Allene Phy-Olsen is Professor of English at Austin Peay State University.

• Preface1 Marriage and Homosexuality in the Religious Traditions of the World2 Homosexuality in History3 The Emergence of a Homosexual Subculture and Gay Liberation Movements4 The Argument for Same-Sex Marriage5 The Argument against Same-Sex Marriage6 Life-style Choices: Alternatives to Traditional Marriage7 Same-Sex Marriage Today8 The Future of Gay Rights and the Precarious State of MatrimonyAppendix A:Gay Acceptance and the Entertainment MediaAppendix B:Selected Motion PicturesSelected Annotated BibliographyIndexPhoto essay follows page

"Phy-Olsen outlines the taboos against, or tolerance of, homosexuality in varying periods and cultures; presents key arguments for and against the extension of marriage by leading proponents on both sides; describes alternatives that exist to traditional heterosexual marriage; and provides the history of the LGBT subcultures/liberation movements and a discussion of the future of gay rights and heterosexual matrimony as an institution. An appendix lists pro-gay marriage movies (noting that few movies opposing same-sex marriage are made), and an annotated bibliography provides researchers with primary source materials....A highly useful, balanced presentation of the arguments for both sides of the debate. Highly recommended. A good resource for public libraries and high school and undergraduate level collections." - Choice