Indiana House Leader Refuses to Hear Gay Marriage Ban
Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, did as he promised and refused to hear Senate Joint Resolution 7, legislation that included a ban on same-sex marriage, effectively killing the measure as it is required to pass in two consecutive legislatures to get on the ballot.
The Indianapolis Star reports: "Pelath and opponents argue the state already has a law banning same-sex marriages and that the amendment’s language was ambiguous and could result in unintended consequences on issues ranging from domestic violence protection to businesses’ ability to recruit employees. 'This really is a very simple decision,' Pelath said. 'The reality is, we have no gay marriages in Indiana. It is against the law. Nobody has brought me evidence of a gay marriage taking place in this state. There’s no reason to put very poorly crafted verbiage into our constitution, out state’s highest document, that could potentially be a lawyer’s dream with all sorts of unintended consequences.' Eric Miller, founder of the conservative activist group Advance America, blames Bauer, who he said has intentionally sent the amendment to Pelath’s committee to kill it. 'It is a tragedy for the people of Indiana that one man — Speaker Pat Bauer — stopped the 100 members of the House being able to vote to protect marriage and prevented the citizens of Indiana from having the opportunity to vote to protect marriage,' Miller said. 'It’s not only a disappointment, it’s wrong.' Pelath rejected that argument. 'That’s not what our constitution says. It doesn’t just say you throw out an idea and you throw it out for a vote — that’s not how we do it,' he said. 'We don’t send everything up for referendum here. We make decisions and do our jobs. I’m abiding by the constitution.'"
If the measure passed the next two legislatures, voters might have a chance to vote on it in 2012.
Posted Feb. 18,2008 at 1:40 PM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Marriage, Indiana, News | Permalink
Eric Miller is the kind of person I want to punch in the trachea the minute he opens his piehole. Thank GOD for intelligent people like Pelath.
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Feb 18, 2008 1:49:58 PM
What Fizzie said.
Posted by: The Milkman | Feb 18, 2008 2:06:13 PM
They're still trying to put this major whammy on gay marriage in Indiana. I don't get it. What are they so threatened by?? Marriage is a basic civil right that should be attainable by all Americans. For the truth about gay marriage check out our trailer. Produced to educate & defuse the controversy it has a way of opening closed minds & provides some sanity on the issue: www.OUTTAKEonline.com
Posted by: Charlotte | Feb 19, 2008 12:59:14 PM
As a Hoosier, let me say: Jesus. Finally.
It's about damn time our legislators did something to keep the rest of the country (rest of the world) from thinking we're backwoods hicks.
We should probably keep the trachea-punching threats to a minimum, though...
Posted by: Scott | Feb 19, 2008 1:47:00 PM