House forwards gay marriage ban to Senate

The Kansas House today approved a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage by an 88-36 margin, giving the measure the two-thirds support it needed to move to the Senate.

During the vote, 15 lawmakers walked down to the front of the House to speak, most of them urging their colleagues to reject the measure.

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“We don’t want a constitution that excludes anyone,” state Rep. Thomas “Tim” Owens, R-Overland Park, said.

Others argued that the proposal was unnecessary because Kansas law already states that marriage must be between a man and a woman.

Even some who disagree with same-sex marriage voiced opposition to the proposed amendment to the constitution.

State Rep. John Ballou, R-Gardner, said gay marriage was “disgusting,” but added. “It’s not my place to judge anyone, it’s God’s place.”

Reps. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, and Paul Davis, D-Lawrence voted against the amendment. Reps. Lee Tafanelli, R-Ozawkie, and Tom Holland, D-Baldwin, voted for it.

Proposals to amend the state constitution require two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate before being placed before voters for consideration.

In the 125-member that required 84 votes. Now the issue moves to the 40-member Senate where it will require 27 votes to pass.

If it receives two-thirds’ approval in the Senate, it will be placed on the November ballot for voters.