Political Overview
By Cristina Johnson
In 2008, President Obama announced his definition of marriage: between a man and a woman. In the 2012 election, Vice-President Biden encouraged Obama to talk further about his "evolving" ideas about marriage. In May of 2012, Obama said, "For me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married."
This announcement has sparked many a discussion on the matter. Some believe that his sudden support is too late in the game and will hurt his image, yet others welcome the support of the president. Obama could be using the recent influx of attention on same-sex marriage as a cover-up for other, more important issues. Also, his recent statements have caused groups who are against same-sex marriage to step out and begin rallying against its' widespread legalization.
Obama's change in policy has led several states to put the issue on the ballot. Nine U.S. states, as well as The District of Columbia, have made same-sex marriage legal. Even though these states have made the process legal, DOMA-the Defense of Marriage Act-prevents Federal recognition of marriages that are legal on the state level. However, the Supreme Court will be ruling on the constitutionality of Section 3 of DOMA at the end of June, 2013.
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Team Member Name: Hannah Hendricks
Publication: The Columbus Dispatch
Date: May 11, 2012
Cartoonist: Nate Beeler, US
Title: None Cartoon #: 1
Tone of Cartoon:
1) Negative framing of sexual minorities.
2) Framing is supportive to equal rights for sexual minorities
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
This political cartoon puts a negative spin on gay marriage. Although the cartoon is still in favor of allowing gay marriage, it shows how the issue has taken over the political agenda while other important issues are being ignored. President Obama is criticized for putting too much time and effort into marriage equality, while the job market and economic recovery aren't being dealt with in the same aggressive manner. All of the wilted flowers shown in the ceremony symbolize how many other important issues aren't being nourished. Due to this lack of attention, the country's status is looking rather drab-even though gay marriage rights are being well addressed. This cartoon also shows how Obama needs to put more effort into addressing issues that effect America more drastically. Overall, this depiction is more of a jab at President Obama rather than those that advocate marriage equality. Unfortunately, the issue of same-sex marriage is being put within the line of fire. It frames the issue as undeserving of the attention it receives by the president. Same-sex marriage is then cast as an issue of lesser importance.
2) Framing is supportive to equal rights for sexual minorities
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
This political cartoon puts a negative spin on gay marriage. Although the cartoon is still in favor of allowing gay marriage, it shows how the issue has taken over the political agenda while other important issues are being ignored. President Obama is criticized for putting too much time and effort into marriage equality, while the job market and economic recovery aren't being dealt with in the same aggressive manner. All of the wilted flowers shown in the ceremony symbolize how many other important issues aren't being nourished. Due to this lack of attention, the country's status is looking rather drab-even though gay marriage rights are being well addressed. This cartoon also shows how Obama needs to put more effort into addressing issues that effect America more drastically. Overall, this depiction is more of a jab at President Obama rather than those that advocate marriage equality. Unfortunately, the issue of same-sex marriage is being put within the line of fire. It frames the issue as undeserving of the attention it receives by the president. Same-sex marriage is then cast as an issue of lesser importance.
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Team Member Name: Cristina Johnson
Publication: Creator's Syndicate
Date: May 14, 2012
Cartoonist: Mike Thompson, U.S.
Title of cartoon: Religious Rights Drone
Cartoonist: Mike Thompson, U.S.
Title of cartoon: Religious Rights Drone
Cartoon #: 2
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Neutral framing of sexual minorities
2) Framing is supportive of equal rights for sexual minorities
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
A lesbian couple is shown taking a leisurely walk, casually remarking on the fierce reactions of religious rights activists after Obama's announced support of same-sex marriage.
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
This cartoon is accurately showing the difference in approach to the subject of same-sex marriage. For the most part, all around the world gay pride marches are peaceful, and meant to inform the public of the issues surrounding them. Again, on the whole, religious activists are harsh and demanding during protests. The relative ease with which the lesbian couple react to the 'drone strike' is indicative of the peaceful nature of what they are seeking-equality.
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Team Member Name: Mason Lenches-Jhamb
Publication: The Scranton Times-Tribune
Date: 12/16/12
Cartoonist: John Cole, U.S.
Title of cartoon: Scalia and Gay Marriage
Cartoon #: 3
Title of cartoon: Scalia and Gay Marriage
Cartoon #: 3
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Positive framing of sexual minorities.
2) Framing is supportive of equal rights for sexual minorities.
2) Framing is supportive of equal rights for sexual minorities.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
The scene of this cartoon takes place outside what appears to be a courthouse. Two men stand beside one another clutching a newspaper with the headline “Gay Marriage Before Court.” Their eyes are agape with intimidation, as they stare at Judge Scalia brandishing the bloody and worn bat of “Past Rhetoric.” He states, “Please join me in my chambers for a briefing.” The headline refers to two cases that are to be heard by the Supreme Court regarding the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8. The two men within the cartoon are nervous due to Judge Scalia’s notorious opposition to same sex marriage.
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
The reality constructed by this cartoon is one that criticizes those in judicial positions for using outdated rhetoric. In doing such, they are inhibiting the progressive reforms of a nation. It frames the Supreme Court, Judge Scalia in particular, as using logic unsuitable for the well-being of contemporary society. By denoting the opposition to gay marriage as “past rhetoric” it claims that the time has come for marriage equality. Sexual minorities are cast as reasonable and modern.
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Team Member Name: Mason Lenches-Jhamb
Publication: Cagle Cartoons
Date: 5/25/12
Cartoonist: Gayle McCoy, U.S.
