Angry debate over gay marriage is sweeping the country, threatening to divide the nation like no other issue since the Vietnam War. Why has marriage suddenly emerged as the most explosive issue in the gay struggle for equality? At times it seems to have come out of nowhere-but in fact it has a history. Drawing upon the unparalleled historical knowledge that established him as the principal author of the influential Historians’ Amicus Brief filed in the landmark Sup… More >>
Why Marriage?: The history shaping today’s debate over gay equality
As an activist, I agree with the author that we must understand our history in order to fully grasp what is currently going on. The book gives a snapshot of the various changes in society that have brought us to this momentous time.
Rating: 5 / 5
i am getting married to my girlfriend of 4 years, and last night was our engagement party. we had 65 friends and family celebrating our big-fat lesbian wedding. it was wonderful. marriage is so important in the collective coming out process – it legitimizes our relationship, recognizes us as a serious, devoted couple, and gives us an opportunity to have a fantastic party. I am giving the book to all the members of my family, and people in my wedding party to help educate and enlighten everyone on the history and significance of marriage and how it is not a privilege, but a right for everyone.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is an extraordinary exploration of the history of the modern Queer rights movement, and how same-sex marriage came to be a central issue in the past few years.
Chauncey writes history with the skill of a good novelist; the book flows brilliantly. Should be mandatory reading for every college student, legislator and judge in the country.
Rating: 5 / 5
Chauncey, George. “Why Marriage: The History Shaping Today’s Debate Over Gay Equality”, Basic Books, 2005.
Gay Rights
Amos Lassen
Many who favor the concept of gay marriage and gay rights have little idea of how the issue came into being and in this slim volume, George Chauncey tells us. It is a historical analysis and explanation which is a necessity for anyone who wants to understand the arguments that are raging today. Chauncey looks at the way attitudes have changed toward gay people from the tremendous acceptance to the explosive issue of gay marriage. The issue of gay marriage seems to have come out of nowhere to become a major issue in American life. The debates have divided this country like no other issue has since the war in Vietnam and even though it seems to have come out of nowhere, it does have quite a history.
Chauncey starts by giving a history of the struggle for acceptance of individuals (up until the 1930s) but when the great depression hit there was a trend toward traditional families and this continued until the 1950s when theaters and movies were not allowed to deal with gay issues and gay places of meeting were continually being closed. By he 70s, opinion began to shift and heterosexual couples were “shacking up” before marriage. Birth control began its popularity and sex was being seen as a source of pleasure and not just for procreation. In the 80s the AIDS epidemic started as did gay stereotyping but the gay community began to solidify and by the 90’s there was gay representation in the media. Marriage began to evolve to a system of love and compassion. In 2004 gay couples received the right to mart in Massachusetts and California (and lost it soon after) but the idea was now planted into the consciousness of America. Chauncey presents a lot of information here and he moved from a factual account to a philosophical analysis.
This is a wonderful account of the history of the quest for gay rights and it is concise and easy to read. He writes with skill and his book flows. I certainly feel much better prepared for any argument that may come my way.
Rating: 5 / 5
George Chauncey gives a detailed argument in support of same-sex marriage in his book, “Why Marriage.” First of all, Chauncey introduces the issue of same-sex marriage on a positive note of writing how much society has progressed in its opinions of same-sex marriage and other gay issues. Chauncey then begins the book with a history of the struggle for not only same-sex marriage, but also gay rights as a whole. The examples of discrimination that homosexuals have faced throughout history, especially in the past fifty years, would be shocking to even the most educated person. We see throughout the book, especially in the beginning, the significance of other movements, such as the feminist movement and the civil rights movement, in helping homosexuals to rise above the discrimination and to ultimately, fight valiantly for their cause. Chauncey also discusses the history of the struggle to bring AIDS to the forefront as not only as a homosexual issue, but as an issue that everyone must deal with.
In the next part of the book, Chauncey discusses many of the ways in which the fundamental structure of marriage has changed in favor of gay marriage. For example, interracial marriages were not allowed in past. Marrying someone of a different religion was looked down upon, if not completely illegal. However, both of these examples have changed to be somewhat more accepted in society today. Chauncey argues that by looking at trends, it is hopeful that same-sex marriage will become more acceptable. We then are given the reasons that homosexual do want to get married and be together legally in the eyes of the government and others of society. Chauncey gives us several examples of committed couples wanting to officially become married. Finally, Chauncey discusses the current issues at hand and what can be done to allow same-sex marriages by looking at the political, religious, and social aspects of our country in relation to the same-sex marriage issue. As someone who before felt somewhat informed on this highly contested issue, I have certainly become more knowledgeable about the argument from Chauncey’s book, “Why Marriage.”
Rating: 4 / 5