Indiana Equality presents its free "Equality IS a Hoosier Value" Rally on Monday, February 18th at 1 pm in the North Atrium of the Indiana State House, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.

The afternoon's schedule consists of the 1 pm rally, followed by lobbying YOUR legislators by heading upstairs to the Senate and House chambers to sign up for "call out" appointments.

Show our legislators that words do matter! Help ensure that Indiana:

• prevents the passage of a DANGEROUS AMENDMENT that HURTS ALL HOOSIERS

• recognizes that HOOSIERS deserve to be PROTECTED from BIAS-BASED CRIMES

• expands its CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS to include ALL HOOSIERS

Indiana Equality and its progressive coalition partners were successful in stopping SJR-7, the Marriage Discrimination Amendment, in 2007, but this attack on the rights of unmarried Hoosiers is back again, and the attempts to keep it alive continue.

It is more important than EVER to help educate your legislators on its hidden dangers. While increasing numbers of representatives are becoming aware of growing problems with "marriage discrimination amendments" passed by other states, we need YOUR HELP to let them know how they can make the best decision for Indiana.

It is also important to tell our legislators that WE WANT bias crimes legislation to be enacted, AND civil rights protections expanded. All Hoosiers deserve not to live in fear for their lives or in fear they might lose their job.

Prior to the rally, IE will offer free "Lobbying Your Legislator 101" training from 9:30 - 11:30 am at Chris Church Cathedral, 125 Monument Circle, Indianapolis. Sign up for the training at:

http://eqfed.org/ie/events/Lobby101_2008/details.tcl

NOTE: Enter the Statehouse through the East or West entrances only. Please allow extra time to pass through security. Parking should be available at the nearby Circle Centre Mall garages.

For more information, go to: www.indianaequality.org