Valentine's Day becomes symbolic platform for activists

NEW YORK -- Chocolates and flowers still abound, but Valentine's Day is acquiring a new, politically tinged layer of symbolism: For many activists, it's now the date of choice to mobilize on matters of the heart -- advocating abstinence, decrying divorce, rallying nationwide to demand gay marriage.

Across the country, teens from hundreds of schools and youth groups will make chastity pledges Monday on the "Day of Purity" -- organized by the Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based conservative legal group.

In Arkansas, Gov. Mike Huckabee and his wife, Janet, will renew their wedding vows in the presence of hundreds of other couples at a ceremony promoting the state's covenant marriage law -- a voluntary system that makes divorce harder to obtain. "The nation will be watching as we take a stand for marriage," the Huckabees' invitation says.

And at statehouses, courthouses and city halls nationwide, gay-rights supporters will be rallying in support of gay marriage as Valentine's Day serves as the centerpiece of Freedom to Marry Week.

Similar observances have occurred annually since 1998, but this year the mood is more combative as state after state moves to entrench bans on gay marriage in their constitutions.

ON THE NET

* Day of Purity: www.lc.org/dayofpurity.htm

* Arkansas marriage event: www.arkansas.gov/governor/programs/covenant--marriage.html

* Freedom to Marry: www.freedomtomarry.org

School officials and teachers in some communities were wary of promoting the Day of Purity for fear it would be seen as a religious activity.

Why choose Valentine's Day for the event?

"The focus is so much on going out on that special date," Lindevaldsen said. "It's a good time to be thinking about making wise choices."

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On the Net:

Day of Purity: http://www.lc.org/dayofpurity.htm

Arkansas marriage event: http://www.arkansas.gov/governor/programs/covenant--marriage.html

Freedom to Marry: http://www.freedomtomarry.org