Often, it is not what is said but what goes unsaid that speaks volumes about where someone stands on an issue.
Indiana could be placed at the center of a national debate on the definition of marriage next year if voters are asked to approve a controversial amendment.
Experts say the amendment, if passed, could have an impact on everything from benefits for unmarried couples regardless of orientation, to commerce in the state.
National lobbying organizations are expected to invest millions to help Freedom Indiana, which opposes the amendment, and the Indiana Family Institute, who supports it, get voters on both sides of the issue out to the polls.
Yet, it seems little discussion about the issue is taking place in the local African-American community.
“How does our African-American community feel about the marriage amendment issue? No one really knows,” Amos Brown, host of WTLC-AM’s “Afternoons With Amos” wrote in his column last week.
The Indiana Marriage Discrimination Amendment, or House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR-6), which defines marriage in the state as between one man and one woman, will have to be approved by the Indiana General Assembly for a second time during its upcoming session, which starts in January.
Then during the November general election, if a majority of voters support the amendment it will become law.
Specifically, HJR-6 states, “Only a marriage between one (1) man and one (1) woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.”
As the legislative session approaches, more organizations and institutions are making their views about the amendment known.
Recently, the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, voted to oppose the amendment, saying that it could hamper business growth and economic development if the state is perceived as intolerant.
“The Indy Chamber is in the business of strengthening our economy and attracting top talent to our region,” said chairman John Thompson, a leading African-American entrepreneur. “The proposed marriage amendment does nothing to help show the nation that Indiana is a place that welcomes all, not just some. And we must be mindful of how actions such as this will impact our competitiveness on a national and global level.”
Earlier this week, DePauw University and Wabash College voiced opposition to the amendment.
However, discussion in the general African-American community and among its organizations does not seem to be occurring, at least publicly.
This week, calls were placed to the local offices of the NAACP, the Indianapolis Urban League and the Marion County Bar Association. Requests for comment on the amendment were not returned by press time.
In May, the national board of the NAACP announced its support for what it calls marriage equality.
“The mission of the NAACP has always been to ensure the political, social and economic equality of all people,” said Roslyn Brock, chairman of the board. “We have and will oppose efforts to codify discrimination into law.”
Some of those who are concerned about the decline of marriages and African-American families have previously announced their support for the amendment. Churches, which have historically held significant influence in the African-American community, have come out in support of the amendment.
In an earlier interview, Rev. Fitzhugh Lyons, pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis, said he believes that no one should be discriminated against, but says the church has no choice but to support marriage as between a man and a woman.
“Anything else clearly violates the Word of God, and as ministers we can’t endorse that,” Lyons said. “Loopholes can’t be left that would allow a person to marry another person of the same gender, so the definition of marriage must be protected and made specific.”
Vernon Williams, communications director for Indiana Black Expo, reasonably noted that as a non-profit entity, the organization does not have a position on the amendment or any other legislation under consideration.
“We do not take positions on political issues,” Williams said.
