Spring Break
Face Off: Should CSU follow suit on same-sex benefits
Sean Reed
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Opinion
Recently, Larimer County announced its intention to extend the same benefits to same-sex couples as it offers to its heterosexual employees.
Ryan Searle, a junior criminology major, was kind enough to chat with the Collegian about why he supports Larimer County's decision.
Q: Do you think Larimer County made the right decision in extending benefits to same-sex couples?
A: Definitely. I think everyone should have the same rights, no matter what their sexual beliefs or identity is.
Q: Do you think CSU should adopt the same policy?
A: Yeah, I do. I think if Larimer County is doing something like that … CSU should definitely follow suit. I don't know necessarily know why they wouldn't.
Q: Do you think same-sex couples should be able to marry or get a domestic partnership?
A: Yeah. I've never seen why they shouldn't be able to. They should have the same rights. We're all people and not everyone believes in the same things, but you still need to respect other people's beliefs.
Q: Why do you think there is so much hostility to same-sex marriages or benefits?
A: Because it's different. People don't know different so they're afraid of it and so they think they should put rules against it or laws against it.
Q: Do you think there is any validity to the other side?
A: I guess it's kind of a tough concept to actually grasp the entire thing. And I don't know enough about the entire issue to say if its valid or not.
But that's what I've seen in history -- if it's different then people are maybe against it or fearful of something that might result from it. That's as best as I can say.
Eric Versluys, a senior mechanical engineering major, sat down with the Collegian and let us in on why he does not support Larimer County's decision.
Q: Do you support Larimer County's decision to extend benefits to same-sex couples?
A: No, I do not. However, I also don't support the other aspect of the new policy that provides benefits for heterosexual "domestic partners," either.
Ryan Searle, a junior criminology major, was kind enough to chat with the Collegian about why he supports Larimer County's decision.
Q: Do you think Larimer County made the right decision in extending benefits to same-sex couples?
A: Definitely. I think everyone should have the same rights, no matter what their sexual beliefs or identity is.
Q: Do you think CSU should adopt the same policy?
A: Yeah, I do. I think if Larimer County is doing something like that … CSU should definitely follow suit. I don't know necessarily know why they wouldn't.
Q: Do you think same-sex couples should be able to marry or get a domestic partnership?
A: Yeah. I've never seen why they shouldn't be able to. They should have the same rights. We're all people and not everyone believes in the same things, but you still need to respect other people's beliefs.
Q: Why do you think there is so much hostility to same-sex marriages or benefits?
A: Because it's different. People don't know different so they're afraid of it and so they think they should put rules against it or laws against it.
Q: Do you think there is any validity to the other side?
A: I guess it's kind of a tough concept to actually grasp the entire thing. And I don't know enough about the entire issue to say if its valid or not.
But that's what I've seen in history -- if it's different then people are maybe against it or fearful of something that might result from it. That's as best as I can say.
Eric Versluys, a senior mechanical engineering major, sat down with the Collegian and let us in on why he does not support Larimer County's decision.
Q: Do you support Larimer County's decision to extend benefits to same-sex couples?
A: No, I do not. However, I also don't support the other aspect of the new policy that provides benefits for heterosexual "domestic partners," either.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Craig Hawley
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:37 AM MST
Just curios what the difference is between significant other and boyfriend or girlfriend.
Does that mean any one over 18 that is dating should get benefits if they live together. (Continued…)
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