Congress of Legislation

By: Elena Ariola

Civil Rights Act of 1964
● Protects individuals against discrimination and prohibits discrimination against
race, sex, age, and national origin.

“Republican Senators during a meeting on the Civil Rights Act of 1964” (Library of Congress)
Civil Rights Act of 1964
● First proposed by John F. Kennedy and then signed into law by Lyndon B.
Johnson.

Some people who were able to benefit from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 were the
minorities. Minorities included blacks, females and sometimes children.
What led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
● The Civil War

-War fought between the north and south over the topic of slavery

● Rosa Parks

-A civil rights activist who played a role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott

● Klu Klux Klan

-An American hate group against African Americans

Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Reflection
I believe that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was helpful and important. Due to this
act being put in place African Americans have more jobs and are being physically
segregated in the work field. In today’s society, blacks are able to walk into any
restaurant, movie theatre, or store without being abused. Of course I do not
believe that everything is resolved, many are still against African Americans
because of their skin color, however, I do believe that the Civil Rights Act of 1964
was important and a big step in equalizing all people.

I do believe that they left out women when creating this act. Women have never
been fully treated with respect; not much has changed and it is 2019!
The Equality Act
● Provides non discriminate protection agaisnt LGBTQ members.

“The Equality Act” from the Washington Blade

Equality Act of 1974
The people who benefited from this act were gays, lesbians, transgenders, and
more.

Due to the Equality Act these groups of people are able to find jobs and not be
discriminated because of how they identify themselves.
What led to the Equality Act of 1974
There are not specific cases that led to the Equality Act of 1974. I believe it was
just society in general that caused the Equality Act to happen.

After the first and original Equality Act of 1974, three more equality acts were
issued. Currently there is an Equality Act of 2010, 2017 and 2018, each expanding
on the rights of LGBTQ members.
Equality Act of 1974-Reflection
I think this act is very important and did a lot for our society. I believe this is true
because this specific act justified the equality in all genders. After this act came
out, jobs, education, and public places were open to all LGBTQ members.

However I do not believe that all genders are seen 100% equal. Many people are
view women as less than men, and many unfortunately don’t approve of either
transgenders or same sex marriage. Only two years ago, a tragic shooting
occurred in a gay pub in Orlando Florida. This just goes to show you how cruel our
world can be.
Same Sex Marriage
● On June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court ruled the right to marry the same sex.
○ This was done under the case of Hodges vs Obergefell

● The fourteenth amendment was used to justify

Same Sex Marriage
● Mainly the people who benefited from this act are gay or lesbian couples. I do
not think that they left a group out but I do believe that they left out other
legislations that gays are discriminated.

● In order for this act to be

passed, it had to be taken to
court.

“Courtroom” (Library of Congress)

What led to Same Sex Marriage Act
One specific case that led to the passing of same sex marriage is Hodges vs
Obergefell.

In this case, sex couples sued the agencies in their

state (Ohio, Michigan,Tennessee, and Kentucky).

The cases argued that the states were violating the

Due Process Clause of the 14th amendment along
with the Equal Protection Clause. Document from the “Library of Congress”
Trump’s ban on LGBTQ to fight in military
● In July 2017 Trump banned gays and lesbians to fight in the US military. It is
surprising that Trump’s ban is not only anti-gay, but anti-military.
Trump’s ban on LGBTQ to fight in military
● Many believe that Trump’s ban on members of LGBTQ taking part in the
United States military is a violation of the Constitution.

● The first amendment in the Constitution states that everyone has the freedom
to serve one another.
Reflection on Trump's military ban
I understand that this is a tough topic to discuss but I strongly disagree with
Trump's ban on members from the LGBTQ serving in our military. Serving in the
military is a privilege and should be an option for everyone. As said in the first
amendment, everyone has the right to serve. I cannot believe that there is a ban
for some people to fight for our country. There are many who are willing to put
their life on the line and fight for our country, but cannot do to their preference.
This is very unfair and uncalled for; a change is needed.
Works Cited
Baunach, and Dawn Michelle. “Changing Same-Sex Marriage Attitudes in America from 1988 Through 2010.” OUP Academic, Oxford
University Press, 9 July 2012, academic.oup.com/poq/article-abstract/76/2/364/1819280.

