Applaud Indiana Lawmakers for Allowing One Same-Sex Marriage; Now, Make it Legal for All

Applaud Indiana Lawmakers for Allowing One Same-Sex Marriage; Now, Make it Legal for All

Target: Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals (Seventh Circuit) Diane Wood

Goal: Commend lawmakers for ruling that the marriage of one same-sex couple  and urge them to rule that same-sex marriage should be upheld across the board

Excerpt: The state of Indiana has recently seen turmoil with regards to laws banning same-sex marriages. In the face of a stay ordering a freeze on new marriages, a federal appeals court has ordered for the recognition of the marriage of one same-sex couple.  Commend lawmakers for this ruling and urge them to rule that same-sex marriage should be upheld across the board.

The state of Indiana has recently seen turmoil with regards to laws banning same-sex marriages. As of June 26, 2014, a federal judged ruled that the recent ban on same-sex marriages in the state of Indiana was unconstitutional. Many couples in Indiana immediately raced to the Marion County Clerk's office in Indianapolis to tie the knot.

However, a federal appeals court promptly called for an emergency stay, meaning that the enforcement of the prior court judgment to ban same-sex marriages is temporarily nullified. This means that couples who had previously been married prior to the stay may not be entitled to their newly-found (and somewhat limited) rights while the courts battle out the appeal.

Even if the appeal is upheld and the ban on same-sex marriage is overturned, gay couples in Indiana enjoy may not equal rights. _USA Today_ reports on several arenas where discrimination against same-sex couples exists. Health insurance providers, for example, may choose to cover spouses, but they have the right to refuse to provide coverage for same-sex couples. Tax rules and civil/social liberties related to hospital visitation rights, death certificates, and adoptions are also subject to interpretation of state and/or local rulings and may not ensure equal rights for same-sex couples.

Three is one beacon of hope in this tumultuous story, which is the recognition of one particular same-sex marriage of Amy Sandler and Niki Quasney, who has is in a life-threatening battle with ovarian cancer. On July 1, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state must recognize the marriage of this couple, irrespective of the stay.

Join the fight for equal rights for all Americans and applaud Chief Judge Wood for the recognition of this marriage. Further urge Indiana lawmakers to fight to keep the ban on same-sex marriage overturned.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Judge Wood,

The state of Indiana is in a state of turmoil with respective to same-sex marriage and equal rights for all people who reside there. With the recent overturning of the ban on same-sex marriage followed by the stay limiting new couples from getting married, many individuals in Indiana are hurting. What's more, even if the overturning of the ban is upheld, gay couples in Indiana may not enjoy the same rights as others, including limitations on tax laws benefiting couples and limitations on other civil and social liberties.

I applaud your judgment in the case brought to the courts by Amy Sandler and Niki Quasney, who were able to protect their right to remain married. I urge you to use your influence and character to explain to others why it is so important that equal rights in marriage and civil liberties be extended to all individuals in Indiana, without discrimination.

Yours Sincerely,

[Your name here]

Photo credit: Tom Morris via Wikimedia Commons