Womens Gay Rights

One Step at a Time

Throughout history, women have achieved great strides in equality. Less than 100 years ago, it was illegal for women to vote. Women were homemakers, cooks, mothers, and unfortunately property. In the early 1900s women were married off for wealth and dowry’s. This was often the selection of their parents, primarily their fathers. As women started to take a stand, they could rally together to earn their rights.

In the early 1900s women began to take a stand for themselves and in 1920, women had earned their place in the voting booth. Since women could vote, more steps needed to be taken. Women rarely were to be found in the workforce, but when World War II came around, this all changed. Women began to take jobs that belonged to men as they were away fighting the war. Women were working manufacturing jobs in an effort to support the war. This is where the term “Rosie the riveter” came from. Once the war was over, women began to grow in the working world.

Today, a women’s social status is equal to a man. Women have high power jobs, educators, and in some homes- the breadwinners. Women equality to men has become close to equal, though some discrimination can still foster. In the beginning of the century, women did not portray their sexuality in public. Today, though women have rights, they are portrayed as sex objects through the media. There is always a pretty, skinny, half-dressed girl selling a product. This goes back to the old thinking that women are just objects. These types of media also create a false standard for women. Media implies that women should be skinny, though many are not.

GLBT groups have experienced similar issues. The current focus is on marriage. In 1996, 21 men and women were murdered. In 1998, Mathew Shepard was kidnapped, robbed, pistol-whipped, and left tied to a fence in freezing weather. He died five days later. These victims have one thing in common; they...