Same-sex marriage has been all over the evening newscasts for months.

The Massachusetts Legislature -- seeking to countermand a state high court ruling that found the state constitution allows gay marriage -- Monday adopted a new version of a proposed state constitutional amendment that, if ultimately approved, would ban same-sex marriage while legalizing civil unions. Vermont already has civil unions.

Congress members engaged in a heated and emotional debate last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee about a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning same-sex marriage.

Courts in California, New Mexico, New York and New Jersey -- states with cities that had been issuing same-sex marriage licenses -- have halted the practice pending state judicial review. One Oregon county still is issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as a lawsuit the American Civil Liberties Union has filed on behalf of gay and lesbian couples makes its way to the state Supreme Court.

	Daniel Marsula, Post-Gazette Click illustration to see larger version. Teen Forum Teen Forum Teens speak out on today's tough issues Teen Forum panel Teen Forum is a monthly platform that allows teenagers to express their opinions on important issues. This month, homes editor Kevin Kirkland moderated a discussion on same-sex marriage. Teen Forum, a monthly platform, welcomes the opinions of teens on any strongly felt issue. Columns for "Talk Back" should not exceed 250 words and should be submitted, along with a professional-quality photo, to LaMont Jones at the Post-Gazette, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh 15222. Columns also can be faxed to Jones at 412-263-1313 or If you're a high school student and want to participate in a future round table, e-mail Jones or call him at 412-263-1469.

Polls indicate a majority of people in the United States oppose same-sex marriage. However, public opinion is split about whether there should be an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to ban it.

This month's Post-Gazette Teen Forum panelists are just as divided as the nation. Two of five panelists favor an amendment banning same-sex marriage. Three of five believe gay men and lesbian women should be able to marry. None favors civil unions.

"I've grown up in the church, and it has been instilled in me that homosexuality is wrong," says Joyelle Freeman, 17, a Mt. Lebanon High School junior. "I do believe marriage is a religious thing."

Brandon Arnold, who sits on the board of the Pittsburgh chapter of the national Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, disagrees.

"I don't see how love between two individuals can ever be wrong," says Brandon, 17, a North Allegheny Senior High School senior. "It's discrimination and hate that bring about problems.

"We're in a society that has a long-standing tradition of separating church and state," he says. "In the world of the state, everybody should be given equal rights."

Mike Stevens, a Greensburg Central Catholic freshman, understands the Catholic Church's position on homosexuality but doesn't understand how someone can be forced to be straight if he or she is gay.

"I'm kind of 50-50 on this," says Mike, 15, of Murrysville. "I'm not against it, but I'm not for it."

Emma Blackman-Mathis, a Schenley High School freshman who came out as a lesbian in eighth grade, says she can't be made straight anymore than someone who's straight can be made gay. She says she didn't decide to be a lesbian. She simply is a lesbian.

"It's a decision to be true to yourself and not lie about who you love," says Emma, 14, who, like Brandon, sits on the board of the Pittsburgh chapter of GLSEN -- an education organization aimed at creating safe schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

None of the panelists favors civil unions as a substitute for same-sex marriage. However, they oppose civil unions for different reasons.

"I don't think it matters what you call it," says Danny DiNinno, 15, a Greensburg Central Catholic freshman. "It's still two [same-sex] people loving each other, and it's just immoral."

Joyelle agreed.

"I don't even agree with them being together or having children together," she says. "I don't think they should be together at all."

Married couples enjoy more than 1,000 federal rights -- including everything from Social Security benefits to tax breaks -- that would be unavailable to people under civil unions, Emma and Brandon note. Also, unlike marriage, civil unions wouldn't be recognized in every state.

"Comparing civil unions to marriage is like comparing glass to diamonds," Brandon says.

For Emma, civil unions wouldn't be enough.

"I don't have a problem changing the word, but I'm not for something that holds up in only one state," she says. "It's like separate but equal, but it's not equal all."

"Gay marriage only affects the two people involved," Brandon says. "The fact that I have next-door neighbors who are married doesn't affect me."

Panelists opposing same-sex marriage disagree, saying they don't think children should be exposed to same-sex couples for fear the children might be influenced to be gay.

"Your kids are not going to be infected with gayness. It's not contagious," Emma says.

Many of her peers were accepting of her being a lesbian, but she's heard of other young people at other schools who have been terrified to have people know they're gay.

Most of the panelists know or have known of gay and lesbian students or teenagers merely suspected of being gay or lesbian who have been teased, tormented and harassed.

"If you have a kid sitting at your lunch table and the topic came up and someone said they're for [same-sex] marriage, people will assume he's gay," Mike says.

However, the issue of homosexuality and same-sex marriage isn't discussed much in schools.

"There is a tolerance you have to have," Emma says. "There are a lot of people I don't like, but I tolerate them."