A family group says recent court rulings pertaining to same-sex marriages are threatening West Virginia's Defense of Marriage Act.

To protect the eight-year-old law, the West Virginia Family Foundation wants Governor Joe Manchin to call a special session so lawmakers can approve a resolution to let voters decide if a ban on same-sex marriage should become part of West Virginia's Constitution.

Foundation president Kevin McCoy says rulings in California and New York threaten West Virginia's law. West Virginia's law bans same-sex marriage and says the state won't recognize such marriages performed in another state.

Manchin spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg says the governor believes the group's proposal is better suited for a regular session, rather than a special session.