(CNSNews.com) - The John Kerry-John Edwards ticket is the "most gay-supportive in American history," a homosexual advocacy group proclaimed on Tuesday.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute says it has analyzed Sen. John Edwards' positions on 13 issues important to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and found that while Edwards was "supportive" in nine categories, his positions were "unclear" in three others.

The group says Edwards opposes a Federal Marriage Amendment, but to their disappointment, "he does not support extending equal marriage rights to same-sex couples."

Nevertheless, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute is highlighting Edwards' "record of strong support for key issues" important to advocates of the LGBT agenda.

"John Kerry and John Edwards make up the most gay-supportive national ticket in American history," said Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman. "But, in order for them to win the enthusiastic support of the gay community, a critical part of their base, they will have to take a strong and bold stand on supporting our civil rights."

Foreman is urging Sen. Edwards to use his "strong southern and populist roots to speak out against the ugly, divisive and anti-gay campaigns being waged all across the country in the guise of 'protecting' marriage."

Those "ugly" campaigns include efforts to pass a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman -- the way it has been since the beginning of time, conservatives note.

Foreman said Edwards should "call these tactics what they are -- partisan, debasing, and profoundly un-American."

The Task Force notes that Sen. Edwards has supported non-discrimination protections for homosexuals; inclusion of sexual orientation in hate crime statutes; ending the ban on homosexuals serving in the military; and domestic partnership benefits. The analysis was based on voting records, public statements, and policy platforms, the Task Force said.

"With the presidential contenders locked in a statistical dead heat, both sides are trying to energize their bases of support," the Task Force said in its press release. "For the Democrats, the gay community is a key ingredient to victory," the group added.

According to exit polls, the gay, lesbian, and bisexual vote comprises at least five percent of the general election vote and traditionally votes heavily (70 percent-plus) democratic, the NGLTF said.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force describes itself as the oldest national organization working to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people at the local, state and national level.