Ind. Senate Panel Approves Marriage Ban

The Indiana senate judiciary committee voted Wednesday morning to advance a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban marriage equality and civil unions.

Senators approved the measure by a vote of 7 to 3 after rejecting an amendment to spare civil unions, according to the Indianapolis Star. The measure now heads to the full senate for a vote.

"The Senate Judiciary Committee struck down an amendment that would have limited the ban only to same-sex marriage, leaving the door open for Indiana to legalize civil unions in the future," reported the Star.

The measure, which passed the Republican-controlled House last month, is also expected to pass the Republican-led senate. Should that happen, the proposal would need to pass again in 2013 or 2014 before heading to the ballot for voters' consideration.