Tag Archives: Indiana

Focus now on Indiana Senate after House passed anti-gay constitutional amendment

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While Hawaii moves forward in attempting to be more fair to its LGBT citizens, Indiana remains firmly entrenched in the past.

Yesterday, the Indiana House took the first step towards putting an anti-gay amendment into the state’s constitution. Hoosier Bil Browning reports:

The bipartisan vote of 70-26 took marriage equality supporters by surprise – especially with the defection of Minority Leader Pat Bauer.

Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, called on the Indiana Senate to rise above the actions of the House and to “reject House Joint Resolution 6, a constitutional amendment that would ban not only marriage, but any measure of protections or support for same-sex couples and their families in Indiana.”

“Freedom to Marry calls on the Indiana Senate to reject this punitive amendment, which would write discrimination into the state constitution. Government should be on the side of all families, not putting barriers in their paths as they seek to care for their loved ones,” Wolfson said.

The resolution would have to be approved by two consecutive legislatures and then go to the voters, so it would take three years. Unfortunately, this is the kind of legislative circus most states can ill afford when so many remain unemployed.

Indiana obviously doesn’t have enough on its plate with the state’s joblessness? Then again, maybe that is the motivation. Keep your eye on all the bills enacted to punish the gay scapegoats, and you won’t notice the fact you can’t afford to feed your kids.




AMERICAblog Gay

—  David Taffet

Political outings threatened in Indiana after state super-DOMA advances

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The Republicans aren’t simply trying to pass a DOMA in Indiana, to ban gay marriage, they’re trying to pass a super-DOMA that would ban civil unions as well.

And Bil Browning is having none of it. And he’s right.

The last time the bigots in the Indiana Republican party tried this move, Bil and his friends found out that the sponsor of the amendment, who was super pro-life in addition to being super anti-gay, forced his wife to have an abortion the week before he divorced her. Hypocrisy much? Then there’s the anti-gay politician who was schtuping his male hairdresser while his wife lay in bed with a long-term illness.

When Bil made his threat last time, to out anti-gay hypocrites who weren’t living up to the family values they wanted to legislate down our throats, it helped kill the amendment. This time he’s asking for your help again. Pass this around to your friends, because Bil is right. This isn’t your daddy’s Oldsmobile. We’re in a new millenium now, and especially post- Prop, 8 gay people aren’t going to sit back and shut up any longer. I know some of the older gays want Bil to calm down. If he’ll just keep quiet, maybe the mean Republicans will find it in their hearts to be nice to us.

Enough.

We didn’t get the DADT legislation passed by being nice. That was HRC’s strategy, and it failed – as evidenced by HRC’s own email admitting defeat in December of 2010. HRC failed. If it wasn’t for Dan Choi, GetEqual, the gay blogs, and SLDN, SU and the Palm Center (and many others that don’t include HRC) all playing hardball to HRC’s no-balls, DADT would be on the books for another generation.  The bill finally passed because of the pressure activists brought to bear, not because of the older generation – the folks who still think and politic like it’s 1993 – playing nice.

The time for nice is over. They stole marriage from us in California. They took away our rights in Maine. Enough is enough. If they want to, are willing to, rip our families apart – and they already have – then we can at the very least demand that they practice the family values that they preach.

Read what this state rep had to say, then decide what’s fair:

But Rep. Ralph Foley, R-Martinsville, said the ban would have no effect on Hoosiers’ ability to live with and love whomever they choose.

“That loving friendship is a different relationship than a husband and wife, and we should recognize that in the law,” he said.

Loving friendship? You’d better not have a loving friendship with anyone other than your wife, Mr. Foley. With a name like Foley, you shouldn’t be casting stones.

Here’s more from Bil:

I’m sick and tired of hypocritical Hoosier legislators who think that our personal lives are any of their business. Do I intrude on who they’re sleeping with? I didn’t, but I’m going to start now. We need to show them that unnecessary intrusion into other people’s relationships is not only unwelcome but unwarranted. We need to burn their hand so they won’t touch the stove again.

Now that a marriage discrimination amendment has passed the Indiana House of Representatives, apparently it’s time to put out the same call I made in 2007 that helped to kill attempts to amend the constitution until now. Last time we found out that Senator Brandt Hershman, one of the sponsors of the amendment and right-to-life darling, had forced his wife to have an abortion in 1997 before he filed for divorce one week later. I also found an anti-gay legislator who was shtupping a male hairdresser while his wife died of a long-term illness.

