Progressive Halakhah and Homosexual Marriage 161
large and within the Jewish community. We note with satisfaction that there has been a considerable improvement in the status of gay men and lesbian women in this last century. Not long ago homosexual relations between consenting adults were considered a criminal offense. In 1895, Oscar Wilde was put on trial in the Old Bailey of London and was convicted of“acts of gross indecency” with other men. Mr. Justice Wills immediately sentenced Wilde to two years imprisonment with hard labor.?? Today, such a criminal trial and sentence would be unthinkable. In most countries homosexual acts have been decriminalized, but in others they remain on the legislative books, including in certain states of this Union.
Homosexuality was once considered a mental illness. In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association decided by a majority vote to remove the definition of homosexuality as a sexual perversion from the association's Diagnostic Statistical Manual Discrimination against gays and lesbians has been rampant in matters of employment, housing, rights of insurance, inheritance, and survivors’ benefits, to mention but a few areas. Court decisions, legislation, and executive orders have, at times, helped homosexuals in their struggle for full and equal civil rights.
In other instances, judges, legislators, and even the President of the United States have ruled against them. For the most part, successes in their struggle were due to the initiative, leadership, and determination of gays and lesbians, many of whom were assisted by heterosexuals that identified with their cause. In spite of the obstacles and homophobia, an impressive list of accomplishments has been achieved by gays and lesbians to improve their lot. No matter what one’s views may be, the progress through self-help, political pressure, legal action, and public relations aimed at convincing the“straight” community, has been very impressive.
In spite of the obstacles and homophobia, an impressive list of accomplishments was achieved by gay and lesbians to improve their lot. The UAHC and CCAR have fought for gay rights over the years. Following is a partial list of their accomplishments:
1. In 1977, they called for the decriminalization of
homosexuality.