Whenever this subject is brought up it usually brings a lot of controversy with it. I am one of many I am sure who is torn when it comes to discussing the rights of minority groups. Although I don't feel that any specific group deserves special protection over another group; I do feel that all groups of people deserve equal protection under the law regardless of race, nationality, religion, political views, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. Most all of these "minority groups" are protected under the law but one that isn't are gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.

Employment discrimination is the most common complaint received by the Am

erican Civil Liberties Union from gays and lesbians. As of mid-1996, Americans can be legally fired from their jobs simply because of their sexual orientation in 41 states. That number is still the same to this very day.

When the first civil rights bill to follow the US civil war was debated in Congress, it was criticized for granting "special rights" to Afro-Americans. When the Civil Rights Act was debated in 1964, it was criticized because it would attack individual freedom of choice in hiring. But it passed. It guaranteed protection against discrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, and disability. But the Civil rights Act gave no protection for people on the basis of sexual orientation.

A study showed that gays earned from 11 to 17% less and lesbians earn 5 to 14%

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Approximate Word count = 552
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)