Traditional Marriage Advocates To Launch New Ballot Effort
       Lawmakers and traditional marriage advocates will hold a press conference today (Thursday, June 16) to announce their effort to put an amendment banning gay marriage on the 2008 ballot.
       The effort comes as lawmakers are due to consider a pending amendment to the constitution that bans gay marriage but allows for civil union. That proposal, should it be approved this session, would appear on the statewide ballot in 2006. Holding Thursday's press conference are Massachusetts Family Institute's Kris Mineau, Maria Parker of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, Dr. Roberto Miranda of the Congregacion de Judah, Bishop Gilbert Thompson from the Black Ministerial Alliance, and Rep. Philip Travis (D-Rehoboth). The press event will be at 10 am in Gardner Auditorium.