IRS & Gays
Team Member Name: John Cawley
Publication: The Columbus Dispatch
Date: 8/30/2013
Cartoonist: Nate Beeler U.S.
Title of cartoon: IRS and Gays
Cartoon # 2
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
What is the context?
The cartoon shows a gay couple meeting with a representative from the IRS or Internal revenue service
which is responsible for income taxes. The event
that caused the artist to draw this cartoon was when,
after the Supreme Court decision on Gay marriage,
the IRS changed their policies concerning the filing
of income taxes for same-sex couples (Maraniss).
There doesn’t appear to be any visual symbols in this
cartoon, however, the labels add a lot to the interpretation. The artist uses stereotypes by showing one
couple to represent all gay couples.
Any additional discussion or analysis?
The cartoonist has created a complex situation in
order to represent an equally complex problem. He
is representing the IRS as an entity that wants us
to believe they are fair and unbiased and yet they
have turned around and started targeting a different
group of people. He is making fun of the fact that it
is not politically correct to discriminate against sexual minorities but it is acceptable to target members
of the Tea Party.
Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of the issue
2) Framing is supportive of or opposed to supporters
3) Framing is supportive of or opposed to opponents
What “reality” is constructed/framed about
your issue?
7
Bibliography:
The cartoonist is trying to cultivate mistrust in
the IRS among all demographics. It suggests that
although they say they are ending discriminatory
practices against homosexuals and other gender
minorities, they are still far from treating all fairly.
Maraniss, D., & Samuels, R. (2013, August 29). IRS shifts to equal tax treatment for same-sex marriages. Retrieved March 28,
2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/irs-shifts-to-equal-tax-treatment-for-same-sex-marriages/2013/08/29