Student groups react to same-sex marriage ban bill

Student organizations across campus often face serious political issues, but few issues are as controversial as the proposed amendment to the state constitution that would effectively ban same-sex marriage in Indiana. There are only two more steps that the amendment must follow to become concrete in the state constitution. If passed, the amendment would add a definition of marriage to the constitution, defining it as a union between a man and a woman. \nWhether for or against the ban, some student organizations across campus have made an effort to have their voices heard before the amendment is reviewed any further.\nIU College Democrats are in full support of marriage equality and are wholeheartedly against the proposed ban. Matt Brunner, former vice president of IU College Democrats, believes education is key in gaining support from students who oppose the ban, he said.\n"People have to realize that the constitution has been used to give rights to people and not take them away," Brunner said. "The constitution has only been used once to take away rights and that was prohibition, which was repealed."\nIU College Democrats have encouraged students across campus to attend 'Rock Indiana,' a counterprotest in response to anti-gay group Advance America's demonstration in support of traditional marriage, which will take place Tuesday at the Indiana State House. \nGay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services has worked closely with IU College Democrats and appreciates the group's efforts. Doug Bauder, coordinator of the GLBT SSS, believes that the efforts such as IU College Democrats have made are key in opening the minds of others.\n"Education is vital," Bauder said. "It has been in my experience that when people are educated about the rights of others they become more understanding about serious issues such as the same-sex marriage ban."\nThe GLBT office offers many opportunities for students across campus to become educated on same-sex issues such as panels and guest speakers. Bauder urges students to understand that the GLBT SSS is not an advocacy group, but an educational and support resource for students on campus, he said.\n"We will educate students as best we can on the issue of the same-sex marriage ban and lend support," Bauder said. "But it is the responsibility of students on campus who are against discrimination to get up and do something about it."\nBut not all groups on campus feel the ban discriminates. The IU College Republicans agree with the Republican Party's approach to same-sex marriage and believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman only.\nIU College Republicans are working closely with a local party that is promoting the proposal. Andrew Lauck, chairman of IU College Republicans, believes that the same-sex ban is needed to protect the American families. \n"The President believes and understands that the only way to fully protect the sanctity of marriage is a constitutional amendment," Lauck said.\nMatt Letteleir, internal vice chair of IU College Republicans, believes that the ban will have very little affect on the GLBT community at IU.\n"As most college students would agree, marriage is not prominent on college campuses," Letteleir said. "Therefore, the majority of the IU GLBT community is not subject to any ban while on this campus."\nSome groups on campus, such as the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, have taken a neutral stance on the ban. The Hillel Center has not programmed any special events that deal with the ban, nor has it encouraged students to sway one way or the other.\n"We have not actively supported or opposed the same-sex marriage ban," said Seth Schrank, the student president of Hillel. "What we do support are the rights of students. If a student wants to marry within their same sex, that is their choice and we fully support them." \n-- Contact Staff Writer Monica Dix at mcdix@indiana.edu.