Consider this a call to gossip. I want to know the scoop. Tell me the stories that will embarrass those conservative bigots – Democrats and Republican – that are backing a constitutional ban on our formalized relationships. Send me gossip about who’s a philanderer, a kink fiend, a drug addict, a porn addict, or had a divorce, an abortion or even a stay in rehab. Ask your friends and family for the dirt. Look it up on the internet. Sniff out a lead and send it my way.

I specifically want to learn more about the alleged blowjob one of our married legislative leaders got caught receiving from a staffer in the Statehouse parking lot. I also want to know more about the single Senator who got all of his money after a rich non-related older man died and left it all to him. Rumor has it that there’s a handful of legislators who are in the closet and have been spotted visiting the Unicorn Club’s strippers and the gay baths. Several southern legislators supposedly have a fondness for blow.

Do you know who they are? Will you tell me? E-mail me and I’ll blow the whistle.




AMERICAblog Gay

—  David Taffet

Indiana House Passes Marriage Ban

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INDIANA STATE HOUSE X390 (WIKI) | ADVOCATE.COMThe Indiana house of representatives approved a constitutional ban on marriage equality Tuesday evening with a 70-26 vote.
Advocate.com: Daily News

—  David Taffet

INDIANA: House Approves Marriage Ban

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The Indiana House today approved a proposed ballot measure which would enshrine a ban on same-sex marriage in the state constitution.

It now moves to the Senate, where such a ban has passed with little trouble in recent years. If it clears the Senate, then a separately-elected House and Senate must once again approve the ban in either 2013 or 2014. Then, voters would have the final say in a November 2014 referendum. “The basic unit of society is the family, and the cornerstone of the family is marriage. Marriage is, and should be, the union of one man and one woman,” said Rep. Eric Turner, R-Marion. Rep. Ralph Foley, R-Martinsville, said the ban would have no effect on Hoosiers’ ability to live with and love whomever they choose. “That loving friendship is a different relationship than a husband and wife, and we should recognize that in the law,” he said.

Today’s House vote was a lopsided 70-26.

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—  David Taffet

Indiana House Votes 70-26 in Favor of Constitutionally Banning Same-Sex Marriage and Civil Unions

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Indiana

The Indiana House of Representatives has approved a constitutional amendment that would ban both same-sex marriage and civil unions in the Hoosier State.

The amendment states: "Marriage. Provides that only marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. Provides that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly."

The Courier Press reports:

The House voted 70-26 for the ban, starting the clock on the long process of amending Indiana’s constitution.

It now moves to the Senate, where such a ban has passed with little trouble in recent years. If it clears the Senate, then a separately-elected House and Senate must once again approve the ban in either 2013 or 2014. Then, voters would have the final say in a November 2014 referendum.

A long and ugly road.

In related news, we'll likely get a final vote on civil unions in Hawaii tomorrow, and possibly a vote on marriage equality in Maryland by the end of the week. A lot happening. Stay tuned, folks…


Towleroad News #gay

—  David Taffet

Indiana House Says YES To Constitutional Marriage Ban. But This Fight Ain’t Over

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In a 70-26 vote, the Indiana State House has approved an amendment to the state constitution that would allow voters to ban recognition of same-sex marriage and civil unions. Sponsored by Republican Rep. Eric Turner, who believes "marriage is, and should be, the union of one man and one woman," the bill supposedly won't impact domestic partnerships or gay adoption. There's still time to fix things: The bill heads to the Senate, and even if it passes there, both chambers would have to approve the bill once more in a successive legislative session before going in front of voters in a statewide referendum.

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—  David Taffet

Indiana House to Prohibit Same-Sex Marriage and Civil Unions in Valentine’s Day Vote?

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Happy Valentine's Day from the Hoosier State. A vote is on tap in Indiana's House which would prohibit recognition of same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state, and that vote could come as early as today:

Indiana Political analysts expect that the ban is almost certain to pass, with Republicans in control of the Legislature.

The amendment states that only marriage between one man and one woman is valid in Indiana, and prohibits civil unions by stating that a legal status "substantially similar" to marriage for unmarried people is not valid.

Opponents have argued that the amendment isn't needed because Indiana law already bans gay marriage, but supporters said they are concerned that the courts could overturn that law.

Supporters also contend that traditional heterosexual marriage is best for raising children. Opponents said the amendment seeks to write discrimination into the state's constitution.

A House panel approved the measure last week.


Towleroad News #gay

—  David Taffet

Former Indiana State Rep. Laments His Vote Against Gay Marriage

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Indianapostcard With conservatives back in control of Indiana's government, marriage equality and civil unions are again on the chopping block.

