Kimport's Queering Marriage: Challenging Family Formation In The United States

In an ever changing atmosphere where there are numerous definitions of family, why would it be important to have the right to have an official union? That civil right, to same sex couples, means that they are recognized equally to all other couples in this nation. In “The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage”, Theodore Olson discusses California’s Proposition 8 and its ramifications on the value of marriage. Olson states, “Marriage is one of the basic building blocks of our neighborhoods and our nation”. Same sex couples want to share in this value that having the right to marry gives them. Legalizing same-sex marriage according to Olson would, “represent the culmination of our nation’s commitment to equal rights” (Olson, 76). Having all the aspects of a model family are just as important to all types of couples in today’s diverse

The year is 2015 and I can’t imagine not having the freedom I do today. Marriage equality is a very recent topic in history. It wasn’t very long ago that laws prohibited the marriage of same-sex couples. I have decided to investigate the history of marriage equality and the organizations that helped make the dream come true. In order to fully understand the changes that occurred, and to comprehend the level of discrimination that was felt in the homosexual culture, one must first understand the history of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) community. The harsh history of the LGBTQ community, and discrimination that was imposed on them and the organizations that strived to advocate for the LGBTQ community on a local, regional and national level is what eventually lead to the Supreme Court ruling on June 26th, 2015, stating that states cannot ban same-sex marriage.

Over the years, the issue of family values has evolved from the conservative view of distinct gender roles to the prevailing situation where men and women have equal rights. The most notable change from the traditional to the modern values of the family has been the issue of gay marriages. Whereas it was a taboo for gay couples to declare their relationship status openly in public, today the situation is different as is evident with the two texts under discussions. The story titled An American Childhood by Annie Dillard depicts gender roles in the 1950s America while the article by Andrew Sullivan titled “Why Gay Marriages are Good for Straight America” expounds on the issue of gay rights and freedom of modern day America.

One of the author’s main reasons to support his view is that legalization of gay marriage can combat the promiscuous dating and hook-up culture we see so much of in today’s society. By legalizing gay marriage, people who identify as homosexual can actually strive for a monogamous marriage and a healthy family. Sullivan also argues that legalizing gay marriage places more responsibilities on gay individuals, as the spousal title can contribute to more gay people being held to the same standards as straight people, whether it is in culture or in the legal system. Legalization of marriage can

On June 26th 2015 the U.S Supreme court legalized gay marriage in all 50 states, and this was a historic change in how marriage was defined in the US (Procon.org). Over the past couple of decades the traditional definition of marriage and family have changed and includes various backgrounds, sexual preferences, and blended family systems.We find that there are several definitions of family such as the traditional family can include heterosexual couples, single parents, and families including blood relative, adoptive families, foster relationships, grandparents raising grandchildren, and stepfamilies (ceunit.com). Extended family can be

Jones observe (2002: 15). In these ways, institutionalized heterosexuality is central to some of the key motivation(s) behind and design of public policy frameworks in the United States. By “institutionalized heterosexuality” I am referring to the set of ideas, institutions and relationships that make the heterosexual family the societal norm, while rendering homosexual/queer families “abnormal” or “deviant” (Ingraham 1999). My queer analysis of social welfare involves examining how sexuality and gender can be rethought and reorganized in economic and social policy frameworks, theories and practices. Throughout the article I examine how heterosexuality is assumed to be the natural basis for defining the family, and by extension, society, both explicitly (by excluding LGBT people from the analysis and by stigmatizing certain individuals as “non-family” or “anti-family”) and implicitly (by assuming that all people are heterosexual, that marriage is a given and exists only between a traditionally-defined man and woman, and that all people fit more or less into traditional gender roles; see Foucault 1978; Fraser and Gordon 1994; Ingraham 1999; Phelan 2001;

The central question I address is: how has the legalization of same-sex marriage affected the lives of LGBT individuals, especially black LGBTs? Religious affiliation and participation among black Americans offer a possible explanation for the discrepancies between black LGBTs’ experiences of marginalization and their support for the legalization of same-sex marriage. Blacks in the United States, even black LGBTs, are more likely than any other ethnoracial groups to report a formal religious affiliation, report that religion is very important in their lives, and attend church regularly.2 Religion influences the understanding of legitimate intimate partnership and family structure in

