Law Commons^™

Protecting Equality And Human Dignity: Allowing Same-Sex Marriage, Stacey R. Jessiman

Stacey R Jessiman

This March 1996 paper argues that the common law prohibition of same sex marriage violates rights protected by both the Charter and Human Rights legislation and is inappropriate in Canadian pluralistic modern society. First, this paper argues that the common law prohibition of same-sex marriage discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation and violates parties’ constitutional right to equality protected by s.15(1) of the Charter. Second, it argues that the common law rule violates s.7 of the Charter in that it encroaches on the right to liberty of same-sex partners by insulting their dignity as human beings. Third, it argues …

In A Greener Voice: Feminist Theory And Environmental Justice, Robert R.M. Verchick

Robert R.M. Verchick

This Article explores the way in which women activists--and the feminist strategies they contribute--help shape the meaning and pursuit of environmental justice. [FN8] It shows how methods associated with feminism have contributed to the movement's premier concerns for family safety and social equality and have prompted creative ways to identify and attack a broad range of environmental threats. The Article is divided into four parts. Part I briefly surveys the participation of women in the environmental justice movement and examines the reasons why so many women become involved in grassroots environmental struggles. Part II shows how the strategies and goals …

Feminism For Men: Legal Ideology And The Construction Of Maleness, Nancy Levit

Nancy Levit

It may seem a little odd to suggest that feminist theory has overlooked men. Yet, in several important respects, apart from the role of culprit, men have been largely omitted from feminism. Feminist legal theorists have paid mild attention to the "Can men be feminists?" question but this issue is usually relegated to footnotes. The negative effect gender role stereotypes have on men is typically subsidiary to the main focus of feminist legal literature, which has concentrated on documenting the patterns of subordination of women and on questions of feminist ideology.

The primary purpose of this article is to suggest …

Rising Temperatures: Rising Tides, Prof. Elizabeth Burleson

Prof. Elizabeth Burleson

Transboundary environmental problems do not distinguish between political boundaries. Global warming is expected to cause thermal expansion of water and melt glaciers. Both are predicted to lead to a rise in sea level. We must enlarge our paradigms to encompass a global reality and reliance upon global participation.

Women (Under)Development : The Relevance Of The "Right To Development" To Poor Women Of Color In The United States, Hope Lewis

Hope Lewis

This essay, written during a time of Clinton-era welfare reform, was an attempt to reimagine South-North roles. What if "right to development" analysis were applied to poor women of color living in the United States? Some see the right to development as an anachronism in the face of the apparent globalization of market-based economic development. However, “development” in the narrow form of a thriving industrial sector, reliable infrastructure, and steady economic growth, remains beyond the reach of many nations - particularly the poorest African nations. More important, the broader goals of human development - access to basic needs and an …