US: Indiana Democrats to challenge civil unions clause in proposed same-sex marriage ban

Jan 24 2014
Written by Joseph McCormick

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

The leading Democratic politician in the Indiana House is to next week focus efforts on deleting a clause from a proposed same-sex marriage ban, which includes civil unions.

Those for and against same-sex marriage have this week given evidence in the US state, to a committee considering a bill which would ban marriage for gay couples.

As well as banning same-sex marriage, it would also make civil unions unavailable to gay couples.

The bill may be considered by the full House as soon as Monday.

Scot Pelath, House minority leader on Friday announced that he would offer an amendment to remove the civil unions clause from the bill.

The amendment will be offered on behalf of House Democrats.

The committee approved the measure along party lines this week, however concerns have been raised several times about the second section of the measure which bans civil unions.

It could also remove the right of gay couples to claim employer benefits.

The President of the Senate David Long, on Friday said the bill would go to the Senate Judiciary Committee, should it pass in the House.

The Indiana Senate in March 2011 approved the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages and civil unions by 40 votes to 10. The public gallery had to be cleared after gay rights protesters shouted at politicians.