Pride over politics

Local Republican precinct representative Mark Brostoff quit the GOP this weekend in protest of President George W. Bush's stance on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. \nBrostoff, a former Democrat, said while he understands dissention within the ranks of a political party is to be expected, he decided the president's remarks crossed a political line.\n"I think the bottom line is that there comes a time when you have to put issues above politics," Brostoff said. "The concept of a gay marriage amendment to legalize discrimination against a category of people is so important that it's best to speak out on it."\nBrostoff, a two-time candidate for the Bloomington City Council and openly gay Bloomington resident, said the Monroe County Republican Party will appoint a precinct committee member to his post within the party. \nBrostoff is also employed by the IU Kelley School of Business as associate director of undergraduate career services.\nHis decision to resign in protest rather than fight within the ranks underscores the polarizing effect gay marriage has had on Indiana politicians. Last week, Republican members of the Indiana General Assembly stormed out of the Statehouse to protest the Democrat's refusal to discuss a ban on gay marriage. \n"I think politicians are being forced to make a choice," said Doug Bauder, director of IU's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered services. "Mark has a lot of credibility. I applaud Mark's courage because I'm sure it took some soul searching." \nBauder said the issue isn't an easy matter because of the complicated feelings it arouses in people. Gay marriage affects people beyond simply politics, he said.\n"It's just not a religious issue," he said. "It's a political issue and a legal issue; it's got so many layers."\nDax Norton, a Bloomington resident affiliated with the Republican party and future candidate for County Council, said he understands Brostoff's decision to resign. Norton said gay marriage is a hugely divisive issue for the legislators of the Indiana General Assembly. \n"I think Mark did a lot for the Republican party," Norton said. "I don't blame him for doing what he did, considering that you have a whole group of Republicans walk out on the Assembly and not get their issues finished because of the issue of gay marriage. It's very disconcerting." \nNorton said he wouldn't stand in the way of gay marriage because it doesn't affect his household, but he is concerned about the issues the legislature ignored in place of the debate on gay marriage.\n"The General Assembly is basically dead, and bills aren't being taken care of because of an issue that I consider to be moot," Norton said. "Don't stop the General Assembly over one issue."\nBrostoff said while he is glad his actions are sparking debate, he ultimately wanted to shed light on the issue.\n"I want to humanize the issue and show people how damaging it can be to people," he said. "People need to see that this can affect their neighbors, their families. Maybe this will open some eyes."\n-- Contact city & state editor Kehla West at krwest@indiana.edu.