LETTER to EDITOR: OCT Version - (Randy STudt) OCT 29, 2013 The recent decision of Indiana University under the leadership of President MacRobbie to join the Freedom Indiana fight against HJR6 has stirred quite a bit of debate. Many argue that public institutions should not weigh into the battle over the marriage discrimination amendment and whether it should come to a public ballot issue. But lets consider that Indiana University (as well as Purdue University, Ball State and Indiana State) have hired and promoted individual faculty and staff who consider domestic partner benefits as part of their compensation. This is a personnel and personal issue. Supporters of HJR6 claim that its wording wont affect these situations (or private arrangements in corporations). Yet, how many benefits have to accrue before they become substantially similar to a marriage and therefore illegal under the second half of the Amendment? How long after passage will it be before a conservative group or individual files a claim to force these benefits to end? Even if they dont care about these individuals, state legislators must recognize that this is just one of the many unintended consequences to come. Has your legislator really considered all the angles? What will Purdue do to protect its own? Have you asked?
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 02:13:34 +0000