In cultures under the sway of Abrahamic religions, the law and the church established sodomy as a transgression against divine law, a "crime against nature" practiced by choice, and subject to severe penalties, including capital punishment—often inflicted by means of fire so as to purify the unholy action. Homosexuality has been a feature of human culture since earliest history (see History section below). Gay and lesbian are the most common alternatives. There is also a word referring to same-sex love, homophilia. Conversely, gay, a word originally embraced by homosexual men and women as a positive, affirmative term (as in gay liberation and gay rights), has come into widespread pejorative use among young people. When describing the latter, it refers to enduring sexual and romantic attraction towards those of the same sex, including lesbianism. .

Gay Marriage

MARRIAGE DIGEST: Despite rulings, 'Gay marriage' debate not over in Md ...

Town Hall - ANNAPOLIS, Md. (BP)--Conservatives in Maryland and Washington state are learning that the battle about "gay marriage" is far from over, despite court rulings in their favor in the past 18 months. In both states homosexual leaders are hoping their ... Read more...

Uruguayan president signs law legalizing gay couples

Xinhua News Agency - Currently gay marriage remains illegal in Uruguay. In Latin America, civil unions between homosexuals are legally recognized in several places, including the Mexican capital Mexico City, the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, and Argentina's ... Read more...

Gay Marriage

HOMOSEXUAL (SAME-SEX) MARRIAGES - All sides to the issue
Brings together basic information about gay marriage and discussions arguing all sides of the issue.

Same-sex marriage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
marriages are recognized, Massachusetts, there is a long history of marriage Interview with gay marriage movement founder Evan Wolfson

MillionforMarriage.org
Petition drive by the Human Rights Campaign to mobilize a million voices in support of civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples.

NoGayMarriage.com -- Help Save Marriage! Sign the Marriage Protection Amendment petition
Includes information about the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment and articles defending marriage as a heterosexual institution..From the American Family Association

CNN.com - Bush wants marriage reserved for heterosexuals - Oct. 28, 2003
he opposes extending marriage rights to homosexuals, saying he believes marriage is between a man marriages.• Bush uncertain about gay marriage ban

Gay Marriage - Boston.com
Coverage from the Boston Globe and New England Cable News.

Same Sex Marriage: A Selective Bibliography
Points to materials on past and current legislation, case law, and legal articles devoted to gay marriage.

President Calls for Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage
. amendment should fully protect marriage, while leaving the state legislatures all states and cities to recognize same-sex marriages performed anywhere in America

Amazon.com: Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America: Books: Jonathan Rauch
Amazon.com: Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and controversy over granting legal marriages to gay persons is snowballing and has

Beyond Gay Marriage
recognition from same-sex marriages, gay marriage advocates were put on the .From the August 4 / August 11, 2003 issue: The road to polyamory