Same-sex marriage is one of the main hot-button issues in the 2004 election. In order to write about it in the papers, talk about it on the radio, or discuss it at home with your families, you need the facts. Opinions abound, but what about the data? Only in this book can you get answers to the questions that might substantiate, or change, your own feelings on gay marriage, questions such as: How many same-sex couples are there in the U.S.? Where do they live? What rights do they currently have in their states? How many children are currently being raised by two mothers or two fathers? How do current policies affect their children, and how do the policies affect the parents as they age? What groups are in the 'Christian right,' and what are they saying? Where do they get their information? Where are the studies that prove them wrong, or right? Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: Focus on the Facts does just this, it focuses on the facts. Though he doesn't hide his agenda, Sean Cahill, policy director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, doesn't need to say what's right or wrong or what's best for America. The facts speak for themselves, and they come out strongly in favor of marriage equality. Every journalist, media commentator, policy maker, educator, and every person wondering why same-sex marriage is such a visible issue these days, especially as the 2004 election rolls around, needs to read this book. Moves the debate away from rhetoric, cuts through the political posturing, gets at the hard facts.Visual layout with sidebars, charts, pull-out quotes, for quick and easy access to information. Sample chart: Laws regarding rights of same-sex couples in every state. Sample chart: Laws regarding adoption rights in every state.Sample map: Distribution of same-sex households, raising children, throughout the U.S. Relevant text from the Republican and Democratic Party Platforms. Debunks myths put out by conservative right with actual studies and data. Presents surprising statistics. For example: The 13 largest anti-gay groups have a combined annual income of $217 million, compared to $54 million for the 13 largest gay advocacy groups. The states with the highest prevalence of parenting among same-sex households on the 2000 Census were Southern and rural states. Retired gay couples, many who have been together for over 20 years, receive a minimum of 25% less in benefits than their married counterparts.