Gay Marriage as of 2012

Gay marriage in the United States is one of the most controversial and rapidly changing social discussions in the United States today. As I will discuss in this blog, many events of this year and laws of the past are continuously forming the opinions of citizens across the country. Many of the images that we see in newspapers and on the internet influence either consciously or subconsciously our opinion of LGBT individuals and same-sex marriage.

To bring you up-to-date on where the country stands on the issue, let me introduce some statistics:

According to a Gallup Poll on October 18th, 2012, approximately 3.4% of all Americans openly identified as a sexual minority. This number can be assumed to be larger than is reported. Many LGBT individuals are “in the closet,” or not openly LGBT. The actual number may very well be higher than 3.4%.

Also recorded by Gallup, is that more U.S. citizens support gay marriage than oppose it. Last year this number was a little higher, with about 53% of the country supporting gay marriage, but 50% of the country supports it this year. It will be extremely intriguing to see where the number will land in the following years.

This map from Talking Points Memo shows the current status of gay marriage state by state. As there is no federal decision on gay marriage, each state has a different policy. These policies range from full-support, to constitutional amendments prohibiting gay marriage.

These are the numbers:

6 States allowing same-sex marriage: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, (Also Washington D.C.)

States with passed proposals: Washington, Maryland

States with previous measures or highly-debated measures: California, New Jersey, Maine

5 states allowing civil unions, but not marriage

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This blog provides information on certain events that form the gay marriage debate, and the editorial cartoons that portray the evens. As you search through this blog, I hope you will gain an understanding of how editorial cartoons contribute both positively and negatively to the same-sex marriage debate in this country. I hope also that you will consider your own opinions on the debate and how you came to those conclusions. Most of all, I hope you learn something new.

Marriage Equality in the U.S.

Publication: The Arizona Star                                                    Date: May 14th, 2012

Cartoonist: David Fitzsimmons                                                      Location: U.S.

Title: Parade of Progress                                                               Number: 111709

This cartoon shows a wedding planner, a caterer, a florist, a marriage counselor, and a divorce attorney all holding signs supporting gay marriage.

Tone of cartoon:

Framing of sexual minorities: Positive

Framing of equal rights for sexual minorities: Positive

Although this cartoon does imply that divorce attorneys support gay marriage due to the likely increase in divorces if gay marriage is national recognized, it still shows different sides to the issue as well. First off, the fact that all these different people are associated with marriage, shows that gay marriages are just like straight marriages. They will buy food, flowers and decorations. They want to have wonderful marriage ceremonies just like straight couples do.

Secondly, gay marriages will support the economy! It might seem a little humorous, but to the people in the wedding industry, it is completely true. This is their livelihood and they want everyone to be a part of it.

Publication:    Townhall.com                                                 Date: February 28th, 2011

Cartoonist: Lisa Benson                                                           Location: U.S.

Title: N/A                                                                                      Number: N/A

This cartoons shows a cake labeled marriage. On top of the cake are a straight couple, a viking, a dog, a clown, a cross dresser, and others. Climbing up the cake is a gay couple.

Tone of cartoon:

Framing of sexual minorities: Negative

Framing of equal rights for sexual minorities: Negative

This cartoon would have us believe that all sorts of different marriages are going to spring from gay marriage. On top of the cake is a dog. So the cartoonist is alluding that gay marriage is just as wrong as marrying an animal.

So many people try to make the same argument over and over again. “If we allow gays to marry, where will we draw the line?” Well the difference between other sorts of marriages and gay marriages is this: gay marriage is between two consenting human adults who love each other. We will not ever be forced to legalize marriages between non-human, non-adult individuals. The issue is framed to be much more complicated than it actually is, possibly to delay what some consider the inevitability of gay marriage. Assuming that all sorts of different marriages will be allowed just because we choose to include LGBT individuals is a false assumption.

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Cartoon Sources:

http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={37B4C6CA-5634-4753-B3D7-D26FDCC47AE4}

http://townhall.com/political-cartoons/lisabenson/2011/02/