Gay Marriage (book)
Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America is a 2004 book about same-sex marriage by the journalist Jonathan Rauch. The book received both critical and supportive commentary.
.jpg) Cover of the first edition | |
| Author | Jonathan Rauch |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Same-sex marriage |
| Publisher | Times Books |
Publication date | 2004 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| Pages | 207 |
| ISBN | 978-0805078152 |
Summary
Rauch argues in favor of same-sex marriage, and attempts to explain the purpose of marriage.[1]
Publication history
Gay Marriage was first published by Henry Colt and Company in 2004.[2]
Reception
Gay Marriage received a positive review in The Economist, which described the book as a "cool, articulate, poignant plea in favour of gay marriage" and "a powerful book, clear, tolerant and persuasive, never ranting or self-pitying".[3] E. J. Graff gave the book a negative review in Out, accusing Rauch of misleadingly citing her work, and criticizing his argument that same-sex marriage would "domesticate" gay men.[4] The book was also the focus of a cover story in Philadelphia Gay News, written by Robert DiGiacomo.[5]
David Blankenhorn called Gay Marriage "the most precise and serious argument to date in favor of the proposition that marriage supporters should accept gay marriage." However, he rejected Rauch's case for same-sex marriage. Blankenhorn criticized Rauch for ignoring questions such as "what is marriage?" and "how did it come to exist?", neglecting the anthropological and historical record on marriage, and failing to address the connection between marriage and children.[6] The journalist E. J. Dionne called Gay Marriage "thoughtful", writing that it helped convince him to support same-sex marriage.[7] Sherif Girgis, Ryan T. Anderson, and the philosopher Robert P. George argued that despite Rauch's desire to preserve traditional marital norms, same-sex marriage would undermine those norms.[8]
See also
- What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense
References
- Rauch 2004, p. 5.
- Rauch 2004, p. iv.
- The Economist 2004, p. 87.
- Graff 2004, pp. 104–110.
- DiGiacomo 2004, pp. 1–14.
- Blankenhorn 2007, p. 130.
- Dionne 2008, p. 113.
- Girgis, Anderson & George 2012, p. 70.
Bibliography
- Books
- Blankenhorn, David (2007). The Future of Marriage. New York: Encounter Books. ISBN 1-59403-081-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Dionne, E. J. (2008). Souled Out: Reclaiming Faith & Politics After the Religious Right. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-13458-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Girgis, Sherif; Anderson, Ryan T.; George, Robert P. (2012). What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense. New York: Encounter Books. ISBN 978-1-59403-622-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Rauch, Jonathan (2004). Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America. New York: Holt. ISBN 978-0805078152.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Journals
- DiGiacomo, Robert (2004). "Author makes case for 'Gay Marriage'". Philadelphia Gay News. 28 (19).CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) – via EBSCO's Academic Search Complete (subscription required)
- Graff, E. J. (2004). "Marriage Matters". Out. 13 (3).CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) – via EBSCO's Academic Search Complete (subscription required)
- "Gay marriage: Win, win, win?". The Economist. 371 (April 3, 2004). 2004. – via EBSCO's Academic Search Complete (subscription required)