Missouri to vote on constitutional gay marriage ban

Missouri voters take up a constitutional same-sex marriage ban Tuesday--the first state to do so in the wake of the Massachusetts supreme judicial court's landmark ruling. State legislators approved a referendum on adding the sentence "That to be valid and recognized in this state, a marriage shall exist only between a man and a woman" to the state constitution, The Boston Globe reported. A simple majority is needed for the referendum to pass; a July survey by The Kansas City Star indicated that 62% favor a ban on gay marriage, while 29% oppose such a measure, despite the fact that opponents have raised more money to promote its defeat. Louisiana will vote on a similar amendment September 18, and at least eight more states will do the same on Election Day, November 2.