Assignment 5 - LGBT&Q Families

Assignment 5 - LGBT & Q Families

1) According to the article, what percent of Americans polled support gay marriage and why is this news?

According to the New York Times article by Gelman, Lax and Phillips, the percentage of gay marriages has seen a growth rate of 45% higher from 1996 when the support was only 25%.  Although some states are not at the 50% line yet, there is growth.

2) Click on the link to Proposition 8 in the NY Times article. What is Proposition 8? Also, briefly describe the history of Prop 8 over the past few years.

Proposition 8 was a secret ballot in California that outlawed same-sex marriages.  It was the result of a court decision years earlier that banned the marriage between gay couples.  This amendment has been deemed as unconstitutional to gay men and women and a violation of their rights.  During the time of issue prior to the ban those who have been married are still considered married.

3) Go to this website: Defense of Marriage Act Amendment

According to the this amendment, what is the definition of marriage in the U.S.?

The definition of marriage according to the Defense of Marriage Act Amendment is the agreement to a legal coalition between a single man and a single female as husband and wife.  It further clarifies that the meaning of a spouse is a reference to the person of the opposite sex who is either the husband or wife.

4) Okay, one last website from National Public Radio. Go to this link NPR state by state map of gay marriage

Rhode Island – It was suggested by the attorney general that the state recognize same-sex marriage just like its neighbor, Massachusetts.   This has not yet been passed.  During the same year of 2007, the court failed to recognize a divorce case of a same sex marriage from Massachusetts.

Hawaii - After a 2 decade long crusade, Hawaii will start recognizing same-sex marriages on January 1, 2012.  There was a period starting in 1993 that legalized these marriages but it was overturned five years later.  There were however some limited legal rights to same-sex partners in the meantime.