What Gay Couples Get About Relationships That Straight By Brigid Schulte

In The Social Construction of Heterosexuality Pepper Schwartz asserts that heterosexuality is a social construct, we as a society understand it as an identity rather than a set of natural preferences. She makes this argument through the analysis of gender performance, the expectation for applause for upholding heteronormative ideals, as well as the idea of only being aroused by the opposite sex.

In Stephen Mays’ essay “What about Gender Roles in Same-sex Relationships?” published in They Say I Say, the author discusses how people often assign gender roles automatically, even with gay and lesbian couples. Mays stresses the concept of femininity and masculinity, and also shows the difference in their roles, supports them with vivid imagery, and gives a rare example of gay male preferences, all while using the correct diction when referring to personal experiences. Although the author reiterates gender roles and their effect on same-sex relationships, he gives clear examples that support the idea of masculine or feminine qualities.

Historically, societies have divided the sexes into male and female and assigned specific gender roles for each group to ‘perform’. Alternative sexual practices outside of the norm were considered unacceptable and abnormal. These ideologies of heteronormativity have been reinforced throughout various social institutions including media where heteronormative portrayals have been considered standards. Furthermore, as Rogers mentioned, “Commonly intertwined with such heterocentrism are values celebrating heterosexuality as normal and natural while condemning or at least rejecting lesbigay sexualities.” (Rogers 72). Heteronormativity is largely depicted in the media and reinforce dominant norms of society, which portray heterosexual romantic relationships

Stephen Mays writes an article,” What about Gender Roles in Same-Sex Relationships?” Mays explains how he overheard a conversation between two friends. The friends are gossiping about two gay guys that are walking ahead of them on the sidewalk. One of them ask “Who do you think is the girl in the relationship?” Mays said “ I couldn’t help but to frown at the girl and shake my head”(718). He did not agree with this question, he believes they are both men. I believe the two girls ask a question that most people want to know when they see two gay men.I recently was on a traveling page and a group of guys took a picture together. A lot of people were commenting on this post. Most of the comments were asking why aren 't there any women in

He is trying to make the reader aware of the privileges and rights denied to homosexual couples. He is hoping his reader will listen when money talks.

Some women seek lesbian relationships because they want to reject this sort of powerless state they may feel in a heterosexual situation. Relationships between men to men and women to women hold several differences, but at the same time they share several similarities. Downing concludes the article by stating that there are both gay men and lesbians that dismiss the homosexuality myth, but it is crucial that they understand that the myth does hold a cultural vision on the power of gender and human selfhood. In order to get past the myth, we must understand to accept its existence.

There are various perceptions of gay and lesbian couples that they represent a more egalitarian relationship. (Civettini 2015:1) However, when same-sex couples are observed there is still a tendency to believe that the relationship contains a masculine and feminine figure following the heterosexual model. So, it is necessary to address both how these couples deviate from society’s norms as gay individuals but might still be reproducing the same behaviors as heterosexual couples because the ideologies are so deeply rooted in social institutions. The stereotypical connotations of masculinity and femininity influence all aspects of American society and gender display relies heavily on meeting those given expectations. So, in the case of this article, the author Civettini views a connection between sex, gender, and sexual orientation when it comes to displaying

I fully support this particular statement in that I do believe this is the or one of the biggest aspects of marriage in it self. Another controversial statement Grisgs adds to her article is the discussion of same sex marriage and how it could damage the establishment of marriage as a whole. And I whole-heartedly agree with Grigs’s belief as well. One of the biggest facts that this statement is rides on is that, as well all know and like I just discussed, a man and women is needed to make new life and unify their children to father and mother. Supporters of the same-sex marriage movement who say that this will not infer with traditional “man and wife” marriages. But today in societies eyes it can and will in fact arise a great amount of conflict on this sensitive movement. Above all altering the basic make up of family will change both the definition of it and parenting as a

The gender roles that we have generally accepted, along with those depicted in, “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out”, combined with the points argued in “What’s Wrong with Gay Marriage?”, help to provide an underlying factor for people’s opposition to gay marriage. We don't often think about how gender roles play a part in our daily lives. However, when you do think about it, the list can seem to go on and on.

The author never argues for the other side that doesn’t agree with her opinion. “Kira put a tally in her planner every time she heard “gay, ”homo”, ”lesbo, ”fag, ”or dyke” that day, but she gave up and stopped when her tally hit 15” (Para#9”). This quote puts in perspective the different types of world views affect your sensitivity to certain topics. The author goes on to explain in great detail how hard it would be to change people’s mind. “She would need to speak up more than 15 times a day at the current pace”

In S. Mays article, what about gender roles in same-sex relationships, published by Norton, Mays discusses same-sex relationships, and why no one is considered the girl in the relationship. More male gay couples are stereotyped about their identity then same-sex female relationships. This is simply because the roles a man does makes him look feminine. The life of typical same-sex relationships is characterized by appearance, masculinity and femininity.

In the article, “Against Gay Marriage,” author William J. Bennett believes if the government extended the status of marriage to homosexual couples, long-term social corruption would follow. His nostalgia for the heterosexual normativity paints an ugly picture of modern society. William Bennett provokes the debates on religious affairs in society, the commitment and ability of homosexual parents, and gay history in general. In the article, “A Mother’s Day Kiss-Off,” author Leslie Bennetts demonstrates the web woven within the lives of working mothers regarding their roles in domestic and corporate culture. She prioritizes her commitment to family above all other avenues of livelihood, which creates tension within her relationship. She also focuses heavily on the inequality of the sexes and how women sacrifice unnecessarily and often times unintentionally because of gender roles forced on society through culture. Both authors’ perspectives effectively appeal to the reader which add to their arguments, and detract from them by using uncited or poorly sourced information and personal experience; however, Bennetts disproves a traditional outlook on marital roles as she advocates for a changing society while Bennett exclaims the danger of homosexuals, marriage equality, and the effects of the sexual immorality in our culture.

"This new gay culture increasingly marks a full spectrum of social life: not only same-sex desires but gay selves, gay neighbors, and gay social practices that are distinctive of our affluent, postindustrial society".

I respectfully disagree with your argument that Mays thinks gender roles are wrong. While he thinks that they can sometimes be ridiculous, he also states "Not to say that traditional gender roles don't play a part in a gay relationship, but they're a little more diluted." (What about Gender Roles in Same-Sex Relationships 718). However, he would agree that at birth we are sorted into the categories "male" or "female," by our biology. "Despite sexual orientation, some people simply demonstrate more masculine qualities or more feminine qualities." (719). While I believe that Mays does not believe that gender roles are wrong, I also believe that he thinks it is wrong to use them to judge or ridicule someone. If the women in a heterosexual relationship

He states his contempt for these views and states a detailed reason why gay marriage makes sense. He makes it known that he feels that gay marriage should be viewed as normal and gay marriage should be held to a similar standard. He feels that this union would help in domesticating men and make them reliable caregivers. In his article, he concludes by articulating that he is gay and would be ashamed if other homosexual individuals would not push for their right to marry (Rauch, p. 23).