Gay marriage ban goes to Indiana House once again

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The state Senate passed a proposed constitutional amendment on gay marriage on a 38-10 vote late Thursday afternoon. The last time the Senate passed the proposal, the Indiana House blocked the effort to send it to a referendum.

Now supporters of a constitution ban on gay are restarting the five-year process.

Indiana already has a statutory ban on gay marriage, so critics have charged that conservatives keep bringing it up as a potential campaign issue.

They also charge that it would outlaw civil unions when attitudes are shifting.

"There is poll after poll showing that the public's opinion on this issue is changing and it's changing rapidly," said Sen. Tim Lanane (D-Anderson).

But Sen. Colin Yoder (R-Middlebury) countered, "I firmly believe that the definition of marriage as we've traditionally known it in our past and continues today is highly important to the state of Indiana."

Opponents also say that a constitutional ban on gay marriage will hurt economic development through the hiring of a diverse workforce.

The measure now goes to the Indiana House where no action is anticipated this year.