Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What is part of the reason gay couples want the same right as heterosexual couples to get married?

2. What has President Bush suggested as a way to deal with the gay marriage issue?

3. What are the laws regarding gay marriage in some of the states?

4. What would need to happen in order for an amendment banning gay marriage to pass?

5. Which state was the first to allow "civil unions" between gay couples?

6. Is the Supreme Court expected to rule on gay marriage?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. What is your opinion of an amendment banning gay marriage? Do you think the issue should be left up to the states to decide or should the federal government get involved? Considering there have been only 27 amendments to the Constitution, does the issue of gay marriage justify a 28th? Explain.

2. Research what it means to be legally married in the United States? What rights do married couples have that other couples don't? Compare the laws for married couples in the U.S. to the laws in another country. What did you find? Are they similar or very different?

Write a 500-800 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.