Missouri State Rep. Mike Colona has
filed a measure that seeks to repeal the state's 2004 voter-approved
constitutional amendment limiting marriage to heterosexual couples.
Colona, who is openly gay, told
Missourinet.com
that the time was right to pursue repeal of Amendment 2, approved by
71 percent of voters.
“Do I think we'll be able to get a
resolution out of both chambers of the body to put it to a vote
before the people of Missouri in 2014? No I don't,” Colona said.
“But if we don't start some time, it's never going to happen.”
Two cases challenging Missouri's
restrictive marriage amendment have been filed.
“I think now is the time with two
cases pending in our court system dealing with marriage equality for
the General Assembly to return and address this issue again.”
“My thoughts are, ten years after the
passage of that marriage ban, we very well could have a much
different outcome,” he added.
Governor Jay Nixon, also a Democrat,
has
previously endorsed allowing gay couples to marry.