Pop Culture First to the Altar on Marriage Equality

From Hollywood to Madison Avenue, producers and performers have made the case for gay marriage in the realm of pop culture where the audience sits on the bench. Take “The Golden Girls.” In a 1991 episode of the seven-season sitcom, before gay marriage was on the books in any state, Blanche the Southern belle wrestled with her conscience when her gay brother announced he was marrying his boyfriend. And Roseanne’s signature wry humor broke nervous tension about gay marriage, when she organized her boss’ nuptials to a man on her sitcom that ended nine seasons in 1997.