Human Rights at Home and Abroad: Past, Present, and Future
Human Rights at Home and Abroad: Past, Present, and Future
Human Rights at Home and Abroad: Past, Present, and Future
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Prior to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 coming into force, only single people <strong>and</strong> married<br />
couples could jointly adopt a child. Now, lesbian <strong>and</strong> gay couples can demonstr<strong>at</strong>e th<strong>at</strong><br />
their partnership is an ‗enduring family rel<strong>at</strong>ionship‘ [Sec. 144(4), ACA, 2002], they have<br />
a legitim<strong>at</strong>e right to adopt a child jointly as a couple. (2008, p.127)<br />
The act allows homosexuals from all over the n<strong>at</strong>ion to parent, which proves th<strong>at</strong> the topic of gay rights is<br />
not as controversial in this n<strong>at</strong>ion as it is in the United St<strong>at</strong>es because some st<strong>at</strong>es in the still continue to<br />
deny this right to same-sex couples <strong>and</strong> homosexual individuals. As a result homosexuals are now<br />
capable of adopting <strong>and</strong> fostering children. Homosexuals from both countries have almost completely<br />
risen above the issue of gay parenting even though some discrimin<strong>at</strong>ion still exists in the United St<strong>at</strong>es.<br />
Thanks to laws/rights changing homosexual couples are now legally capable of providing children in<br />
orphanages <strong>and</strong> fostering centers the home/family, love, <strong>and</strong> support th<strong>at</strong> they deserve <strong>and</strong> have always<br />
wanted. However, this amazing triumph is not the only right th<strong>at</strong> gays <strong>and</strong> lesbians have overcome in<br />
recent years. More have followed.<br />
Another discrimin<strong>at</strong>ion making the topic of gay rights so controversial are the rights for gays <strong>and</strong><br />
lesbians to be involved in the workforce equally <strong>and</strong> the ability to serve in the armed forces equally. In the<br />
Unites St<strong>at</strong>es gay men <strong>and</strong> lesbian women are now protected from this discrimin<strong>at</strong>ion just like<br />
heterosexuals have been for many years. They cannot be turned away from a job or fired from a job based<br />
solely on their sexual orient<strong>at</strong>ion. Many gay individuals were once unwelcome to work in certain<br />
establishments because of their sexual preference. People in charge of these establishments thought th<strong>at</strong><br />
gay individuals would corrupt their place of work <strong>and</strong> make outsiders not want to be associ<strong>at</strong>ed with th<strong>at</strong><br />
type of business. The biggest turn around th<strong>at</strong> homosexuals have seen in the work force is the right for<br />
them to serve their country in the armed forces yet, this turnaround has been consistent in keeping the<br />
topic of gay rights controversial. This turnaround was the repeal of the Don‘t Ask Don‘t Tell Policy<br />
which was set into place by the Clinton administr<strong>at</strong>ion. The policy allowed for both gay men <strong>and</strong> lesbian<br />
women to serve in any branch of the armed forces without having to disclose their sexual orient<strong>at</strong>ion. A<br />
person was not able to make their sexual orient<strong>at</strong>ion known because if it became public news the<br />
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