The document discusses the historical and contemporary issues surrounding same-sex relationships and marriage rights in the United States, highlighting influential public figures and their relationships. It addresses how the U.S. Constitution has evolved to support equality, emphasizing that legal recognition of same-sex marriage is essential for equal rights. The text also critiques past and present laws, such as the Defense of Marriage Act, while contrasting U.S. progress with global advancements in same-sex marriage.

1. Political Science 436 – Current Event #28 Spring 2009 A Presentation by Tim Hendon Under the Direction of Dr. Laura Hebert Written within the United States Constitution are the words that “all men are created equal…” or are they?

2. Do you recognize these American icons? Congressman Steve Gunderson (WI) Congressman Mark Foley (FL)

3. What do they all have in common? Former Governor James McGreevy – (MA) Congressman Barney Frank (MA)

4. All are considered public servants. Congressman Jim Kolbe (AZ) President Abraham Lincoln (16 th President of the United States)

5. All played a part in American History. President James Buchanan (15 th President of the United States) Senator Wilbur Rufus King (AL) (VP under President Pierce)

6. Even the FBI had its secrets. J. Edgar Hoover – FBI Director Clyde Tolson – Deputy Chief of the FBI

7. Lifelong Partners: worked together & now buried side by side. Coincidence?

8. Hoover’s birthday portrait to Clyde Tolson.

9. Buchanan & King Buchanan – a lifelong bachelor. Lived with Senator William Rufus King (AL) for 15 years before becoming President. King appointed as Minister of France*** King served as Senator of AL and briefly as the Vice President under President Franklin Pierce (14 th ). Because of their close relationship, Andrew Jackson referred to Senator King as “Miss Nancy” and “Aunt Fancy”. Buchanan turned to an adopted orphan niece, Harriet Lane, who functioned in the role as First Lady. Buchanan and King’s nieces destroyed their personal letters after their death to permanently conceal the relationship.

10. In a letter… Buchanan wrote to a Mrs. Roosevelt about his social life, "I am now 'solitary and alone', having no companion in the house with me. I have gone a wooing to several gentlemen, but have not succeeded with any one of them. I feel that it is not good for man to be alone, and [I] should not be astonished to find myself married to some old maid who can nurse me when I am sick, provide good dinners for me when I am well, and not expect from me any very ardent or romantic affection."

11. Hoover & Tolson Hoover led the FBI for 48 years Clyde Tolson was 2 nd in command of the FBI. Hoover & Tolson were inseparable and even vacationed together. Both were lifelong bachelors. Hoover lived with his mother until she died in 1938. Hoover & Tolson never lived together but were buried side by side. Upon hearing of Hoover’s death, President Richard Nixon exclaimed with his subtle tone, “Jesus Christ! That old cocksucker!”

12. Abraham Lincoln – before presidency 1831 - At the age of 22, Lincoln moved in with Billy Greene in New Salem, IL & shared a bed with him. Greene: “When one turned over the other had to do likewise”. Greene described Lincoln physique: “His thighs were as perfect as human beings could be.” 1837 – Lincoln moved to Springfield and met Joshua Speed, who Lincoln referred to as “the only” – as he was the last – intimate friend Lincoln had before becoming President. They shared a double bed for four years in Speed’s store. Lincoln wrote letters to Speed before and after Speed’s wedding in which several were signed “Yours forever.”

13. Abraham Lincoln – as President Col. Elmer Ellsworth was a flashy young drillmaster, ''the greatest little man I ever met,'' as Lincoln put it. Lincoln recruited him to his Springfield law office, made him part of his presidential campaign and gave him a high military post as war loomed. A few weeks after the fall of Fort Sumter, Ellsworth was killed hauling a rebel flag down from a hotel in Alexandria, Va. Lincoln was shattered.

14. More on Lincoln Capt. David Derickson led the brigade that guarded Lincoln at the Soldiers' Home in the District of Columbia, the Camp David of the day. Derickson, in the words of his regiment's history, published three decades later, ''advanced so far in the president's confidence and esteem that in Mrs. Lincoln's absence he frequently spent the night at his cottage, sleeping in the same bed with him, and -- it is said -- making use of his Excellency's night shirt!''

15. When did the word appear? The word “homosexual” did not find its way into print in English until 1892 and that "gayness" is very much a modern concept. It was accepted in history for two men to have relations but it was rarely talked about. The terms homosexual, gay, queer or fag were never used to describe relations between two men.

