Comments on Advance Indiana™: SJR-7 Opponents Deliver One-Two Punch

As an instructor at Ball State University, and a n...

2007-03-30T08:38:00.000-05:00

As an instructor at Ball State University, and a nearly life-long Indiana resident, I am more than a little concerned about this bill. While the wording of the amendment would not bar private corporations from offering same-sex benefits, government agencies and public universities would be barred.

This leaves some of the most educated members of the Indiana populace, namely the professorial staff of IU, Purdue, Ball State, Indiana State, IUPUI, and the like in a climate where their relationships are not offered even the most basic of recognition. With Governor Daniels' push to keep educated Hoosiers in the state, thus benefiting the Indiana workforce and economy, the passage of this amendment would be a setback beyond measure.

When you tie the hands of universities from offering domestic partnership benefits, you are telling the gay and lesbian professors that, despite their education and expertise, they are not welcome in the state of Indiana. The mass exodus of professors that may result from the passage of this amendment would be a huge slap in the face to the state.

This could also have unforeseen side effects on the Indiana economy. According to Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Communication, when one examines dual income households, gay and lesbian couples are the most affluent minority group in the nation.

In fact, according to MediaPost Publication in June 2003, "a published survey from the University of Georgia measured the buying power of this market to be in excess of $450 billion, with a similar marketing survey by Simmons Market Research showing an average household income of a typical gay male to be 41 percent over the national average."

Are our representatives in Indianapolis considering what they will do to the Indiana economy if this travesty of legal precedent is passed? It appears that, yet again, ideology has taken a back seat to what they are truly there to do: see to the betterment of the state of Indiana.

Should this amendment pass, I will be looking to a more gay-friendly state for employment.

Just curious, where was Lilly in all this? I unde...

2007-03-22T21:40:00.000-05:00

Just curious, where was Lilly in all this? I understood that they were extremely "family" friendly with some high ranking execs playing for our team?

Is that off the mark, are they working behind the scenes, or is there some other explanation?

cannot remember her name. Your point is precisely...

2007-03-21T18:51:00.000-05:00

cannot remember her name. Your point is precisely mine: our organized lobbyists should've been queing up our witnesses, with proper cue remarks, and she should've been closer to the front.

Our side went last. Sometimes that's good. Often, it's not. Most of the news accounts I've read to date have not even mentioned her domestic violence enforcement angle.

Tully had left long before then. So had many reporters. Some stayed to the bitter end. Speaking of reporters, someone needs to remind RiShawn that when in public, he needs to at least look interested, instead of a spoiled brat sentenced to attend soemthing. Grow up already, and hang ground for all the meeting.

Blomquest was short, sweet, punchy, to-the-point. She basically said, the critical phrases would harm her organization's abilities to properly prosecute some domestic crimes.

Because sometimes, men beat up women to whom they're not married, but with whom they are in a relationship. Domestic violence laws are written to infer same-domicile or relationship status on those who are sometimes beaten by these men. All existing domestic violence laws would have to be rewritten if this Amendment passes, to avoid potential throwing-out of some cases.

Her warning was a shot across the bow. It gives any representative sufficient cover to vote against the Amendment as now written.

She was witty, too.

As for archives, I doubt we've entered the 21st century in that regard yet. For heck's sake, the committee members didn't even have a mike until late in the hearing. Not that I needed Eric Turner's or Ralph Foley's narrow-mindedness amplified, but it would've been nice to hear all their questions. 2007 indeed.

Does anyone know if the committee hearings are arc...

2007-03-21T18:21:00.001-05:00

Does anyone know if the committee hearings are archived and available online like the Senate sessions are?

Unfortunately, I had to step out early and I misse...

2007-03-21T18:21:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, I had to step out early and I missed her testimony. I assume you're referring to Blomquist.

oh, yeah--one more thing. The domestic violence n...

2007-03-21T17:20:00.000-05:00

oh, yeah--one more thing. The domestic violence network lady attorney at the end--fantastic!

I attended, also, and thought the good professor's...

2007-03-21T17:08:00.000-05:00

I attended, also, and thought the good professor's arguments were spot-on. You'll notice Reps. Foley and Turner had no questions for her. That's because, intellectually, well...let's just say she was far their (combined) superior.

The Wellpoint and Cummins representatives were nice to hear. But I'm afraid, again, IE served us poorly. The businessmen's first comments were about their companies' ability to offer same-sex benefits in the future. That is not part of the current Amendment debate.

The culture of non-acceptance..now that's paydirt. Private companies' ability to offer these benefits is not addressed by this legislation. I heard Turner later dismissing Cummins's efforts, and you can bet he'll continue that diatribe. Completely avoidable.

If only the opponents' messages had been coordinated and well-planned. The professor and Sherfick would've gone first. The business representatives would've complained about the culture of non-acceptance, instead of the potential shutdown of same-sex partner benefits in the private sector. That culture diminishes our state's attractiveness to many future employees.

Pelath did a great job. A huge "attaboy" to Rep. Kuzman. Let's remember his excellent reasoning, next year, if he's seriously challenged by King Eric's minions. He made need our help.