This document discusses issues around LGBTQ rights in the United States. It notes that while equal rights seem achieved, the LGBTQ community still faces restrictions. The Institute for Policy Studies acknowledges struggles faced by LGBTQ people in accessing basic citizen rights. However, The Heritage Foundation argues that sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) laws threaten freedoms like free speech and religious liberty. The document also discusses arguments around SOGI laws and whether they help the LGBTQ community gain equal treatment or restrict the rights of others.

1. Lgbtq Equal Rights
Although equal right for all may seem accomplished, specific group in the United States still feel
restriction still present for them. The LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer)
community feels the restrictions they have against them, while some of the straight community
feels they are all treated as equals and that LGBTQ people should not have laws that are directly in
their favor. The Institute for Policy Studies is acknowledging the struggles LGBTQ people face in
the United States like their right to the basic rights all citizens should possess. The Heritage
Foundation claims SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) laws threaten other citizen's
freedoms like free speech and religious liberty.
The Institute for Policy...show more content...
Private sectors should accommodate those of the LGBTQ community to the best of their ability.
Businesses owners should not be allowed to turn down a resume just because of the sexual
orientation of the applicant, but instead turn them down because of qualification issues.
Discriminating against a LGBTQ citizen is comparable to discriminating against a citizen of a
different race; it is unacceptable in the United States. The SOGI laws are not perfect but they are a
start to what the country needs to achieve in order for everyone to truly be equal. SOGI laws would
prohibit schools, charities, and businesses form using their person views to deny people based off of
their sexual orientation, which in turn restrict the first amendment rights. The first amendment rights
is specific cases should be restricted to allow every citizen the basic human rights they are
guaranteed. The Heritage Foundation makes a better argument by supplying more data in its article
as well as more information than The Institute for Policy Studies, which supplied some information
on the topic of rights for all sexual orientations. Each think tank had political bias toward their side
of the political spectrum. The Institute for Policy Studies is liberal and had the average liberal
viewpoints while The Heritage Foundation is conservative and had the average viewpoints
conservatives would have. How SOGI laws would help the LGBTQ community was not discussed in
the article for The Heritage Foundation, and The Institute for Policy Studies didn't consider the
rights taken away from citizens that would have to not be discriminatory toward any member of the
LGBTQ
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2. Equal Rights for All Essays
Equal Rights for All
Gay marriage has always been a subject of great controversy. Andrew Sullivan addresses this issue
in his persuasive essay entitled "Let Gays Marry." Sullivan's essay appeared in Newsweek in June
of 1996. Through his problem/solution structure of this essay, Sullivan uses rhetorical appeals to try
and persuade the audience to accept gay marriage as a natural part of life.
Sullivan, an editor of The New Republic, also wrote Virtually Normal: An Argument about
Homosexuality (26). Andrew Sullivan, who is openly gay himself, is a devout Catholic who has
spent his life researching subjects involving the gay community. His articles are simply ways for
him to show his feelings to the general...show more content...
Sullivan then shows that modifying of the definition of marriage has only brought positive changes
for the people of America so far (26). Changing the definition to include same–sex marriages would
simply be another positive change that is necessary for the growth of our country. With each
problem that is brought up, Sullivan comes up with a convincing way to resolve the issue.
Sullivan uses ethos as a strategy to appeal to his audience. Sullivan begins his essay by appealing to
the audiences' good sense by saying that everyone, including gays should have equal rights under the
constitution. Sullivan states that, "[Gays and lesbians] are citizens, entitled, like everyone else, to
equal protection–no special rights, but simple equality" (26). The author also appeals to the more
religious members of the audience by using persuasion through ideas of high moral character.
Sullivan explains that gay marriages would not interfere with the rights or beliefs of any religion
(26). He makes his ideas clear that our country already has a problem with separating church and
state and that gay marriage would not add to this issue of our country (26). Sullivan also states that
supporting same sex marriages would promote monogamy and fidelity which our country strives to
improve upon (26).
Another appeal used by Sullivan in his essay is pathos. Sullivan appeals to the emotions of the
audience by showing that gays have the
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