Just this week an Indiana House committee approved a law that would not only explicitly ban same-sex marriage, but also civil unions, despite the fact that Indiana lawmakers have already passed a law defining marriage as between a man and a woman, and prohibit civil unions.

As lawmakers consider this new law, a Democrat who voted for a similar law that ultimately failed, former State Rep. Dave Crooks, has penned an op-ed describing that vote as his "worst."

I believe the worst vote I ever cast was to amend the Indiana Constitution to ban gay marriage and civil unions. I cast the vote for my own political reasons. Many people told me a “no” vote could cost me re-election and would upset the majority of the people I represented.
…
I fear the amendment, once on the ballot, will create more hate against lesbians and homosexuals. I also believe it will hurt our economy. Indiana employers who attempt to attract the best employees from across the nation and around the globe will discover many potential employees will say no to our state and take their talents and skills elsewhere. Gay entrepreneurs with money to invest will likely take their investments to a more tolerant state.

Crooks explains that though he's "not an advocate for same-sex marriage," he does believe the potential legislation "goes too far."

"Indiana already has a ban against same-sex marriage… There is no reason to ban both same-sex marriage and civil unions," he says. "The bottom line for me: Lawmakers should never use our precious constitution to take away rights from any of our citizens." While Crooks' comments are compelling, inaction on the current law also tarnishes the violation: without overturning the "traditional," legalized definition of marriage, there can be no true progress for gay people or the state of Indiana.

Read Crooks' entire letter, AFTER THE JUMP…

From The Indianapolis Star:

I served 12 years in the Indiana General Assembly as a state representative from 1996-2008. I cast thousands of votes during my legislative career. However, I believe the worst vote I ever cast was to amend the Indiana Constitution to ban gay marriage and civil unions. I cast the vote for my own political reasons. Many people told me a “no” vote could cost me re-election and would upset the majority of the people I represented. The amendment eventually died in committee the following session and never reached the ballot for voter approval.

Let’s face it. Indiana already has a ban against same-sex marriage. The law has held for several years. However, Republicans who now control all of state government are hell-bent on passing the amendment. These so-called conservatives can’t wait to tamper with our constitution. Many Democrats who once faced the fear I did as a legislator will likely join them.

I fear the amendment, once on the ballot, will create more hate against lesbians and homosexuals. I also believe it will hurt our economy. Indiana employers who attempt to attract the best employees from across the nation and around the globe will discover many potential employees will say no to our state and take their talents and skills elsewhere. Gay entrepreneurs with money to invest will likely take their investments to a more tolerant state.

I’m not an advocate for same-sex marriage. However, I believe the amendment goes too far. There is no reason to ban both same-sex marriage and civil unions. The bottom line for me: Lawmakers should never use our precious constitution to take away rights from any of our citizens.


Towleroad News #gay

—  David Taffet

INDIANA: Chick-Fil-A Booted From College Campus Over Anti-Gay Donations

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Indiana University’s campus in South Bend has removed Chik-Fil-A as a food vendor over reports that the company backs anti-gay hate groups. Chick-Fil-A did not have a physical on-campus South Bend store and only sold meals one day a week.

News of the ban spread quickly, prompting Chick-fil-A’s president to release an online statement defending his company. “Providing food to these events or any event is not an endorsement of the mission, political stance or motives of this or any other organization,” said Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy. “Any suggestion otherwise is just inaccurate.” Some IU South Bend students don’t see things the same way. “Providing food is equal to donating money,” said IU South Bend junior Erin Rempala. “So you must believe in the cause to donate the food.”

Dan Cathy is, of course, lying, as has been extensively documented by Jeremy Hooper at Good As You. Chick-Fil-A still has two full restaurants operating on IU campuses in Indianapolis and Bloomington.

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Meeting with Indiana Veterans Who Support Repeal

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This weekend, with all of the events honoring our nation’s veterans, we were out in full force, urging people to tell Senator Lugar to pass the National Defense Authorization Act and honor all of our veterans. In addition to language that would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” this bill includes important provisions that would give pay raises to our military and support for wounded veterans, allow for new equipment for National Guard and Reserve units and much more.

This weekend, we spoke to vets at the Veterans’ Day Parade and at the Veterans’ Appreciation Day Fair at Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Lawrenceville, Indiana. We met vets from every war and each was supportive of making sure that repeal happens this year.

Make sure that you contact your senators and urge them to vote for the NDAA in this lame-duck session of Congress.

If you’re in the Indianapolis area and want to get involved repealing this failed law, contact me at Adrian.Matanza@hrc.org.


Human Rights Campaign | HRC Back Story

—  admin