Name
Date
INSTRUCTION PLAN
Course Title: A Discussion on Same-Sex Marriage
Performance Objective: At the conclusion of this discussion, participants will be able to
identify an economic, social, or legal argument for or against same sex marriage.
Participants will complete an informal poll to detail the group’s position on same sex
marriage.
Specific Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to identify at least one argument for or against same sex
marriage. (Knowledge)
2. Participants will be able to classify the results of state and federal legislation
regarding same sex marriage (i.e. did the legislation allow or deny same sex
marriage?) (Comprehension)
3. Participants can describe the opinions other participants have on same sex marriage.
(Comprehension)
4. Participants can analyze provided Fact Sheets for signs of bias. (Analysis)
5. Participants will compare and contrast individual opinions and complete an informal
poll to provide a representative sample. (Synthesis)
Preparation:
Instructor
Learner
Read provided Fact Sheets prior to meeting.
(optional)
References:
See attached reference list.
Instructional Aids:
Fact Sheets:
National Association of Social Workers: Same-Sex Marriage—Fact Sheet
ProtectMarriage.com: Yes on 8 Protect Marriage Fact Sheet
National Council on Family Relations: NCFR Fact Sheet: Same-Sex Marriage
Materials Needed:
Handouts—Fact Sheets
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Participant name tags
Equipment Needed:
Flip Chart
Markers
Video Camera and tripod
Room Arrangement:
Discussion takes place in a conference room. Participants are seated around an oval
shaped table, with a seating capacity of 12. Room contains dry/erase board, located at
one end of room/table.
PRESENTATION
Introduction:
Today we are going to discuss the issue of same sex marriage. Although this topic is
related to the issue of homosexuality, I would like to focus today’s discussion on social,
political, and economic arguments regarding same sex marriage, rather than the morality
of homosexuality. I am not asking anyone to disregard their personal beliefs today; I ask
that everyone participate. I will be working to focus this discussion on the rights of
individuals to marry rather than the morality of homosexuality.
We will look at court decisions and legislation regarding same sex marriage, and voter
reaction to these initiatives. We will discuss where same sex marriage is legal, both in the
United States, and in the World. We will explore how media bias affects our perception
on this issue.
My goal is that every participant will be able to list one argument for or against same sex
marriage; my hope is that you learn this argument during today’s discussion.
Before we get started, I would like to go around the room and meet everyone. As you
introduce yourself, I will ask your view on same sex marriage; please tell me if you are
for, against, or neutral on this issue.
Key Points/ Questions/
Outline:
Application Activities
A. Introduction
Objectives
B. Background
(1) Hawaii Supreme Court Ruling (1993).
In Baehr v. Lewin, the Hawaii Supreme
Court ruled that denying marriage licenses
based on gender was discriminatory.
(2) Hawaiian voters approve a
constitutional amendment allowing
Hawaii, 1993
Hawaii, 1998
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lawmakers to restrict marriage to opposite
sex couples
(4) California legalized same sex unions in
May of 2008 when the California Supreme
Court ruled that laws restricting marriage
to opposite sex couples were
unconstitutional. This was overturned by a
voter initiative (Proposition 8) in
November of 2008. (note: still in court)
C. Legislation:
(1) Same sex marriage is legal in these US
states:
Connecticut
Iowa
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Vermont
California and Proposition 8 (2008)
Same sex marriage is legal in 6 US states.
Note: interracial marriage legal in 1967
(2) Federal Defense of Marriage Act—No
state is required to recognize the same sex
marriage from another state. This defined
marriage as opposite sex for federal law
purposes.
DOMA, 1996
(3) Same Sex marriage is legal in the
following countries (with year it became
legal):
The Netherlands (2001)
Belgium (2003)
Canada (2005)
Spain (2005)
South Africa (2006)
Norway, Sweden (2009)
Portugal, Iceland, Argentina (2010)
Countries where same sex marriage is legal.
D. Arguments/Discussion:
(1) Hurts the institution of marriage
(2) Costs to society:
Collecting spouse’s social security
Tax exemption for spouse
Being covered under spouse’s
(note: interracial marriage was made legal
in South Africa in 1990)
Participants identify arguments for/against
States reserve marriage for propagation of
taxpayers (sibling marriage, polygamy,
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healthcare
(marriage = economic subsidy reserved for
propagation)
(3) Children of same-sex couples
non-biological parent rights
death of biological parent?
child support?
(4) Schools—teach same sex marriage?
(5) Same sex partners and the ability to
make medical decisions.
syphilis, etc.)
Fact Sheets—bias?
(6) What about transgendered people?
if married when transitioned
marriage occurs after transition
Summary:
As we have seen, today’s topic is a complex issue. I appreciate everyone’s input and
viewpoints. I especially appreciate everyone’s effort to view this issue from a social,
political, or economic perspective.
During this discussion I learned _____ (list one or two items or good points from the
discussion, and who introduced the points). I hope that each of you learned something
that you did not know before today’s discussion. I especially hope that you learned
something from one another.
Whatever our personal views are, for or against same sex marriage, the fact remains that
many people live in same sex households. In fact, 2000 census data indicates that same
sex households are found in 99.3% of all counties in the United States ( See: 2000 US
Census data, NCFR Fact Sheet).
I thank you all for your time and for your participation.
Application:
Participants will complete a mock “vote” to tally if the group is generally for, against or
neutral on the topic of same sex marriage. Participants will share their stance on the issue
at the beginning of discussion. This exercise elicits participant reflection and reaction on
discussion content.
Evaluation:
Presenter touches on the goal of the discussion during the summary. Participants discuss
the outcome of Application Exercise, and any new points or information they learned
during the discussion.
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References
Axel-Lute, P. (2010) Same-sex marriage: A selective bibliography of the legal literature.
Retrieved November 7, 2010 from: http://law-library.rutgers.edu/SSM.html
Kolasinski, A. (2004, February 17). The secular case against same sex marriage. The Tech. p. 5.
Retrieved November 9, 2010 from: http://tech.mit.edu/V124/N5/kolasinski.5c.html
National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2004). Same sex marriage—fact sheet.
Retrieved November 10, 2010 from:
http://www.socialworkers.org/diversity/lgb/SameSex-FactSheets.pdf
National Council on Family Relations (NSFR). (2004). NCFR fact sheet: Same sex marriage.
Retrieved November 10, 2010 from:
http://www.ncfr.org/pdf/public_policy/same_sex_marriage_fact_sheet.pdf
ProtectMarriage.com. (2008). Yes on 8 fact sheet. Retrieved November 10, 2010 from:
http://www.protectmarriage.com/files/fact_sheet.pdf
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