pbs高端访谈:同性婚烟意味着传统文化的转变吗?

 　　JEFFREY BROWN: Arizona officials today declared that Democratic House candidate Kyrsten Sinema won her race for the Ninth District, which means she will be the first openly bisexual person to serve in Congress.

　　Her election follows some strong messages sent last week by voters in favor of gay couples exchanging vows¹.

　　Ray Suarez has our look.

　　RAY SUAREZ:For the first time, supporters of same-sex marriage won at the ballot² box last week, after more than 30 losses. Washington State, Maryland and Maine became the first states to approve the practice by popular vote.

　　And, in Minnesota, voters shot down a proposed state constitutional amendment³ to ban gay marriage.

　　CONNIE KAUPPI, Minnesota: It means everything, all my friends, to my community. You know, I mean, I have faith in Minnesota. I love this state so much.

　　RAY SUAREZ:Before last Tuesday, marriage for same-sex couples was legal in six states and the District of Columbia, but those measures were passed by lawmakers or imposed by court rulings. Five other states now allow civil unions.

　　Election Day marked another milestone⁴ for gays in politics. Wisconsin Democrats⁵ Tammy Baldwin was elected as the first openly lesbian member of the U.S. Senate, although she said that wasn't her main focus.

　　SENATOR-ELECT TAMMY BALDWIN, D-Wis.: I didn't run to make history. I ran to make a difference...

　　(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

　　TAMMY BALDWIN:...a difference in the lives of families struggling to find work and pay the bills.

　　RAY SUAREZ:Gay activists⁷ now hope to chip away at laws in some 30 states that bar same-sex marriage, including North Carolina, where earlier this year voters approved an amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage. The very next day, the president announced he backed what its supporters call marriage equality.

　　And later this month, the justices of the U.S. Supreme⁸ Court discuss whether to review six gay rights cases. Four involve challenges to the federal Defense⁹ of Marriage Act.

　　So what do Tuesday's results signal about a political and cultural shift in America? And what's next in this battle?

　　We're joined by representatives from both sides of the argument. Thomas Peters is cultural director of the National Organization for Marriage.

　　And Lee Swislow is the executive director of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders¹⁰.

　　And, Thomas Peters, wherever this battle ends up, and it may take a long time, was Election Day a turning point?

　　THOMAS PETERS,National Organization for Marriage: No, not at all.

　　I think these were tactical wins. Going into these four state fights, we had no illusions. These were deep blue states. We were vastly outraised by our opponents.

　　And even despite all those political forces against us, we still managed to have very close margins¹¹ in the final tally¹².

　　So what I'm hearing this week is that it's not a big shift. We are encouraged and to double down and to renew our efforts.

　　RAY SUAREZ:Lee Swislow, How do you see it?

　　LEE SWISLOW, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders: I see it somewhat differently. I think it was hugely significant. And I think it indicates really the kind of journey that the American people have been on over the last several years.

　　In Maine, three years ago, this same electorate¹³ voted against marriage equality after the Maine legislature had passed a bill. And three years later, after many, many conversations, they voted in favor of marriage equality.

　　And I just want to emphasize that what those conversations are about is about why marriage matters to same-sex couples. And it matters because we fall in love and we want to make a lifelong commitment to the person we love.

　　And Americans can understand that and relate to that. So I think this really shows the power of those conversations.

　　RAY SUAREZ:Now, Thomas Peters, your organization and many others like it had set great store by the fact that, until now, voters had never approved these laws. They had just been the product of judicial¹⁴ action or legislative¹⁵ action.

　　So, how can you say now that it's not really significant that the voters have broken that streak¹⁶?

　　THOMAS PETERS:Well, I think victory after victory can bring complacency.

　　We had phone calls coming into our office the day after the Election Day saying, I had no idea we could possibly lose this. We have won 30 times in a row. What can I do now?

　　And I think that, in some sense, is, so many of our previous fights have been on relatively¹⁷ even ground. Proposition 8 in California, which was our first big, large referendum in recent years, we were outspent, but not anywhere even close to these margins.

　　If you look at where gay marriage is trying to gain a foothold, these are deep blue states, where marriage outperformed Mitt¹⁸ Romney. In Maryland, for instance, 23 percent of people who supported Barack Obama also supported our view of marriage.

　　And, so, you know, for a movement that says it is inevitable¹⁹, this is not the landscape of inevitable movement. We see it as an encouraging factor. And there are numerous states that have yet to settle this question definitively²⁰. That's where we will be active.

