Our Latest Updates – Archive

Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) married long-time partner Marlon Reis on Sep. 15, 2021, in the first same-sex marriage of a sitting US governor. Polis was the first openly gay man elected as governor in the US and the second openly LGBTQ+ person elected governor, after Oregon Governor Kate Brown who identifies as bisexual.

A June 2021 Gallup poll found 70% of all Americans support gay marriage, a record high in a continuation of an upward trend since Gallup began polling on the issue in 1996 when support was at 27%.

51% of Republicans supported same-sex marriage according to a 2020 PRRI poll, up from 47% in 2019.

While the landmark decision is the first time a court has ruled on gay marriage in Japan, the law will only change if Parliament passes legislation, something they have previously been hesitant to do.

The Holy See stated, “it is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage (i.e., outside the indissoluble union of a man and a woman open in itself to the transmission of life), as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex.”

Explore the debate about whether gay marriage should remain legal with an updated site.

Nevada voters approved Question 2, which will remove an unenforceable section of the state constitution that states “only a marriage between a male and female person shall be recognized and given effect in this state.”

PRRI recorded a 70% approval rating for legal same-sex marriage in Oct. 2020.

In a new documentary by director Evgeny Afineevsky, “Francesco,” amid a conversation about pastoral outreach to LGBTQ+ people, Pope Francis stated, “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.”

Among the findings were that there were about 980,000 same-sex households in 2019.

The weddings have created a $3.8 billion influx to state and local economies, $244.1 million in state and local sales tax revenue, and 45,000 jobs, according to estimates.

President Alvaradp Quesada tweeted the news: “Today we celebrate liberty, equality and our democratic institutions.”

With the addition of Northern Ireland, 35 countries have legalized gay marriage since the Netherlands became the first country to do so in 2001.

Same-sex couples will be able to be married starting around Valentine’s Day 2020.

Learn about the presidential candidates’ views on important issues, compare them with a side-by-side chart, find your best match with a fun quiz, track their finances, and so much more on our 2020 Presidential Election website. The New York Times called our previous presidential election site “The most comprehensive tool for researching the candidate’s stance on issues.” Check back monthly for expanded issue coverage.

Lawmakers clarified that the vote would not make gay marriage legal immediately, but could by late October if Northern Ireland had not yet formed a government.

Ecuador became the 32nd country to legalize gay marriage on June 12, 2019 when the country’s top court ruled in favor of two same-sex couples who requested permission to marry.

The law will go into effect on May 24, 2019 and follows a 2017 Supreme Court ruling declaring a gay marriage ban unconstitutional.

Our new topic explores the pros and cons in the debate over making birth control pills available over-the-counter (OTC). 9.1 million women (12.6% of contraceptive users) use birth control pills, which are the second-most commonly used method of contraception in the United States. Proponents say making the birth control pill available over-the-counter would lower teen pregnancy rates, provide contraceptive access to medically underserved women, and ease access to a health-improving drug with decades of safe use. Opponents say making the Pill over-the-counter would raise the cost of contraception for women, pose a danger to teens’ and women’s health by removing the doctor’s visit requirement, and limit what options are made available.

Our new website presents the top pro & con arguments and quotes, a history of the debate, a video gallery, the prescription status of birth control pills around the world, and a list of drugs switched from prescription to OTC status.

ProCon.org, a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity,
seeks an in-house Researcher (full-time with benefits or part-time
without benefits) to develop content for websites devoted to a
nonpartisan in-depth presentation of 70+ controversial issues. Three
items are required for application, as specified in the job notice.

The Netherlands was the first country to legalize gay marriage in 2001. Discover which 28 countries have since legalized the practice.

We’re excited to announce 50 free lesson plan ideas for educators! Visit our Teachers’ Corner for inspiration, including lessons plans about distinguishing fact from opinion, how to write a “call-to-action” letter, and content from our partner Credo Reference.

The ruling stated that, although EU countries may set their own same-sex marriage laws, they must recognize marriages performed in other countries.

We thank the teachers in 10,037 schools who have used our free resources in your instructional materials. Our amazing community consists of 3,524 elementary and middle schools (35.1%), 4,692 high schools (46.7%), and 1,821 colleges and universities (18.1%) in all 50 states and 92 countries. Visit the Teachers’ Corner to find your school and see how educators are using ProCon.org in the classroom. Or join the community by taking our 2-minute survey.

The ruling applies to twenty-three Latin American countries and those without legal gay marriage will be expected to change their laws.

Three weeks after the results of a national non-binding vote showed public support for gay marriage, the House of Representatives legalized gay marriage.

The ruling will allow gay couples to marry beginning on Jan. 1, 2019 and will also allow heterosexual couples to enter into civil unions that fall short of marriage.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier signed the legislation on July 20, 2017 after a June 30 parliament vote.

66 of 67 lawmakers in the Maltese parliament voted to legalize gay marriage in the Western European nation on July 12, 2017.

Examine the pros and cons of legalizing same-sex marriage with quotes from Minister in the Church of Scotland Scott Rennie (pro), the National Association of Evangelicals (con), Presidents Barack Obama (pro) and George W. Bush (con), Vice President Dick Cheney (pro), and former Governor Mike Huckabee (con), among other organizations and experts.

On May 5, 2017, a Bermuda court struck down the ban on gay marriage, calling it a “discriminatory violation of human rights.” The Bermudan government has indicated it will not appeal.

We thank the teachers in 8,369 schools that have used our free resources in your instructional materials. Our amazing community consists of 2,461 elementary and middle schools (29.4%), 4,160 high schools (49.7%), and 1,748 colleges and universities (20.9%) in all 50 states and 87 countries. Visit the Teachers’ Corner to find your school and see how educators are using ProCon.org in the classroom. Or join the community by taking our 2-minute survey.

ProCon.org has been cited by authors such as Glenn Beck, Tavis Smiley, Mark Bittman, Newt Gingrich, Condoleezza Rice, and Joseph Stiglitz. See the 48 books that have referenced our research in 2016 so far.

Our free resources have been used by teachers, librarians, and administrators in all 50 US states and 87 countries. The breakdown is 2,282 elementary and middle schools (29.4%), 3,818 high schools (49.2%), and 1,662 colleges and universities (21.4%). Thank you to educators around the world for using ProCon.org to help your students to better understand issues and perspectives, and to develop their own informed opinions and voices.

On Apr. 29, 2016 Colombia’s highest court legalized gay marriage, making it the fourth Latin American country to do so after Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

The televised debates between Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley during the 1968 political conventions are explored in this award-winning documentary. Use our discussion guide to spark a thought-provoking conversation – in your classroom or your living room – about American politics, past and present.

In China’s first court case concerning gay marriage, the judge ruled that the couple could not marry and cited marriage laws specifying “a man and a woman.”

Our 55th website explores the pros and cons in the debate over increasing the minimum wage. The federal minimum wage was introduced in the 1930s by President Roosevelt and has been increased by Congress 22 times, most recently in 2009 to reach its current level of $7.25 an hour. Proponents say the current federal minimum wage is too low for anyone to live on; and that a higher minimum wage will help create jobs, grow the economy, and decrease wage inequality. Opponents say that many businesses cannot afford to pay their workers more and will be forced to close, lay off workers, and reduce hiring; that an increase makes it more difficult for low-skilled workers with little or no experience to find jobs; and that low-income communities are disproportionately harmed by wage raises at the federal level.

