Human Rights vs. Society

By Katie Shaw

          Same-sex interracial couples who publicly display their relationship are at risk for experiencing violence. Due to the long history of violence that interracial couples have experienced in the US, both heterosexual and same-sex interracial couples are forced to navigate “a difficult social environment,” (Steinbugler). If same-sex interracial couples engage in behavior that is deemed only for monoracial heterosexuals, they risk public scrutiny. Same-sex interracial couples want to be recognized and validated in their relationships, but this too raises concern for the couple. Because there is an opportunity for violence when a same-sex couple exhibits affection for one another in the social scene, many couples choose to refrain unless they are in a gay-friendly environment. Due to the possible violence couples may experience, they are forced to self-police and self-regulate themselves even with the most innocent displays of affection. The legitimacy of same-sex interracial relationships is constantly questioned by society, and at times, couples may have to pass as heterosexual friends instead of same-sex partners. This is similar to what we've seen all semester in regards to passing, only this time it's specific to sexuality rather than race. 

To exemplify this lack of recognition as a same-sex interracial couple, Showtime's "The L Word," creates a scene between Bette, a bi-racial woman, and Tina, a white woman, who have decided to start a family together. The scene shows Bette and Tina at Dinner with Bette's father, and his reaction to this news: 

This clip shows how Bette’s father completely disregards Bette and Tina’s relationship even after they’ve made it completely clear. They’ve been together for seven years and have decided to start a family together. His remark about a lesbian couple starting a family being biologically impossible goes to show how heteronormativity dominates society. His statements scream how traditional his views are—a family must consist of one man and one woman. He completely insults them numerous times by referring to their relationship as a friendship.

Works Cited

Steinbugler, Amy C. "Visibility as Privilege and Danger: Heterosexual and Same-Sex Intimacy in the 
21st-Century. " http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:5729/content/8/4/425.full.pdf+html

Bette and Tina at Dinner with Bette's Father. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABuj6xV-P88

Societal Oppression

By Katie Shaw

"For individuals in same-sex interracial relationships, social support may be more challenging due to lack of support for the partnership based not only on sexual orientation but ethnic differences. This study investigated whether women in interracial same-sex couples reported different perceptions of social support from their significant others, friends, and family members in comparison to women in same-sex non-interracial relationships" (Jeong/Horne).

          This article focused mostly on how interracial lesbian couples interacts with one another, not specifically how society perceives them. What I found to be interesting is the fact that when a couple has fewer stressors coming from outside sources--lack of support from families, friends, or society in general--the couple is found to be happier and more successful. When society fails to recognize a same-sex interracial couple as legitimate, it creates another obstacle for the couple to overcome together, as if relationships didn't already have ample tasks to work on. Same-sex interracial couples also deal with a multi minority identity--being a same-sex couple has trials of its own, but adding an interracial aspect creates even more friction when dealing with society.

          Going back several decades to the court case Loving vs. Virginia that removed the ban against interracial marriage, there is a clear parallel between public opinion in 1967 towards interracial marriage, and today towards same-sex marriage. In an article from the LA Times titled "Marriage and the Court of Public Opinion," author Brian Powell states that “the Americans who most vehemently oppose same-sex marriage today — those with lower levels of education, Southerners, the elderly, the religiously orthodox — fit the profile of the Americans who once most strongly resisted the legalization of interracial marriage.” Interracial marriage has only been legal since 1967, and even then it was not popular. But once the ban was removed, public opinion followed. Apparently it takes a law being passed for people to realize that it’s not okay to deny people their basic human rights. But since the repeal of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (June 26^th, 2013), which characterized marriage as the union of one man and one woman, this year we’ve seen six states legalize same-sex marriage.

Works Cited
Jae Y. Jeong, Sharon G. Horne."Relationship Characteristics of Women in Interracial Same-Sex Relationships." Journal of Homosexuality. Vol. 56, Iss. 4, 2009

Powell, Brian. "Marriage and the Court of Public Opinion." 5 December 2010. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/05/opinion/la-oe-powell-gay-marriage-20101205

Invisibility and Justice for All?

By Katie Shaw

          Heterosexual couples get the privilege of being able to publicly express their feelings for one another without persecution from others in society, which enables this idea of visibility—they’re allowed hold hands or kiss in public and rarely are they mistaken for merely friends. Therefore, a heterosexual couple of the same race is considered the societal norm and rewarded for this behavior with respect within society and the ability to marry. When the confines of monoracial heterosexuality are challenged, everything else is deemed abnormal and undesirable. So, that would include interracial heterosexual couples, monoracial same-sex couples, and interracial same-sex couples.

          On the flip side, if same-sex couples were to engage in this type of behavior, such as holding hands or kissing in public, behavior that society has decided is inappropriate in social spaces for same-sex couples because it deviates from the norm, then they would be accused of “flaunting their sexuality and thereby are perceived as deserving or even asking for harassment or assault”(Steinbugler). There is this double standard for how couples are allowed to act. Simply because a couple is not seen as valid in the eyes of society does not grant humanity the right to discriminate and withhold basic human rights, such as gaining the privileges of a married couple by legalizing same-sex marriage. 

Works Cited
Steinbugler, Amy C. "Visibility as Privilege and Danger: Heterosexual and Same-Sex Intimacy in the 
21st-Century." http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:5729/content/8/4/425.full.pdf+html

To Be Seen or Not to Be Seen.

By Katie Shaw

“Heterosexuality is considered a socially inscribed class, whereas homosexuality is considered a sexually inscribed class." 
-Amy C. Steinbugler

I chose to write about the visibility and invisibility of same-sex interracial couples because it's a topic that is not widely discussed. There are many aspects that are complex and frequently looked over. The above quote is a prime example taken from "Visibility as Privilege and Danger," written by Amy C. Steinbugler about how monoracial heterosexuals couples are given societal privilege because the dynamic of that type of couple is what society has deemed as normal. Any other relationship dynamic that strays from this societal norm is considered bad, abnormal, or an abomination. Through a series of blog posts, I will explore in depth the qualities possessed by same-sex interracial couples, and how they are perceived by society. 

Works Cited
Steinbugler, Amy C. "Visibility as Privilege and Danger: Heterosexual and Same-Sex Intimacy in the 
21st-Century." http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:5729/content/8/4/425.full.pdf+html

JAMS: Bessie Smith

"Baby Won't You Please Come Home" recorded in 1923. 

LOCAL: Warby Parker

Warby Parker is a rad glasses company--buy a pair and they donate a pair to a person in need. And did I mention that you can get prescription glasses for $95? Yes, it's true.

Great news! The Warby Parker School Bus is touring through Dallas on January 11th, and it's supposed to SPECtacular. The bus will be equipped with leather sofas, vintage books, and a whole selection of Warby Parker glasses.

Will any Dallas, Texans be attending?! Look for me in my Warby Parker Begley frames.

Photos taken from http://www.warbyparkerclasstrip.com/gallery/

PARAGON: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

These two are hosting the Golden Globe Awards on January 13th, and I'm stoked. I can't think of another pair that makes me laugh as much as they do.

Are you going to tune in this year?