William Eskridge and Same Sex Marriage

The institution of marriage is a social and political creation that has come to dominate the structure of society. For some this institution symbolizes romantic love and helps to maintain society’s fundamental family values. Others are more cynical and believe that marriage is simply a meaningless piece of paper that also helps to perpetuate the oppression of women. For thousands of gay and lesbian couples, however, the institution of marriage symbolizes inequality. The right …

…sex and sexual orientation discrimination with the constitutional protections offers a case that is “irrefutable” (p.182). In our society, gay men and lesbians are tolerated as long as they do not flaunt their sexuality, or suppress it altogether. Eskridge proves that there are no neutral arguments against recognition of same-sex marriages, and I believe that gay men and lesbians should be given equal rights under law immediately in order for society’s opinions to change