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.