This article explores the nature of legal struggles surrounding same-sex marriage in the USA and Canada, focusing specifically on the ways in which the cultural power of law is used to frame claims of injustice and to develop strategies of political resistance. Drawing on theoretical perspectives from the literatures on 'law and social movements' and 'legal consciousness', the article compares the claims-making discourse and strategies of same-sex couples seeking access to legal civil marriage in the USA and Canada. Based in part on interviews with same-sex couples, lawyers and political activists, the article demonstrates the ways in which the claims of law have been used to frame political strategies in places where same-sex marriage is 'illegal', the ways in which claims of legal equality are enacted, produced and explained by same-sex couples, and the ways in which equality discourse is deployed as a strategic political resource in the struggle over same-sex marriage.
Auchmuty, Rosemary (2004) 'Same-Sex Marriage Revived: Feminist Critique and Legal Strategy', Feminism and Psychology14(1): 101-26.
2.
Beyond Marriage (2006) Beyond Same-Sex Marriage: A New Strategic Vision for all our Families and Relationships. URL (accessed August 2008): http://www.beyondmarriage.org/full_statement.html
3.
Bourassa, Kevin and Varnell, Joe (2004) Personal interview. Toronto, 30 August.
4.
Boyd, Susan and Young, Claire F. L. (2003) 'From Same-Sex to No Sex? Trends towards Recognition of Same-Sex Relationships in Canada', SeattleJournal of Social Justice1(3): 757-93.
5.
Bumgardner, Reverend Pat (2004) Video documentation of same-sex marriages, interview by Michelle Handelman. New York City, 18 March.
6.
Cannon, Dorann T. (2004) Personal interview. New Paltz , New York, 5 June.
7.
Cherry-Slack, Montel and Cherry-Slack, Michelle (2004) Video documentation of same-sex interview by Michelle Handelman. New York City, 18 March.
8.
Clement, Charles and Zinken, Maurice (2004) Personal interview. New Paltz , New York, 5 June.
9.
Cohen, Rabbi Ayelet (2004) Video documentation of same-sex marriages, interview by Michelle Handelman. New York City, 18 March.
10.
Elliott, Douglas (2004) Personal interview. Toronto , 2 September.
11.
Engel, David M. and Munger, Frank W. (2003) Rights of Inclusion: Law and Identity in the Life Stories of Americans with Disabilities. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
12.
Ewick, Patricia and Silbey, Susan S. (1998) The Common Place of Law: Stories from Everyday Life. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
13.
Greenleaf, ReverendKatherine A. and Sangrey, Reverend Dawn (2004) Personal interview. New Paltz, New York, 7 June.
14.
Harding, Rosie (2006) '"Dogs Are 'Registered', People Shouldn't Be": Legal Consciousness and Lesbian and Gay Rights', Social and Legal Studies15(4): 511-33.
15.
Hawkes, Reverend Dr Brent (2004) Personal interview. Toronto , 31 August.
16.
Hull, Kathleen E. (2006) Same-Sex Marriage: The Cultural Politics of Love and Law. New York: Cambridge University Press.
17.
Hunt, Alan (1990) 'Rights and Social Movements: Counter-Hegemonic Strategies', Journal of Law and Society17(3) Autumn: 309-28.
18.
Jackson, Lisa and Passarella, Nancy (2004) Personal interview. New Paltz, New York, 5 June.
19.
Kennedy, Randall (2004) Interracial Intimacies: Sex, Marriage, Identity, and Adoption. New York: Knopf.
20.
Koppelman, A.ndrew (2006) Same Sex, Different States: When Same-Sex Marriages Cross State Lines. New Haven, CT and London: Yale University Press.
21.
Lahey, Kathleen (2004) Personal interview. Toronto , 2 September.
22.
LeBlanc, Steve (2007) 'Proposed Repeal of 1913 Law Could Lure Gay Couples to Mass', Boston Globe online (8 April) URL: (accessed August 2008): http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/04/08/proposed_repeal_of_1913_law_could_lure_gay_couples_to_mass/
23.
Nicol, Nancy (2005) Politics of the Heart, documentary film.
24.
Nicol, Nancy (2006) The End of Second Class, documentary film.
25.
Nicol, Nancy (2008) One Summer in New Paltz, A Cautionary Tale documentary film.
26.
North, Richard and Vogel, Chris (2004) Personal interview. Winnipeg , 21 July.
27.
Pinello, Daniel R. (2006) America's Struggle for Same-Sex Marriage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
28.
Polikoff, Nancy (1993) 'We Will Get What We Ask for: Why Legalizing Gay and Lesbian Marriage Will Not Dismantle the Legal Structure of Gender in Every Marriage', VirginiaLawReview 79(7) October: 1535-50.
29.
Richardson, Diane (2005) 'Desiring Sameness? The Rise of a Neoliberal Politics of Normalisation', Antipode37(3): 515-35.
30.
Rosenberg, Gerald N. (1991) The Hollow Hope: Can Courts Bring About Social Change?Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
31.
Sandalow, Marc (2004) 'Same-Sex Marriage Ban of "National Importance" - Bush Digs in: He Calls for Constitutional Amendment', San Francisco Chronicle, 25 February. URL (accessed August 2008): http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/02/25/MNGNG57QKI1.DTL
32.
San Francisco (2004) San Francisco to Continue Issuing Marriage Licenses. Office of the Mayor press release, 17 February. URL (accessed August 2008): http://www.sfgov.org/site/mayor_page.asp?id=22918
33.
Scheingold, Stuart (1989) 'Constitutional Rights and Social Change: Civil Rights in Perspective', in Michael W. McCann and Gerald L. Houseman (eds) Judging the Constitution: Critical Essays on Judicial Lawmaking, pp. 73-91. Glenview, IL: Scott, Forseman.
34.
Shields, John (Mayor) and Streams, Robert (2004) Personal interview . Nyack, New York, 6 June.
35.
Smith, Miriam (2005) 'Social Movements and Judicial Empowerment: Courts, Public Policy and Lesbian and Gay Organizing in Canada', Politics & Society33(2) June: 327-53.
36.
Smith, Miriam (2008) Political Institutions and Lesbian and Gay Rights in the United States and Canada. New York and London: Routledge.
37.
Soule, Sarah A. (2004) 'Going to the Chapel? Same-Sex Marriage Bans in the United States, 1973-2000', Social Problems51(4): 453-77.
38.
Stage, Frances King and Thompson, Michelle Dionne (2004) Personal interview . New Paltz, New York, 5 June.
39.
Strasser, Mark Philip (1997) Legally Wed: Same-Sex Marriage and the Constitution . Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
40.
Tamanaha, Brian Z. (2000) 'A Non-Essentialist Version of Legal Pluralism' , Journal of Law and Society27(2): 296-321.
41.
West, Jason (2004) Personal interview. New Paltz , New York, 7 June.
