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Period: to
GLBTQ Rights Movement
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Franklin E Kameny
-banned from federal government because of his homosexuality (1957)
-tried to sue, but the court always ruled against him
-submitted a petition to federal court, rejected
-founded the first gay activist group in Washington DC, Gay Activists Alliance and co-founded The National Gay Task Force and National Gay Rights Lobby https://www.bnl.gov/bera/activities/globe/kameny.htm
http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/14/opinion/carter-kameny-tribute/ -
Decriminalization of Homosexuality
-many states passed sodomy laws which made certain sexual acts illegal
-mainly directed at homosexuals
-Lawrence V Texas: ruled sodomy laws unconstitutional - violation of the 14th amendment
-they violated the liberty guaranteed to all Americans http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37026#.WOWXzbgrLrc -
Stonewall Riots
-began after police raided Stonewall Inn (gay bar) NYC
-riots began because people thought the police were targeting the gay community
-lasted a few days with multiple demonstrations in NY
-first organized demonstrations by the gay community
-spurred the creation of the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-stonewall-riot
http://www.civilrights.org/archives/2009/06/449-stonewall.html -
Homosexuality No Longer A Mental Illness
-at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in 1973 attendees voted to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder
-60% voted to remove it from the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders
-Homosexuality was still partly included under the label of "sexual orientation disturbance" https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201509/when-homosexuality-stopped-being-mental-disorder -
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
-a policy made from a compromise about allowing homosexuals to be in the military
-they could participate as long as they did not talk about their sexuality with others
-officers were angry because they thought if homosexuals were in the military, it would lower morale
-Obama finally signed a repeal that went into effect on September 20, 2011 https://www.britannica.com/event/Dont-Ask-Dont-Tell -
Employment Discrimination
-In 28 states it's legal to fire someone based on their sexual orientation
-up to 45% of LGBTQ workers have experienced discrimination in the workplace
-up to 41% of LGTBQ workers have been either physically or verbally abused at work
-The degree of discrimination varies based on location, some states leave it up to local governments whereas others issue definitive laws https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/31/employment-discrimination-lgbt-community-next-frontier/29635379/ -
Restrictions on Giving Blood
-Since 1985 gay and bisexual men were not permitted to give blood
-The Food and Drug Administration proposed a new policy that would allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood
-The new policy recommends that men will have to abstain from gay sex for twelve months before donation
-This possible change represents very limited progress https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/31/employment-discrimination-lgbt-community-next-frontier/29635379/ -
Defense of Marriage Act
-Same gender couples could get married in certain states, but other states did not recognize their marriage
-Lower courts ruled in favor of gay couples
-Opposition appealed to a higher court, and the ruling was overturned
-According to court case Obergefell vs Hodges (2015) states have the option whether or not to recognize gay marriage http://www.lgbtqnation.com/tag/doma/
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2014/14-556 -
Accomplishments of the LGBTQ Community
-working to pass laws giving equal treatment and rights for the LGBTQ community
-raising public awareness
-building institutions for lesbians
-creating a self-reliant LGBTQ community http://www.uky.edu/~lbarr2/gws250spring11_files/Page1186.htm
