Indiana gay marriage ban moves forward

[Anthony]

Indiana gay marriage ban moves forward
By Ruth Schneider, 365gay.com
01.22.2010 5:30pm EST

A constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Indiana took a step forward after a Republican-controlled Senate committee approved the measure 6-4 Wednesday.

While the measure stands a chance of progressing through Indiana’s full state Senate, which is currently controlled by the GOP, it is unlikely to make it through the Democrat-controlled House.

According to the South Bend Tribune, the measure would add an amendment to the state’s constitution banning both same-sex marriages and civil unions. But the measure is somewhat redundant as Indiana state law already forbids same-sex marriage.

“I firmly believe in the sacred definition of marriage as Indiana has always known it, as it is written in statute,” said state Sen. Carlin Yoder, a Republican, who wrote the bill told the Tribune.”This is not in any way an attack on the gay and lesbian community. By doing this, we are not taking away any rights from the gay and lesbian community in Indiana.”