Equal Gay RightsMost American politicians believe that everyone should be treated equally, especially since it is stated in the United States Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers wrote these words to protect all individuals. Those Americans who play by the rules and are law-abiding citizens have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, Americans who are not typical heterosexuals are limited in their rights even if they are loyal citizens. Gay and lesbian couples are discriminated against and treated unfairly because of their sexual orientation. This discrimination against gay and lesbian couples must be addressed so that those who are reliable citizens have the same rights as heterosexual citizens. In this article, I will argue that homosexual individuals should have the same rights as heterosexuals because (1) hate crimes against homosexuals continue to occur, (2) workplace discrimination continues to increase, and (3) the inability to have same-sex marriages are unjust. I believe this unfair discrimination is unconstitutional and must be addressed immediately. The executive branch, in my eyes, plays an important role in equal rights for lesbians and gays. I believe the executive branch could provide protection and have the ability to help these individuals. Homosexuals are no different from heterosexuals except in their sexuality. Lesbian and gay people are victims of hate crimes and prejudice in our society. In the 1969 Stonewall gay riots in Greenwich Village, a lesbian and gay political movement against lifestyle discrimination led homosexuals to fight for their rights (Carter, 2004). This movement and... half of the document... New York, NY:Hereck, GM (2006). Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the United States. American Psychologist, 61, 607-621Human Rights Campaign 2013 Annual Report. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/HRC_2013_ANNUAL_FINAL.pdfHunt, J. (2012, June). A state-by-state examination of anti-discrimination laws and policies. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/issues/2012/06/pdf/state_nondiscrimination.pdfNadal, K. L., Riveria, D. P., & Corpus, M. J. H. (2010). Microaggressions and marginalization: manifestation, dynamics and impact. (p. 217). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Obama, B. (2013, January 21). Inaugural speech.Tilcsik, A. (2011). Pride and Prejudice: Employment Discrimination Against Openly Gay Men in the United States1. American Journal of Sociology, 117(2), 586-626.