AGDee,
We already are equal citizens which is probably why it never passed. By the time it would have passed, we didn't need it. Can you think of one area that the ERA would have covered that isn't already protected?
In Georgia, our state constitution is apparently pretty easy to amend. I think in a lot of states amendments are pretty common.
I'd just be wary if I were a SSM advocate of pushing the issue too hard while, I think, a federal constitutional amendment banning it could still pass. Sure, it could be repealed later, but it would probably be easier to go a little slower and affect the change state by state once the popular majority was in favor.
If this is something forced on the majority, which I think still oppose it (This article put the percentage favoring it at 30%
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...n4180335.shtml), I think the backlash will be harder to overcome.