Same-sex marriage is legal in New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington D.C. However all are the result of court cases or votes by Legislatures.

In the 32 states where it has appeared on the ballot, ALL HAVE BEEN DEFEATED.

Furthermore, the polls are narrowing. In Washington a September Elway Poll reported 51% in favor of same-sex marriage vs. 37% opposed. The most recent Elway Poll: 49% to 45%.

That's a 10 percent shift in a month. It is now within the 4.5% margin of error.

What caused the shift? "The other side had airways to themselves from the Summer Olympics in July. Now the public is hearing our side of the campaign with ads that began in October," said Chip White of Washington for Marriage.

In Maine, "Internal polls show we are down, but within the 4%-5% margin of error," says Carroll Conley, Co-Chair of Protect Marriage Maine. "Add in the 4% - 8% undecided, and there is a path to victory here."

An independent pollster conceded that "Any undecided vote is a vote for traditional marriage."

The Knights of Columbus is giving $100,000, and the Catholic Bishop of Maine is having a letter read in churches on Sunday opposing same-sex marriage as "immoral" or "evil" and contrary to Catholic doctrine.

Southern Baptist churches and many independent churches who took no stand on gay marriage when it was on the ballot three years ago - are now openly supporting it.

In Maryland, a more liberal state, polls show an 8% margin for same-sex marriage, but there are 10% undecided. "It will be a real nail-biter for us, a very close margin. We can garner quite a number of the undecided," said Rev. Derek McCoy, President of the Maryland Marriage Alliance. "A lot of churches now realize they can't be silent any longer, and must be involved."

If same-sex marriage is upheld, many will pay a huge price.

Consider the case of Dr. Angela McCaskill, the first African-American Ph.D. Gallaudet University has produced, who was suspended from her university job - simply because campus officials discovered that she had signed a petition to allow the people of Maryland to vote on the same-sex marriage law passed by Maryland Legislature.

Her offense? "Exercising her fundamental civil right to participate in the democratic process," said Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage. "And so Dr. McCaskill, who is also deaf, was targeted, bullied and intimidated by the gay 'marriage' bullies and tolerance police who ultimately suspended her job."

Jim and Mary O'Reilly refused to host a wedding reception at their Vermont inn for a Lesbian couple, because it violated their Catholic faith. The Lesbians sued, on grounds that the state had legalized marriage. The O'Reillys had to pay $30,000 in fines, and were prohibited from hosting future wedding receptions if same-sex couples are denied.

By living their faith, they were fined and deprived of future income. If same-sex marriage is legalized no one will suffer more than the children raised by gays or lesbians.

A recent study by Mark Regnerus of the University of Texas of young adults, aged 18-39, raised by a parent in a same-sex union found that they were four times more likely to be on welfare as those raised by intact married parents.

Only 2% of those with married parents had ever been touched sexually by a parent or an adult vs. 23% of those with a lesbian mother. That's 11 times higher. Only 5% of those with married parents had ever considered suicide, but 12% of those with a lesbian parent and 24% of those with a homosexual father. That's five times higher.

A child deserves to be raised by a married father and a mother. Same-sex marriage makes that impossible.

The National Organization for Marriage has donated more money to groups like the Maryland Marriage Alliance than anyone. It has found a generous donor who will match $2 for every dollar contributed by individuals. If you believe same-sex marriages should be opposed, consider supporting NOM by going to www.nationformarriage.org.

Michael J. McManus, President of Marriage Savers and a syndicated columnist