Identifying The Visual Problem
Communication Problem.
Widespread prejudice related to heterocentrism is the underlying reason behind withheld civil liberties, the visual problem is how to effect change and dialogue that brings perceptions of a GLBT community closer to reality.
A hot topic of debate and turmoil within Australia and the U.S has been the issue of social equality in the face of same sex marriage. There are many issues facing industrialised/western communities regarding equality in the face of a globalised community and international borders, such as race equality, human rights and worker exploitation. Yet there are still issues within our own back yards that still need addressing.
Branching out from the feminist movement (a movement which sought to expose the white male centred power of western culture, focusing on liberating not only women but all non white heterosexual males) is the queer theory, and a fight for equal marriage and family rights for the GLBT community. This debate has been an ongoing process since the 1960’s, and has always been rejected by governments as a 'foolish', 'immoral' or even 'obscene' request. This rejection has taken place, not because there are leaders and policy makers who wish to repress, divide and control society (though there is some debate to be had on that), but because of misunderstanding, stereotypes and importantly prejudice. The communication problem as I see it, isn’t just in promoting marriage equality through the strength of a brand, but in dispelling the myths that underpin the overlying issue of GLBT oppression. By creating a dialogue where audiences, for or against, are requested to rethink the cause of GLBT oppression, the urgency of civil liberty can be recognised by all.
