Ballard adds name to council’s marriage resolution

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Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on Friday added his name to a City-County Council resolution urging the Indiana General Assembly to reject the proposed same-sex marriage amendment

City-County Resolution 354, co-sponsored by Democrats John Barth, Angela Mansfield and Zach Adamson, and Republican Benjamin Hunter, will be voted on by the full council Monday.

A number of higher education and business groups have spoken out in recent weeks, expressing opposition to altering Indiana’s constitution to define marriage.

“I understand that many people hold differing views on this subject, but Indiana law already defines marriage, and I don’t see the overriding government interest in adding such an amendment to our state’s constitution,” Ballard said in a prepared statement. “Indy is renowned for its ‘Hoosier hospitality’ and working hard to attract new jobs and people to our city.  My hope is that we can continue to work together and focus on those things that make Indy a place where people want to live, work and raise a family.”

State lawmakers will begin considering the same-sex marriage ban in January. Supporters of limiting marriage to one man and one woman say a constitutional amendment is needed to keep the courts from legalizing gay marriage in Indiana. Lawmakers began the lengthy process of placing the ban in the constitution in 2011. The ban won overwhelming support from Democrats and Republicans last time around.

If lawmakers sign off a second time on the legislation, it would be placed on the ballot for voters to consider next November.

Thirty states have constitutional amendments banning legal recognition of same-sex marriage and five others ban it by law.

 

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