Staff report
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana University officials announced Monday that the school is joining a coalition to fight a proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
IU President Michael McRobbie said the proposed amendment – which bans same-sex marriage – would “codify an intolerance that is not representative of the best of Hoosier values.â€
The proposed amendment also bans same-sex unions that are similar to marriages.
The proposed amendment passed the legislature two years ago as House Joint Resolution 6. If it passes again in 2014, the measure will go on the ballot for ratification by voters.
“Equality, compassion and respect for individuals have long been the bedrock of Indiana University’s educational mission, and the lack of tolerance implicit in HJR 6 runs counters to IU’s deeply held values,†IU President Michael McRobbie said in a prepared statement.
Just last week the Indy Chamber joined the coalition, which also includes Eli Lilly & Co. and Cummins.
A number of religious and family groups – including the American Family Association of Indiana and the Indiana Family Institute – oppose same-sex marriage and support the constitutional amendment.
Republican legislative leaders said earlier this year that they expected the amendment would pass in 2014. But more recently, the GOP majority caucuses have been meeting behind closed doors to discuss the amendment.
Any delay or changes in the proposal means the lengthy amendment process starts over.
McRobbie said Monday that the proposed amendment provide some prospective employees a disincentive to locate in Indiana, adding to the state’s challenges to remain economically competitive.
“HJR 6 sends a powerfully negative message of Indiana as a place to live and work that is not welcoming to people of all backgrounds and beliefs,†McRobbie said. “As a major employer in the state, IU competes with universities and companies around the world for the very best talent, and HJR 6 would needlessly complicate our efforts to attract employees to our campuses around the state.â€
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