JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis, has filed legislation that would allow Missouri voters to decide whether the state constitutional definition of marriage as existing “only between a man and a woman” should be amended to provide marriage equality for same-sex couples.
Missouri voters ratified the existing marriage definition amendment in 2004. Today, 17 states plus the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage.
“We’ve seen a seismic shift in opinions away from marriage exclusion and toward marriage equality in recent years,” Colona said. “If given another chance to weigh in on this issue, I believe Missouri voters will reach a far different conclusion than they did a decade ago.”
If approved by the General Assembly, Colona’s proposal, House Joint Resolution 85, would automatically go on the Nov. 4 statewide ballot for voter consideration.
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