Gay Marriage Ban Defeated in House

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.

It goes back up for reconsideration on Monday and reps can change their votes. Lobbyists will be all over the place trying to swing the more wishy-washy representatives.

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.

It'll probably border on frenetic lobbying with the Christian Coalition of Georgia and Georgia Equality battling it out for the attention of the politicians.

Every Republican in the House except Rep. Jill Chambers of Atlanta voted for the gay marriage ban, along with most white Democrats in rural and South Georgia. "I voted to represent the people that put me office," Chambers said. "[My] district is very diverse."

Good on ya, Jill. Right action, not necessarily the right reason. Anybody remember the right reason? Say it with me: It is not the purpose of a state constitution to single out a minority group for the purposes of exclusionary legislation.

Also, putting your special interest crap in the Code of Law is bad enough. Adding it to the Constitution of Georgia is an abomination.

(Hat tip to Phillip Coons)