Counter-Hegemonic Displays of Power & Love in San Fransisco

The use of power to maintain and change the traditional ritual hegemonic view of marriage may ultimately lead to a civil transformation within society. The idea that marriage is traditionally reserved for a union between one man and one woman is being challenged through acts of transformative deviance to alter existing norms. Though some actions in support of same-sex marriage are transgressive forms of deviance, which do not change norms, the establishment has used many devices to preserve the 'natural' or socially inscribed definition of marriage to maintain a heterosexist world view. The actions taken by both sides of the debate use power to either maintain or transform social reality. The escalating transformative deviance displayed on behalf of and by same-sex couples is a direct result to hegemonic heterosexist norms which have been prevalent through society.…