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Opening Arguments

One way to be gay-friendly

I guess I see the state's point. Gay marriages aren't recognized here, so it's not exactly logical for a gay couple married elsewhere to seek a divorce here. But that creates a problem:

Gay and lesbian couples from Indiana can get married in more places than ever, but they could face a legal dilemma after they return home.

If the relationship sours, the lack of recognition for such unions in Indiana law presents couples with a classic Catch-22: They can't obtain a divorce in their home state because their marriage is void here, and they can't easily seek one where they were married because of residency requirements for divorce.

A Marion County court recently denied a divorce for a Hoosier couple because of the state's ban on same-sex marriages, creating an unresolved issue that could cause trouble if either decides to enter into a new marriage.

Legislators have frequently been told that appearing unfriendly to gays could end up costing the state economically. Maybe there's a way to recoup some of those losses. Since we don't like gay marriage here anyway (or at least our lawmakers, presuming to speak for us, don't), why not capitalize on that and become the Las Vegas of gay divorces? We could take out ads on TV and in national magazines: "Want to get on with your life but can't untie the knot? Come to Indiana, home of the instant split!"

Comments

littlejohn
Mon, 09/14/2009 - 11:56am

I suspect our lawmaker don't care one way or the other about gay marriage. They just know that in order to get re-elected, they have to pretend to hate gays. This is, after all, Indiana. We would never vote for a compassionate, sophisticated candidate. After all, the Republicans nominated a mayoral candidate who campaigned in large measure on his opposition to legal abortion, an issue the city government has absolutely no control over. But he understood we're a bunch of NASCAR morons. Bring on Hank Junior!

Michael B-P
Mon, 09/14/2009 - 6:50pm

Well, littlejohn, the only problem with your suspicion regarding our lawmakers is that you follow it with an assertion that contradicts confirmation of your suspicion. If indeed the second assertion is true, then its predecessor suspicion is false, i.e., then lawmaker(s) do indeed care about gay marriage; they just care about it differently (and perhaps more cynically) than you do. Instead of merely inveighing against what you consider to be prejudice and backwardness, why not publicly promote what you believe to be a more enlightened approach to the issue? Personally, I tend to take an even more cynical view toward politicians in general (as in, "we have the best government money can buy"), but it's not completely unheard of that someone somewhere of conviction who aspires to influence policy eventually gains their opportunity effect change.

tim zank
Mon, 09/14/2009 - 7:27pm

Littlejohn sez: "But he understood we

Lewis_allen
Mon, 09/14/2009 - 8:03pm

I remember watching a debate among the republican contenders for governor, and being pleasantly surprised at Mitch Daniel's answer to a question about gay marriage. I'm paraphrasing, but he basically said that while he wasn't in favor of gay marriage, he thought that there was room for recognition of civil unions. Big lead or not, it took some guts for him to say that. Basically, he knew he could run to the left of the social conservative Eric Miller and still win. But I think it was also the businessman in him who knew that alienating gay talent would not be good for the state or for business. Still, he could have easily agreed with Miller and not lose any points. One could even hope that like some old-school conservatives, he's more of a live-and-let live sort of republican, more concerned with pragmatic and fiscal issues than divisive social ones.

littlejohn
Tue, 09/15/2009 - 10:38am

Why do I live here? Because I have a journalism degree and extensive newspaper experience. Ask the folks here at the News Sentinel if they're hiring or whether they're laying off. A J-school degree isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Find me a job elsewhere, and I'll start packing. I really don't mean to be too harsh, though. After all, I grew up in West Virginia. I made money during summer breaks catching and selling rattlesnakes to an area church. True story!

Leo Morris
Tue, 09/15/2009 - 1:54pm

Our Kentucky snakes can whip your West Virginia snakes, and don't you forget it.

kent strock
Wed, 09/16/2009 - 9:44am

Littlejohn,

I would like to speak with you about the snake handling. I teach an intro Anthropology class and we watch the 60's documentary "Holy Ghose People". Please contact me...sigmund5@hotmail.com
thanks,
Kent

littlejohn
Wed, 09/16/2009 - 12:53pm

Mr. Strock:
I tried to send you an email, but clicking your address didn't work. Anyway, I'm certainly no expert on snake-handling.
But I can refer you to my friend James Haught, editor of The Charleston Gazette, Charleston, WV. Jim filmed a snake-handling service in about 1970. It's a fascinating watch.The folks at the church in Jolo also drank battery acid. The same Bible verse apparently promises immunity from both "serpents" and poison to people of sufficient faith. It's astonishing anyone survived the services.

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