.....interesting discussion......To some degree, state-by-state, some "Gay/Lesbian Rights" exist now. Because the US has a Federal system of government, some states and localities show more enlightenment on this issue than others. Some localities have granted legal protection / status to "domestic partnerships", including granting benefits and recognition to Gay/Lesbian public employees. Many corporations and businesses have granted recognition and benefits to their private sector employees.
A few years back when the US Supreme Court struck down the Texas Sodomy law, homosexual acts between consenting adults were in effect decriminalized throughout the US. But, that doesn't mean that Gays/Lesbians have been granted equal rights in their relationships. Obviously not. In the last few years several municipalities, counties, and at least one state have taken the first steps towards granting recognition of same-sex unions. These have been wonderful events, but these attempts to grant equal civil status to Gay/Lesbian unions HAVE YET TO SURVIVE the inevitable court and legislative challenges from those who do not wish to see full "Gay Rights" in the US.
My own belief is that in the next few years ( 5-10 ), a consensus will be reached in a majority of states and localities across the US that the same sex union issue is an issue that should be decided by local option. What that could mean is, the voters and their elected representatives in all of the states and counties around the US could be given the right to democratically decide by electoral referenda whether or not to grant equal status to same sex unions. I think that it is clear looking at the Red/Blue mix on the US electoral map that there are localities and even states where the electors would affirm same sex unions this very day. But there are many more areas that will not. I live in Ft.Worth,TX. There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that the voters in Tarrant County Texas would vote down granting same sex unions. But, I look south to Austin,TX and have a suspicion that Travis County might vote for same sex unions. There is not a doubt in my mind that San Francisco or Manhattan would vote for same sex unions. There is historical precidence for the US Congress allowing each of the states decision making power on imporatant social issues. The prime example is the repeal of the Prohibition laws in 1933. The US Congress in repealing Prohibition allowed each of the states the authority to hold referenda on whether or not to be "wet" or "dry". Here in Texas, the State Legislature allowed each of the 254 counties in Texas to hold individual elections on this matter. The voters of the time decided this issue. Today in Texas you have a crazy quilt of "wet" and "dry" counties. I grew up in a "dry" county, but you could buy liquor 20 miles up the road in a "wet" county.
Of course, a decision from the Supreme Court federalizing the issue and granting same sex unions legal status nation-wide is preferable to the above option....but I don't see that happening.
As a Gay man I believe that Gays and Lesbians will not be fully accepted until we have been granted full equality with same sex unions. However, accepting individuals are towards us, we are strangers in our own land until the day that the American voters democratically grant us equality under the law. I am now a man in his 50's, I grew up in the 1960's and saw emormous changes in attitudes towards the civil rights of African Americans right in my home town, I went off to college in the hopeful 1970's and during those moments that I was thinking clearly and not partying in discos and other places, I thought that full equality was just around the corner. Well, now I am an older man in my early 50's and 6 months from retirement.....and I'm still hopeful. I think I will live to see full equality granted. But I have learned patience. I have learned that we must CHANGE HEARTS one at a time. And, for those of us like Jack and Ennis who have been wounded by homophobia and the closet, we must HEAL HEARTS one at a time.
