Go Against the "Norm"

As I read through Jonathan N. Katz's book The Invention of Heterosexuality, Chrys Ingraham's "One is Not Born a Bride: How Weddings Regulate Heterosexuality", I found a lot of new and interesting ideas that I had never even considered before, such as the view that heterosexuality is invented, as stated in the title of the book, and that (according to all three articles) that heterosexuality is something that is assumed rather than something people should just ask about.

(1)

I do agree with the book and article writer's main points stating that heterosexuality is seen as the norm in everyday society. I lost count how many times I have heard people ask my girlfriends what's his name is when they say they are dating someone new. Same goes for my guy friends. However, I do have a slight problem with the idea that he says heterosexuality is invented and that the term was taken from a medical dictionary. I believe that heterosexual is perfectly natural, just as any other form of sexuality. I believe that the reason for people to assume one is heterosexual is because of the whole idea of reproduction and having a family you make yourself, etc. This assumption of being homosexual doesn't just apply to humans - but animals too. For instance, I have never seen a nature show where on Discovery where there is a documentary on homosexual animal couples, and rather focus on the heterosexual ones that have growing families. In a scientific view, there is a need for reproduction, and as living beings, we need to repopulate and keep the human race going. However, just as heterosexuality is natural and normal, so is any other kind of sexual orientation. Also, people are 'wired' differently, and have different sexual orientations which is also scientifically normal, since our sexuality is a key part of our own personal identity and is what makes make you you. This expected heterosexual norm is seen all over society - especially in romantic and sexual relationships when they are made public.

(2)

The Ingraham article focuses on how not everyone desires a heterosexual marriage and how it is considered the "norm" or expectation. This stereotypical "white dressed bride with a black suited groom" is not the happy ending for everyone. This obviously goes hand in hand with the assumption that everyone is homosexual which, as I stated earlier, is not the case. This idea is drilled into the heads of everyone in popular media, and whenever anything goes against those sexual norms it is seen as scandalous and 'offensive'. With this in mind, I wanted to put in this comic, "Astonishing X-Men Issue #51" in this blog to show that there is a bit more acceptance crawling in to our popular media showing that heterosexuality is not necessarily the norm anymore. Plus, the age groups that are (I am clearly just assuming this) reading this material are young - they are the societies future. If this idea that heterosexuality is not, and should not, be the assumed form of sexuality, then maybe the future holds a more accepting society where all sexual orientations will be more accepted.

Text
(a) Jonathan Ned Katz. 2007. The Invention of Heterosexuality. University of Chicago Press.
(b) Chrys Ingraham. 2011. "One is Not Born a Bride: How Weddings Regulate Heterosexuality". Introducing The New Sexuality Studies. S. Siedman, N. Fischer and C. Meeks, eds. Routledge.
Images
(1) http://projectqueer.tumblr.com/post/423445420/heterosexuality-isnt-normal-its-just-common
(2) http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/marvel-comics-hosts-first-gay-wedding-in-astonishing-x-men-20120522