INDEPENDENT MIND-SENSE: Indiana House bans same sex marriage 2

The Indiana House of Representatives has passed a bill that would lead to a ban on same-sex marriage. But that bill still has a long way to go before it can become law.

The 76-23 vote came late Tuesday afternoon [3/22]. The House approved a bill that has already passed in the Senate. The Senate bill passed by 42-8 on February 21'st.

The measure would define marriage as one man and one woman. It must be passed by two legislatures: the current one in session and another in the future. The amendment must also be approved by voters in a referendum. The earliest it could go to Indiana voters is November of 2008.

Democratic response:

"I feel that this bill has economic ramifications; not only is it prejudicial, it does have economic ramifications," said Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette).

"Today will go down as a day of shame in the history of the General Assembly," said Rep. David Orentlicher, D-Indianapolis.The public, he said, may not remember other bills lawmakers pass this year. But, he said, "they will not forget we wrote second-class citizenship for gays and lesbians into the constitution."

No voters in the Senate: Republicans are in the majority 33-16