Seen from abroad, the United States in 2015 must a present curious spectacle. Its vaunteddemocratic political system is paralyzed—so dysfunctional that, earlier this year, a Justice ofthe Supreme Court drew open laughter when he suggested that Congress might act to fix adefective statute.
在世界其他地区的人们看来,2015年的美国想必成了当今一个光怪陆离之地。其所吹嘘的民主政治制度已然瘫痪,而且到了极其严重的地步——今年最高法院的一名法官提议国会着手修订一项有缺陷的法律时,引起了哄堂大笑。
On the other hand, the country’s legal and social system has just gone through a stunningpeaceful revolution. Fifty years ago, gay men and lesbians were an invisible minority;homosexuality was a mental illness; gay sex was a criminal offense. Thirty years ago, theSupreme Court held that any claim for homosexual rights was, in the words of Justice ByronWhite, “at best, facetious. Twenty years ago, Republican and Democratic lawmakers passed(and President Bill Clinton signed) the Defense of Marriage Act barring federal recognition ofsame-sex marriages. Ten years ago, opposition to gay marriage powered George W. Bush’snarrow re-election victory.
另一方面,美国的法律和社会制度却刚刚经历了一场和平的惊天大变革。50年前,同性恋者是“隐形的少数群体(invisible minority);同性恋是一种精神病;同性性行为是犯罪行为。30年前,最高法院裁定,任何要求同性恋相关权益的主张——用法官拜伦 祠(Byron White)的话来说——“说好听点,都是滑稽的。20年前,共和党和民主党议员在国会上通过了《婚姻保护法》(Defense of Marriage Act)——禁止联邦承认同性婚姻(比尔克林顿总统(Bill Clinton)签署了该法案)。10年前,反对同性婚姻的立场帮助乔治圠布什(George W.Bush)以微弱优势赢得总统连任。
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