Latest Gay Marriage News
The legal right for members of the same gender to marry has become one of the defining socio-political issues of the early 21st century in the United States, and been the subject of contentious debates elsewhere in the world as well.
At least 10 countries - including Argentina, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Belgium and South Africa - have legalized same-sex marriage. At least 20 other countries recognize or perform civil unions - a status that typically confers most or all of the legal rights and privileges of marriage without deeming the union to be a true marriage.
In the U.S., five states - Connecticut Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont - and the District of Columbia have legalized gay marriage and several others either allow civil unions or legally recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere.
Proponents of same-sex marriage say that gay couples deserve equal treatment under the law (a right protected in the U.S. Constitution) including the financial benefits of marriage in the eyes of the law and rights like hospital visitation and next-of-kin status. They also assert that the denial of the right to marry stigmatizes homosexuality, potentially contributing to anti-gay bigotry and crime and metal health issues among gay people.
Opponents say that the word "marriage" is intrinsically defined as comprising a relationship involving one man and one woman, that it is a religious institution that can be policed by each religion, and - in the case of extreme opponents - that it is immoral or sinful and results in non-functional, corrupting families.
That division of opinion has been evident in the passage and subsequent legal wrangling over Proposition 8, a California ballot initiative restricting marriage to heterosexual couples. The campaigning on both sides of Prop 8 was some of the most expensive and contentious in state history.
In August, 2010 a federal judge overturned the law on Constitutional grounds, but left enforcement of the ruling on hold pending the appeals process.
- Play CBS Video Same-Sex Marriages Legalized
- Play CBS Video Same Sex Marriage Ban
- Play CBS Video Cheney On Same-Sex Marriage
- Play CBS Video Same-Sex Marriage Issue
- Play CBS Video Same-Sex Marriage Debate
- Play CBS Video California Okays Same Sex Marriage
- Play CBS Video Same Sex Marriages Legal In Conn.
- Play CBS Video Notebook: Same-Sex Marriage
- Play CBS Video Prom Cancelled over Same-Sex Date?
- N.Y. sens. join same-sex marriage campaign
Schumer, Gillibrand, join ad campaign promoting marriage equality
Read Blog - Celebrities urge Obama to support gay marriage
Celebrities sign open letter to President Obama urging him to support gay marriage
Read Blog - Celebs ask Obama to come out for same-sex marriage
Celebs ask Obama to come out for same-sex marriage
Read Full Story - Standing-room only at RI gay marriage hearing
Standing-room only at RI gay marriage hearing
Read Full Story - Mexico City records 700 gay weddings in first year
Mexico City records 700 gay weddings in first year
Read Full Story - House GOP moves to defend DOMA
House Speaker John Boehner announced today steps that ensure the House will defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court
Read Blog - Speaker launches effort to defend gay marriage ban
Speaker launches effort to defend gay marriage ban
Read Full Story - Calif. AG latest to seek resumption of gay unions
Calif. AG latest to seek resumption of gay unions
Read Full Story - Calif AG asks court to lift gay marriage stay
Calif AG asks court to lift gay marriage stay
Read Full Story - Calif.'s AG asks court to lift gay marriage ban
State attorney general asks appeals court to allow marriages to continue while court considers constitutionality of ban
Read Full Story - Boehner: House likely to defend DOMA in court
House Speaker John Boehner said the GOP-led House will likely step in now that the Justice Department is not defending Defense of Marriage Act
Read Blog - California county renews gay marriage fight
California county renews gay marriage fight
Read Full Story - Maryland Senate approves gay marriage rights
Maryland Senate approves gay marriage rights
Read Full Story - Analysis: Obama shifts stance on gay marriage
Analysis: Obama shifts stance on gay marriage
Read Full Story - Gay marriage policy change: Questions and answers
Gay marriage policy change: Questions and answers
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Advocates Marched in Washington to Demand that President Obama Keep His Promises to the Gay Community
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At Parades In New York And San Francisco, Attendees Show Their Pride
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A Look at Some of the Broadcast and Cable Shows That Feature LGBT Characters
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