Places the struggle for marriage rights in the context of other American civil rights movements, advocating legal and religious recognition of same-sex marriage while educating the public about what gay marriage does and does not mean for the future of the institution of marriage.

Today we find ourselves at a crossroads of two powerful, unrelenting currents that are completely at odds with one another. The movement for legal recognition of same-sex unions has gone beyond the separate but equal status of civil unions to demand equality in marriage for all couples. Progress is being made on many fronts: mayoral action, clergy officiating at same-sex marriage and union ceremonies, state legislative responses, and street protests, to name a few. Meanwhile, opposition to same-sex marriage has also been gathering strength. The struggle is sure to continue unabated for some time to come, pitting those who believe in the traditional definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman—and who seek to codify this belief in the U.S. Constitution—against those who find the basis for marriage between two loving, committed individuals not only in the history of our civil rights legislation and court decisions, but also in scripture and sacred religious traditions. Those who believe in extending to same-sex couples the 1,049 rights conferred by marriage as well as the supportive embrace of religious communities seek to strengthen the institution of marriage by making it inclusive and by passing laws and broadening doctrines to uphold marriage rights for all couples. This three-volume set clarifies the legal, political, religious, cultural, and social ramifications of same-sex marriage for gay and lesbian couples and their families and friends, and for the general public interested in the future of civil rights in the United States.

Features
Volume 1: Separate but Equal No More: A Guide to the Legal Status of Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Other Partnerships, edited by Mark Strasser, who is also General Editor of the set, includes discussions of different kinds of legally recognized same-sex unions in the United States.

Volume 2: Our Family Values: Same-Sex Marriage and Religion, edited by Traci C. West, contains an array of religious traditions, practices, and leaders that support same-sex marriage, and describes the struggles for its recognition within denominations, including analysis of racial dynamics.

Volume 3: The Freedom-to-Marry Movement: Education, Advocacy, Culture, and the Media, edited by Martin Dupuis and William A. Thompson, explores the political movement to legalize and recognize same-sex marriage and unions, including the movement's education and advocacy efforts and its opposition.

Volume I
General Editors Foreword, Mark Strasser
Introduction
1. Massachusetts: Cradle of Liberty
2. Civil Union: A Reappraisal
3. Domestic Partnerships
4. The Right to Marry, the San Francisco Experience and Lessons Learned
5. Corporate Domestic Partner Benefits
6. The Role of Anti-Gay Family Amendments in the 2004 Election
7. The Defense of Marriage ActFederal Level
8. Four Arguments Against a Marriage Amendment That Even an Opponent of Gay Marriage Should Accept
9. Adoption, Custody and the Rights of Children
About the Editor and Contributors
Selected Resources
Index
Acknowledgements
Volume II
Introduction
Part I: Faith, Culture, and History
1. Hindu Traditions
2. Married in the Sight of God: Martin Luther, Theology, and Same-Sex Unions
3. Religion and the Freedom to Marry: Historical Reflections on Marriage Equality in America
4. Testifying to the Blues: Sexuality and the Black Church
Part II: Faith and Practice
5. Same-Sex Marriage and Roman Catholicism
6. Kiddushin: An Equal Opportunity Covenant, Not Only for Heterosexuals
7. Speaking of Lutherans: The Journey of an Odd Advocate
8. A Buddhist Argument for Same-Sex Unions
9. A Methodist Supports Homosexual Marriage: A Study of Scripture and Tradition
10. A Christian Apologetic for Same-Sex Marriage
11. Each Muslim Has the Right to Find Their Mate Who Is Their Comfort and Cloak
Part III: Faithful Struggle
12. Marriage in a New Key: A Presbyterian Maps the Terrain of a Progressive Christianity
13. Naming the Problem: Black Clergy, U.S. Politics, and Marriage Equality
14. The Reformed Church in America: One Denominations Response to Same-Sex Marriage
15. Making Justice/Showing Love: The Episcopal Church and Same Sex Marriage
16. Love Wins: An Easy Gospel for Unitarian Universalism
17. Embracing Marriage Equality: A Faithful Call to Pentecostal Christians
Part IV: Faithfully Practicing Equality
18. Reconstructionist Judaism and Marriage Equality
19. When Covenant-Making Becomes Justice-Making: A San Francisco Pastors Story
20. Affirmation of Marriage Equality in the UCC: The Historic Moment at Our Synod
Appendix: A Sampling of Religious Wedding and Holy Union Ceremonies for Same-Sex Couples
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Volume III
Introduction
Part One: Advocacy and Activism
1. Marriage Equality and Some Lessons for the Scary Work of Winning
2. The Gay Marriage Struggle: Whats at Stake and How Can We Win?
3. Laying the Ground Work: Early Organizing in Vermont
4. Grass Roots Organizing: Lessons from the Garden State
5. The Wedding Party
Part Two: Education and Media
6. Deconstructing Arguments Against Same-Sex Marriage
7. PerfectUnion.net: Cyber-Organizing to Democratize Marriage
8. From Gay Bashing to Gay Baiting: Public Opinion and
News Media Frames for Gay Marriage
9. Introduction to American Government: What College Students Are Reading about Same-Sex Marriage
Part Three: Cultural Perspectives
10. Arnt We a Couple? A Historical Comparison of Slave Marriages and Same-Sex Marriages
11. African American Responses to Same-Sex Marriage
12. Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace: Same-Sex Relationships in Native American Culture
13. Hispanic and Latino Same-Sex Couple Households in the United States: A Report from the 2000 Census
About the Editors and Contributors

Reviews
"This work on same-sex marriage is about inequalities and injustices experienced by families. The essayists seem certain that same-sex marriage has become the alpha and omega of the gay and lesbian cause, humanizing both the issues and lesbian and gay people. And it is successful. Since the book's publication, New Hampshire has joined Massachusetts, Vermont, California, Hawai'i, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia in recognizing same-sex unions. Oregon follows in 2008. Highly recommended. All levels/libraries."—Choice

"As the title to this three-volume set makes clear, contributors share the belief of chief editor Strasser that individuals, the state, and society as a whole would benefit were marriage laws to made more inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersexual (LGBTI) people. Each volume addresses these benefits and related issues from different perspectives."—Reference & Research Book News