Georgia Approves Amendment to Ban Gay Marriage

Apr 01, 2004 10:13 AM EST

ATLANTA – While the Massachusetts Legislature passed the amendment that would ban gay marriage, yet legalize civil unions, the Georgia House voted 122-52 Wednesday to approve the amendment that would ban gay marriage. Now it is waiting to be approved by the voters this fall.

Gay marriage is already illegal in Georgia, but the matter is not addressed in its constitution. Amendment supporters said the law would not prevent a judge from allowing same-sex couples to marry.

"We cannot let judges in Boston, or officials in San Francisco, define marriage for the people of Georgia," said GOP Rep. Bill Hembree.