In how far does th legalization of gay marriage change the society's perception of gays?

I think ‘general’ change takes awhile for a country. I think, for some people, legalizing gay marriage does change their personal beliefs and for some, it never will.

I think the legalization of interracial marriage changed society’s perception of it, made it more OK and more acceptable in the eyes of the general population. And now you’d be hardpressed to find someone who’s actually against interracial marriage (at least on a generalized level.) It makes sense, right? When your marriage is ILLEGAL, why would anyone give it any respect?? I think the same would happen with the legalization of gay marriage, and relatively quickly.

I can’t really speak for other countries since I’ve only ever lived in the US, but gay marriage seems like no big deal to the people I know who’re from the UK and Canada, which agrees with my theory since gay marriage is legal in those countries.

What it may do is help people see gays as very much the same as they are in terms of goals, relationships, families, lives.

Public acceptance does follow the law as we know from civil rights.

Well, The Stonewall Riots, which is commonly though to be the beginning of the modern gay rights movement, happened in 1969. Here we are 40 years later and we still can’t marry, serve openly in the military, and hate crimes are on the rise (according to most reports). But the past 40 years have seen the repeal of sodomy laws, domestic partnerships and civil unions, Will & Grace and Ellen.

I’m not sure that laws alone can make or break a civil rights movement, but it sure doesn’t hurt.

@fireinthepriory

“now you’d be hardpressed to find someone who’s actually against interracial marriage”

Uh, not so sure about that.

@Ivan I agree with @fireinthepriory. If they were opposed, they would be much more likely to keep it to themselves.

@Ivan That’s why I said “at least on a generalized level.” I know there are many many people who’d still freak if their little blonde daughter brought home a black or hispanic guy, but I don’t think they’d think that it should be illegal. (Of course, there are always outliers.)

I don’t think the honest perception of samesex relationships will change until it stops being a fad.

@Syger I really really don’t think people who are same-sex couples think it’s a fad

Laws don’t change people’s attitudes, just their responses.

@fireinthepriory

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you may have missed the intent of this question. You are correct to say that legalizing interracial marriage eventually shifts the perception of interracial marriage. But did it have any affect upon how the races view one another?

Of course, by default, legalization of same sex marriage would eventually change perceptions of same sex marriage for some. But would it change their perceptions of homosexuality? I think that is the question here. Could be mistaken though…

I honestly don’t know if it would or not.

@RealEyesRealizeRealLies Huh, your distinction is interesting… I sort of see them going hand-in-hand. As in, respecting someone’s relationship will lead to them respecting the individual. Or vice versa, as people begin to respect GLBT individuals, they will begin to be less threatened by gay marriage. They’re very closely linked in my mind.

Sorry, I can’t help but squawk at @Syger‘s comment. A fad? Really? My decisions about who to date are sure as hell not based on a FAD, but thanks for the input bud.

I think you have cause and effect reversed. Society’s view of gays and lesbians does not change because the laws on gay marriage have been enacted, but rather laws on gay marriage have been enacted because society’s view of gays and lesbians has changed.

@syger I will say it also—a fad?

I think changing the law makes a difference for future generations. If you are raised in a world where it is legal and common place, your attitude will probably be acceptance. The older generation who was against it might never change their minds, but eventually they will be dead.

@JLeslie nice sentiment, and no way to speak of your elders. =)

@evelyns_pet_zebra I thought about phrasing it more delicately, but on fluther I figured I could just say it how it is. :)

The best statement of that concept I’ve seen: Progress is made one funeral at a time.