Few issues in recent American history have produced as muchcontroversy as same-sex marriage. Advocates on both sides of thisemotional debate offer a variety of arguments about the effects ofgay marriage.
According to an informal survey, SMU college students aretypically not against same-sex marriages and feel that an amendmentis not necessary.
Sophomore Carol Hendrix said, “I don’t have aproblem with them marrying, so, obviously, I don’t think anamendment is necessary to prohibit it.”
SMU’s Student Body President-Elect Chip Hiemenz feels asthough both sides need to come to some sort of agreement on theissue.
“I think there needs to be some sort of federal law thateveryone should abide by,” he said. “It needs to beconsistent and act as a model so there is no morecontroversy.”
A recent poll at Baylor University showed that students supportlegal rights for gay marriages. When the results were published intheir school newspaper, however, the college president was outragedat the editor’s decision to print the article. He said thatit advocated behavior contrary to those of the Baptistuniversity’s policy, which prohibits sex outside ofmarriage.
Opinion polls suggest that most Americans oppose gay marriagebut favor civil unions and flip-flop on the idea of an amendment.Krickett Davidson, a personal chef, is no exception.
She has no problem with symbolic marriages but she feels thatsame-sex marriages are not recognized by God. She is, however, onthe fence about an amendment.
“How can we be sure that the amendment will simply statethat marriage is between one man and one woman and that it will notinclude a provision which could affect freedoms we nowenjoy?” Davidson said.
“I am just a little worried that it could include vaguewording that only the politicians writing it understand.”
Many Americans are concerned about the amendment because theyfeel that re-writing the law is overkill.
It seems that this national conversation will continue untilcitizens are given the opportunity to show their opinions in theform of votes.
