nly been misleading but inaccurate. (Duberman 20)Attitudes toward homosexuality have begun to change in recent decades. Gays attribute this, in part, to their own increasing assertiveness about their rights and about pride in their orientation. Gay activism, which began in the late 1960s as a civil rights movement, has helped to change people’s thinking. While some attitudes change, however, prejudice against homosexuals still exists. The AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, to which many male homosexuals fell victim, may have affected antigay prejudice. (Thompson 13-14) As more gays have identified themselves publicly, they have also formed more public organizations. There are gay newspapers and journals, gay political groups, and gay legal action committees. These groups support candidates for public office, fight battles in cases such as child custody, and work in other areas to eliminate discrimination. Perez 4Yearly Gay Pride marches in major cities are intended to foster awareness by society. (Thompson 14)Perez 5Work CitedBoswell, J. Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1980Bullough, V. Homosexuality: A History. New York, NY: New American Library, 1979.Duberman, M. Hidden From History. New York, NY: NAL Books, 1989.Ruse, M. Homosexuality. New York, NY: Blackwell, 1988.Thompson, M. Gay Spirit: Myth and Meaning. New York: St. Martins Press, 1987....
