Abstract
This paper discusses how, through the struggle for equality, homosexuality has broken free from the restraints of social oppression and established itself as a legitimate lifestyle, with social order and moral and legal boundaries similar to heterosexuality. In particular, the paper looks at how far society has changed to meet the needs of homosexuals and debates whether, in essence, homosexuality has moulded itself in to a form of heterosexuality, mimicking the normal and approved sexual behaviour, demanding the same rights and privileges such as marriage. The paper debates whether society has really changed to accept this once considered criminal lifestyle, or whether the gay men and lesbians of Britain changed to suit the existing social order.

From the Paper
"With the invention of civil partnerships a form of same-sex marriage has been legalised and the formal social control has been removed, lifting the limitations on the institution of marriage and making it available for non-heterosexual couples. This relaxed formal social control with the changes in the law regarding homosexuality and marriage has led to an increase in visibility. Homosexuals are no longer kept out of the view of society and forced to live in a covert existence. For once the law is promoting homosexuality as an alternative to the heterosexual lifestyle, by granting similliar rights (the civil partnership act is far from equal to marriage) to same-sex couples British society has began to change its view on homosexuality. Marriage is no longer divided between the dichotomy of homo and hetero sexuality, it is a right both groups can claim; although heterosexual marriage is still given more credence than a civil partnership. "

Tags:heterosexuality, same-sex, marriage, gay, lesbian

Abstract
This paper is an argumentative essay promoting the legalization of same-sex marriages. The author focuses on the legal aspects of same sex marriages arguing for the legal rights such as insurance and parental status that need to be enforced.

From the Paper
"The proposed legalization of same-sex marriages is one of the most significant, yet controversial issues facing America today. Same-sex marriages, also known as Civil Unions, should be legalized in every state in the United States. Right now, in the United States, same-sex couples do not receive the same benefits and legal rights that married couples take for granted. These benefits include cheaper health insurance rates, life insurance benefits, funeral leave of absence from work, legal parental status with a partner's child, and significant tax reductions."

Tags:civil, gay, homosexual, marriages, rights, unions, sex

Abstract
This paper offers a brief discussion about the rights of gays and lesbians to be allowed to marry in a legal and official manner. It mentions some previous civil suit court hearings in which this matter was raised and also social and ethical ramifications of this debate.

From the Paper
"An issue much argued in recent years is whether or not homosexuals should be allowed to marry one another. Arguments have been offered on both sides, with those in the gay community arguing why they should be allowed to marry, and with opposing forces arguing why they should not. One reason offered by gays is fairness, notably that they want access to the various social and economic benefits currently denied to gay people because they cannot marry. Society for the most part has so far deemed marriage to mean more than this and to have at least the possibility of procreating children is used as an argument to deny gays the right to marry one another. Only Hawaii has taken a contrary position, while a few other states have offered a form of rights to benefits for couples without including marriage."

Tags:gay, lesbian, wedding, couple

Abstract
This paper discusses how the American Civil Rights Movement was primarily a nonviolent struggle by African-Americans to obtain full rights, protections and equality under the law. It looks at how, although in many aspects the Civil Rights Movement continues it struggle for equality today, it actually began with the start of the Civil War and really took off in the 1960s. It looks at how the Civil Rights Movement has seen many successes and failures including boycotts, sit-ins, ride-ins and victories in the Supreme Court and how it has been led by such leaders as W.E.B Dubois, Thurgood Marshall and Dr. Martin Luther Jr.

Outline:
Introduction
Civil Rights Movement Background
Civil Rights Movement Timeline (1865-1955)
The Aims of the Civil Rights Movement
Major Players and Their Role in the Movement
Successes and Failures of the Movement
Other Movements with Roots in the Sixties
Conclusion

From the Paper
"After the Civil War, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in 1865. The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery. In 1868, the 14th Amendment was passed. This amendment made anyone born in the United States a naturalized citizen and afforded them equal protection under the law. The amendment however although providing equal protection to all citizens, created what is known as the separate by equal doctrine or better known as segregation. In 1870, the 15th Amendment was passed which provided voting rights to all citizens regardless of race. But with the passing of this amendment it, it did not remove literacy tests to qualify voters. This test was particularly used to eliminate black voters. "

Tags:Martin Luther King slavery 14th Amendment segregation DuBois Thurgood Marshall

Abstract
This paper looks specifically at comparisons between the psychological effects of bias crimes and non-bias crimes, the role of the media, prevention and the role of the justice system using two specific case studies. It examines two high-profile murder cases-those of Matthew Shepard in 1998 and Danny Overstreet in 2000.

From the Paper
"In a study comparing the psychological distress suffered by victims of hate crimes and of unbiased crimes, evidence was found to the effect that the former were more likely to suffer greater psychological distress than the latter (Herek, Gillis and Cogan, 1999). Approximately two-thousand subjects from Sacramento, California, participated in the research and the sample included equal numbers of men and women. After a period of five years, victims of hate crimes reported greater levels of anxiety, anger towards the attacker, depression, and traumatic stress. They were also more likely to "regard the world as unsafe" (p. 949)."

