TORONTO, February 25, 2004 --  In the lead up to November’s Presidential elections, U.S. President George W. Bush is urging Congress to promptly pass a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

 

The following York University professors are available to comment on what promised to be a highly charged and divisive political debate south of the border:

 

Stephen Newman, a professor of political science specializing in American domestic policy and U.S. party politics, says that this is a wedge issue the Republicans are using against the Democrats. He adds that although the proposal will alienate moderate Republicans, it will receive solid support from conservative and the religious right of the party, as well as many Americans.

 

James Laxer, one of Canada’s leading political thinkers, is author of The Border: Canada, The U.S. and Dispatches from the 49^th Parallel (2003) and Stalking the Elephant: My Discovery of America (2000). He says that the proposed constitutional amendment is unlikely to get the support of three-quarters of the state legislatures required for ratification.

 

Patrick Monahan, dean of York's Osgoode Hall Law School, says that the amendment has little chance of getting passed. He can also comment on same-sex marriage legislation drafted under former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.

 

Patricia Wood, a professor of geography, can comment on sexual citizenship and to compare Canada and the U.S. on this issue. She is co-author of Citizenship and Identity (1999) and has conducted research on global sexual orientation issues.

 

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For additional experts or to arrange an interview, please contact:

 

Ken Turriff Media Relations York University 416-736-2100, ext. 22086 kturriff@yorku.ca

 

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