Why do people refer to gay people as a minority?

Question

I don't hate gay people, but they sure don't deserve special rights. Why don't we just have the same equal rights for drunks?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060630121244AAuRpJi&pa=FZB6NXXtFWMW0cLWwu8b970joIvpck4886fwb5IzJjN.YfjyoLQ-

obviously, I don't mean LITERAL minority. I know what the definition of minority is.
You misread something and spread hate, but when someone says that they don't agree with a lifestyle, people point a finger and say that that person is hateful.

Answer 1

I actually agree with what you are saying (maybe not the way you put it). I have had this discussion/argument with several friends who are gay. While gays may be discriminated against as many minorities are, they can usually avoid this discrimination--at least a lot easier than a black person. That is, a black man can't hide that he is black when, say, applying for a job ar trying to get an apartment, but a homosexual does not have to come across as gay in a situation that he suspects may be questionable. There is no reason to go around telling everyone what or who you like in bed, whether you are proud of it or not. There is much to be said on this issue...

Answer 2

Gay people don't deserve "special rights". They deserve equal rights. Straight people don't deserve "special rights". Drunk people deserve equal rights but not special rights. People with eleven toes deserve equal rights. If by "special rights" you mean affirmative action, please find me an example of homosexuals asking for affirmative action. They really don't want anything more than straight folks have, though some will insist in going about it in a foolish way...

As far as a recent comment is concerned, a life of lies, self-hatred, and hiding is a very miserable life indeed. I would not wish it on anyone. Why can't we, instead, get to the point at which one does not need to worry in any situation about what outcome his skin color, heritage, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation might cause? Why can't we simply be secure in our own personhood and treat each other as nothing more or less than another human being, regardelss of these other factors?

Answer 3

Perhaps you are confused as to the definition of minority.

Women are not in the minority

Gay people probably are (although nobody agrees on the definition, so maybe most of us are gay and don't know it)

Minority describes a group that is less than the majority. In either/or cases it means less than half.

At any moment, drunken people are a minority.

At my children's high school, white people are a minority.

And drunks are provided equal rights and protected by law and due process.

Answer 4

Dear Tom

Many have postulated that You are the embodiment of Illuvatar, here on [Middle-] Earth. If this be true, why do You ask such questions when (being all divine) You, surely, know the answers?

Is this a test? Please tell me how I score

There are fewer non-heterosexuals than heterosexuals ergo they are in the minority.

Being Divine, You know that GLBTQs neither deserve nor seek special rights but that, drunk or sober, all they wish for are rights equal to those afforded their heterosexual mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters.

I note You once helped the little people at the end of the Third Age; in Your great magnanimity, I beseech You grant that this may come to pass.

Answer 5

I never heard that gay people were a minority.
Here is the definition of minority, apparently they are referred to has a minority.

minority n. 1) in voting, a side with less than half the votes. 2) a term for people in a predominantly Caucasian country who are not Caucasian, including African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, indigenous Americans (Indians) and other people supposedly "of color," despite the irony that the majority of the world's population is not Caucasian. Sometimes the term is employed to include women and homosexuals. "Minority" carries with it a certain patronizing tone even when used to assert rights of peoples who have been discriminated against, either socially or by law. 3) The period of life under legal age.

Answer 6

Why do people have to categorize anyone? I don't think gay folks are attempting to have any more rights that straight people; I believe they wish to simply have the same rights. Gay people, from my understanding of the culture, simply wish to love and be loved just like anyone else. Is love a bad thing now? Clearly you were not intending to care what answer you received if you consider minorities to consist of 'drunks'. Being a drunk is a choice, being homosexual is not.

Answer 7

Because in college towns drunks aren't the minority. Other than that I agree with you. Friend had a good point the other day. SHE told me that white males should now be considered a minority because they are the only ones not protected by special legislation! Funny; even though I realized I'm not protected...

Answer 8

Should I have special rights because I have a beard? Only homosexual supporters refer to them as a minority. What would keep a couple of friends from pretending to be gay just so that they can have special rights and get tax incentives and stuff.

Answer 9

Because they are a minority (the MAJORITY of people are not gay). Your comparing them to drunks kind of sounds really demeaning. They are considered a minority because they do not receive some of the basic rights that most people do...our government likes to limit their equal rights...

Answer 10

Gays are a minority because they are only 10% of the population.
They don't want special rights, just the same rights everyone else has. Like not to be discriminated against. Not to lose their job. Right to marry like heteros have. Gays want equality, not special rights.

Answer 11

Just because there isn't many. I don't see why they should receive special rights, or a drunk, A minority is suppose to get equal rights, and thats what we should all have, people should be more concerned on their freedom through God on their behavior.