Walking around the Union, a student can find an event for almost anything of interest. There are flyers for many clubs and organizations that include upcoming events. An LGBTQ poster recently gave information for a debate about gay marriage on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union.

It is not uncommon to be confronted with sensitive issues on a daily basis at a school as liberal as University of Wisconsin-Madison. No matter what the issue, no matter how extreme and no matter how much a person may or may not agree with it, it must be approached with respect. It is not okay to judge the issue without giving it a chance in the first place.

While attending UW many students are faced with issues that were never debated in their hometowns. Growing up religious or conservative may have influenced one's ideas about how the world should work. The ability to be open to new ideas is difficult, yet not impossible. Every person deserves the right to feel comfortable in his or her surroundings, regardless of sexual orientation. Hopefully, these students especially, will depart from the knowledge of their past and make new decisions for themselves in the future.

When looking into the future, many have a very similar outline for their life that probably includes finishing college with a degree, going to grad school, getting married, working and starting a family. Most generally think of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, established through a ceremony surrounded by family and friends. A civil union is a bonding that connects two persons legally to one another with rights similar to marriage, although not the same. Not many people aspire to have a civil union with another, yet gay couples have no other choice.

For gay couples marriage is not an option in many states, including Wisconsin. Advancements are being made in states like Vermont and Connecticut that allow civil unions to include many of the same advantages as marriage. Separation of church and state will never be completely separate, as ideals reflect beliefs. Marriage is more than a bond between two people; it is about creating a family. A family is something that gay couples cannot make themselves. They need the assistance of science or adoption to do so. The opposition may say that there are many heterosexual marriages that will never have children because of personal choice or health complications. This is true, but the possibility of creation was once present.

Growing up is different for all children, mainly because of their parents. Some experienced hardships, but for many their biggest fear was their father. No matter what the child did, the one thing that a mother could always say that would elevate the terror in the child's eyes was "I'm going to tell your dad." Gender roles are changing but there will always be a mother and a father, the basis of creating and establishing the family.

For most lesbian and gay individuals, telling their closest family and friends about their sexual orientation was probably one of the most difficult conversations they have encountered, but families are support systems and for most, they will accept the individual for who they are, regardless of sexual orientation. As hard as that may have been, imagine being an adopted child in a homosexual family; kids are not nice, they are honest. This child will be deemed an outcast before school even starts. It's not right, but it's the truth.

The LGBTQ website includes a lot of useful information, including pictures of recently married homosexual couples. Pictures of homosexuals kissing are uncomfortable. Pictures of heterosexuals kissing are still uncomfortable. A person's sexuality is a personal choice; therefore there is no reason to advertise it. In reality, it is not even a choice; it is a fraction of who a person is. What doesn't make sense is that pro-gay marriage groups around the country, especially in Madison, are fighting to keep the public out of their bedroom, but at the same time not keeping their business there. Sexuality is personal business. So is marriage. Maybe everyone should be respectful and keep their bedroom doors closed.

Joelle Parks ([email protected]) is a sophomore intending to major in journalism.