Democratic Representatives Ron Kind of
Wisconsin and Pete Visclosky of Indiana on Thursday endorsed gay
marriage.
“My 18-year marriage to Tawni has
taught me that we're both stronger because we love and support each
other,” Kind
wrote on his Facebook page. “I support marriage equality
because if two people want to make a lifetime commitment to love and
care for one another, then the government shouldn't stand in the way.
As the Supreme Court deliberates the constitutionality of the
Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, I'm reminded that
throughout history, discrimination has never worked. I have never
voted for discrimination, and I look forward to supporting
legislation like the Respect for Marriage Act that will help
committed same-sex couples gain the same rights as everyone else.”
Visclosky
wrote on his Facebook page: “I support marriage equality for
all couples and believe that every single American should be able to
marry the person they love. I believe that it is unfair that, under
current law, same-sex couples are legally prohibited from taking
advantage of the federal laws that provide financial and legal
benefits to married couples. I believe that we can no longer allow
the states to discriminate against same-sex marriages. Rather, I
believe that the federal government should ensure that all consenting
adults, no matter who they are or who they love, have the exact same
marriage rights.”
While neither Indiana nor Wisconsin
allow gay couples to marry, Wisconsin recognizes such unions with
domestic partnerships. But while lawmakers approved the registry,
Republican Governor Scott Walker has refused
to defend the law in court. Republican leaders in Indiana
earlier this year postponed
a vote on a proposed constitutional amendment which seeks to
define marriage as a heterosexual union, saying they wanted to find
out what the Supreme Court has to say on the issue before moving
forward.