Abstract
This paper examines the issue of same-sex marriage in the United States and the equal protection clause in the United States Constitution. It discusses the background of the clause and the situation before the clause was introduced. The paper provides recommendations for a legal position for justice in the supreme court for the prevention of same-sex marriages.

Table of Contents:
Statement Of Thesis
introduction
Background Of The Study
Theoretical And Philosophical Basis For Position Against
The Position Of The American Psychological Association (APA)
Same-Sex Marriage Practical Aspects
International Validity Assigned To Same-Sex Marriages
Stance Of International Courts On Same-Sex Marriage
The 'Common Law' - What Is It And What Is It In The Issue Of Same-Sex Marriages Internationally?
Recommendation For Supreme Court Justice Decision

From the Paper
"International bodies including the United Nations have made an indication that "opposite-sex definition of marriage provides for a full realization of human rights." (Today's Family News, 2006) Courts in other countries have also stated the same conclusion. The European Court of Justice ruled in 1998 that recognition of same-sex partners as different from opposite-sex common-law partners was in full compliance with the European Community Treaty (Grant v. South-West Trains, Ltd., C-249). This issue has not come before the European Court of Justice noted that the European Commission for Human Rights considers different treatment of same-sex couples to be in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights and states: "I]n the present state of the law within the Community, stable relationships between two persons of the same sex are not regarded as equivalent to marriages or stable relationships outside marriage between persons of opposite sex. Consequently, an employer is not required by Community law to treat the situation of a person who has a stable relationship with a partner of the same sex as equivalent to that of a person who is married to or has a stable relationship outside marriage with a partner of the opposite sex." (Today's Family News, 2006)"

Tags:discrimination homosexual, common law

Abstract
This paper first explores the origins and history of the technology that enabled one to transform his/her sexual identity. The paper also defines and makes distinctions between the social term, "gender," and the biological term, "sex." The paper then goes on to examine sexual psychology and the mental theories as to the determinants of one's sex. The paper finally discusses theories as to why certain individuals do not psychologically identify with the sex that was prenatally assigned to them and consequently choose to live as a different gender.

From the Paper
"The 20th century marked the first time in history that technology could transform identity. Terms like transgender and transsexual could be realized through meticulous surgeries and understood by contemporary sexual revolutionary theories. However, the transsexual phenomenon was actually first conceptualized by Harry Benjamin during the latter part of the 19th century, with sexual reassignment surgeries having been performed since the 1920s in Europe. Benjamin described this syndrome as a condition where the brain develops one sex, but the body takes the appearance of another. And evidence of the syndrome only becomes apparent after the baby is born or through adolescence. Because of the vast array of research being done, sociologists still raise questions regarding what kind of role sex and gender play in transsexual identities. This also poses the question what is the difference between sex and gender and how it affects their personalities."

Tags:lesbian, gay, bisexual, biological, transexuality

Abstract
This paper discusses how traditional assumptions about sexuality are rooted in the rigid concept of the gender binary. This gender binary generates and sustains an iniquitous power imbalance between the two genders. The paper explains how the gender binary, sexuality and power are so interwoven that it is hard to imagine one without the other - contrary to the general assumption that sexuality is assigned by biology. However, the paper notes that it is not a chicken-and-egg situation, for it is possible to ascertain which came first.

Tags:feminism, sexuality, gender

Abstract
The following paper asserts that both Shaw and Winterson assigned different attributes to their female leading characters in the novels 'Pygmalion' and 'Sexing the Cherry'. However, this paper contends that the purpose of creating such figures, such as Eliza and the Dog woman, is identical in both cases.

From the Paper
"The two books Pygmalion and Sexing the Cherry are starkly different in their storyline and narrative techniques, yet the only connecting link is the dominance of female characters in both stories. For example in the Pygmalion, it is Eliza Dolittle who is the most important female character while Dog Woman plays the leading role in 'Sexing the Cherry'. We notice that these two women have been presented in a contrasting light, as one happens to be a self-conscious young woman who is beautiful and sophisticated while the other is an ugly-looking person and has been repeatedly described as a monstrous creature. This is because Dog Woman who happens to have no other name in the book is grotesque character with nothing lady-like about her. Her mannerisms, her language, her dialect and her tone are all rather crude and the woman is an epitome of unsophisticated characteristics."

Tags:characters, book, female

Abstract
This paper explains that the most important information contained in "Between the Sexes" is the perception of gender, gender identity, and gender flexibility. The author points out that the article determines that intersexuality is more a social than a medical issue by raising the question of whether it is appropriate or desirable to assign a gender at birth to an intersexual child. The paper relates that, by using several interview subjects, the authors illustrate how intersexuality affects individual people personally; therefore, they treat the subject from an intimate perspective and don't just provide a dry overview of the topic.

From the Paper
"The authors also question the notion of that "there are just two separate sexes." The topic of intersexuality naturally raises the issue of whether gender should be rigidly defined or whether gender should rather be viewed on a continuum. Thus, Gorman and Cole work to dispel the prevalent social myth that all individuals must be assigned a clear, unequivocal gender status. Examining the collective phenomena of intersexuality can also help people to contemplate gender roles and social norms in society."

