Same-Sex Marriage: Pro and Con [Paperback]

Andrew Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 11, 2004

With same-sex marriage igniting a firestorm of controversy in the press and in the courts, in legislative chambers and in living rooms, Andrew Sullivan, a pioneering voice in the debate, has brought together two thousand years of argument in an anthology of historic inclusiveness and evenhandedness. Among the selections included here:

- The 2003 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling in support of same-sex marriage
- Justice Kennedy’s majority opinion and Justice Scalia’s dissent in the 2003 landmark Supreme Court decision striking down anti-sodomy laws
- President George W. Bush’s call for a Federal Marriage Amendment
- John Kerry’s Senate speech urging defeat of the Defense of Marriage Act
- Harvard historian Nancy F. Cott's testimony before the Vermont House Judiciary Committee
- Reverend Peter J. Gomes on the distinction between civil and religious marriage
- Stanley Kurtz on the politics of gay marriage
- Evan Wolfson on the popularity of the right to marry among lesbians and gay men
- New York Times op-ed columnist David Brooks’ conservative case for same-sex marriage
- Excerpts from Genesis, Leviticus, and other essential biblical texts
- Aristophanes’s classic theory of same-sex love, from Plato’s Symposium
- Hannah Arendt on marriage as a fundamental right
- Camille Paglia’s skepticism

Representing the full range of perspectives and the most cogent and arresting arguments, Same-Sex Marriage is essential to a balanced understanding of the most pressing cultural question we face today.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At the end of Virtually Normal, Andrew Sullivan called for the legalization of gay and lesbian marriages as a recognition of an individual's right to enter into a committed relationship with the person he or she loves. Same-Sex Marriage: Pro and Con is, as the title suggests, a collection of arguments for and against such unions. Sullivan provides little commentary, allowing the various authors gathered here to speak for themselves. No matter which side one supports on this issue, this anthology will enable both an intellectual support of one's own beliefs and a better, fuller understanding of the contrary position. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; Rev Upd edition (May 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400078660
• ISBN-13: 978-1400078660
• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 4.8 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #658,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful, but sometimes tedious September 20, 2001

By Jeffrey Huffman

Format:Paperback

The book is indeed well-balanced, and comprehensive (considering the dearth of information and research on this subject and its relatively recent rise to a prominent place in public discussion). Highly recommended for anyone seeking greater understanding of this issue.

It is best used as a resource, rather than read straight through. The arguments presented often get bogged down in wordy legal and political jargon. Not that there isn't a place for such books; I just wish it were more accessible for the average person, so I could give a copy to my grandparents to read, for example.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for every library on human relationships October 11, 1999

By Arnold V. Loveridge

Format:Paperback

A great collection of arguments both for and against Same-sex marriage. Although the author admits his bias (pro) and includes many of his own arguments and essays, the book is really rather evenly done. I suspect that most people will not be swayed either way because there is plenty of reinforcement for both sides. This is a book I would like to have in my library.

35 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-read for gays AND right-wing nuts! May 23, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Sullivan has put together a definitive compilation of pro-and-con-arguments over the issue of same-sex marriage--one which demands reading by both sides in the debate. It should not, however, simply and blindly be used to bolster one's own position on the issue. Use this reader to learn why the opposition feels the way they feel and believes what they believe. Understanding the intensity of and reasoning behind these positions will doubtless improve the intellectual quality of the debate on both sides (a point our friend from the Heritage Foundation [below] and his ilk miss entirely).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Both Sides Now November 15, 2008

By Amaranth

Format:Paperback

"Same-Sex Marriage:Pro&Con" is an excellent summation of the gay marriage debate. Before the once-controversial Vermont civil unions, before Gavin Newsom had same-sex couples tie the knot in San Francisco,Andrew Sullivan begins by chronicling with the Hawaiian Supreme Court case. He has the original documents from the Defense of Marriage Act debate (an act that Pres. Bill Clinton reluctantly signed)

"Pro&Con" shows both sides fairly. Conservatives are given plenty of space to voice their views,as do liberals. What an advantage is the original documents. It's had to be considerably updated,since San Francisco as well as the Supreme Court case that led Justice Antonin Scalia to claim that legalizing sodomy would lead to gay marriage (as if straight people don't do it?)

"Pro&Con" helps one explore the gay marriage debate in depth. One can see both sides now.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended; I Use It In Class June 6, 2007

By Danusha V. Goska

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I can't recommend Andrew Sullivan's "Same-Sex Marriage: Pro and Con" highly enough.

It's an anthology, and the pieces excerpted do exactly what the title says: they provide a reader into pro and con positions in the same sex marriage debate. Sullivan is very fair. He really does present a variety of points of view.

The reader is so thorough, after you've read it, you may realize that it would be hard to say anything new on the topic.

In addition to being useful, I found the book fascinating. It's intriguing to read of how marriage between persons of the same gender was conceived long ago in China, or in Medieval Europe. I do use the book in classes I teach, but I also enjoyed reading it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good approach May 25, 2013

By Missio Dei Church

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book has an interesting approach to offering a balanced view. It was helpful in the study of the same sex debate.

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful January 21, 2013

By Christopher Monique Johnson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really like this book, even though I have yet to finish it, I will keep it and finish it after nursing school. It was really helpful for my class and outside.

It came in great condition and on time.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic resource! November 16, 2008

By Gary J. Gilbert Jr.

Format:Paperback

This book is a fantastic resource and I would recommmend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about the topic.