Proposal-First part

The Acceptance of Homosexuality in America

Since the beginning of time being different from the majority in America was considered a bad thing.  It would bring shame and confusion upon that person; especially if you were homosexual.    So being a gay or a lesbian in America was not always so accepting.

From the time the Puritans colonies part of the Americas, they brought with them their views of religion and what should be the norm.  Ministers would shout to their congregation that being a gay man can bring the fear of the “sin of Sodom”.  This god-fearing way stayed with America’s mind frame well into today’s time period.  But, even starting in the early twentieth century homosexual groups started to form.  These group/clubs gave these people a relatively safe place to congregate, meet other people and to put out the word that being gay is not a disease or a crime.

The United States has come a long way since the earlier times of the 1900’s.  But, it still doesn’t stop the stigmas associated with someone who is different than the next. 

If you ask a young child if they are gay or straight, you won’t get an accurate answer.  Children know that they may not be the same in some aspects as their neighbor, but, being able to figure out why is another issue.  According to the book Looking at Gay and Lesbian Life, there seems to be a process that a young child “comes out” of the closet.  This child is usually between the ages of ten and fourteen years of age.

There are five crucial steps.  Stage one: Pre-Coming-Out:  This stage states that the child is not aware of the same sex attractions, due to the defenses built up.  He or she does feel the difference from others but does not quite understand what it is.  Stage two: Coming-Out:  The person becomes to a conscious or semi-conscious state of having the same sex feelings towards another.  This is a very confusing part on a young child.  Many will only tell one or two close people that they trust.  Many will reach out to those they know are gay or lesbian.  Rejection is a major part of this coming out.  Stage three:   Exploration:  The person at this point will interact with more gay and lesbians individual and experiment with their new found sexual identity.  This mostly occurs in adolescence, but those people who were not able to come out earlier due to social stigmas undergo what is referred to as “developmental lag”.  Stage four: First relationship:  Following stage three, the person usually desires a relationship with another person who has the same sexual feelings.  And finally Stage five:  Integration:  This is a very important part of being accepting of one’s self and being accepted by others in the community.

For some it takes years and sometimes a lifetime to accept who they are.  Society has taught us that sexuality should be viewed only one way.  It is time for America to step up and see that just because you love someone who is the same sex as you, that doesn’t interfere with your ability to learn, care, outreach to others. 

Homosexual Americans have struggled with obtaining equality.  Not only in everyday life such as obtaining a career or buying a home.  Homosexuals struggle with being able to marry who they wish out of love.  Adoption of a child to gay men has been a hard road for most.  Many lesbian women have lost their children to the father’s once they “came out”. 

 Kate
Burns, The History of Issues:  Gay Rights. Greenhaven Press, 2006

Eric Markus, Making Gay History. HaperCollins, 2002

Walter Williams and Yolanda Retter, Gay and Lesbian Rights in the United States. Greenwood Press, 2003

Glenn Wilson and Qazi Rahman, Born Gay. Peter Owen Publishers, 2005

Warren Blumenfeld and Diane Raymond, Looking at Gay and Lesbian Life-updated and expanded. Beacon Press, 1998