At the library, in Junior and Young Adult non-fiction we have a large number of slim, hard-cover books about various highly controversial subjects. Awhile back I reviewed Legalizing Drugs by Meryl Loonin, in that case being quite impressed at the author’s ability to present both sides of a very divisive and compelling issue.
By contrast, Tricia Andryszewski’s Same-Sex Marriage Moral Wrong Or Civil Right? was considerably more frustrating for me. While Andryszewski does a reasonable job of presenting both the pro and con sides of the issue, I frankly found it troubling that she presented opposition to same-sex marriage as being somehow morally equivalent to demanding that all citizens be treated equally. (What part of “all” don’t they get?) One fact noted in this volume is that among the youngest citizens, acceptance of gay and lesbian rights– including marriage– goes Way up, suggesting that we are indeed moving forward towards being a more just and inclusive society. Same-Sex Marriage Not Recommended. Buy Now $37.25
Hope you are right about the acceptance among young people. Interestingly, I have heard young teenage boys making the same “fag” comments they made 30 years ago but that may be insecurity and immaturity.
My 20 y.o. son and his friends seem to have no issues at all. It is just part of life to them But that may be because in college there are many openly gay people around. Nothing like having a classmate who is smart, funny, responsible, normal in every way, who just happens to be gay to open a kid’s mind to acceptance.
Thanks for this review. I think you are correct about young people being more accepting. My 15 year old nephew uses the expression “that’s so gay” all the time, but he means it’s stupid or dumb. My son in law gave him the idea to say “gay like Barney, not like Ellen”!! LOL We all laughed at that and when his dear auntie dyke (guess who? hehe) offered to get him a cool t-shirt which reads “Homophobia is so gay” He was tickled to wear it!
Thorne,
Thank you so much for sharing that. “homophobia is so gay” ROFL I love it.
Will,
Yes, I do think that the next generation is going to be the first to treat homosexuality as no bid deal. I am SO happy that I have lived to see this.
Thorne – I heard one of my daughter’s 14 y.o. basketball teammates use the expression “that is so gay” once. I am glad to know it was innocuous. Thanks.
Will, I’m sure it didn’t start innocuous, and some folks are still offended, but a lot of times it’s better to try to understand and exchange information with the next generation, than to dig in, don’t you agree? My nephews, who adore their aunties, were adamant about the definition of “gay”. Hehe. We had to roll with it.
(Or if you’re not so hot on the witchy stuff, stop by my homeblog Thornesworld– I’m easy 
Alan, I’m glad you loved it as much as I did. I wish I could remember the blog that I first discovered the T-shirt.
Thanks for stopping by my place. Say hello, next time!