Amendment approved to 'permit' gay marriages

ST PAUL, Minnesota (AP):

THE MINNESOTA House signed off on a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage late Saturday, clearing the way for voters to decide the issue in 2012.

After nearly six hours of emotional debate, mostly from opponents of the ban, the House voted 70-62 to approve putting the question on the statewide ballot next year. Four Republicans joined all but two Democrats in voting against it.

State law already prohibits gay marriage, but supporters of the proposed amendment said it was necessary to prevent judges or future lawmakers from making gay marriage legal in Minnesota. Critics said the plan is divisive and such an amendment would put discrimination into the Constitution.

The amendment would define marriage as only between a man and a woman.

Rep Karen Clark, a Minneapolis Democrat, described her 22-year committed relationship with her female partner and said they would consider getting married in Iowa, where gay marriage is legal, so her ailing father could see her marry.