Barack Obama and Same-Sex Marriage

Barack Obama and Same-Sex Marriage Throughout the United States, many people hold differing opinions on the legality and morality of same-sex marriage. Subsequent generations of people have fought for and against the rights of same-sex couples. Sympathetic activist groups constantly strive to ease same sex couples’ enduring struggle to fit in a volatile society. The public perception of same-sex marriage has evolved methodically throughout U.S. history. In 2012, the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, publicly announced, through the press, his stance in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. On May 9th, the news outlet ABC News broadcasted the Presidents’ speech on national television saying: “At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.” The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate how the various news distribution centers have covered Barack Obama’s public announcement; effectively arguing how they have helped (or hindered) the legalization of same-sex marriage. I will also validate the relevance of the theory of Innovation and Information, which states how the advancement o new idea could be introduced to a society if they cause people to react, adapt, and accept it. The history of the United States of America has thoroughly demonstrated an opposing but equally passionate support in favor (and against) the rights of homosexuals. In the New York Times article “A Brief History of Gay Marriage,” Alex Altman discloses that the first time issue of the legality of same-sex marriage gained national attention was in 1993 in Hawaii, where judges discovered that the Constitution of the United States need more convincing arguments and compelling reasons to deny homosexual people the right to marriage. Furthermore, he described how, in 1996, Congress pushed and effectively passed the Defense of Marriage Act, which restrained same-sex couples from the benefits consulted in marriage. The news outlet CNN News printed some interesting facts about same sex marriage titled “Fast facts: Same-Sex marriage,” which disclosed facts and progressively recounted the history of same-sex marriage. This modern equivalent of a populist manifesto describes how in year 2004, nearly 4000 same-sex couples received marriage licenses in San Francisco, CA. That same year, the first legal same-sex marriage license in U.S. history was issued in Cambridge, MA. In 2009, the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., passed a law recognizing same-sex marriage rituals and documentation that where performed elsewhere. The organization called People and the Press reported, “Support for same-sex marriage is edging upward.” It describes how in the year 1996, 65% of Americans opposed same-sex marriage, while 27% supported it. In lieu of the advancement or evolution of the public perception on gay marriage, in the year 2010, 48% of Americans opposed same-sex marriage while 42% supported it; thus establishing a newsworthy spike in the number of supporters.
Public opinion-measuring polls indicate civilian attitudes in a certain time. It is influenced by political actions, prevailing viewpoints and mass media. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is a federal law passed in 1996 only allowing opposite-sex couples to be married and receive matrimonial governmental benefits. Public opinion was influenced by DOMA and was not very favorable for gays during the first decade of the 21st century. However Obama’s public announcement in favor of gay marriage influenced public opinion and social polls indicated pro-gay marriage leanings. Obama also announced DOMA unconstitutional. Currently, public opinion is pro-gay marriage. News articles influence public political opinion because they cover political decisions and inform us about political action. For example, when newsmakers told the story of Obama’s recent actions, political opinion reciprocated. Public opinion is also influenced by how many people read a newspaper and by the stances different newsmakers take. More traditionally conservative news companies will expose their ideals in different ways from more progressive ones. Both sides interview political figures and tell us what they think and value. Essentially states differ on the topic of same-sex marriage and on whether they allow it or not. Public figures decide overall policies and influence public opinion through the mass medium. Legal battles have also discussed issues regarding same-sex rights and have been the action behind social change. Their respective stories in the newspapers keep the public well informed. Although there is no federal law allowing same-sex marriage, several states permit marriages between same-sex couples. Besides newsmakers, institutions like religion can greatly influence public opinion regarding gay marriage. Similar to journalists, religious figures can preach certain values and ideals relating to morality. However, journalists and news companies strive for objective storytelling and can conduct interviews to achieve political transparency and accountability. In addition to the previous methodical account on the history of same-sex marriage, it is also important to denote, and subsequently, incorporate the media-related theory called the Diffusion of Innovation & Information. This theory describes how exceedingly new ideas, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage, can be introduced to society if and when a society is ready to accept it. This theory is very much applicable to our current discussion. The theory explains via a 5-step process, which includes: the introduction of new ideas, the incoming early adopters, the opinions of leaders, the friends of opinionated leaders, and, ultimately, late/mass adopters. The opening step of the Diffusion of Innovation/ Information theory elaborates how the varying methods of mass media introduce innovative, new ideas to the public eye. Around the world, the media is constantly portraying and revealing different, if not novel ideas that will ultimately cause displease in some and joy in others. Controversial issues like the aforementioned debate are bound to arise distaste while, paradoxically, some will rejoice. There are others who will take more time accepting and agreeing with it. This involves the second step of the theory, which mentions how some early adopters of the concept will simply accept the new idea without much thought. These people are usually liberal and open-minded people; conversely, there are those who only see the negative aspects or outcomes of a society struggling to achieve social equality by creating an unhealthy and overly dramatic tie to their religious doctrines. In 1996, in the early stages of the controversy surrounding the legalization of same-sex marriage, People and the Press reported that 65% of Americans opposed it while 27% supported it. The 27% of progressive thinking Americans are considered the early adopters. In addition to the early adopters, the theory mentions a third step, which informs and suggests that the opinion of charismatic and powerful leaders, such as Barack Obama, the President of the U.S., of new concepts affects the public view. It is important to observe how media outlets cover a multitude of many leaders’ public statements. Their stance on the new idea will undoubtedly create conflict and provoke opposing stances about the issue. As previously mentioned, in 2012, ABC News presented an interview of the President of the United States of