In Philip N. Cohen's seminal work, "The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change," he examines current familial structures and experiences, with a particular focus on sexuality, including diverse orientations and identities within families. Through discussions on same-sex relationships and non-binary gender identities, Cohen offers insight into this nuanced landscape. Learning from this chapter, it highlights questions about societal attitudes towards various sexual identities, exploring how societal norms shape perceptions and contribute to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Additionally, it analyzes the role of social institutions in perpetuating or challenging these norms, aiming for societal transformation towards

Debates about gay marriage continue to simmer within American public discourse, though much of the more heated rhetoric has calmed since the earliest efforts to legalize same-sex marriage succeeded in numerous states. These debates have spanned many topics, ranging from religion to politics and beyond. Andrew Sullivan, a prominent gay and self-described conservative political commentator, addressed one angle of the issue in his July 19, 2011 Newsweek Magazine article “Why Gay Marriage is Good for America.” Through a mixture of personal reflection, social commentary, and political argumentation, Sullivan’s article is less a defense of gay marriage than it is a defense of the idea that gay marriage is compatible with conservative political values. Although Sullivan makes a good case for his position in the article, his argument is ultimately under-developed; the lengthy personal reflections serve to reinforce a relatively minor point in the context of the larger argument, shifting focus away from the more relevant portions of the argument.

“I do.” These simply words have such a concise, yet profound message. Recently homosexual marriage has been a constantly debated issue. In “What’s Wrong with Gay Marriage?” Katha Pollitt defends the controversial decision with logic and reason. On the other hand, author Charles Colson writes in “Gay ‘Marriage’: Societal Suicide” that the very acceptance of same-sex marriage is the beginning of the end of traditional American society. While the essays have contrasting views, both authors relay their messages eloquently and stir thought-provoking discussions over one of the most decisive issues in modern America.

With gay marriage becoming an increasingly popular discussion topic there exist constant feuding between which is right or not. We must think through it logically and ask ourselves: how does a homosexual couple not constitute as much of a family as a heterosexual couple? Gay marriage in American culture but more closely religious culture is primarily not accepted but in Evan Wolfson’s “What is Marriage”, what really constitutes a marriage these days

Today society displays greater diversity within households. Most American households are now non-traditional or unconventional. Non-traditional or unconventional families include; single parenthood, singlehood and LGBT relationships. Modern family is a comedy exploring the different “modern” families. This show explores a huge unconventional family through a gay couple, made up of Mitchell and Cameron, and their adopted daughter Lily; a straight couple comprised of Phil and Clare, and their three children, Luke, Alex and Hayley; and a multicultural family which is comprised of Jay and his much younger wife Gloria and their son Manny. Modern family explores how the present day family is defined and , modern America means for family members. Despite Modern family’s groundbreaking success in representing non traditional families, the show continues to reinforce heteronormative values through stereotypes of queer identity in regards, gender roles within the relationship, gay adoptive parents and gay marriage.

One of the most controversial issues around today is gay marriages. Many believe that the media is primly responsible for the idea of same-sex marriages, but when it all comes down to it there are really only two sides; those who support gay marriages, and those who oppose them. Two authors write their opinions on their opposite views on this issue. Sullivan (2002) supports same-sex marriages and believes marriage to be a universal right, not just restricted to heterosexuals. Contrary to Sullivan, Bennett (2002) believes that marriage is a sacred traditional family value that should be set aside for heterosexual couples. (2002)Throughout this essay, I will summarize both authors’ ideas and evaluate them through their evidence and

The proposed legalization of same-sex marriage is one of the most significant issues in contemporary American family law. As a heavily campaigned development currently discussed in law assessment; these extremely confrontational and debatable political questions are facing present day American courts. If same-sex marriage is legalized, its affect on the parents, children, same sex couples, families, and the social and political world will be astronomical. The arguments surrounding the issue though confrontational nonetheless are easily seen from a wide array of perspectives. One of the perspectives states that marriage is a promise to a spouse to stay loyal and faithful in all

For years, gay marriage has been viewed as immoral or just downright unlawful with the union of two people of the same sex. Gay marriage being legalized seemed to be a dream for those living within the states until it was finally realized on 2015. With that, it opened many doors for the LGBTQIA community that were sealed to them for numerous years. Opportunities are now presented to them that didn’t exist throughout the years up till now. What are the benefits that are now presented to them? What are the legal benefits that they have access to that they didn’t have before? Why should we support it? These are questions that are brought forth with the topic. The topic has become one of great debate when it was legalized a still debated today. Gay matrimonial provided numerous opportunities for LGBTQ communities, it provided legal, spousal, and emotional benefits to them, with dismantling the preexisting prejudice against gay marriage and people associated with LGBTQIA.