The Indiana legislature is poised to pass a bill as the first step to define marriage between one man and one woman in the state constitution.
UPDATE 3/31/11: Senate passes marriage amendment by 40-10 majority
UPDATE 2/18/11: Indiana House approves marriage amendment by vote of 70-26
-- From "House could vote on same-sex marriage amendment as early as Monday" by The Associated Press 2/12/11
An amendment banning gay marriage passed the General Assembly in 2005 when Republicans controlled the House and Senate, but constitutional amendments must go through two separate Legislatures [in two consecutive years] before being put to a public vote. Democrats won control of the House in 2006 and the proposal never cleared that chamber that year.
The proposal has a better shot of passing now that Republicans again control both chambers. If it clears the Legislature this year, it would have to pass again in 2013 or 2014 before getting on the ballot.
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From "Ind. State Committee Passes Gay Marriage Ban" by Stephanie Samuel, Christian Post Reporter 2/8/11
Pro-family lawmakers are trying again to take advantage of the Republican-controlled House to pass a gay marriage ban through the House and Senate again this year. If lawmakers are successful this year, it will likely be 2014 before a ban can be approved by voters.
Indiana is one of seven states trying to pass a constitutional amendment limiting marriage to a union between a man and a woman. Others states working on a gay marriage ban include Minnesota, Wyoming, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Iowa. Iowa's proposed marriage amendment has passed the state House. However, it failed to pass the state Senate in a rush vote.
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From "Gay marriage ban set to include civil unions" by Heather Gillers, Indianapolis Star 2/11/11
It would add to the state constitution not only the marriage ban but also a ban on anything "substantially similar" to marriage.
Civil unions are not allowed in Indiana, and the ban on "substantially similar" arrangements would not change that.
Of about 30 states with constitutional bans on same-sex marriage, about 20 also have constitutional bans on civil unions.
Eric Turner, R-Marion, who authored the measure, said the language of the ban had been thoroughly reviewed by lawyers.
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