Abstract
The paper discusses how in 1977, beauty queen and Orange Juice spokesperson Anita Bryant began her religious-themed attack against equal rights for gays- which she spread to raciosm, anti-Semitism and her belief that most minorities, according to her Bible, are doomed to hell. The paper relates that she won anti-gay right legislation in Dade county, which stood for some twenty years. The paper then discusses how last year, the Mormon chuirch contributed millions in favor of Prop 8, overturning the California Supreme Court's ruling that same-sex marriage was legal in California. The paper argues that in both instances, it was misguided religious fervor that stirred homophobia.

From the Paper
"Homophobia is nothing new. But, sometimes the efforts go beyond words and slogans and occasional beatings and so-called "gay bashing" that can result in death, such as occurred in Colorado with the severe beating of Matthew Shepard. However, the most insidious forms of homophobia are those in the guise of legislation and "moral crusades." The recent victory of Proposition 8 in California was ostensibly to overturn the California Supreme Courts decision that same sex marriage was legal. In fact, it was a crusade funded in the millions of dollars by the Mormon Church and its parishioners. "(A) spokeswoman for Yes on 8,...""

Tags:same sex marriage, mormon church, homosexual rights

From the Paper
"GAY RIGHTS INITIATIVES: A COMPARISON CAMPAIGNS IN COLORADO AND OREGON

Introduction
In November 1992, Colorado voters approved an initiative prohibiting the enactment of anti-discrimination laws covering homosexuals (Hill, 1993, pp. 26-28). The Colorado initiative has never been implemented because it has been tied up in court ever since the Colorado electorate voted to make it law. The Colorado State Supreme Court in October 1994 upheld a lower court ruling permanently enjoining the measure (Gallagher, 1994, p. 53). The significance of the success at the polls of the Colorado initiative, however, is not that the initiative has not become law. Rather, the significance of the initiative lies in the fact that its success at the polls provided encouragement to opponents in ..."

Abstract
This paper addresses various aspects of Arkansas House Bill 1119 which bans gay adoption. Some of the aspects discussed include the history of the Bill, the at risk population and the people whose interests are served by this legislation. The paper also discusses the status of the Bill at the time the paper was written, why continuing advocacy is needed and evaluates the advocacy efforts to date.

Tags:Arkansas, House bill, anti-gay, gay rights, foster care, adoption, cohabitation, discrimination, advocacy

Abstract
A paper which shows how the people actively involved with the gay rights movement may be highly organized and their objectives legitimate, but they are still considered a threat to traditional family values and "normal" sexual lives of other citizens. The paper discusses how the discovery of the deadly disease AIDS was yet another severe setback for the Gay rights movements, as the disease came to be linked to the gays, so much so, that AIDS was termed as a gay disease. Although the movement for the rights of gays has had its share of successes and failures, it has yet to see the movement converted into state legislation. The paper discusses sexual orientation, the HIV factor and the creation of resource centers and movements.

From the Paper
"One of the achievements in this field was the creation of a resource center called the Office of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual (GLB) Student Support Services, with private funding, by the Indiana University Bloomington. It's principle objective was to serve the community of the university, with detailed information and resources on gays, lesbians, and bisexual issues, as well as offering information, support and referral for lesbian, gays and bisexual individuals. This center also refers students who have been harassed because of their sexual orientation to their GLB Anti-Harassment Team, which then assists the affected individuals, by finding a solution to their situation, and documents the incidents to ward off any future harassment. The benefits which have been highlighted by the opening up of resources centers such as stated above, is the creation of a support culture, which successfully helps those in need and guidance. [4]"

Tags:non-heterosexual, gays, lesbians, Anti-Harassment, Team, Censorship, GLAAD, Ellen, DeGeneres

Abstract
In the film Relax it's Just Sex, (Castallenata, 1998), gay character Vincey stuns the audience by his reactions to a gay bashing. He is in the process of being terrified, beaten and humiliated by gay-bashers, when he is rescued by his friends. Instead of running away, Vincey uses the presence of his friends to empower himself, and then brutally rapes one of his attackers as his friends watch in horror.

From the Paper
An Anti-Violence Strategy Part 1: An Anti-Violence Strategy In the film Relax it's Just Sex, (Castallenata, 1998), gay character Vincey stuns the audience by his reactions to a gay bashing. He is in the process of being terrified, beaten and humiliated by gay-bashers, when he is rescued by his friends. Instead of running away, Vincey uses the presence of his friends to empower himself, and then brutally rapes one of his attackers as his friends watch in horror. Thus, in a very surprising twist on the usual theme of "poor homosexual is beaten up" (as in Torch Song Trilogy, for example), Vincey fights back against violence, and he

