Students give reasons for, against gay marriage

With the recent ruling by the top court in Massachusetts, teens across the country are talking about gay marriage. This week, Pulse reporters asked their fellow students, should gay marriage be legal?

"Gay marriages should be legal because they are a symbol of commitment, just like straight marriages are." -- Michael Watkiss, junior, West High School

"I think that gay marriage is totally wrong, and that it shouldn't be practiced or legal because it's not in the natural creation of God. It's just not right." -- Matt Adams, freshman, Juab High School

"Yes, I think gay marriages should be legal because if two people love each other enough, then they should be able to get married." -- Mallory Merz, freshman, Highland High School

"I think that gay marriages should be legal. I don't really think that the government has the right to dictate how people spend their lives." -- Kevin Close, junior, West

"No, because that is wrong." -- Tae Mapa, sophomore, Highland

"Yes, gay marriages should be legal, because our nation is built upon equality for all and that includes the right of marriage, whether you are heterosexual or homosexual." -- Ingrid Price, junior, West

"Being a Latter-day Saint, I believe the 'Proclamation to the World,' where it states, 'Marriage between a man and a woman is essential to His (God's) eternal plan.' Even on our national dollar bill it says, 'In God we trust.' So, as a nation, if we are to trust in Him, we should trust his plan and not support same-sex marriages." -- Erin Peterson, senior, Juab

"Personally, I do not agree with homosexuality. However, I believe in equal rights for all people. It is just like being anti-abortion and pro-rights." -- Wyatt Petty, junior, West

"I think they should be legal. Just because it's not what is termed as a conventional relationship, I think they are still in love, they still want to spend their lives together and they should be recognized for that." -- Khrystine Kelsey, sophomore, Highland

"Gay marriages shouldn't be legal because, if they have children, then they will raise their children up in an environment that's really weird for the kids, and they'll get made fun of at school, and it will be a really bad environment to grow up in." -- Jessica Ferguson, junior, Juab

"Yes, I think that gay marriages should be legal, because I think people should be free to make their own choices. They can't help who they love, so I think it should be legal." -- Nicole Harris, junior, Highland

Caitlin Holladay is a junior at Juab High School. Anne Miller is a junior at West High School. Adela Zecevic is a senior at Highland High School. If you are a high school student in Utah and you have a topic you would like to see addressed by Pulse reporters, send an e- mail to pulse@desnews.com or write to Susan Whitney at the Deseret Morning News.

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