ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces Ingraham’s concept “the heterosexual imaginary,” which is “a way of thinking that relies on romantic and sacred notions of heterosexuality in order to create and maintain the illusion of well-being and oneness.” Institutionalized heterosexuality which encourages marriage and reproduction relies upon the heterosexual imaginary associated with wondrous media images and stories of perfect brides, weddings and marriages. Weddings and cultural images of perfect marriages help to maintain heteronormativity.
