Indiana Senate Approves Marriage Ban

The Indiana senate approved a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage on Thursday, but the measure introduced by Republican Carlin Yoder (pictured) appears on track to be defeated in the house.

The 38-10 vote in the Republican-controlled senate marked the fourth time the chamber has approved such a measure, reported the Indianapolis Star.  

However, this latest measure includes a new restriction on civil unions.

"The amendment passed Thursday, Senate Joint Resolution 13, is more restrictive than the one considered in previous legislative sessions, because it not only would ban judges from allowing same-sex marriages, it also would prevent the legislature from allowing civil unions," according to the Indianapolis Star.

Indiana law already bans same-sex marriages, which is one of the reasons the constitutional amendment is unlikely to gain traction in the house.

"House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said the amendment is unlikely to receive a hearing this year, arguing the state's trial and appeals courts have upheld Indiana's marriage law," reports the Indianapolis Star.

A constitutional amendment in Indiana must be approved by two separately elected legislatures before it heads to voters for consideration.