Diva Invasion, the popular female-impersonation talent show, returned to UCF on Thursday night for the eighth consecutive year. "Britney,'' "Christina'' and a host of other divas were in top form. But in addition to the performances, this year's show was designed to raise awareness about Amendment 2, the measure on the Nov. 4 ballot that would ban same-sex marriage in Florida.

The event drew more than 1,300 people to UCF's older Arena, now called The Venue. It was produced by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Student Union.

Joe Saunders, Equality Florida's statewide field director and former president of GLBSU at UCF, urged attendees to vote against the amendment. "Amendment 2 is the so-called 'marriage protection amendment' and they put this thing on the ballot so that every single person who sees it will think this is about protecting marriage--the sacred quote unquote institution from gay and lesbian couples," Saunders said.

"We just want to protect each other, love each other, and make sure that in dire situations like an emergency, they can take care of each other."

Saunders predicted that if Amendment 2 passes with at least 60 percent of the vote it will revoke civil unions, domestic partnerships and will take away health insurance from gay and straight couples.

The Orlando Sentinel reported Friday that 56 percent of Florida voters support Amendment 2 and that 37 percent oppose it, according to the most recent Mason-Dixon Poll. The fate of the amendment is in the hands of the remaining 7 percent of undecided voters. The amendment must have 60 percent approval to pass and be added to Florida's Constitution.

Gabrielle Shulruff, historian of UCF's GLBSU, said that the amendment is more of a church-state issue.

"Our country is built on one main thing, and that is freedom to be who we are regardless of what others think or feel,'' Shulruff said. "In this situation, it is totally going against our country's stance and purpose for its creation in the first place."

Ryan Hugh, a GLBSU member, said everyone should be treated equally.

"One man or woman deserves the same rights as another man or woman regardless of their sexual orientation. I definitely believe that everyone should vote no," Hugh said.

But supporters of Amendment 2 say the measure is not about discrimination. Giving same-sex marriage the same benefits as heterosexual marriage would hurt society, said Eileen Herbert, who added that the primary benefit of marriage to society is that it continues the human race.

"Marriage between two people of the same sex cannot produce the same benefits for society it's just not possible for them to 'make' a child together," Herbert said.

But with only days remaining until one of the most historic elections in recent time, the question is likely to be decided by Floridians like UCF student Maria Kapusta, who says she still remains unsure of which way to vote on Amendment 2.

"I really don't know too much about Amendment 2 except people are always screaming vote no and vote yes about it," Kapusta said. "I'd have to actually read up on it to make a decision."