US: Indiana bill to ban same-sex marriage expected to have second House reading

Jan 27 2014
Written by Joseph McCormick

The House in the US state of Indiana is on Monday expected give a second reading to a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

Earlier today it appeared that politicians in the House were evenly split on the constitutional amendment currently being discussed that would ban gay couples from marrying or entering civil unions in the state.

Equal marriage advocates turned up early at the House in order to lobby undecided politicians on the issue.

The amendment would specifically define marriage as between one man and one woman. It would rule out civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Seven amendments were proposed for the bill, which could make a range of differences including delaying it for up to two years, which could potentially win support for the measure.

Democrats in the state are focussing on removing a clause which bans civil unions, and which could strip employment benefits from gay couples.

Even if it passes in the House, the amendment faces tough challenges before it becomes law, as it also has to pass the Senate and be adopted in a referendum.

The official position of the Indianapolis Bar Association was today.

It represnets 5,000 lawyers, and a survey of almost half its members found that 73% opposed the HJR-3 bill.