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Full-Text Articles in Fourteenth Amendment

The Respectable Dignity Of Obergefell V. Hodges, Yuvraj Joshi Oct 2015

The Respectable Dignity Of Obergefell V. Hodges, Yuvraj Joshi

Yuvraj Joshi

In declaring state laws that restrict same-sex marriage unconstitutional, Justice Kennedy invoked “dignity” nine times—to no one’s surprise. References in Obergefell to “dignity” are in important respects the culmination of Justice Kennedy’s elevation of the concept, dating back to the Supreme Court’s 1992 decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. In Casey, “dignity” expressed respect for a woman’s freedom to make choices about her pregnancy. Casey laid the foundation for Lawrence v. Texas, which similarly respected the freedom of choice of homosexual persons. Yet, starting in United States v. Windsor and continuing in Obergefell, the narrative began to change. Dignity veered …


The New Battleground For Same-Sex Couples Is Equal Rights For Their Kids, Tanya Washington Oct 2015

The New Battleground For Same-Sex Couples Is Equal Rights For Their Kids, Tanya Washington

Tanya Monique Washington

No abstract provided.


Better Safe? Why Obergefell Matters Before Court Rules, Tanya Washington Jun 2015

Better Safe? Why Obergefell Matters Before Court Rules, Tanya Washington

Tanya Monique Washington

No abstract provided.


Gender And The Institutional Nature Of Marriage, Tyler A. Le Fevre Dec 2013

Gender And The Institutional Nature Of Marriage, Tyler A. Le Fevre

Tyler A. Le Fevre

Court decisions invalidating man-woman marriage laws frequently rely on the argument that expanding marriage to include same-sex relationships would have no social downside and, therefore, cannot be constitutionally justified. However, contemporary social theory casts doubt on this “no downside” argument for genderless marriage. Drawing on social philosophy, especially that of Johns R. Searle, this Article argues that redefining marriage to include same-sex couples will alter the institutional function of marriage, which alterations would have harmful effects on social welfare and children’s rights. This Article further asserts that American courts and commentators are amiss when they mask or willfully ignore the …


Gay Parenthood And The Revolution Of The Modern Family: An Examination Of The Unique Barriers Confronting Gay Adoptive Parents, Nicholas Arntsen Nov 2012

Gay Parenthood And The Revolution Of The Modern Family: An Examination Of The Unique Barriers Confronting Gay Adoptive Parents, Nicholas Arntsen

Nicholas Benedict Arntsen

Abstract: In recent decades, the structure of the American family has been revolutionized to incorporate families of diverse and unconventional compositions. Gay and lesbian couples have undoubtedly played a crucial role in this revolution by establishing families through the tool of adoption. Eleven adoptive parents from the state of Connecticut were interviewed to better conceptualize the unique barriers gay couples encounter in the process adoption. Both the scholarly research and the interview data illustrate that although gay couples face enormous legal barriers, the majority of their hardship comes through social interactions. As a result, the cultural myths and legal restrictions …