Find 86 quotes on critical thinking from Socrates, Marie Curie, Jean Piaget, Malala Yousafzai, and others.

ProCon.org has been referenced by 24 international governments (includes inter-governmental organizations, dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty), 22 US federal entities, and 33 US state governments.

– Our free resources have been used by teachers, librarians, and administrators in all 50 US states and 85 countries. The breakdown is 2,072 elementary and middle schools (29.5%), 3,478 high schools (49.5%), and 1,476 colleges and universities (21.0%). A big thank you to educators around the world for helping us spread the word about critical thinking!

Explore 75 quotes about critical thinking from thinkers including Carl Sagan, bell hooks, and Cornel West.

– Episcopal Church Votes to Allow Same-Sex Weddings – On June 1, 2015, at the Episcopal General Convention in Salt Lake City, Episcopalians voted to allow gay couples to be married in religious ceremonies.

– US Supreme Court Makes Gay Marriage Legal in All 50 US States – On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage bans are unconstitutional and that all states must allow same-sex couples to marry. Justice Anthony Kennedy stated in the Court’s majority opinion that marriage is a “fundamental right” to which same-sex couples are entitled.

– Ireland Becomes First Country to Legalize Gay Marriage by Popular Vote – On May 23, 2015, 62.1% of Irish voters approved of a change to Ireland’s constitution to define marriage as a union between two people, without regard to their sex. Ireland is the world’s 18th country to allow same-sex marriage.

ProCon.org, America’s Most Popular Resource for the Pros and Cons of Issues, Expands to Serve More than 6,000 Schools – 6,152 teachers, librarians, and administrators in all 50 states and 80 countries have used ProCon.org in their educational materials. We found 3,092 high schools (50.3%), 1,718 elementary and middle schools (27.9%), and 1,342 colleges and universities (21.8%) where educators referenced ProCon.org. The lesson plan ideas and teacher reactions to using ProCon.org are available in our Teachers’ Corner. If you are an educator, please take our 2-minute survey and let us know how you use ProCon.org!

– Gay Marriage in the US Supreme Court, 2015 – On Apr. 28, 2015, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments for and against the constitutionality of same-sex marriage. The Court’s ruling, expected in late June, may determine whether gay marriage becomes legal nationwide, or whether individual states will continue to decide its legality. Read about the case and its potential ramifications in our new resource.

– US Department of Labor Cites ProCon.org for Its ‘Up-to-Date Information’ on Same-Sex Marriage – Another example of the utility and credibility of ProCon.org at the highest levels of government. To date, 24 international governments, 30 US state governments, and 10 federal agencies have referenced ProCon.org research.

20 Lesson Plan Ideas with Common Core Correlations – Free curricula to help teach counterargument, distinguish fact from opinion, analyze primary sources, build research speed, and other thoughtful lessons related to critical thinking. Lessons are listed by grade level and include adaptations and Common Core standards met.

– Alabama Becomes 37th US State to Legalize Gay Marriage – On Feb. 9, 2015, after the US Supreme Court decided 7-2 not to grant the state’s request for a stay, same-sex couples began receiving marriage licenses. The marriages went ahead despite Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore ordering probate judges not to issue licenses to same-sex couples. 13 states still have gay marriage bans in place.

Educators in 5,758 schools have used ProCon.org. Our free resources have been used by teachers, librarians, and administrators in all 50 US states and 73 countries. The breakdown is 1,529 elementary and middle schools (26.6%), 2,911 high schools (50.5%), and 1,318 colleges and universities (22.9%). A big thank you to educators around the world for helping us spread the word about critical thinking!

Governments That Have Used ProCon.org – ProCon.org research has now been used by 24 international governments, inter-governmental organizations, dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty. Recent additions include Germany, Spain, and the United Nations.

– RSS, Social, Newsletter – Get Your Latest Updates – You can now get customized RSS updates on one, two, three, or all of our topics. Pick and choose the issues you care about most, and when we publish updates you’ll be the first to know. Another free resource from the friendly folks at ProCon.org.

– 101 Books Cited ProCon.org in 2014 – a 48.5% Increase over 2013 – Authors who have cited ProCon.org in the past include Glenn Beck, Mark Bittman, Newt Gingrich, Stefan Halper, Dick Morris, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Schmoker, Tavis Smiley, and Joseph Stiglitz.

ProCon.org referenced 462 times by media outlets in 2014 – News organizations such as Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Forbes, Rolling Stone, PBS, and ESPN cited and linked to our research 462 times in 2014, a 34% increase over 2013.

– US Supreme Court Agrees to Rule on Gay Marriage – On Jan. 16, 2015, the US Supreme Court agreed to consider whether same-sex marriage should be legal nationwide. The Court will hear challenges to gay marriage bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, and is expected to decide before its current term ends in June this year.

50 Famous Quotes about Critical Thinking – Read illustrated quotes about critical thinking from Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other famous thinkers from Aristotle to Howard Zinn.

– UPDATED: Should Gay Marriage Be Legal? – Gay marriage is legal in 35 US states and the District of Columbia, and is banned in 15 states. Proponents contend that gay marriage bans are discriminatory and unconstitutional, and that same-sex couples should have access to all the benefits enjoyed by different-sex couples. Opponents contend that marriage has traditionally been defined as being between one man and one woman, and that marriage is primarily for procreation. Explore our updated pro and con arguments, plus “Did You Know?” facts and background information on the history of the gay marriage debate.

– Teachers’ Corner – Check out our new and improved Teachers’ Corner for free lesson plan ideas, critical thinking resources, info on Common Core, and examples of how to use ProCon.org from more than 5,000 educators around the world.

– Is There Really a Santa Claus? – He’s jolly and generous, but is he real? Our new holiday-themed site explores the legend of Santa Claus. Read the arguments from both sides and then decide for yourself: Is Santa Claus man or myth?

– ProCon.org Critical Thinking Seminar – Our seminar teaches critical thinking in a hands-on, interactive format. Read about this new lesson plan idea for teachers, see which Common Core standards it addresses, and watch a short video showing the seminar in action.

– Which topics should ProCon.org cover in 2015? – Net neutrality? Common Core? Minimum wage? Affirmative action? GMOs? Something else? What do YOU think? You can vote for as many subjects as you like, or suggest some of your own.

– Gay Marriage Timeline, 1970-2014 – In 1973, Maryland became the first state to ban same-sex marriage. On Nov. 12, 2014, Kansas became the latest state to have its ban declared unconstitutional. The number of states with legal gay marriage has increased from zero in 2000 to five in 2010 to 33 as of today. Read about the history of gay marriage in our illustrated timeline.

– Gay Marriage Now Legal in 32 US States – In Oct. 2014, following several federal court decisions, same-sex marriage became legal in a majority of US states for the first time ever. 13 states have legalized gay marriage since Oct. 6: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 18 states still have gay marriage bans in place.

