Gay Marriage: for Better or for Worse?: What We've Learned from the Evidence

Gay Marriage: for Better or for Worse?: What We've Learned from the Evidence
by William N. Eskridge, Darren R. Spedale

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Book Summary Information

Author: Darren R. Spedale, William N. Eskridge
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2007-07-10
ISBN: 0195326970
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Book Reviews of Gay Marriage: for Better or for Worse?: What We've Learned from the Evidence

Book Review: Excellent examination of evidence regarding same-sex marriage
Summary: 5 Stars

A fantastic book - definitely very scholarly in tone, to the point of redundancy at times. One of the most informative and smart books about the subject of marriage equality. I consider it a must read for anyone who is involved in the struggle for bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender rights in general.

Also a good resource for thoughtful people who may be unsure of their position on the subject, and may want to examine the evidence of the consequences of gay marriage in various contexts.

I appreciated the authors description of a process of dealing with these issues where same-sex couples still ask for 100% of the rights that they desire, but all parties involved, pro and con are respectful of differences, and change is made incrementally over a period of years (Even our California same-sex marriages were not so sudden, upon greater reflection.)

Overall a good resource.

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Summary of Gay Marriage: for Better or for Worse?: What We've Learned from the Evidence

Opponents of same-sex marriage in the United States claim that allowing gays and lesbians to marry would undermine the institution of marriage, weaken family structures, and cause harm to children. Drawing from 17 years of data and experience with same-sex marriage in Scandinavia (in the form of registered partnerships), Gay Marriage: For Better or for Worse? is the first book to present empirical evidence about the effects of same-sex marriage on society. Spedale and Eskridge find that the evidence refutes conservative defense-of-marriage arguments and, in fact, demonstrates that the institution of marriage may indeed benefit from the legalization of gay marriage. If we look at the proof from abroad, the authors show, we must conclude that the sanctioning of gay marriage in the United States would neither undermine marriage as an institution, nor harm the wellbeing of our nation's children.
"A very interesting book that people should read."
--Bill O'Reilly, Host, The O'Reilly Factor
"Whatever your views are now on same-sex marriage, this is the book to read to be informed about why same sex couples want legal recognition and what legal union means to them and to the larger community. Spedale and Eskridge give detailed accounts of the effects of registered partnerships in Scandinavia--and along the way, offer fascinating and engaging pictures of many people's lives."
--Martha Minow,
Jeremiah Smith Jr. Professor, Harvard Law School
"Spedale and Eskridge illuminate with remarkable even-handedness a debate that tends to generate more heat than light. They provide a cogent analysis of conservative arguments that same-sex matrimony threatens conventional marriage, and argue persuasively that enabling same-sex partners to marry may actually strengthen that beleaguered institution."
--John Podesta,
President and CEO, Center for American Progress
"An important and timely contribution. It should be required reading for anyone interested in the future of families in America."
--Martha Albertson Fineman,
Robert W. Woodruff Professor, Emory Law School

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