Baron Hill in The Huffington Post

On Civil Rights: 2006: Marriage is sacred; 2015: guarantee marriage equality

Baron Hill is casting himself as a champion of gay rights, in an attempt to shift away from the anti-marriage equality image he had during his previous stint in Congress. "Marriage equality is especially close to my own heart," said Hill in an email to supporters. "In 2004, I voted against the Constitutional Amendment banning marriage equality. I'm proud of Hoosiers who are fighting to make sure our friends and neighbors are guaranteed equal rights."

During his final years in Congress, in 2011, the pro-LGBT Human Rights Campaign gave Hill a 70% rating on issues of equality. Though Hill did oppose amending the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage, he didn't exactly champion the right for same-sex couples to wed either. In fact, he campaigned against it. During his 2006 re-election campaign, Hill ran an ad in which he said that "marriage between a man and woman is sacred." But support for same-sex marriage has become significantly more mainstream since Hill's time in office.

Source: Huffington Post on 2016 Indiana Senate race Jun 19, 2015

On Civil Rights: For ENDA & against DADT & in Congress; evolved on marriage

Baron Hill's campaign said in a statement that Hill had evolved on the issue of same-sex marriage over time. In addition to touting his opposition to the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and support for DADT repeal, the campaign pointed out that he voted for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act--which would bar workplace discrimination against LGBT people--in 2010.

"Baron is proud to support marriage equality--bottom line, everyone deserves equal rights," the statement read, adding, "Like many Americans, Baron's personal views have continued to evolve on this issue and he feels strongly that no Hoosier should be made to feel less equal because of who they love."

LGBT equality has been a hot topic in Indiana since Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed a so-called religious freedom law that could have allowed businesses to deny service to same-sex couples. After significant national backlash, Pence signed a revised version of the measure.

Source: Huffington Post on 2016 Indiana Senate race Jun 19, 2015

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