Polls And Election Results Show Americans Sharply Divided On Same-sex Marriage, And The Controversy Is Unlikely To Subside Anytime Soon. Debating Same-sex Marriage Provides An Indispensable Roadmap To The Ongoing Debate. Taking A Point/counterpoint Approach, John Corvino (a Philosopher And Prominent Gay Advocate) And Maggie Gallagher (a Nationally Syndicated Columnist And Co-founder Of The National Organization For Marriage) Explore Fundamental Questions: What Is Marriage For? Is Sexual Difference Essential To It? Why Does The Government Sanction It? What Are The Implications Of Same-sex Marriage For Children's Welfare, For Religious Freedom, And For Our Understanding Of Marriage Itself? While The Authors Disagree On Many Points, They Share The Following Conviction: Because Marriage Is A Vital Public Institution, This Issue Deserves A Comprehensive, Rigorous, Thoughtful Debate.