Two activists articulated the legalization of same-sex marriages Monday evening.

The debate, part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally Alliance Awareness Days, drew nearly 250 to the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

Evan Wolfson, attorney and director of the Freedom to Marry Collaborative, has been fighting for same-sex marriage rights for 12 years, and has been involved with numerous landmark cases on this issue.

The opposing viewpoint, taken by Iowa Sen. Steve King, R-Kiron, greatly opposes the legalization of such marriages.

King has successfully argued against gay rights in his work as a senator for the past five years.

Mediator Steve Sapp, associate professor of sociology, began by introducing the two men and giving them each an opportunity to present their sides of the debate.

Wolfson began by addressing similar issues, including the legalization of multiracial marriages in the 1960s.

“The arguments for same-sex marriages echo almost exactly the opposing arguments 30 years ago toward the legalization of interracial marriages,” Wolfson said.

“People thought then that society would fall apart, literally that children of these interracial marriages would be `sickly and effeminate,’ but clearly this is not the case, and the issue at hand today is no different.”

King based his argument on how the government wants what is best for its children, and same-sex marriages do not provide the “necessary nurturing for a better future for our children.”

“The best way to enhance and continue the history of excellence we have had here in America is to raise children in the best way that we can, which is with a monogamous, traditional man-and-woman marriage,” King said.

Sapp and audience members asked questions to challenge both speakers.

“Those who argue that marriage standards have always been the same are not only ignoring history, but simply the basic experience of us in our own lives,” Wolfson said.

“With enough discussion and enough energy, we can make changes in even the deepest and most entrenched rules of our society, just as we have done in the past successfully.”