Wyatt-Nichol, HeatherNaylor, Lorenda2016-12-072016-12-072015Wyatt-Nichol H. & Naylor, L. A.. (2015). Liberty and Equality: In Defense of Same-Sex Marriage, Public Integrity, 17:2, 117-130, DOI: 10.1080/10999922.2015.10001081099-9922http://hdl.handle.net/11603/3679Marriage equality has gained international attention in public discourse. Laws that prohibit same-sex marriage may be categorized as both paternalistic and moralistic. This article addresses ethical and legal considerations surrounding the right of same-sex couples to marry. Three subject areas are analyzed: equality, individual liberty, and morality. The implications of the analysis reveal that prohibition of same-sex marriage is not justified based upon the criteria necessary for paternalistic and moralistic policies.en-USSame-sex marriage, LGBT rights, DOMA, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Constitution, Liberity, EqualityText