SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The founder of a family values think-tank testified Wednesday that the rights of same-sex couples should come second to preserving the cherished social institution of marriage, as a trial challenging states’ gay marriage bans was winding down.

David Blankenhorn, president of the New York-based Institute for American Values, said under cross-examination there are many valid reasons for allowing gays to wed, but the considerations are outweighed by the likely damage it would cause the already weakened state of heterosexual unions.

He acknowledged, however, that allowing gays to wed would have positive consequences for same-sex couples and society, such as scoring “a victory for the worthy ideas of tolerance and inclusion,” reducing anti-gay prejudice and hate crimes, and creating a higher standard of living for same-sex couples.

“I do believe it is almost certainly true that gay and lesbian couples and their children would benefit from having gay marriage,” he said.

Blankenhorn was expected to be the last witness to testify in the federal trial exploring whether states violate the U.S. Constitution by denying gays and lesbians the right to marry.

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker has said he wants to take several weeks to review all the evidence before hearing closing arguments.

Blankenhorn’s testimony was almost certain to be cited by lawyers for the two gay couples suing to overturn the ban prompted by voter-approved Proposition 8 in California.

They have contended that limiting marriage to a man and a woman hurts gay couples – a key point in their argument against Proposition 8.

At one point in his cross-examination, Blankenhorn was admonished by Judge Walker to answer lawyer David Boise’ questions instead of arguing.

Walker said Blankenhorn was at risk of having his testimony disregarded by the judge for being argumentative.

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) – A former Waterbury police lieutenant will be released from prison after serving only half his three-year sentence for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.

A parole board on Thursday approved early release for 48-year-old Robert Kennedy, who is set to be freed on July 9 after serving 18 months in prison.

Kennedy, who was a Waterbury officer for 12 years, was among seven men with whom the boy said he engaged in sex acts in 2007, sometimes for money. None were accused of using force, but the boy was one year below Connecticut’s age of consent.

The teen said he and Kennedy engaged in oral sex.

Kennedy, who is openly gay, told the parole board that the teen gave him many compliments, and he succumbed to the flattery in what he called “a type of gay, mid-life crisis.”

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – President Barack Obama is calling on Congress to pass a law extending benefits to same-sex partners, a day after he renewed his support for repealing the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military.

Obama was responding to a question during a town hall meeting Thursday in Tampa, Fla.. He noted a bill is pending that would extend to domestic partners benefits such as granting Social Security survivor payments and allowing hospital visitation.

Obama said: “My hope is we can get it done.”

Obama has acted administratively to extend some benefits to federal employees with same-sex partners. He has called for a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of gay unions and the granting of benefits.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Republican-controlled Indiana Senate has approved a proposal that could eventually lead to a constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions in Indiana.

The Senate voted 38-10 Thursday to advance the proposal, but it will likely struggle in the Democrat-led House. Democratic House Speaker Patrick Bauer of South Bend has repeatedly said that amending the state’s constitution isn’t necessary because Indiana law already prohibits same-sex marriage.

Supporters say the constitution should ban gay marriage in case courts overturn Indiana’s law. Opponents say the proposal sends a discriminatory message and is a political ploy in an election year.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – A Baltimore County delegate urged state lawmakers Thursday to prohibit Maryland from recognizing gay marriages authorized by other states or countries.

Del. Emmett C. Burns Jr. told House Judiciary Committee members that Maryland must act quickly because Washington, D.C.’s city council passed a bill last month legalizing same-sex marriage.

“Our back door is wide open,” Burns said. “Our law does not speak to marriages performed in other jurisdictions.”

Maryland law has said since 1973 that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid in the state.

Gay couples may soon be able to apply for marriage licenses in neighboring D.C., although Congress oversees district laws and the bill must pass a period of 30-day review by Congress.

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler is now looking into whether the state can recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Mary Ellen Russell, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, asked committee members to approve Burns’ measure to protect Maryland’s political process.

“The question here is whether or not the decision to legalize same-sex marriage should be made by the legislature, by the people of Maryland, or dictated by out-of-state boards and jurisdictions,” Russell said.

The Maryland House Judiciary committee has rejected measures similar to Burns’ bill in the past. Gay marriage supporters asked them to reject this proposal too, saying marriages shouldn’t “blink off” when a person crosses state lines.

Del. Heather Mizeur, D-Montgomery, said Burns’ bill is a “step backward in a state that always presses forward.” Mizeur had a Maryland wedding ceremony with her female partner more than five years ago, and they received a marriage license from California in 2008.

“In Pasadena, Calif., 3,000 miles away from here, we are treated as a married couple, in Pasadena, Md., 30 minutes away, we’re not,” Mizeur said. “In Cambridge, Mass., our marriage would protect us were life to deal us a bad hand. In Cambridge, Md., we are two unrelated women with some very expensive legal documents and a lot of uncertainty.”

NEW YORK (AP) – A group of gay Democratic elected officials from around New York state has endorsed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (KEHR’-sten JIL’-uh-brand) for re-election.

The group includes New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, state Assemblywoman Deborah Glick and Suffolk County Majority Leader Jon Cooper.

Quinn on Friday called Gillibrand the U.S. Senate’s chief champion on gay issues.

Gillibrand is facing a potential primary challenge from Harold Ford Jr., a former U.S. congressman from Tennessee.

While in Congress, Ford voted in support of a Constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

He now says he supports gay marriage.

NEW YORK (AP) – The executive director of one of New York’s most prominent gay advocacy groups has announced plans to resign.

Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan van Capelle will leave the organization at the end of February. He’ll join New York City Comptroller John Liu’s office as deputy comptroller for external affairs.

The office of the comptroller, which is the city’s chief fiscal officer, confirmed the appointment Thursday.

Empire State Pride Agenda staffer Joe Tarver will take over as interim executive director during the search for a new leader.

Van Capelle has been executive director for seven years.

The statewide Empire State Pride Agenda has pushed for same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination laws for transgender people, among other issues.