Indianapolis - Over 500 LGBT Hoosiers and allies gathered at the Indiana State House on Monday, February 19th to call for equal rights for all Indiana citizens.

Candace Gingrich of the Human Rights Campaign told people at the "Read the Fine Print" rally that the state marriage discrimination amendment to prohibit same-sex marriages also would infringe upon the rights of heterosexual couples.

The half-sister of former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Candace was joined by Bishop John Selders (Armistead United Church of Christ, Hartford, Connecticut) Lisa Sklar (Indiana Youth Group), Vivian Benge (Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance), Stuart Rosenberg (Human Rights Campaign), and Randy Studt (Indiana Equality) speaking in opposition to Senate Joint Resolution 7, the proposed constitutional amendment. The speakers emphasized that:

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• The Marriage Discrimination Amendment discriminates against all couples in committed relationships who are not married.
  
  
• The Marriage Discrimination Amendment permanently writes discrimination into the Indiana Constitution.
  
  
• The Marriage Discrimination Amendment is just an attempt to distract Hoosiers from the greater issues at hand.
  
  
• The Marriage Discrimination Amendment threatens current and future economic development.
  
  
• The Marriage Discrimination Amendment violates every Hoosier?s basic right to fairness and equality.

A wide variety of groups and organizations were involved with organizing and conducting Monday?s rally, including Citizens for Civil Rights, Greater Indianapolis Fairness Alliance, Human Rights Campaign, IE Region 2 Steering Committee, IE Region 8 Steering Committee, IE Region 9 Steering Committee, Indiana Action Network, Indiana Equality, Indiana PFLAG Alliance, Indiana Stonewall Democrats, Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance, Indiana Youth Group, Indianapolis Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, Interfaith Coalition on Nondiscrimination, Log Cabin Republicans, National Association of Social Workers, and Stop The Amendment.

Following the rally, people went to meet with their State Representatives and State Senators. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives went into caucus meetings just as the rally ended. While few were able to actually discuss their concerns face-to-face, many left a note for their Representative to tell him/her how they feel about the marriage discrimination amendment.


 Indiana Equality Website
 Stop the Amendment Website