Hoosiers Unite for Marriage launches to amplify why marriage matters in Indiana

Today, marriage supporters from across the state of Indiana came together to launch Hoosiers Unite for Marriage, a robust, broadbased bipartisan campaign to move marriage forward and make the case that Indiana is ready for the freedom to marry.

Freedom to Marry is proud to serve as a founding and leading member of the public education campaign, a project launched in conjunction with Liberty Indiana and the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. 

We stand alongside this coalition of local and national partners and supporters from across the state, all with the aim of broadening the conversation about marriage for same-sex couples across the state. The campaign will showcase the diversity of Hoosiers who support the freedom to marry, and sending the message that now is the time to allow everyone in Indiana to marry the person they love.

Today's launch comes just a few months after the robust coalition Freedom Indiana worked to halt HJR-3, the divisive anti-freedom amendment that sought to permanently ban legal protections for same-sex couples and their families. Now, it's time to build off of that momentum - as well as the momentum from an April 2014 federal court ruling requiring Indiana to respect one same-sex couple's marriage - until all families in Indiana can share in the protections of marriage. 

Freedom Oklahoma was founded weeks after the state’s announcement that it would appeal the marriage victory in Bishop v. Smith, a federal court decision struck down a state constitutional amendment restricting marriage to different-sex couples. Oral arguments will be heard in Bishop v. Smith at the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on April 17.

Kyle Megrath, Marriage Coordinator for Hoosiers Unite for Marriage, explained today:

This is a critical time. Like never before, Hoosiers are talking about what marriage means – and are rapidly coming to the conclusion that it is wrong to exclude same-sex couples from marriage just because of who they are. Hoosiers Unite for Marriage will focus on continuing this important conversation in communities across our state to change hearts and minds and continue to build support for the freedom to marry for all Hoosiers.

Freedom to Marry founder and president Evan Wolfson added

From dinner tables to church pews, from the State Capitol to Main Street, Hoosiers are talking about why marriage matters, and joining the majority of Americans who have come to understand that it’s time to end marriage discrimination. Freedom to Marry was a key partner of Freedom Indiana as we worked to block HJR-3, and we’re working now with Hoosiers Unites for Marriage to continue the statewide conversation about treating all Indiana families fairly and equally. With 20 consecutive court rulings against marriage discrimination, and none going the other way, our country is proving every day that all American families deserve freedom and fairness – and that includes Indiana’s loving and committed same-sex couples seeking the freedom to marry.

Check out the entire Hoosiers Unite for Marriage website HERE.