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COPYRIGHT 2007 National Association of Social Workers
The fight for legally recognized same-sex marriage dominates the contemporary gay rights movement and has ignited national debate. However, missing from the current discourse is a critical view of the privileges of marriage. Arguments for legal, same-sex marriage center on the many rights and benefits married heterosexual couples enjoy but from which same-sex couples are excluded. However, lesbian and gay activists and social workers are notably silent on whether it is fair that marriage bestows such privileges. Following is a critique of the privilege of marriage from a queer theory perspective and its implications for social action and future directions of the lesbian and gay rights movement.
MARRIAGE PRIVILEGES
In U.S. culture, marriage is indeed privileged. Among the many benefits available to married people are coverage under a spouse's insurance and the ability to inherit his or her Social Security benefits, pension, and personal assets without excessive taxation (Chauncey, 2004). Married people are virtually always able to visit spouses in the hospital and can make health care decisions when their spouses are rendered incapable. Husbands and wives cannot be forced to testify against each other in court and may pursue litigation in their wrongful deaths. In addition, there are many social benefits attached to marriage. Being married is seen by society as healthy and normal, and the mental health and maturity of those who remain single is considered suspect (Warner, 1999). As the fight to legalize same-sex marriage proceeds, it is important to question why such privileges are bestowed on marriage and why social work, with its commitment to...
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