Governor Carcieri has accepted an invitation to headline the annual fundraising banquet for the Massachusetts Family Institute, an advocacy organization that promotes marriage between a man and a woman and considers homosexuality "an unhealthy practice and destructive to individuals, families and society."

The $50-a-head event is more than a month away -- scheduled for the night of Thursday, Oct. 5 in Newton, Mass. -- but same-sex marriage proponents in recent days have attacked Carcieri's involvement.

The newly-formed advocacy group Queer Action of Rhode Island sent a letter to the governor's office dated Aug. 29 asking him to cancel the appearance. (Carcieri's office says it has yet to receive the letter.)

"We find it appalling that you, the governor to all the people of [Rhode Island], would support the fundraising efforts of an organization that advocates against the lives of some RI citizens," reads a copy of the letter provided to The Journal. "By making this fundraising speech, the negative message you will send to RI's gay community -- especially its younger members -- is extremely harmful."

Specifically, Queer Action cited the Massachusetts Family Institute's position on homosexuality printed on its Web site:

"MFI does not consider homosexual behavior to be merely an alternate lifestyle or sexual 'preference;' it is an unhealthy practice and destructive to individuals, families and society. Our compassion for those plagued by same-sex attraction compels us to support the healing of those who wish to change their behavior."

It continues: "MFI strongly opposes any efforts by political activists to normalize homosexual behavior and all attempts to equate homosexuality with benign characteristics such as skin color, or the 'gay rights' movement with the civil rights movement."

Carcieri has no plans to cancel his appearance, which, like most of his public appearances, will be unpaid, according to spokeswoman Amy Kempe.

"While we respect their opinion, we disagree," Kempe said of Queer Action's position. "The governor is honored to have been asked to be the keynote speaker at the 18th Annual Massachusetts Family Institute Fundraising Banquet."

Carcieri, a Republican, has been an outspoken opponent of gay marriage and abortion since taking office in 2003.