Background
Marriage equality in the United States has been changing rapidly with 6 states and the District of Columbia currently allowing same-sex marriage. Washington will be added to the list in December 2012, Maine and Maryland in January 2013, and California pending further appeals. Although many great strides have been made in the past few years, there are still many states with constitutional bans on same-sex marriage and others in the process of creating new bans.
Here in Indiana, same-sex marriage is currently banned by law, but not by the state constitution. This could very well be changing in the next couple of years. Legislators in Indiana have already passed HJR-6 once in 2011, calling for a state constitutional amendment limiting marriage to one man and one woman. This resolution must pass a second time in 2013 and will then be placed on the election ballot for public referendum in November 2014. Given the conservative nature of Indiana, it could prove difficult to prevent HJR-6 from writing discrimination into our state constitution.
The Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) is the first state medical organization in the country to adopt a position statement publicly recognizing the health care disparities that exist in same-sex households due to exclusion from civil union or marriage, despite the conservative environment of the state. It is our hope that by spreading awareness of the public health aspects of the marriage equality debate, more medical associations in the country can become informed and, ultimately, support marriage equality for improved public health of all Americans. Please look through our website and continue to spread awareness!
Here in Indiana, same-sex marriage is currently banned by law, but not by the state constitution. This could very well be changing in the next couple of years. Legislators in Indiana have already passed HJR-6 once in 2011, calling for a state constitutional amendment limiting marriage to one man and one woman. This resolution must pass a second time in 2013 and will then be placed on the election ballot for public referendum in November 2014. Given the conservative nature of Indiana, it could prove difficult to prevent HJR-6 from writing discrimination into our state constitution.
The Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) is the first state medical organization in the country to adopt a position statement publicly recognizing the health care disparities that exist in same-sex households due to exclusion from civil union or marriage, despite the conservative environment of the state. It is our hope that by spreading awareness of the public health aspects of the marriage equality debate, more medical associations in the country can become informed and, ultimately, support marriage equality for improved public health of all Americans. Please look through our website and continue to spread awareness!
About Us
In March 2012, the Indiana University School of Medicine offered its first ever Concepts in Human Sexuality for the Clinician elective to fourth-year medical students. As a group of 15 soon-to-be doctors, we were given the challenge of creating a group project related to an important aspect of health and sexuality. We decided to team up with Dr. William C. Buffie, a physician working at St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis. Dr. Buffie published a research article in the American Journal of Public Health in 2011 that outlines the health-related evidence behind the marriage equality debate. He has worked with the Indiana State Medical Association in trying to push for public recognition of the health issues and for statements of support for marriage equality from the organization.
We held a Panel Discussion entitled 'Marriage Equality for Public Health' at the Indiana University School of Medicine on April 18, 2012. At our event, we had over 200 students, faculty, and community activists who participated in a public presentation and discussion of the scientific research behind marriage equality. This website was created as part of these continuing efforts to increase awareness and knowledge about the health issues surrounding the marriage equality debate.
We hope that this site will allow the public to become more widely educated on the scientific research that has been conducted in the area of health implications of same-sex marriage laws and the denial of marriage equality. We have created many other resources on this site for educational purposes related to the current laws and upcoming important dates regarding marriage equality in the United States. While our main emphasis will remain on promoting the scientific research, we would also like the public to become as informed as possible on the issue at hand. Please continue to share the information on this site with everyone you know. Together, we can improve the health of all individuals in Indiana and in the United States by supporting marriage equality.
Any questions, comments, or requests for materials on this site can be directed through the Contact Us section of the website.
We held a Panel Discussion entitled 'Marriage Equality for Public Health' at the Indiana University School of Medicine on April 18, 2012. At our event, we had over 200 students, faculty, and community activists who participated in a public presentation and discussion of the scientific research behind marriage equality. This website was created as part of these continuing efforts to increase awareness and knowledge about the health issues surrounding the marriage equality debate.
We hope that this site will allow the public to become more widely educated on the scientific research that has been conducted in the area of health implications of same-sex marriage laws and the denial of marriage equality. We have created many other resources on this site for educational purposes related to the current laws and upcoming important dates regarding marriage equality in the United States. While our main emphasis will remain on promoting the scientific research, we would also like the public to become as informed as possible on the issue at hand. Please continue to share the information on this site with everyone you know. Together, we can improve the health of all individuals in Indiana and in the United States by supporting marriage equality.
Any questions, comments, or requests for materials on this site can be directed through the Contact Us section of the website.