– NEW ProCon.org Website! – Local Elections – Since our presidential election websites helped millions of people decide whom to vote for, many readers have asked ProCon.org to cover local elections. For the first time ever, and in a more limited capacity, we have brought our unique brand of election coverage to local elections starting with Santa Monica, California where we are based. Our 52nd website gathers views from the Santa Monica city council, school board, and college board candidates on important community issues. Click on a candidate, click on an issue, or take the quiz to see which candidate best matches your views. More than 600,000 people took a similar version of our quiz for the 2012 presidential election.

– US Supreme Court Clears Way for Same-Sex Marriage in Five States, More Expected to Follow – On Oct. 6, 2014, the US Supreme Court declined to hear appeals from five states where same-sex marriage bans had been ruled unconstitutional. The decision allowed Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, bringing the total number of states where gay marriage is legal to 24. Six additional states, Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming, were also affected by the decision and are expected to begin issuing marriage licenses in the near future.

– NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should students have to wear school uniforms? – Our 51st website explores the pros and cons in the debate over mandatory school uniforms. Almost one in five US public schools required students to wear uniforms during the 2011-2012 school year, up from one in eight in 2003-2004. Proponents say that school uniforms make schools safer for students, create a “level playing field” that reduces socioeconomic disparities, and encourage children to focus on their studies rather than their clothes. Opponents say school uniforms infringe upon students’ right to express their individuality, have no positive effect on behavior and academic achievement, and emphasize the socioeconomic disparities they are intended to disguise.

– Educators in 5,216 schools have used ProCon.org. Our free resources have been used by teachers, librarians, and administrators in all 50 US states and 66 countries. The breakdown is 1,335 elementary and middle schools (25.6%), 2,618 high schools (50.2%), and 1,263 colleges and universities (24.2%). Thank you to all the educators around the world who are helping us promote critical thinking!

– ProCon.org 10th Anniversary Contests and Prizes – Help celebrate our 10th anniversary by entering our Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ contests to win a $100 Amazon gift card or a ProCon.org hat!

– Over 300 Books Cite ProCon.org – 308 books have used our research, including 38 so far in 2014. Topics referenced this year include medical marijuana, euthanasia, prostitution, and gay marriage. Notable authors who have mentioned ProCon.org in their books include Glenn Beck, Mark Bittman, Newt Gingrich, Dick Morris, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Schmoker, and Tavis Smiley.

– Pennsylvania Becomes 19th State to Legalize Gay Marriage – On May 20, 2014, US District Court Judge John Jones III ruled that Pennsylvania’s gay marriage ban is unconstitutional. The state’s attorney general had declined to defend the ban in court, and Governor Tom Corbett decided not to appeal the ruling, saying an appeal would be “extremely unlikely to succeed.” Officials began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the decision.

– Oregon Becomes 18th State to Legalize Gay Marriage – On May 19, 2014, US District Judge Michael McShane struck down Oregon’s 2004 gay marriage ban as being unconstitutional. State officials declined to defend the ban, and Oregon counties began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately. On May 20, 2014, another federal judge ruled that Pennsylvania’s gay marriage ban is unconstitutional, but Governor Tom Corbett may appeal the ruling.

Educators in over 5,000 schools have used ProCon.org. Our free resources have been used by teachers, librarians, and administrators in all 50 states and 66 countries (the latest was Egypt). The breakdown is 1,229 elementary and middle schools (24.6%), 2,547 high schools (50.9%), and 1,226 colleges and universities (24.5%). For this Teacher Appreciation Week, we say THANK YOU to the educators, our partners in promoting critical thinking, who helped us reach this milestone achievement.

– NEW VIDEO – Critical Thinking Video Series: Felon Voting – Should felons be allowed to vote? Some people argue that felon voting laws are unfair and racially discriminatory, while others say that felons have forfeited the right to vote by committing a crime. Explore both sides of the debate in ProCon.org’s latest video.

– Federal Judge Rules Texas’ Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional – Judge Orlando Garcia stayed his decision pending appeal, leaving same-sex marriage illegal in Texas. There are currently 17 US states with legal gay marriage and 33 states with gay marriage bans.

270 Books Citing ProCon.org – 68 books in 2013 referenced our research. Our websites on gay marriage, immigration, medical marijuana, and prostitution garnered the most citations. Notable authors who have referenced ProCon.org in their books include: Glenn Beck, Mark Bittman, Newt Gingrich, Stefan Halper, Dick Morris, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Schmoker, Tavis Smiley, and Joseph Stiglitz.

ProCon.org received 343 media references in 2013 compared to 285 in 2012. Notable 2013 media references included The Atlantic, Business Insider, CNN, Deadpsin, Forbes, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC, New York Times, NPR, PBS, Psychology Today, Reuters, TIME, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post.

– Educators in More than 4,500 Schools in All 50 States and Over 65 Countries Use ProCon.org – We expanded the number of schools where educators use ProCon.org from 3,560 schools at the end of 2012 to 4,571 schools at the end of 2013 – an increase of 1,011 schools (28.4%). By level, those schools include: 1,053 elementary and middle schools (23%), 2,356 high schools (51.6%), and 1,162 colleges and universities (25.4%). Check out our updated resource to look up your school and nearby schools, find new lessons, learn new ways to use ProCon.org, and get inspired.

Governments That Use ProCon.org – ProCon.org is now used by 17 international governments including Ecuador, Iran, Japan, Portugal, South Korea, and Taiwan.

– Nigeria Bans Gay Marriage – Africa’s most populous nation makes it illegal to have an intimate same-sex relationship, to attend or organize a meeting of gays, or to patronize or operate any type of gay organization, including private clubs.

– Utah’s Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional by Federal Judge – The state’s same-sex marriage ban was overturned on Dec. 20, 2013, and county clerks began issuing marriage licenses immediately. The state is appealing the decision.

– New Mexico Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage – The state Supreme Court unanimously ruled that denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples was unconstitutional, making New Mexico the 17th US state to legalize gay marriage and the ninth to legalize it this year.

Check out some great photos from our successful charity golf tournament which took place on Dec. 2^nd at the Calabasas Country Club. Thank you to all our players, sponsors, and organizers.

In attendance were dozens of celebrities including: former NHL player Marty McSorley, former MLB player Royce Clayton, former NFL player Hank Baskett and his wife, reality TV star Kendra Wilkinson, senior golf pro Steve Pate, former NBA player Norm Nixon, and actors Patrick Warburton, Alan Thicke, Anthony Anderson, Ryan Merriman, Sheila Shah, Stephen Bishop, Chris Rich, Jeremy Sumpter, Christopher McDonald, Paula Trickey, Josh Morrow, Kato Kaelin, and others.

– Teachers’ Corner – Teachers, librarians, and administrators in more than 4,150 schools have used ProCon.org. Those educators come from all 50 states and 58 countries (including the newly-added Ukraine). 51.9% of the schools are high schools, while 22.1% are elementary and middle schools and 26.0% are colleges and universities. Please help ProCon.org by taking a few minutes to tell educators you know about our free website.

– New Jersey Becomes 14th State to Legalize Gay Marriage – The State Superior Court decision is the first court ruling that a state must allow same-sex marriage on the basis of the US Supreme Court decision that struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in June 2013.