Title of cartoon: Obama’s Other Man
Cartoon #: 4
Tone of the cartoon:
Cartoonist: Gayle McCoy, U.S.
Title of cartoon: Obama’s Other Man
Cartoon #: 4
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Negative framing of sexual minorities.
2) Framing is opposed to equal rights for sexual minorities.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
President Obama lies on a bed, staring into his reflection within a mirror positioned beside him (as if his reflection was his partner). He says, “I see nothing wrong with being in love with someone of the same gender.” As he is referring to himself, the context places marriage equality as secondary to the self-interests of a president.
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
The reality of this cartoon claims that President Obama is only advocating marriage equality for the purpose of self-advancement. In championing his own cause, he relegates the issue of marriage equality, taking away its moral basis. This frames marriage equality as a pawn in a political chess game, undeserving of substantiated presidential support. Sexual minorities are then painted as lacking merit in their advocacy of same sex marriage. The cause is framed as perverted and unwarranted.
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http://www.usnews.com/cartoons/same-sex-marriage-cartoons
Publication: US News.com
Date: n/a
Known as celebrities or as role-models, many of the Hollywood liberal “elites” as well as other liberal figures from different U.S. cities and states are voicing the opinion that same-sex marriage should be legalized. According to the 2012 Gallup Poll, 50% of people in the United States are in support of the legalization of same-sex marriage. In an article featured in The Telegraph, a proposal is made that liberals are supporting the movement because it is a way to show their superiority over the uneducated masses, and gain support for themselves or the movement. Another idea is that they may be endorsing same-sex marriage just to combat traditionalists and their views. So where does President Obama come into this? Well, after officially declaring that he supports same-sex marriage, President Obama has gained both support and criticism. Whether he was going to publically endorse it or not, Vice-President Joe Biden essentially did it for him, leaving President Obama with not many options but to endorse it. President Obama visited the Los Angeles home of actor George Clooney for a campaign fundraiser to raise money for the same-sex marriage campaign.
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Publication: Washington Examiner
Tone of the cartoon:
President Bush is sitting next to the Republican elephant while a large, angry looking Iraq stands behind them. All of this is happening while he holds a document in his hand reading "gay marriage." There is a bubble next to him saying, "We're tackling the issues Americans care about most!"
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
Though this cartoon features President Bush, the issue it is confronting is not a forgotten one. This cartoon does not blatantly say that it doesn't support gay marriage, rather it doesn't support the use of social issues to blind society into forgetting about what is truly happening. This issue was one that was faced recently by President Obama. He was scrutinized for making his stance clear about his support for gay marriage, while society wanted to know what was happening with our Nation's debt. This cartoon makes it known that the issues Americans truly care about are not social issues but rather National issues. This cartoon is framed to make gay marriage out to be a non-issue in comparison to other national crisis. The artist makes that clear by making Iraq a giant muscled man/beast while on the other hand making gay marriage a few pieces of paper.
This is how George Bush avoided the real issues.
Team Member Name: Kayden Burbank
Publication: US News.com
Date: n/a
Cartoonist: Michael Ramirez, U.S.
Title of cartoon: n/a
Cartoon #: 5
Title of cartoon: n/a
Cartoon #: 5
Tone of Cartoon:
1) Negative framing for sexual minorities.
2) Framing is opposed for equal rights for sexual minorities.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
In this cartoon a limo that represents the liberal elites of Hollywood who are calling for same-sex marriage to be legalized in California is pulling up next to a “prostitute version” of Barack Obama, who says he will legalize gay marriage for an absurd amount of money.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
Known as celebrities or as role-models, many of the Hollywood liberal “elites” as well as other liberal figures from different U.S. cities and states are voicing the opinion that same-sex marriage should be legalized. According to the 2012 Gallup Poll, 50% of people in the United States are in support of the legalization of same-sex marriage. In an article featured in The Telegraph, a proposal is made that liberals are supporting the movement because it is a way to show their superiority over the uneducated masses, and gain support for themselves or the movement. Another idea is that they may be endorsing same-sex marriage just to combat traditionalists and their views. So where does President Obama come into this? Well, after officially declaring that he supports same-sex marriage, President Obama has gained both support and criticism. Whether he was going to publically endorse it or not, Vice-President Joe Biden essentially did it for him, leaving President Obama with not many options but to endorse it. President Obama visited the Los Angeles home of actor George Clooney for a campaign fundraiser to raise money for the same-sex marriage campaign.
______________________________
Team Member Name: Monica Martin
Publication: Washington Examiner
Cartoonist: Nate Beeler, U.S.
Cartoon #: 6
Cartoon #: 6
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Negative Framing
2) Opposed to equal rights
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
President Bush is sitting next to the Republican elephant while a large, angry looking Iraq stands behind them. All of this is happening while he holds a document in his hand reading "gay marriage." There is a bubble next to him saying, "We're tackling the issues Americans care about most!"
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
Though this cartoon features President Bush, the issue it is confronting is not a forgotten one. This cartoon does not blatantly say that it doesn't support gay marriage, rather it doesn't support the use of social issues to blind society into forgetting about what is truly happening. This issue was one that was faced recently by President Obama. He was scrutinized for making his stance clear about his support for gay marriage, while society wanted to know what was happening with our Nation's debt. This cartoon makes it known that the issues Americans truly care about are not social issues but rather National issues. This cartoon is framed to make gay marriage out to be a non-issue in comparison to other national crisis. The artist makes that clear by making Iraq a giant muscled man/beast while on the other hand making gay marriage a few pieces of paper.
This is how George Bush avoided the real issues.
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