LGBT rights in America are equal to those of straight or cisgender people in the same country.

Thank you. The pursuit of happiness is defined as a fundamental right mentioned in the Declaration of Independence to freely pursue joy and live life in a way that makes you happy, as long as you don't do anything illegal or violate the rights of others. The majority of LGBT people are not doing anything illegal of violating others rights. However as stated in my previous speech there are many bills and laws being or that are passed that are violating our rights. A quick overview of my speech: I will first attack my opponent's previous speech and then end with a small summary of my case. " the bill does not become effective until July 1, 2016 so there is time for an appeal" I would like to attack this point as it is a big issue. Despite the fact that it is yet to be enacted the fact that this bill has been passed is a violation of rights. In your final speech could you please provide the source in which you found the evidence "The bill to repeal HB2 was sent to the North Carolina Senate"? I have been unable to find any articles or documents stating such by myself or in your list of sources. "I find it very difficult to compare the LGBT plight to that of African Americans. We, as LGBT Americans, were never enslaved or abused as African Americans have been throughout history" In my speech I was using african americans as an example I was not in any way trying to say that we have it worse or as bad as they have. I was naming another minority as a comparison to LGBT people. You believe that this is protecting religious freedom, "I still believe it is important to respect their own religious freedom" or "But, that person has his or her own rights to religious freedom" However I believe that many "types" of people could go against certain religions such as Psalm 5:5, "The boastful shall not stand before Thine eyes; Thou dost hate all who do iniquity," Psalm 11:5, "The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates." Lev. 20:23, "Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I shall drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them." Prov. 6:16-19, "There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18 A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers." Hosea 9:15, "All their evil is at Gilgal; indeed, I came to hate them there! Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of My house! I will love them no more; All their princes are rebels." I am not using the bible as a source but to make a point. Shown above you can see that god hates "sinners" would someone who has lied or done bad things not get that donut? That person is not protected in the law that prohibits discrimination by privately owned places of public accommodation on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin. So Should LGBT people get turned down either? No. Your argument on the fact that the Mississippi law protects religious freedom is invalid. It protects homophobes from the LGBT community. Yes at the moment same sex couples can adopt but they are working to take that right away from us. So not only are rights currently unequal but more and more bills to revoke more and more rights are in the course of being passed. Our country HAS changed from the days of John Locke so shouldn't we be a more welcoming society instead of revoking rights because of an orientation. In conclusion I would like to provide a small summary of my case and arguments. I have provided the definition between rights and privileges as my opponent was under the impression I had mixed them up. I showed a few of the many examples of bills and laws that prevent LGBT people from having equal rights. I have stated that people in the LGBT community have a lack of rights and privileges that may prevent them from pursuing happiness. I have revisited why the HB2 and HB1523 bills are revoking rights, privileges, and fairness. I hope that someday I get equal rights but right now I do not have them. It is for this reason that I urge you to vote con. Thank you for your time and a wonderful debate.