Bloomsburg Students Debate along with Obama and Romney about Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage
Obama and Romney face off in the November 2012 Presidential Election
The two presidential candidates are both very clear on how they feel about same sex marriage, and many Americans, including Bloomsburg University students, may be swayed on the vote by this issue alone.
“Marriage is for two people in love,” said sophomore Psychology major Brittany Nesfeder, “it shouldn’t matter, same-sex or not.”
President Barack Obama is in favor of legalizing same sex marriage, his Republican pretender Mitt Romney, however, is against it. According to CNN there has been an 80.4 percent increase in the amount of same sex couples living together from 2000 to 2010. 115,064 out of 646,000 same sex households are also raising children.
“I believe the ideal place to raise a child is in a home with a mom and dad,” states Romney, “we should have a federal amendment in the constitution that defines marriage as a relationship between a man and woman.”
The issue on same-sex marriage at BU has recently gone beyond the presidential election. The debate about bringing Chick-fil-A to campus is an issue that has been brought upon us by students here. Some students believe Chick-fil-A discriminates against people of the gay community.
The argument about Chick-fil-A reflects the national debate between candidates as another issue as to why or why not same-sex marriage should be legal. Depending on who will be nominated this year could influence the decision of on campus food spots.
“I favor legalizing same-sex marriages,” stated Obama, “and would fight efforts that prohibit such marriages.”
Nesfeder, 19, from Horsham, said she would vote for Obama because of this issue alone, “why should anyone have the right to judge you based on whom you love.”
Patrice Coleman, a sophomore Education major, said she also support’s Obama’s decision to legalize same- sex marriage.
“Well when these issues were raised in my state of Massachusetts, I indicated my view, which is I do not favor marriage between people of the same gender, and I do not favor civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name,” Romney said.
According to a Gallup poll in 1996 the percentage of Americans opposed to gay marriage was 68 percent compared to today in 2012 where the percentage has dropped to 48 percent.
“When I think about the soldiers, and marines who are out fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage,” says Obama, “I feel it is important for me to affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”
It is obvious this debate will continue even after the election on November 6. Don’t forget to get out and vote for what you believe in and to voice your opinions. We are the future.
