We continue to see civil rights laws change and adapt with the times and this is really an evolution of our society. It’s a natural process that we can expect to see continue over time. A recent trend is civil rights for sexual orientation and there is much debate still around the country and the political figures over this one.
Gay marriage is a perfect example of this heated debate. There are some who believe that homosexual couples should be allowed the same rights as heterosexual couples when it comes to marriage, potential tax deductions, getting insurance and other matters. There are some who believe that gay marriage should not be legal and that these unions should not be recognized under the law.
Most homosexuals believe that their civil rights are being violated when they are denied the right to get legally married by the state due to sexual orientation. There are a small group that agree that these are the laws of our country and they are content with their sexual orientation, regardless of the governments’ support of that or not.
Here are some examples of the debate of civil rights for sexual orientation:
• No one should be denied a job because they are gay yet teachers are being fired because it is said that they are not a “good example for children that they come in contact with”
• A gay couple can adopt a baby but are not legally capable of getting married under the law in their state, thus preventing them from tax advantages and other legal issues that heterosexual couples get
• Hate crimes exist against homosexuals when it comes out what their sexual orientation is
• A person is denied entry into the military or other government position due to their sexual orientation
These are just a few examples of cases of civil rights in regard to sexual orientation that are taking place currently in our country. Different states are taking different stances on these issues and it’s clear that many of these matters will not be resolved quickly.
While all states and the federal government agree that no person should be physically injured or emotionally assaulted due to sexual orientation, not all agree on matters such as whether or not these people should be allowed to get married under the law or to work with children and students as teachers. The debate continues and the outcome could clearly affect our future laws in this country.