　　And we have two Supreme Court cases where we also believe that our side will overcome when all is said and done.

　　RAY SUAREZ:Well, what do you think about that, Lee Swislow, electorally low-hanging fruit, deep blue states where the marriage questions didn't even do as well as the presidential candidates.

　　LEE SWISLOW:Well, I think, again, we have to focus on movement and on the journey that people are taking.

　　And, you know, our polling showed—again, Maine, I know most deeply because we were so involved in the work in Maine—but three years ago, our own polling showed us with 47 percent support. And we went into it with 47 percent support. And that's what we came out with, 47 percent support.

　　Three years later, we had 53 percent support. So that's a pretty dramatic indication. I think Maine was as blue then as it is now.

　　So, what we're seeing is people are changing on this issue. And, in fact, if you look at polls in every state in the country over the last, say, 10 to 15 years, in every state, support for marriage equality has increased.

　　Now, in some states, it started low and it's still low, but things are moving in our direction. And that's the way they're going.

　　RAY SUAREZ:Things are moving in her direction?

　　THOMAS PETERS:I think it's really interesting that she's bringing up the point about polling.

　　All of the statements from the national pro-gay marriage groups I have seen show they're still extremely wary²¹ about state votes.

　　The Human Rights Campaign is saying they still want to focus on how gay marriage has traditionally been pushed, which is by legislatures and activist⁶ judges. And so we can talk about shifts and changes stuff like that.

　　I think this election demonstrated on a lot of different counts it is about turnout. I think conservatives of various stripes who have various different priorities saw that this was an election where turnout really mattered.

　　And I think that's one of the priorities for the pro-marriage movement moving forward is turning out our people as successfully as our opponents did this time around. And one good place to start with it is having an equal financial and activist footing. And that's what we're addressing right now.

　　RAY SUAREZ:Lee Swislow, looking forward, can the United States sustain a map where we're sort of a patchwork²² quilt of marriage laws, where your marriage conducted not long after the law changed in Massachusetts is not respected in half the states?

　　LEE SWISLOW:Well, I think, ultimately, it probably is not sustainable. But at this point, I think this is where we're at. And we need to win more states before we really look for a larger solution.

　　And marriage is so important. It's so important to same-sex couples. There are couples who live in states where marriage isn't recognized who go to marriage states to get married, even knowing that they're not going to have that relationship recognized by the state or at this point by the federal government.

　　And yet that commitment is so important to people.

　　So, logistically, the patchwork is really—it's a big drag. And married couples when they travel out of state bring their marriage licenses²³, if they have kids, adoption²⁴ certificates. And they bring as much documentation as they have with the hope that their relationship will be recognized.

　　But at this point, I think that is the life we're living. And we want to continue to build support through conversations with people until the country is ready I think for a larger solution.

　　RAY SUAREZ:While you work to make exactly that not happen.

　　THOMAS PETERS:Well, we work to protect marriage because we believe that marriage is the best social institution we have to maintain the fact that children are raised by their parents, by their moms and dads.

　　And the other side has done a very good job of messaging what their view is. Our challenge is to message what our view is. And we find that when people are introduced to the merits, they come our way.

　　We had national polling out the same day nationwide that showed over 57 percent of people believe that, to make a marriage, you need a husband and a wife.

　　And we believe that this question will ultimately be decided²⁵ by the people. It should be decided by the people. And that's what NOM has been standing²⁶ for since the very...

　　RAY SUAREZ:Let me jump in there. Aren't you standing on shifting sand, given the momentum²⁷ of the polls, given the momentum of the legal challenges, the losses in various federal appellate courts, the changes in various state laws?

　　Maybe you will win tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. But are you fighting against an inevitability²⁸ at this point?

　　THOMAS PETERS:No, for two important reasons. First of all, I believe in the truth of my pro-marriage views, just as the other side does. And people who have those deep-seated convictions don't look at the changing tides, wherever they may be. They fight for what's true and what is right.

　　Second of all, I think it's amazing with all of the cultural forces trying to redefine marriage that we're still here in 2012 just barely seeing some footholds gained in deep blue states. I think the future of the marriage movement is bright. And, ultimately, I don't believe history moves in one direction.

　　RAY SUAREZ:Lee Swislow?

　　LEE SWISLOW:I think having same-sex couples marry is a big change.

　　People had not been used to the idea. I have to say, for myself, when I first came out in the mid-'70s, it never occurred to me that I would be able to legally marry. And yet I was able to do that in Massachusetts in 2004.

