Supporters, opponents of Ind. gay marriage amendment mull impact of Ill.'s OK of gay marriage
11/7/2013INDIANAPOLIS — Opponents of a push to amend Indiana’s gay marriage ban into the state constitution say adjacent Illinois’ approval of same-sex marriage could help their cause.
Indiana gay marriage amendment opponent Rick Sutton of Indiana Equality Action says the Illinois legislature’s approval of the gay marriage bill is a “monumental” victory. He tells The Indianapolis Star that Illinois’ move could boost gay-rights advocates fighting Indiana’s proposed amendment.
But amendment supporter Curt Smith of the Indiana Family Institute predicts that Indiana will feel little effect from Illinois’ pending law, which awaits Gov. Pat Quinn’s signature.
Illinois is set to join 14 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing same-sex marriage. Indiana’s other bordering states, Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky, all ban same-sex marriage in their constitutions.