so, why the need for a constitutional amendment? indiana already has a state statute barring some same-sex couples from marrying, and the language in the proposed amendment is potentially troubling because it states, quote, a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized. opponents of the amendment point out that language could close the door even to civil unions. and many of your constituents appear hesitant. a recent poll showed the majority of indiana voters oppose amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage. and 11 indiana mayors, six republicans and five democrats, serving some of the state s biggest cities, have announced their opposition to the proposed amendment. so speaker, you and your counterpart in the state senate face a real test of leadership. you have already admirably called for any movement on this proposal to be done with respect