Students protest house bill
People from across the state of Indiana, including several University of Indianapolis students, will gather in downtown Indianapolis on March 14 for the Rally for Equality, a peaceful demonstration against House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR-6).
The bill, if passed, will effectively outlaw gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships in the state of Indiana.
“What I hope for is that Indiana will see that the people they are discriminating against are good, intelligent, cultured and well-adjusted people who deserve to have the same opportunities to follow their dreams of marrying the person they love,” said Audra McClure, a UIndy senior and member and co-chair of Pride, UIndy’s gay-straight alliance.
The official in.gov summary of the bill says it “provides that only marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. [The bill] provides that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.”
John Rusher, a 27-year-old Indianapolis resident, helped to organize the rally after he saw a piece concerning the bill on a local news station.
“In my opinion, there is no place in the state constitution for discrimination,” Rusher said. “Why make something more illegal than it already is? It’s a waste of taxpayer money, and it’s a waste of time.”
Rusher began organizing the rally using Facebook. He later contacted gay advocacy groups Rally for Equality and Indiana Equality, both of which assisted in organizing the event and obtaining demonstration permits and other official documents.
“Because [the rally] is over Spring Break, the UIndy turnout will be smaller than was expected, but a few of us will certainly be there, as well as some UIndy Alumni,” McClure said. “Pride has also made some alliances with the IUPUI group, and some other groups around the city, and we will be proud to stand with them and peacefully demonstrate for our rights together as friends and colleagues.”
Ian Laue, a senior political science and philosophy double major, also plans to attend the demonstration.
“I believe that, as far as the state is concerned, there is no need and no desire to prevent same-sex couples from getting married,” Laue said. “This goes further and even prevents domestic partnerships.”
The demonstration has drawn attention from local legislators such as U.S. Rep. Andre Carson (D) who sent a letter to Rusher in support of the event.
“This isn’t just about HJR-6, it’s about equality for all Hoosiers,” Rusher said. “We’re going for total equality here.”
Rusher described the event as a positive, peaceful rally.
“I think the last thing we need to do is have unnecessary anger and hostility towards each other,” Laue said. “We’re trying to show them the respect that they clearly are not showing the gay community.”
Although Rusher does expect opposition and counter-protests, negative retaliation or actions at the Rally for Equality will not be tolerated or condoned.
“We will ask anyone to leave who is responding in a negative way, supporter or not,” Rusher said. “We have one voice here, and we want it to be heard, and we want it to be done right.”
