Del. Robert Marshall, R-Manassas, and Evan Wolfson, founder and executive director of Freedom to Marry, debated the issue of same-sex marriages, and more specifically the Marshall-Newman Amendment concerning same-sex marriage co-sponsored by Marshall, at the University Law School yesterday. The event was hosted by the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy's University of Virginia Law School Chapter and was attended largely by students.
The debate was conducted in a format referred to as a "Modified Lincoln-Douglass" -- that is, each panelist was given seven minutes to present his or her side of the issue, followed by three minutes for rebuttals and cross-examination by his or her opponent. The debate concluded with a question-and-answer session with members of the audience. Before the debate began, the text of the proposed amendment was read aloud.
Marshall was the first to speak. He discussed the importance of defining the term "marriage" and how its significance was the basis for his legislation.
"If you have no definition for marriage, and if it's based on a whim, rather than some reasonable classification, you're all over the ballpark; you cannot contain it," Marshall said.
Marshall also talked about a lack of stability and permanent commitment in same-sex couples which creates a less suitable environment in which to raise children. In a gesture of protest, some University students attending the debate chose to turn their backs to the panelists while Marshall spoke.
Wolfson's argument centered on the 14,000 same-sex couples currently raising children in Virginia and the lack of any real situational difference between these and heterosexual couples with children.
"Couples who have made that personal commitment deserve that same legal commitment," Wolfson said. He asked Marshall how the proposed amendment would affect these particular families.
Wolfson often received heavy applause from audience members after speaking.
"I thought Wolfson did a better job with orating in the realm of the concrete," second-year College student Carianne King said. "Marshall really had trouble with coming up with stable examples and arguments."
The amendment will be on the ballot in the 2006 Virginia general election Nov. 7.
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