A Pathfinder for Social Issues:
Proposition 8
If you would like to learn more about same-sex
marriage and civil unions, follow the links on this
pathfinder. It will help you find information in the
school library, on the Internet, and in the community
about Proposition 8.
Menu
Click on the sections below to guide you to different areas of the pathfinder
Websites
Find Law
LAPL Databases
ProCon.org
The Big Think
CSUN Oviatt Library
Wise to Social Pew Forum on Religion and
Issues
Public Life (search under
(search for “same- “same-sex marriage”)
sex marriage”)
Websites
All of these websites allow users to search for information using keywords or phrases. Just
type your subject words into any search screen in the website. CLICK on name of website to
access information.
Note: Because this subject is very polarizing. Please check the information contained within
any site very carefully and be sure to verify any information. Inclusion of a website on this list
is not an endorsement of its contents.
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American Foundation for Equal Rights, an organization that is against Prop.8. Includes links to legal filings
and hearing transcripts http://www.equalrightsfoundation.org/
California Courts official webpage on Proposition 8 with links to documents related to the case
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/highprofile/prop8.htm
Californians Against Hate - Non-profit group organized to oppose proponents of 2008's Proposition 8.
Domestic Partnerships and Same Sex Marriages - Collected information on domestic partner policies and same
sex marriages.
Equal in Every State: Equality in Marriage - The campaign uses gay and lesbian couples' stories to produce
greater community awareness about the importance of the freedom to marry for committed same-sex couples and
continues the promotion of the Marriage Resolution.
Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives - An essay on why the arguments against gay marriage don't
hold up in the light of reason.
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Guardian - Prop 8 - News articles, videos, and blogs with a primary focus on gay marriage.
I Can't Marry You - A documentary that explores same-sex marriage issues through the personal experiences of
twenty gay and lesbian couples who have been in long-term relationships.
Institute for Marriage and Public Policy - Debates whether same-sex marriage will help or hurt marriage as a
social institution. Includes news, links, resources, and weblog open to all and features contributors from
academia, media, law, and advocacy groups.
La Times: Questions and answers about Proposition 8 on the Los Angeles Times website. Dated May 2009.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/california-supreme-court-to-rule-on-proposition-8.html
Los Angeles Times article on January 15, 2009 focus of Proposition 8 trial being children raised in same-sex
households http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prop8-trial16-2010jan16,0,4135684.story
MarriageFairness.org - An online community for gay and lesbian couples to help educate the public about the
effects a ban on gay marriage would have on real people and real families.
Mormons for Proposition 8 is the site for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which talks about their
involvement in the 2008 passing of Proposition 8. Also includes a list of donors with city and amount donated.
http://mormonsfor8.com/
New York Times article criticizing decision to ban cameras from the Proposition 8 trial
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/us/19bar.html
New York Times: Index of articles on same sex marriage:
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/same_sex_marriage/index.html.
Newsweek article on Proposition 8 supporters claiming to be the “under dogs” in the court battle.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/230823
Partners Task Force for Gay & Lesbian Couples - A national resource supporting the diverse community of
committed gay and lesbian partners through a variety of media. Contains a wealth of information regarding gay
partnership issues.
Points in Defense of Gay Marriage - Designed to educate people about some of the reasons for legalizing gay
marriage and provide arguments to aid amateur activists for gay rights.
Protect Marriage - Supporting proposition 8, which would eliminate same-sex couples' right to marry in
California.
ReligiousTolerance.org: Homosexual Marriages and Civil Unions - Overview of same-sex marriage and civil
unions exploring current status in various countries with additional emphasis on religious organizations'
reactions.
Republicans Against 8 - Opposing Proposition 8, which would eliminate same-sex couples' right to marry in
California.
Sacramento Bee section on Proposition 8 http://www.sacbee.com/prop8/
Variety article on media coverage of Proposition 8 trial
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118013934.html?categoryId=22&cs=1
Yes on 8: Main website in support of Proposition 8 http://www.protectmarriage.com/
Ebooks
1. Marriage on Trial: a handbook with cases, laws and documents: ABC-CLIO eBook (login required) http://ebooks.abc-clio.com/?isbn=9781851096152.
2. Homosexuality and the Law: ABC-CLIO eBook (login required) - http://ebooks.abcclio.com/?isbn=9781576075906.
3. Gay and Lesbian Issues: ABC-CLIO eBook (login required) - http://ebooks.abcclio.com/?isbn=9781851093731.
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Databases for Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
These are the databases that may be most helpful to you in doing this particular project. Click on the
title of the database to open then type in LAPL library card number and password. Password is
the last four digits of your home phone.
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ProQuest Newsstand: Full text of over 300 U.S. and International news sources, including the Los Angeles
Times, Los Angeles Daily News, Orange County Register, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Wall Street
Journal, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, Boston Globe, Atlanta Journal/Constitution,
and the Times of London.
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Research Library (Proquest): General interest magazines on a broad range of subjects from arts, business,
children, health, humanities, international, law, military, psychology, social sciences, women's interests and
more.
General One File (Gale) :News and periodical articles on a wide range of topics: business, computers, current
events, economics, education, environmental issues, health, hobbies, humanities, law, literature and art, politics,
science, social science, sports, technology with many full-text articles.
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center: Pro and con arguments for a broad range of current social issues,
providing facts, references, articles from many resources, and links to appropriate web sites.
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CSUN Oviatt Library Catalogue and Databases
Please Remember: Oviatt database resources must be used inside the CSUN Oviatt Library.
The Oviatt Library Hours are M-F 7:45 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., SAT 12:00-5:00 p.m. and SUN 12:008:00 p.m.
Oviatt Library Catalog link: http://suncat.csun.edu/.
Tips for searching in online library catalogue:
1. Save the book records you want using the cart
2. Always email the book results to yourself using full display
3. Use the library tutorials programs to help you find information. They will show you how to
search databases and the library catalogue: GOTO:
http://library.csun.edu/Find_Resources/Databases/tutorials.html.
The best thing is to go to the Oviatt database index which is organized by subject area. Choose the
subject area in which you are interested GOTO http://library.csun.edu/xerxes/
Newsbank Special Reports: Includes content from sources throughout the world to provide a global perspective, current
and background information, statistics, maps, images, websites, and suggested search terms. New information is added
daily to featured and current reports.
ProQuest Newspapers: Full text access to over 600 US and international newspapers, hundreds of other news wires and
news sources. Dates vary. (also available through LAPL).
Sage Journals Online: Full text to over 460 journals in business, humanities, social sciences, and science, technology and
medicine.
CQ Researcher: Explores a single hot issue in the news in depth each week. Topics range from social and teen issues to
environment, health, education, and science and technology.
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