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Defending Same-Sex Marriage [Three Volumes]
Mark Strasser, Traci C. West, vol. ed., Martin Dupuis, William A. Thompson, vol. ed.
ISBN: 0-275-98772-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-275-98772-5
888 pages
Praeger Publishers
Publication: 12/30/2006
List Price: $300.00 (UK Sterling Price: £206.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Also Available: Ebook
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects: Reviews:
  • As the title to this three-volume set makes clear, contributors share the belief of chief editor Strasser that individuals, the state, and society as a whole would benefit were marriage laws to made more inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersexual (LGBTI) people. Each volume addresses these benefits and related issues from different perspectives.
    —Reference & Research Book News
    2/1/2007
  • This work on same-sex marriage is about inequalities and injustices experienced by families. The essayists seem certain that same-sex marriage has become the alpha and omega of the gay and lesbian cause, humanizing both the issues and lesbian and gay people. And it is successful. Since the book's publication, New Hampshire has joined Massachusetts, Vermont, California, Hawai'i, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia in recognizing same-sex unions. Oregon follows in 2008. Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.
    —Choice
    12/1/2007
Description: Today we find ourselves at a crossroads of two powerful, unrelenting currents that are completely at odds with one another. The movement for legal recognition of same-sex unions has gone beyond the separate but equal status of civil unions to demand equality in marriage for all couples. Progress is being made on many fronts: mayoral action, clergy officiating at same-sex marriage and union ceremonies, state legislative responses, and street protests, to name a few. Meanwhile, opposition to same-sex marriage has also been gathering strength. The struggle is sure to continue unabated for some time to come, pitting those who believe in the traditional definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman—and who seek to codify this belief in the U.S. Constitution—against those who find the basis for marriage between two loving, committed individuals not only in the history of our civil rights legislation and court decisions, but also in scripture and sacred religious traditions. Those who believe in extending to same-sex couples the 1,049 rights conferred by marriage as well as the supportive embrace of religious communities seek to strengthen the institution of marriage by making it inclusive and by passing laws and broadening doctrines to uphold marriage rights for all couples. This three-volume set clarifies the legal, political, religious, cultural, and social ramifications of same-sex marriage for gay and lesbian couples and their families and friends, and for the general public interested in the future of civil rights in the United States.

Title Features:
Volume 1: Separate but Equal No More: A Guide to the Legal Status of Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Other Partnerships, edited by Mark Strasser, who is also General Editor of the set, includes discussions of different kinds of legally recognized same-sex unions in the United States.

Volume 2: Our Family Values: Same-Sex Marriage and Religion, edited by Traci C. West, contains an array of religious traditions, practices, and leaders that support same-sex marriage, and describes the struggles for its recognition within denominations, including analysis of racial dynamics.

