lay in bed

She leaves trails of kisses on my head

Our hands tangled, intertwined 

I know in this moment forever is mine

With her head on my chest

The worry of tomorrow is at rest

Then I hear the door squeak

My body suddenly feels weak

Who is it? Who could it be?

My parents, all eyes on me

Their eyes filled with fury

We untangle in a scurry

Mom screams and shouts

Telling us to get out

Dad cries, "you fag! You fag!"

"Get out of this house and don't pack a darn bag!"

I'm out now, all on my own

Out by myself, but not alone

Years go by

Not a peep from even a fly

They told me I chose this

I only chose my love's kiss

Daddy refuses to see my face

To them, I am nothing but a disgrace

Momma said to not return

And that in hell I would burn

Maybe god doesn't love me

Yet he was the one who created me

My parents don't love someone gay

But they don't know I can't change my way

My love stayed with me

Forever we will be

It's been thirty years now together

Thirty years with through the weather

She's my laughter, my joy

My only, until we had our boy

He has her hair, silky brown

He's our king with a mighty crown

When he grows old

He will never be who is told

He will be who he wants

Not what others flaunt

I am not a phase

Nor am I a disgrace

I am gay

And I wouldn't choose to be another way

I am not a sinner

I am only a winner

I am no different than you

I am only different from my point of view

Don't hate those you don't know
it only goes to show

love is not always equal

and not every marriage is legal

Let LOVE be LOVE

And RISE ABOVE

Letter to The Editor

Hello, my name is Kayla and I am a junior at Early College High trying to inform society about gay equality. In my opinion, “gay” is not something someone “chooses”, it is a life style.
            Many people throughout the world believe same-sex rights should not be legal because it is against many religions. Personally, I believe anyone who craves to be happy and start a life with someone of the same gender should not only be able to do so legally, but morally. Thousands of members of gay communities struggle to say who they are, gay. If society would see love is love without discrimination  same-sex would be equal. So I ask, why is loving someone of the same gender still illegal in 2013? Love should be love, aren't we supposed to be equal?

            Sincerely, Kayla Jessop