Two Republican lawmakers in Wyoming say
they'll introduce a bill that defines marriage as a heterosexual
union in the state's constitution, the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
reported.
The resolution would ask voters to
amend the Wyoming Constitution to define marriage. Similar proposals
in 2007 and 2009 failed, but anticipated support from a newly-elected
Republican majority in both sides of the Capitol has given supporters
new hope.
“It's about the right of Wyoming
voters to vote,” said Republican Senator Curt Meier, a co-sponsor
of the legislation. “We're setting a community standard for
Wyoming.”
Also a co-sponsor is Representative
Owen Petersen, a Republican who led the 2009 effort.
Gay marriage is currently banned by
state law, but opponents worry that a legal challenge could overturn
the statute. A lawsuit challenging Wyoming's definition of marriage
was filed in August. But
less than a month later, the couple voluntarily withdrew its legal
challenge.
State Representative Ken Esquible, a
Democrat from Cheyenne, disagreed with the legislation.
“I don't see how we can call
ourselves the Equality State when we are singling out a group of
people,” he said.