2008 Woodie Awards
Mayor Jason West joins discussion on gay marriage
Anne Russell
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: News
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Marist students and faculty discussed the issue of gay marriage last Wednesday on MCTV's "Arguments." New Paltz mayor Jason West appeared as a guest on the Marist debate team's public issues program, offering his insight on same-sex marriages on the personal, local, and national levels.
The program, hosted by Maxwell Schurner, brought Marist faculty and students and West together for a 30-minute debate. Jo Anne Myers, a political science professor at Marist, joined political science majors Christine Melton and Krista Gardner for the discussion.
West, who officiated 25 gay marriages on February 27, 2004, was charged with 24 counts of performing illegal unions.
"This is a basic civil rights issue," West said. He went on to refute claims that homosexuality was a conscious decision. "This is not a choice," he said. "They were born gay or lesbian."
Myers agreed with West's viewpoint, saying gay marriage was a basic human right. Myers also discussed that throughout history, marriage has changed.
"As shortly as 10 years ago people who were deaf couldn't get married," Myers said.
Gardner said the regulations were unethical
"When you put it in a legal sense, not allowing gay and lesbian [individuals] to get married, you're taking away human rights," Gardner said.
Christine Melton said she believed that religion was a crucial aspect of this issue.
"I do not agree with [homosexuality], but I think they have a right to get married," she said. Melton said she believes it is important for everyone to maintain basic legal rights.
West also spoke regarding the impact of religion on the issue.
"The Christian right pulls the Bible out of context," he said. He went on to say that those who consider same-sex marriages as going against the Bible should be reminded that such infractions as eating shellfish and shaving could also be considered wrong.
"The Bible is a contradictory document," West said, "If you're going to live under biblical law, at least be consistent."
The program, hosted by Maxwell Schurner, brought Marist faculty and students and West together for a 30-minute debate. Jo Anne Myers, a political science professor at Marist, joined political science majors Christine Melton and Krista Gardner for the discussion.
West, who officiated 25 gay marriages on February 27, 2004, was charged with 24 counts of performing illegal unions.
"This is a basic civil rights issue," West said. He went on to refute claims that homosexuality was a conscious decision. "This is not a choice," he said. "They were born gay or lesbian."
Myers agreed with West's viewpoint, saying gay marriage was a basic human right. Myers also discussed that throughout history, marriage has changed.
"As shortly as 10 years ago people who were deaf couldn't get married," Myers said.
Gardner said the regulations were unethical
"When you put it in a legal sense, not allowing gay and lesbian [individuals] to get married, you're taking away human rights," Gardner said.
Christine Melton said she believed that religion was a crucial aspect of this issue.
"I do not agree with [homosexuality], but I think they have a right to get married," she said. Melton said she believes it is important for everyone to maintain basic legal rights.
West also spoke regarding the impact of religion on the issue.
"The Christian right pulls the Bible out of context," he said. He went on to say that those who consider same-sex marriages as going against the Bible should be reminded that such infractions as eating shellfish and shaving could also be considered wrong.
"The Bible is a contradictory document," West said, "If you're going to live under biblical law, at least be consistent."