Legislation Would Establish Traditional Marriage as Preferred State Policy
Sen. Miller Seeks to Resurrect Assisted Reproduction Ban for Singles, Same-Sex Couples
1/28/2006
House Bill 1335 (Preference for marriage over other relationships) and House Bill 1202 (Preference for marriage; instruction by schools)
Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton), author of this two bills, would have Indiana law declare that marriage is preferred, encouraged, and supported over any other domestic relationship. Additionally, he would require that public schools not allow instruction that is contrary to policies established by law concerning marriage. HB 1335 has been assigned to the House Public Policy and Veterans Affairs Committee; HB 1202 has been sent to the House Education Committee. Neither bill is yet scheduled for committee consideration. This legislation appears to be in response to the idea among some social conservatives that schools are promoting homosexuality. In truth, this is another attempt to make second class citizens of LGBT Hoosiers.
Senate Bill 0273 (Abandoned embryos and adoption matters)
Introduced by Sen. Patricia Miller (R-Indianapolis), among other things this legislation calls for the Health Finance Commission to study assisted reproduction, infertility, gestational agreements, and surrogacy arrangements. SB 0273 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee; however, no hearing date has been set. The proposed study appears to be an attempt by Sen. Miller to resurrect her unsuccessful proposal to make assisted reproduction illegal for same-sex couples.
Senate Bill 0005 and House Bill 1201 address disorderly conduct at funerals. These two proposals address the tactics of the Rev. Fred Phelps, the Kansas minister who has travel the country protesting at the funerals of gay men, and has recently begun protesting at the funerals of service men and women, declaring that their deaths are Gods wrath against the United States for the countrys tolerance of homosexuality. SB 0005 has been authored by Sen. Brent Steele (R-Bedford) while HB 1201 was introduced by Rep. Phil Hoy (D-Evansville).
How You Can Help!
* Contact your State Representative and let him/her know of your concerns regarding HB 1202 and HB 1335. Ask them to reject these two proposals and support full equality for all Hoosiers.
* Contact your State Senator regarding SB 0273, and tell them of your opposition to restrictions on assisted reproduction.
* Make a contribution to support IEs advocacy and lobbying efforts. Make checks payable to Indiana Equality and mail to PO Box 20621, . You can also donate on-line at http://www.indianaequality.org.
* Volunteer to help our initiative. Contact us by sending an e-mail to or mail to the above address.
* Join our Action Network and assist with communications to our elected officials about supporting equal protection under the law for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Hoosiers. To sign up, go to the IE website or send us an to receive regular updates.
Important Contact Information
For information on contacting the legislators who represent you, go to
www.in.gov/legislative/legislators.
If you do not know who represents you, find out by going to Project Vote Smart - A Voter's Self Defense System at
www.vote-smart.org
For details on legislation, visit the Indiana General Assembly website at
www.in.gov/legislative
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Senate:
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