Bloomington mayor to conduct same-sex wedding ceremony

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The mayor of Bloomington plans to conduct a wedding ceremony for more than a dozen gay and lesbian couples this week to protest a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Indiana.

The ceremony Thursday in Bloomington coincides with a local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender festival. The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/WMketT) that Mayor Mark Kruzan announced his plans in a news release.

Local clergy and city officials are expected to attend.

Legislators approved a constitutional ban in 2011, but it must be approved again and pass a referendum before taking effect. Two ban bills were introduced in the Indiana House last week, but their future is unclear.

Critics say a constitutional amendment is unnecessary because same-sex marriage is already illegal under current Indiana law.