The freedom to marry

  1. What was most surprising to you about the documentary?

  •     One of the things that suprised me the most was the movement’s leaders, such as Evan Wolfson, and their ability to navigate the legal system to bring marriage equality for lgbtq+ members over years of effort, and their ability to reach out to influential people and people with the means to help further their cause

  1. What do you think underlies the success of the movement pushing for same-sex marriage? What arguments do you think pushing for same-sex marriage were the most successful at changing people’s minds?

    • I think one of the most helpful things for the movement, apart from the marches and other protests, was the leaders' way of thinking; they were cool-headed and did not retaliate or say hate speech back when hurtful, hateful things were hurled at them. They kept a cool head and cited laws and the Constitution rather than resorting to fallacies or attacking the opposing side. At least that was not in the documentary.

    • I think some of the actions that were most benificial for the same sex marriage argument were the ones led by  Freedom to Marry, Lambda Legal, and the American Civil Liberties Union that involved increasing awareness through public education and media outreach and the bottom up apoach that they did where there were a few prominent members that started the movement then snowballing and gaining more supporters, assistance with legal matters and leaders for the movement and also providing a stage for members to stand up for themselves with people backing them up

  2. What are some similarities and differences between the treatment of gays and lesbians and the treatment of other subordinated groups in the U.S.?

    • Some similarities were in the arguments made by the opposing side, they argued with fallacies and used quotes from the bible to negate their existence and their ideals, morals, beliefs, and traditions.

    • Some of the differences are that it wasn’t based on their skin color, birthplace, or anything like that; their hatred was toward who they loved and wanted to marry, and they questioned if they were competent parents. 

  3. Years ago, Judith Stacey suggested that the legalization of same-sex marriages had the potential to transform marriage into a more egalitarian institution. Why do you think she said into a more egalitarian institution? Why do you think she said that? Do you think her prediction is coming true?