IN Passes Weaker Gay-Marriage Ban

Indiana's state senate approved a new constitutional ban on same-sex marriage on Monday, but it is not as big of a setback for LGBT rights as it could have been. On Monday, the measure passed by a vote of 32-17, after the language and proscriptions of the final bill were significantly toned down from the original version. In fact, it is weaker than the state’s current constitutional amendment as it does not ban civil unions. Because the language is different from the original bill, the state will have to restart the amendment process, and the measure will not make it onto ballots for voter approval this year.