This article is part one in a five part series examining

the debate surrounding gay marriage.

The hot-button issue of gay marriage, which has led to a

controversial proposal to ban same-sex unions in Wisconsin, has

come home to the University of Wisconsin campus as groups on both

sides of the debate organize and speak out to make their mark on

the uncertain future of same-sex marriage.

<p>Campus proponents of gay marriage, who are plugging

into the university’s liberal tradition and strong base of support

for homosexual rights, have become a vocal force at the

university.

<p>”Madison’s campus has a pretty good history of

consciously addressing the problem of homophobia in society. A lot

of that speaks to the history of activism and left-wing politics on

campus,” Chris Dols, head of the Civil Marriage Equality Coalition,

said.

<p>The Madison campus, long friendly to a plethora of

gay-rights organizations from the LGBT Campus Center to the Ten

Percent Society, has become especially active in recent days on the

issue of marriage rights for homosexual couples.

<p>The newly formed Civil Marriage Equality Coalition met

at the Humanities building Tuesday night to discuss different ways

to win the right to gay marriage in Madison and across the state.

The group sought to turn a theoretical discussion about civil

rights and marriage equality into a practical brainstorming session

that could lead to an eventual legalization of gay marriage.

<p>The group made plans to stage a march to the state

Capitol April 17 and also debated possibly pushing Dane County

Clerk Joe Parisi, who has publicly acknowledged his support for gay

marriage, to begin issuing marriage certificates to same-sex

couples.

<p>”Actions speak so much louder than words. If you really

believe in gay marriage, Joe, then prove it. Start issuing marriage

licenses,” Dols said.

<p>Despite the fact the group faces tough opposition from

a Republican-controlled state Legislature which recently approved

the initial stage of a Wisconsin constitution gay-marriage ban, the

coalition is confident it can unite with university organizations

and students to push for civil marriage equality in Wisconsin.

<p>”There is a real sense of support on campus,” Dols

said.

<p>Although gay-marriage advocates at the university are

often the most vocal side of the debate over same-sex unions, there

are student groups quietly protesting the idea of homosexual

unions. Many university religious organizations oppose gay marriage

but do not take a formal stance on the issue because of a liberal

campus culture that might perceive such an action as prejudiced and

intolerant.

<p>”I think the LGBT has a very strong voice on campus. I

think that the voice of Christians is not always heard as being

genuine and concerned but rather (is heard) in the condemning way,”

Timothy Borgstrom, an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship campus

staff worker, said.

<p>Denell Woller, head of the Catholic Student Union,

agreed that students find it intimidating to speak out against gay

marriage.

<p>”Students who oppose gay marriage don’t speak out as

much because it’s not the cool thing to do. Even if they do, they

are outnumbered,” Woller said.

<p>Borgstrom said the thing most often inhibiting students

opposed to same-sex unions from more actively shaping the marriage

debate on campus is that students are pressured to equate

understanding gay individuals’ struggle with an actual tolerance of

homosexuality.

<p>”Usually we associate openness with acceptance,”

Borgstrom said, adding that although it is important Christians

learn about the “struggle” of being a homosexual, they should “be

able to voice their concern that [homosexuality and gay marriage]

isn’t right.”

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