Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Depending on which linguistic expert you ask, there are anywhere from two thousand to seven thousand different languages spoken in the world today..." (more)
Key Phrases: exclusion from marriage, marriage discrimination, marriage equality, San Francisco, New York, Martin Luther King (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A nationally renowned attorney and director of Freedom to Marry, Wolfson hails the movement for marriage equality as "one of the first important civil rights campaigns of the 21st century" and grounds support for it within the logic of the long-established protest traditions in U.S. history: abolition, the women's suffrage movement and the racial equality movements of the 1950s and '60s. Unlike those who support gay marriage as a way to regulate what they see as the self-destructive sexual practices of homosexuals (David Brooks, Jonathan Rauch, Andrew Sullivan), Wolfson sidelines the issue of morality and discusses the right to marry as part of each citizen's inalienable claim to what the Declaration of Independence calls the "pursuit of happiness." Framing his argument strictly in terms of civil rights and grounding it in conventional definitions of the public significance of marriage, Wolfson is refreshing, smart, thorough and easy to follow. Most provocatively, Wolfson excises "gay marriage" from the debate entirely, writing that the term "impl[ies] that same-sex couples are asking for rights and privileges that married couples do not have, or for rights that are something lesser or different from what non-gay couples have. In fact, we don't want 'gay marriage,' we want marriage." For now, it is available in Boston.
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Review

"Thoughtful, reasonable, and eminently worthy..." -- Kirkus

"Well written and evenhanded....Recommended" -- Library Journal

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (July 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743264584
• ISBN-13: 978-0743264587
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #635,684 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you read one book on this topic, this is it, August 3, 2004

By	R. Pearce - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having known Evan Wolfson and his work for years, I expected the book to be brilliant. What astounded me was that Wolfson has found a way both to cover all the issues and to provide a great read. After I began the book, I couldn't put it down. Integrating personal stories and analysis,the book is compelling from cover to cover. He is truly the Martin Luther King, Jr. of this movement.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Argument for Equal Marriage Rights, September 21, 2004

By	Darren Rosenblum "Darren" (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book achieves the rare feat of making a non-fiction book into a page- turner. The arguments of course are compelling, reflecting the most persuasive points in a pithy fashion. It is the examples of how marriage impacts individual lives that keeps you reading it. Quite simply, the combination of effective argument and people's lives will convince the most skeptical. Even those who disagree with equal marriage rights should read this to see what arguments they need to defeat. A great book for anyone - you won't put it down.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you care about Marriage, read this book!, August 7, 2004

By	G. L SPINO "A Proud American" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After reading WHY MARRIAGE MATTERS, AMERICA, EQUALITY AND GAY PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO MARRY, by Evan Wolfson, I felt proud to be an American again! I have struggled with the direction that this country has been going in and wanted to believe that we're truly are a country of the people, by the people and for the people. The underlying patriotism and sense of hope that is the basis of this book struck a chord in my heart.

America is struggling with the issue of marriage and who should be allowed to marry. WHY MARRIAGE MATTERS addresses the concerns of the everyday American with respect and accuracy. Wolfson touches on issues from the religious response to the historical argument, from racial equality to what the opponents of marriage equality DON'T want you to know. He does this with and consistent reverence to the founding principles of our great country and reminds the reader of those principles with inspiring quotes from American leaders through the ages. It is the duty of every American to read this book so that they will be able to discuss the issue of marriage with their friends and families.

The final message of this book is one of unity and hope. We all need this. I strongly recommend that every person who cares about marriage buy 2 copies of this book, one to read and one to share with those they love. There is nothing greater about this country than the importance we all place on communication and communion of truth. If everyone approached the issue of marriage from Wolfson's point of view, there would be far less misunderstanding surrounding this very important American institution. Please do yourself, and your family, a favor and read WHY MARRIAGE MATTERS.