Gay-Lesbian+Civil+Rights

= = Directions for posting articles on your group's page: = =

= = Post a link to two article/videos/sources you've found that provide interesting, relevant, detailed, and significant evidence about your group's topic. Write a 5-6 sentence paragraph below your link summarizing the key points of the article and also assessing the source's legitimacy. Use the example below as a model = =

= = When assessing a source's legitimacy, you want to consider if it is current enough for your topic, if the writer has experiences/education that qualifies him/her as an expert , if the perspective presented is balanced or biased , AND if the article provides relevant/important information. = =

= = Example of what you will post for each of the two sources you will contribute to your group: = = === __NPR story arguing why space exploration is still important--Sybenga__  === = = [] = =

= = National Public Radio interviewed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson about his new book titled: //Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier.// Tyson argues that the idea of space exploration can motivate the best and brightest of future generations to pursue careers in science and math, which will lead to innovations in all fields within science and technology. Because space captures the imagination of the general public, a renewed investment in our space program will cultivate a renewed commitment to the disciplines of science and math. Tyson claims that NASA is severely underfunded, citing the fact that right now, one year of military funding is equal to fifty years of NASA's budget. He also argues that studying problems on other planets (global warming on Venus and the depletion of water on Mars) will help humans to develop creative solutions to similar problems on planet Earth. He also insists that it is imperative to understand the cosmos because Earth is intimately enmeshed in the universe. To illustrate, he notes the relatively small probability of an asteroid crashing into the earth in the next twenty years. Tyson is an expert in the field who recently published a book on the topic, although he takes a strong perspective in favor of the merits of space exploration, without exploring its risks. = =

= = =  Please compose your summary and critical review offline, and then cut and paste the text below, as only one person can "EDIT" the page at once. = = = [] This article by Joe Messerli gives some background of the issue and then explains the pros and cons of legalizing same-sex marriages. Messerli states that marriage has been defined as a religious and legal commitment between a man and woman and as the ultimate expression of love. Homosexual relationships are becoming accepted in this country; however, these couples have not been permitted to marry. The article states that same-sex marriages should be legalized because denying them is a violation of religious freedom, it provides marriage benefits, homosexuality is accepted**,** denying them can be considered discrimination, it doesn't hurt anyone, love is the most important aspect of marriage, and the number of adoptions will increase. On the other hand most religions consider homosexuality a sin, it would weaken the definition of marriage, it confuses children about gender roles, and it should not be encouraged. The article is not biased because Joe Messerli speaks about both sides of the issue -Hannah Mitchell

[] Seth Persily, a Harvard Law School graduate and supporter of the Gay, Bisexual & Lesbian Association, comments on both the need for gay marriage to be legalized as well as the counter arguments to gay marriage. He chooses to emphasize the legal implications of gay marriage including the rights in the U.S. Constitution that are denied to homosexual couples because they cannot marry. Persily is an expert on the subject because of his legal background and experience. The articles discusses various laws that become obstacles for gay couples such as the ability to be notified of the hospitalization of a spouse because in most states gay couples cannot marry they cannot be notified by hospitals and are even denied visiting a sick spouse. Although the article does provide counter arguments, the author is a homosexual which creates bias in the article. -Kelsey Murphy

[] Timothy J. Dailey, an advisor at the Family Research Council, reveals his belief with logical, proven evidence that if gay marriage is accepted then societal problems will continue to increase because he believes gay marriage is not a matter of discrimination, but rather a societal burden. He focuses on the impact gay marriage has on family ties and relationships, as an expert because of his profession researching family relationships and trends. He points out that gay marriages would contribute to the increasing divorce rate because gay marriages are often short lived, which would add to the problem of divorce. Also, he comments that gay marriages are unsuitable environments for kids because research has shown that gay couples often have several other partners at a time and children should not be raised in such a confusing and unstable environment. The author is biased toward the anti-gay marriage argument, however he does reflect on research pertaining to family and societal values. -Kelsey Murphy

[] Erica Goode from the New York Times comments on the American Academy of Pediatrics and its new support for the right to adopt for gay men and women. The Academy states that legalizing gay adoption is in the best interest of the children since it provides the children more opportunities to be adopted. However, Dr. Ellen Perrin, a professor of pediatrics at Tufts New England Medical Center, believes that children of gay parents do not have the same security as children of heterosexual parents. Kenneth Connor, president of the Family Research Council, dictates that gay adoption overlooks the contribution of each gender as a parent emotionally, physically, and mentally. Dr. Steven Nock, a professor of sociology at the University of Virginia whose field of research is family policy, believes that although the research shows that children adopted by homosexual parents do well, many would argue that the research is not scientific. The article is biased towards pro-adoption for homosexuals, however it is countered with anti-adoption arguments. -Hannah Mitchell

[]
Time Magazine writer and Harvard college administrator Erika Christakis discusses an issue involving a student at an Ohio high school who was not allowed to wear a t-shirt that promoted gay rights because the school claimed it was “sexual in nature and therefore indecent and inappropriate in a school setting.” After a lawsuit was filed, the school allowed the student to wear the t-shirt once a year on the nationally recognized “day of silence,” an annual day of protest against the bullying of LGBT students. Christakis explores this issue by comparing it to other court cases such as the 1969 Tinker vs. Des Moines case that involve self-expression in schools. -Katie Cornish

====Bangor Daily New’s Melissa Maynard explores the issue of how businesses are impacting the fight for gay marriage. The article states that support from influential corporations such as Nike, Microsoft, Google, and Starbucks have helped influence legislators to legalize gay marriage. Many companies are feeling pressure to take a side on the issue and are speculating how publicizing their views would affect their businesses. Starbucks declared their support for gay marriage, leading to reactions from both sides of the issue, a boycott of the company from those opposing gay rights and a giant thank you card which thousands have signed online from those supporting gay marriage. ====

[|http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/us/court-hears-arguments-on-defense-of-marriage-act.html?_r=1&ref=samesexmarriage#] New York Times' Abby Goodnough reports on the first challenge to DOMA to reach the Federal State Court of appeals in Boston. The article talks about the case that is trying to decide whether DOMA is constitutional. The case was brought by Martha Coakley, represented by Mary Bonauto over the issue of same-sex marriages receiving federal money for certain programs. While DOMA has been denounced by the current Obama administration, Marriage laws are exclusively decided on by the state. - Elgin Martin

[] This New York Times article discusses a new report released by t he National Organization for Marriage, group opposing same-sex marriage, that outlines plan to help its cause by exploiting unease among blacks over the issue. The article also discusses the group's stugggle with Maine's demands to reveal their donors list. Civil Rights as well as the right to privacy and ethics are in question in this issue. This source is unbiased because it is reporting and specific issue that has arisen between an organization and certain demographics. - Elgin Martin