The Most Influential Person in US Hist

12/01/07--Got my paper back--got a 50/50 for those who wondered. Thanks to all who read and/or reviwed this. It was much appreciated

The Most Influential Person in American History
By Midnight_Moon
For AP US Hist. (grade 11)

Influence is a transient thing, each person and generation influencing the next. In some cases, the same person, or group, remains an influence for a number of years, even generations. One group that has continued to influence America for generations, and will continue to do so for time to come, is the American BGLT (Bisexual Gay Lesbian Transsexual) groups. They are a minority that people are only recently beginning to pull from the category of “taboo.” They influence ideas on morals, politics, and lifestyles by playing an active role in changing the perception of those different from the norm. It is their work in bringing about true equality that makes them the most influential group in American History.

Homosexuals have been around for millennia and have gone back and forth between taboo and acceptable. In ancient times, people were more accepting and more or less just ignored homosexual relations. One example of a culture that was accepting of homosexuality was the Ancient Greeks. There were even armies made entirely of male couples. It was more around the time when Christianity came around that homosexuality and sodomy became wrong and corrupting. Christians like to quote from Leviticus, the Book of Law, to advocate the immorality of homosexuality. One popular quote is Leviticus 18:22 “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; this is detestable. (NIV)” People accused of the “crime” of sodomy were put on trial by the Inquisition and more often then not were put to death. This crime, along with bestiality, was considered a crime against nature, and therefore more despicable than others. Only in Aragon was sodomy a crime put before the Inquisition, and was punishable with death by civil authorities. It was due to this hatred towards homosexuals that more and more people hid that part of who they were and lied to everyone around them, including themselves, by having heterosexual relations and procreating. It wasn’t until the incident at the Stonewall Inn that happened on June 27, 1969 that true BGLT activism took place. Prior to that, most homosexuals were still “closeted” and afraid to admit to their differences for fear of persecution. After the Stonewall Inn, people who were gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transsexual were slightly less afraid to “come out” because they knew people were currently fighting to gain equality that didn’t discriminate based on one’s sexuality.

What happened at the Stonewall Inn in the early hours of June 28, 1969, was a group of police officers raided the small gay bar located on Christopher Street in New York City. Gay bars such as the Stonewall Inn, although Mafia-run, were periodically raided and the more flamboyant patrons were often arrested while the white male patrons looked on or disappeared and the barkeepers were fined insubstantially, allowing them to open again the next day. On this particular night, the charge was for the illegal sell of alcohol. The raid started out normally, the patrons, as the exited, somewhat festive in attitude, but at some point the mood changed. No one is entirely certain what changed the mood; it may have been the death of Judy Garland the day before or the sight of the Drag Queens being loaded in the Paddy Wagon. Whatever the cause, the on-lookers lost their patience and punches were thrown. The crowd, several hundred strong, began throwing coins at the police officers to represent the payoffs gay bars made to remain in business. As people heard of the riot, the crowd continued to grow. The demonstration did not end until the riot police were called to break up the disturbance. This incident was most likely the very beginning of Gay Pride and Gay Power ideals putting into action, even if not in the best of manners.

Although the beginning of acceptance may not have been the most admirable, the BGLT community has influenced our nation in many positive ways. Homosexuals are a strong group of people who, despite adversary, try not to bow down and pretend to be someone they are not. They are a shining example of strength and courage. While people may make fun of gays and lesbians, it is because they don’t understand how much courage it takes to come out to your family and friends when you know it is still, despite proof otherwise, considered “wrong.” Society, in a way, still tries to say that if you are gay, you are wrong and undeserving. But, in a shout of defiance, homosexuals keep coming out and proving to the world and society that they are not wrong; they are just as normal as any other person.

Homosexuals are also influencing us in our political views. There is great controversy over whether or not laws should allow same-sex couples to marry, or even adopt children. There are even still, despite court cases in America declaring it unconstitutional, laws forbidding sodomy. Most states have repealed these laws, but there still remain some that see such an act disgusting and immoral, and thus against the law. Despite this, homosexuals are trying their hardest to repeal any laws that regulate their rights based solely on their sexuality. In Massachusetts, the only state as of yet, homosexuals are allowed to marry, not just be domestic partners or have civil unions. While to some this may seem inconsequential, it is a big deal to say you are married and have marriage licenses. Married couples get certain rights (i.e., Social Security, insurance benefits) that domestic partners do not get. The same goes with the right to adopt. Most notably, it is illegal to adopt in the state of Florida if you are in a same-sex relationship. This is proof that equality is not extended to all, and there are those who are fighting this discriminatory law in courts. Homosexuals are not seeking special treatment; they just want to be treated with the same respect and given the same rights that everyone else in this nation is given.

Beyond marriage and adoption, homosexuals are not allowed to join the military on the basis of their sexuality. There is the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, instituted by Former President William Clinton, but this doesn’t necessarily allow homosexuals to join. In fact, it is just a small bandage on the giant issue. It is understandable that people would be a little anxious about bunking with someone attracted to them, but that goes the same for when women joined the Armed Forces. There are already rules that protect women and men from the advances of higher officers of the opposite gender; they need only change a few gender pronouns to make them apply to both heterosexual and homosexual advances. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy is a good start, but we need to progress. It is wrong that if an officer comes out as a homosexual, they are dishonorably discharged from service. While a dishonorable discharge may sound like it’s not that bad, it is actually can have a great effect on future careers. If one is dishonorably discharged, they will probably never be able to get a job with the government again and it will also look bad on resumes for other jobs. People shouldn’t have to compromise either their patriotism by wishing to join the military or who they are by being forced to lie about who they really are just to get a job. Allowing homosexuals to join the military, while there may be controversy at first, will actually help to strengthen our nation. Every change America has gone through has brought forth controversy, and will continue to do so, but that is what actually helps our country to grow and strengthen. It would open the door for more people to join and help to defend the country they love.

There are famous artists, including Walt Whitman, Frieda Kahlo, Oscar Wilde, and Tennessee Williams, to name a few, who were a part of the BGLT society. There art has had a great impact on America, and the world over. Some were scorned and condemned, such as Oscar Wilde, while others put it into their works and became famous because of it. While many didn’t want to hear of the authors and visual artists who were gay, without even realizing they were influencing their pieces. These people became famous despite adversary they faced from those who disapproved. It is their strength, present in the works that live on, that have helped to influence America.

There are many other ways in which homosexuals have influenced America, but to name them all is nigh impossible. They have helped our country grow in a number of ways, both politically and socially. While all their influences have not been fully appreciated or accepted, without the BGLT minority, our country would not have progressed to some points of social acceptance we have currently reached. It is the progress and the new views that homosexuals have presented us that make them the most influential group in American history.


Special thanks to FionaMMS for proofing my essay and helping me. Thanks!! *hug* And thanks to uniek_366 for enjoying it so much when I shared it with her. *hug* You guys be lurved!!!!!