Council discusses gay marriage

Wednesday night's Bloomington City Council meeting saw a continuance of Bloomington and Indiana residents' quarrel over gay marriage\nIn response to recent events surrounding the controversy over the amendment proposal to legally define marriage by the Indiana General Assembly, members of the newly formed BloomingPride voiced their opinions on the matter.\nMembers of the group used public forum time from the council's meeting to speak out against the Indiana General Assembly attempts to try and change the Indiana Constitution concerning the definition of marriage. \nMembers of the council -- while supportive of same-gender marriage -- spoke of the need to spend precious legislation time on more important matters.\nCouncil at Large representative Chris Gaal said Bloomington welcomes the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, but the Indiana GOP needs to divert their attention to more pressing issues, such as the economy.\n"We were the first city in Indiana to offer diversity. We encourage diversity and tolerance and drive our national market in Bloomington for gay and lesbian visitors ... this makes Bloomington, Bloomington. We need to help people in nontraditional relationships in certain issues concerning life partners ... we should be more compassionate," Gaal said. "This issue is distracting us from issues such as job creations and young educated people leaving this state."\nBloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan said, according to Indiana law, he would not be able to follow San Francisco and permit city officials to authorize marriage licenses, regardless of the gender of the partners. Kruzan said if he were to violate this, he would face a Class A Misdemeanor and could be disbarred.\n"I do not intend to issue licenses for same-sex marriages, just as I cannot issue opposite-sex licenses," Kruzan said.\nKruzan went on to say Indiana legislators are wasting time arguing the issue.\n"Cities' statues rest in providing affordable health care and creating jobs," Kruzan said. "As a 16-year member of the General Assembly, I've seen many ugly things occur in the hallways, but in this case, countless hours have gone to waste to skew an election year instead of talking about job growth, it's truly sad that in a new millennium, old ways are coming forward."\nThe issue is not only affecting the Bloomington community but also IU students who want Indiana legislators to be held more accountable for their actions.\nMatthew Briddell, a senior, said what current legislators are proposing is discriminatory toward gays and lesbians.\n"The federal constitution should not be altered to take rights away," Briddell said.\nDistrict V Representative David Sabbagh said he is saddened by the events occurring in the General Assembly.\n"Actions of the state government have serious impacts on citizens ... I am disappointed with Indiana House Republicans when they boycott sessions, when they could have worked on creating jobs, education, or moving Indiana into the 21st century," Sabbagh said. "The local government tools are limited by what the state government gives us."\nBriddell said same-sex marriages should be given the same attention as a heterosexual message.\n"I am trying to get same-sex marriages the same legal status as an opposite-sex marriage." Briddell said.