The Student Coalition for Marriage Equality at UCLA sponsored an event Monday asking students to write Valentine’s Day cards to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to encourage him to support same-sex marriage.
Last week, more than 600 cards were written, and students in the coalition hoped to end up with more than 1,000 after Monday. The cards will be mailed individually to Schwarzenegger.
Rachel Zwass, a fourth-year sociology student and president of the student group, anticipates the cards will encourage Schwarzenegger to show support for marriage equality.
“We believe in opportunity for all, and letting people live full and happy lives,” Zwass said. “Love is love.”
In addition to writing a Valentine’s card to Schwarzenegger, students also took pictures for a poster the coalition plans to give to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender student group.
“It’s definitely a good thing,” Zwass said. “We want more visibility.”
Schwarzenegger has vetoed two bills that would allow marriage equality, most recently Assemblyman Mark Leno’s (D-San Francisco) AB 43, which would give the protections of marriage to same-sex couples.
Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill because he believes the decision on same-sex marriage should not be made by lawmakers, but the high courts or voters. According to his veto message in October 2007, he preferred to leave the decision up to the Supreme Court to rule on the current policy.
In March, Schwarzenegger will also be testifying in a Supreme Court case involving a couple that has been denied marriage equality, and Zwass hopes the campaign will encourage Schwarzenegger to show his support.
“It’s a civil rights issue,” Zwass said. “We want equal rights before the law.”
Kevin Tran, a fourth-year political science student, was drawn in by the unique presentation.
“I support same-sex marriage, and I thought it was cool,” Tran said. “Valentine’s Day is a great way to tie it into love and marriage.”
Nick McColl, external vice president of the coalition, said they started planning for the event last quarter, and it took a group effort. The coalition has eight students on its board of directors, about 10 in its group, and quite a few larger-based members. They meet once a week throughout the school year.
“This event is used to create general awareness,” McColl said. “Most people don’t even know that Schwarzenegger has vetoed two bills already.”
Since its founding in January 2005, the coalition has become a part of the Let California Ring campaign, a public education campaign that aims to create equality for all in marriage. Let California Ring is also sending an open letter, available on its Web site, to Schwarzenegger to encourage him to support same-sex marriage.
Other campuses participating in this event include UC Irvine, UC Berkeley, the Claremont Colleges and California State University Channel Islands. All of the campuses share the common goal of informing Schwarzenegger about the strong support from the public for equal rights for same-sex marriages.
“Ideally, he will read all of these,” McColl said. “This might change his opinion.”