RICHMOND - Advocates for a state constitutional amendment that explicitly defines marriage are organizing an outreach campaign to build support for the measure, which Virginia voters could pass or reject in 2006.

Three state legislators joined representatives of a nonprofit coalition called The Family Foundation Action at a Richmond press conference Tuesday to unveil a Web site supporting their cause. The Web site www.va4marriage.org is part of a campaign that also will include voter registration drives and media advertising, organizers said. The General Assembly earlier this year passed a resolution to amend the Virginia constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman and to prohibit legal recognition of "relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effects of marriage."

Virginia law already prohibits same-sex marriages, but supporters of a constitutional amendment said a stronger measure is needed to prevent courts from overturning the ban. Voters in 18 states have approved constitutional amendments that codify marriage as a heterosexual union.

"If we don't act, marriage as we have come to know it will be redefined through the judicial process," said Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell County, a co-sponsor of the amendment who also represents a portion of Bedford County. "The reality of our current situation is that we are literally one unfounded, misguided judicial action away from the redefinition of marriage."

By law, the legislature must pass the resolution again next year to give voters a chance to consider it in a referendum. Supporters hope to get the issue on the ballot in November 2006. And they plan to spend the next 17 months trying to win the debate with opponents of the measure.

"While we have little doubt that a vast majority of Virginians support the amendment and will vote in favor of it when it's on the ballot, we don't intend to sit by and allow the opponents of the constitutional amendment to dictate the terms the debate," said Pat McSweeney of Richmond, the board chairman of The Family Foundation Action.

The coalition includes church-affiliated organizations and the Richmond-based Family Foundation, which has lobbied vigorously for the amendment. McSweeney said the coalition intends "to organize a grass-roots structure in every polling precinct in this commonwealth."

Opponents of the amendment also plan to take their case to the voters, said Dyana Mason, the executive director of Equality Virginia, a statewide advocacy organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens.

"We have some time to educate and change some minds and tell our stories," Mason said.

Equality Virginia contends the amendment is not necessary because state law already prohibits gay marriage. It also argues that the constitutional change would authorize discrimination and jeopardize legal protections for children being raised by gay and lesbian parents.

"It's not just about gay marriage," Mason said. "It [the amendment] attacks at our families."

Del. Bob Marshall, R-Prince William County, said supporters of the measure are geared up for a fight.

"Those who are opposing us better pay attention to our determination to put this here," said Marshall, a co-sponsor of the amendment. "If this amendment goes down because some judge decides that words don't mean what they say, we'll find another amendment. And if that amendment goes down, we'll find a way to get rid of judges that can't tell the top from the bottom, or the front from the back."

The Marriage Amendment

What's happened?

By a vote of 79-17 in the House of Delegates and 30-10 in the Senate, the General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 586 this year.

What's next?

Both houses must pass it again next year to give voters a chance to consider it in a statewide referendum. The referendum would occur no earlier than November 2006.The Marriage Amendment ±

The text:

Proposed amendment to Virginia Constitution

Section 15-A. Marriage.

That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.