Reflections+on+American+Heterosexism

While we attest to the presence of separation of Church and State, it is quite apparent that religion, particularly Christianity, has a distinct sway over our government and American ideals. This is particularly evident in our current struggle for gay rights. The simple assurance of equal rights to a group of people characterized by sexual orientation would be simple enough if not for widespread resistance by religious persons and institutions, well established in our government. The overbearing influence Christianity has over our decision makers affects the standard of the American mentality. In other words, the average perception of "American" is not only White, but Christian. In a Christian nation that glorifies heterosexual couples and families, gays are explicitly excluded from the vision of the American Dream in that they cannot have a family. Christian ideals pervading government prohibit them from doing so. For instance same-sex marriage has only been ratified by a few states. Additionally, controversy over legal adoption by gay couples also cripples many gays' dreams for creating a family. This has, nonetheless, kept them from trying. There exist many families in which the parents are either both fathers or mothers. But the near exoticism of these families estranges them from the typical American Dream family with a mother and a father. Because of this, gays will only ever achieve the Dream on a parallel course, far removed from our standard.

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