241 Books Citing ProCon.org – We’ve added another 40 books to the list of published texts citing ProCon.org research. Some of the authors who used ProCon.org in their works include Glenn Beck, Mark Bittman, Newt Gingrich, Stefan Halper, Dick Morris, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Schmoker, Tavis Smiley, and Joseph Stiglitz.

– Gay Marriage Timeline: History of the Same-Sex Marriage Debate – Our updated timeline featuring the history of the same-sex marriage debate includes entries ranging from a gay couple applying for a marriage license on May 18, 1970 to Massachusetts becoming the first state to legalize gay marriage on Nov. 18, 2003 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recognizing same-sex couples for the first time on Aug. 29, 2013.

– How Educators Use ProCon.org – See the lesson plans, resource lists, and teaching strategies used by educators in over 4,000 schools to incorporate ProCon.org into their classrooms and libraries. Our updated resource lets you search by country, state, school, or subject.

ProCon.org and Pivot.tv Join Forces on Critical Thinking Campaign – Pivot TV, a new television network from Participant Media, selects ProCon.org as its exclusive alliance to promote critical thinking by providing research around the social issues explored in the new TV series Raising McCain, a documentary-style reality program featuring Meghan McCain, the daughter of US Senator John McCain. The show premieres Saturday, Sep. 14 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.

– Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recognizes married same-sex couples – The federal agency will recognize legally married same-sex couples for tax purposes whether or not they reside in states where gay marriage is legal.

Critical Thinking Quotes – Read insights on critical thinking from famous thinkers such as Plato, Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Jefferson.

– ProCon.org Used by Educators in over 4,000 Schools – Teachers, librarians, and educational administrators at 806 elementary schools, 2,063 high schools, and 1,055 colleges and universities in all 50 states and 57 countries have used ProCon.org. Read their lesson plans, resource lists, and experiences in our Teachers’ Corner. Thank you, educators, for helping to propel ProCon.org past a new milestone.

– England legalizes gay marriage – Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal stamp of approval to the new law, a formality after it passed through the House of Lords and the House of Commons earlier in the week. Same-sex weddings are expected to begin in the summer of 2014.

– US Supreme Court says Proposition 8 defenders lack “standing,” clears way for legal gay marriage in California – Although the 5-4 decision did not address the constitutionality of the same-sex marriage ban, it leaves in place a lower court ruling that overturned Proposition 8. The decision is considered to allow gay marriages to resume in the state.

Two Gay Marriage Cases Decided by Supreme Court

– Gay marriage ruling strikes down key part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – The 5-4 US Supreme Court decision found that the 1996 law that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman is unconstitutional, and will allow gay couples to receive the same federal benefits as heterosexual married couples.

– Critical Thinking Explained – What is critical thinking, and why is it so important? This episode of ProCon.org’s Critical Thinking Video Series explores the ways critical thinking cuts through confusion, encourages citizen involvement, and leads to a stronger democracy.

– New study shows students who discuss/debate controversial issues get higher NAEP test scores – See this and other studies showing the importance of teaching controversial issues to stimulate critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship.

– Should gay marriage be legal? – Read our updated pro and con arguments in this popular debate.

– UPDATED: Same-Sex Marriage Timeline 1970-2013 – Gay marriage became legal in New Zealand on Apr. 19, 2013, in Uruguay on May 3, 2013, and, most recently, in France on May 18, 2013. 14 countries now permit same-sex couples to marry.

– Minnesota becomes 12th US state to legalize same-sex marriage – Governor Mark Dayton signed the bill into law on May 14, 2013, overturning a legislative ban on gay marriage in force since 1997. 36 states still have gay marriage bans, while two states have no laws banning or legalizing it.

– Delaware becomes 11th US state to legalize same-sex marriage – Governor Jack Markell signed the bill into law on May 7, 2013, overturning a legislative ban on gay marriage in force since 1996. 37 states now have gay marriage bans, while two states have no laws banning or legalizing it.

– Rhode Island becomes 10th US state to legalize same-sex marriage – Governor Lincoln Chafee signed the bill into law on May 2, 2013, making Rhode Island the last state in New England to allow gay marriage. 38 states have banned gay marriage, while two states have no laws banning or legalizing it.

221 Books Citing ProCon.org – We’ve added another 26 books to the list of published texts citing
ProCon.org research. Some of the authors who used ProCon.org include
Mark Bittman, Newt Gingrich, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Schmoker, Tavis
Smiley, and Joseph Stiglitz.

Which topic should we pick next? – Please take our brief survey and let us know which issues you would like ProCon.org to research next.

– Educators in over 3,750 schools in all 50 US states and 56 countries use ProCon.org. 819 elementary and middle schools, 1,926 high schools, and 1,010 colleges and universities use our free nonpartisan research to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international schools using ProCon.org are in Angola, India, and Oman.

– Student Video Contest Highlights – We posted a 3-minute highlight reel from our 2012 Student Video Contest where each student shows why he/she loves ProCon.org. Thanks, students!

– Reader Survey results – Our survey helped us learn the age, gender, and political affiliation of 1,032 ProCon.org readers. We also learned that 36.7% of respondents changed their “perceptions, feelings, or opinions on an issue” based on what they learned at ProCon.org and that 87.2% reported that they “enjoyed their experience” at ProCon.org. Thank you to all the survey participants.

Gay
Marriage in the US Supreme Court, 2013 –
On Mar. 26, 2013, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Hollingsworth
v. Perry, a case regarding the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8
ballot initiative. On Mar. 27, the justices heard oral arguments in United
States v. Windsor surrounding the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a
federal law that prevents legally married gay couples from receiving a range of
benefits afforded opposite-sex married couples. Read summaries and selected
quotes from the justices, and listen to audio of the oral arguments.

ProCon.org and the March of Dimes Canada held a celebrity golf tournament on March 2, 2013 to raise money for our charities. See dozens of our celebrity golf tournament photos and watch the celebrity golf tournament videos on our YouTube channel.

ProCon.org Reader Survey, 2013 – Please take a couple of minutes to tell us about yourself, and let us know how we’re doing and what we can do to improve.

– Watch seven wonderful student films about ProCon.org. A
panel of prominent film celebrities and education leaders judged 1-2
minute student videos on the theme “Why I Love ProCon.org,” and their seven lucky winners in the ProCon.org national student video contest have been announced.

– Educators in over
3,500 schools in all 50 US states and 53 countries use ProCon.org.
756 elementary and middle schools, 1,821 high schools, and 983 colleges and
universities use our free nonpartisan research to stimulate critical
thinking. The newest international schools using ProCon.org are in
Argentina, Malta, and Portugal.

– Critical Thinking Video Series #2: Milk – Does milk help to build strong bones, or does it weaken them? Does it help you lose weight, or make you fat? Does it reduce cancer risk, or increase it? Does milk contain pus, or is that a myth? Explore both sides of the milk debate in our latest ProCon.org video.

NEW ProCon.org
Website! – Should
the United States maintain its embargo against Cuba? –
February 7, 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the ongoing US
embargo against Cuba. Proponents of the embargo say that the
economic sanctions and travel restrictions should remain until Cuba
meets the conditions set out by US law, and that it is an important
bargaining chip to pressure Cuba to improve human rights. Opponents
of the embargo say that it is an outdated, failed policy that hurts
the US economy and Cuban citizens, and that the rest of the world is
against the US sanctions. Our 46th website explores the pros and
cons in the debate over the Cuba embargo.

