On Tuesday, a mock wedding was held in the student union building between Jeffrey Epperson and Nathan Aiken. Surprising enough, there were no protests.

The cultural center put on this wedding to publicize the fact that only one state allows marriage between same-sex couples, three honor domestic partnerships and four recognize a same-sex civil union.

Within the light-hearted atmosphere, 50 onlookers watched as the couple exchanged personal vows and a kiss to end the ceremony and herald in the reception.

At the reception, Epperson shared his views on the event.

“I believe in the cause,” said Epperson. “I believe we deserve the same rights as anybody else. I don’t believe anyone has the right to say who gets what and who doesn’t.”

On this campus, hosting the wedding was a rather ballsy move. Idaho will most likely end up being the 48th or so state to recognize same-sex marriage if it comes to that, and still there will be strong dissent. I applaud the cultural center, the couple and everyone present for their support of something definitely frowned upon by the mainstream.

“Hopefully, people will understand there’s no difference between our love and what legislature considers love, what society deems normal,” said Epperson.