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Civil Rights and Freedom
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was founded in 1920 as a non-profit organization. The organization's main goal was to safeguard and protect the individual liberties and rights guaranteed to each and every person living in the United States by the Constitution and federal laws. The organization provides legal support in instances where it believes civil liberties are threatened. When another legal firm is already giving representation, the ACLU can provide direct legal representation or prepare amicus curiae briefs conveying legal arguments. I found the organization’s website statement, “We do not defend them because we agree with them, rather we defend their right to free expression and free assembly” relevant. I did not agree with most of the cases myself. However, I liked the idea of the organization’s attempt to defend the rights and freedom of all citizens.
My attention was particularly drawn to the case of Harris Funeral Homes vs EEOC and Aimee Stephens. Aimee had spent nearly 20 years working at Harris Funeral Home. The funeral home owner thought she was a man all along. She opens up and tells the funeral home owner that she was a transgender woman and she gets fired because of this. Although many religious denominations do not consider transgender legal, I believe that this group of people is as significant as the other group of people that are considered by the majority as normal. As long as their way of life does not cause harm to others, they should not at any point be discriminated against or looked down upon. I, therefore, agree with ACLU’s decision to fight for LGBT rights. Work Cited
Sixth Circuit Rules Aimee Was Unlawfully Fired. MARCH 7, 2018
