Introduction
A movement is a group of people working together to advance their shared political, social or artistic ideas.
LGTBQA+ is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer, and Asexual (for ALL) this movement advocates for equal rights for the LGTBQA+
Civil rights is a movement which was popular in 1950s to 1960s and it advocated for equal rights between the African Americans and the whites.
According to this essay, LGTBQA+ and Civil rights movements are the same kinds of struggle considering the strategies they both used.
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND LGBTQA MOVEMENT
Civil rights movement also referred to as African-American movement in 1960s,was a wake up call against racist and unjust deeds in the society.
The struggle took the courage of brilliant black leaders, court cases , federal actions and non violent resistance. Tragically ,it encompases the blood of innocent people killed seeking freedom and equality.
On the other hand , LGTBQA movement started way back in 1924 when Henry Gerber founded the Society for Human Rights, which was a first documented gay rights organization in the united states, (friendship and freedom).
In both cases, the Civil rights movement and the LGTBQA movement showcases similarities in the strategies they used to achieve their goals.
The strategies includes:
Court cases
The civil right movement preceded with court cases with aid of National Association for Advancement of Colored people(NAACP) founded in 1906 by Charles Houston, its mission was to end segregation through the court cases. Thurgood Marshall, a symbolic leader of NAACP, fought for desegregation in public school in the courts where he argued 32 cases winning 29.
The LGTBQA movement had a series of court cases that affected greately the future of their movement’s agenda, including the United States v. Windsor, June 26, 2013 case:
The Supreme Court of the United States found the section of the federal “Defense of Marriage Act” which limited federal marriage recognition to opposite-sex couples to be
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND LGBTQA MOVEMENT
unconstitutional, ensuring that the federal government was allowed to recognize all legally married same-sex couples.
Matches
Matches were evident in both struggles by the civil right movement groups and the LGTBQA movement. As for the civil right movement saw the marches protest to bring attention to injustices. Selma to Montgomery & Washington D.C, the powerful “I have a dream” speech delivered at culmination of D.C march, the king spoke about his dream for his children and the people he represented on April 3, 1968. KKK and white southerners who were against desegregation, supported by the state police and local sheriff departments turned back marches, beat participants, and even killed many. President provided military support so marches may go on.
The first LGBTQA match was in 1970, which was held in multiple cities in the united states on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, named after the Police forces had unjustly raided the historically gay frequented bar, the Stonewall Inn located at Greenwich village New York City in 1969. The event becomes a pivotal, defining moment in the movement for the LGBTQA rights.
In 1979, over 100000 people participated in the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Chapters of the national organization of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) are founded across the United States.
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND LGBTQA MOVEMENT
Passing the Equality act
The civil right movement worked to see that the equality was achieved and also end segregation, desegregate schools and other public facilities, equity in accesss to jobs and housing, reverse “separate but equal” and generally end discrimination.
The LGBTQA movement aimed at passing the equity act to amend the civil rights act of 1964 to include sexual orientation and gender identity among prohibited categories of discrimination. According to one of the most influential LGBT advocacy groups, the Human Rights Campaign, the legislation would apply to areas of “employment, housing, access to public places, federal funding, credit, education, and jury service.”
CONCLUSION
In conclusion to the highlighted commonalities between Civil Rights Movement and LGTBQA Movement it is evident that both movements struggle to fight for equality against discrimination in the society. They both try to echo their place in the society and the need to be accepted and treated right cosidering equality. The struggle was not an overnight journey and it is still evident to date. In both cases it is an ALUTA CONTINUA for both movements until they achieve their desired goals.
REFERENCE
Koppelman, A. (1997). Romer v. Evansand invidiousintent.
William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, 6(1).
Retrieved from: http://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmborj
Equality Forum (n.d.). Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon:Biography.Philadelphia, PA: Author. Retrieved from
