Rally in Indiana PA to support marriage rights for everyone : Pittsburgh Indymedia

Rally in Indiana PA to support marriage rights for everyone
by Scott Conrad Tuesday, Mar. 02, 2004 at 8:36 PM
scottc@warbeast.com

Students and Community Members show support for marriage rights for same sex couples and against Bush administration's discriminitory amendment plans.

On Saturday, Febuary 28th, a rally was held in Indiana, PA, to support marriage rights for everyone and in response to George Bush's attack on same-sex marriage. The Rally was held in the Oak Grove of Indiana University of Pennsylvania's campus ,organized by I.U.P's Pride Alliance and supported by the Indiana Cares Campaign (to end homophobia) a community group. I counted 64 people in attendance. Seven people spoke, begining with Lisa Moyer a sociology major and the president of Pride Alliance. Lisa then introduced Beccie Livermore of the Indiana Cares Campaign who spoke about what ICC is doing to educate and raise awareness and urged people to get involved. Will Hibert, a religious studies and philosophy major, who identifes himself as both gay and Christian stated that ``God is love'' and that ``God loves everyone and that those who read hate into the bible are not following the word of God.'' Will also expressed some dissaproval with those that would take the Old Testiment literaly. Whitney Hampson, a history and theater major, spoke about how everyones love is legitimate, and that the government is trying to invalidate gay couples love, but they cannot because it is real. Speaking to me after the rally Whitney said ``When I saw the pictures of the couples in San Francisco and how happy they were, it just made sence to me that marriage is about love.'' Whitney also spoke briefly about the need for adoption rights for same sex couples. Marie Macchiarolo, a religious studies major, and Rachael Goss, two women who plan to get married this summer in Indiana's Unitarian Universalist church spoke next, they gave details about how civil unions did not offer the same protections under the law that marriage gives. Harvey Holtz an I.U.P sociology professor spoke last giving a historical perspective of the civil rights movement and the gay rights movement, how they have learned from and advanced each other and what progress has been made. Harvey concluded his talk with ``May all the lovers be able to marry and may America realize its promise!''

On Friday Febuary 27th in conjunction with this rally two same sex couples, Marie and Rachael and B. J. Zimmerman, a criminology major, and her partner Sue Grower, and supporters went to the Indiana County courthouse to apply for marrige licences. Marie and Rachael related the events that transpired. They said that the woman who helped them looked puzzled for a moment and then handed them a paper in very large bold text that states ``POLICY REGARDING APPLICATIONS FOR MARRIAGE LICENSES BY PERSON OF THE SAME SEX (person is singular in the document) This office will not issue a marriage license to two persons of the same sex. Although the statute which controls the grant of marriage licenses is not gender specific, the common law, other Pennsylvania statutes, and legal treaties define civil marriage as a contract between husband and wife. The words husband and wife are gender specific in all legal contexts. The legal rights and obligations which exist between husband and wife are serious matters, and not mere formalities. Accordingly, this office will reject applications for marriage licences by two members of the same sex, and will also refuse any request to record any purported declaration of marriage between two individuals of the same sex.'' attached to this page by a staple is a photocopy from a law book with ``MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 23 PA.C.S.A. 1704 Marriage between persons of the same sex. It is hereby declared to be the strong and longstanding public policy of this Commonwealth that marriage shall be between one man and one woman. A marriage between persons of the same sex which was entered into in another state or foreign jurisdiction, even if valid where entered into, shall be void in this Commonwealth. 1996, Oct. 16, P.L. 706, No. 124, 2, effective in 60 days.`` This is the paper being held up in the photos of this event. Rachael and Marie said that they plan to continue with their plans to marry regardless of whether the government recognises it or not. After the conclusion of the rally a reception was held in the Delaware room of Hadley Union Building of the I.U.P Campus, there were refreshments, music and dancing.

TITLE	AUTHOR	DATE
true love is hard to find	kristen	Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2004 at 7:04 PM
true love is hard to find	kristen	Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2004 at 6:57 PM
true love is hard to find	kristen	Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2004 at 6:55 PM
true love is hard to find	kristen	Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2004 at 6:54 PM
true love is hard to find	kristen	Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2004 at 6:53 PM
true love is hard to find	kristen	Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2004 at 6:53 PM
true love is hard to find	kristen	Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2004 at 6:52 PM
true love is hard to find	kristen	Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2004 at 6:51 PM
true love is hard to find	kristen	Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2004 at 6:50 PM
true love is hard to find	kristen	Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2004 at 6:49 PM

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