Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: The Road to the Supreme Court
Same-sex marriage has become one of the defining social issues in contemporary U.S. politics. State court decisions finding in favor of same-sex relationship equality claims have been central to the issue’s ascent from nowhere to near the top of the national political agenda. Same-Sex Marriage in the United States tells the story of the legal and cultural shift, its backlash, and how it has evolved over the past 15 years.
There is a clear story of jurisprudential evolution with regards to same-sex marriage from Hawaii, through Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, and, remarkably, Iowa in 2009. This book aids in a classroom examination of the legal, political, and social developments surrounding the issue of same-sex marriage in the United States. While books about same-sex marriage have proliferated in recent years, few, if any, have provided a clear and comprehensive account of the litigation for same-sex marriage, and its successes and failures, as this book does.
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Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: The Road to the Supreme Court
Same-sex marriage has become one of the defining social issues in contemporary U.S. politics. State court decisions finding in favor of same-sex relationship equality claims have been central to the issue’s ascent from nowhere to near the top of the national political agenda. Same-Sex Marriage in the United States tells the story of the legal and cultural shift, its backlash, and how it has evolved over the past 15 years.
There is a clear story of jurisprudential evolution with regards to same-sex marriage from Hawaii, through Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, and, remarkably, Iowa in 2009. This book aids in a classroom examination of the legal, political, and social developments surrounding the issue of same-sex marriage in the United States. While books about same-sex marriage have proliferated in recent years, few, if any, have provided a clear and comprehensive account of the litigation for same-sex marriage, and its successes and failures, as this book does.
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Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: The Road to the Supreme Court
Same-sex marriage has become one of the defining social issues in contemporary U.S. politics. State court decisions finding in favor of same-sex relationship equality claims have been central to the issue’s ascent from nowhere to near the top of the national political agenda. Same-Sex Marriage in the United States tells the story of the legal and cultural shift, its backlash, and how it has evolved over the past 15 years.
There is a clear story of jurisprudential evolution with regards to same-sex marriage from Hawaii, through Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, and, remarkably, Iowa in 2009. This book aids in a classroom examination of the legal, political, and social developments surrounding the issue of same-sex marriage in the United States. While books about same-sex marriage have proliferated in recent years, few, if any, have provided a clear and comprehensive account of the litigation for same-sex marriage, and its successes and failures, as this book does.
Jason Pierceson is a professor of political science at the University of Illinois, Springfield.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Gay Rights and Same-Sex Marriage: 1950-1990
Same-Sex Marriage, Politics, and Law Around the World
The First Phase of Litigation, Backlash, and Litigation’s Legacy: Hawaii, Washington, D.C., Alaska, Vermont, and Massachusetts
Same-Sex Marriage in the Midwest
Continued Progress and Backlash, 2004-2012: The East and South
Continued Progress and Backlash, 2004-2012: The West
Same-Sex Marriage and the Supreme Court
Conclusion
Index
What People are Saying About This
Jay Barth
Jason Pierceson's book reminds us that, while the debate over marriage equality has become a central issue in US politics in recent years, the history is quite a long one. That rich history is captured in this well-written account of that legal and political battle in the American states. In addition to reminding us of the actors involved in the early days of the debate, this excellent book also shows the diversity of responses to the issue of same-sex marriage around a complex nation whose states have different demographics, different politics, and different legal traditions.
Miriam Smith
A fascinating survey of developments in same-sex marriage across the states, offering an integrated law and politics approach. Pierceson’s focus on the Midwest is particularly welcome, demonstrating the complex interplay of progressive and conservative political forces in litigation, legislative and constitutional battles in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Carlos A. Ball
A superb account of how the question of same-sex marriage has become one of the preeminent civil rights issues of our time. Pierceson masterfully weaves together the legal, political, and cultural factors that are inexorably leading courts, legislatures, and most Americans to support same-sex marriage. Anyone who is interested in how our legal and political systems address claims of justice and equality will want to read this wonderful and timely book.
Douglas NeJaime
Pierceson provides a timely exploration of marriage equality's path to the U.S. Supreme Court, demonstrating that the Court's ultimate intervention takes place against the backdrop of a long-term and largely state-based legal, political, and cultural battle for relationship equality. His detailed exploration of the movement for relationship equality at the state level reveals the crucial and productive impact of LGBT advocates' sophisticated litigation strategy. Pierceson's analysis demonstrates that if marriage equality ultimately prevails, advocates' shrewd deployment of litigation must be counted as a significant contributor to that success.