Summer Dillon Ms.

Gardner English 10H 6 25 October 2013 Tyranny of Treatment of Gays For the last few decades, and even centuries, a form of tyranny can be expressed in the treatment of gays. People have come up with the idea that homosexuals are not equal to heterosexuals by the means of a book, the way they were raised, and the discomfort people have with this topic. Differences between homo and heterosexuals have led to hate crimes, from just a cruel word to actual murder. If it isnt murder it could be suicide. Fellow students and Ms. Gardner, I come here today to end these hate crimes against homosexuals. Hate crimes have been performed all through history. Gays were locked in concentration camps with the Jews, put in institutions, tortured, and have always been looked down on. In the mid-20th century, groups began forming to end these crimes. Since then, the road has been slow, but there has been progress made. Homosexuality is no longer a disorder people must be locked up over, we have gays in our government, and fourteen out of fifty states, as of this year, have legalized gay marriage. This is indeed progress, but crimes are still being committed every day towards gays. Those who say they support gays still use the term, thats so gay, and other terms used only to scorn homosexuals. If weve come so far, why are gays being beaten outside of bars, at school, and are even being set on fire? These actions have to start somewhere. It is my belief that it begins with the words we use. Today, fellow students, I propose to end these hate crimes right at their recognizable roots. Let us pledge to end the use of phrases and words that shine a negative light on

homosexuals. In addition to this, dont tolerate the negative actions performed by others. Dont ask for change, have change ask for you. No longer will we stand for abuse, from verbal to physical. Let us end the slippery slope weve fallen into, and go down the road of real progress. In the Bible, Leviticus 18:22, it does say, Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman. Many Christians are raised on the reality that their religion technically does not allow gays, however God bases his followers practices on love. How could a god like that rather have Christians killing gays, than just letting them be who they really are? Moreover, in the New Testament of the bible, Jesus never talks about homosexuality. Why blame our actions on a verse written three thousand years ago? We shouldnt. Its as simple as that. Christians cannot condemn their actions on a God who never said, Thou shalt burn the gays. I recognize that to some, the thought of homosexuals can be uncomfortable. It wasnt the way your parents raised you and you cant support a cause such as this. If those individuals wish not to support homosexuals and put an end to negative actions against them, let those individuals remain neutral, and tolerate homosexuality. Give them the equality that was just handed to you, and take back the words and actions you forced upon them. Fellow students, let us put an end to the abuse of gays. Let our choices catch on and end the tyranny thats been going on for centuries. Equality for all should not only be limited to heterosexuals, but should be accessible to all. Today, work on bringing each other up, than down, bring joy instead of sadness, and bring fairness instead of tyranny. Let us change the minds of those around us by cleaning our language and our view on others. Everyone deserves a chance to be equal. It shouldnt be an option, but a right. The change starts with your words and actions. No more judgement; no more hate crimes; no more suicides. A hundred positive words can bring a smile, but one word out of spite can turn it all upside down. Dont be that one word. Today,

fellow students, marks the day where I hope many of you will change for the better and support the choices of others.