Fridae

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the largest American gay rights group, has launched a new ad campaign in the mainstream press on Monday aimed at educating the public about the fundamental rights and benefits that are granted to couples in this country by obtaining a civil marriage license.

One of the five ads feature Maryland couple Jo and Teresa and their three young children. It reads: "Why are 'pro-family' groups attacking this family? Between skinned knees and soccer practice... they face all the same joys and frustrations as other parents - but without the same protections."

Another features Keith Bradkowksi, holding a photo of his partner, who died September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center, but was not eligible for the same benefits as other surviving partners. "The terrorists killed people not because they were gay or straight but because they were Americans," the headline reads.

"This campaign answers the question, 'How does society benefit by providing civil marriage licenses to all committed, loving couples?'" said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch.

"Civil marriage licenses, which are wholly separate from the religious institution, ensure that devoted couples can visit each other in the hospital, have the protection of pension, health care and Social Security benefits, and generally allow couples to care for one another and their children. The legal rights, benefits and protections of civil marriage should be provided to all couples, straight and gay."

The Family Research Council, one of the antigay "pro-family" groups referenced in the ads, immediately responded to the announcement. "It will take much more than $1 million to convince the American public that deconstructing marriage is a good idea," said FRC president Tony Perkins.

"What these ads ignore is that protecting the definition of marriage is about more than tax breaks and Social Security benefits. It's about the real benefits that society reaps from strong marriages, benefits that are not produced from homosexual 'unions.' Homosexual activists are cloaking their agenda with non-threatening ads that focus on financial benefits and hospital visitation rights - privileges they are already afforded via a will, power of attorney, or contract. In reality, they want 'marriage' so they can gain social approval of their chosen lifestyle and of their far-reaching political agenda."

The US Congress is currently considering the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would amend the US Constitution for only the 18th time since the Bill of Rights, to permanently define marriage in this country as being between one man and one woman. It would also deny each state the right to decide family law and relationship recognition for itself. If the amendment were to pass, it would be the first time that the Constitution has been amended to specifically deny rights and protections to a single group of Americans.