Discourse of Heteronormativity in the U.S.: A Case of March for Marriage 2014 and 2015
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Abstract
This paper explores heteronormative discourse on the issue of same sex marriage (SSM) legalization in the U.S. The aim is to investigate heteronormative ideology in anti-SSM discourse. Data are eight anti-SSM speeches delivered in the March for Marriage event, held in 2014 and 2015 in the U.S. The speeches are collected from the YouTube channel: NationForMarriage. Regarding the study of van Dijk (2004), discourse of discrimination is one kind of ideological manifestation in the form of text, talk, and communication. Thus, this proposition is adopted to find and examine the main characteristics of this heteronormative discourse. Findings reveal that homosexuality or the LGBTQI group is not explicitly mentioned in discriminatory manner. Instead the speech presents heterosexuality as the only natural form of union justified by the words of God in conformity with the natural duty of human reproduction. Additionally, the discourse presented heterosexuals as victims of the legalization and pointed fingers at the authorities and media as those responsible for the threat.
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