Purdue Senate votes to oppose gay marriage ban

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University Senate has approved a resolution opposing Indiana’s proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

The senate’s members approved by a wide margin Monday a resolution that says the body “strongly urges” the General Assembly and Gov. Mike Pence to oppose adoption of the proposed constitutional amendment. If state lawmakers approve that measure it would go before Indiana voters on a referendum.

The Journal & Courier reports that Purdue’s senate was originally planning to only discuss the matter, but senators temporarily suspended the rules so that the resolution could be voted on. The university senate includes faculty, students, staff and administrators.

Opponents of Indiana’s proposed gay marriage ban say it would be contrary to Purdue’s equal opportunity policies and would harm university recruitment.