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The Wyoming House defeated a bill that would have allowed gay marriages in the Equality State.

House Bill 87, sponsored by Rep. Cathy Connolly, D-Laramie, would have changed the law that says marriage is a contract between a male and female to marriage being a contract between two natural persons.

Forty-one representatives voted against the bill. Seventeen voted in favor.

Connolly, who is openly gay, said there are 12,877 gay people in Wyoming. On a personal note, she said she’s lived in Wyoming for two decades and has chosen to raise her son here.

“If I want to get married to the woman that I love, I want to do it here,” she said.

Rep. Mark Baker, R-Rock Springs, argued against HB87, reminding members of the House they killed the bill last year. He suggested the issue be brought before voters.

"We cannot legislate such a colossal change in societies’ families, lives, jobs and religions from a glass bowl," he said.

Reach state reporter Laura Hancock at 307-266-0581 or at laura.hancock@trib.com. Follow her on Twitter: @laurahancock.

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