ATLANTA - Another January, another dreaded legislative session for Georgia's beleaguered gay lobby.

Fresh off a failed try to tank the state's new constitutional ban on same-sex marriages, gay rights advocates are bracing for proposals that could limit their ability to adopt children and discourage students from joining gay-friendly clubs.

Still, activists say there's a glimmer of hope for their cause this session: Enough Georgia lawmakers might find the legislation so egregious that they will vote it down.

The constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, which Georgia voters overwhelmingly approved in 2004, divided homosexuals. Some argued that civil unions should be debated by lawmakers before the issue of marriage was broached.

A bid to prohibit gay couples from adopting children would have the opposite effect, polarizing homosexuals while drawing compassion from mainstream voters throughout the state, said Chuck Bowen, the executive director of Georgia Equality.

"It's not about taking away rights from gays and lesbians as much as it is denying the best opportunity for family and children," Mr. Bowen said. "By injecting children into the argument, they don't have the same strength they had."

No known sponsors have materialized yet for a proposed ban on gay adoptions, but the idea is being discussed, said Senate President Pro-tem Eric Johnson, a Savannah Republican.

Lawmakers friendly to gay causes aren't holding their breath, said state Rep. Karla Drenner, Georgia government's only openly gay lawmaker. When the session starts Jan. 9, she said, "bills take on a life of their own."

Gay advocates aren't encouraged by Gov. Sonny Perdue's recent appointment of Mary Dean Harvey to head the state's Division of Family and Children Services. In a similar role in Nebraska, Ms. Harvey issued a directive barring foster children from being placed with homosexuals or unmarried couples.

The lobby will also play defense on a revived push from lawmakers to require parental notification before students can join school clubs.

Rep. Bobby Reese, R-Sugar Hill, plans to push his version of the bill, which died in committee in the last session, as will Sen. Nancy Schaefer.

Ms. Schaefer, a Turnerville Republican, said the legislation is not meant to be a "sneak attack" against gay-friendly clubs under the guise of seemingly harmless language. While she said the proposal is intended only to inform parents, some see it as a way to curb gay-straight alliances.