Homosexuality and bisexuality

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Same-sex marriages (SSM), civil
unions, & domestic partnerships

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We use the acronym "SSM" to represent "same-sex marriage"

Overview of SSM in the U.S.:

The fight over interracial marriage is as similar a topic to SSM as exists in America. In 1948, California became the first state in the U.S. to allow interracial couples to marry. Another 19 years passed before the U.S. Supreme Court changed the definition of marriage in 1967 and made interracial marriage available to loving, committed couples across the entire country, whether of the same race or different races.

In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to allow same-sex couples to marry. California and Connecticut became the second and third in 2008.

in 2008-NOV, SSM in California was terminated by Proposition 8 which restricted marriage to one woman in a union with one man.  The Supreme Court of California ruled that Prop. 8 was constitutional. However, the court did not forcibly divorce couples who married during 2008 when marriages were available.

Since then, most of the New England states and Washington DC have legalized SSM.

By early 2010-MAR, twenty politcial jurisdictions in North America offer marriage equality:

• Five states in the U.S. (Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.) and the District of Columbia.
• Ten provinces and three territories in Canada
• Mexico City in Mexico.

In addition there is a court case in California that might reinstate same-sex marriage in that state. An affirmative response from the U.S. Supreme Court could even conceivably make marriage equality available across the U.S., as that court allowed inter-racial marriage in 1967.

What does the future hold?

As of early 2010, most American adults oppose SSM. However, in matters related to social change, momentum is everything. Young adults strongly favor SSM while the elderly are very strongly opposed. The trend in recent years has been towards acceptance of homosexuality and bisexuality as normal, and natural sexual orientation for a minority of adults. The most recent two referenda on SSM -- California and Vermont -- failed to legalize SSM by only 3% and 2% respectively.

If same-sex marriage follows the same process as interracial marriage took to spread across the country, there will be a gradual increase in the number of states legalizing SSM from 2005 onwards. Eventually a lawsuit will be launched in one of the states that does not allow SSM, and will be finally argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. If the makeup of the court is similar that of the present time, one can be certain that the four original Roman Catholic justices who are all strict constructionists, will vote negatively. This means that all of the five remaining justices would have to vote in favor in order for SSM to be legalized across the nation. This process will probably take until the mid 2020s or later to complete.

The author of these essay, having being born in 1936, does not expect to see SSM legalized in the U.S. during his lifetime. He lives in Canada where SSM has been legal since 2005. He is happily very married to a person of the female persuasion.

Aspects of same-sex marriage (SSM) discussed in this section:

	Introductory material: Introduction and Internet links  <<< Please read this first! Status of SSM and civil unions: snapshot as of mid-2005   Timeline of changes: SSMs and civil unions, worldwide: From 2001 to 2004 From 2005 to 2008 From 2009 to now Current status of SSM and civil unions. SSM in Canada: an overview Harms resulting from: The denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples Same-sex marriage itself according to some conservatives   Quotations showing the diversity of beliefs about SSM
	Background material: Past changes in the institution of marriage Why are couples not permitted to marry? A related topic: the battle over inter-racial marriage in the U.S. Why do some same-sex couples want to marry? Is same-sex marriage a good or bad idea? A threat to the institution of marriage, or a beneficial cultural change? Rebutting arguments by conservatives against SSM Analysis of Family Research Council`s stance on SSM A speech by Ed Fallon in opposition to a DOMA law in Iowa How do children fare with same-sex parents? One child with three legal parents: Canadian court decision Governments that recognize same-sex relationships Companies that extend benefits to partners of gay/lesbian employees Marriage benefits denied to gay & lesbian couples A sampling of opinions
	Religion and SSM: The Bible and same-sex marriages Marriage and family forms in the Bible and now Article in Newsweek in support of SSM (2008-DEC-15) TV ad by the National Organization for Marriage opposing SSM
	Laws in the U.S.: Legal aspects US court & legislative activity restricting same-sex marriage - DOMA laws The Nebraska DOMA law declared unconstitutional Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) to the U.S. Constitution An interpretation of the U.S. Constitution Will SSM inevitably lead to decriminalizing polygamy?
	Public opinion polls: In the U.S.: Single polls Repeated polls: On same-sex marriage On same-sex civil unions In Canada: 1996 to 2002; 2003 2004 2005 2006 Anecdotal comments about SSM
	Status of SSM, civil unions, etc. in the U.S.: Overview in the U.S.: Native American Nations: Cherokee Nation Coquille Nation American states   Alaska Arizona California *** The Pursuit of equality, a documentary DVD Connecticut * District of Columbia * Hawaii Iowa * Maine Maryland ** Massachusetts * New Hampshire * New Jersey New York ** New Mexico Oregon Rhode Island Vermont  * Virginia Washington DC * Washington state Wisconsin Wyoming Issuing of SSM marriage licenses in various states in early 2004 Activity in other states * SSM available now: 5 states and Washington DC. ** Out-of-state SSMs recognized: 2 states. *** SSM once available; lawsuit underway to reinstate SSM: 1 state
	Status of SSM elsewhere in the world: Canada: Ten provincial/territorial court cases and one federal government decision This is a big section! Outside North America: Australia Belgium England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales Partnerships and reactions during 2005-DEC Israel Netherlands Norway New Zealand South Africa Spain Switzerland Sweden Other locations: Albania to Uruguay