A Theoretically Critical Gaze on the Canadian Equal Marriage Debate: Breaking the Binaries

Abstract

Many competing and contradictory ideologies and theoretical perspectives have converged and diverged to influence and shape a complex and disparate LGBTQ cultural identity. Indeed, LGBTQ organizing around equality rights issues, particularly marriage, incurs a critique from inside "the movement" that is as heated and rancorous as that of the external debate. The visibility of gays and lesbians has increased dramatically during the equal marriage debate as those marrying have been both publicly vilified and hailed as heroes. The implications of same-sex marriage for the LGBTQ community are significant as its members face changing social roles. Moreover, as these couples chart new ground, they are without the signposts that surround heterosexual couples. The goal of this paper is to explore, from a critical theoretical lens, how we understand the nature and possibility of same-sex marriage and deconstruct the binaries associated with it.