Students fight for same-sex marriage rights

SUNY Fredonia students are speaking out to legalize same-sex marriage in New York State.

Today, Fredonia students will gather at the campus amphitheater for a student led day for marriage equality. The "Day of Action" was organized by the Fredonia Students for Marriage Equality (FSME), an organization that branches off of other Political Science Association (PSA) groups. The rally is being held to show support for same-sex marriage in New York State.

Fredonia Students for Marriage Equality began organizing the Day of Action after the New York State Senate rejected a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage on Dec. 9, 2009. The Senate failed to pass the bill in a vote of 38 no and 24 yes.

Senior political science major and co-organizer Adam Malchoff believes people in support of same-sex marriage are being ignored in New York State.

"After last December, our voices are not being heard now," Malchoff said. "When they finally hear us it will be a victory because it's easy enough to ignore the issue because our legislators are putting themselves in a position where they don't have to make a choice."

Malchoff said politicians in New York State need to look at the larger picture which includes giving rights to all residents in the state. "I don't think it's fair that they can deny people equality when they want to take the easy way out," he said. "In the end they have to realize that it might not be the easy thing to do but it's the right thing to do."

Students at Fredonia believe FSME is a great way for students to be heard and speak up for same-sex rights.

"I know a lot of people that are gay and you know, people are just people," said senior biology major Alex Ames. "We should have the same rights regardless of sexual preferences."

State Senator Catharine Young (R-57) voted against the same-sex marriage bill last December.

On the Day of Action, FSME will pass around a petition and provide phones to allow students to call New York State legislators.

FSME is one of two student-run organizations that work for marriage equality issues. The other being Students Advancing Marriage Equality (SAME). FSME worked together to make the Day of Action a state wide event. The campus is working with SAME and plan to hold rallies to support and raise awareness.

Ryan Quinn, senior political science major and co-organizer of FSME, believes same-sex marriage has become a national issue in need of support from politicians and the community.

"It is my deep belief that marriage equality is the civil rights issue of my generation and when history looks back and judges, I want to know that I did everything in my power to fight for what was right," Quinn said.

Quinn and Malchoff hope to make marriage equality a key issue for voters this summer as politicians gear up for the fall 2010 midterm elections.