Volume 3: The Freedom-to-Marry Movement: Education, Advocacy, Culture, and the Media, edited by Martin Dupuis and William A. Thompson, explores the political movement to legalize and recognize same-sex marriage and unions, including the movement's education and advocacy efforts and its opposition.
Table of Contents:
  • Volume I
    General Editors Foreword, Mark Strasser
    Introduction
    1. Massachusetts: Cradle of Liberty
    2. Civil Union: A Reappraisal
    3. Domestic Partnerships
    4. The Right to Marry, the San Francisco Experience and Lessons Learned
    5. Corporate Domestic Partner Benefits
    6. The Role of Anti-Gay Family Amendments in the 2004 Election
    7. The Defense of Marriage ActFederal Level
    8. Four Arguments Against a Marriage Amendment That Even an Opponent of Gay Marriage Should Accept
    9. Adoption, Custody and the Rights of Children
    About the Editor and Contributors
    Selected Resources
    Index
    Acknowledgements
    Volume II
    Introduction
    Part I: Faith, Culture, and History
    1. Hindu Traditions
    2. Married in the Sight of God: Martin Luther, Theology, and Same-Sex Unions
    3. Religion and the Freedom to Marry: Historical Reflections on Marriage Equality in America
    4. Testifying to the Blues: Sexuality and the Black Church
    Part II: Faith and Practice
    5. Same-Sex Marriage and Roman Catholicism
    6. Kiddushin: An Equal Opportunity Covenant, Not Only for Heterosexuals
    7. Speaking of Lutherans: The Journey of an Odd Advocate
    8. A Buddhist Argument for Same-Sex Unions
    9. A Methodist Supports Homosexual Marriage: A Study of Scripture and Tradition
    10. A Christian Apologetic for Same-Sex Marriage
    11. Each Muslim Has the Right to Find Their Mate Who Is Their Comfort and Cloak
    Part III: Faithful Struggle
    12. Marriage in a New Key: A Presbyterian Maps the Terrain of a Progressive Christianity
    13. Naming the Problem: Black Clergy, U.S. Politics, and Marriage Equality
    14. The Reformed Church in America: One Denominations Response to Same-Sex Marriage
    15. Making Justice/Showing Love: The Episcopal Church and Same Sex Marriage
    16. Love Wins: An Easy Gospel for Unitarian Universalism
    17. Embracing Marriage Equality: A Faithful Call to Pentecostal Christians
    Part IV: Faithfully Practicing Equality
    18. Reconstructionist Judaism and Marriage Equality
    19. When Covenant-Making Becomes Justice-Making: A San Francisco Pastors Story
    20. Affirmation of Marriage Equality in the UCC: The Historic Moment at Our Synod
    Appendix: A Sampling of Religious Wedding and Holy Union Ceremonies for Same-Sex Couples
    Dedication
    Acknowledgments
    Volume III
    Introduction
    Part One: Advocacy and Activism
    1. Marriage Equality and Some Lessons for the Scary Work of Winning
    2. The Gay Marriage Struggle: Whats at Stake and How Can We Win?
    3. Laying the Ground Work: Early Organizing in Vermont
    4. Grass Roots Organizing: Lessons from the Garden State
    5. The Wedding Party
    Part Two: Education and Media
    6. Deconstructing Arguments Against Same-Sex Marriage
    7. PerfectUnion.net: Cyber-Organizing to Democratize Marriage
    8. From Gay Bashing to Gay Baiting: Public Opinion and
    News Media Frames for Gay Marriage
    9. Introduction to American Government: What College Students Are Reading about Same-Sex Marriage
    Part Three: Cultural Perspectives
    10. Arnt We a Couple? A Historical Comparison of Slave Marriages and Same-Sex Marriages
    11. African American Responses to Same-Sex Marriage
    12. Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace: Same-Sex Relationships in Native American Culture
    13. Hispanic and Latino Same-Sex Couple Households in the United States: A Report from the 2000 Census
    About the Editors and Contributors
About the Author: Mark Strasser is Trustees Professor of Law at Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. He (with Lynn Wardle, William Duncan, and David Coolidge) is co-editor of Marriage and Same-Sex Unions: A Debate (Praeger, 2003), and is the author of On Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and the Rule of Law: Constitutional Interpretation at the Crossroads (Praeger, 2002), The Challenge of Same-Sex Marriage: Federalist Principles and Constitutional Protections (Praeger, 1999), Legally Wed: Same-Sex Marriage and the Constitution (1997), and three other books. He has written more than sixty articles in the areas of constitutional law, family law, and tort.

Traci C. West is Associate Professor of Ethics and African American Studies at Drew University Theological School in Madison, New Jersey. She is the author of Disruptive Christian Ethics: When Racism and Women's Lives Matter (2006), Wounds of the Spirit: Black Women, Violence, and Resistance Ethics (1999), as well as several articles on violence against women, clergy ethics, racism, sexuality, and other justice issues in church and society. She is an ordained United Methodist minister who has previously served in parish and campus ministry.

Martin Dupuis is the Assistant Dean of the Burnett Honors College and Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His research on same-sex marriage and gay and lesbian politics has been published in a number of books and journals.

William A. Thompson is a librarian with the rank of Assistant Professor at Western Illinois University. He has been, is now, and ever shall be, an activist for gay and lesbian concerns.
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