Why Marriage: The History Shaping Today's Debate Over Gay Equality

by George Chauncey

Book Overview

Angry debate over gay marriage has divided the nation as 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. George Chauncey offers an electrifying analysis of the history of the shifting attitudes of heterosexual Americans toward gay people, from the dramatic growth in acceptance to the many...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465009581
• ISBN13: 9780465009589
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Gay Rights

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.

Why Marriage? The history shaping today's debate over gay equality

Why Marriage? The History Shaping Today's Debate Over Gay Equality written by George Chauncey describes the history that has set the stage for the debate over gay marriage today. The book begins with a history of gay and lesbian individuals in the US and their struggle to enter and gain acceptance in the public sphere. Up until the 1930s during the great depression gay and lesbians were not viewed with such critique and demonization. During the great depression there was a push for traditional families when men lost their jobs and no longer had the same role in their family and found homosexuals to be a threat. Continued discriminatory practices continued in the following decades and gay clubs and restaurants were closed and individuals presumed to be homosexual were jailed. During the 1950's Broadway plays were band from having gay themed plays and an agreement was made in Hollywood not to represent gay characters or issues. During the 1970's public opinion was shifting and heterosexual couples were living together before marriage. Birth control was gaining popularity and sex was being viewed as a means of pleasure and not just for reproduction. During the 1980s through the 1990s the AIDS epidemic started and gay men were both stereotyped and feared as being diseased by the public and healthcare workers. Gay men came together with the support of female activists, who had experience in health due to work in the women's movement, to battle discrimination. In 1987 78% of the US viewed homosexual relations as wrong. During the 1990s gay characters could be seen in the media and movies such as Philadelphia were hits and gay support was increasing significantly. In 1993 the military enacted a "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy on homosexuality forcing many gay individuals to lead a double life. Chauncey describes how marriage has evolved overtime from a system of control, where people wed for political reasons and one could not choose a partner, to a system of love and compassion. Since the nineteenth century marriage has evolved and the freedom to choose a partner is viewed as a right, gender roles with in married families have changed and no longer need a stereotypical "man" or "woman", marriage is economically beneficial and often necessary, and is thought of less on the basis of religion, even though some churches do allow it. Marriage is desired by gay and lesbian couples because without the privilege they are second class citizens with no rights and protection if a partner becomes ill, as seen in the AIDS epidemic, or dies along with protection for their children. In 2004 gay couples received the right to marry in Massachusetts and California along with other counties throughout the US. Gay couples flocked to get married but this ability to wed was short lived when President Bush two weeks later set forth a constitutional amendment to end gay marriage. Taking notes through this reading allowed me to reflect on what I was writing its significance t

Im getting married!

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.

A history of how marriage became a key goal in GLBT politics

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.

Wonderful context setting for current struggle

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.