Jefferson City, Missouri -
A Republican sponsored resolution calling for an amendment to the Missouri constitution banning same-sex marriage has been endorsed by committee and now moves to a vote in the full House.
The House Children and Families Committee voted in favor of the amendment 8 - 6 on party lines after two hours of discussion.
If the measure passes both houses it would lead to a referendum on the November ballot.
Rep. Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) one of the bill's sponsors said he believes the vast majority of people will vote to prevent gays from marrying in the state.
Engler said he believes in the sanctity of marriage. He said it doesn't help when people like Britney Spears trivialize marriage.
Missouri already has a Defense of Marriage Act but Republicans say a constitutional amendment is needed to ensure that court judgments cannot compel recognition of same-sex unions.
Committee Democrats voted against the measure.
Rep. Curt Dougherty, D-Kansas City, asked how restricting the rights of one group would benefit the rest of the state.
"Why does that encroach upon our rights, our freedoms?" he said. "Why do we have to create a constitutional amendment that segregates?"
©365Gay.com® 2004
The House Children and Families Committee voted in favor of the amendment 8 - 6 on party lines after two hours of discussion.
If the measure passes both houses it would lead to a referendum on the November ballot.
Rep. Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) one of the bill's sponsors said he believes the vast majority of people will vote to prevent gays from marrying in the state.
Engler said he believes in the sanctity of marriage. He said it doesn't help when people like Britney Spears trivialize marriage.
Missouri already has a Defense of Marriage Act but Republicans say a constitutional amendment is needed to ensure that court judgments cannot compel recognition of same-sex unions.
Committee Democrats voted against the measure.
Rep. Curt Dougherty, D-Kansas City, asked how restricting the rights of one group would benefit the rest of the state.
"Why does that encroach upon our rights, our freedoms?" he said. "Why do we have to create a constitutional amendment that segregates?"
©365Gay.com® 2004
This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.
