.....:evilgrin:
Gay marriage ban defeated in House
Just three votes shy of passing, proposal returns Monday -- and activists promise a fightBy JIM THARPE, ERNIE SUGGS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/26/04
esuggs@ajc.com
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House Democrats on Thursday narrowly turned back a Republican push for a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Georgia, but the battle is far from over.
The vote set the stage for a raucous showdown next week. Lawmakers have an opportunity Monday to reconsider their vote and activists on both sides plan to swarm the Capitol.
The vote Thursday was 117-50 for the gay marriage ban, but as a constitutional amendment, it needed a two-thirds majority, or 120 votes, to pass.
The House vote was preceded by 3 1/2 hours of sometimes emotional debate and greeted by cheers from gay activists in the balcony. The Senate had previously approved the measure, so Thursday's vote could have meant final legislative approval and sent the ban on to voters to decide in the November election.
Seven of the 180 members of the House were present but did not vote, and five others had excused absences. Those 12 lawmakers can be expected to be targets of intense lobbying over the next few days.
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