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 Same-Sex Unions in Hawaii
- US House group files motion in gay marriage suit
US House group files motion in gay marriage suit
Read Full Story » - Obama to headline gay rights dinner
Obama to headline gay rights dinner
Read Full Story » - Leading anti-gay-marriage group names new chairman
Leading anti-gay-marriage group names new chairman
Read Full Story » - Leading anti-gay-marriage group names new chairman
Leading anti-gay-marriage group names new chairman
Read Full Story » - Gay vet sues for reinstatement as DADT repealed
Former Air Force major discharged under policy files suit seeking to get back in
Read Full Story » - Poll: U.S. remains divided on gay marriage
AP survey suggests religion, age at root of Americans' firm beliefs on marriage rights; Slim majority support gay marriage
Read Full Story » - Christine O'Donnell walks out on Piers Morgan
Conservative ex-Senate candidate ends interview over CNN host's repeated attempts to discuss gay marriage
Read Blog » - Mitt Romney pledges opposition to gay marriage
Though he once vowed to be strong advocate for gay rights, GOP candidate now backs constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage
Read Blog » - Washington indian tribe allows gay marriage
Suquamish tribal council's vote makes it only the second U.S. indian nation to recognize gay marriages
Read Full Story » - Dollywood to lesbian: Change gay-marriage tee
Theme park asked lesbian to turn T-shirt reading "marriage is so gay" inside-out to avoid offending other guests
Read Full Story » - Lawyers, counselors may see gain from gay marriage
Lawyers, counselors may see gain from gay marriage
Read Full Story » - Most states likely to spurn gay-marriage bandwagon
Most states likely to spurn gay-marriage bandwagon
Read Full Story » - Gay marriage opponents sue to overturn N.Y. law
Day after weddings celebrated around state, lawsuit argues N.Y. Senate violated its own procedures and open meetings law
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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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