This document provides a comparative analysis of same-sex marriage in Canada, the United States, and Japan. In Canada, same-sex marriage is legally recognized and was first legalized at the provincial level. In the US, it is not recognized federally but is legal in some states and public opinion is shifting in favor. Japan recently allowed same-sex marriage for Japanese citizens marrying foreign partners where it is legal, representing progress among Asian nations. Attitudes toward same-sex marriage are changing globally due to social and legal developments as well as traditional and new media coverage of LGBT rights issues.

1. Canada, The United States, and Japan A Comparative Analysis Same Gender Marriage

2. Same Gender Marriage Politically and socially divisive issue Changing public attitudes Normative trend development

3. Same Gender Marriage: The United States Same sex marriage not recognized by federal government. Some individual States consider gay marriage legal. Public opinion shifting

9. Same Gender Marriage: Comparative Analysis Amnesty International Homosexuality a crime in 70 countries.

10. Same Gender Marriage: Comparative Analysis Traditional and new media Legal Political Global Religious Historic

11. Same Gender Marriage: Normative Development

12. References Catholic answers (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.catholic.com/library/gay_marriage.asp Google images (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.google.ca/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi In turnaround, U.S. signs U.N. gay rights document (Mar 18, 2009). Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/03/18/us-rights-gay-usa-idUSTRE52H5CK20090318 Pope says gay marriage threat to creation (Jan 11, 2010). Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/07/19/us-un-gays-idUSTRE66I4ZQ20100719?sp=true Religion, politics, and support for same-sex marriage in the United States, 1988–2008 (Jan. 2011). Social Science Research. Retrieved from: http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.royalroads.ca/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WX8-50X3TRS-1&_user=1067470&_coverDate=01%2F31%2F2011&_rdoc=13&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%237152%232011%23999599998%232624740%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=7152&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=30&_acct=C000051250&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=1067470&md5=10571fc3f5ffa9cb0b269764fc340943&searchtype=a Saskatchewan says marriage commissioners must wed same-sex couples (Jan 18, 2011). Retrieved from: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/saskatchewan-says-marriage-commissioners-must-wed-same-sex-couples/article1874896/ Universal decriminalization of homosexuality a human rights imperative – Ban (Dec 10, 2010). Retrieved from: http://www.un.org/apps//news/story.asp?NewsID=37026&Cr=&Cr1=