Preface . . xiii 

1 Background and History . . 1 
Introduction: The Early Days . . 1 
Same-Sex Relationships in History . . 3 
Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Relationships in Western Culture . . 11 
Sodomy Laws in the United States . . 14 
The Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Movement . . 16 
Same-Sex Marriage in the United States . . 22 

2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions . . 31 
Introduction . . 31 
Same-Sex Marriage in Judeo-Christian History . . 33 
Rome and the Middle Ages . . 36 
"Traditional Marriage" . . 42 
Nontraditional Marriage in Western Culture . . 45 
Same-Sex Marriage: Arguments Pro and Con . . 49 
The Status of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States . . 67 
Alternatives to Same-Sex Marriage . . 70 
The Future of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States . . 71 

3 Worldwide Perspective . . 81 
Introduction . . 81 
Same-Sex Marriage in History . . 82 
Same-Sex Marriage: Recent Developments: Opposition . . 84 
Same-Sex Marriage: Recent Developments: Support . . 87 
Public Opinion about Same-Sex Marriage . . 100 
The Future of Same-Sex Marriage . . 102 

4 Chronology . . 111 

5 Biographical Sketches . . 133 

6 Documents and Data . . 157 
Legislation . . 157 
House Bill 2007 . . 160 
A Bill for an Act . . 160 
Reports . . 168 
Court Cases . . 174 
Data and Statistics . . 194 

7 Organizations . . 199 
Organizations in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage . . 199 
Organizations Opposed to Same-Sex Marriage . . 215 
Organizations with an Interest in Marriage, but Who Are Neutral about Same-Sex Marriage . . 224 

8 Resources . . 227 
Print . . 227 
Nonprint . . 254 

Glossary . . 269 
Index . . 273 
About the Author . . 297