1. GAY MARRIAGES Is it wrong and should it be illegal?

2. Background & Context  The gay marriage movement has been developing for well over a decade in the United States. Along with this movement, a strong counter-movement has grown. T  he passage of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996 marked a strong federal response and rejection of gay marriage, and was supported by 68% of Americans. The DOMA did two things.  First, it recognized the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman for all aspects of federal law.  Second, it ensured that no State is obligated to accept another State’s non-traditional marriages (or civil unions) by operation of the Constitution’s Full Faith and Credit Clause (art. IV, sec. 1).  Following the passage of this law, thirty-seven States passed their own constitutional amendments or statutes commonly known as “state DOMAs” that further protect traditional, heterosexual marriage. For a time, this settled the debate.  The gay marriage movement, however, continued to grow in support, the American public has become increasingly accepting of the idea (polls showing support between roughly 35% and 45%), and a number of state and municipal governments began challenging the DOMA after the millenia. With this increasing government and public support of the idea of gay marriage, opponents of gay marriage intensified their campaign, and in February 2004 for example, President Bush officially supported legislation designed to constitutionally ban gay marriage. This counter-movement to constitutionally ban gay marriage both on a federal and state level has certainly increased the stakes of the debate. Accompanying the state legislative "DOMAs" banning gay marriage have been a number of challenges and decisions in state supreme courts. In July, 2006, for example, New York’s highest court voted 4-to-2 that a legislative ban on same-sex marriage did not violate the state Constitution. This added to a small list of state rulings on the issue, including those of Indiana and Arizona (both of which also upheld legislative bans) and Massachusetts (which overturned a legislative ban).

3. Discussion  Is reproduction the key function of marriage, invaliding gay-marriage?  Should marriage be defined as between a man and a woman?  Does gay marriage threaten the institution of marriage?  Are homosexual homes bad environments for child- rearing?  Is same-sex marriage wrong on religious grounds?  Is homosexuality always wrong, making gay- marriage always wrong?

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