HARRISBURG — The latest effort to amend Pennsylvania's constitution to effectively ban gay marriage appeared dead Tuesday after three senators who supported an even broader measure two years ago changed their vote in committee.

Even proponents of the measure acknowledged that the 8-6 state Senate Judiciary Committee vote to set aside the bill scuttled its chances in the chamber, at least until the next two-year legislative session begins in January.

"Make no mistake, they voted to kill the bill, whatever other excuse they may give," said Sen. John Eichelberger, R-Blair, who sponsored it.

Senators voted without a word of debate in a committee room packed with supporters of gay marriage, who applauded afterward. One held a sign saying, "It is not the job of government to deny liberty," while supporters of a ban passed out literature in the hallway outside that said gay marriage "is harmful and must be opposed."

Sen. Daylin Leach, a gay-rights proponent who sponsored the tabling motion, said it was probably an easier vote for senators than taking sides on an issue that stirs up passionate emotions on both sides.

"At the end of the day, the effect is the same: This bill is dead," said Leach, R-Montgomery.

Voting to table the bill were all five Democrats and three Republicans. Six Republicans voted against doing so.

Pennsylvania law already defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. But proponents of a constitutional amendment worry that gay-rights advocates are angling to go to court to overturn it.

A constitutional amendment that outlaws gay marriage would guard against the potential that a judge's decision could overturn the law, Eichelberger said.

Leach has sponsored a bill to legalize gay marriage. However, it has drawn just one co-sponsor in the 50-member chamber and has sat without a vote for nine months in the Judiciary Committee.

Still, the committee votes reflected a shift in public attitudes as more states and countries legalize gay marriage and see that there is no adverse impact on heterosexuals, he said.

"When this does become legal in all 50 states, and it will, we're going to look back 10 years later and wonder what the fuss was all about," Leach said.