Social Justice and Gay Rights

Introduction The public’s perception of same sex relationships has undergone significant changes in the past century. As of the early 20th century, homosexual relations were shunned and criminalized in many nations through a number of sodomy laws.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Social Justice and Gay Rights specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This perception of gays was radically reformed thanks to the efforts of gay rights movements which trace their roots to the 1960s and the Stonewall Riots of 1969 which marked the birth of the gay and lesbian rights movement. These riots led to the formation of the Gay Liberation Front which demanded for the respect and the end of anti-gay legislation and police harassment. The movement saw gay oppression as a social problem that required social structural changes to solve. The efforts of gay activists in the 1960s resulted in a decriminalization of same-sex conduct and to a large extent, an abolishment of most of the discriminations based on sexual orientation (Volokh 106). However, in spite of the significant victories which the gay community has won in its quest for equality over the decades, gays in the US today continue to suffer from various forms of inequalities. Arguably the most visible inequality is the denial or marriage rights to same sex couples. This paper will highlight causes of the struggles faced by the gay community and articulate some social justice solutions to the problem. Causes of Opposition Before the beginning of the 21st century, no nations or state had ever considered affording same-sex couples legal rights. Today, same-sex marriages have been realized in some countries and also a number of American states. Civil unions are acceptable to many and a majority of gay couples are able to enjoy some of the benefits that were previously restricted to heterosexual couples. Support in the US for legal recognition for homosexual relations was high from 1960s up to 1990s with many Americans supporting the efforts of gay rights activists. However, this popular support has experienced significant declines following the landmark Texas anti-sodomy law of 2003 which made some gay and lesbian activities not only legal but protected by the law all through the US. This ruling was viewed by many social conservative groups as a precursor to even more gay civil rights and because of this, there has been a backlash against recognition of gay relationships by many conservative groups. As a result of the successes of gay right activists, many counteractions which are primarily aimed at preventing gay rights have been launched.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The most significant of this has been the widespread efforts to prevent the legalization of same-sex marriages in many American states. Wardle notes that some sta tes have gone as far as to make amendments to their constitutions so as to explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage. Religion has played a major role in the denial of rights for gay and lesbian couples. As a matter of fact, the biggest opposition to same-sex unions stems from the religious beliefs of people with religions such as Christianity and Islam condemning homosexuality as evil and an abomination. The Vatican which is the head of the largest Christian population in the world strongly declares that â€Å"there are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family† (Ratzinger and Amato 1). Denike articulates that in the US, there is fear among the Christian population that allowing gay marriages would be crossing the line of â€Å"toleration of evil† and the â€Å"approval or legalization of evil† (71). This observation is corroborated by Alvare who notes tha t â€Å"leading communities of faith in the United States are on record opposing the legal recognition of same-sex marriage† (349).To this section of the population; while sexual minorities and their relationships should be tolerated, they should not be entitled to state-administered benefits and special rights. Volokh notes that it is because of the religious views of many public officials that the fight for legal recognition of same-sex marriages has enjoyed relatively limited success (1166). While the constitution calls for equality rights for all citizens, amendments have been proposed based on religious sentiments to â€Å"protect marriage† from the judicial system which fails to find compelling reasons to justify the discriminatory exclusion of gays and lesbians. Adverse Impacts of Opposition A lack of justice has led to unnecessary suffering and harassment to gay individuals. Macgillivray reports that majority of openly identifying gay and lesbian students in Am erica’s schools experience significant levels of violence from their peers (347). The struggle by gay activists to stop discrimination in schools has been opposed by morally conservative parents.