Minority voices have been silenced by their dominant cultures for decades. Many books now are challenged and sometimes even banned simply for containing homosexual content. It is obvious that LGBT people are the minority group, but as American's, they should have the same freedom of speech rights as anyone else. There are still many people and religious groups that believe being gay or lesbian is immoral or a sin, but who are they to say that these people should not be allowed to write or read books about their culture? Some religious people themselves find that the censorship by a religious dominant culture is over the top. The Reverend Barry W. Lynn, in his book, Piety and Politics, states that "the Religious Right all too often seems to dominate our national dialogue, bringing to bear only a loud voice of intolerance and division. Issues like same-sex marriage, legal abortion, and the proper role of religion in public schools and government are marred by abrasive Religious Right leaders" (Pg. 18). Religion and politics are the dominant voices and main factors behind censorship, especially when it comes to homosexuality. Speaker John Boehner, has been a strong supporter for DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act), which states that marriage is considered strictly between a man and a woman. In the following Youtube video, you can see the disappointment on his face when President Barrack Obama states that the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy in the military has been lifted.
Youtube video taken from and created by Sean Chapin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1i8Ynl0174
Youtube video taken from and created by Sean Chapin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1i8Ynl0174