Politics of Same-Sex Marriage

Rimmerman Craig A., Wilcox Clyde

Same-sex marriage emerged in 2004 as one of the hottest issues of the campaign season. But in a severe blow to gay rights advocates, all eleven states that had the issue on the ballot passed amendments banning the practice, and the subject soon dropped off the media's radar. This pattern of waxing and waning in the public eye has characterized the debate over same-sex marriage since 1996 and the passing of the Defense of Marriage Act. Since then, court rulings and local legislatures have kept the issue alive in the political sphere, and conservatives and gay rights advocates have made the issue a key battlefield in the culture wars.

"The Politics of Same-Sex Marriage" brings together an esteemed list of scholars to explore all facets of this heated issue, including the ideologies and strategies on both sides of the argument, the public's response, the use of the issue in political campaigns, and how same-sex marriage fits into the broad context of policy cycles and windows of political opportunity. With comprehensive coverage from a variety of different approaches, this volume will be a vital sourcebook for activists, politicians, and scholars alike.

Reviews

"This original and wide-ranging volume collects all of the current mainstream scholarship by some of the finest minds in political science on the topic of same-sex marriage. Its broad scope and emphasis on public opinion and political processes should appeal to scholars of various disciplines interested in the issue of same-sex marriage and American politics" – Kenneth Sherrill, Hunter College, City University of New York

"Exhibiting the true interdisciplinarity necessary to fully understand this complex issue, the authors draw upon a wide array of methodologies – historical, psychological, legal, sociological, and theological, as well as more traditional political science methodologies... When it comes to the history of efforts to gain same-sex marriage and the countermovement against it, this collection serves as a crucial addition to collections for use by students and scholars... Highly recommended" – Choice

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