Public Agenda Issue Guide: Gay Rights

Citizens

are confronted with serious issues every minute of the day. Grasping the underlying issues from the headlines is a difficult task. Give us ten minutes a day and we will help bring clarity to the chaos of the news, policy and issues.

ON THE AGENDA

No Teacher Left Behind?

Scott Bittle
Feb 5, 2010

The No Child Left Behind law, which for good or ill has been the center of American education policy over the past decade, is up for an overhaul. That's the word from the Obama administration, which says a central point will be changing how schools are rated, one of the most controversial parts of the law.

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Load 16 (Clean?) Tons And What Do You Get…

Scott Bittle
Feb 4, 2010

The federal government this week announced plans to push biofuels and "clean coal" technology, in an effort to move forward on energy options even while a more complicated "cap-and-trade" plan stays stalled in Congress. Developing new technology is important to solving our energy problems, but what is really at stake here and what choices do we have?

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ISSUE GUIDE: Gay Rights

OVERVIEW

Gay Rights

For much of American history, indeed, for much of world history, homosexuality has been a taboo subject. Often, it has been considered a crime in and of itself. Yet today, millions of gay and lesbian Americans are not only open about their sexuality, they are campaigning for new laws which they say would grant them the same rights accorded to heterosexuals, including the right to marry.

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CONSIDER THE CHOICES

Protect and extend equal rights of all our citizens

Let states and communities choose solutions that work for them

Support and protect traditional institutions and values

In 21st century America, its shameful that we allow gays and lesbians to be denied the same basic rights as every other citizen. Gays and lesbians are routinely denied employment and housing, unable to obtain official recognition of their life partners, and even become the victims of hate crimes. The United States has struggled with how to provide equal rights to all of its citizens -- blacks, women and the disabled, to name a few. The civil rights movement has shown us that it is often necessary and right for the federal government to step in and protect those groups. Government protection and assurance of equality under the law must extend to gays and lesbians as well. It is the only way to ensure that all citizens enjoy full human rights, and that is what American government is all about.
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Our nation is a diverse one, and that diversity has contributed mightily to our growth and strength. Communities hold different values and opinions on dozens of issues, including homosexuality, and that diversity should be respected. Communities must be free to make their own choices because solutions really only work if they come from the grassroots and reflect the values and norms of most people. Local policy on gay and lesbian issues has evolved over the years based on changing comfort levels, without government interference. Some places have chosen to offer protections for gays while others have imposed bans on same-sex behavior. That's their right, particularly with our tradition of federalism. Those who disagree with local decisions can seek remedies by moving elsewhere. On this issue, the federal government should follow, not lead.
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There is a big difference between tolerating private behavior between consenting adults and endorsing such behavior by granting legal protections. Giving domestic partners benefits and special privileges legitimizes same-sex relationships even though they cant create children, which is the major reason underlying governments traditional protection of marriage and family. Same-sex relationships are also deeply offensive to many Americans, often based on religious beliefs. Marriage is not just about love and commitment, but about the stability of family, which is the linchpin of society. Were already seeing the social damage caused by families weakened by divorce and single-parent households. Granting new rights and benefits to gays and lesbians benefits and inheritance rights would crush one of the pillars of stable, civil society.
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