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Arianna Akauola
Wolverton
English 1010
12 January 2015
Taking a Stand Against Stereotypical America.
Stereotypes, name-calling, labeling, they are all the same. America has a tendency to
categorize certain people or things together and compare them, like the wealthy and the poor,
different ethnicities and cultures, and now, who people love. If you like the opposite sex, you are
normal and can go on with your happy life. If you like the same sex, you are gay and delusional
and it's an issue. Why does America label? Why do we live in a free country yet are restricted on
how or who we love? Where does equality fit into all of this? Why are there so many oppositions
to what we, as a nation, want towards love or say is the "right" kind of love? Isn't love just love?
Or is the thought of those "gays and lesbians" finding love, just so unbelievable? This is a major
issue, and we as a nation, sometimes don't realize that what we say, think, or do, won't just affect
us but also those around us. Blacks are undereducated, all Asian's are smart, every Polynesian is
a bully, Gays and Lesbians are confused. These are examples of common stereotypes that float
around on a daily basis. Words cut deep, and we need to remember that the world isn't just black
and white anymore. America needs to accept that it is now a colorful country. Ellis Cose writes
an article that displays his personal views on Gay Rights. William Meezan and Jonathan Rauch,
argue their views on gay rights and how it can assist our society for the better. These authors,
these writers have taken a stand. The question is, are you willing to take a stand?
In Ellis Cose's article, "Don't Compare Gay Rights and Civil Rights," that was published
in USA Today in October of 2011, he states his views on the topic of "Gay Rights" and
acknowledges the efforts that certain gay members are giving, in trying to attain their rights. He
approaches the issue of some Americans using the Civil Rights as a crutch, by claiming they are
the same. Cose argues that they are more different than they are alike. He claims that although
both rights have a similar goal of ending the discrimination and attaining equality, each issue
needs to be understood on their own terms. He agrees that the Gay Community deserve their
rights, but warns that even if they are given their rights tomorrow, it wouldn't change the way
people feel towards you today and the prejudice won't end right away. Cose concludes that in due
time, "Straight America," will accept them and to never give up the fight for freedom. Ellis Cose
intends to shock and stun the audience, mainly the Gay community, with his choice of words and
powerful meaning behind it. He creates a new view in this big, never ending debate.
William Meezan and Jonathan Rauch, in their article "Gay Marriages, Same-Sex
Parenting, and America's Children," that was published in a journal for the Future of Children in
2005, they emphasize how different our society could be with same-sex families. They approach
the issues of parenting within same-sex couples and the possible outcomes that could change the
views and acceptance of the LGBT Community. They also acknowledge the fact that some
people in America fear that the up-bringing of these children in the homes of same-sex couples

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and families could hinder the child's future but they argue possible ways that this would help
them. Not only do they argue that same-sex couples should be given the opportunity to become
parents, they clearly state that they believe that allowing these rights wouldn't just benefit those
who are in the LGBT community, but also everyone in our Society today. Their intended purpose
is to teach our society that not all changes will hinder us, mainly those who are strongly against
gay rights. Meezan and Rauch open a new door to the fight for Gay Rights.
Ellis Cose is an African American author, writer, and journalist that specializes in national
and international issues. In his article, he directs his words to the general public in order to bring
realization to the Gay Rights Movement and their continuous efforts at attaining their rights. He
is more of a logical writer and has a lot of experience behind what he does. Not only does he
base his information off of evidence and past events, he states his meaning right away. In his
article, he used evidence of past issues with gay rights, like the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
The US military required the "gay" soldiers to stay "closeted" and to pass off as a straight soldier.
Through logos, he uses this as an eye opener towards what America has already done to the
Gays. Through pathos, he appeals to our emotions in a way as to making us question our
morality. He also uses the idea of history, to back up his argument of Civil Rights and Gay
Rights being more different than they are similar.
He brings up the issues of African Americans attaining their civil rights but explains that
even though they have it, they aren't necessarily treated like they are the same because they "still
live in ghettos and are trapped in prisons." They are still being discriminated against today and
they were given their rights years ago. Through this information, Cose appeals to the ethos and
logos approach to an argument. Logos because it's evidence backing up his argument and ethos
because it's credible information. Credibility as far as history goes and what he specializes in.
Not only does this information portray ethos and logos, it also describes Cose as a writer that
selects certain details to convey his intended effect, which is to teach us the differences of the
two rights. By clarifying the differences of the two, he gets right to the point of his argument.
Through this type of writing, it explains more thoroughly how the author is and how he executes
certain topics or views. He is a strong writer and app appeals through logical terms.
William Meezan, an author and writer, as well as the dean of the Ohio State University
for the College of Social Works, specializes in the issues and care of a child's welfare. He knows
a lot about this cause because he works with a great amount of child welfare cases, more towards
the health and safety of a child and the development of their physical and mental health in certain
situations. Johnathan Rauch, a journalist, specializes in political aspects towards the general
public, in this specific area he talks about the political terms of the issue towards child safety in
the care of a same-sex couples. Meezan and Rauch speak towards the public mainly through a
logical approach. They display logos through their specific reasoning. Reasoning as to same-sex
couples could work in the future and why we should consider it because it's not just to their
benefit, but the child's benefit as well. They also use logos to back up this specific argument by
mentioning the study they did on a child that would most-likely end up in a home with a samesex couple, whether one being their biological parent or neither a biological parent.

