Different communities have different social norms. Deviance refers to violation of the community norms. Although generally deviance is seen from a negative perspective, it has both negative and positive aspects. Many people confuse deviance and crime although the two terms have different meanings. Deviance is norms violation while crime is the violation of one particular norm or law (Downes & Rock, 2016) . Through deviance behavior, social change occurs. When a deviant behavior becomes accepted among the people, it soon becomes legitimate. Deviance behavior is a right way of making the society adjusts to changes.
In the 1980s, many communities regarded gay marriage as deviant behavior. Gay citizens were treated as unfit people to live in our communities. Family members of the gay couple discriminated against those involved. Nobody wanted any association with a gay couple. Although in the United States of America and other nations gay marriages are authorized, gay couples and transgender victims faced victimization and discrimination in the 1980s (Nicol & Smith, 2008) . Many religious leaders in the past stood firm in condemning same-sex marriages. The legalization of same-sex marriages in 21st century came as a significant relieve to gays, lesbians and other transgender citizens. In the 1990s and 1980s, it was regarded a criminal offense for people of the sex to marry.
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Gay and transgender couples today have their rights and are well protected by the law against violation by anti-gay groups. In the last decades, transgender and gay citizens lived in top secret for fear of stigmatization (Messner & Krohn, 1989) . Currently, gay couples and other transgender citizens openly hold demonstrations to fight for their rights without fear. Although the communities initially treated gay marriages as deviant behavior, the citizens have slowly accepted the issue of gay marriages. The increased cases of gay marriages in our communities have made gay marriage to be seen as a regular thing globally. Many civilizations globally have given gay citizens protection, and gay couples are now accepted and respected.
References
Downes, D., Rock, P., & McLaughlin, E. (2016). Understanding deviance: a guide to the sociology of crime and rule-breaking . Oxford University Press.
Messner, S. F., Krohn, M. D., & Liska, A. E. (Eds.). (1989). Theoretical integration in the study of deviance and crime: Problems and prospects . SUNY Press.
Nicol, N., & Smith, M. (2008). Legal struggles and political resistance: Same-sex marriage in Canada and the USA. Sexualities , 11 (6), 667-687.
