Iowa is an Example of Why We Need Defense of Marriage Amendment

IN State Rep. confronts Speaker Bauer over the need for a marriage amendment in Indiana because of the recent ruling in Iowa

Following the recent outrageous ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court, in which that state's defense of marriage legislation was ruled unconstitutional, State Representative P. Eric Turner (R-Marion) spoke out on the need for a marriage amendment to protect marriage in Indiana from a similar fate.  Read his full statement hereExcerpt:

Today's Iowa decision upheld a 2007 district court judge's ruling that the law violates the state constitution. It strikes the language from Iowa code limiting marriage to only between a man and a woman.

"The court reaffirmed that a statute inconsistent with the Iowa constitution must be declared void even though it may be supported by strong and deep-seated traditional beliefs and popular opinion," a court-issued release said.

"Speaker Bauer has said many times Indiana's statute is sufficient to protect the sanctity of marriage," Rep. Turner said. "If he believes in that sanctity, he needs to take the Defense of Marriage Amendment seriously."

Earlier this legislative session, Rep. Turner, along with Rep. Dave Cheatham (D-North Vernon), authored the Defense of Marriage Amendment during this session of the General Assembly. If the resolution is passed by two consecutive terms of the General Assembly and Hoosier voters as part of a referendum, it would become part of the Indiana Constitution.