Laws and homosexuality

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Are homosexuals a protected class
in hate-crimes & human rights laws?
If not, should they be?

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In the U.S. and Canada, most governments have passed hate-crime legislation and human rights laws to protect certain specified groups of people.

The groups typically include at least those groups which defined by race, religion and gender. Often other groups are added. There is a great deal of debate currently about whether sexual orientation should be included to these laws as a protected class. Much of the disagreement is derived from different fundamental beliefs about the nature of -- and the definition of the term -- "sexual orientation."

Topics covered in this section:

	Introduction
	Barriers preventing the addition of sexual orientation as a protected class
	Timeline of legislation making sexual orientation a protected class
	The meaning of "sexual orientation" and "homosexuality" in relation to protected classes in law

Related essays on this web site that might be of interest:

	What determines a person's sexual orientation?
	Is it unchangeable, abnormal or immoral?
	Is it beneficial to society; should homosexuals have equal protection?
	Attempting to change one's sexual orientation via reparative therapy
	What the Bible says about homosexuality.
	Lesbian/gay terminology

An important information resource:

The Human Rights Campaign> maintains maps and a description of major laws in each state which impact on gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons. See: http://www.hrc.org/

Site navigation:

Home > "Hot" religious topics > Homosexuality & Bisexuality > Laws > here

Home > "Religious laws > Homosexual laws > here

Home > Religious hatred & conflict > Homosexual laws > here

Copyright © 2004 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2009-JUN-28
Author: B.A. Robinson

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