(Charleston, West Virginia) The West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists has joined a socially conservative political action group in calling for an amendment to the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

The resolution also calls on other denominations in the state to join it in its call to action.

Last month, the Family Policy Council of West Virginia demanded Gov. Joe Manchin convene a special legislative session to put the amendment on the ballot.

Manchin ignored the pressure, saying the state already has a law limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples.

The Council continues to insist the issue to be taken up by the legislature, and points to a poll it took showing 73 percent of registered voters support amending the constitution. Amending the West Virginia constitution requires approval of the legislature and a vote by the electorate.

The Council says it wants a proposed amendment put to voters next year.

West Virginia’s so-called Defense of Marriage act was passed in 2000. It not only limits marriage to opposite-sex couples, but also bars the state from recognizing gay marriages performed out-of-state.