THE FAMILY FOUNDATION

With state senate and representative races, federal senate and representative races, selective state judicial races and the presidential race all being decided at the polls on Nov. 2, there is no doubt that this is a critical election cycle. But perhaps the most important reason to vote is what is unique to Kentucky and ten other states -- The Marriage Protection Amendment -- because its passage will shape Kentucky, and perhaps the nation, for decades.

The *Vote Yes For Marriage Committee*, an issues committee registered with the state for the passage of the amendment, has focused on the next generation of children as one of their key arguments. "Every child needs both a mother and a father. Saying 'No' to the amendment will usher in same-sex marriage, assuring that the children that are acquired by same-sex couples will never even have the hope of having both mom and dad," said Kent Ostrander, chairman of *Vote Yes For Marriage Committee*. "It would literally begin a vast, untested social experiment on the next generation of children."

Those against the amendment have maintained that the civil rights of gays and lesbians would be violated by the amendment's passage, saying that they are being discriminated against by the one man/one woman requirement in the amendment. Those pushing for its passage counter that gays and lesbians are actually inventing the right to redefine marriage for their own benefit and then attempting to use the force of government to make sure everyone falls in line.

Kentucky's decision on the amendment may have national implications, particularly if it passes with a strong majority. Already both of Kentucky's two U.S. Senators and all six U.S. Representatives have voted for a Federal Marriage Amendment in each of their respective chambers, the U.S. Senate on July 14 and the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 30. But both measures failed to receive the super majority they needed to move forward. Observers of the federal Congressional races across the nation expect the Nov. 2 elections to directly impact some of the legislators who voted against the amendment. The loss of several seats by incumbents voting *against* passage would be a huge win for those who are working to *protect marriage* from redefinition.

In addition, the eleven states voting on state-level marriage protection amendments, including Kentucky, could have significant influence if they pass their amendments with overwhelming majorities. Already this fall, Missouri and Louisiana passed such amendments with 71 percent and 78 percent victories respectively. If those kinds of numbers continue, Washington policy-makers will recognize that the protection of marriage is a uniting, not dividing issue as same-sex advocates have claimed.
Key Family Foundation Contacts: Kent Ostrander , Executive Director Martin Cothran , Senior Associate Policy Analyst

With state senate and representative races, federal senate and representative races, selective state judicial races and the presidential race all being decided at the polls on Nov. 2, there is no doubt that this is a critical election cycle. But perhaps the most important reason to vote is what is unique to Kentucky and ten other states -- The Marriage Protection Amendment -- because its passage will shape Kentucky, and perhaps the nation, for decades.

The Vote Yes For Marriage Committee, an issues committee registered with the state for the passage of the amendment, has focused on the next generation of children as one of their key arguments. "Every child needs both a mother and a father. Saying 'No' to the amendment will usher in same-sex marriage, assuring that the children that are acquired by same-sex couples will never even have the hope of having both mom and dad," said Kent Ostrander, chairman of Vote Yes For Marriage Committee. "It would literally begin a vast, untested social experiment on the next generation of children."

Those against the amendment have maintained that the civil rights of gays and lesbians would be violated by the amendment's passage, saying that they are being discriminated against by the one man/one woman requirement in the amendment. Those pushing for its passage counter that gays and lesbians are actually inventing the right to redefine marriage for their own benefit and then attempting to use the force of government to make sure everyone falls in line.

Kentucky's decision on the amendment may have national implications, particularly if it passes with a strong majority. Already both of Kentucky's two U.S. Senators and all six U.S. Representatives have voted for a Federal Marriage Amendment in each of their respective chambers, the U.S. Senate on July 14 and the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 30. But both measures failed to receive the super majority they needed to move forward. Observers of the federal Congressional races across the nation expect the Nov. 2 elections to directly impact some of the legislators who voted against the amendment. The loss of several seats by incumbents voting against passage would be a huge win for those who are working to protect marriage from redefinition.

In addition, the eleven states voting on state-level marriage protection amendments, including Kentucky, could have significant influence if they pass their amendments with overwhelming majorities. Already this fall, Missouri and Louisiana passed such amendments with 71 percent and 78 percent victories respectively. If those kinds of numbers continue, Washington policy-makers will recognize that the protection of marriage is a uniting, not dividing issue as same-sex advocates have claimed.