Indiana Senate Holds Marriage Ban Hearing

The Indiana senate judiciary committee heard testimony Wednesday morning on a proposal that would amend the state constitution to ban marriage equality and civil unions. A vote is expected next week.

Senators heard testimony from proponents and opponents of the measure, which passed the house last month. Witnesses in opposition included an African-American woman who claimed to have "changed" her lesbian identity and said that marriage equality could not be compared to the civil rights struggle, and an antigay advocacy group leader who presented a document of support for the amendment from attorney general Greg Zoeller.

Minutes before noon, committee chairman Sen. Richard Bray announced the adjournment of the proceedings without a vote. He said the committee would take up the measure again next Wednesday, at which time members would have an opportunity to offer any amendments.

The proposal shows strong prospects of passing this year in the Republican-controlled legislature. It would also need approval from the legislature elected in 2012 before heading to the ballot in the 2014 election.