gay rights movement

Political activity by homosexuals in pursuit of equal rights and an end to discrimination. Strongly active since the 1960s, the gay rights movement also seeks to educate the public about gay issues, promote tolerance of gay relationships and lifestyles, and encourage pride and solidarity among homosexuals.

Local organizations began working for gay rights during the 1950s. These early groups, often calling themselves homophile organizations, tried to defend the rights of gays through organized protests, lawsuits, and local politics. The dramatic growth of the movement, however, is largely attributed to the Stonewall riots of 1969. These began after a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. For the first time gay patrons strongly resisted the raid, and the subsequent riots inspired gay communities to mobilize in other parts of North America, as well as in Europe and Australia. The appearance of the AIDS virus in the early 1980s produced a new wave of hostility towards homosexuals but also put them in the forefront of formulating an effective response to the epidemic and raising the public's awareness of its dangers.

Opposition Many opponents of gay rights believe that homosexual acts and lifestyles are morally wrong. They believe that homosexuality is a life choice rather than an inherent trait, and therefore deny that gays should have equal rights and protection as heterosexuals.

Legislation In 1961, Illinois became the first state to abolish laws prohibiting homosexual acts. Since 1970, several areas in the USA and Canada have passed laws prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals in employment and housing. In 1986, however, the US Supreme Court ruled in Bowers v. Hardwick that states are entitled to enact laws forbidding private homosexual acts. Although these laws are rarely enforced, gay leaders saw the decision as a means to legitimize discrimination against gays. Ten years later, in 1996, the US Supreme Court ruled in Romer v. Evans that states may not ban laws that protect homosexuals against discrimination, a victory for gay rights.

In 2000, Vermont became the first US state to pass a law granting same-sex couples the same legal rights as married couples, and in 2004 Massachusetts became the first to legally sanction marriage between same-sex partners. In 2005, a bill to legalise same-sex marriage became law in Canada. In Europe, the Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriages in 2001. Belgium and Spain followed suit in 2003 and 2005 respectively. Germany has allowed same-sex couples to register for ‘life partnerships’ since 2001, and in 2005 the UK gave same-sex couples in registered partnerships similar rights to married couples in areas such as pensions, property, social security, and housing. In 2006 South Africa became the first African country to endorse same-sex marriages.

Despite many legislative advances for the gay rights movement, many discriminatory laws are still in place in the USA. Anti-sodomy laws still exist in several states, and homosexuals are restricted in a variety of areas, such as adoption and military service.