16. The United States Constitution - Written by James Madison – an extremely wise man, who is under-appreciated. Madison wrote the Preamble to read “We The People…” At NO point in the Constitution does it read “we the people of 1787.” The Constitution provides for personal protections as “all men are created equal.” It is a document that was created to evolve with the change of time and has endured many challenges which includes every American; not just the wealthy, white, heterosexual, land owners. If it wasn’t for the US Constitution, Barack Obama would not have been afforded the opportunity to serve as President of the United States. This fact is mere evidence that the document has changed with the times

17. States and Same-Sex Marriage There were 4, now there are 6! Connecticut – Legalized same-sex marriages in 2009. Vermont – approved by legislature in April 2009 & will take effect in September, becoming the first state to legalize same-sex marriage by legislative action and gubernatorial veto-override. Massachusetts – 2004 – State Supreme Court ruled “that only full, equal marriage rights for gay couples, not civil unions would be constitutional.” Iowa – April 3, State Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that rejected a state law restricting marriage to opposite sex couples. Maine – State senate approved bill on May 1, 2009 to allow same-sex marriage; bill heads to the House which it is expected to pass. New Hampshire – April 29, 2009 legalized same-sex marriages, upgrading previous civil unions. District of Columbia – although same-sex marriage is not recognized in D.C., the council approved a measure that would recognize same-sex marriages made outside of the District.

18. Marriage v. Civil Union Marriage entitles the either spouse to make medical decisions in the case of necessity; property rights; right to medical insurance coverage through the partner’s employer insurance program; and many other rights given to heterosexual couples. Civil Union in most states that recognize them generally provide for the same protections and equal rights afforded heterosexual couples; however, some states limit the types of benefits that a couple with a Civil Union may access. If a government official is administering the rights of marriage or civil union then why shouldn’t it be recognized by the state as an official marriage? If a church is administering the rights of marriage, then that is a religious right and NOT a state right; therefore, the state should have no legal jurisdiction as to who the two parties are that are tying the proverbial knot.

19. Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 (DOMA) An Executive Order signed into law by President Bill Clinton under political pressure from right-wing conservatives. It allows individual states to set their own standard what a “marriage” is or should be. This allows for discrimination against a minority group. DOMA prohibits any couple that has a legal same-sex marriage or civil unions to access any federal benefits such as Social Security Benefits; Survivors Benefits; any type of federal pension; nor does it allow the couple to file jointly as a married couple for tax purposes.

20. States and Same-Sex Civil Unions New Jersey – 2007 – granted same-sex couples the same rights as married couples but classified as civil union. Oregon – allows a “domestic partnership” which grants gay & lesbian couples eligible for state-wide rights and benefits of marriage. Washington – domestic partnership law signed in 2007. The measure was expanded by the legislature to include all right and benefits of full marriage on April 16, 2009.

21. California and Proposition 8 2008 - State Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that overturned a state law prohibiting marriage of same-sex couples. 2009 – An initiative on the ballot, “Prop 8”, which passed with 52% of voters, called for the definition of marriage to be between a man and a woman; prohibited same-sex marriages. 2009 – State Supreme Court hears arguments on the challenge of the legality of Prop 8. 2009 – Justices will allow any same-sex marriages that took place between May and November 2008 to remain valid as legitimate marriages under the law at the time. Justices have 90 days in which to issue a final ruling.

22. Louisiana and Same-Sex Marriages or Civil Unions On September 18, 2004, by a large margin, the voters of Louisiana approved a state constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriages and civil unions. Although Louisiana already has a law recognizing marriage only between a man and a woman, this amendment gives protection to that law in the state constitution. It also prohibits state officials and courts from recognizing any out-of-state same-sex marriages or civil unions. Legal challenges to the constitutionality of the amendment have been filed and continue to be.

23. Around the world Canada - June of 2005, the Canadian Parliament enacted a law allowing legal marriage for same-sex couples. Belgium - legalized same-sex marriage in 2003. Netherlands - The first country to grant gay marriage in 2001. Norway - the sixth country to legalize same-sex marriage on May 11, 2008. South Africa - the fifth nation to recognize gay marriage in 2005. Spain - the fourth nation to allow gay marriage on June 29, 2005. Sweden - April 1, 2009, the Swedish parliament voted to allow same-sex couples to legally marry, overturning a previous civil partnership statute enacted in 1995.

24. The questions that remain are… How are you any different from me? What makes you a 1 st class citizen and me a 2 nd class citizen? Isn’t my vote equal to your vote? Don’t we both bleed red? Why should who I decide to love be any of your concern?

25. What would Jesus think? Was he ever married? Weren’t his best friends 12 men who wore dresses and the local prostitute? Wasn’t John the Baptist considered his closest friend and often depicted as having feminine characteristics? Would Jesus have stood in judgment of you and your life? Then what gives you the right to stand in judgment of mine or someone else’s?