Gay marriage resolution passes in Congress

After being presented with a resolution by United DePauw a week earlier, Student Congress passed a white paper Sunday night opposing a ban to gay marriage. The white paper stated "The DePauw student government believes that it is unjust and discriminatory to deny same-sex couples legal access to civil marriage and to all its inherent benefits and rights."

Now after debating the issue, congress voted through open ballot. The white paper was passed 54 to 13, with 18 abstentions.

"I'm really excited," said Brandon Monson, public relations chair for United DePauw. "I'm glad people decided to vote for it."

The paper didn't pass without a debate. Concerns about misrepresenting the University were voiced, as well as the need for clarification of the terms included in the white paper. Monson said by voting, it wouldn't mean that a student necessarily supports gay marriage, but that the student believes it is unjust to deny one person his/her rights.

"I was happy with the way the meeting went," said John Schomburg, Student Congress president, via e-mail. "We were expecting a large number of people to show up, and to have a good debate on the issue. I was happy to see that even though we were talking about a controversial issue, people treated it with respect and were conscientious of others' opinions."

Schomberg said discussing such a controversial national issue was fairly new for congress.

"I think that students will bring forward issues that affect them," he said. "In this case, it was a civil rights issue, which affects a group of students on campus. I would hope that if similar situations arise, students will bring their concerns to Student Congress."

After a summer vote to ban gay marriage in the state of Indiana, the state legislature has recently placed a deadlock on the bill, silencing the issue for the year. However, Monson said, the issue will be brought up again in February 2008 at the next legislative process, thus the reason for continuing the discussion on DePauw's campus.

"It won't happen in 2007, but it will happen this school year," he said.

Monson also said United DePauw hopes the University will be able to come forward and take a stance on the issue. Indiana University, Wabash University and Ball State University have similar goals in mind, Monson added.

DePauw is the farthest along in the process. Monson said DePauw and the other universities involved hope that by February each university can approach the legislature with a position on the matter.

The issue is currently on the faculty's agenda, and will be discussed at the Oct. 1 meeting. On Oct. 27, Monson will meet with the Student Life and Academic Atmosphere Committee (SLAAC), to discuss the issue. President Robert G. Bottoms will be present at this meeting.

United DePauw and SLAAC met before Sunday's meeting of Student Congress, as well Monson said the committee "was 100 percent behind it." The student government presidents' cabinet voted as well, and approved it without opposition.

"I didn't think [the process] would go this fast," Monson said.

As the issue continues to be filtered throughout campus, Monson said members of United DePauw are hopeful they will meet their final goal.

"We want DePauw to come out and recognize marriage equality as an issue, and take a stance on it," Monson said.