Freedom Indiana: We Can Fix This Mess

Freedom Indiana today announced a legislative proposal to counter the hate bill signed last week by Gov. Mike Pence.

“Governor Pence can’t answer the question, but we can,” said Freedom Indiana campaign manager Katie Blair. “It’s clear the RFRA, which has attracted so much local and national attention, is doing considerable damage to our state. Freedom Indiana is ready with a proactive legislative solution that will demonstrate our commitment to fair treatment for all and send the message that we’re open for business. We urge the General Assembly to act quickly and pass this into law.”

The “Fairness for All Hoosiers Act” legislative proposal would: Update the state laws against discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations to provide protections for LGBT Hoosiers; Clarify that the recently enacted RFRA cannot be used to allow discrimination prohibited under state or local laws.

“If we don’t act now, we will continue to do irreparable harm to Indiana’s economy and our ability to attract top talent and jobs to our state,” Blair said. “We’re presenting this solution as a way to start rebuilding our reputation and to move on from this harmful legislation by ensuring protections for all Hoosiers.”

INDIANA: House "Derails" Marriage Ban Bill By Changing Amendment Language

Zack Ford reports at Think Progress:

On Monday evening, the Indiana Republican-controlled House amended the language to House Joint Resolution 3 with a 52-43 vote, which will likely preven the state from sending a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage to the ballot in 2014. The change struck the second sentence of the amendment, which would have banned recognition of any legal status for same-sex couples that is “identical or substantially similar” to marriage. Many felt this intruded too much on benefits for same-sex couples, which are vital to ensuring businesses and universities in the state can competitively hire.

If HJR 3 passes the legislature its new form, it cannot be sent to voters this year. Amendments to the Indiana State Constitution must pass in the same exact form in two consecutive legislative sessions before being sent to the ballot. HJR 3 was first passed in 2011, but it now becomes a new amendment, which — presuming the new form passes the House and then the Senate — must itself be approved in a second legislative session, meaning the earliest voters would see it on the ballot is probably 2016. By then, the U.S. Supreme Court may well have ruled on one of the other state cases, such as those that have already advanced in Nevada, Utah, and Oklahoma, and the amendment could be moot.

Bolding above is mine. Freedom Indiana reacts:

Today’s vote bolsters the case supporters like you have helped us make all along: HJR-3 is a flawed bill and it has dangerous consequences for thousands of Hoosier families. The second sentence of HJR-3 would have far-reaching ramifications for gay and lesbian Hoosiers who just want to protect their families. Because HJR-3 was amended, even if the Senate approves this version of the bill, HJR-3 would still have to pass in the 2016 legislative session before reaching the ballot. We are incredibly grateful to members of the House — Democrats and Republicans — who did the right thing today by striking down this deeply-flawed and harmful clause. But we haven’t won yet. HJR-3 is still alive, and in order to ensure that it stays off the ballot — or at the very least, that the second sentence stays removed — we have to work harder than ever in the Senate, starting right now.

Freedom To Marry reacts via press release:

Today's vote to remove some of the extremist language in the proposed constitutional ban on marriage in Indiana is a welcome step back from the brink. This offers the possibility that Indiana’s families will not be subjected to a harsh campaign and offensive ballot-measure that would add cruel and unconstitutional language to Indiana’s state constitution. The support that we saw today from Indiana legislators—including Republicans—and the success in achieving this vote reflected the growing momentum for the freedom to marry the person you love, and a repudiation of the effort to strip gay Hoosiers and their families of all legal protection and respect. “While the amended bill represents an improvement on what the Speaker tried to railroad through, even by changing committees and twisting arms, it still is a deeply flawed and unconstitutional measure that merits defeat. So there is much more to do. Freedom to Marry will continue working alongside Freedom Indiana and our coalition partners through the end of this legislative session to try to persuade lawmakers to listen to the voices of families, business leaders, and others who want to see Indiana on the right side of history."

And here NOM spent ALL day flogging the bill. Heh.

INDIANA: Mary Cheney To Host Fundraiser To Fight Proposed Gay Marriage Ban

Mary Cheney will help Freedom Indiana raise money to fight that state's proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. From Cheney's message that accompanies the above image:

"Speaking out against HJR-6 isn’t a matter of politics. It’s about family. It’s about everyone feeling welcome in the state they call home. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect my wife Heather and our two children. And then I think about the thousands of same-sex couples and their families in Indiana who would be directly impacted by HJR-6, I’m committed to standing together and working across party lines to keep this amendment out of Indiana’s constitution. Freedom Indiana’s campaign is strong. And as the start of the legislative session quickly approaches, we can make it even stronger by pitching in to support the grassroots work across the state. Join me in Indianapolis on Wednesday, December 11th as we raise crucial funds and resources to protect Indiana’s constitution. Click here to get your ticket now. Thanks for everything you're doing to stop HJR-6. See you soon, Mary Cheney."

Mary Cheney infamously stayed silent in 2004 when the Bush/Cheney administration pushed for the Federal Marriage Amendment. And as Dan Savage eloquently noted last week, "Mary wrote that fucker a check" when Mitt Romney did the same thing last year. Can anybody recall if Mary Cheney has ever previously campaigned for the rights of her people? This might be a first, thanks, no doubt, to her sister Liz. (Tipped by JMG reader Charles)