Proposal to ban gay marriage may go to the vote

A coalition of groups which is seeking to ban gay marriage in Florida claims to have gathered enough signatures to get their proposal put to the public vote.

The groups require 611,009 signatures if the proposed amendment to the state constitution is to go on the ballot in November 2008.

If this happens and the measure is passed then Florida would become the 28th US state to have a constitutional amendment which bans same-sex marriages, the Associated Press reports.

There is already a state law in operation which bans gay marriage but Orlando lawyer John Stemberger, who is heading the coalition of groups, has argued that it needs to be in the constitution so that judges cannot overturn the statute.

He said: "We believe kids need a mom and a dad, very simply. Moms and dads bring something different to the table. Dads are not optional."

However, there is strong opposition to the proposed amendment.

Stephen Gaskill, spokesman for Florida Red and Blue, an organization created to oppose the proposal, commented: "It's government saying this is the only sanctioned relationship that you can have."

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