The group trying to block same-sex marriage in Minnesota vowed a tenacious battle Thursday, saying their opponents' push to rewrite the state's marriage laws is at odds with the beliefs of most Minnesotans.

"We will not stop fighting for the truth," said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage.

Brown was a featured speaker at a Capitol rally that drew about 1,000 residents who oppose same-sex marriage, many carrying signs saying, "Don't lie to children."

Brown's group was the top contributor to Minnesota for Marriage, which failed to persuade Minnesotans to cement the state's current ban of same-sex marriage into the state Constitution.

Just weeks after the measure failed, activists began their push to legalize same-sex marriage. Both groups have retooled into Capitol lobbying efforts, trying to persuade legislators to see the issue their way.

Brown said the other side insisted during the campaign that the amendment was not necessary because it wouldn't change anything. Now same-sex marriage advocates are trying to change the law.

"Minnesotans were sold a false bill of goods," Brown said.

Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for Minnesotans United for All Families, has said the campaign was always a discussion about the nature of marriage. Their group argues that marriage is a union between loving, committed couples who want to be responsible for one another. He said it should not be illegal to marry the person you love.

The issue has been enormously polarizing around the state, and that same division is playing out vividly in the Legislature. A new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll revealed that most Minnesotans don't want the Legislature to legalize same-sex rate.

The issue has shown a strong partisan flavor, but state Sen. Branden Petersen, R-Andover, announced a couple weeks ago he supports same-sex marriage.

But Rep. Peggy Scott, a Republican who represents Petersen's district, spoke at the rally against same-sex marriage. She did not want to talk about their political differences on the issue.

"We are here today to celebrate marriage as between one man and one woman and we want to keep it at that today," Scott said.