February 3, 2010

Hundreds turn out for Boulder debate on same-sex marriage

 By Amanda Barrell

On the evening of Jan. 25, the Aquinas Institute for Catholic Thought sponsored a sold-out debate by national speakers addressing whether the government should approve same-sex marriage.   

The Aquinas Institute is the intellectual outreach arm of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, the campus ministry parish serving the University of Colorado-Boulder.

Hundreds turned out for the third annual “Great Debate,” which this year featured National Journal columnist Jonathan Rauch of Washington, D.C., sparring president of the National Organization for Marriage Maggie Gallagher of Westchester, N.Y.

Two hours before the event started, students filled the courtyard of the University Memorial Center outside the lecture hall.  Bundled in coats and rainbow capes, these students were not here for the debate; rumors had circulated all day that the Westboro Baptist Church, a Kansas group known for their fiery opinions of gay marriage, planned to show up to protest the event.  Word spread through text messages and Facebook and more than 100 students and supporters of gay marriage assembled and waited for them holding posters or flowers and singing Beatles songs such as “Imagine” and “All You Need Is Love.”

But the Westboro Baptist Church never showed up.   

It was all the same to the Rev. Roger Wolsey of the Wesley Fellowship who joined the supporters with his son Andrew. 

“We brought candy along,” Wolsey said, “to remind them (the Westboro Baptist Church) that they are loved.” 

Inside, the debate began with an introduction by Father Kevin Augustyn, St. Thomas Aquinas’ pastor and director of campus ministry. 

“Given the growing national interest in the same-sex marriage debate, the Catholic Center has decided to provide a forum to openly discuss the merits of both sides of this issue,” Father Augustyn said.  “In the tradition of the Catholic Center’s patron saint, St. Thomas Aquinas, who intelligently and fervently engaged the ideas and controversies of his day with age and grace, we hope to provide a stimulating intellectual discussion on the same-sex marriage debate.”
Rauch and Gallagher were given about a half hour to argue their points, including opening and closing statements, to leave time for audience questions. 

Throughout the debate, Rauch and Gallagher agreed on several points, including that there is a breakdown of the institution of marriage in America. They diverged on how to repair that breakdown.
Rauch said legalizing gay marriage would benefit the institution of marriage and society. He said to prohibit gay marriage is discriminatory.

  “Marriage is the gold standard for all relationships,” he said.  “Gays are not looking to selfishly gain from this, but rather to give back.” 
Gallagher said she could support civil unions for gays but argued that marriage should be reserved for heterosexuals.

“The traditional meaning of marriage between a man and a woman has a distinct meaning in our culture,” she said. “It has its own dignity and purpose.  If gay marriage is legalized, (marriage) will mean something different in the future.”