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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

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Issue 38 I N D E P E N D E N T

Vol. 118 S T U D E N T

PUBLISHED SINCE 1906

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Speakers debate same-sex marriage in UC Despite different beliefs, debaters encourage students to respect each others’ views Jamie Greig Staff Writer On Monday night two speakers, with different views on same-sex marriage, urged students to be open to other people’s opinions. Maggie Gallagher, a national spokesperson against same-sex marriage, said, “If we are going to change a historical social institution, then we need to be pretty confident that the debate takes in as many views as possible before any conclusions are formed.” Gallagher, Institute for Marriage and Public Policy president, was joined on stage by John Corvino, Wayne State University philosophy professor and pro-same-sex marriage activist. Both speakers enforced the idea that people should be respectful of each argument presented in the same-sex marriage debate. “Serious public issues require civil public debate,” Corvino said. They spoke in front of more than 150 students and members of the public in the UC auditorium in a debate organized by the Issues Committee. Corvino was first to present his views, announcing that he had five main points that outlined his argument. “Giving same sex marriage to gay people does not take it away from straight people,” Corvino said. He added that marriage should be seen as a beautiful part of human experience. It bonds people together through a wonderful union that should be able to be experienced by everyone, including gay people. This union also brings with it legal rights such as insurance, residency and the laws surrounding separation. Corvino then noted that marriage is good for society, creating security and safety in communities as well as in households. “Happy, stable couples make happy, stable neighborhoods,” Corvino said. He also noted that this stability provides children with security as well as rights. His final argument stemmed from the idea that giving marriage to same-sex couples would have an adverse effect on other

to know what marriage is,” Gallagher said. Gallagher explained that there are not many human universals and sociologically there is a reason behind this. “Males and females produce babies; this is a necessary requirement for human existence,” Gallagher said. “Therefore these babies ought to have a mother and a father.” Gallagher argued that the sanctity of marriage protects this union and without this mothers and fathers will be more likely to neglect their duty to the child. “When the government changes the definition of marriage, then the definition will change for everyone in society,” Gallagher said. Gallagher finished her talk by explaining that if the definition of marriage is changed then the view that marriage is designed to allow males and females to have children will no longer be the historical model that is followed. “Each of us has the right to live as we choose, but none of us have the right to redefine marriage,” Gallagher said. After the speakers presented their views they discussed the role of same-sex marriage affecting adoptions. The audience was then given the opportunity to ask each speaker questions. These involved topics such as state Tara Sripunvoraskul • The Daily Beacon involvement in the issue, taxation being Maggie Gallagher and John Corvino speak during a Gay Marriage debate in the UC spent on anti-same-sex religious groups as auditorium on Oct.10. The debate’s goal was to increase student awareness on the well as the traditional Western view of subject and to encourage students to be open to other opinions. marriage. “I thought it was really accessible to all edged the existence of homosexuality and social issues. Corvino presented the view that same- that gays should be respected and should people,” Lisa Dicker, sophomore in political science and Issues Committee member, sex marriage should not affect what the not fear society. “I think about people as citizens, neigh- said. “The only thing I was unhappy with church or straight couples do, lend strength was the disproportional audience represento the argument presented by polygamists bors and my friends,” Gallagher said. or take children away from heterosexual She went on to explain that marriage is a tation. I thought it would have been better if couples. virtually universal human system that has a we had drawn more people who only sup“Same-sex marriage does not take chil- cross-cultural shape representing the union ported heterosexual marriage.” Trevor Gregory, sophomore in chemistry, dren away from loving heterosexual couples of husband and wife. asked the speakers about state representawho want them,” Corvino said. Gallagher argued that the sanctity of that tion. Gallagher started her half of the debate union is threatened when the definition of “They brought up some good points,” by asking audience members to raise their marriage is changed. Gregory said. “I don’t really agree with her hands to show whether they were anti- or This union produces rights and responsithat gay people shouldn’t be allowed to get pro-same-sex marriage. bilities mainly towards children that create married, and I can see her point about adopOnly five people raised their hand in sup- cultural and public norms. tion, but I feel it’s unfair on gay people as port of the anti-same-sex argument. “If we want to discourage divorce, adulwell.” Gallagher explained that she acknowl- tery and the protection of children we need

Habitat gives students options to help Deborah Ince Staff Writer Students at UT are becoming increasingly more involved in volunteer opportunities, especially in the university’s Habitat for Humanity chapter. Last month, 10 UT Habitat for Humanity members volunteered their time at Beardsley Farms, weeding and mulching one of the farm’s main flower and plant gardens. Volunteers participated with the Habitat Urban Gardens (HUG) program — an offshoot of Habitat for Humanity. Dave Craig, who created HUG eight years ago, said establishing the program was “a divine call.” The HUG program assists homeowners in the landscape upkeep of their new homes, educating them on the laws of landscape while also collaborating with them on plant selection, lawn tool use and gardening tips. “It’s the first program of its kind in the nation, and it’s been very successful,” Harry Tucker, a caretaker of Beardsley Farms, said. Because HUG does not receive Habitat’s direct funding, the program relies on plant donations from gardeners and nurseries in order to maintain its nurseries and to continue raising plants for Habitat for Humanity use. Beardsley Farms is a large nursery that nurtures the donated plants HUG receives until they are needed by Habitat homes. The sectin contains four main garden and stretches over roughly one acre of land. It is located across from the Knoxville News Sentinel. “We always need volunteers,” nursery manager Becky Fairchild said. Fairchild said that HUG has been fortunate enough to receive volunteers from at least one UT organization each year and that they program is “very blessed to have UT Tia Patron • The Daily Beacon students.” Holly Harris, sophomore in architecture, leaves a note for Lady Vols Basketball If UT students would like to volunteer head coach Pat Summitt on a billboard before the Lady Vols Soccer game against with the HUG organization, they can go to South Carolina on Sept. 23. Fans were able to give a donation to sign the billboard the Habitat for Humanity of Knoxville webfor Summitt, who was recently diagnosed with early onset dementia. site, click on the “Volunteer” tab, and choose

Habitat Urban Gardens. The page offers information on how individuals can become more involved in the program and where and when they can volunteer their time. There are no restrictions on the amount of time an individual must volunteer, and individuals can choose to volunteer anywhere they like, whether it be with landscaping, gardening or any other of HUG’s activities. “We also need a web designer to help us get more publicity,” Craig said. Anything UT students can do to help the program would be greatly appreciated by the developing program, according to organizers. “We need volunteers really bad,” Fairchild said. The program also offers classes taught by master gardeners in which they teach planting techniques and engage homeowners in hands-on lessons and activities. One of HUG’s upcoming classes focuses on being “yard proud,” and will educate homeowners on certain yard laws and on lawn tool use. The Master Gardener Program, of which HUG’s managers are a part, currently has classes taught by trained volunteers in several other Tennessee counties. At UT, the program is offered through the Extension office and aims to provide benificial horticulture information to the community so as to continue its overall improvement. Though primarily based in Knoxville, HUG is trying to expand to other counties in Tennessee, but the only way it can do that is with the support of more volunteers. The HUG managers at Beardsley Farms said they greatly appreciate the work done by the UT students who volunteered at the garden and look forward to receiving their help in the future. “Our president, David, said (Habitat) was dying at UT,” Athena Strasel, senior in global studies and a member of UT’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, said. “I wanted to help bring it back. I think it’s a really good organization.”


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