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
- 1st same-sex civil union performed in Delaware
Leader of advocacy group's fight for state's new civil union law joins in union with partner of 14 years
Read Full Story » - 1st civil unions take place in Delaware
1st civil unions take place in Delaware
Read Full Story » - Newt Gingrich promises "fidelity to my spouse"
Republican presidential candidate says he supports constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, promises to be faithful to third wife
Read Blog » - Gay voter grills Romney on marriage rights
Former Massachusetts governor picks up another high-profile state endorsement, but stumbles into an exchange with a voter about same-sex marriage
Read Blog » - CA same-sex marriage ban gets another day in court
CA same-sex marriage ban gets another day in court
Read Full Story » - Bachmann: "Reprehensible" to use kids for politics
Presidential hopeful blasts parent of young boy who told Bachmann that his gay mom "didn't need fixing"
Read Blog » - US drops deportation case against woman's spouse
US drops deportation case against woman's spouse
Read Full Story » - Nigeria criminalizes gay marriage, advocacy
Nigeria's senate voted to criminalize gay marriage, gay advocacy groups and same-sex public displays of affection
Read Full Story » - Ill. to let civil-union couples file tax returns
Ill. to let civil-union couples file tax returns
Read Full Story » - Ill. to let civil-union couples file tax returns
Ill. to let civil-union couples file tax returns
Read Full Story » - Court says backers can defend gay marriage measure
Court says backers can defend gay marriage measure
Read Full Story » - Gay-marriage foes get boost from Calif. court
Golden State's highest court rules backers of state's voter-approved gay-marriage ban can defend law when gov't refuses to
Read Full Story » - Senate Dems push Defense of Marriage Act repeal
31 Senate Democrats sponsor bill to roll back federal law defining marriage as union of a man and woman
Read Full Story » - Town clerk in NY same-sex marriage flap re-elected
Town clerk in NY same-sex marriage flap re-elected
Read Full Story » - Gay and lesbian service members sue government
Gay and lesbian service members sue government
Read Full Story »
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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