On May 17, most legal observers fully expect that Massachusetts will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. However, despite the fact that such a radical event may end up nationalizing the practice, many in Congress don’t seem concerned enough to support the one practical solution: a constitutional amendment banning “gay” marriage.

Last November’s narrow 4-3 ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ordered the state to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on May 17.

Even though legislators narrowly passed a state constitutional amendment in March that would limit marriage to one man and one woman, it would have to be passed next year as well, and wouldn’t be voted on until 2006. By that time, thousands of “gay” couples will have married.

“When May 17 rolls around, it will initiate a brutal, state-by-state assault on traditional marriage,” said AFA Chairman Don Wildmon. “Few people have confidence in the ability of that institution to survive without a constitutional amendment.”

The Federal Marriage Amendment simply defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, and would bar attempts by renegade judges from forcing “gay” marriage on the nation, either on the state or federal level.

“Unfortunately, many in the Senate and House of Representatives appear unconcerned about this issue. Voters need to let them know otherwise,” Wildmon said.

AFA has set up a Web site, www.nogaymarriage.com, that helps supporters of traditional marriage get their voices heard. The site contains a petition to members of Congress, urging their support of the Federal Marriage Amendment. The petition can be signed online, or a hard copy can be printed from the site, and passed among friends, neighbors and church members. More than 1,216,340 people have signed so far.

Clergy are also being asked to commit to the fight to protect marriage. Those who are willing to speak up are encouraged to sign on at www.churchcoalition.com, an AFA Web site. While almost 8,000 clergy have signed up, Wildmon said he hopes to get at least 50,000 who will stand up and be counted.

“This is a critical moment in our nation’s history, and we need America’s pastors, ministers and priests to be involved in this battle,” Wildmon said. “Without them, we will lose.”

Photo above – Gloria Font of New York City displays a Bible while demonstrating against same-sex marriage in front of the Statehouse in Boston, March 11, 2004. Thousands of people on both sides of the same-sex marriage issue demonstrated as state legislators debated a constitutional ban on gay marriage inside the Statehouse. Same-sex marriage licenses will be issued in the state beginning on May 17.