The approaching 2012 presidential election is in full swing, particularly on the Bloomsburg University campus, with both candidates having opposing beliefs concerning gay marriage.
“I think that gay marriage should be legal,” said junior, nursing major, Nichole Benedict. “Everyone is entitled to their own rights and beliefs.”
President Barack Obama is for same-sex marriage, while on the other hand, Republican Mitt Romney is against same-sex marriage.
“At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama said in an interview with the New York Times. Obama also said that his views on same-sex marriage were “evolving.”
On the contrary, according to thepolicticalguide.com, Romney’s views on same-sex marriage have changed since he first entered politics in 1994. Romney has moved from announcing himself as one of the strongest supporters of gay marriage, to stating marriage as connecting one man and one woman, and that he would search for a federal marriage alteration.
“I am voting for Romney,” said senior, education major, Christie Stein. “I was brought up in a family that is against gay marriage, so I don’t see it any other way.”
Same-sex marriage is an important topic regarding this election, because the Public Policy Polling released results that show 52 percent of likely voters supporting the proposal to legalize same-sex marriage, and 44 percent of voters opposing the proposal, with only four percent of people that are undecided.
“I am voting for Obama again,” said freshman, mathematics major, Anna Chase. “Gay marriage doesn’t hurt anyone so I just don’t understand why people can’t just look past it if they don’t support it.”
If Obama is re-elected as president for a second term, he plans on continuing his support for same-sex marriage.
Romney, on the other hand, has a very different view on this subject. According to mittromneycentral.com, if elected as president Romney plans on trying to stop same-sex marriages from being authorized and traveling to other states. Romney also signed a pledge with the National Organization for Marriage in 2011 in favor of a federal constitutional amendment to define marriage solely as between one man and one woman, csmonitor.com stated.
Same-sex marriage is a topic that is still continuing to get bigger and bigger, and becoming more of a deciding factor for many Americans regarding this upcoming election. Every citizen is entitled to their own opinion, which is what makes the U.S. a unique country. Obama for gay marriage and Romney against, who will you decide?
