Fake engagement at Cruz rally protests his gay marriage view

Sen. Ted Cruz didn't know Arden Jurskis' (fake) proposal to Kenzy Peach was a protest against his stance on same-sex marriage. AP Photo, Chris Carlson.

Boston (AP) — Two Massachusetts students say they staged a marriage proposal at a Ted Cruz rally as a demonstration against the Republican presidential hopeful's stance on gay marriage.

Emerson College sophomores Arden Jurskis and Kenzy Peach tell The Boston Globe the fake engagement at Sunday's rally in Iowa was "spur of the moment" and a "demonstration of values and activism."

Cruz believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. Jurskis is a man. Peach is a woman.

But Peach says same-sex marriage is more ethical than the marriage of two college sophomores.

A photo that's been widely shared online shows Jurskis and Peach embracing moments after Jurskis pretended to propose, while Cruz looks on, his hands raised in mid-clap.

The students are on a school trip at the caucuses.

Information from: The Boston Globe, Boston, MA.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – February 1, 2016 @ 6 p.m.