How did the videos make you feel?
The issue of gay rights has resulted in much controversy over the past few years. Watching the YouTube and It Gets Better Project videos resulted in mixed feelings based on the content. While watching some of the videos, I could not believe the level of ignorance that once existed in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. The videos classified the act of being gay as a mental disease that was transferrable (Inglewood Unified School District). While listening to the anti-gay video, there was also a feeling of disgust and disagreement at the high amount of wrong information about the LGBT community. Watching the two videos, testimonies resulted in a feeling of joy at seeing how far America has come. The testimony by the reverend initially offends me but end with a twist as the priest compares the anti-gay arguments as the same used in the anti-segregation movement in the 1950s (Snider). This twist creates a feeling of humor as well as pride as the preacher tells the committee to be on the right side of history and allow same sex marriages. Watching the videos from It Gets Better Project resulted in a feeling of pride and joy. The videos that I watched involved people sharing stories of acceptance of Gays and Lesbian. These videos show how far the country has come regarding LGBT rights.
Has it, in fact, gotten better? Can it get even better?
I believe that things have gotten better over the years. In the 1950’s and 1960’s being gay was considered a crime. People involved in gay relationships were arrested and prosecuted with some being sentenced to life in prison. One of the most landmark changes is the Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex marriage. However, there is room for more change. One issue that needs to be resolved is the issue of bullying against children who are gay or lesbians. Issues of bullying have resulted in several children committing suicide after being bullied due to their sexual orientation.
Works Cited
Boys Beware. Inglewood Unified School District. Prod. Adam Freeman. 1950. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmqNiFJyI28>.
OFFICIAL Preacher Phil Snider gives interesting gay rights speech. Perf. Phil Snider. 2012. Web.
