This collection of personal narratives explores the hotly debated issue of same-sex marriages. The twenty-four interviews with lesbians and gays who have celebrated wedding ceremonies as well as couples who remain unmarried or choose not to marry reveal the qualities that bind people in lifetime partnerships as well as the everyday tensions of committed relationships. Most of the interviews are accompanied by personal snapshots. The couples come from many regions of the United States and from diverse ethnic and class backgrounds. They include such prominent activists as Harry Hay, Phyllis Lyon, and Del Martin. These intimately described relationships are as new as three years and as enduring as thirty-eight. Each dialogue grapples with the reactions of family and friends to the couple's commitment and the everyday struggles of their own relationship. The interviews are preceded by essays by Thomas Stoddard and Paula Ettelbrick that offer opposing viewpoints on marriage. The book closes with a section of personal observations by ceremony officiators from a variety of religions from Catholic priests to a Wiccan high priestess and a resource directory. Although viewed by some lesbians and gays as an 'abhorrent ritual' of patriarchy and by others as a 'celebration of commitment', marriage is more than a relationship sanctioned by law; it is the centerpiece of the social structure and the core of the traditional notion of family. Why, then, are loving couples who jointly own homes faced with the cruel enigma that 'legally, we are strangers'? Author Suzanne Sherman is an editor, freelance writer, and creative writing instructor. She lives in the Bay Area with her partner. No - she hasn't been married.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"...provides a subtle and complex documentation of the many things marriage means in our society—especially...to couples who do not stand to benefit from the privileges it confers to heterosexuals."
—The Women's Review of Books
—The Women's Review of Books
"A series of clear and intimate portraits of gay and lesbian couples.... Lesbian and Gay Marriage makes a timely contribution.... It presents a true picture of the nature of family and the diversity which is the heart of America.
—Lambda Book Report
From the Author
Personal narratives explore the issue of marriage for lesbian and gay couples in America
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Interesting Stories,
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This review is from: Lesbian and Gay Marriage: Private Commitments, Public Ceremonies (Hardcover)
I got this book because I am interested in society and how differences in humans make differences in society. I am straight myself but and I enjoyed reading these stories. I didn't know that there were Lesbians and Gays who do NOT want marriage legalized for gays. I learned a lot about the institution of marriage as well. The book covers couples from all over the United States, of all ages and combinations, and all religious backgrounds. There are stories of couples who had a union ceremony and their parents did not show up. There are stories of the parents and extended family coming and being very supportive. There are small private ceremonies and large elaborate ones. Those who did not have a public ceremony talk about why they don't believe they need one and what they have done to show each other they care. There are pictures of each couple which makes the stories more personal and I enjoyed them more because of it. There are couples who have been together a year and some who have been together for over 20. Some were married in a church or other religious building and some where not. It's a very diverse book. At the end there is an interview with a few different Reverands and Fathers, a Rabbi and a Wiccan High Priestess. Also in the first chapter before the stories, two different viewpoints are shown: Another recommended book to Lesbians, Gays and anyone interested in the institution of Marriage, homosexual rights and learning new things.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good gay wedding book,
By
This review is from: Lesbian And Gay Marriage: Private Commitments, Public Ceremonies (Paperback)
I read this book for a paper that I wrote for a class called "Women & Public Policy" at Brown University. This book didn't help much because it was all narratives from gay couples that have had weddings. Still, it was a good book for someone not writing an academic paper. This book could almost be called the history of gay & lesbian weddings. It spoke about gay weddings from decades ago to the present. What I loved most is how gay rights champions spoke about their weddings. Unfortunately, Paula Ettelbrick's silly, radical, postmodern argument against gay marriage is here. Too, Harry Hay says something against bisexuals that may offend many readers. Still, this was a cute concept by the editor. I think John Gay Man and Jane Lesbian will really appreciate this book.
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