The Lgbtq Rights Movement Essay

Over the course of American history, various civil rights movements have arisen from marginalized groups demanding equality and protection under the law. In this report, the history of the LGBTQ rights movement is examined, specifically focusing on the rights of gay and lesbian couples. The rights of these couples are evaluated both on a social and institutional level. Starting with the 1950’s, trends and major themes present within each decade are identified and discussed. Additionally, the significance of these events is discussed as it pertains to the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage on a national scale. Final conclusions are drawn about the historical disadvantage of the LGBTQ community and where the United States stands in 2015.
Obergefell v. Hodges: National legalization of Gay Marriage in 2015 During the summer of 2015, the Obergefell v. Hodges case landed in the hands of the United States Supreme Court (Chappell 1). This case’s decision would determine the national law on recognition of gay marriages (Chappell 1). Previously, the issue had been largely a state by state legislative decision, greatly polarizing the nation and resulting in many lawsuits where gay couples would marry in a state where gay marriage was legal and move to a location where their marriage was not recognized. On June 26, 2015, in a 5-4 final decision, the Supreme Court determined that all states shall recognize the legal marriage of same-sex couples (Chappell 1). One…