As the uproar over the recent New York State law demonstrates, same-sex marriage is a perennial hot-button issue, certain to impact the 2012 election. This book provides a useful roadmap to both sides of this contentious matter. Taking a “point/counterpoint” approach, the authors consider key questions about the institution itself: What is marriage for? Is marriage meant to be a gendered institution? Why is the state in the business of sanctioning marriage? Where do the needs of children fit in? Will legalization of same-sex marriage lead to legalization of polygamy? Taking one view, the book argues that society should support same-sex marriage because of its interest in supporting stable households for all its members, gay and straight alike. Taking a different view, the book argues that government recognition of same-sex unions as marriages will disconnect marriage from its key public mission furthering responsible procreation, while stigmatizing traditional views of sex, marriage and family as bigotry. Both authors agree that the issue deserves thoughtful, rigorous engagement.