HumanRights

US: 250 Years Later – Part 65: Homosexuality

by

In 1776, homosexuality was not generally understood as a personal identity but as a category of behavior judged through religious, legal, and cultural frameworks. Two hundred and fifty years later, LGBTQ+ identities exist within a far more visible and publicly recognized landscape, though debates over acceptance, rights, and belonging continue evolving. This letter follows America’s changing relationship with homosexuality and asks whether the deepest struggle across centuries has been less about sexuality itself… and more about who gets to live openly and safely as themselves.

Read the letter →

US: 250 Years Later – Part 34: Democracy

by

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence did far more than announce separation from Britain. It introduced a radical idea: that governments derive their power from the consent of ordinary people rather than kings or inherited authority. Two hundred and fifty years later, the Declaration remains both inspiration and challenge, shaping debates over equality, rights, and who fully belongs within America’s promises. This letter follows the journey of a document that continues rewriting the nation long after the ink dried.

Read the letter →

US: 250 Years Later – Part 33: Declaration of Independence

by

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence did far more than announce separation from Britain. It introduced a radical idea: that governments derive their power from the consent of ordinary people rather than kings or inherited authority. Two hundred and fifty years later, the Declaration remains both inspiration and challenge, shaping debates over equality, rights, and who fully belongs within America’s promises. This letter follows the journey of a document that continues rewriting the nation long after the ink dried.

Read the letter →

US: 250 Years Later – Part 30: Cross Dressing

by

In 1776, clothing was never merely fabric. It signaled class, gender, status, morality, and where society believed a person belonged. Two hundred and fifty years later, clothing remains deeply connected to identity, though debates surrounding expression, visibility, and personal freedom continue evolving. This letter follows America’s changing relationship with cross-dressing and gender expression, asking who ultimately gets to define authenticity.

Read the letter →

US: 250 Years Later – Part 22: Civil Rights

by

In 1776, America proclaimed liberty while limiting who could fully participate in it. Rights and equality existed, but often behind barriers of race, gender, class, and status. Two hundred and fifty years later, the struggle for civil rights continues across courts, communities, movements, and even algorithms. This letter follows America’s long effort to expand the promise of equality and asks who gets counted within the nation’s unfinished story.

Read the letter →

US: 250 Years Later – Part 21: Church and State/Religious Freedom

by

In 1776, church and state were deeply intertwined across much of America. Religion shaped laws, taxes, politics, and public identity, while dissent often carried real consequences. Two hundred and fifty years later, America remains engaged in one of its longest arguments: how to protect both freedom of religion and freedom from coercion. This letter follows the evolution of religious liberty and asks what true pluralism actually requires.

Read the letter →

US: 250 Years Later – Part 9: Birth Control

by

In 1776, birth control lived in whispered conversations, herbal remedies, and private networks of women passing knowledge from one generation to another. Two hundred and fifty years later, contraception has become more technologically sophisticated and widely available than ever before, yet questions surrounding autonomy, access, culture, and control remain deeply contested. This letter follows the long journey from secrecy and survival to choice and agency.

Read the letter →

US: 250 Years Later – Part 2: Abortion

by

Abortion did not begin in modern America, and it was never simply a medical issue. Across 250 years, reproductive decisions moved from whispered kitchen remedies and midwives to courtrooms, legislation, telemedicine, and national political battles. This letter follows the shifting threads of autonomy, authority, morality, and the enduring question of who gets to decide.

Read the letter →