“Marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman,” President Bush said in a statement published Feb. 5 in an Associated Press story. “If activist judges insist on redefining marriage by court order, the only alternative will be the constitutional process. We must do what is legally necessary to defend the sanctity of marriage.”

Some Bakersfield College students disagree.

“I’m very opinionated about this,” said Daniel Lenderos a BC student. “I think gay marriages should be accepted. It’s treating people like they’re second class citizens.”

According to the AP, more than 1,000 gays and lesbians protesting on March 4 in front of New York City Hall demanded marriage licenses for same sex couples. Several of the protesters went into the building and were told that the city would not break state law. State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer said that a review of state law concluded it is illegal to marry same-sex couples.

However, in San Francisco a group called Campaign for California Families is now suing the city over Mayor Gavin Newsome’s decision to allow same-sex couples to marry. The group wants state Attorney General Bill Lockyer to file criminal charges against Mayor Gavin is under 24-hour police protection following a number of death threats.

Elisabeth Cook, another BC student, sides with San Francisco mayor.

“They should have the right to marriage as everyone else, they’re still human. If they’re together for so many odd years and one of them dies, they don’t get any benefits for that person, they don’t get any help.”

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the front runner for the Democratic presidential nomination is opposed to gay marriage but favors civil unions.

Amanda Johnston another BC student of Bakersfield College believes that if President Bush doesn’t get the marriage issue into the constitution, then he’s really not standing up for what he started.

I don’t believe in gay marriages. I think it has a lasting effect on our children.” Johnston said.