Gay Rights Movement Research Paper

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From the 1960s to the 20th century, the Gay Rights Movement have made a phenomenal contribution socially and politically in order for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transsexual (LGBT) Americans to have equal opportunities in employment, same-sex marriage, fair housing, hospital visitation, anti-bullying, and more importantly, a true quality of life, in the same manner as heterosexuals. A lot of courageous men and women, to name a few, Harvey Milk, Martin Duberman, Grethe Cammermeyer, and Zoe Dunning, sacrificed their time, careers, and lives to make an impactful difference for Gay Rights in America. Although the road was long, and by far, not easy, their endless efforts for the Gay Rights movement not only made American history, it changed the lives of many, from those involved in the riots at Stonewall Inn in the late 60s, all the way to the White House in the 20th Century. Discrimination against Gay Rights The Gay Rights Movement began early as the 1920s. However, the 60s was inevitably a radical turning point for social movements and political change for Gay Rights. During this era, “gay men and women were pressured into keeping their sexual lives very closeted; they succeeded in creating a diverse subculture” (Carter, 2004). During this time, the LGBT …show more content…

Tony Lauria (Fat Tony), the son of a well-known Mafia opened the bar so that gay men and women can have a place to be free. “This routine raid did not go smoothly because the crowd did not behave in the usual passive manner” (Poindexter, 1997). About 400 people united in the riot that lasted for several days. The crowd grew so much from the chaos, that according to Stephanie Watson it was as many as 2000 people, and “Historian and gay rights activist Martin Duberman called Stonewall “the emblematic event in modern gay and lesbian history” (Watson,

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