Pepperdine wants out of Prop. 8 ad
Concerned that Pepperdine University is being dragged into the fight over gay marriage, university President Andrew Benton said all references to his institution must be removed from a new “Yes on 8” television commercial being aired around the state.
The commercial features law professor Richard Peterson, who warns of the consequences of not passing Proposition 8, which would amend the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
“That changes a lot of things,” Peterson says, as a sign identifies him as a professor at Pepperdine’s law school. People could be “sued over personal beliefs. Churches could lose their tax exemption. . . . Gay marriage [could be] taught in public schools.”
“The reference to Pepperdine must disappear,” Benton said.
He added that he admires Peterson and does not want to infringe on his 1st Amendment right to speak out, but that he does not want to give the impression that Pepperdine supports Peterson’s views.
A spokeswoman for the “Yes on 8” campaign said the reference to Pepperdine will be removed.
-- Jessica Garrison
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