By TYLER PATRICK
One of the most controversial topics of any conversation is the support of gay rights. People have mixed feelings and opinions on the subject. However, the entertainment industry, including television and celebrities, has done a tremendous amount of work to show its support for people no matter their sexual orientation. Not only is celebrity support helpful, but it is also necessary because their voice is heard by millions.
Homosexuality has been frowned upon by religious groups and people because they say that the bible states marriage to be between a man and a woman, therefore making any other combination unacceptable and immoral.
However, there is more than just marriage on the line for gay individuals; other issues like adoption, family rights and equal opportunities are also on the line.
Discrimination against a homosexual employee in the workplace, such as being let go, is prohibited in 13 states. While this is good, this also means that 37 other states have the right to fire an individual once they discover an employee is gay. Another eight states have laws against discrimination due to orientation in the public workplace only.
Gay individuals deserve the same opportunities and responsibilities as any other American, including the right to marry, get a job and adopt.
The highest amount of dedication a celebrity can show to a cause is vocalizing his or her support. Pop star Lady Gaga spoke at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender National Equality march in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 11, 2009.
During Gaga’s speech, she personally addressed President Barack Obama by saying, “Obama, I know that you’re listening. We will continue to push you and your administration to bring your words of promise for change to a reality. We need change now. We demand action now.”
At the same rally, actress Cynthia Nixon, a well-known gay actress from Sex and the City, orated on the subject of gay marriage and how important it is for equal rights to be provided to anyone that wishes to marry someone else. Nixon said, “This movement is not just about our ability to get married, it’s not about our ability to throw a big party and invite all our friends, it’s not even about our ability to stand up publicly and declare our lovae with the person we want to spend the rest of our lives with. It is about demanding equal rights, equal responsibilities, equal opportunities, equal treatment and equal protection under the law for gay individuals across America.”
Gaga and Nixon’s decisions to support the gay community are highly appreciated by gay individuals because having somebody with power support a cause in need of help, pushes the actions being taken by lawmakers and other officials to help create the equal rights LGBT Americans deserve under the constitution of the United States.
Not only is sharing one’s thoughts a fantastic way to help get the message across about equal rights for LGBT individuals, but releasing ads for support also has an impact on the subject. One of the most recent ads supporting gay equality is the NOH8 (No Hate) campaign, which is a silent protest against the banning of same sex marriage in California.
The ads feature a number of celebrities who support the act including Pete Wentz, Kathy Griffin, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, Kim Kardashian, Lucas Grabeel, Ashlee Simpson and Holly Montag as well as other celebrities ranging from the A-list to D-list. The most influential supporter of the NOH8 campaign is Cindy McCain, the wife of former presidential candidate John McCain, a republican who supports gay rights. She has inspired and shocked many individuals by posing for this shoot. She decided to support the cause after her daughter posed for the same campaign.
Another ad that spread across Internet sites everywhere was Hilary Duff and Wanda Sykes’ participation in the ThinkB4YouSpeak campaign which featured both Duff and Sykes telling individuals how inappropriate it is to say “that’s so gay” when you mean that something is dumb or stupid.
Celebrities supporting the gay community in pro-equality ads are a fantastic way to relay the message of how important it is to solve the issue of equality for gay individuals in America.
The entertainment industry has done a magnificent job in support, and hopefully one day lawmakers will understand the need to give equal rights to all individuals.