| Acknowledgements | 第1-4页 |
| Abstract | 第4-5页 |
| 摘要 | 第5-6页 |
| Contents | 第6-8页 |
| Introduction | 第8-11页 |
| Chapter 1 Overview of Same-Sex Marriage | 第11-15页 |
| ·The Homosexual or Gay People | 第11页 |
| ·Same-Sex Marriage and Its Legal Manifestation | 第11-15页 |
| ·Marriage | 第12-13页 |
| ·Civil Union | 第13-14页 |
| ·Domestic Partnership | 第14页 |
| ·Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationships | 第14-15页 |
| Chapter 2 Legalization Process of Same-Sex Marriage in the US | 第15-33页 |
| ·Ban and Persecution (Early 17th Century-1950s) | 第16-19页 |
| ·Traditional Laws and Norms against Gay People in Europe | 第16-17页 |
| ·Ban and Persecution of Gay People in the US | 第17-19页 |
| ·Compromise and Tolerance (1960s-1990s) | 第19-24页 |
| ·Industrialization and Urbanization: Winter Sunshine for Gay People | 第19-21页 |
| ·Gay Rights Movements and the Change of Social Atmosphere | 第21-24页 |
| ·Same-Sex Marriage: Arguments and Recognition (1990s -Now) | 第24-33页 |
| ·The Reciprocal Beneficiaries in Hawaii | 第24-25页 |
| ·Civil Union in Vermont | 第25-26页 |
| ·Same-Sex Marriage in Massachusetts | 第26-28页 |
| ·Development of Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage after Massachusetts | 第28-33页 |
| Chapter 3 Major Arguments over Same-Sex Marriage in the United States | 第33-40页 |
| ·Nature and Definition of Marriage | 第33-35页 |
| ·Religious Belief and Its Impact | 第35-37页 |
| ·Provisions of Liberty and Equality | 第37-40页 |
| Chapter 4 Evolution of American Society from Same-Sex Marriage Legalization Process | 第40-48页 |
| ·Political Evolution:ANew “Wedge Issue” inAmerica’s General Election | 第41-44页 |
| ·Social Evolution: Better Protection of Individual Rights | 第44-48页 |
| Conclusion | 第48-49页 |
| Bibliography | 第49-52页 |
| 附件 | 第52页 |
