News (USA)

Marriage equality supporters rally in Ind. ahead of appeals court hearing

Marriage equality supporters rally in Ind. ahead of appeals court hearing
Henry Greene, left, is joined by his husband Glenn Funkhouser, right, and their son Casey Greene as he spoke at a rally for gay couples in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014 that are part of a court hearing on the challenge to Indiana's same-sex marriage ban. Nearly 100 supporters gathered at the City Market in downtown Indianapolis to see off some of the plaintiffs as they left to attend legal arguments before a federal appeals court on Tuesday.
Henry Greene, left, is joined by his husband Glenn Funkhouser, right, and their son Casey Greene as he spoke at a rally for gay couples in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014 that are part of a court hearing on the challenge to Indiana’s same-sex marriage ban. Nearly 100 supporters gathered at the City Market in downtown Indianapolis to see off some of the plaintiffs as they left to attend legal arguments before a federal appeals court on Tuesday. Michael Conroy, AP

INDIANAPOLIS — Gay couples heading to Chicago to challenge Indiana’s same-sex marriage ban told supporters Monday that they believe they are on the right side of history.

Nearly 100 supporters at a rally sponsored by Hoosiers Unite for Marriage gathered at the City Market in downtown Indianapolis to wave off the four couples as they left to attend legal arguments before a federal appeals court on Tuesday.

Rob MacPherson, left, shows one of the signed hearts to his husband Steven Stolen following at a rally for gay couples in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014 who are part of a court hearing on the challenge to Indiana's same-sex marriage ban.
Rob MacPherson, left, shows one of the signed hearts to his husband Steven Stolen following at a rally for gay couples in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014 who are part of a court hearing on the challenge to Indiana’s same-sex marriage ban. Michael Conroy, AP

Rev. Melody Merida, of the Life Journey Church, hands out signed heart-shaped cards to Greg Hasty, left, and CJ Vallero following at a rally in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014.
Rev. Melody Merida, of the Life Journey Church, hands out signed heart-shaped cards to Greg Hasty, left, and CJ Vallero following at a rally in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. Michael Conroy, AP

The couples planned to attend other rallies in support of same-sex-marriage along the way in Lafayette, Munster and Chicago and said they hoped supporters and plaintiffs would join their convoy en route.

Henry Greene, 48, of Carmel, said he believes same-sex marriage will eventually be legal in all 50 states as more and more bans cave in under federal court rulings that find them unconstitutional.

“We’re pretty confident in the final outcome,” Greene said before the rally, which he attended with his partner of 23 years, Glenn Funkhouser, and their 12-year-old son, Casey Greene. “It’s playing out pretty much like all the experts said it would.”

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago was scheduled to hear arguments in a combined appeal by Indiana and Wisconsin officials of federal district court rulings striking down each state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Both of those rulings are on hold until legal proceedings — which could go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court — are complete.

Gay marriage proponents have won more than 20 legal decisions against same-sex marriage restrictions since the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the federal Defense of Marriage Act last year.

Even if somehow the 7th District rules against them, 44-year-old Tara Betterman-Layne said, she believes history is on the side of the gay couples. “Even if it’s not the outcome, what we think is it’s only a matter of time because of the way the tide of history is moving.”

Article continues below

Betterman-Layne and her wife, Melody Betterman-Layne, 37, got married two years ago on a hilltop in Central Park in New York. They have two children.

“In the end, I think right’s going to out,” Melody said.

For Funkhouser, 51, and Greene, as for many other couples, legalizing gay unions has more practical impact than a marriage certificate. Without legal same-sex marriage, their son could lose out on death benefits and could face burdensome taxes when they die, the men said.

“We don’t want Casey growing up in a state that says his family is not legal,” Greene said.

© 2014, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

One year later, family, friends seek justice for transgender woman’s murder

Previous article

Nation’s oldest gay bookstore to reopen in Philadelphia

Next article