Indiana Reps Petition for Gay Marriage Ban

A majority of lawmakers in Indiana's house of representatives have signed a petition expressing support for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage even though house leaders have decided not to hear the proposal this year, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

The proposal served to show Indiana voters that legislators support the amendment, Rep. Jim Buck, a Republican, told the AP. Citizens have criticized state lawmakers -- both Republicans and Democrats -- for not sufficiently pushing the proposal.

Democrats have a 51-49 majority in the house. Seven Democrats and most Republicans signed the petition, which had 55 signatures as of Tuesday. Indiana law already prohibits same-sex marriage, and a court ruling has upheld the ban.

Rep. Eric Turner, also a Republican, said he would continue to fight for the amendment until the current legislation session ends in mid March -- even if that requires reviving the proposal in creative ways, such as suspending procedural rules.

"Things can be voted on right up to the last minute," he told the AP. "I think we need to look at every opportunity."

House speaker Patrick Bauer, a Democrat, has said the amendment is unnecessary and that representatives should focus on other matters. (The Advocate)