I seem to remember seeing a documentary that both gay rights and abortion weren't really political issues on which either party has an opinion until the early 1980's, when Jerry Falwell stood up to condemn the homosexual lifestyle as against God. Any thoughts? Can anyone confirm this?
2006-08-15 02:48:40 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
It's a wedge issue designed to feed the republican party's base ("christian" conservatives) some red meat once in a while. The republicans have no real interest in an anti-gay marriage amendment. Abortion is the same thing, as long as they can use it to split Americans apart, and keep the religious right worked up.
2006-08-15 05:50:51 · answer #1 · answered by Elizabeth G 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's a bit of both. Gay activists through their work forced politicians to start talking about gay rights. Now it is increasingly becoming a partisan issue because BOTH Republicans and Democrats are using their positions on gay rights issues (currently the hot button issue is gay marriage) to win votes.
2006-08-15 11:32:36 · answer #2 · answered by nava_clue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Gay Rights" weren't an issue until they were brought to the forefront by the Anti-gay activists. Issues like this are known as "wedge" issues that are purposefully presented to divide and distract from "real" events and issues.
To date there hasn't been an actual legitimate reason brought up for the denial of Same-sex marriage rights. Marriage does NOT legally require procreation, and is endorsed by some religious institutions. Yet the outcry against Same-sex marriage comes primarily from religious institutions. There hasn't been any law proposed that would force any religious organization to perform same-sex marriage just as there are NO laws that force Religious based Hospitals and clinics to perform abortion procedures.
2006-08-15 10:05:03 · answer #3 · answered by IndyT- For Da Ben Dan 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There were more outspoken gay republicans before Bush wanted to pass the anti-gay marriage ammendment. Are you saying that the republican are using gay activists to win votes because they are against them or because they want gay votes?
Gay rights are a global issue - not just an American one, so it is not all about republicans and democrats. Some countries allow gay marriage, some countries kill their homosexuals.
2006-08-15 10:06:11 · answer #4 · answered by Think.for.your.self 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Gay rights took it;s first steps back in the 1960 at Stonewall. However I feel that it wasnt till the Aids crisis of the early 1980's that we as gay people had to stand up for ourselves. We were being condemmed for starting AIDS. The stigma that every gay man had AIDS. This forced us to stand up and be counted to protect ourselves our rights as human beings, not disease filled preverts.
It was fear of the unknown that caused the uprising against gays. It was our fears of being killed and called names, beaten and prosecuted that started the gay rights movement.
Today we are being used as a politcal tool by the republican and the democrates. However we can use this to our advantage to gain our equal rights.
2006-08-15 10:25:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a combination of both. Whenever we as LGBT people stand up, someone wants to kick us down again, hard. It was like that for black people during the civil rights movement of the Sixties, too. It's not the fault of the minority that s/he wants to hold her head up high and live her life, but sometimes maybe timing can be off. I also think we make a good distraction for politicians.
2006-08-15 11:00:53 · answer #6 · answered by GreenEyedLilo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think mmostly because of the political parties. Republicans use the cause for votes as do Deomcrats who claim to help, but don't do anything. The activists, luckily, are here to help us out.
2006-08-15 10:13:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I personally don't care about gay marriage. I think AIDS is the true issue effecting the gay community, but all that gets pushed aside for more petty and divisive issues in election season.
2006-08-15 09:54:32 · answer #8 · answered by Nick 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Kinda makes sense.
Who cares what people do if it isn't hurting anyone ... unless you can make political brownie points or build an empire on it.
2006-08-15 09:57:35 · answer #9 · answered by sheeple_rancher 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Republican agenda. I have nothing to confirm this, but that is my view.
2006-08-15 09:53:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