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Social Justice and Gay Rights specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For these parents, school policies that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation lead to an inclusion of gay and lesbian issues in the curriculum which helps promote and legitimize homosexuality as being equal to heterosexuality (Macgillivray 348). The morally conservative parents therefore fiercely resist such policies since for them, the policies send out the message that â€Å"it’s ok to be gay† to their children. Social Justice Perspective Equality is one of the founding principles of the United States and since the formulation of the constitution; laws and amendments have been made to exten d equality to all people irrespective of their races and religion. Social justice is concerned with whether a society distributes its benefits â€Å"fairly and equitably† among its citizens (Blackwell, Janice and Sophia 28). Social justice demands that equal rights and opportunities be afforded to all members of the society. As it currently stands, gay and lesbian couples are given certain rights and privileges in most states. However, these rights and privileges vary from state to state and there is a nearly universal denial of the right to marry for same-sex couples. Due to the disparity in laws protecting gay couples between states, gay couples can be legally discriminated against in some states. The primary goal of marriage is to give social recognition to couples who have a close relationship and who would wish to spend their lives together. Denying same sex couples the right to enter this institute is therefore a form of discrimination. This discrimination denies gay an d lesbian couples of their right to enjoy fulfilling lives with their partners. Culhane demonstrates that affording same-sex couples the right to marry is not a special treatment but an issue of fairness and equality and for a pro-democracy nation like the US, such a move should be natural (486). Marriage has some tangible benefits that are acquired by couples who join this institute. Lack of legal recognition of same-sex marriages results in gay and lesbian couples not being able to enjoy these benefits that are a part of the marriage institute (Bell 195). Most opponents of gay marriages assert that they respect the rights of homosexuals and are opposed to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. However, denying marriage rights to gay couples is discrimination. Gay rights activists argue that if marriage rights are fundamental for some (heterosexual couples) then they should be fundamental for all.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Discussion Gay rights activists have placed their hope for redress and justice in the mainstream Democratic Parties in our country. However, this move has not yielded major benefits since the government has mostly been complacent in the tribulations that face the gay population. While the government has constantly stated that it is neutral on the issue of gay rights and does not support anti-gay movements, it has been slow to take proactive measures to ensure that gay members of the community are protected from harassment by people who hold anti-gay sentiments. Our constitution is enshrouded in the principles of protection of equality and fundamental rights of all citizens regardless of their age, sex, creed, or sexual orientation. If our country is truly committed to equal rights, then legalizing same-sex marriages should be made a reality. Recognition of same-sex marriage is a fundamental goal if there is to be true equality between same-sex and opposite-sex union (Alvare 351). So long as same-sex marriages are not accepted all over the US, heterosexual unions will always be regarded as superior to homosexual unions. Way Forward Gay rights advocates have intensified their efforts to gain legal recognition for same-sex unions and while some successes have been achieved, they still faced strong resistance from social conservative groups. Davis suggests that these minority group need to enlist the backing of heterosexual couples in their fight for equal right (44). By working as allies, heterosexuals and homosexuals can help to foster a changing attitudes towards gay and lesbians. Through these efforts, stereotypical views and prejudices can be identified and dealt with. Increased awareness leads to tolerance and respect for those who have different sexual orientations from ourselves. As has been noted, there has been growing attempts to deny gay and lesbians their liberty and rights. In the US, many states have allowed religious sexual doctrine to dictate limi ts to the legal recognition of relationships (Denike 72). Gay right activists should therefore focus their energy in resisting such forces and they should fight for legislation and judicial outcomes that will promote equality and ensure that gay individuals can thrive in society. There should also be a campaign to advocate for gay rights even if people do not agree with the gay lifestyle. While people are allowed to hold their own opinion regarding homosexuality, they should not be allowed to limit the freedoms of homosexual individuals on this basis. Truth and justice demands that full liberty be afforded to gays and all forms of discrimination must be abolished. Conclusion This paper has noted that while there have been significant achievements in the struggle for gay rights, there are still major obstacles to realizing full rights for this minority group. The most significant opposition comes from social conservative groups and religious organizations which are keen to ensure tha t gays do not achieve full equality with heterosexual couples. This is against the concept of social justice which advocates for equality for all people. All citizens who endorse the concept of social justice should therefore support the enactment of policies that will give gay and lesbian people equal rights with the rest of the community and specifically legalize gay marriages. Works Cited Alvare, Helen. â€Å"The moral reasoning of family law: the case of same-sex marriage†. Loyola University Chicago Law Journal 38.2 (2007): 349-377. Web. Bell, Jonathan. â€Å"To Strive for Economic and Social Justice†: Welfare, Sexuality, and Liberal Politics in San Francisco in the 1960s†. The Journal of Policy History 22.2 (2010): 193-225. Web. Blackwell, Christopher, Janice, Ricks and Sophia Dziegielewski. Discrimination of Gays and Lesbians: A Social Justice Perspective. Journal of Health Social Policy, Vol. 19(4) 2004. 