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E1.1: Gender Equal Rights a Dangerous Idea

From early on, up until now there has been much opposition towards gender equal rights.

When it comes to gender, there is lots of controversy on who gets rights and who gets left

without them, since not many are onboard with change nor acceptance. Gender equal rights are,

dangerous ideas according to the definition of Steven Parker where treating a woman the same as

a man and treating the lgbtq community the same as everyone else is only a threat to the

individuals whose norms gets challenged, to which they neglect to a change; however it is an

idea that does not cause harm nor is it toxic. Even so, through constant fight for gender equal

rights it is hard for this dangerous idea to receive acceptance.

Since early ages, the way in which women and men were idolized, has been a

controversial topic. In society, men are often seen as the one with control and power while

women simply listen and are taken advantage of. Women have always been put to play a small

appealing role, however, women start to fight for their equality, with the equal rights amendment

for “better-paying jobs in manufacturing,” as well as “opportunities in public vocational and

graduate schools” (Chisholm). Females are constantly being put down since men are seen for

their masculinity as well as a stronger hand in power. However, “working conditions and hours

that are harmful to women are harmful to men; wages that are unfair for women are unfair for

men,” (Chisholm) that’s how it should be, but with a discrimination against sex women are

denied their rights, since society see this as a challenge where they “are ill equipped to deal,”

(Pinker) with this situation.

Moreover, the LGBTQ community another dangerous idea has faced a wide spread of

neglect form others. This community is not accepted by many and is neglected their rights to be
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and live the way they are. Since this topic challenges the way people expect thing to be, it causes

a huge back lash, however, the lgbtq community has being fighting for much, such like

transgender rights, the defense of marriage act, and the end of sodomy laws. (Geidner) Within

this community, fairness and choice of rights are not given to them, simply because they are seen

as different and don’t appeal to others norms. Of course, obtaining and being able to keep these

rights is challenging. In an article, its stated “Trump administration issued regulation reversing

an Obama-era rule that established nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ patients,”

(Congressional Digest) which proves a hardship in being able to hold onto rights that are there to

shield. This not only shows LGBTQ community constantly being neglected but also

demonstrates how LGBTQ as a dangerous idea doesn’t sit right with various people. On one side

this community is respected where “gender identity…which may be male, female, neither, or a

combination of male and female,” while on the other hand “ACA [is] to not go beyond the ‘plain

meaning of the law,’” (Congressional Digest) that is between male and female. Also, in the “

spanning of 175 countries…most states have high levels of discrimination, which not only

prevents LGBTQ people from attaining equal right, but also threatens their well-being,” (Lee)

demonstrating the gap between the ones who accept and the ones who don’t because it’s a

“discomforting [thought],” (Pinker) to them. Even though there is still a huge bias towards this

community the fight for gender equal rights is still ongoing.

Much controversial thoughts are put in mind when discussing gender equal rights. From

female, to male, to the LGBTQ community, the fight for gender equal rights is a dangerous idea

in relation to Steven Pinker’s definition, since it in no way harms others. It’s a topic that cause no

harm, and yet other individuals don’t agree with this change since it’s a distinct from theirliving

norm.
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Work Cited

A version of this article appears in print onJune 23, 2019, SectionF, Page6of the New York

editionwith the headline:The Cases That Changed L.G.B.T.Q.

Rights.©2020TheNewYorkTimesCompany

Chisholm, Shirley Anita St. Hill. “For the Equal Rights Amendment.” American Rhetoric: Top

100 Speeches. American Rhetoric,edited byMicheal E. Eldenmuller, 2016,

www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html. Accessed 20 August 2016.

Lee, Chelsea, and Robert L. Ostergard Jr. “Measuring Discrimination Against LGBTQ People: A

Cross-National Analysis.” Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 39, no. 1, Feb. 2017, pp. 37–72.

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com.libproxy.csun.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=121151908&site=ehost-live

Pinker, Steven. “In Defense of Dangerous Ideas.” Preface to Dangerous Ideas. Edge,Edge

Foundation,29 Apr.2011,www.edge.org/conversation/steven_pinker-preface-to-dangerous-

ideas.Accessed 24 Aug. 2016.

“Pros & Cons of Rolling Back LGBTQ Rights Under ACA: Reverting to the ‘Plain Meaning’ of

‘Sex’ versus Civil Rights.” Congressional Digest, vol. 99, no. 8, Oct. 2020, p. 30.

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com.libproxy.csun.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=145721408&site=ehost-live