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Meezan and Rauch appeal towards the pathos approach of an argument by considering all
sides, also by clarifying their reasoning through an emotional advancement towards their end
goal, to relay a message about same-sex equality in the aspects of parenting. From this specific
information, you learn how they appeal to the audience. They state their meaning right away
which is very effective, in terms of their article. Meezan and Rauch display ethos by approaching
both sides of an argument, mainly for those against it or for it. In a sense they question your
morality, in terms of the welfare of the child. They also approached many questions that most
Americans would have asked, concerning the safety of their child but also answered it both
truthfully and thoroughly. The evidence that they have, gained from the study they based their
research off of, is very effective especially in the society we live in today. They understand that
what most Americans are accustomed to but argue that this can help better America in the future.
William Meezan and Jonathan Rauch are more logical writers and their work is more effective
this way. They understand the political issues concerning gay rights and the different aspects of
this certain topic.
Ellis Cose, William Meezan, and Jonathan Rauch are more logistical writers. They appeal
towards public in terms of evidence and facts. Through this they are more stronger, in their
argument. Although Cose is for Gay Rights but more conserved towards the aspects of how they
achieve their goals. Meezan and Rauch are more for gay rights, in terms of family
understandings. They strongly believe in same-sex marriages and couples, as far as for future
aspects. These authors clearly have different values on the topic of gay rights. They agree that
gay rights should be given a chance, although Cose is more cautious about the process of being
accepted and treated equally, they both in a way, have the same view on the topic. They are
different in aspects of certain areas of gay rights, Cose more towards political freedom; Meezan
and Rauch more towards the future aspects of how it can make the society a better place in the
future.
Ellis Cose more specifically approaches the idea of attaining freedom, but not necessarily
using Civil Rights as something to help their movement because they are more different than
they are the same. "Both movements share the goals of ending discrimination and fostering
decency, but in many aspects they are more different than they are alike. To point that out does
not diminish the importance of the battle for equal treatment for gays. It merely acknowledges
that each battle must be understood on its own terms" (Cose). Although he speaks more for the
defense of Civil Rights, his claims for gay rights can't be missed. William Meezan and Jonathan
Rauch intend to change the mindset of those who oppose the idea of children in same-sex
families. "Some observers worry that legalizing same-sex parenting and opposite sex parenting
are interchangeable, when in fact they may lead to different outcomes for the children. To
evaluate that concern, they review the growing body of how can affect the body" (Meezan
Rauch).
Through these certain articles, I realized that the issue of Gay Rights is bigger than what I
had expected. I didn't realize that there were many different smaller issues with Gay Rights as a
whole and it's interesting how my view has changed on this particular subject. Before I was just
for Gay Rights because I didn't necessarily think it was right, for them not to be able to have

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what straight couples could have. I didn't believe that we should be able to with hold certain
things from them because they aren't what society would label as normal. I didn't agree with the
idea that Gays were confused and I've never liked that people use the term "gay" as slang or teen
lingo for stupid because in a way we are hurting those who are identified as gays. After reading
what Ellis Cose's ideas were towards freedom, through a civil right and gay right aspect. He
helped to open my eyes to see a bigger picture, that nothing is as simple as it seems and African
American's are a living, walking example of it.
Not only did I realize that even if the gays were given their rights today, it wouldn't
change how people view them tomorrow. William Meezan and Jonathan Rauch taught me that
there are different aspects towards gay rights, in their article specifically they approach the issue
of raising children in a same-sex couples home, whether they be married or just a couple. They
made it seem more realistic in terms of wondering what the future would be like, if having gays
wasn't such an opposing view to some Americans. Through their article, you don't just learn
about this issue, you live it. They share examples from a study they based most of their
information off of which made the issue seem more urgent.
The issue of social equality towards gays is a major issue, especially concerning what is
going on now-a-days, with the decision of legalizing gay marriage. I am for gay marriage and
anything that has to do with Gay Rights because they are people too. They deserve just as much
of a choice as any of us "straights" do. No one should determine whether or not you can marry
who you love, whether they are of the same sex or not, and who you identify yourself as.
Because of the articles that I researched, I have learned a lot more about Gay Rights in different
aspects. One being, supporting it for the good because it not only will benefit the Gay
community, but our society as a whole as well. The future of these gays and our society solely
lays in our hands. Are we ready to take that risk that can bring change to our country? I'm ready
to take a stand, are you?

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Reflection:
I felt like this assignment is my best yet because I was able to express my feelings
towards a certain topic of my interest. I not only learned the importance of Gay Rights, but was also able
to experience the views of this topic through another persons eyes. I also learned more of the writing
techniques and the importance of the writing process and how critical it is to have a good outline towards
your argument. This assignment assisted me in being a better student and a better writer because I had to
learn how to organize certain things according to the rubric and requirements of the paper.

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Works Cited:
Cose, Ellis. Dont Compare Gay Rights and Civil Rights. USA Today. ERIC. 04 Aug
2011. 5 Jan 2015.
Meezan, William and Rauch, Jonathan. Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, and Americas
Children. EBSCO. 2005. 05 Jan 2015.