27-43. Print. Culhane, John. â€Å"Marriage equali ty? First, justify marriage (if you can)†. Drexel University Law Review 1.2 (2009): 485-511. Web. Davis, Tracy. Developing Social Justice Allies: New Directions for Student Services. John Wiley and Sons, 2011. Print. Denike, Margaret. â€Å"Religion, Rights, and Relationships: The Dream of Relational Equality†. Hypatia 22.1 (2007): 71-91. Print Macgillivray, Ian. â€Å"Gay rights and school policy: a case study in community factors that facilitate or impede educational change†. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education 17.3 (2004): 347-370. Web. Ratzinger, Joseph and Amato Angelo. Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons. 3 June 2003. Web. Volokh, Eugene. â€Å"Same-Sex Marriage and Slippery Slopes†. Hofstra Law Review 33.1 (2005): 1155–1201. Web. Wardle, Lynns. â€Å"A Response to the Conservative Case for Same-Sex Marriage: Same-Sex Marriage and the Tragedy of the Commonsâ⠂¬ . BYU Journal of Public Law 22.3 (2007): 441-474. Web. Bibliography Alvare, Helen. â€Å"The moral reasoning of family law: the case of same-sex marriage†. Loyola University Chicago Law Journal 38.2 (2007): 349-377. Web. Bell, Jonathan. â€Å"To Strive for Economic and Social Justice†: Welfare, Sexuality, and Liberal Politics in San Francisco in the 1960s†. The Journal of Policy History 22.2 (2010): 193-225. Web. Blackwell, Christopher, Janice, Ricks and Sophia Dziegielewski. Discrimination of Gays and Lesbians: A Social Justice Perspective. Journal of Health Social Policy, Vol. 19(4) 2004. 27-43. Print. Crawford, David. Liberal Androgyny: â€Å"Gay Marriage† and the Meaning of Sexuality in our Time. Communio: International Catholic Review, 2006. Print. Culhane, John. â€Å"Marriage equality? First, justify marriage (if you can)†. Drexel University Law Review 1.2 (2009): 485-511. Web. Davis, Tracy. Developing Social Justice Allies: New Directio ns for Student Services. John Wiley and Sons, 2011. Print. Denike, Margaret. â€Å"Religion, Rights, and Relationships: The Dream of Relational Equality†. Hypatia 22.1 (2007): 71-91. Print Duncan, William. â€Å"The Litigation to Redefine Marriage: Equality and Social Meaning†. Journal of Public Law 18.1 (2005): 623-663. Print. Kurtz, Stanley. Beyond Gay Marriage. The Weekly Standard. Volume 008, Issue 45, 2003. Macgillivray, Ian. â€Å"Gay rights and school policy: a case study in community factors that facilitate or impede educational change†. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education 17.3 (2004): 347-370. Web. Ratzinger, Joseph and Amato Angelo. Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons. 3 June 2003. Web. Somerville, Margaret. The case against ‘same-sex marriage’. Montreal, Quebec: McGill Center for Medicine, Ethics and Law, 2003. Print. Volokh, Eugene. â€Å"Same-Sex Marria ge and Slippery Slopes†. Hofstra Law Review 33.1 (2005): 1155–1201. Web. Wardle, Lynns. â€Å"A Response to the Conservative Case for Same-Sex Marriage: Same-Sex Marriage and the Tragedy of the Commons†. BYU Journal of Public Law 22.3 (2007): 441-474. Web. This essay on Social Justice and Gay Rights was written and submitted by user Dexter Oneill to help you with your own studies. 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Changes in Society essays

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Human Physiology and Anatomy Write Up

Human Physiology and Anatomy Write Up In the practical the systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured, heart and respiration rate, tidal volume, minute volume and % gas analysis at rest and immediately after a short period of exercise will also measured. The respiratory volumes will be measured by collecting expired air in a Douglas bag via a mouthpiece and a valve. Definitions Of Key Terms Heart rate is the number of heartbeats per unit of time typically expressed as beats per minute (bpm) which can vary as the bodys need for oxygen changes, such as during exercise or sleep.- Web definition Wikipedia Systole the contraction of the chambers of the heart (especially the ventricles) to drive blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery. 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Typical values are around 500ml or 7ml/kg bodyweight.- Web definition Wikipedia Respiratory minute volume is the volume of air which can be inhaled (inhaled minute volume) or exhaled (exhaled minute volume) from a persons lungs in one minute.- Web definition Word Net Web Factors that were taken into consideration when working with a human subject, is health factors, is the person physically fit to stand the exercise. Mental stamina if the subject can withstand the pressures of lengthily exercises. Method: Ask a demonstrator to check that the Douglas bag is correctly connected to a mouthpiece, valve and three-way tap. Once seated comfortably on a bike, the subject should put on a nose clip, then breathe through the mouthpiece with the three-way tap open to the atmosphere for a short period for acclimatisation (Question why is this?). 