FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Nearly 200 people rallied in Frankfort Monday, calling on lawmakers to ban domestic partner benefits at public universities. It comes as lawmakers adjourn a special session.

“Simply stand for what we believe in, and that’s the sanctity of marriage,” said Kent Ostrander of the Family Foundation.

“When I heard about what the University of Louisville wanted to do and then what he University of Kentucky wanted to do, it just struck me as odd as what kind of lesson would they be teaching our young children about marriage?” asked Rep. Stan Lee.

Some lawmakers who watched the rally had a different view of it.

“This rally is about trying to prevent folks from getting health insurance. I believe it’s about hatred and bigotry,” said Rep. Mary Lou Marzian (D-Louisville).

Governor Fletcher put the domestic partner issue on the agenda of the special session, but no bills made it through because the house adjourned on the first day.

Last week, Fletcher and House and Senate leaders agreed to start a new session August 13 to pass a bill that would extend incentives to Peabody Energy, who is considering building a massive plant in western Kentucky.

Web story produced by Jay Ditzer.

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From The Associated Press:

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- About 200 people filled the Capitol Rotunda Monday, calling on Kentucky lawmakers to prohibit domestic partner benefits at public universities.

Kent Ostrander is executive director of The Family Foundation in Lexington. He says Kentucky is facing a constitutional crisis over the matter.

Ostrander says the state overwhelmingly supported a constitutional amendment in 2004 that banned same-sex marriage.

The General Assembly is scheduled to convene this afternoon, and lawmakers said last week they would likely adjourn and try again for an energy package in mid-August.

Senate President David Williams, a Burkesville Republican, spoke at the rally. He noted the Senate passed legislation addressing all of Fletcher’s call, including the proposed benefits ban.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)