“Know Your Vote: A Panel on the Marriage Amendment” was held in the O’Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium Monday, to enlighten students on what’s at stake with the Minnesota marriage amendment.
Corrine Carvalho, professor and assistant chair of the College of Arts and Sciences, discussed some of the positive and negative examples of biblical and sexual ambiguity. Carvalho said she hoped the event would clear up some of the misconceptions surrounding the amendment.
“Our focus is on education and getting facts straight,” Carvalho said. “I just wanted there to be a little bit of clarity, so people can understand both sides of the issue.”
Carvalho was joined by psychology professor Britain Scott, who discussed some of the popular claims and concerns regarding children of lesbian or gay parents.
Senior Anthony Brink was among about 70 people who attended.
“I want to be the most informed I can when it comes time to vote,” Brink said. “You want to give yourself the opportunity to get the last dig on such an important issue.”
Jerry McMurray, a member of Minnesotans United for All Families, discussed his own stories and experiences growing up being gay. His main goal was to give other people, as well as himself, a chance to have an open and honest conversation.
“I want to make sure to get people talking about this issue,” McMurray said.
McMurray also said his campaign to “Vote No” has had a tremendous impact not only on himself but on other people he’s encountered along the way.
“I really found a sense of community and acceptance in the entire state of Minnesota, just by people having open and civil conversations about the issue,” McMurray said.
Sophomore Elissandra De Brito spoke on some of her own experiences with her grandmother while growing up. She said her grandmother was open to all people, no matter their social status or beliefs.
The panel was open for discussion at the end and gave the audience an opportunity to clarify information about the amendment.
With Election Day approaching, freshman Nicole Dunnier said the event gave her “final insight to the issue.”
“It was a great experience, it was nice to hear all perspectives and angles about the issue,” Dunnier said.
Kyle Jonas can be reached at jona7984@stthomas.edu.