Action Tips: Support Gay Rights
Here's how you can join the fight for gay equal rights:
- Register to vote! Tell our government how you feel through voting! Be sure to update your address if you are registered to vote or sign up if you are not.
- Sign a petition for same-sex marriage Sign the Human Rights Campaign petition or create your own!
- Write your state senator or representativeYour State Senators and Representatives were elected by you and act on your behalf. Let them know how you feel.
- Contact the White House Obama has repeatedly promised to help lead the fight for gay and lesbian rights but his administration recently defended DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act) and pressured the Supreme Court not to overturn the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Send letters supporting gay equality directly to our president.
- Support gay schoolsHelp the Hetrick-Martin Institute alleviate queer youth from the perils of harassment and violence by contacting the New York City Department of Education or by providing funding to The Harvey Milk School.
- Write the church. Asimple email to gay-friendly churches can go a long way towards the confirmation of gay clergymen.
- Support the Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund The SLDF needs your support as the leading advocate for gays in the military. Not only do they educate servicemembers on the current "don't ask, don't tell" policies, but they provide free legal advice.
- Volunteer for a gay rights organizationThere are several organizations that help promote gay rights and safety. Find the one that best suits your lifestyle.
- Lobby for Gay Adoption The American Bar Association had recently agreed to endorse and lobby states for equal adoption rights for same-sex couples. Join the fight!
Sources:
Gay Life
Human Rights Campaign
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Gay Rights: Only 24 states and D.C. include sexual orientation in their hate crime legislation.
Comments
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i think all states shouls include sexual orientation in their hate crimes bc it is not like people choose their sexual oriantaion and it is not something to make fun of
i peraonnally am not gay but belive that everyone should be able to do as they wish
Well, Since Bush has left office, I think it would be a good I dea to try get the Matthew Shepard act though, That would add Sexual Orientaion and Gender Identity to the Hate Crimes List on a Federal Level.
We need equal rights. I'm not gay, but I have a few friends that are. Most people find it awkward, and I think that we have to do something about that.
we need equal rights because we should be able to love whom ever we want. I mean im not gay or anything but the people who are shouldnt suffer because of who they love. I dont tell you who to love so dont tell the gays who they have to love.
My bestfriend is gay and i think its stupid how he has to hide it from everyone because if not he'll get beat up. I think it's stupid how people think its wrong
We are not just 'gays'. I am not 'a gay'. I'm a lesbian. Please keep in mind that the whole lgbttiqq (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, two-spirit, queer, questioning) community needs support and these groups should be included in the title of this page and elsewhere. 'Gay' is not a blanket term.
i think that people should know that even thought my mom married my step mom she is still human i am writing another paper for school about gay rights so maybe something will happen
i think thats right because at my school people make fun of me because my mom is a lesbian and i try so hard not to listen but it is sooo hard for me
can people help me with my school paper? comment ASAP
your right your mom is still human even though her sexual preferance is different than what most people call "normal". I mean who are they to say whats normal and whos better than one another. they arent.
and those people who make fun of you because ur mom is different.....they have something about themselves and their moms and dads that are different than one another too... so dont worry about what they say and they will grow up one day and stop trust me. The same thing happened to me cuz my dad is gay so yeah...
the sun will come out tomarrow....
and just remember when things get really bad u can come here and talk to me...
I agree with you BIEMOPRINCESS...they should put gay bashing in the hate crimes.
Black people got theirs and different religions have the right to practice their beleifs so why not Gay people we count too...and who knows maybe if we keep fighting one day we will get our wish too.
i am not gay, but i do belive that everyone has the right to be happy, and if that is how they wish to be happy then who is someone else to tell them they cant?
I think that we should all be equal and treat others with the right amount of respect. If every single one of us can respect a gay person then someone will see that and pass it on.Its not who you are but what you do.
How is this not a hate crime everywhere. If i went areound beating up straight people id get thrown in jail right away! this is so messed up!
It's refreshing to see so many kids not gay bashing. Especially those who AREN'T gay. Thank you to all the wonderful comments. It gives me hope for the future
i think people are to afraid to be gay or lesbian (ect...) because of what others think. its awful. half of these comments say things like "im not gay or anything", like being gay is a bad thing. i bet half of those saying that don't even know if they are gay or not. i happen to know that i am not, but what if i was? who would care? some people might spit out some rude comment to you, but i believe that should be stopped, and we should all have equal rights among us. it's awful to say the least that people are afriad to be who they are, and that people feel the need to defend themselves in everyday life.
Everyone needs to have respect..And love is love no matter your gender or sexuality male female, Gay,Straight,lesbian,bisexual,transgender,anything everyone deserves a chance.
I'll admit I am not a lesbian, But I am bisexual...I let out my secret when i was 13 and yes i did get picked on by all of the popular chicks and some guys...But My true friends stood by me some of them were also popular,most of them just middle class. After a few months of me coming out,Another one of my friends also got the courage to come out tell everyone she was bisexual,Another he was afraid to come out and tell everyone i was the only one to know but after a year he let it out because he saw how I handled my situation...Most of my friends are gay, And I'm with them all the way i will stand up for them do anything.My school don't really have problems with gays, Sometimes it does. but people are cruel and thats life. but it doesn't mean we can't stand up for ourselves and fight for what we belive in.
that was very incouraging i like your attitude about this and they are right i am black and i look at it like this people have called me "gay" all my life yea it hurts but i ahve grown to realize they only insult me because of who i am not what i am im no different from them but thats not what they want to hear so they igonore it
I think everyone should be able to have the same rights, we're all the same, so why can't we be treated like we're the same? No matter if we're gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender we should all have the same rights. Why can't we all have a chance?
I am a gay female and honestly I am appalled at the U.S.A's behavior. I think that I should be able to marry and if I were to marry, my marriage should be just as sacred and cherished as a heterosexual couples. I am glad that everyone who made a comment is for gay rights. I think people who find it akward are ridiculous yes people have their own opinions but if you don't like it don't look I mean there are alot of things i don't like but I don't go around taking away peoples rights. I am sad because I am in love and I can't be with the girl I want to and share my love for her through a marriage because I don't have the right.
I completely agree :)
Thanks to everyone who has commented you guys and girls bring a lot of hope to a bright future. Its so refreshing to read these comments keep it up. WE DESERVE OUR RIGHTS!
love is love, no matter who it is you love, and dammit if anyone tries to stop you.
People are meant to be free! So, if any one is gay, that is no one else's business!
When we look at are selves in the mirror, we should be able to smile.
i have recently emailed all my congressional delegation to urge them to pass ENDA which covers discrimination in the workplace, particularly against glbt people. i am continuing to work in the background to uphold gay rights.
it's nice to see someone say it's no one else's business. i grew up in a time when gay was "queer" only and utterly taboo. it's nice to know that i can safely discuss my sexuality with so many people now and feel comfortable telling them that i am gay. it took a long time for me to accept it.