By Bruce Schreiner
The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - A lesbian couple said they went public with their relationship Wednesday to "put a face" on the consequences of a proposed state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages.

Standing side by side, Kim Peurrung and Beth Bates said they worried the proposal could deny them privileges enjoyed by heterosexual couples.

"We would like to have the same constitutional protections that any Kentuckians have to pursue a relationship and not have to worry about what you can and can't have," Bates said as more than two dozen gay-rights activists gathered to denounce the proposed amendment.

Among their concerns - joint access to health insurance and whether they could make lifesaving medical decisions for one another.

Gay-rights proponents promised a vigorous campaign this fall to try to defeat the proposed amendment on the Nov. 2 ballot. Under the proposal, the state Constitution would only recognize a marriage between one man and one woman. It also would deny legal recognition of civil unions.

Kentucky law already prohibits same-sex marriages.

Sarah Reece, director of a statewide group campaigning against the measure, said the proposal would go beyond defining marriage by threatening basic rights to gay couples.

"The Constitution should guarantee protections for you, not take them away," she said at a news conference at a park.

Kent Ostrander, chairman of a group promoting the proposed amendment, said the measure would not infringe on rights gay couples now have.

"If a gay couple has health care now, they will have health care after the amendment is ratified," he said in a telephone interview.

Ostrander said the pro-amendment group has started raising money and would begin its campaign soon. Ostrander also is executive director of the Family Foundation, a conservative group based in Lexington that led the push to get the amendment through the Kentucky General Assembly this year.

"We are optimistic that the more people look into the question of redefining marriage to please the gays and lesbians or any other group, the more likely the citizens are to vote to protect marriage as one man and one woman," Ostrander said.

Ostrander said he expected many churches to be "natural allies" in promoting the proposed amendment.

"We think the churches view themselves as being congregations of families," he said. "And we're convinced that most churches acknowledge the very special place of both mother and father."

Among the amendment opponents speaking out Wednesday was Phil Lloyd-Sidle, pastor of James Lee Memorial Presbyterian Church in Louisville. He said that the use of Scripture to defend the amendment amounted to "the misuse of the Bible."

"I simply cannot fathom turning that holy document of love into a bludgeon that batters people's freedoms, worth and dignity," he said.

Reece said her organization has raised $200,000 and has campaign staff in seven communities across Kentucky. She said the group has made inroads in persuading people that the proposed amendment "hurts Kentucky families."

"They understand that while we may disagree on social issues, we shouldn't change the Constitution to punish and set apart a group of people for unequal treatment under the law," she said.

Peurrung and Bates said they had to muster their courage to openly confirm their relationship at the anti-amendment event.

"For me, it came down to this is the time to put a face to the issue," Bates said. Peurrung added, "The risk we take now is far less risky than not speaking at all."

A Bluegrass Poll in May and published by The Courier-Journal of Louisville found that 70 percent of Kentuckians favor the amendment.