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Committee Hears Arguments About Gay Marriage

By KEVIN FREKING

WASHINGTON – Proponents of same-sex marriage are likening their cause to yesteryear’s epic civil rights battles, calling once more for repeal of a 1996 law that defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

The new pleas came Wednesday at a hearing the Senate Judiciary Committee conducted on legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

The committee also heard from several supporters of existing law who said repeal would undermine traditional marriage and the will of most Americans.

Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, who led civil rights marches during the 1960s, called the law a stain on democracy.

But Rep. Steve King of Iowa said that repeal would devalue marriage.

Supporters of repeal acknowledge they have a tough fight before getting enough votes to make it happen.

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Associated Press

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