Publication Date
1-1-2017
Document Type
Article
Organizational Units
Sturm College of Law
Keywords
Same sex marriage, Gay marriage, Obergefell, LGBT, LGBTQ, Polyamory, Polygamy
Abstract
In his dissent in Obergefell v. Hodges, Justice Thomas suggested that comparisons between same-sex marriage and interracial marriage bans are “offensive and inaccurate.” The language of offense is striking, particularly given Justice Thomas’s otherwise respectful tone in other cases involving the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. It also provides an interesting juxtaposition to the Chief Justice’s dissent, which compares same-sex marriage to plural marriage. This essay explores this rhetoric of offense and suggests that these various comparisons are the result of traditional legal argumentation. Thus, the LGBTQ community should not take offense at comparisons to plural marriage.
Recommended Citation
Timothy R. Holbrook, Polyamory, Offense, and Obergefell, Conn. L. Rev. Online 1 (2017).