The Gay Rights Stonewall Riots to the Present

What is Marriage?? Merriam-Webster: “the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law” Merriam-Webster: “the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law” Federal government: Union between a man and a women Federal government: Union between a man and a women

What were the Stonewall Riots?Stonewall Riots Violent confrontations between the police and gay New Yorkers in the summer of Violent confrontations between the police and gay New Yorkers in the summer of They are sometimes called “The Stonewall Rebellion,” or simply “Stonewall.” They are sometimes called “The Stonewall Rebellion,” or simply “Stonewall.” They are viewed today as the birth of the modern gay rights movement. They are viewed today as the birth of the modern gay rights movement.

Before Stonewall In many cities, it was illegal to be homosexual In many cities, it was illegal to be homosexual Police regularly raided gay restaurants and sometimes arrested everyone present for “indecency” Police regularly raided gay restaurants and sometimes arrested everyone present for “indecency” A restaurant could have its licenses revoked for knowingly serving food to three or more homosexuals A restaurant could have its licenses revoked for knowingly serving food to three or more homosexuals

After Stonewall Unannounced police raids of gay establishments Unannounced police raids of gay establishments Gay Americans began to recognize that activism, not silence, would protect them from harassment and discrimination. Gay Americans began to recognize that activism, not silence, would protect them from harassment and discrimination. The GLF (Gay Liberation Front) was formed immediately after Stonewall and chapters opened in many major U.S. cities. The GLF (Gay Liberation Front) was formed immediately after Stonewall and chapters opened in many major U.S. cities.

Accepted Forms of Same-Sex Unions 1.Domestic partnerships: – Washington, Oregon, Maine, California, Maryland, and Washington, DC – personal relationship two individuals common domestic life – personal relationship between two individuals who share a common domestic life but are not married – new form of union for (but not limited to) homosexual couples

Accepted Forms of Same-Sex Unions 2.Civil Unions – Vermont, California, Oregon, Hawaii, and New Jersey – Established to obtain specific, but not all, rights of heterosexual marriage – civil unions are not recognized, and therefore neither are the benefits that come with them, outside the state where issued – Opposed by some because it echoes the “separate but equal” mentality

Accepted Forms of Same-Sex Unions 3.Same-Sex Marriage – legal in 5 US states: – Massachusetts (2004), Connecticut (2008), Iowa (2009), Vermont (2009), and New Hampshire (2009) – legally recognized marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender

International Gay Rights

Thought Questions: 1.U.S. Military has a “don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy. Should it be removed? 2.Should same-sex couples be allowed to adopt a child? – Even if they are not legally married? 3.Should the United States allow same-sex marriage? What are the challenges? Why?