US voters back ban on gay marriage

LOUISIANA voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment on Saturday banning same-sex marriages and civil unions, one of up to 12 such measures on the ballot around the US this year.

With 99% of precincts reporting, the amendment was winning approval with 78% of the vote.

Only in New Orleans, home to a politically strong gay community, was the race relatively close and even there the amendment was winning passage.

Turnout statewide appeared to be about 27% of Louisiana’s 2.8 million voters, somewhat low for a state election.

Christian conservatives had conducted an intense grassroots lobbying campaign for the amendment, which had been expected to pass easily. Civil rights group Forum for Equality has promised legal action against the amendment.

“It’s gratifying to see the people of Louisiana had the final say on the issue of whether traditional marriage will continue to be the fundamental institution in our state,” said Darrell White, a retired state judge and consultant for Louisiana Family Forum.

John Rawls, a lawyer for Forum for Equality, reiterated the group’s contention that the amendment does far more than stop gay marriage and that it could affect many private contracts between unmarried couples, gay or straight - a claim its supporters dispute.

Louisiana already has a law stating that marriage can be only between a man and woman, but supporters of the amendment want to protect that law in the state constitution.

The amendment also would prohibit state officials and courts from recognizing out-of-state marriages and civil unions between homosexuals.