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Hot Topic: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Currently, same-sex couples can legally marry in two states (Massachusetts and Connecticut). In May 2008, the California Supreme Court held that laws prohibiting same-sex marriage were unconstitutional. Thousands of gay and lesbian couples were married in California in the ensuing months. In the November 2008 election, Proposition 8 passed, amending the California Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. Supporters of same-sex marriage have held demonstrations in California and elsewhere, and lawsuits challenging the validity of the proposition have been filed.

We offer some resources to help understand the issues involved in the controversy over same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage
Stockland, Patricia M.
Edina, Minn. : ABDO Pub., c2008.
YA 306.848/STOCKLAND

Beyond (straight and gay) marriage : valuing all families under the law Polikoff, Nancy D.
Boston : Beacon Press, c2008
346.73016/POLIKOFF

Same-sex marriage
Phy-Olsen, Allene.
Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 2006
306.84809/PHY

The case for gay rights : from Bowers to Lawrence and beyond /
Richards, David A. J.
Lawrence, Kan. : University Press of Kansas, c2005
342.73087/RICHARDS

The M word : writers on same-sex marriage 1st ed., Chapel Hill, NC : Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2004.
306.848/M

Civil wars : a battle for gay marriage.
Moats, David
1st ed., Orlando : Harcourt Inc., c2004
306.848/MOATS

Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center : Same Sex Marriage

Still a force for change?; Dramatic timing: 30 years after supervisor's slaying, movie could inspire soul-searching on gay rights among viewers galvanized over passage of Prop. 8. Reyhan Harmanci. San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco, Calif.: Nov 25, 2008. p. A.1

The ugly backlash over Proposition 8. John Diaz. San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco, Calif.: Nov 23, 2008. p. G.9

Prop. 8 foes, backers still in thick of it; Both sides organize supporters and look to 2010, when gay marriage could be on the ballot again. Jessica Garrison. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Nov 22, 2008. p. B.1

Activists Seek to Tie 'Milk' to a Campaign for Gay Rights; [The Arts/Cultural Desk] Michael Cieply. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Nov 22, 2008. p. C.1

With Same-Sex Marriage, a Court Takes On the People's Voice; [News Analysis] Jesse Mckinley. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Nov 21, 2008. p. A.18

Court plunges again into same-sex marriage. John Diaz. The Recorder (Nov 20, 2008) )(1217 words) Reading Level (Lexile): N/A.

Court is feeling the heat on Prop. 8; Justices risk recall if they vote to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage. Maura Dolan. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Nov 19, 2008. p. A.1

Are Gay Relationships Different?(Annual Mind & Body Special Issue)(The Science of Romance; Gay Marriage). John Cloud. Time. (Jan 28, 2008): p78. (1889 words) Reading Level (Lexile): 1140.

The Battle Over Same-Sex Marriage - from The Online NewsHour, the web site of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

State by State: The Legal Battle Over Gay Marriage - from NPR.

Same-Sex Marriage: A Selective Bibliography of the Legal Literature

Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law - "advancing critical thought in the field of sexual orientation law and public policy".

Same Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships - from the National Conference of State Legislatures

Same Sex Marriage: Developments in the Law - from Nolo.com

California Domestic Partners Registry