“Gender and Nationalism: the Masculinization of Hinduism and Female Political Participation in India.” NeuroImage, Academic Press, 8
Mar. 2003,

Darlington, Shasta, et al. “Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Domestic Partnerships.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 29
Dec. 2018, www.nytimes.com/topic/subject/samesex-marriage-civil-unions-and-domestic-partnerships.

Finzel, Rochelle, and Alison May. Affirmative Action | Overview, www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/same-sex-marriage-laws.aspx.

Ortiz, Jorge L. “'Sobering Reality': LGBT Progress Report Shows Gains, but Most States Still Won't Grant Rights.” USA Today, Gannett
Satellite Information Network, 1 Feb. 2019,

“Equality Act.” What Are Human Rights? | Equality and Human Rights Commission,
Military Acts in 1862
● In July of 1862 Congress passed two acts that allowed African Americans to
enlist in the United States military.
Military Acts of 1862
I believe that this act was passed for the better. Just like Trump’s ban, I think it is
wrong to tell people that they cannot fight for their country just because of their
preference and their skin color.

Today, many African Americans fight for our country and are remembered as
heroes.
Pearle W. Mack
Pearle W. Mack is an example of a person
who went through the experience of racism
in the military.

He grew up in Topeka Kansas and his first

encounter with racism was when he enlisted
for the US army after Pearl Harbor.

He discusses how blacks were treated

differently in the military than whites. It is
“Pearle Mack” (Library of Congress) upsetting to hear that since everyone is
fighting together for their country.
Hinduism (Western Religion)
● Hinduism is an Indian religion or way of life which is widely practiced along
Southeast Asia.
● The goal in Hinduism is to attain salvation
● In Hinduism there is only one god. There are different forms to believing in
this one god, but there is only one god overall.
● Hinduism is the 3rd largest religion in the world.
Hinduism (Western Religion)
The basic belief of Hinduism is that truth is eternal.

● Hindus pursue understanding the full concept of the truth.

● They only focus on reality and not fantasy

“Hinduism” (Library of Congress)

Hinduism (Western Religion)
There is not much said about their thoughts on different races, but what has been
reported and said is that very few whites take part in practicing Hinduism.

Typically males are allowed to practice Hinduism, but females are not always
accepted. Often times women dress up and act like men so that they can practice
Hinduism. Acting like men, “opens the door for female participation”.
Buddhism (Eastern Religion)
● Buddhism is a very popular religion that focuses on meditation.
● It is very important because it offers insight, stillness, and and increase in
concentration.
Buddhism (Eastern Religion)
● There are four different types of Buddhism.
○ Theravada Buddhism- The School of the Elders
○ Mahayana Buddhism- The Great Vehicle
○ Vajrayana Buddhism- The Way of the Diamond

Vajrayana Buddhism
Jainism (Eastern religion)
● Religion found in India during the 6th century.
● It is traditionally known as “Jain Dharma”
Jainism (Eastern Religion)
● Jainism emphasizes nonviolence along with a belief in reincarnation.
● One of their other main beliefs is karma.

Jainism was founded by

Vardhamana Jnatiputra.
Many believe that
Nataputta Mahavira had
found the religion but has
been proved wrong.
Sikhism (Eastern Religion)
● A religion that originated in the Punjab region in the northern part of the Indian
● Developed around the end of the 15th century
● Has been defined as monotheistic, monistic and panentheistic.

Sikhism Symbol
Sikhism (Eastern Religion)
● The main belief in Sikhism is god and the cycle of life
● Members of this religion are referred to as “Sikhs”
● It is believed that there is only one god but it is the god of all religions
Works Cited
“Gender and Nationalism: the Masculinization of Hinduism and Female Political Participation in India.” NeuroImage,
Academic Press, 8 Mar. 2003,

“Religion: Hinduism.” BBC, BBC, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/.

“About Buddhism.” What Is Buddhism | About Buddhism, www.aboutbuddhism.org/.

“Jainism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Aug. 2018, simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism.

“Religion: Jainism.” BBC, BBC, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/.

“JAINISM.” Home Page of the ReligiousTolerance.org Web Site, www.religioustolerance.org/jainism.htm.

“Sikhism Religion of the Sikh People.” Sikhism Religion of the Sikh People, www.sikhs.org/.