When a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage was proposed Thursday by the majority of the Indiana House of Representatives, members of Ball State's Spectrum began to look for ways to advocate gay rights on the Ball State campus.
"We're trying to educate the campus as a whole," Spectrum secretary Sarah Bradbury said. "We (need) to get the campus aware of what's going on in the news."
Spectrum serves as Ball State's gay, lesbian , bisexual, transgendered and allied student association. According to its mission statement, Spectrum provides an "anonymous, healthy and safe place for students of all sexual and gender orientations to find understanding, gain acceptance, create a network of support, socialize and educate."
Justin Pettus, Spectrum's external vice president, said Spectrum's mission statement should be continually advocated, not just on the Ball State campus, but throughout Indiana and the United States as a whole.
Informing people about gay rights issues is imperative, he said.
"I think it's always important to get the word out," Pettus said. "I feel people are not being as open-minded as they should be. It's kind of frustrating at times."
Jack Shepler, Spectrum's publicity director, said with the gay marriage ban now proposed, Spectrum and similar associations will have to step up to defend their rights.
Being proactive on campus is a must, he said.
"This is really important," Shepler said. "(The issue) is not going to end any time soon."
Shepler, a sophomore, said he has been a part of Spectrum for the past two years. He said he first decided to join the association when gay marriage became a big issue in the United States.
As arguments rose gradually over the issue, Shepler said he wanted to help advocate gay rights in the Ball State community.
"That's what really got me into activism," Shepler said.
In addition to hearing about the proposed ban on gay marriage, Shepler and several other members of Spectrum learned Thursday about the local dispute in which a mother of three and her domestic partner were denied entrance into Muncie's YMCA because they were not considered a family under Indiana law.
Bradbury said Spectrum is hoping to invite the two women, Ivy Tech student Anginette Dearing and therapist Betty Hancock, to Ball State to speak at a Spectrum meeting within the next few weeks.
Bradbury said she hopes the women will be able to return to Ball State in late April for Spectrum's Spring Week, which will focus on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered families, Bradbury said.
To continue advocating gay rights on the Ball State campus Spectrum is also preparing to celebrate National Freedom to Marry Day on Feb. 12. The celebration will include several mock weddings in the Atrium, Bradbury said.
Shepler said he is looking forward to all of the events Spectrum will sponsor on campus this semester.
The organization is doing a good job emphasizing its mission statement to all students, Shepler said.
"Everyone's more excited about getting involved and about getting more political this year, especially with the 2004 elections coming up," Shepler said.
Pettus said as long as members of Spectrum continue to create a network of support for individuals of all gender orientations, the association will fulfill its goals for this semester.
Remaining devoted to its mission is key, he said.
"I think everyone just needs to get together and do their part," Pettus said. "The more people we can get, the better."
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