House Joint Resolution 6, a resolution that would outlaw gay marriage in the state of Indiana, was passed in the state House of Representatives on Feb. 15 with a vote of 70-26.
This resolution aims to ban same-sex marriages and civil unions, and it’s one step closer to being a part of Indiana’s constitution.
I’m not shocked, but I am disappointed in how much support it’s drawn up. Before I go on, here are the facts.
The resolution
The resolution will now move to the state Senate. If approved, it must then be approved by two consecutive, separately-elected legislatures before it’s placed on the ballot.
That means if the General Assembly adopts the resolution this year, it would have to be approved again before it’s placed on the ballot in 2014.
Indiana already has a law preventing gay and lesbian couples from marrying, but some opponents of gay marriage have said a constitutional amendment is required to protect against the possibility of a court decision overturning that law.
Rep. Eric Turner, R-Marion and the resolution’s author, is one such person. He was quoted in the Indianapolis Star as saying marriage is the cornerstone of families, and marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
As I understand it, this resolution was written out of fear that a more-liberal judge could get around the current law, so a ban is necessary to avert that calamity.
Why it’s wrong
The law is something that should enumerate our rights — not take them away.
Marriage is not a human right but a civil one. The question is whether one group of people should have such a civil right while another group is denied that right.
The law should not determine what groups get legal liberties while others are denied those liberties based on something superficial.
That is discrimination, and those who support this resolution support this case of legalized discrimination. It’s frustrating that, in 2011, there’s still so much narrow-mindedness in our government.
The ban would appeal to traditional beliefs, either religious or secular. Given the pluralistic nature of our society, making a law to support the way things have always been, to me, is an invalid reason to appeal to plain-ol’ bigotry.
There’s a damn good reason for the separation of church and state, and that separation shouldn’t apply only when it’s most convenient.
Some say, regardless of their religious beliefs, same-sex couples shouldn’t be allowed to marry or raise children because those children will have more issues with their gender and relationships.
Well, I have yet to see valid, scientific evidence to support that.
Also, gender has nothing to do with how to raise a child. If a single mom or single dad can do it on their own, a second mom or dad couldn’t be so bad.
What really messes children up is their parent’s faulty marriage. If lawmakers want to ban gay marriage to protect the sanctity of marriage, then they should also ban divorce. While they’re at it, they should ban poverty and alcohol abuse. That would save a lot of marriages.
What bothers me is so many people support this amendment out of their personal preference of gay relationships. They don’t want to think about it, so they try to control the gay population with bans like these.
From what I’ve seen, allowing homosexual couples to marry won’t ruin society. I know many gay couples, and they are loving, caring and considerate. There’s nothing wrong with them, and they are no better and no worse than any other couple out there.
There’s no reason they shouldn’t be legally recognized as a couple in every context a heterosexual couple is recognized. Every law should be objective, fair and based on sound judgment — not favored or influenced by feelings of who deserves what treatment.
This bill cannot be allowed to be passed in Indiana if we expect our state to be recognized as one that acknowledges fundamental civil rights. It wastes valuable time in the General Assembly that could be used to debate more pressing issues, such as the current state of the economy.
Consider what would really be affected by allowing gay marriage. Just because gay marriage makes some people uncomfortable to think about shouldn’t give them the right to ban it.
I think we all realize there are same-sex couples in just about every community, and closing our eyes won’t just make them go away. For those who are uncomfortable with the idea of a same-sex couple, this is their way of taking control. I don’t believe in that. I believe in civil liberties.
Despite all the legislation being passed to halt it, I believe this country will one day accept same-sex couples and just not care about who a person wants to be with. The gender of a person’s partner doesn’t matter.
Indiana residents, write to your state representative.
Tell them to reject this discriminatory amendment and focus on more important issues, such as revitalizing the state economy or reforming our education system.
It’s time to move on.
By JOSEPH DEVER
Senior Newspaper Editor
jwdever@umail.iu.edu
