The first legal gay marriage in the United States occurred in Massachusetts in 2004. Since then, countless others have tied the knot. Scholars decide whether gay marriage should be legal by reading a history of the issue, analyzing the top pro and con arguments, and learning about same-sex marriage in other countries. They also view a state-by-state history of banning and legalizing gay marriage.

Concepts

gay marriage, marriages, equality, debate, social issues, preparing for discussions

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Invite learners to help develop a list of guidelines for conducting a respectful debate, such as taking turns and politely disagreeing with someone's perspective 

Classroom Considerations

• Contains potentially sensitive content
• Time needed varies according to student needs
• Requires computers, Internet, and headphones to research the debate topic
  

Pros

• Provides source biographies and footnotes
• Includes a video library with videos labeled pro or con

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.9-10.1 RI.11-12.1 SL.9-10.1.a SL.11-12.1.a