America in which he mentions his support for the rights of same-sex couples to wed. This caused an entire array of newspapers, television programs, and other forms of public broadcast to meticulously cover the President’s speech. For example, the sixty-year-old NBC program titled Meet the Press reported and discussed how impressive and influential it was that a leader, such as Barack Obama, publicly announced his favorable stance on same-sex marriage. Furthermore, it explained how this created conflict, and the resulting impact on American society. In addition, it mentions that in the year 2013, 58% of Americans supported same-sex marriage while 36% oppose it. Also, it detailed how 81% of Americans under 30 supported gay marriage (Meet the Press). It is evident how an influential leaders’ opinion has an observable impact on society and the effect on people’s reaction and subsequent adaptation to distinct innovative ideas. The New York Times article titled “Support for Gay Marriage Growing, but U.S. Remains Divided,” mentions that “Some analysts believe that Mr. Obama’s public shift played a particular role in influencing African-Americans.” Each of these exemplifies the previously suggested statement that instead of waiting idly in the background and observing debates on contradicting arguments, it is imperative to offer ideas and/or measurements that must be accepted to achieve a well sought after equality. Firstly, to properly establish a foundation of the idea it is of the utmost necessity to prove that marriage is indeed a fundamental right that all American citizens should have. Also, they intend to prove that depriving people of their obviously inherent marital rights harms both children and the couple, not to mention the emotional, social, and psychological implications. Finally, it is proven that there is no evidence to indicate that same-sex marriage affects the institution of marriage or anyone in particular. In comparison to the importance of public leaders and their influence on others, it is also vital to introduce the fourth step of the theory of the diffusion of innovation and information. This step mentions how the resulting effect of an influential leaders’ public expression has a lasting effect on the popular opinion of society. The New York Times’ article “Obama Says Same-Sex Marriage Should Be Legal,” mentions how the Vice-President Joseph Biden Jr. similarly embraced the idea of same-sex unions. This proves how Obama’s opinion truly shapes the public. Throughout the years the polls show how, the amount of U.S. citizens in support of same-sex marriage is increasing exponentially. At first, society was used to rejecting new ideas that went against their accustomed tradition, but as a result of the media they observe both sides of the equation and learn about the opinions of others; therefore, simultaneously deciding for themselves. Many people find it difficult to believe and follow ideas that are either not in specifically stated in the Constitution or that are rejected or viewed with distaste by most religions. With news media coverage and endless sources of information, more citizens are beginning to accept it as well. Although the media exposes both sides of the arguments, by covering opinion leaders and friends of opinion leaders they encourage the public to follow their views. Beside friends of opinion leaders, the final step of the theory talks about how there are late adopters that eventually join or will join the fray. There are many that instead of faithfully following the news, they decide to ignore or research about them in their own time and pace. Also, they find it hard to break tradition, so they are either beginning to accept and support same-sex marriage or they have yet to understand the concept. The media has made it extremely easier for others to follow new stories, but many either do not care or find it hard to believe. Although many people have accepted and supported gay marriage, most states have yet to recognize it. Some allow civil union and others actually approve same-sex couples to get married. Some couples feel that same-sex civil unions are different from marriage and, because of this, they are still fighting for equality. The media has extremely covered the cases and has given an opportunity for late adopters to understand both arguments. Marriages are recognized in the federal level, which means that they are acknowledged in any state of the Union. In comparison, civil unions are solely recognized in the union that took place (Phillips 119). Every state in the United States is different and they change through every state border. California recognizes civil unions but Texas does not. Finally, it is imperative to recognize that people vary throughout the nation and that media has impacted some and has had some late/mass adopters. This is proven by the fact that there are still some states and citizens that have yet to accept the idea of same-sex marriage.
The theory predicts how an idea, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage, was introduced to society and the way it has created controversy and gained significant popularity. Furthermore, it denotes how an idea originates and transitions to create public opinion. Mass media covered thoroughly Barack Obama’s public announcement, which precisely exemplifies step two of the Diffusion of Information/ Innovation theory. The theory originated with the launching of an idea, having early adopters accepting and supporting it. Many years later, Barack Obama publicly announced his support for equal marriage rights. In addition, other opinion leaders, such as the Vice President of the U.S., also supported the movement. The transition from step four towards step five is still in progression. Many people in the country are still resistant to the idea of legalizing marriage for same-sex couples. Although there will always be a group of people that oppose the idea and movement, through the years, more citizens will accept it. This might be because the media continues to divulge and cover stories that demonstrate other influential public leaders, which will significantly influence the public, or because they have reached the fifth step to the Diffusion of Information/ Innovation theory. Late mass adopters will take and need more time to accept a fairly new movement based on an idea.
After the five steps of the Diffusion of Innovation/ Information Theory, it is vital to recognize that with the media helping the legalization of same-sex marriage others have yet to learn and accept the innovative idea. The theory clearly describes how news media has, through the years, helped the legalization of same-sex marriage. This is proven with the statistics and the opinion leaders that are and continue to follow and support the idea. The media strictly covered how president Barack Obama has influenced thousands of people and has impacted and encouraged others to support same-sex marriage. In addition, how some people accepted it from the beginning, others accepted after Obama’s public stance, and some are still in the process of understanding it. News media is incredibly important in a society because it educates others in what is occurring around the country. Although it does create confrontation and controversies, media encourages citizens to create a personal opinion. News media will continue to cover controversial articles and videos about people either favoring or opposing gay marriage but as years go by, the legalization of same-sex marriage will progress.