Human Rights at Home and Abroad: Past, Present, and Future

have come into existence. The supporters of gay rights have placed into act the Liberal Movement, which
according to Michael LaRegina, ―calls for equal rights for homosexuals‖ (1997). This movement works
towards gaining all rights for homosexual Americans that are currently given to heterosexual Americans.
Michael LaRegina also states, ―they (homosexuals) are being denied rights which they do not deserve, but
rather to which they are entitled as citizens and human beings‖ (1997). LaRegina recognizes that just
because a person has a homosexual lifestyle does not mean that they do not have the right to be granted
the same human rights that people living the heterosexual lifestyle are entitled to. The United Kingdom
also has many Acts and regulations set in place to make the equalization of human rights more likely.
Some examples include: the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, The Fostering Services
National Minimum Standards, and the Embryology and Fertilization Act (EFA) (Brown & Kershaw,
2008, p.123-124). All of these work to make the chance of equalization more likely. They allow for
homosexuals to have the rights described for them in these documents have helped with the equalization
of all people.
The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations ―make it illegal to discriminate on the grounds
of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services‖ (Brown &Kershaw, 2008, p.122).
This act acknowledges homosexuals are being the same as everyone else and helps to insure that they are
treated with the same respect. This means that all social services such as restaurants and stores must not
discriminate someone because of their sexuality. It helps to protect them. The Fostering Services National
Minimum Standards allows for same-sex couples to adopt and foster children. Capable same-sex couples
are able to provide a home to the children living in orphanages the home they want, need and deserve.
Another act, the Embryology and Fertilization Act, permits the capability of gay men and lesbian women
to donate eggs and sperm to fertility treatments. This was once denied to homosexuals because there were
people who believed homosexual contained tainted sperm and eggs and if they were used all of the
children resulting would also be homosexual. This was not ideal to the public, but luckily the law was
overturned and now homosexuals have this ability. Other forms of support besides acts and regulations
exist.
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