The writer, Rick Sutton, is a Life Member of the IU Alumni Association and a proud member of the IU GLBTAA. He serves as executive director of Indiana Equality Action (IEA), the state's premier LGBT civil rights organization. IEA was the founding member of the Freedom Indiana coalition, which Rick serves as Board President. He and his husband, Bobby Owens, reside in Indianapolis. Pictured here is Rick (right) accepting the IU GLBT Office Spirit Award in January on behalf of Freedom Indiana.

For the Hoosier in all of us---certainly there was a huge sigh of relief on February 13. Wherever you were, that was the day Indiana's legislature mercifully killed HJR-3 (The Marriage Discrimination Amendment). It was a huge victory for the brand-new coalition forged to fight the amendment: Freedom Indiana.

And the victory had strong IU flavor. It was achieved on the shoulders of some long-time LGBT activists, who fought this battle three times prior with little or no resources. The IU link? Our bold university president - President Michael McRobbie, who firmly and proudly stood against the amendment. He seized the challenge, recognized the importance and set about to help guide the public debate.

Freedom Indiana received many endorsements from all over the spectrum: businesses, faith groups, powerful statewide leaders - but the first bell weather endorsement came from President McRobbie. And it was huge! Beginning last summer, I traveled across the state. I spoke to groups in every region. I cajoled and pushed allies and friends to contact legislators. When IU joined the fold, it began a cascade of endorsements that continued throughout the legislative session. And it moved people!

IU's brand and reach are enormous. It touches every township, every community - through the teachers, doctors, lawyers and community leaders who are proud alumni. And through the Hoosier Nation network that knows no bounds. It's not just about basketball glory. It's about the strong affinity Hoosiers feel for their state-name university, one of America's oldest and most-trusted public research institutions.

And here's a key point to ponder: intelligent public policy conversations have to be held and what better laboratory to start those talks than our universities? It was a critical mission, and IU stepped up to the plate big-time. I hope it became a template for future tough issues.

The IU endorsement gave aid and comfort to many other individuals and entities who were itching to get into the fight. After the endorsement, every rally or town hall meeting I attended, anywhere in our great state, the IU stamp of approval was a huge asset.

And on a personal note: my university, which had asked me for money and support for decades gave me something more valuable than any monetary gift. Here's what I learned during my IU days: Midwestern Big Ten universities are ideal settings for mature, thoughtful debate. To this day, every time I go over that last hill on S.R. 37 South, I feel a sense of openness to discuss any reasonable subject. It's a quality IU instills without even knowing it, and which I hope its students carry with them throughout their lives.

The IU endorsement of Freedom Indiana's mission told me I am a valuable asset to the university and state. It gave credence to the argument that mean and discriminatory language do not belong in our state Constitution, that is about the same age as our university. And it told all LGBT Hoosiers - and their families, friends, co-workers, allies - that we are an important part of the university mission.

I am aware that the university and other Indiana colleges fought this Amendment in 2011 too. It was a different climate. That fight was largely waged behind closed doors. In the 2014 General Assembly, IU unleashed its immense influence on the 150 legislators. Soon, other important endorsements came in.

To be sure, the Freedom Indiana campaign team was magnificent. Manager Megan Robertson, Deputy Manager Peter Hanscom, and almost 40 dedicated field organizers, as well as a great lobby team, helped push the ball over the goal line. The Freedom Indiana board included Eli Lilly, Cummins, and multiple national allies. Their support was critical.

But when this effort is remembered, I will forever thank my alma mater for its humane, dignified and solid support.

"Gloriana Frangipana. E'er to her be true."