AU students from California will be able to consider Proposition 8, an initiative to ban gay marriage in the state, on their Nov. 4 election ballot.
In May, the state's Supreme Court ruled that individuals of the same sex had the right to marry and be recognized by the state, according to information on the California Secretary of State's Web site.
Proposition 8 would reverse this decision and sanction marriages only between a man and a woman. Currently, the law recognizes all same-sex married couples, but if Proposition 8 passes, it is unclear if the state will nullify these marriages, according to the proposed law's text.
Many California residents are concerned about how gay marriage may be taught in public schools, even though Proposition 8 does not address this issue. Those who support Proposition 8 believe it will protect children from being taught that same-sex marriage is the same as a marriage between a man and woman, according to a voter's guide on the California Secretary of State's Web site.
Emily Willard, a graduate student in the School of International Service who volunteers at AU's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally Resource Center, said she believes all people are equal.
"When you start teaching people that marriage is only between a man and a woman it's discriminating against certain people," she said.
Willard also said she thinks teaching students about gay marriage will allow those who feel confused about their sexuality to feel more comfortable.
She said her grandmother recently married her partner of 29 years in California and would feel bad that their marriage would have to be nullified.
Topics such as equality and diversity are already being taught in many schools in California and the real concern is something else, said Laiah Idelson, a senior in the School of Communication.
"I think this issue is parents are worried about their children learning about gay sex, when that is clearly not what they will learn about," she said. "Rather, they will learn that being different is okay and that all people deserve equal rights."
Recent polls have indicated that the end tally will be hard to predict, according to a study conducted by the Public Policy Institute.
Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., have spoken out against Proposition 8.
Both presidential candidates have voiced their opinions specifically regarding Proposition 8. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama does not support the referendum, while Republican nominee John McCain does, according to their campaign Web sites.
The GLBTA Resource Center has not taken a stance on Proposition 8, according to Willard. The GLBTA Resource Center is funded by the Office of Campus Life, which is part of the university and must remain neutral regarding political issues. However, if students want to learn more about Proposition 8, the GLBTA Resource Center provides students with information on both sides of an issue and tell them how to get personally involved, she said.
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