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Much like the civil rights movement of the sixties, America is now faced with the up rise of civil hate crimes, as well as the discrimination against a very particular group of people. These people are those who choose a different sexual orientation or gender identity than the social norm of the country. When they go outside the social norm, they inadvertently invite tons of trouble into their lives.

In order for gay civil rights to be recognized and respected, it will be an uphill struggle, as is demonstrated in the history of gay civil rights. For example, the struggles that homosexuals have had just to be recognized as a legal family unit, and other governmental entities do not recognize gay marriages as equivalent to traditional different-sex weddings. Even though the couple is committed, the government entities will not permit them to have a legal wedding, like heterosexual people do.

As an area of law, gay civil rights are getting better. New and improved laws are being enforced in order to make sure that places of employment as well as housing do not discriminate because a person is gay. This may be a big step for gay civil rights to take, but it does not mean that gays are really getting better treatment. Often times gays get discriminated against, but it is hidden under the guise of something else, as many employers have found ways around the laws so that they do not get caught.

Statistically, gay hate crimes are in decline. However, that doesn't necessarily indicate that they are happening less often. Since the struggle for homosexual rights is still very much ongoing, many gays are frightened or embarrassed to notify authorities when they are victims of such incidents. For this reason, while the numbers related to reported violence may be right, many occurrences are never talked about or are called in as another type of illegal behavior.

Certain groups strongly oppose any change to the existing order. Such conservative individuals typically have a stake in the current system, and do not approve of anything which they consider a disruption. In some instances, the hatred is based upon a religious conviction that homosexuality is a sin. While beliefs are the domain of the individual, the community cannot allow them to be used to oppress or cause injury to another.

Little by little, civil rights for homosexuals are altering and are becoming a part of the public consciousness so that they may actually afford a greater degree of protection from violent and non-violent bigots alike. And while the country may never see true equality in this area, there is much to be learned from the civil rights struggles of the 1960s. People must also begin to discuss this subject more frequently, because it is always easier to combat any discrimination when it is out in the open.