Members of eight different organizations gathered Tuesday night to examine the \politics of queer sex."" Panelists ranged from Peter Weiss, representing the UW Roman Catholic Foundation, to Laura Gutknect, a representative of the transgender community with Outreach Inc.
Kevin Otten, a UW-Madison senior with the LGBT Campus Center, organized the event to raise more awareness about queer sex.
""We think it is important for people to be able to discuss sex in politics and where they intertwine,"" he said.
During the introductions, Mary Waitrovich of Action Wisconsin shared her personal feelings of alienation.
""I don't believe I should be a second-class citizen because I love to have sex with another woman,"" she said.
Kristen Bertling, representative of Promoting Awareness and Victim Empowerment, agreed with Waitrovich.
""I loved my sexuality, but didn't love society's response to it,"" she said.
Sex Out Loud and PAVE concentrated on the issue of safer sex and sexual assault. Both wanted to create awareness that no matter what your sexual preference is, everyone can be a victim.
Sex Out Loud spokesperson Melissa Lo also stressed the importance gender-neutral tones when teaching others about safe sex.
""We did not say we only wanted to appeal to straight people,"" she said.
Discussion quickly turned to debate when the controversy over the right of gays to seek legal marriage surfaced.
Julaine Appling of the Family Research Institute said her institution believed marriage was between one man and one woman. Naturally, many of the other panelists challenged her opinion by referring to the separation of church and state and by asserting the church ultimately decides the definition of marriage.
The discussion ended with questions from the audience. One question an audience member asked referenced children being raised by same sex parents.
Gutknect had personal experience with the issue.
""I think I've done an OK job. I think my kids are fine,"" she said.
UW-Madison Department of Sociology representative Jessica Brown supported Gutknect and pointed to sociological studies that have not proven there is any difference among those children who are raised by a mother and a father and those that are raised by parents of the same gender.
Those in favor of allowing same-sex marriage questioned the officials making the rules, and how the politics of sex go far beyond just marriage.
""I encourage you to keep open hearts and minds about this issue,"" Waitrovich said.
