Same-Sex Marriage: The Moral and Legal Debate [Paperback]

Robert M. Baird (Editor), Stuart E. Rosenbaum (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997

Should government sanction gay marriages? Same-Sex Marriage offers a balanced group of essays by those involved in the struggle, as well as social commentators, scholars, and others who have addressed what could be one of the most significant debates in history.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Late last year, the Hawaiian circuit court ruled that the state had no compelling justification for denying gay and lesbian couples the right to wed. The decision opened up what may be the social debate of the decade, and these two titles help to bring the arguments into sharper focus. Same-Sex Marriage, Pro and Con begins with an historically enlightening essay by Sullivan, fomer New Republic editor, whose book on gays and the gay rights movement (Virtually Normal, LJ 9/15/95) shot one of the first broadsides about the same-sex marriage issue. Sullivan explains how this latest "assault" on family values is simply the latest in an ongoing evolution of the marriage institution, from ancient real estate deals to the present-day spiritual bonding of intimates. Other essayists discuss the various arguments from historic, religious, legal, and public-policy points of view. From Plato to Ann Landers, society's experts and pundits, academics and politicians present their views. By contrast, Same-Sex Marriage: The Moral and Legal Debate is authored mainly by professors and journalists, giving this title a drier, more academic tone. Oddly, the book also exhibits more polar oppositions and extremist views on the subject. The focus strays somewhat from the marriage theme and includes articles on counseling same-sex couples and even making the case for discrimination based on sexual orientation itself. For smaller collections that may need only one title on the subject, Sullivan's work is by far the better choice, given the depth and breadth of its coverage. Academic and larger libraries will probably want both titles.?Jeffery Ingram, Newport P.L., Ore.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573921297
• ISBN-13: 978-1573921299
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,521,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent assortment of readings, December 21, 2004

By 

A. M. Vincent (Glasgow, Scotland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Same-Sex Marriage: The Moral and Legal Debate (Contemporary Issues (Prometheus)) (Paperback)

While this book does not have as many readings as Andrew Sullivan's _Gay Marriage: Pro and Con_, and while several of the readings exist in both books, it does contain much more scholarly information, such as court decisions and theological papers pertaining to the same-sex marriage debate. In addition to pieces such as Daniel Maguire's lengthy essay, "The Morality of Homosexual Marriage," which includes a fascinating introduction to the theory of probabilism (a theory which I have seen fit to wholeheartedly adopt in my own ethical writings), it also provides equally reasoned and researched arguments from the detractors of same-sex marriage, which I have been hard pressed to find elsewhere, that position having been mostly presented as self-evident.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars just a starting point, February 15, 2004

By 

Patricia R. Andersen "redheaded booklover" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Same-Sex Marriage: The Moral and Legal Debate (Paperback)

The debate regarding same-sex marriages appears as if it will be a huge issue in 2004. For example,at the courthouse in San Francisco performed over 400 marriages (same sex) on February 14, 2004. They normally only perform a little over 400 weddings (opposite sex) a month. This means that many gay couples are committed to each other and want to make it legal in the eyes of the law.

This book takes many point of views - some extremists that feel same-sex marriage will ruin their own heterosexual marriages. Lesbians who feel that the idea of marriage is outdated and repressive to the females involved in it. And some folks who seem to have given this issue a bit more thought and express their viewpoints well.

No matter where you stand on this important issue, you will find an essay that will reflect your view. I would suggest you also read the other essays to find out how other people feel about the issue so when it comes down to debating this hot topic, you will know the various opinions of your supporters as well as your opponents. You'll be able to state your case in a way that should be able to get your point across. I recommend this book highly.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars not quite in the condition described, May 14, 2009

By 

Brent Firestone - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Same-Sex Marriage: The Moral and Legal Debate (Paperback)

Listed as "like new", the book was previously an unused library book. But it still had stamps in it and location numbers taped on the spine. Refunded $1...