In June 2015, same-sex marriage was legalized across the country. For decades, gay Americans lived in domestic partnerships and were unable to express their relationships in the same way that heterosexual partners could in the eyes of the law. This major social change was accompanied by a mixture of support and negative reactions. Homosexual couples could finally get married, but at what cost? In 2015, approximately 40% of Americans opposed same-sex marriage (Mitchell, 2017). Even though it's now legal, many Americans still have negative feelings toward same-sex marriage, which can affect how society functions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Although this event occurred in the United States, it seems to have triggered a domino effect around the world. Since 2015, many countries have legalized same-sex marriage, including Colombia, Germany, Finland, Australia, Ireland, and Malta (Mitchell, 2017). However, for some of these countries, this social reform did not happen peacefully overnight. In Australia, discussions about legalizing same-sex marriage sparked angry “Straight Lives Matter” protests (Cooper, 2017). These events demonstrate that the legalization of same-sex marriage throughout the world is the result of a deviation from the social norm. The traditional functionalist views marriage as between a man and a woman and as an institution with the goal of financial stability and reproduction. Once people began to advocate for and deviate from an alternative, they often faced negative sanctions in the form of isolation, harassment, judgment, and even legal sanctions. But continuing to break these norms broke down societal boundaries, ultimately changing the laws. The feminist perspective also explains the legalization of same-sex marriage. Feminists believe in gender equality and sexual freedom and oppose the functionalist belief that marriage between a man and a woman is necessary to maintain social order. Feminists do not agree with the idea that a woman's role in marriage is to care for her husband and home, and therefore do not support the traditional hierarchy that this institution puts in place (Guerrero , 2008). This is why proactive legislation in favor of the LGBT community is welcomed by many feminists. It is obvious that social reform results in many different reactions from individuals within society. However, research shows that increased education about LGBT issues and personal contact with those who identify as lesbian or gay are positively correlated with tolerance of same-sex marriage (Hart-Brinson, 2016). By understanding that ignorance is largely responsible for the reluctance to support same-sex marriage, society could perhaps create more opportunities for LGBT issues to be taught and discussed. For example, sex education in the United States focuses primarily on heterosexual relationships (Jones, 2015). If young adults are exposed to ideas about the LGBT community in an educational setting, it may allow them to feel more tolerant and accepting of what has not traditionally been the social norm for many years. In addition to educating the public, law enforcement measures put in place to protect LGBT people are crucial in order to.