Lawmakers show support for amendment to ban gay marriage

INDIANAPOLIS – A majority of lawmakers in the Indiana House have signed a petition showing their support for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage – despite a decision by House leaders not to give the proposal a hearing this year.\nRep. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, said Tuesday that representatives wanted to do something to show voters that they support the amendment. He said some lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats, have been criticized for not doing enough to push for the proposal.\n“We could demonstrate with our signatures our reaffirmation to those in our districts that we do support it,” he said.\nDemocrats hold a 51-49 majority in the House. Most Republicans and seven Democrats signed the petition, which had 55 signatures Tuesday. Buck said more representatives could sign onto the petition later if they chose.\nHouse Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said the amendment is unnecessary and that lawmakers should focus on property tax relief during this short legislative session.\nThe proposed amendment has been assigned to the House Rules Committee, where chairman Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, said he will not give it a hearing. Pelath notes that an Indiana law already bans same-sex marriage, and that a court ruling has upheld that law.\nRep. Eric Turner, R-Marion, said he will continue to fight for the amendment until the legislative session ends in mid-March, even if that means looking for creative ways to revive the proposal, such as suspending procedural rules.\n“Things can be voted on right up to the last minute,” Turner said. “I think we need to look at every opportunity.”\nBoth supporters and opponents of the amendment have pressured lawmakers about the issue. Supporters say the state needs to amend the constitution to prevent activist judges from overturning state law banning gay marriage. Opponents say the amendment would write discrimination into the state constitution and that it could have unintended consequences.\nAmending Indiana’s constitution requires a resolution to pass consecutive, separately elected General Assemblies and then be approved in a statewide vote.\nThe General Assembly passed the proposal in 2005, when Republicans controlled the House, but would have to pass again this year to be on the November ballot in 2008. If the proposal fails this year, the earliest the measure could be on the ballot is 2012.