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Gay and Lesbian Families: Articles and Analysis
Gay and Lesbian Families: Articles and Analysis
OPINION: A Conservative Ruling on Civil Marriage Equality
By: Patrick Guerriero
The Boston Globe, January 3, 2004
"The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision declaring a constitutional right of all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, to access civil marriage licenses was undeniably bold and historic. More significantly, the power and clarity of the decision stems from the fundamentally conservative and family-values based arguments offered by the state's highest court." Click here to read the entire article.
OPINION: Marriage Should be a Dream Open to Everyone
By: Richard J. Rosendall
Marriage isn't for everyone, of course. This is as true for gay people as for heterosexuals. But simply by becoming a realistic goal and part of the social landscape in which gay children grow up, it will give them the freedom to color with all the crayons in the box, as gay children before them never could. Click here to read the entire article.
The 1,138 Rights and Benefits of Marriage in Federal Law
This 1997 report from the United States General Accounting Office lists the 1,049 rights and benefits of marriage under federal law. This number was recently updated. There are now 1,138 rights and benefits of marriage in federal law.
OPINION: The Power of Marriage
The New York Times, November 22, 2003
"We shouldn't just allow gay marriage. We should insist on gay marriage. We should regard it as scandalous that two people could claim to love each other and not want to sanctify their love with marriage and fidelity." Click here to read the entire article.
An Historic Supreme Court Ruling
On June 26, 2003, the United States Supreme Court struck down all anti-sodomy around the nation. Reagan appointee Anthony Kennedy wrote this historic majority opinion. In ruling all anti-sodomy laws unconstitutional, Kennedy wrote, “Freedom extends beyond spatial bounds. Liberty presumes an autonomy of self that includes freedom of thought, belief, expression, and certain intimate conduct.” Click here to read the entire ruling.
OPINION: Let's Get Civil About Marriage
By: Dick Startz
"Let's have the state issue "civil union licenses." Stop calling them "marriages." If two consenting adults want to get "civilly unionized" all they should need is a license. That license should get them all the legal rights and all the responsibilities that go with being a couple. Same sex/different sex, same race/different race -- shouldn't matter; what the state should provide is a civil union. Now if two people want to be "married," they should go to their church. It's up to each religion to decide for itself if same sex marriages are OK." Click here to read the entire article.
OPINION: Civil Marriage for Gays and Lesbians Will Make the Institution Stronger
By James Ide
If the love of two people, committing themselves to each other exclusively for the rest of their lives is not worthy of respect, then what is? Gay couples deserve the same respect and dignity accorded heterosexual couples, and equal access to tangible benefits. As long as marriage remains an exclusively heterosexual option, lesbians and gay couples remain second-class citizens denied formal equality. Our government should not encourage such inequality. Gay marriage does not disparage heterosexual marriage, it enhances the very institution of marriage. Click here to read the entire article.
