House proposes ban on same-sex marriage

INDIANAPOLIS -- A majority of members in the Indiana House -- all 49 Republicans and five Democrats -- have signed on to a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage.

House Republicans said Thursday that support for the proposed amendment to the Indiana Constitution should persuade Democratic leaders to give it a chance to advance in the House.

''We think marriage is one of the foundations of our society and it is vital to having a sound social network of families and prosperity in our nation,'' said Rep. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn.

But Democratic Rep. Scott Pelath of Michigan City, chairman of the House Rules Committee, said there were other pressing issues this session and he would not give that proposal or one moving in the Senate a hearing.

''This will not be the focus of this session of the General Assembly,'' Pelath said.

The proposed amendment would state that only marriage between one man and one woman is valid in Indiana.

Indiana is one of 37 states with laws that ban same-sex marriages, but Indiana's law is being challenged in a case now before the Indiana Court of Appeals. Proposed constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage also have been introduced in Arizona, Georgia, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Michigan.

Supporters say they are necessary to ensure that legislation and court judgments -- such as a recent ruling in favor of gay marriage by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court -- will not compel recognition of same-sex unions.

Gay-rights activists see the amendment campaign as vindictive and partisan.

The five Indiana House Democrats who signed the motion supporting a constitutional amendment were Reps. Robert Bischoff of Lawrenceburg, Alan Chowning of Sullivan, Terry Goodin of Crothersville, Phil Pflum of Milton and Peggy Welch of Bloomington.

House Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, suggested that the proposal would still go nowhere in the House.

''I believe that this session is for emergency measures and budget situations,'' Bauer said.