JURIST - Paper Chase: Same-sex marriage bans advance in AL, IN, VA

[JURIST] Same-sex marriage bans made headway in several state legislatures Tuesday. The Alabama Senate voted unanimously in favor of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages after the House voted overwhelmingly in favor of an identical proposal last week. One chamber will have to pass the other's version of the bill before the proposed amendment will go before voters in a statewide referendum. AP has more. In Indiana, the state Senate Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters Committee voted 7-4 in support of a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage. The amendment will have to be approved by the state legislature before going before Indiana voters for their approval. The Indianapolis Star has more. Also Tuesday, another same-sex marriage ban [PDF background from the Family Foundation, supporters of the amendment] passed the Virginia state House; a similar resolution passed easily in the state Senate earlier this week. If the two versions are reconciled, and both chambers pass the measure again, the issue will go to Virginia voters in November 2006. AP has more.

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