ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A group of Republican lawmakers are calling for the defeat of a bill to legalize gay marriage in Minnesota.

The gay marriage bill was unveiled Wednesday at the Capitol. Its backers say last fall’s defeat of a constitutional gay marriage ban shows the state is ready for gay marriages.

But Republicans say voters only rejected putting the ban in the constitution, and that it shouldn’t be seen as an endorsement of gay marriage. About 15 GOP lawmakers gathered for a press conference against the bill.

Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen of Glencoe says it’s a “lie” to argue that being gay is a choice. Sen. Dan Hall, a pastor, says he’d go to jail before marrying a gay couple. But the bill has an exemption that no church would be forced to perform gay weddings.

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