　　So, we're seeing tremendous change.

　　We're also seeing -- just demographically, we're seeing Republicans and Democrats supporting marriage equality. We're seeing support from all age groups. We're seeing support from people of faith. We're seeing support from people throughout the country. So, I feel like things are moving forward. And I'm very optimistic and very excited.

　　RAY SUAREZ:Lee Swislow, Thomas Peters, thank you both for joining us.

1 vows   

誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿

参考例句：

• Matrimonial vows are to show the faithfulness of the new couple. 婚誓体现了新婚夫妇对婚姻的忠诚。
• The nun took strait vows. 那位修女立下严格的誓愿。

2 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

3 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

4 milestone   

n.里程碑；划时代的事件

参考例句：

• The film proved to be a milestone in the history of cinema.事实证明这部影片是电影史上的一个里程碑。
• I think this is a very important milestone in the relations between our two countries.我认为这是我们两国关系中一个十分重要的里程碑。

5 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

7 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

9 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

10 defenders   

n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者

参考例句：

• The defenders were outnumbered and had to give in. 抵抗者寡不敌众，只能投降。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• After hard fighting,the defenders were still masters of the city. 守军经过奋战仍然控制着城市。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 margins   

边( margin的名词复数 )； 利润； 页边空白； 差数

参考例句：

• They have always had to make do with relatively small profit margins. 他们不得不经常设法应付较少的利润额。
• To create more space between the navigation items, add left and right margins to the links. 在每个项目间留更多的空隙，加左或者右的margins来定义链接。

12 tally   

n.计数器，记分，一致，测量；vt.计算，记录，使一致；vi.计算，记分，一致

参考例句：

• Don't forget to keep a careful tally of what you spend.别忘了仔细记下你的开支账目。
• The facts mentioned in the report tally to every detail.报告中所提到的事实都丝毫不差。

13 electorate   

n.全体选民；选区

参考例句：

• The government was responsible to the electorate.政府对全体选民负责。
• He has the backing of almost a quarter of the electorate.他得到了几乎1/4选民的支持。

14 judicial   

adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的

参考例句：

• He is a man with a judicial mind.他是个公正的人。
• Tom takes judicial proceedings against his father.汤姆对他的父亲正式提出诉讼。

15 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

16 streak   

n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动

参考例句：

• The Indians used to streak their faces with paint.印第安人过去常用颜料在脸上涂条纹。
• Why did you streak the tree?你为什么在树上刻条纹？

17 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

18 mitt   

n.棒球手套，拳击手套，无指手套；vt.铐住，握手

参考例句：

• I gave him a baseball mitt for his birthday.为祝贺他的生日，我送给他一只棒球手套。
• Tom squeezed a mitt and a glove into the bag.汤姆把棒球手套和手套都塞进袋子里。

19 inevitable   

adj.不可避免的，必然发生的

参考例句：

• Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
• The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。

20 definitively   

adv.决定性地，最后地

参考例句：

• None of the three super-states could be definitively conquered even by the other two in combination. 三个超级国家中的任何一国都不可能被任何两国的联盟所绝对打败。 来自英汉文学
• Therefore, nothing can ever be definitively proved with a photograph. 因此，没有什么可以明确了一张照片。 来自互联网

21 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。

22 patchwork   

n.混杂物；拼缝物

参考例句：

• That proposal is nothing else other than a patchwork.那个建议只是一个大杂烩而已。
• She patched new cloth to the old coat,so It'seemed mere patchwork. 她把新布初到那件旧上衣上，所以那件衣服看上去就象拼凑起来的东西。

23 licenses   

n.执照( license的名词复数 )v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Drivers have ten days' grace to renew their licenses. 驾驶员更换执照有10天的宽限期。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Jewish firms couldn't get import or export licenses or raw materials. 犹太人的企业得不到进出口许可证或原料。 来自辞典例句

24 adoption   

n.采用，采纳，通过；收养

参考例句：

• An adoption agency had sent the boys to two different families.一个收养机构把他们送给两个不同的家庭。
• The adoption of this policy would relieve them of a tremendous burden.采取这一政策会给他们解除一个巨大的负担。

25 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

26 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

27 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

28 inevitability   

n.必然性

参考例句：

• Evolutionism is normally associated with a belief in the inevitability of progress. 进化主义通常和一种相信进步不可避免的看法相联系。
• It is the tide of the times, an inevitability of history. 这是时代的潮流，历史的必然。