With the recent back and forth banter between sides on the same-sex marriage legislation, a younger demographic is beginning to get involved. Though their age bracket may not be solely targeted in the passing of this legislation, students are voicing their opinions on this contended matter.

The proposed legislation would eventually legalize same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, but opposing efforts are currently trying to combat any progress on this issue.

Massachusetts State Representative Philip Travis introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that will be debated this week stating that within the “public policy of this Commonwealth … only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Massachusetts.” If this amendment should be passed, not only would it ban same-sex marriages but would also stop civil unions and domestic partner benefits for homosexuals.

Aside from battling to keep the law from being passed, there is even rumor of President George W. Bush pushing for a federal ban on same-sex marriages should it be legalized in May. These arguments and efforts could squash the initiative before a law is even passed.

Living in the central hub of a state known for its liberal political standings, some students are accepting of the progression of what originated as the Goodridge vs. Department of Public Health. The Goodridge case may be the most well known step towards legalizing same-sex marriage, in an attempt to grant the right of marriage to a different community rather than set homosexuals aside by only permitting “civil unions.”

“I think that people are human beings regardless of what sex they are attracted to,” said Christina Peaslee, a sophomore journalism major. “Two human beings should have the right to marry who they desire.”

Recent media attention on this legislation has brought up the issue of whether or not Massachusetts will be a pioneer state in amending the constitution so that marriage is open to couples of all kinds, regardless of sexual preference.

“They deserve the same rights as any other [group],” said Eileen Rodriguez, a freshman political science major.

Opposition on this issue does exist, one prominent example being the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church is a notable player against same-sex marriage on the state or federal level. Their argument is that allowing homosexual couples to wed would be discrediting the sanctity of marriage as a religious sacrament. The stance of the church also credits same-sex marriage as going against their definition of marriage.

“The Roman Catholic Church believes that marriage is a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman, joined as husband and wife in an intimate partnership of life and love,” as quoted in “Statement on Same-Sex Marriage,” issued on behalf of all Catholic Bishops in the United States. “The institution of marriage has a very important relationship to the continuation of the human race, to the total development of the human person, and to the dignity, stability, peace and prosperity of the family and of society.”

It is for these main reasons that the Catholic Church is taking a stance against the legalization of same-sex marriage. Beyond granting any rights to a homosexual couple that a heterosexual couple may have if they are married, the church is defending that marriage, as taught in the Bible, is a sacrament between a man and a woman, and necessary for the procreation and education of children to prolong the human race.

Civil unions, for those not opposing the marriage of same-sex couples, are just not sufficient in the fight for this “right.”

“The government should not be able to deny [this right],” said Brian Cox, president of the Northeastern Allied Student Coalition. “Civil unions are just a different name to appease those with religious concerns.”

Cox feels that the “extreme appeal” surrounding the gay marriage controversy appeals to the fears of the people. Focus on the Family, a group founded in 1977 to bring emphasize values of the home, Cox said, believes that traditional family values would be destroyed by this “new movement.”

“The mission of America can’t be fulfilled if citizens are denied rights and [seen as] second class citizens.”

Some students have a slightly different view.

“Personally, I’m against homosexuality but I feel that people should be able to do what they want,” said Daniel MacDougall III, a freshman civil engineering major.

The jump in the exposure of the gay community and culture is partly due to heightened media involvement and publicity, ranging from coverage of the fight for the legalization of same-sex marriages to leading characters of Primetime television.

“[The] highest ratings on TV involve gay characters and many, many movies,” Cox said. “[You] can’t say someone is not exposed to gay culture nowadays.”

Focus on the Family Vice President Tom Minnery, in a statement released last week said, “[The] ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts [saying that civil unions are not equal to marriage rights] is the second act in a carefully orchestrated plan of judicial tyranny in that state.”

“Now finally everyone in America can clearly see that marriage is under direct attack and must be protected,” Minnery said.

Whether students or the Catholic Church themselves have battling views, legislation is still currently being debated and a peaceful conclusion is not in the near future. Groups are still going to feel that “same-sex partnership benefits,” which range from state to state, are still inadequate compared to those of a married couple. Opposition will still feel that same-sex marriage is trying to “redefine a sacrament.”

“[Legislation] still doesn’t change,” Cox said. “[This is] simply infringement on basic rights.”