US Supreme Court agrees to hear two same-sex marriage cases. One case challenges California’s Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot initiative that banned gay marriage in the state. The other case challenges the federal Defense of Marriage Act’s denial of benefits to gay and lesbian couples married in states that have legalized the practice.

– ProCon.org Student Video Contest – The early entry deadline was Dec. 1, and Mark from Oregon won the $100
Amazon.com gift card. Congratulations! The final deadline for video
entries is Monday Dec. 31. See what has been submitted so far.

Washington state legalizes gay marriage by popular vote. The ballot initiative went before the public on Nov. 6, 2012. Nine US states have now legalized same-sex marriage, while 38 states have instituted bans on the practice.

– Should gay marriage be legal? – Read pro and con quotes from experts, politicians and organizations including Barack Obama (pro), Mike Huckabee (con), Dick Cheney (pro), George W. Bush (con), the American Psychological Association (pro), and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (con).

– Maryland and Maine become the first states to legalize gay marriage by popular vote. Washington state results still pending. As of now, 8 states with legal gay marriage and 39 states with same-sex marriage ban.

– ProCon.org has been used by teachers, librarians, and administrators in 3,218 schools in all 50 states and 50 countries. We’re thrilled to have educators in 643 elementary and middle schools, 1,652 high schools, and 923 colleges and universities using our free educational resources.

Gay Marriage Favored by Majority of Latinos in United States

174 Books Citing ProCon.org – We’ve added 16 new books to the list of works citing ProCon.org research, including books about the Middle East, bioethics, criminal law, and even the death of Bruce Lee.

NEW: 6 States with Legal Gay Marriage and 41 States with Same-Sex Marriage Bans – See which states have legalized same-sex marriage by state supreme court decisions or legislative actions, which states have banned same-sex marriage by constitutional amendment, legislative action, or both, and a timeline of when those legalizations and bans took effect.

158
Books Citing ProCon.org – See how more than 150 authors
including Glenn Beck, Mark Bittman, Newt Gingrich, Stefan Halper,
Dick Morris, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Schmoker, Tavis Smiley, and
Joseph Stiglitz have cited ProCon.org research in their books.

Books, Articles, and Studies about Using Controversial Issues to Stimulate Critical Thinking – Read over 40 studies which show that teaching controversial issues can improve critical thinking skills and increase student motivation, achievement, creativity, self-esteem, and appreciation of cultural diversity.

82 Books Citing ProCon.org – See how 82 authors including Glenn Beck, Newt Gingrich, Dick Morris, Michael J. Schmoker, and Tavis Smiley have cited ProCon.org research in their books.

– NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is golf a sport? – Our 43rd website explores the pros and cons in the debate over whether golf is a sport. Proponents argue that golf meets the definition of “sport” found in the dictionary, requires physical exertion and coordination, and is recognized as a sport by sporting goods companies, athletic associations, fans, and the media. Opponents argue that golf better meets the definition of “game” than “sport,” does not require rigorous physical activity, and can be played professionally by people who are overweight, injured, or non-athletic.

– Obama Endorses Gay Marriages the Day After North Carolina Bans Them – North Carolina voters approved an amendment to the state’s constitution by 61% to 39% that bans same-sex marriages and civil unions across the state on May 8, 2012. The following day, President Barack Obama declared his support for gay marriage, becoming the first sitting US president to do so.

– ProCon.org has been used by teachers, librarians, and administrators in 2,522 schools in all 50 states and 45 countries. Thank you to the educators in those 508 elementary and middle schools, 1,295 high schools, and 719 colleges and universities who benefit from our free educational resources.

Teachers and librarians, if you have not already
done so, please take our 2-minute
survey and let us know how YOU use ProCon.org. With roughly 100,000
schools in the United States, we need all your help to promote critical
thinking in today’s youth.

– NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should churches (defined as churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt? – US churches have been exempt from paying income and property taxes since the country’s founding. Debate continues over whether or not these tax benefits should be retained, especially during our tough economic times. Proponents argue that a tax exemption keeps the government out of church finances, and that churches deserve a tax break because they provide crucial social services. Opponents argue that giving churches special tax exemptions violates the separation of church and state, and that the government cannot afford what amounts to a subsidy worth billions of dollars every year. Our 44th website explores the pros and cons in the debate over church tax exemptions.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Which candidate should be US president in 2012? – ProCon.org has researched the US presidential candidates and their views on 25 issues ranging from abortion to global warming to medical marijuana to waterboarding. Our 43rd website also features resources on US presidential election history, debate transcripts, a step-by-step guide on how to become president, and more. We will add at least 50 more issues and several new resources over the coming months to help you decide who should be the next president of the United States.

– Obama administration to support repeal of Defense of Marriage Act. The announcement follows President Obama’s decision on Feb. 23, 2011 to instruct the Justice Department to stop defending DOMA, the federal law that defines marriage as a legal union between a man and woman, over concerns that it violates the equal protection component of the Fifth Amendment. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) currently has 27 co-sponsors for the Respect for Marriage Act. Read about this story and others on our updated Same-Sex Marriage Timeline.

– On July 6, 2011, ProCon.org was highlighted in the Congressional Record when Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ) honored ProCon.org by reading a glowing statement about the organization on the floor of the US House of Representatives. His statement said in part: “It is my distinct pleasure to honor the staff of ProCon.org and wish them continued successes in their service to the American public. Their unbiased and truthful presentation makes a tremendous contribution to the political system.”

New York Becomes the Sixth State to Legalize Gay Marriage: Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law on June 24, 2011 that grants same-sex couples the right to marry, more than doubling the number of Americans living in states that allow same-sex marriage. New York joins five other states (MA, CT, IA, VT, NH) and DC in legalizing same-sex marriage.

– NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is the use of standardized tests improving education in America? – Standardized tests have been a part of American education since the mid-1800s. Their use skyrocketed after 2002’s No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mandated annual testing in all 50 states. Proponents say standardized tests are a fair and objective measure of student achievement, and that they ensure teachers and schools are accountable. Opponents say the tests are neither fair nor objective, and that their use narrows the curriculum and promotes “teaching to the test.” ProCon.org’s 42nd website explores the pros and cons in the debate over standardized tests.

– NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should people become vegetarian? – In 2010, people in the

US ate an average of 57.5 pounds of beef, 46.5 pounds of pork, and 82 pounds of chicken. Vegetarians, about 3.2% of the

US population, do not eat meat (including poultry and seafood). Many proponents of vegetarianism say that the meatless diet is healthier and better for the environment, and that killing animals for food is wrong. Many opponents of vegetarianism say that eating meat is natural, healthful, humane, and that people have done it for millions of years. ProCon.org’s 41st website explores the pros and cons in the debate over vegetarianism.

NEW: Should gay marriage be legal? – Read pro and con arguments from Lambda Legal, American Bar Association, Andrew Sullivan, Dick Cheney, Maggie Gallagher, Michael Steele, George W. Bush, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and 19 other scholars, politicians, and advocacy organizations. Leave your own pro or con comments using our new Readers’ Comments feature.

