This week, University student groups have been working to raise awareness regarding the Marshall-Newman amendment, also known as the same-sex marriage amendment. The Queer Student Union is promoting awareness about this amendment as part of "Proud to be Out Week," and Queer and Allied Activism is working as part of their week of action to raise support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community. University Democrats also spoke out about the amendment and what it entails.
The QSU's program, "Proud to be Out Week," includes events such as movie screenings, t-shirt making and Drag Bingo, to raise money and lend support to the LGBT community.
According to QSU President Blake Wilding, the QSU is following up on the statewide campaign against the amendment, which had its campus week last week. University students in the QSU "are doing as much as possible for the elections," Wilding said.
The QSU will continue to raise awareness up until the Nov. 7 election.
"Some of our events after this week will be more targeted towards opening discussions about the issue and changing people's minds about hearing the issue differently," said Wilding.
QuAA is sponsoring a week of action to bring attention to both the LGBT community and the Marshall-Newman amendment.
Julianne Koch, co-president of QuAA, said their efforts are designed to "educate voters and energize people."
Koch said "that means getting people aware that there's an amendment on the ballot in the first place."
QuAA is trying to show people that the amendment will ultimately affect unmarried persons as well, regardless of their sexual orientation.
"We're trying to get people to read the full text of the amendment instead of stopping at the first line," Koch said.
College Republicans Chair Amber VerValin said her organization favors the amendment.
"We are supporting the candidates who do support the amendment," VerValin said.
Finally, Dyana Mason, field organizer for the Commonwealth Coalition, a campaign entity opposed to the amendment, spoke against it at the University Democrats meeting last night.
The amendment "not only defines marriage in Virginia as between a man and woman but also prohibits legal rights for any unmarried person in the state," said Mason.
Mason went to say if the amendment is passed, unmarried victims of domestic violence may no longer be able to prosecute their attackers under domestic violence laws.
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