Tags:continuum, roles, interviews, perspective, determination

Abstract
This paper explains that, as hermaphroditism became an established issue in science, two major concerns were raised by sociologists and scientists: How is sex defined and who has the authority or legal right to decide the sex of intersexed infants? The author points out that, in most cases, the patient is assigned as male or female because society is so conditioned to accept only a binary gender system. The paper stresses that it is not always possible for gender assignment to be purely the patient's decision, especially in the case of a new-born infant. The author underscores that selecting the "true" sex or "brain sex" demonstrates the difficulty in distinguishing between the physical and the psychological factors of intersexuality. The paper concludes that gender cannot be changed by social conditioning.

From the Paper
"However, this has caused some critics to complain that people might want to go through sex reassignment surgery for inadequate or frivolous reasons, such as a male who wants to speak in a high voice and walk in heels undergoing sex reassignment surgery to become a "female". At a more fundamental level, critics charge that all the surgery does is merely alter the biological sex of that particular male. However, it cannot change the psychological sex, and in fact it is the psychological sex that drives this "male" to undergo surgery."

Tags:gonads, new-born, pathologized, reassignment, surgery

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the fabric of the human condition is the determination of sexual reproduction. For this reason, and many others, sex and gender, independently and together make up a huge body of human interest and an equal if not greater amount of confusion and controversy. The writer also discusses that gender roles as they are assigned by society are clearly demonstrative of culture, and yet in a culture where so much has been challenged with regard to tradition, including but not limited to gender roles, there seems to be little "progress" in the way of either allowable deviation of gender roles or gender mobility. The writer concludes that women will likely continue, for the foreseeable future in a role of conflict between productive and reproductive responsibilities all of which mitigates the continuation of rigid gender roles.

From the Paper
"To look beyond gender display, most exaggerated in some children, one must also logically step toward gendered adults. The variance of gender social display is also clearly not limited to children and the level to which researchers can delve into the reasons for and perceived meanings of gender differences is greater. One would think this would mean that research on adult gender roles is less cloudy than it is with children, yet this is far from true. In this summation of several gender role studies, regarding gender roles and work the generalizations of research can be seen as demonstrative of gender stereotypes, playing an important role in the fundamental happiness or lack their of, of adults, in one of their most crucial social roles, that of work."

Tags:expectations, expression, male, female

Abstract
This paper analyzes the oppression of men through the study of characters and their experiences in two literary works, "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare and "M. Butterfly" by David Henry Hwang. The paper explains that masculinity is fragile because it is socially constructed and men have to struggle everyday against anything within themselves that many be perceived as not masculine: anything passive, any attraction to the same sex, and even displays of vulnerability are all suppressed. The paper argues that Romeo stepped out of the 'masculinity' assigned to him socially, and because of this, suffered. The paper also looks at how Gallimard, is insecure in his masculinity and uses it, along with his racism and prejudice to destroy himself. In conclusion the paper shows that the male protagonists in both plays are in a way a victim of patriarchy because they do not conform to the 'masculine' ideal.

From the Paper
"Looking at the text closer, it is clear that Romeo does not exhibit typical masculine characteristics, and that Juliet often acts as the more aggressive, less 'feminine' one of the pair. This is evident from the beginning of the play all the way through to the end, where each chooses a different way to die. In the first scene of the play we are introduced to Romeo, both his parents are worried about him, as he seems melancholic. He is sad, in love, and because of this he suffers. All of these are not very masculine characteristics. He loves to read, is keen on poetry, and loves to be in love. All these characteristics could be considered 'feminine'."

Tags:masculinity, violence, feminine, vulnerability, characters, protagonist

Abstract
This paper discusses Jackie Kay's novel "Trumpet", which details the emotions surrounding the discovery that jazzman, Joss Moody, is actually a woman. Those surrounding Moody's life are forced by the media to acknowledge the discrepancy in their existence. The author shows how following the conclusion of the novel, one is left to wonder whether the true origin of Joss Moody's choice of lifestyle is gender oppression, homosexuality, or Moody may have believed her gender and sex were not appropriately assigned at birth.

From the Paper
"One of the greatest oppressors in today's society is gender, and the behavior that is expected to accompany that particular role. The media frequently capitalizes on the atypical behaviors of males and females. For example, if a man enjoys singing show tunes, going to the ballet, and is not ashamed to cry in front of others, the media frequently portrays this man as a homosexual. Additionally, if a female engages in actions that are typically associated as being masculine, this woman would be portrayed as a lesbian. A homosexual male or female is rarely portrayed as an intelligent, well-rounded individual."

Tags:analysis, book, study, trumpet, women, jackie, kay, moody

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the experiences of black slaves in the United States. It examines two personal stories - one of a man and one of a woman and compares the experiences from a gender-based perspective. The stories told are those of Frederick Douglass in his work "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" and Harriet Jacobs in her account of slavery entitled "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl".

From the paper:
Slavery in America during the 18th and 19th centuries is universally thought of as a deplorable institution based on degradation, hate, and injustice. The horrors visited upon the slaves by their fellow man (masters) were unquestionably appalling. Keeping this in mind one might wonder, was the experience the same for male slaves as it was for females? Both sexes were subject to the same dreadful conditions and revulsions assigned to slavery but the experience was definitely different for men vs. women. "
"

Tags:experience, degredation, compelling, biography, imprisonment, authority, court, justice, liberty, plantation, master, Douglas, Frederick, Harriet, Jacobs, freedom, beating