Barack Obama Declares Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional – President Obama directed the Department of Justice today to stop defending in court the law that prevents gay marriage.

– Help ProCon.org Win $5,000: Write a short review of ProCon.org by Feb. 28 for a contest at GreatNonprofits.org. The most-reviewed nonprofit wins, so please take a few minutes and help us compete for the prize!

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should teachers get tenure? – Teacher tenure is the increasingly controversial form of job protection that public school teachers in all states receive after 1-7 years on the job. Proponents of tenure argue that it protects teachers from being fired for personal or political reasons, and prevents the firing of experienced teachers to hire less expensive new teachers. Opponents argue that this job protection makes the removal of poorly performing teachers so difficult and costly that most schools end up retaining their bad teachers, and that tenure is no longer needed given current laws against job discrimination.
ProCon.org’s 40th website explores the pros and cons of whether or not teachers should get tenure.

– ProCon.org has been used by 1,500 schools in 32 countries and all 50 US states. 278 elementary and middle schools, 710 high schools, and 512 colleges and universities use the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international school using ProCon.org is in Malaysia.

– ProCon.org is happy to announce that our Managing Editor, Kamy Akhavan, is now the new President of our organization. Kamy, who has been with ProCon.org since Dec. 7, 2004, will also continue his duties as Managing Editor. Visit Kamy’s profile to read more about his qualifications.

– Help ProCon.org Select Its Next Topic – Take our survey to tell us which controversial topics you want to see ProCon.org cover in 2011. Select your favorite issues from a list of 25 topics ranging from animal research and astrology to whistleblowers and zoos.

– ProCon.org in the News – ProCon.org has received over 100 media references so far in 2010 compared to 76 for all of 2009. References to ProCon.org in 2010 have come from mainstream media sources including the Washington Post, CNN, Huffington Post, CNBC, AOL News, and Discovery News, as well as several radio interviews on NPR and Fox News affiliates.

– ProCon.org received 1,054,740 website sessions in Oct. 2010 – the highest number of sessions we have ever received in a month.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Was Ronald Reagan a good president? – Reagan served as the 40th President of the United States from Jan. 20, 1981 to Jan. 19, 1989. His supporters point to his accomplishments, including stimulating US economic growth, strengthening national defense, revitalizing the Republican Party, and ending the global Cold War. His detractors contend that Reagan’s poor policies, such as bloating national defense, drastically cutting social services, and making arms-for-hostages deals, led the country into record deficits and global embarrassment. ProCon.org’s 38th website explores the pros and cons of whether or not Ronald Reagan was a good president.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Was Bill Clinton a good president? – Bill Clinton served as the 42nd President of the United States from Jan. 20, 1993 to Jan. 19, 2001. His supporters contend that under his presidency the US enjoyed the lowest unemployment in recent history, low crime rates, and a budget surplus. His detractors blame his policies for the financial crisis that began in 2007 and point to his scandals and impeachment by Congress. ProCon.org’s 39th website explores the pros and cons of whether or not Bill Clinton was a good president.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is it appropriate to build a Muslim community center (aka the “Ground Zero Mosque”) near the World Trade Center site? – The debate over the ”Ground Zero Mosque” has grown from a local discussion to an issue of international prominence. Proponents argue that the 16-story Muslim community center will be an asset to the neighborhood and local economy, and its construction demonstrates America’s religious tolerance. Opponents argue that the ”Ground Zero Mosque” is an insensitive and disrespectful political ploy by radical Islamists that will inflict emotional distress on families who suffered casualties on Sep. 11, 2001. ProCon.org’s 37th website explores the pros and cons of the ”Ground Zero Mosque” debate.

How to Cite ProCon.org in Bibliographies and Endnotes – You can now click the “Cite” button on the upper-right corner of any ProCon.org page to see that page’s citation style according to the Modern Language Association Style Manual (MLA), the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and Kate Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Turabian) – four of the most popular bibliographic protocols.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should gay marriage be legal? – Gay marriage is allowed in ten countries, five US states, and the District of Columbia. 30 states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. Proponents argue that same-sex couples should have access to the same marriage benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Opponents argue that altering the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman will further weaken a threatened institution. ProCon.org’s 36th website explores the pros and cons of legalizing gay marriage.

– NEW ProCon.org Website! – Are the March 2010 federal health care reform laws good for

America? – The March 2010 health care reforms were hailed by proponents as “landmark legislation” that will provide affordable health care to millions of currently uninsured Americans. Opponents railed against the bill warning that it was a “government takeover” of medicine that would lower the quality of care and drive up the federal deficit. Our 35^th and newest website, provides pros and cons on 34 commonly asked questions regarding the March 2010 health care reform laws using statements from over 150 experts including President Barack Obama (pro), former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (con), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (pro), House Majority Leader John Boehner (con), AARP (pro), US Chamber of Commerce (con), New York Times (pro), Wall Street Journal (con), and dozens more.

– ProCon.org has now been used by 1,322 schools in 31 countries and all 50 US states. 249 elementary and middle schools, 615 high schools, and 458 colleges and universities use the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is human activity a substantial cause of global climate change? – Over the 20th century the earth warmed 1-1.4°F and climate changes including more intense heat waves, stronger hurricanes, loss of sea ice, glacier retreat, and more droughts have occurred. As of Apr. 2010, levels of the greenhouse gas CO2 were 389 parts per million – allegedly higher than at any time in the last 650,000 years.

Some people argue that rising levels of human-produced greenhouse gases are warming the planet and causing the climate to change. Others argue that reported greenhouse gas increases are too small to change the climate, and that 20th century warming has been the result of natural processes such as fluctuations in the sun’s heat and ocean currents. ProCon.org’s newest and 34th website explores the pros and cons in this debate.

ProCon.org has now been used by 1,267 schools in 31 countries and all 50 US states. 239 elementary and middle schools, 589 high schools, and 439 colleges and universities use the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international schools using ProCon.org are in Kazakhstan and Kenya.

ProCon.org has now been used by 1,205 schools in 29 countries and all 50 US states. We are thrilled to have 225 elementary and middle schools, 548 high schools, and 432 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international schools using ProCon.org are in Serbia, United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.

UPDATED: Quotes about Critical Thinking – Read 25 selected quotes about critical thinking from Confucius, Plato, Socrates, Ben Franklin, Albert Einstein, John Maynard Keynes, Mohandas Gandhi, and others.

– ProCon.org in the News – ProCon.org surpassed 200 mentions in the press for the first time in our history. We have been referenced in the media 35 times already in 2010, including articles by CNBC, the Guardian, and AOL News.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should abortion be legal? – Since the Jan. 22, 1973 US Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade through 2005, more than 45 million legal abortions have been performed in the United States. One out of five pregnancies end in abortion, and 40% of all women have an abortion by the age of 45. “Pro-life” proponents generally believe abortion is immoral because personhood begins at conception, and therefore abortion kills innocent human beings. “Pro-choice” advocates contend that a woman’s right to control her pregnancy outweighs any right claimed for an embryo or fetus. ProCon.org’s newest website explores the pros and cons in this debate.

