Gay unions and same-sex marriages are not only receiving attention in the United States. Canadians have been debating such issues as well.

Last week, the House of Commons narrowly defeated a motion that would have reaffirmed its current definition of marriage as the union between a man and a woman.

While the motion in Canada does not have an immediate impact, it exemplifies the tension over the rights of gay and lesbian couples to marry.

But State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, said the topic of gay unions is not receiving nearly as much attention in the government as the media seems to be giving it.

"In Harrisburg, we have much bigger issues, such as education. I don't think it's a pressing issue in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Benninghoff said.

Allison Subasic, director of Penn State's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Student Resource Center, said she thinks the issue of gay unions is receiving more attention in the media than in the government because it hits people on a more personal level and touches on their religion and morals.

Subasic said she doesn't think the United States should focus on defining "marriage," but instead focus on legislation supporting the rights of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation.

Gilbert McNie (senior-economics) said that as a Catholic, he tolerates homosexual relationships and the issues surrounding it -- but in no way accepts them.

"I think society is going downhill in accepting moral wrongs," he said.

McNie said the events in Canada -- trying to create obstacles to prohibit same-sex marriage -- "should be a model for lawmakers here in doing what is best for the country."

McNie's mention of religion is not uncommon in debates over same-sex relationships.

However, it's more of a justice issue than a religious one to the Rev. Ann Graves, interim pastor at Faith United Church of Christ, 300 E. College Ave.

"There are those who would feel that the Bible prohibits such unions and a lot of Christians get upset. That's not my perspective, but a lot of people read it in the literal sense," she said.

Graves congratulated Canada for taking such a stance, and said the door to acceptance is cracking open a little wider, but there is still a lot further to go.

Anthony Smith (junior-math) said marriage shouldn't be anyone else's decision.

Smith said legislation involving gay unions wouldn't affect him personally, but it would affect one of his friends.

In that way, he said he's somewhat concerned with the debates in Canada because they could affect some U.S. lawmakers.

"I don't think it should, but I think maybe it will, because we're so close and related that Bush might take that into consideration," Smith said.

Benninghoff said he tries to encourage students to speak up and support people in the world who make decisions.

"If students are concerned one way or another, they should contact a representative to get their voice and opinion heard," he said.