City Council members propose same-sex marriage resolution

Bloomington City Council members Susan Sandberg, Tim Mayer and Darryl Neher are working on a resolution for marriage equality.

“A resolution is nonbinding. It is a statement that basically says this is our position that we feel in our hearts best represents our community,” Sandberg said.

The resolution will state that Bloomington supports same-sex marriage and does not support the possibility of the state constitution only recognizing marriage between a man and woman.

The first step was having a community listening session where the city council members co-sponsoring the resolution listened to the community’s thoughts, Sandberg said.

“Before we ever get off the ground with a draft like this, it is important that we talk to people with a vested interest,” Sandberg said.

Sandberg said it is time to stop discriminating against our brothers and sisters in the community who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

“We feel that it is morally wrong and materially wrong,” she said. “It is bad for business and sends the message that Indiana is backwards.”

Sandberg said this is a plain and simple matter of civil rights and not having marriage equality will be bad for the economy. While trying to recruit talent, companies are looking for the brightest and best individuals, who could be gay or lesbian, she said.
“People will leave the state because they can find opportunities in other states that do allow marriage,” Sandberg said.

Sandberg said they hope to have the resolution in front of the council in December.
“Knowing my colleagues on the city council, it would not surprise me if it was a 9-0 resolution,” she said.

Mayer said Bloomington is considered a fairly liberal community, but issues surrounding sexual activity and gender tend to bring out people on both sides of the issue.

“I just think it’s really the right thing to do. If people love each other, that’s great,” Mayer said. “I am not too concerned about who they are and what their gender is.”
“We seek marriage equality among consenting partners,” he said.

Once the resolution is done, it will be forwarded to the state legislature “because that’s who we’re really talking to here,” Mayer said.

Other organizations are working to change the proposed definition of marriage.

Freedom Indiana is a bipartisan coalition of businesses, faith leaders, civil rights and community organizations, and individuals who are uniting to defeat House Joint Resolution 6, the proposed Indiana Constitutional amendment banning same-sex
marriage.

“The Bloomington resolution reflects the will of the folks in Bloomington, and we believe it’s part of the larger dialogue about why this amendment is wrong for Indiana and our families,” said Jennifer Wagner, spokesperson for Freedom Indiana.

The majority of Hoosiers do not want to debate same-sex marriage via the Indiana Constitution, Wagner said.

Mayer said more and more the states seem to be moving in the direction of recognizing same-sex marriage. As a younger demographic comes into vote, there is more support for same-sex marriage and less concern.

If anyone would like to provide information, data or opinions, they may send them to
council@bloomington.in.gov.

“There will be people who are opposed to it, and I understand that and respect it,” Mayer said. “People have to follow their values.”

Follow reporter Mary Hauber on Twitter @mary_hauber.