Homosexuality in America: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

America has always been known for its many freedoms: religion, speech, press, to bear arms, and the right to a fair and speedy trial. Thomas Jefferson said in the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. America is world-renowned for this philosophy and yet there are still groups of people who feel discriminated against. In today’s society, the greatest dilemma we face is with sexual orientation.

At a park bench, two men are kissing. At a nearby coffee shop, two women are holding hands. Why do people stare and look down upon these couples, but not on a man and woman couple? The issue of gay rights has always been a matter of discussion in America and probably always will be. The site selection took place in Los Angeles, a city of great diversity. We welcome different races and religions with open arms and the state of California has always been Democratic with the majority of the people living there liberals. Although California was the first state that said only marriage between men and women should be recognized, it was also one of the first states that made domestic partnerships for gay couples legal. In order to gain rapport, I debated between the members of the local church. I subsequently met a woman who has seen the trials and tribulations of how America has dealt with gays and lesbians since 1939. She seemed like the perfect candidate: a Caucasian Christian middle classed woman whose micro culture was being a lesbian. As a lesbian, Laura Summers was kind enough to share her story with me at the nearby Starbucks. She is a 67 year old retired woman with a life partner and two adopted children. Her life story explains how she and her partner together dealt with the past’s and today’s social division.