By Bruce Schreiner
The Associated Press

FRANKFORT - Hundreds of hymn-singing protesters Monday implored the Kentucky House to revive a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriages and deny legal recognition of civil unions.

Hundreds of demonstrators gather on the grounds of the Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., proclaiming their opposition to same-sex marriage during a rally Monday. (AP photo)

Protesters arrived by buses and church vans for a Capitol rally organized by the Family Foundation, a group spearheading the marriage amendment. The rally coincided with the last scheduled day for the General Assembly to pass legislation.

The House on Friday defeated a version that would ban same-sex marriages but was silent on civil unions. It failed to gain the 60 votes necessary to go on the ballot when House Republicans staged a dramatic walkout. They were protesting a decision by the Democratic majority to curtail debate and quash Republican amendments.

Protesters on Monday urged the House to consider the version passed by the Senate, which would apply to marriage and civil unions.

If lawmakers adjourn Monday without taking action, the proposed amendment could still be considered when the legislature meets April 12-13 to take up any gubernatorial vetoes.

Republicans hope to gain control of the House in the November election and believe "gay marriage" will be a potent issue. Forty incumbent House Democrats have Republican opponents.

"I think you are sending a message today that has to be heard," Rep. Danny Ford, R-Mount Vernon, told protesters during the rally. "If it's not heard today, if it's not heard on the 12th or 13th, it will be heard in November."

The crowd roared its approval.

If ratified by voters, the amendment would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

Kentucky has a statute prohibiting same-sex marriages, but proponents of the measure said a constitutional amendment is the only way to cement it.

Protesters said gay marriages threaten traditional values.

"We cannot stand by and let the morality of our great country be undermined," said Richard Wright, associate pastor of West Frankfort Church of God. "We have to speak up."

Netta Brooks, with the gay-rights group Kentucky Fairness Alliance, said she feared the massive rally would influence the House. She said the marriage amendment would "hurt real people and real families."

"It's basically just legislating hate into our Constitution," she said.

Brooks said the lawmakers need to recognize that "not all of their constituents are straight."

A House committee last week combined the "gay marriage" issue into one conglomeration of constitutional amendments.

In addition to adding a definition of marriage to the constitution, it would prohibit courts from imposing mandates on the General Assembly. It also would specify that public money could only be spent by act of the legislature. And it would make individual legislators immune from lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of laws.

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The legislation is Senate Bill 245.

On the Net: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us