SAN DIEGO -- Dozens of students, gay and straight, skipped class to support gay marriage during a lunchtime protest at the University of California, San Diego.

"It is much more important to our future and our life that people have equal rights and equal opportunity than the one hour of education that I could be getting that I'm paying a lot more money for," said UCSD student Steve.

Student Kat said, "There are some things that you can't learn in the classroom. You have to be involved. You have to participate."

Students gathered at the center of campus where they asked the school administration to take a stand with them -- a stand against Proposition 8.

"This is infringing on people's rights and a university's a place for modern, progressive thought," said student Kim.

Students asked that the university publicly oppose the passage of Prop. 8.

The students wanted to hear it from the university's chancellor, and marched to her office.

Chancellor Marye Ann Fox answered the call, and told the crowd that the election was disappointing. But she added she cannot take a stand against propositions as a representative of the school.

However, Fox said, "I will speak out every time I can as an individual citizen because I think the importance of human dignity and human rights cannot be converted."

It was a response the demonstrators appreciated.

'Not Really A Gay-Versus-Straight Issue'

As the students chose to take a stand rather than sit in class, Nick Dekker showed up at the rally because he feels homosexuals deserve the right to marry. Dekker is not a UCSD student.

"And I do believe this is a major step we need to take towards complete civil rights in America," said Dekker.

From the center of the campus, to the chancellor's office and out to the streets, the group rallied support for gay marriage -- support the students said doesn't need to come from the church.

"I believe that if the church wants to not accept the marriages, that's fine. But if two people are in love they should have the right to get married," said demonstrator Jenn.

One of the other points these students made is that it's not just gay couples that have said no to Proposition 8. There are plenty of straight people who said no to 8 as well.

Heterosexuals and homosexuals joined together for this march against Prop. 8.

"The proposition only passed 52 to 48 and obviously 48 percent of California is not gay. Myself? I'm straight but I believe this is a civil rights issue. Not really a gay-versus-straight issue," said Dekker.

It is an issue that isn't going away -- not without a fight.