Indiana's marriage amendment: Now with more anti-gay feeling
Filed by: Bil Browning
January 12, 2009 7:00 PM
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/01/indianas_marriage_amendment_now_with_mor.phpIndiana State Representatives Eric Turner (R - Marion) and Dave Cheatham (D - North Vernon) introduced a resolution today to amend them state constitution to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. After language concerns buried the previously proposed amendment, the wording right-wingers have chosen this time points out some fascinating tidbits for those who've been following along. It reads:
"Only a marriage between one man and one woman should be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized."
In previous sessions of the legislature, amendment proponents have spent considerable time trying to convince moderates that they were not attempting to outlaw civil unions - only "marriages." This time, the religious right is clearly stating that they want to ban civil unions too, but spent considerable time telling reporters that they're not after domestic partner benefits. They touted that the language of this resolution mirrors Kentucky's amendment - where university domestic partner benefits were challenged as soon as the amendment passed.
