Examines the political and social debates surrounding the legalization of gay marriages in the United States, addressing arguments both for and against gay marriages.

Includes index.

Vermont : a preview of America's war over same-sex civil marriage -- The Baker decision : a legitimate exercise in constitutional adjudication -- Backlash against gays and lesbians : a despised minority in Vermont -- Vermont's "third way" : enacting civil unions as an alternative to civil marriage -- The choice : what's wrong with Vermont's civil marriage substitute -- Conclusion : three years after -- Appendix : Vermont Supreme Court decision for Baker v. State.