Tags:crimes, criminology, forensics, victimology, matthew, shephard, danny, overstreet

Abstract
This paper looks at the issues which influenced the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act including the legal issues, such as the lack of availability of rights for homosexual couples and the need to remedy this. It then looks at the ECHR, legal certainty, and the rights available to opposite sex couples. It then continues with an examination of the policy issues, such as the need for social justice and equality. Finally, the paper looks at the impact on cohabitees and married couples.

Outline
Legal Issues
Policy Issues
Impact on Marriage
Impact on Cohabitees

From the Paper
"Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) prohibits any difference in treatment based on sexual orientation. If sexual orientation is used as a ground for difference in treatment, there must be a convincing and weighty argument to justify it. In Karner v Austria , it was held that although protection of the traditional family was capable of being a convincing reason, it must be necessary to exclude same-sex partners to achieve that aim. The House of Lords considered this issue in the case of Ghaidan v Mendoza . Here, the Lords found that the difference in treatment of homosexual and heterosexual couples was based solely on sexual orientation, and no cogent reasons to justify this were found."

Tags:cohabitees, families, gay, homosexual, homosexuality, homosexuals, marriage

Abstract
This paper endeavours to examine the newly enacted Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the reasoning behind Parliament's hurried reaction to a small body of case-law, whose terms of reference concentrate on the issue of obviating transsexual discrimination and promoting pluralism. It probes the doctrine of legal plurality and considers whether it promotes the campaign of transgender equality or if the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is simply an advocate for such an ideal. In order for this hypothesis to be discussed in significant depth, it also explores various academic conferences and looks at basic provisions of the Gender Recognition Act.
Outline
Introduction
Transsexualism and the European Convention on Human Rights
The Introduction of the Gender Recognition Act 2004
The Doctrine of Legal Pluralism and its Influences
Conclusion

From the Paper
"There is much evidence which suggests that the Gender Recognition Act 2004 was introduced as a direct result of Goodwin and by recommendation of Bellinger. Despite the pressures that Parliament was faced with, the Minister for Constitutional Affairs has openly recognised that the Act aims to celebrate the allocation of rights that transsexuals are to enjoy in a civilised and educated society. The logic behind the implementation of the Gender Recognition Act is possibly a combination of pluralistic values and an attempt to make domestic law compatible with the ECHR. Both of these ideas will be discussed in subsequent sections."

Tags:gay, human, law, legal, pluralism, rights, sexual, transgender

Abstract
This paper examines the reasons why marriage is a relevant issue for homosexuals and whether it is a necessary and important legal concept. It looks at the arguments put against such a proposal drawing from religious views, particularly stemming from the Judeo-Christian tradition and also by examining views put forward by legal theorists such as John Finnis and looking at the Hart/Devlin debate. Through the use of case law, legal theories such as utilitarianism and sex discrimination and also by considering the jurisprudential views of Dworkin, Raz and Nordahl, it carefully deconstructs the arguments put against the legalization of such an institution to deliver a well-reasoned and thought-provoking case in favor of same sex marriage.

From the Paper
"According to Pope John Paul II, homosexual unions cannot be marriages "above all because the objective impossibility of being fruitful in the transmission of life, according to the plan inscribed by God in the very structure of the human being." Natural lawyers such as John Finnis are also keen to relate the argument that procreation is a condition for such an institution. However, in terms of same sex marriages what is perhaps rendered problematic in accepting Finnis' arguments are that they stem from the view that homosexuality and all homosexual acts are unnatural and immoral."

Tags:discrimination, jurisprudence, morality, religion, utilitarianism, homosexuality

Abstract
This paper compares the decisions of the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal in R v Ministry of Defence ex parte Smith [1996] 2 WLR 305 with that of the European Court of Human Rights in Lustig-Prean v UK (2000) 29 EHRR 548. It discusses how the different outcomes in these cases can be chiefly explained by the approaches available to the courts in terms of reviewing State policy. It looks at why the test of 'irrationality' employed by the English courts meant that the discriminatory government policy could not be overturned and then examines why the test of 'proportionality' available to the Court of Human Rights allowed a fundamentally different outcome to be reached.

From the Paper
"Having accepted Brown LJ's assessment regarding the justifiability of the policy, both the Divisional Court and Court of Appeal considered each of the three grounds for the review application: that the policy breached Article 2 of the EC Equal Treatment Directive ; that it breached Article 8 of "irrational". Both English courts shared the view that the word "sex?" in the EC Directive should not be construed as embracing sexual orientation and should, therefore, have a meaning no broader than gender . Had they accepted the applicants? argument, the policy would have been unlawful as it would amount to direct discrimination . In the Divisional Court, Brown LJ emphasized the "unambiguous" language of the Directive, which plainly refers to discrimination of gender rather than of orientation."

Tags:abuse, discrimination, discriminatory, homosexuality, rights

Abstract
This paper discusses how "Thelma and Louise" strayed from the typical "road movie" formula in terms of casting, theme and storyline. It shows how the film not only helped to redefine gender stereotypes but also paved the way for other women, as well as gays, people of color and other traditionally underrepresented groups, to become "road movie heroes" as well.

From the Paper
"The conventional road movie twosome, which is usually comprised of either two young males or a male and female with a romantic connection, has permeated the genre since its inception. Thelma and Louise broke that tradition by not only using two female protagonists, but by portraying men in a consistently negative light; essentially as either "rapists", "bullies" or "boy toys"."

Tags:action, adventure, film, gender, roles, theme, gay, color