Indianapolis—
Monday, a crowd of gay rights activists gathered at the Indiana Statehouse to speak out against House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR 6). HJR 6 is the first step toward banning same sex marriage in Indiana, by way of making it an amendment to the state constitution. It has already overwhelmingly passed the House.Participants chanted "Nix Six" as the rally got underway around noon. The "Rally for Equality" brought several hundred people to the steps of the Statehouse.
The measure is now scheduled to go before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, where it is expected to pass with a GOP majority. It also has to pass this legislative session, then again in a separately elected legislature. The bill then would move on to a statewide ballot where voters would have the final say in a referendum.
If that all happens, the state constitution would be amended to prevent any future changes in state law regarding the definition of marriage. It would not allow same sex marriages, civil unions or similar partnerships. The proposal would keep marriage narrowly defined as a union between one man and one woman, which is what state law says already.
"It really affects so many things like inheritance and social security benefits and there are just so many different responsibilities and so many rights that you simply can not go to an attorney and accomplish," said rally participant Patrick Roth.
"I don't think we need a constitutional amendment when we already have the state statute, and the resolution goes much further than just banning gay marriage," said another rally participant.
