Tango Makes Three is certainly a move in the right direction as a resource to avoid having overwhelmingly heteronormative texts in a home, classroom, and library. However, we can, given our comfort level and that of our students, always push the question of representation and not rest too comfortably with any text. Mia McKenzie breaks it down here eloquently. Warning: Mia is not using formal standardized academic English. On purpose. My post today is about sexual identity in texts, but these are the same skills that we need when we address race, class, gender, ethnic background, national origin, and multiple intersections of identity.
What I always find interesting about those who argue that heterosexual couples getting married in America seem to negate is that it is only American citizens that hold no contest to their marriages. Individuals who are not a US citizen but want to marry a US citizen have an extremely difficult time getting married as well. I am not disputing or negating the harsh realities or discrimination based on sexual identity or orientation, which exists and is much larger, but I would like to state that it is not just homosexual and poly-sexual relationships that are questioned. American citizens who know each other can get married and not even know each others last name but when certain rights and laws come with a signature that have never been granted to an individual before their marriage the questions pour in and LOVE must be a justification for marriage. Sadly, marriage is only another way to help stratify individuals and their rights in America.
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