Night Project By: Jessica Gilpin, Paige Nelson & Rebecca Willoughby

Overview  The controversy over homosexuality has been waged for several decades. In today's culture, it has become one of the major issues, politically speaking. We cannot avoid or shove the issue in a corner. As a result, discrimination against homosexuals is ever present until we decide to resolve the issue.

Opposition to Gay Rights  DOMA  “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”  Religious Groups  Political Groups  Governments

DOMA  DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) is a federal law that was passed on September 21,  The law has two effects: 1. No state (or other political subdivision within the United States) needs to treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state. statepolitical subdivision within the United Statesmarriagestatepolitical subdivision within the United Statesmarriage 2. The federal government defines marriage as a legal union exclusively between one man and one woman. federal governmentfederal government

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell…”  The policy was established by Executive Order by President Bill Clinton in December  It repealed the ban on homosexuals in the army, however a person would receive a dishonorable discharge if they revealed they were a homosexual.  Since it’s introduction there has been a 67% increase in the dishonorable discharge of homosexuals in the army.  Fifty-nine Arabic linguists have received a discharge under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” over the last five years.  Danny Choi, an Iraq veteran is quoted, “…We’re in a time of war. We have bigger things to worry about than people being gay.”

Religious Groups  Many religious groups, including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists do not approve of homosexuality believing it is immoral. However, the degree in which homosexuality is disapproved varies.

Governments  There are currently seven countries with the death penalty for homosexuals. Of these are Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Nigeria, and Mauritania.  Approximately another 25 countries in Africa have severe laws against homosexuality. Homosexuality illegal Minimal penalty Large penalty Life in prison Death penalty

Political Groups  Fascist parties are unanimously against gay rights and homosexuality, amongst them are the National Front and the Neo-Nazi Party.

American Opinions  From the results of a Gallup pole in which the information was taken by random phone calls of 1,002 people in May 2006, we have this information (with an approximate error margin of 3%). :

Student’s Opinions  There is hate/discrimination in our country and our own school. Why does it occur and what can be done about it? “People are stereotyped and it’s unfair. It (discrimination) occurs because people disagree with other people and they think they are better than them. If we look at each other through another perspective, we might be able to get along” (Corian Zacher). “Sometimes people get stuck in the past. If people could see that change is happening….sometimes people don’t want to get over it. In the constitution, it says that all men are created equal. If people would read that and possibly see that we are all more alike than not, maybe things can change” (Jonna Shields).

How can we solve this?  Understanding the basic rights that others deserve will lead to what would truly be a compromise. It’s crucial that we as Americans, who represent a land of freedom, treat each other as equals and do not deny others of the freedoms we enjoy.

Works Cited  “Don't ask, don't tell”. Wikipedia.org. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 4 January  Hughes, Brian. “Should Homosexuals Serve Openly in the Military?”. SpeakOut.com. Speak Out, 26 April Web. 4 January  Nasaw, Daniel. “Don't ask, don't tell: gay veteran of Iraq takes on US army”. guardian.co.uk. guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited, 29 June Web. 4 January  “Executive Order”. thefreedictionary.com. Farlex, Inc, n.d. Web. 4 January  Saad, Lydia. “Americans at Odds Over Gay Rights”. Gallup.com. Gallup, Inc, 31 May Web. 4 January  “Defense of Marriage Act ”. Wikipedia.org. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 4 January  “Religion and Homosexuality”. Wikipedia.org. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 4 January  “In 7 countries, homosexuality = The death penalty”. Current.com. Current, 5 December Web. 4 January 2010.