Answer to Question 1
Answer: heteronormality
Answer to Question 2
Answer: In states and countries where same-sex couples have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples there are a number of advantages for them. When one partner ends up in a hospital room, it is often difficult for someone to visit who does not have family status. This is allowed when a same-sex couple is given family status. There are a host of legal problems that occur when a couple lacks married status. When given married status, the couple can share social security benefits, help each other make health care decisions, inherit from each other, gain next-of-kin rights, and have access to shared health insurance and heath records.