WV Lawmakers To Get Both Sides On Gay Marriage

Written by Charleston Daily Mail Tuesday, 14 July 2009 07:49

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Evangelical Christian groups hope to convince West Virginia lawmakers to put a constitutional ban of same-sex marriage on the state ballot.

The state Family Policy Council and the national Alliance Defense Fund both plan to weigh in Tuesday at a meeting of a joint legislative committee studying the issue.

Organizations opposed to the requested amendment are also slated to speak, as is a law professor considered an expert on the West Virginia Constitution.

A 2000 state law rejects same-sex marriage. The conservative groups say a court challenge could overturn that.

The House of Delegates voted down an attempt to force the amendment measure from committee during this year's regular session.

Six states allow same-sex marriage. Thirty have constitutional bans.

Read the original article in the Charleston Daily Mail