By Jon Murray

jon.murray@indystar.com

A supporter and an opponent of Indiana’s proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage will debate the issue next month at Franklin College.

The Jan. 13 debate at the college south of Indianapolis will feature Curt Smith and Jane Henegar. Smith, an amendment backer, is president of the Indiana Family Institute. Henegar, an opponent of the effort to amend the state constitution, is executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana.

Former Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard will moderate the debate.

“Both sides deserve a fair hearing and, as moderator, I want to make sure that they receive one,” he said in a news release issued today by Franklin College.

The General Assembly is set to consider the amendment, called House Joint Resolution 6, for the second and final time during the 2014 legislative session in January and February. If approved, it would go to voters on the November ballot.

State law already defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The amendment would elevate that definition to the constitution and also would prohibit the potential of civil unions or any state recognition for arrangements “identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals.”

The debate will start at 7 p.m. Jan. 13 in the Napolitan Student Center’s Branigin Room on the Franklin campus. WFCI-FM (89.5) will broadcast the debate live.

“Having Chief Justice Shepard as moderator and such distinguished advocates as Jane Henegar and Curt Smith will guarantee that this debate will inform rather than inflame,” Franklin College President Jay Moseley said in the release.

Smith has debated the amendment in other venues recently, including an Indianapolis radio debate that pitted him against City-County Council member Zach Adamson, who opposes HJR6.

The Franklin College news release included comments from each of the new debate’s participants.

Said Smith: “Given that the definition of marriage has become controversial, it is important the Legislature allow Hoosiers to decide this question for ourselves. Making such a choice wisely requires an informed citizenry, which I trust this debate will foster.”

And Henegar: “The ACLU of Indiana defends the Constitution’s promise of equality for all. We are proud to be on the right side of history in the fight against governmental acts of discrimination, such as HJR-6. While a shrinking number of proponents of the constitutional ban insist on a narrow definition of marriage and what it means to be a family, a growing number of Hoosiers, business leaders and mayors across the state believe maintaining a welcoming environment in our state is crucial to our economic health and our humanity.”

Call Star reporter Jon Murray at (317) 444-2752. Follow him on Twitter: @IndyJonMurray.