Everyone has a say. It just depends on how loud you make that say. But unfortuantely, a lot of people won't listen to teens because most think we don't know anything.
It's terrible homosexuals aren't treated fairly in America and how much they're made fun of, but that's something that I don't forsee changing for a long while.
Unfortunately that's the reality of it: us 16 year-olds have very little say when it comes to things "mature grow-ups" decide. It's kind of like the say that old men start wars, young men fight them.
I agree, even though I haven't read the article; I understand the gist of it because of your opinion. The whole 'gender specific roles' thing.
& I believe you were being specific because it happened in the US (you clearly stated Americans in there) but I'd like to add it happens in other parts of the world as well. That's just me being a nitpick though.