ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the interplay between media, politics and legislation, which enables and constrains local and global LGBTQI+ ally movements, while filtering through to educational institutions. Drawing on the work of Sara Ahmed, the chapter examines the question of disruption and discomfort incited by the visibilization of queer bodies in the context of same-sex marriage debates. The chapter compares the impact of marriage equality movements, which continues to reverberate across the American, Canadian and Australian landscape of LGBTQI+ human rights. In the case of Canada, it is contended that although legislation was key to marriage equality and has been mirrored by policy to support diversity in gender and sexuality, LGBTQI+ individuals still experience considerable discrimination in educational communities. Next, the chapter turns its attention to the American campaign for marriage equality, which was dominated by several court cases, featuring strategic planning, social media and ally icons. Finally, the chapter describes how the campaign for marriage equality in Australia was propelled by the Commonwealth government’s postal vote and shaped through social media, public political debate and globally reported sporting events.