NEW: Is the D.A.R.E. program good for America’s kids (K-12)? – Read the top pro, con, and not clearly pro or con arguments from D.A.R.E., President Obama, the Office of the Surgeon General, the Government Accountability Office, as well as policemen, economists, schools, and others.

– ProCon.org Surpasses One Million Monthly Sessions – In March 2010, ProCon.org received 1,026,399 website sessions – the first time we have received over a million sessions in a month. The new record marked a 90% increase in traffic over Mar. 2009 and an 88% increase for the first three months of 2010 over the first three months of 2009. We are thrilled that so many teachers, students and others are finding our free and unbiased content so useful. Thank you to all our readers, supporters, and donors for helping us to attain this milestone in our effort to promote critical thinking for a better tomorrow.

– NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should adults have the right to carry a concealed handgun? – 48 states allow for the concealed carry of handguns. Proponents argue that carrying concealed handguns deters crime and is a right granted by the Second Amendment. Opponents counter that concealed guns lead to more crime and increase the chances of arguments becoming lethal. Read the press release (21 KB) .

– NEW: ProCon.org a hit at the 2010 San Diego Science Festival. 500-600 people participated in our interactive booth, including students, teachers, scientists, parents, and others. Check out some of our photos from the event to see how much critical thinking took place in our booth.

– ProCon.org has now been used by 1,077 schools in 26 countries and all 50 US states. We are thrilled to have 189 elementary and middle schools, 480 high schools, and 408 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is the D.A.R.E. program good for America’s kids (K-12)? – Supporters of D.A.R.E. argue that the program annually helps over 35 million kids in all 50 states and 43 countries to resist drug abuse. Critics counter that decades of research shows D.A.R.E. is ineffective, marketing not science-based, and can actually increase drug use by students.

– ProCon.org has now been used by 1,009 schools in 26 countries and all 50 US states. We are thrilled to have 176 elementary and middle schools, 435 high schools, and 398 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international school using ProCon.org is in

Qatar.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should any vaccines be required for children? – All 50 states require vaccinations for children entering public schools although 48 states allow exemptions for religious reasons and 20 for philosophical reasons. While proponents argue that vaccines save lives, prevent epidemics, and reduce harm from illness, opponents counter that vaccinations should not be required because they may do more harm (cause illness, reduce immunity, etc.) than good. ProCon.org’s newest website explores the pros and cons of the debate surrounding vaccination.

ProCon.org has now been used by 932 schools in 25 countries and all 50 US states. We are thrilled to have 161 elementary and middle schools, 390 high schools, and 381 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international schools using ProCon.org are in Russia, Spain, and Thailand.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is obesity a disease? – An estimated 72 million people in the US as of 2006 (34.3% of the adult population) are obese and 10% of all US medical spending ($147 billion) in 2008 was attributed to obesity-related health conditions. The FDA, IRS, and the World Health Organization have stated obesity is a disease while other government and medical entities, such as the House of Representatives, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the American College of Physicians, have not. ProCon.org’s newest website explores the pros and cons in this debate.

ProCon.org has now been used by 802 schools in 22 countries and all 50 US states. The newest international schools using ProCon.org are in Austria, Israel, Netherlands, Philippines, and Singapore. We are thrilled to have 136 elementary and middle schools, 313 high schools, and 353 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Do violent video games contribute to youth violence? – Critics argue that violent video games are to blame for school shootings, increases in bullying, and violence towards women and that research supports these assertions. Defenders of violent video games counter that the research is deeply flawed, that violent video games provide a safe outlet for aggressive feelings, and that video game content is protected free speech. ProCon.org’s newest website explores the pros and cons of this debate.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should Social Security be privatized? – Social Security, the largest government program in the world and the biggest expenditure ($612 billion) in the US federal budget, is projected to become unsustainable by 2037. ProCon.org’s newest website explores the pros and cons of whether Social Security should be privatized to give people control of their own retirement funds and help ensure that their safety net remains intact.

UPDATED: How 728 Schools Are Using ProCon.org – ProCon.org is now used by schools in all 50 US states (North Dakota just added) and 17 countries (Sweden and Macedonia just added). 119 elementary and middle schools, 282 high schools, and 327 colleges and universities use the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking.

– NEW: ProCon.org Volunteers & Interns – See the latest volunteer research opportunities at ProCon.org along with profiles of our talented and hard working senior interns, interns, and volunteers.

NEW: Survey for High School Students Only – If you’re in high school, please take our 10 question survey about ProCon.org, critical thinking, and you.

UPDATED: Benefits of Teaching Controversial Issues – Five highlighted facts about the benefits of critical thinking and 28 articles, studies, and books about teaching controversial issues in the classroom.

UPDATED: Lesson Planning with ProCon.org – 11 lesson plan ideas for using ProCon.org in the classroom to engage critical thinking while meeting 15 national teaching standards.

– NEW ProCon.org Website! – Are cell phones safe? – Cell phones use a form of radiation called radio frequency (RF) to send their signal. This RF radiation is regulated by the FCC, and has been deemed safe by a number of government and private scientific studies. However, some studies have found that the radiation from cell phones may increase the chance of developing cancer and other health problems. ProCon.org’s newest website explores the pros and cons of whether or not cell phones are safe to use.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should all Americans have the right (be entitled) to health care? – With millions uninsured, the US is one of the few – if not the only – developed nations that does not guarantee health care for its citizens. Many Americans believe that health care for all would be too expensive and unearned. ProCon.org’s newest website explores the pros and cons of whether there should be the right to health care in the US.

– UPDATED: How Schools Are Using ProCon.org – See how teachers and librarians from 588 schools in 48 states and 14 countries use ProCon.org in their classrooms and school libraries.

ProCon.org added six more media references to its In the News page including a mention of our Prescription Drug Ads website in Business Week.

ProCon.org Five Year Anniversary – ProCon.org celebrated its 5-year anniversary on July 14, 2009 with a party for supporters and friends from 4-7 pm in our Santa Monica office. We also held five anniversary contests and awarded winners over $500 in cash and prizes. See photos and video from the party, find out who won the contests, and read highlights and reflections from our first five years.

Winners of the ProCon.org 5-Year Anniversary contests announced! Each winner receives $100 and our gratitude. See who won the ProCon.org Wikipedia, Facebook, Twitter, and Scavenger Hunts contests. Thank you to all who participated.

NEW PROCON.ORG WEBSITE! – Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to a younger age? – Our new micro site presents an overview, pro and con arguments, little-known “Did You Know” facts, videos, graphics, and a comprehensive list of sources on the issue of lowering the drinking age.

California State Schools Chief Jack O’Connell Praises ProCon.org – The California State Superintendent of Public Instruction wrote that ProCon.org is a “…great resource that breaks down hot button issues with quality, sourced info… The best part about procon.org is the entire web site is free to use. No ads, no registration necessary. If you’re in ed, check it out.” Visit ProCon.org for Teachers for details.

ProCon.org Celebrates Its Five Year Anniversary – July 2009 marks our fifth anniversary and we’re celebrating with five contests where you can win up to $500. Visit our anniversary page to read contest details, a statement from our Chairman, top five highlights, select readers’ comments, and more.