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Take a gas sample from each bag used and measure the volume of expired gases in each bag (a demonstrator will assist you). Gas samples should be analysed for % oxygen and carbon dioxide. You will be provided with % oxygen and carbon dioxide values for inspired room air. Using the method above, none of the format was changed. Dissuasion: In upright exercise with all factors remaining equal, systolic blood pressure slowly amplifies while diastolic blood pressure remains the same. Diastolic pressure may even decrease due to vasodilation, or the slight variation of blood vessels caused by the heart pumping harder to spread more oxygen throughout the body. Diastolic blood pressure is the extended at base blood pressure, when pressure is weakest, and systolic shows pressure at peak times, when heartbeats force blood through the veins. Since systolic pressure is unswervingly associated to how the heart functions, it is affected the most by exercise. However, since the type of exercise and the amount will force a change on the bodys blood pressure. Dynamic, or aerobic, exercise, will affect blood pressure another way from static exercises. Characteristically during exercise heart rate will increase, this is in direct to increase blood flow to the functioning muscles to allow for amplified respiration in order for the muscles to work well. Therefore the more exhausting the exercise, the more your heart rate will increase. Blood pressure will also increase during exercise and again depends on strength levels. During exercise such as running/cycling/swimming systolic pressure will raise steadily whereas diastolic pressure will increase only somewhat. Exercise in healthy people can lead to, arterial CO2 levels rise slightly with light, moderate, medium and sub-maximum exercise strength levels regardless of the route of breathing during exercise. Since CO2 is the influential vasodilation agent, total arteries and arterioles improve blood and O2 delivery to all vital organs of the human body, including the heart and brain. Vasodilation guarantees aerobic respiration in body cells making it likely for healthy people to benefit from aerobic exercise without any key problems associated to tissue hypoxia causing too elevated blood lactate, muscle spasms, injuries, low recovery rates, volatility, stress, poor sleep. Looking at the Graphs on the separate page, there seems to be no large variations in the data. As graph one show shows a nice trend, that when the subject is resting there heart rate is a normal pace, as they started exercising the rate slowly goes up, and as the subject begins to get into the recovery period, the subjects heart rates starts to settle down. Graph two and three show that O2 and CO2 levels in a subject that has been exercising. Referencing: Wiki Answers (Unknown) What Happens To Your Heart Rate And Blood Pressure- [Online]. Available from: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_happens_to_your_heart_rate_and_blood_pressure_during_light_exercise#ixzz1Fjg4LKbJ [Accessed: 01 March 2011] eHow.com (2003) How Does Blood Pressure Change During Exercise? [Online]. Available from: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5163258_blood-pressure-change-during-exercise.html#ixzz1FjfoHxac [Accessed: 01 March 2011] Normal Breathing (Unknown) Effects Of Exercising On The Respiratory System , [Online]. Available from: http://www.normalbreathing.com/c-effects-of-exercise-on-the-respiratory-system.php [Accessed: 03 March 2011]

Uzbekistan: Economy :: essays research papers fc

Overview:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world’s second largest cotton exporter, a large producer of gold and oil, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery. The IMF suspended Uzbekistan’s $185 million standby arrangement in late 1996 because of government steps to the negative external conditions generated by the Asian and Russian financial export and currency controls within its already largely closed economy. Economic policies that have repelled foreign investment are a major factor in the economy’s stagnation. A growing debt burden, persistent inflation, and a poor business climate led to disappointing growth in 2001. However, in December 2001 the government voiced a renewed interest in economic reform, seeking advice from the IMF and other financia l institutions (World 7). After independence, Uzbekistan tried to support inefficient state enterprises and shield consumers from the shocks of rapid economic reform. These policies eventually led to severe inflation and an economic crisis. Reforms brought inflation down to manageable levels and small businesses began to grow. Larger institutions are seeking joint ventures with international corporations. However, currency and trade restrictions remain too tight to encourage significant foreign investment. Falling global gold, copper, and cotton prices also hurt the economy. A privatization program is slowly being implemented with international support. Privatization is necessary to raise hard currency and promote economic development (Republic 4). GDP: purchasing power parity—$62 billion (2001 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$2,500 (2001est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 33% industry: 24% services: 43% (2001 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 23% (2001 est.) Labor force: 11.9 million (1998 est.) Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 44%, industry 20%, services 36% (1995) Unemployment rate: 10% plus another 20% underemployed (1999 est.) Budget: revenues: $4billion expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.1 billion (1999 est.) Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas, and chemicals Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2000) Electricity—production: 40.075 billion kWh (2000) Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 86.95% hydro: 13.05% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2000) Electricity—consumption: 4189 billion kWh (2000) Electricity—exports: 4.1 billion kWh (2000) Electricity—imports: 5 billion kWh (2000) Agriculture—products: cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock Exports: $2.8 billion (2001 est.) Exports—commodities: cotton 41.5%, gold 9.6%, energy products 9.6%, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products, and automobiles (1998 est.) Exports—partners: Russia16.7%, Switzerland 8.3%, UK 7.2%Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Western Europe Imports: $4.1 billion (1998)