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598,751 visitors since
11/25/2003
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Gay Marriage
Here are links to news stories, essays, research articles, and court cases concerning same sex marriage. Write me to suggest a link. In most cases, a new browser will open when you click the links. Disclaimer: I am only responsible for the content on my site; posting a link here does not mean I agree with the contents of the site. I have posted materials from a wide range of viewpoints to facilitate understand of the total issue. Some sites may lead to objectionable material so please use discretion in surfing any further than the link provided. Chris Matthews, the tough but affable host of MSNBC’s Hardball advanced an interesting argument in favor of same sex marriage. His theory is that the government has a kind of obligation to encourage bonding among homosexuals. A simple majority of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ripped marriage from its historical, cultural and common law foundation and reconstructed it as “an evolving paradigm.”After the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision requiring Massachusetts to recognize gay marriage, I wrote a column called, “The Binary Nature of Marriage: The Point of Two.” Based on the logic of the Massachusetts’ court, I reasoned if the male-female union is no longer vital to the legal definition of marriage then nothing is sacred about the number two, as in a couple. Many of my critics protested that no one would seriously or legally consider eroding the binary nature of marriage. Well, I think I can safely write, “I told you so” next to that column. The more-than-two crowd is not even waiting until gay marriage is institutionalized to begin looking for their place at the altar. Wait and see: the chapel is going to get crowded.Over a decade ago, Denmark became the first country to implement marriage-like unions for gays. Can the Danish experience teach us anything about our current debate over same sex marriage? If Denmark is any guide, we are in for a long and contentious political battle that ultimately may please no one. It has been quite a week (month, year) for the recognition of rights for people identifying as gay. Beginning with the summer’s Lawrence v. Texas U.S. Supreme Court case overturning sodomy laws, the nation’s headlines have been dominated by all things gay up to the present. The “love that dare not speak its name” now won’t simmer down for a moment. In this context, its worth asking: How did we arrive at altar? Bill O’Reilly, host of the O’Reilly Factor show on Fox Network, describes his show as the “no spin zone.” Guests on the show don’t get much slack to slant their cause or issue in the most favorable light. Most of the time, Mr. O’Reilly confronts them in mid sentence. However, way back in February, Mr. O’Reilly had Kevin Jennings of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educators Network (GLSEN) on his show. Mr. Jennings was touting his organization’s high school curriculum on gay marriage. Not only did Mr. Jennings engage in spin, he did so under the watching eyes of the one who presides over the no-spin zone, Mr. O’Reilly himself.As in the culture at large, there is an ongoing discussion in the social sciences about the impact of father absence on children. Author Hulbert corrects impression about lesbian mothering and potential impact on sexuality in children.This research report re-evaluates a study concerning the impact of gay parenting on the sexual preference of children.Nicholas Kristof, columnist for the New York Times recently wrote an article called “Lovers Under the Skin” (12/3/03) in which he sought to provide support for the idea that homosexuality, at least in men, is passed down to later generations through supposedly related behavioral traits such as sensitivity and empathy. He asked two questions in his article that he suggested must be answered by those who disagree with genetic determinism. I like a challenge so en garde!In modern intellectual discourse, when one is short on substantive arguments, one may safely retreat to spurious analogies, personal offense or even out right name-calling. A tactic that uses all three ploys is golden. Accusing your ideological opponent of racism is one such strategic maneuver. Recently, the issue of gay marriage brought out the race card.Karl Ulrichs and Karl Kertbeny would approve. The Supreme Court's decision (Lawrence vs. Texas) overturning the nation's laws against sodomy closes the loop on the quest for decriminalizing homosexuality that these men started a continent away and over a century ago. The word "homosexual" was first used in 1869 in the campaign against the proposed enactment of sodomy laws in Germany.Bush: 'Our nation must enact a constitutional amendment to protect marriage in America.' Jesus is in the news of late and a growing number people seem to be interested in His teaching on sexuality. Although not a theologian by trade, I take a look at this interesting question...Testimony given by Dr. Throckmorton before the Juvenile and Family Law Committee of the Ohio House of Representatives November 12, 2003.
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