Gay rights

"Homosexuality, once a taboo subject, has become a common topic of debate among politicians, voters, and the media. From being invisible, closeted, and fearful of persecution, gay men and lesbians have "come out" as politicians, TV stars, athletes, and "the family next door." The notion of legally recognized gay marriage, once an unthinkable concept, is now a genuine possibility in Massachusetts, Canada, and several European nations - and was one of the major issues of contention in the November 2004 presidential election, when 11 states voted by significant margins to amend their state constitutions to ban it. President George W. Bush's attempts to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage prompted fierce debates and made it clear that many Americans have strong opinions on the matter. Gay Rights, Revised Edition is a concise, comprehensive guide to this highly contested topic. It has been thoroughly updated since the publication of the first edition."--Jacket.