Problem:
The social problem that our group has identified is the lack of opportunity for same sex couples to legally marry. One of the obstacles that same sex couples face is the fact that they do not have the legal rights to certain benefits, both financial and social, that heterosexual couples do. This unequal marriage issue not only affects couples of the same sex, but it also has an effect on the rest of the LGBT community. An individual that does not conform to herteronormativity, "the assumption of heterosexuality as the norm or normative behavior in any given setting" is often discriminated against (Shaw & Lee, "Sex, Power, and Intimacy" WVFV p. 167). The main purpose for this outward discrimination (and also the cause of many same-sex marriage bans) is that most right-winged conservatives want to retain the tradition of marriage (being one man and one woman). This mindset is even being used as justification for banning same-sex marriage (Kim Forde-Mazrui, "Tradition as Justification: The Case of Opposite-Sex Marriage"). Another obstacle members of the LGBT community face, according to the NGLTF, is the fact that the privileges that are enjoyed by heterosexual married parents, but are denied to gay parents include legal recognition of the parent-child relationship for children born during the relationship; recognition of the parental status under Family and Medical Leave Act (Charlene Gomes, "Partners as Parents: Challenges Faced by Gays Denied Marriage" WVFV p. 381). What is truly harmful to children of gay parents is the lack of legal protection arising out of the failure to recognize same sex marriage or to allow adoption by non-biological life partners (Charlene Gomes, WVFV p. 381). Same-sex couples also face a significant amount of inequality in the judicial court system. "Lesbian and gay plaintiffs who are in the court system for child custody, contract, or property disputes are discriminated against and this is an example of how policy reinforces systems of inequality" (Shaw & Lee, "State, Law, and Social Policy", WVFV p. 562). The LGBT community has been fighting for their right to marry whomever they want for years; the problem of marriage equality is nothing new. In the past, people have used any and all forms of mainstream media to have their voices heard, and now that the LGBT community is growing in numbers, political figures are finally listening. However, it's not just the LGBT community that is fighting for these equal rights. Equality, in all forms, is what feminists have always been fighting for. Marriage equality correlates directly with the feminist mission that all people should be treated equally and have the same privileges, despite their race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, etc. The scope of this problem reaches as far as discriminating against same sex couples that are minorities more so than white same sex couples, as well as male same sex couples.
Significance:
This problem is important today, as it was many years ago, because it is one of the most controversial issues that have been debated within our country. An average individual should care about this issue because marriage equality is a civil right; rights to personal liberty established by the 13th and 14th Amendment to the U.S. constitution and certain congressional acts (dictionary.reference.com); and every individual should be able to further their life with a significant partner. Privilege can be defined as the advantages people have by virtue of their status or position in society (Shaw & Lee, "Systems of Privilege and Inequality", WVFV p. 45). It is imperative that marriage is recognized as a privilege.
The social problem that our group has identified is the lack of opportunity for same sex couples to legally marry. One of the obstacles that same sex couples face is the fact that they do not have the legal rights to certain benefits, both financial and social, that heterosexual couples do. This unequal marriage issue not only affects couples of the same sex, but it also has an effect on the rest of the LGBT community. An individual that does not conform to herteronormativity, "the assumption of heterosexuality as the norm or normative behavior in any given setting" is often discriminated against (Shaw & Lee, "Sex, Power, and Intimacy" WVFV p. 167). The main purpose for this outward discrimination (and also the cause of many same-sex marriage bans) is that most right-winged conservatives want to retain the tradition of marriage (being one man and one woman). This mindset is even being used as justification for banning same-sex marriage (Kim Forde-Mazrui, "Tradition as Justification: The Case of Opposite-Sex Marriage"). Another obstacle members of the LGBT community face, according to the NGLTF, is the fact that the privileges that are enjoyed by heterosexual married parents, but are denied to gay parents include legal recognition of the parent-child relationship for children born during the relationship; recognition of the parental status under Family and Medical Leave Act (Charlene Gomes, "Partners as Parents: Challenges Faced by Gays Denied Marriage" WVFV p. 381). What is truly harmful to children of gay parents is the lack of legal protection arising out of the failure to recognize same sex marriage or to allow adoption by non-biological life partners (Charlene Gomes, WVFV p. 381). Same-sex couples also face a significant amount of inequality in the judicial court system. "Lesbian and gay plaintiffs who are in the court system for child custody, contract, or property disputes are discriminated against and this is an example of how policy reinforces systems of inequality" (Shaw & Lee, "State, Law, and Social Policy", WVFV p. 562). The LGBT community has been fighting for their right to marry whomever they want for years; the problem of marriage equality is nothing new. In the past, people have used any and all forms of mainstream media to have their voices heard, and now that the LGBT community is growing in numbers, political figures are finally listening. However, it's not just the LGBT community that is fighting for these equal rights. Equality, in all forms, is what feminists have always been fighting for. Marriage equality correlates directly with the feminist mission that all people should be treated equally and have the same privileges, despite their race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, etc. The scope of this problem reaches as far as discriminating against same sex couples that are minorities more so than white same sex couples, as well as male same sex couples.
Significance:
This problem is important today, as it was many years ago, because it is one of the most controversial issues that have been debated within our country. An average individual should care about this issue because marriage equality is a civil right; rights to personal liberty established by the 13th and 14th Amendment to the U.S. constitution and certain congressional acts (dictionary.reference.com); and every individual should be able to further their life with a significant partner. Privilege can be defined as the advantages people have by virtue of their status or position in society (Shaw & Lee, "Systems of Privilege and Inequality", WVFV p. 45). It is imperative that marriage is recognized as a privilege.