Reply #6: I suspect the perception of the rapidness of change depends on which side of the fence you're on.

[AndyA]

Equality for gay people has taken a very long time, with many setbacks. Stonewall was 1969, 40 years ago, and still no equality for gays in many, many areas.

People who are ill and desperately need health care but can't afford it might not feel the progress has been quick in coming.

The sands of time pass quickly by. Few are the choices we are given.

Edit to add: You mentioned the women's rights movement. While women have more rights today than they did in the early 1900s, once again we are dealing with those who feel they can tell women what they must do about pregnancy. That seems to be a huge step backwards in women's rights to me. So sometimes ground is made, sometimes ground is lost. For those actively involved, I would bet they'd say it's been a long, hard battle.