The Media's Portrayal of Same-Sex Parenting

The Media's Portrayal of Same-Sex Parenting

Jalen Prayer
10 December 2013
Media Analysis: Same Sex Marriages and Parenting
I constructed my analysis of the media's presentation of same sex marriage, as well as parenting, from 10 articles which have been taken from two sources: The New York Times, and The Advocate. Sorting through articles within both sources, I noticed there was negative connotation in regards to same sex marriage and the presence of lesbian or gay parents. In addition, there seemed to be an abundance of articles discussing father and father parenting, but not many regarding lesbian couples. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community does not seem to have equal representation within the media, in regards to parenting—even in the national gay and lesbian magazine The Advocate. There are far more anti-gay articles and video clips stating the immoralities of gay marriage, and the detrimental effects of having same-sex parents, than there are pro-gay articles. Which is surprising given that its primary audience is of the LGBT community and their supporters. Though The Advocate does not show much representation for lesbian, bisexual, or transgender parents, its endeavors include promoting the empowerment of the LGBT community and reflects on a society where all men, women, and anything in between receives equality in all aspects. The New York Times, which typically illustrates a positive characterization of LGBT people, gave a synopsis of a U.S. Court of Appeals case and a personal account of gay parenting. Throughout the articles in both The Advocate and The New York Times, a focus on men, albeit homosexual, was the main focus. These sources seem to attend to the views that the main issue of same-sex parenting is within male and male relationships.
I chose the two articles from the New York Times regarding the banning of "conversion therapy" for gay minors and homosexual parenting. Skeptics have said the banning of therapies for homosexual minors is a violation of the first...

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