Indiana Anti-Gay Amendment Dies

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: February 18, 2008 - 11:00 am ET

(Indianapolis, Indiana) A proposed amendment to Indiana's constitution that would bar same-sex marriage will not be on the ballot this November after House Democrats shelved the issue.

Rules Committee Chair Rep. Scott Pelath (D) said Friday that he will not bring the proposed amendment to a committee vote, ensuring its doom for at least four years.

"There's no reason to put very poorly crafted verbiage into our constitution, out state's highest document, that could potentially be a lawyer's dream with all sorts of unintended consequences," Pelath told the Indianapolis Star.

The measure passed the Republican-controlled Senate in January

Pelath's decision did not come as a surprise. House Democrats said last month they had more important issues to consider before the session ends in March.

The proposed constitutional amendment defines marriage only as the union of one man and one woman. But, it goes to say the state cannot provide the "incidents" of marriage on unmarried couples or groups.

The second part of the amendment would block domestic partner benefits from being offered state employees or institutions funded by the state, say opponents.

Amending the constitution is a two stage process in Indiana, requiring votes in two consecutive separately elected sessions of the legislature.

It already passed the first phase in 2005, but last year Democrats also killed the measure in the House.

Amendment supporters now have to begin the whole process all over. That would mean the earliest it could go to voters would be 2012.