Rainbow bLAWg

The battle to put Indiana’s gay marriage ban in the state constitution will not go to Indiana voters this year. On Thursday, the state Senate decision to not restore a second sentence banning civil unions means that the effort to amend the constitution must start fresh. That would push back a statewide vote on the issue for at least two years, if not longer.

Supporters contend the second sentence is needed to stave off attempts at giving gays and lesbians marriage-like rights, while opponents say it is mean-spirited to deny any possible protections for gays and lesbians in the future.

Said Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, “in reality, I think the issue is going to be before the United States Supreme Court — as I’ve said before — and it’s either going to be a state’s rights issue and each state decides for itself or it’s going to be decided by the Supreme Court that it’s a violation of the 14th Amendment.” “One way or another they’re going to have the final say in this because the U.S. Constitution trumps a state constitution.”

The state’s gay marriage battle has opened a rift among Republicans in red state. Some of the GOP’s strongest fundraisers, including former Bush economic adviser Al Hubbard and former Indiana Republican Party Chairman Jim Kittle, have made donations to Freedom Indiana, the umbrella organization opposing the marriage ban. Many pro-business conservatives, including many who worked with former governor Mitch Daniels are also in opposition.

The haters, of course were disappointed at the outcome, but vowed to continue fighting for the measure, known as House Joint Resolution 3. “We view this as a delay, not a defeat,” said Eric Miller, founder and executive director of Advance America, a conservative advocacy group pushing the amendment. “We’re still going to work to pass a constitutional amendment to protect marriage between a man and a woman.”

Good luck with that.

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Carrie Stone