Gay Marriage Ban Defeated in Indiana

A proposed amendment to ban gay marriage in Indiana was beaten with the smallest possible margin (5-5) in the Indiana House Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee. Five Democrats opposed the amendment, with four Republicans and one Democrat supporting it.

The Democrats who voted against the proposed amendment said they had no problem with the first section of the amendment, which states that marriage is between a man and a woman. Each said they believe in that portion, but had concerns about the consequences of a second section which states that no law can be construed as granting the legal incidents of marriage to anyone other than a married man and woman.

Indiana Democrat Dan Parker applauded the amendment's defeat, "House Democrats took a stand today against ill-crafted legislation that would have done more harm than good. This wasn’t a vote against traditional marriage; it was a vote for protecting vulnerable Hoosiers and promoting job growth....[Governor Daniels should show] some kind of leadership on the amendment, especially in light of his much-touted commitment to economic development. The governor has had multiple chances to say something about this amendment, but he’s nowhere to be found."

Rules Committee Chair Rep. Scott Pelath (D) said the issue is over for this year. But it could return in 2008 and if approved by the legislature go on the ballot that November.