Tags:women, studies, violence

Abstract
The paper looks at the dreadful feelings of isolation which characterize the life of a gay man or woman who feels as though he or she cannot articulate love for another person with inviting resentment and even dangerously high levels of hostility. Furthermore, the paper shows how at least some of her poetry expresses the startling paradigm gap that exists between heterosexuals reared within the dominant social discourse and those silently suffering men and women who, by virtue of being gay, are consigned to the margins and denied the chance to love openly. Beyond that, the paper explores the somewhat anti-male theme found in a few of Graham's more notorious works. Finally, the paper concludes by discussing how Graham fantasizes about the unattainable. The paper clearly shows how Graham's work is about what it is like to be a gay woman in a culture that demands your silence - and the anger that emerges from this second-class existence.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at the work of gay author, Candis Graham, and the themes which inform her work. In particular, the paper will look at the dreadful feelings of isolation which characterize the life of anyone (like a gay man or woman) who feels as though he or she cannot articulate love for another person with inviting resentment and even dangerously high levels of hostility. Furthermore, at least some of her poetry - in the view of this particular reader, anyway - expresses the startling paradigm gap that exists between heterosexuals reared within the..."

Tags:sexual, diversity, striving

Abstract
This paper discusses gay marriage in terms of the religious and cultural issues surrounding this topic. The author opposes gay marriage, defines and defends her position, and concludes with observations regarding the religious and cultural implications of her position.

Abstract
Four states have outlawed homosexual sodomy specifically. The author discusses the impact that the laws, the general deterioration of the system and the issue of disrespect. The paper covers the containment of equal rights movements - specifically same-gender marriage, employment and parental rights - by use of sodomy laws as justification, as well as the the impacts of heterosexism. The author uses the analysis of homosexual interest groups in America to discuss the potential for repeal of these statutes and gives options for policy changes.

Outline
Introduction
History of Sodomy Laws
States with the Laws
Bowers and Lawrence
Level of Government
State Level
Harms of Anti-Sodomy Statutes
Penumbral Crimes
Equal Rights Denied
Employment
Marriage
Parental Rights
Heterosexism
Interest Groups
Lack of Representation
Analysis
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Gandhi was once noted as saying, "My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest shall have the same opportunities as the strongest" (Interfaith Alliance n. pag.). Yet in America, Gandhi's vision of democracy is not being represented as he would have dreamed. When a large percentage of the population is deemed criminal merely by the nature of their sexual conduct, pluralism is undermined and equal rights are impossible to attain. The anti-sodomy laws that exist in America serve no true purpose - they are rarely enforced and when they are, it is based on a pretext or prejudice. When weighing the costs and the benefits, the choice is an easy one to make. Anti-sodomy laws are used to deny rights and entrench heterosexism. These laws most likely remain in place because of the relative political weakness of gay and lesbian groups."

Tags:conservatism, oppression, sexism

Abstract
This paper describes the murder of Matthew Shepard, its background and repercussions, as portrayed in B. Loffreda's book "Losing Matthew Shepard." The reviewer first delves into the myths Loffreda presents surrounding gay populations outside of major urban centers. The paper then outlines the active homophobia in some rural areas, such as Wyoming, where the Shepard murder took place. The reviewer finds Loffreda's analysis to be extensive, since she was able to talk to many people in the town who otherwise avoided speaking to the media. Her investigation took place at the same time as the trial and other events related to the crime, making her ability to get answers from a shell-shocked public all the more remarkable.

From the Paper
"Wyoming is a part of the country that sees itself as separated from the sort of tensions ascribed by the populace to places like New York City. Some may also see New York and Los Angeles as bastions of gay populations while trying to deny that there are any gay people at all in the hinterlands, though clearly there are. Shepard had jus recently joined a group at the university called the Lesbian Gay bisexual Transgender Association (LGBTA), and though this was the only gay organization on campus and in Laramie as a whole, its existence shows that there was a sizeable gay population in the area. Others in the group had been attacked, leading to a view that anti-gay feelings were pervasive and that these might have contributed to the death of Shepard."

Tags:Losing, Matthew, Shepard, anti-gay, violence

Abstract
This paper reports on problems with violence against gays in the military and in everyday life, explaining that it is basically a "hate crime", but does not receive the same status in all areas of the country. The author points out that one of several reasons offered why a person might develop a belligerent attitude toward gay people is the Freudian notion that, since all children have repressed yet strong attractions to their "same-sex parent", later in life the male individual puts up a defense against that attraction in the form of hatred towards men who engage in homosexual activities. The paper explains that other reasons are that anti-gay persons are not likely to have had any personal contact with gays and that many gay "bashers" have grown up with parents and church influences that identify gays as mentally ill child molesters.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Literature Review

From the Paper
"Van Der Meer describes most violent perpetrators in Western cultures as having had a "rite of passage" that takes three phases. The first, he doesn't "give a shit about anything," rejects parental leadership, and feels as if he is a "nobody"; the second phase is the "liminal period," the so-called "group solidarity" during which he is "forced to participate." The group may begin in a bar simply joking about gays, then actually see one, and while attacking a gay man, nobody in the group can back out lest he be rejected from the solidarity."

Tags:freudian, parents, army, bible, research