UPDATED: How Schools Are Using ProCon.org – See how teachers and librarians from 516 schools in 48 states and 14 countries use ProCon.org in their classrooms and school libraries.

– UPDATED: In the News – See the most recent media refrences to ProCon.org in the Telegraph, WRPI, the Thom Hartmann Radio Program, and more.

– NEW PROCON.ORG WEBSITE! – Should prescription drugs be advertised directly to consumers? – This website is our first ever site meaning it took us less than 35 hours to build. The site contains a “did you know?” section, an overview of the issue, pro and con arguments, an image and video gallery, a reader survey, and a listing of all our sources.

Articles about Using Controversial Issues to Stimulate Critical Thinking

UPDATED: Books and Articles about Using Controversial Issues to Stimulate Critical Thinking: Take a look at our list of 16 publications, including 15 full text articles, on this important educational topic.

Volunteer Page

Our Volunteer Program – created on Feb. 9, 2009 – has been a great success. We thank all the volunteers who have helped us so far, and we encourage others to consider becoming a ProCon.org volunteer or intern.

UPDATED: In the News – 113 mainstream media--the most recent including Washington Post, Guardian, and CBS News--have referenced ProCon.org’s websites.

– NEW: Join ProCon.org on Facebook and
follow us on Twitter.

NEW: Survey for Teachers and Librarians – Please take our 2-minute survey so we can learn how to make our sites more useful to educators.

– NEW DESIGN – Whether you are visiting for the first time or coming back for the 100th time, we’d love to know: What do you think of our new website design?

UPDATED: In the News – We added 10 more media references and surpassed 100 mentions in the press for the first time in our history. 103 mainstream media outlets have now referenced ProCon.org.

UPDATED: How Schools Are Using ProCon.org – See how 66 elementary and middle schools, 133 high schools, and 176 colleges and universities in 45 states and eight countries use ProCon.org content in their educational materials.

– NEW PROCON.ORG WEBSITE! – Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels? – Our 17th issue website has over 200 pro and con responses from more than 175 experts on energy topics such as oil, solar, wind, nuclear, ethanol, biofuels, hydrogen vs. electricity, subsidies, and more.

– UPDATED: In the News – Our list of media references has grown to 93. See the latest additions from Popular Science magazine, Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN), two radio stations, and more.

– Articles about Using Controversial Issues to Stimulate Critical Thinking – Attention educators. We have compiled over a dozen published articles on why and how to develop critical thinking skills by teaching controversial topics in the classroom.

– UPDATED: How Schools Are Using ProCon.org – See how 352 schools in 45 states and eight countries use ProCon.org content in their educational materials.

ProCon.org was honored to receive the 2008 “Best Non-Profit to Work For” award in a national competition. ProCon.org was one of five winners in its class of “non-profits with an operating budget of under $2.5 million.” There were 15 winners total. There are roughly 1,000,000 nonprofit organizations in the United States.

NEW TOPIC SURVEY – Select the topic you would most like ProCon.org to cover next.

– UPDATED: See
How Schools Are Using ProCon.org: 50 elementary and middle
schools, 100 high schools, and 116 colleges and universities (that we know of)
have used ProCon.org in their teaching materials.

NEW PROCON.ORG WEBSITE! – Should performance enhancing drugs (such as steroids) be accepted in sports? Read over 250 pro and con responses from more than 200 experts on nearly 30 subjects related to drugs in sports at our 17th website, sports.procon.org.

Big Three auto makers compared to Toyota and Honda by ProCon.org – We explore the question “Should the Big Three auto makers be bailed out by the US government?” in our first ever “mini” site. See the 144-point comparison chart and read statements from Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Paul Krugman, and many others.

NEW: ProCon.org for Teachers – Lesson plan ideas, natl. teaching standards, articles about teaching controversial issues, teachers’ comments, and students’ comments.

– ProCon.org was referenced in the media six times last week. See our In the News page for the Swedish, Russian, and four US publications that mentioned ProCon.org.

– UPDATED: In the Classroom – 256 schools in 42 states and five countries reference ProCon.org in their K-12 and university level lesson plans and resource lists.

ProCon.org received four more media references in the last three days. See our coverage at Slate, National Catholic Reporter, and others in our growing In the News page.

ProCon.org User Survey passes 1,000 responses. See the survey results so far.

– ProCon.org received two more media mentions last week. Visit our In the News page to see our latest media references.

– NEW: ProCon.org received four more media references in the last 30 days.

– NEW WEBSITE: Death Penalty ProCon.org – “Should the death penalty be abolished?” Read pros, cons, stats, news, bios, and more great information related to this perennially controversial topic. Explore our 15th issue website at ProCon.org and let us know what you think.

– We are proud to announce the new ProCon.org sites that became available Monday June 30, 2008. See over 10 new features in a new design and layout that took over 25 people nearly 2 years and 9,000 hours to complete. If you like what you see, please tell your friends.

– NEW WEBSITE: Insider Trading ProCon.org – Should “insider trading” by Congress continue to be legal? Read pros, cons, and general reference information in the debate over whether Congressional representatives should be allowed to trade stocks based on material nonpublic information that they acquire during their normal Congressional duties.

– ProCon.org Referenced in the Los Angeles Times and the Social Studies Professional – The number of media references to ProCon.org increased to 50 this week with favorable coverage by two respected publications.

– NEW: Subscribe to our free RSS feed and automatically receive the latest news and notices from our 13 ProCon.org websites. To subscribe, click on the RSS button in the top right of the homepage and follow the instructions provided on the screen. It takes a few seconds, and you can unsubscribe whenever you want.

– NEW WEBSITE: 2008 Election ProCon.org – Read pro and con statements from the 2008 presidential candidates on several issues including abortion, education, environment, gun control, Iran, Iraq, religion, social security, and many more. Decide for yourself which candidate would make the best US President.

– NEW WEBSITE: Immigration ProCon.org – What are the solutions to illegal immigration? ProCon.org explores the debate over illegal immigration with 50 questions, 200+ sources, and over 350 pro, con, and general reference responses.

– NEW WEBSITE: Milk ProCon.org – Is drinking milk healthy for humans? We investigate health claims about milk using over 100 experts. The results of our research show conflicting data on milk’s effect on cancer, heart disease, weight loss, diabetes, children’s development, and other health issues. Visit our newest website and tell us what you think.

– 2008 Presidential Election Poll – Visit our parent website ProCon.org and vote on the issues you want us to ask the U.S. Presidential candidates. Poll will close on July 15th.

– New ProCon.org website:

• ProCon.org launched its 10th website today, Prostitution ProCon.org, which explores the core question “Should prostitution be legal?” The site features over 200 expert sources from Presidential hopefuls Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton to Ann Landers, Heidi Fleiss, Susan B. Anthony, and the ACLU.

– Our comprehensive search engine (top right on the homepage) allows visitors to quickly find a word or phrase on the Under God ProCon.org website. The search function at www.procon.org allows visitors to simultaneously search all ProCon.org websites.

– Euthanasia ProCon.org, our newest website, was launched today. It features nearly 600 pro, con, and general reference arguments in 80 questions. Visit the site today and decide for yourself: “Should euthanasia be legal?”