1. A state commission in Hawaii will recommend to the Legislature this week that it grant marriage rights and responsibilities to couples of the same sex. 2. Advocates of marriage rights for homosexuals have pinned much of their legal strategy nationwide on anticipated success in Hawaii. 3. Fifteen years ago, the demand for same-sex marriage rights was heard only on the radical fringe. 4. Marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples was one of the demands made by marchers. 5. Moreover, victories in arenas like parental and marriage rights would imply not just social tolerance of homosexuals but something akin to moral approval. 6. Only equal marriage rights will do that. 7. The issue of same-sex marriage rights has become a major battle between gay rights advocates and conservative religious groups. 8. Though they have become national symbols of the issue of marriage rights for same-sex couples, Ms. Baehr said they had encountered surprisingly little public reaction. 9. Vermont, however, could represent an even better opportunity for gays to secure marriage rights because of the broad wording of its constitution, legal specialists said. 10. The New Jersey plaintiffs are seeking full marriage rights. |
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