EVANSVILLE— The Evansville City Council took a stand Monday against putting a definition of marriage in Indiana’s constitution.
A resolution stating the council’s opposition to HJR-6, which would amend the constitution to state “only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana” and ban civil unions, passed 9-0. It will be given to the General Assembly.
The Council has eight Democrats and one Republican. Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, a Republican, wrote to area legislators last week taking the same position. The Council's resolution was introduced by all nine members.
Approval of a constitutional amendment by the General Assembly would mean a statewide vote. Councilwoman Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley, D-3rd Ward, said a prolonged statewide debate would be divisive and flood airwaves with special interest advertising from outside Indiana.
Existing law states that only a male and female may be married in Indiana, and Brinkerhoff-Riley said the fight over a constitutional amendment “is an unnecessary exercise and a waste of money ... It’s just going to hijack our state for the next year.”
The Council’s resolution states that “discrimination in any form adversely impacts the ability of industry to attract the best employees” and the Council’s obligation is to “promote economic development and to insure that industry is not discouraged from doing business in the City of Evansville.”
Jim Braker addressed the Council in opposition to the resolution, saying the “people should decide” whether the constitution is amended.
Brenda Bergwitz agreed with Braker and said “we have a responsibility to our younger generation” to promote traditional marriage and uphold “morals of God.”
Many other people at the Council meeting supported the resolution, standing and applauding after the 9-0 vote.
Glenda Walden, pastor of Unity Church of Evansville, said she left Indiana years ago “because I found it closed-minded and prejudiced. But I came home ... and I stand before you proud.”
Tri-State Alliance Board President Wally Paynter told the City Council that passing such a resolution “takes courage, and you’re showing it.”
Marvaline Prince said that as an African-American, “I know what discrimination feels like. Everybody should be treated fairly and equally.”