Topeka ? Two rallies were held Monday in the Capitol on same-sex marriage within earshot of each other, but they couldn’t have been farther apart.

On the second floor, a group urged lawmakers to place before Kansas voters a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Russell Warnky of Wichita was one of those who attended.

“Same-sex marriage is ridiculous,” Warnky said.

Joey Kerns of Lawrence was at the rally on the first floor opposing the amendment.

“I think this amendment is ridiculous,” he said.

The rallies, held at the same time, appeared similar in size with a combined total of several hundred participants.

Senate leaders announced Monday they would try to vote on a proposed same-sex marriage ban on Thursday.

To get on the ballot, constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate. Then, if approved by a majority of voters, the proposal becomes part of the State Constitution.

Aside from the battle over the amendment, there is a fierce war being waged over when to place it on the ballot, if it gains the required votes in the Legislature.

A group of fundamentalist ministers want to have it on the ballot April 5 during the city and school board elections.

But some lawmakers say it would be better to wait until November 2006 during a general election.

Sen. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, said he supports having Kansans vote on the measure in April.

“People want to vote on this as soon as they can,” he said.

Same-sex marriage is already banned in state law, but supporters of a constitutional amendment say that is needed to further protect marriage.