Book Review: "Why Marriage Matters" by by Evan Wolfson

For this paper, I examined the book "Why Marriage Matters" by Evan Wolfson. I never knew what all gay couples were not entitled to as far as it comes to marriage, and this book shows that many of things that “normal” married couples are normally entitled to, gay and lesbian parents are fighting for every day. One story that particularly grabbed my attention was the story of Julie and Hillary, who are a lesbian couple that have been in a committed relationship for fifteen years, and decided that they would like to have to have a child together. While Julie was having a caesarean delivering their daughter Annie, the Intensive Care Unit denied Hillary access to the room because it was for “immediate family only”. So Hilary was not allowed to witness the birth of her daughter, Annie. How is this right?Another situation entirely different, but at the same time still trying to keep gay couples separate, concerns Tony and Thomas, a gay couple who have been with each other for ten years.

Marriage Equality

Marriage

Marriage Day

Thomas is from Germany and in the United States on a visa, so the couple knew that they could be separated any day. Eventually they both moved to Berlin, were homosexual unions are legal and are practiced, but this was hard on Tony because he was so close to his family. One day, they hope to move back to the United States when they know they will not have to live in fear.

The book also does a great job of explaining just what marriage allows, which I believe is important to know before voicing an opinion on the issue. First, marriage represents an opportunity to make a public statement of commitment and love to another person and an opportunity to receive public support for that...