Firstly, welcome to the contest! Glad to hear that you're putting something together for it.
Now, on to your question: I think so long as your story is just that, and not a poorly crafted attempt at preaching (and I believe this applies to ALL things 'controversial'--politics, dietary preference, Star Wars vs. Star Trek

etc.), you can get away with pretty much anything. If you can make the reader care about the characters, the choices they face, and so on...then I say all's well that tells well.