The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) aims to unite with educators in cultivating an informed citizenry and future generations of children who respect and accept all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. By supporting educators in their efforts to build schools where information and expression flow freely, GLSEN hopes to advance democratic values in classrooms across the nation. This guide provides a means for educators and parents to address questions about civil rights and sexual identity, in an open and direct way. As legislative hearings take place to determine the fate of marriage in states around the country, students will need guidance in order to integrate this complex information and to form their own opinions. This curriculum guide will help students explore the complex issues reflected in the debate on same-sex marriages. Following the lesson plans, readings are included to provide students with a fuller understanding of the many facets involved in the marriage debate. These articles include topics on: (1) meaning and purpose of marriage; (2) rights of civil marriage; (3) historical context and parallels; (4) spiritual unions; (5) influence on youth; and (6) recent decisions in Vermont and California. Also included are Appendix One, "Universal Declaration of Human Rights," and Appendix Two, "The Struggle To Legalize Same-Sex Relationships in the U.S., a Brief Timeline." (Contains 19 resources.) (Author/JDM)