North Carolina Votes to Ban Gay Marriage
On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, North Carolina voted to pass a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. This amendment, called Amendment One, to the state constitution makes a marriage between a man and a woman the only union recognized by the state. With this amendment, North Carolina becomes the 30th state to officially ban same-sex marriage. Advocates on both sides of the issue spend a total of $3 million on their respective campaigns.
Legislature Passes Bill, Lets Voters Decide
Following the 2010 elections, Republicans controlled both chambers of the state’s Congress for the first time in 140 years. In 2011, the both the House and senate approved Amendment One, putting it on the ballot for voters to decide. Prior to the passage of this amendment, North Carolina was the only state in the South without a constitutional ban on gay marriage.
Approximately 61 percent of North Carolina voters supported the amendment while only 39 percent voted against it. Supporters of the amendment included the Reverend Billy Graham and the Family Research Council. These supporters argued that the amendment provides extra protection for marriage, adding an important layer of protection from activist judges and lawsuits from same-sex couples seeking marriage equality. The amendment’s opponents, on the other hand, feared that its passage would dismantle legal protections available to unmarried couples.
North Carolina Marriage Laws
In order for a marriage to be valid in North Carolina, there must be a ceremony and a certificate of marriage. North Carolina does not recognize common law marriages, regardless of how long a couple has publicly identified themselves as man and wife.
Although illegal in some states, North Carolina allows first cousins to marry. First cousins are defined as the children of two siblings. Therefore, first cousins share the same grandparents. North Carolina does not allow double first cousins to marry. It is the only state that specifically prohibits marriage between double first cousins, who share both sets of grandparents.
Same-sex marriage was already illegal in North Carolina before this constitutional amendment was passed. This statute, which was enacted in 1996, states that marriages between same-sex partners are not valid in North Carolina. Although same-sex marriage was not recognized, the law did not prohibit domestic partnerships.
Unmarried Straight Couples May Lose Protections
Not only does this amendment ban same-sex marriage, it may also end the legal recognition of domestic partnerships formed by unmarried straight couples. The language of the amendment is unclear, stating that “marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.” However, “domestic legal union” is not a term that is used in North Carolina law. Because it is currently undefined under the law, the language may have an impact on unmarried straight couples as well. Opponents of Amendment One are concerned that it may prohibit an unmarried person from filing a domestic abuse case against a significant other, regardless of whether the couple is gay or straight.
Some North Carolina cities and counties recognize domestic partnerships that are available to both gay and straight partners. These domestic partnerships extend health benefits to employees and their domestic partners. It is unclear if Amendment One will affect these benefits.
North Carolina Marriage Laws: What the State Constitution says…
§ 51‑1.2. Marriages between persons of the same gender not valid.
Marriages, whether created by common law, contracted, or performed outside of North Carolina, between individuals of the same gender are not valid in North Carolina.
So you're telling me that my girlfriend and I can't buy a house or adopt a child but I can marry my first cousin??? As an 18 year old LESBIAN resident of North Carolina, um ashamed to say I live in such a bass awkwards state, if u know what I mean.
SO GET THE HELL OUT OF THIS STATE,AND GO TO ANOTHER STATE THAT LOVE’S GAY’S. IT’S THAT SIMPLE!!!
@Pastor Way
I just love how some religious people think that they are so correct when you obviously can't even read correctly. If your so knowledgeable on the bible then did u miss these points?
1. The old testament says that it is sinful to eat shellfish, to wear clothes woven with different fabrics, and to eat pork.
2. The original language of the new testament actually refers to male prostitution, molestation, or promiscuity, not committed same-sex relationships. Paul may have spoken against homosexuality but he also said that women should be silent and never assume authority over a man.
3. The argument of Adam & Eve not Adam & Steve? That was when the earth wasn't populated. There are now 6.79 Billion people, breeding clearly isn't an issue anymore.
4. The argument that the bible defines marriage between a man and a woman? The bible also defines marriage as one man-many women, one man-many wives-and many concubines, a rapist & his victim and a conquering soldier and a female prisoner of war.
5. The argument "Because Jesus said so"? Jesus never uttered a single word about same sex relationships.
If you think that we should live by the old testament laws from #1 or Paul's Values from #2 then have fun living your sexist, chauvinistic, judgmental, xenophobic lifestyle choice. The rest of culture will advance forward without you & if the only other reason you can give after this post is that same-sex marriage is wrong because it disgusts you then props for being honest.However, a whole population of people shouldn't have their families discriminated against just because you think gay sex is ICKY. GROW UP!!!
North Carolina, you suck.
I THINK YOU ARE THE ONE THAT SUCKS! SOMETHING?
How come you dont have your web site viewable in wap format? Can not view anything in my netbook.
all I have to say is that as high as the divorce rate is, hetrosexuals cant seem to figure out what love is, why do we deny true love to anybody!
I think same sex people are the same as everyone else people need to get a life and let them be. Its wrong to judge them for who they are. You cant stop who you fall in love with. Im 18 an a lesbian AND A CHRISTIAN and im happly dating a girl that im going to get married to and i dont care who hates gays or not im living my life and god will not judge me for being happy. Im right with the lord. He has helped me be with her and hasnt tried to tear us apart he wants us happy!!!!!
It don't matter what version of the BIBLE you read they all say the same thing! HOMOSEXUALITY AND LESBIANISM IS SIN! CHRISTIANS ARE TO LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD IN IT'S ENTIRETY NOT THE VERSES THAT APPEAL TO THEIR PERSONAL DESIRES! THE WORD IS VERY CLEAR, THAT LIARS, WHOREMONGERS, IDOLATORS,ADULTERORS, HOMOSEXUALS, BACKBITERS, SHALL HAVE THEIR PLACE IN THE LAKE OF FIRE! NOW IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE WORD OF GOD IS TRUE THEN THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU, ALTHOUGH IT IS THE TRUTH AND THE RESULTS ARE THE SAME EITHER WAY. GOD HATES THE SIN NOT THE PERSON COMMITTING THE SIN. THE PERSON COMMITTING THE SIN CAN BE DELIVERED, FORGIVEN, SAVED, AND START OVER AGAIN WITH A NEW LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST! BUT IF ANY OF US MYSELF INCLUDED DIES IN OUR SIN WE'LL ALL END UP IN HELL NO MATTER WHAT YOUR RELATIONSHIP STATUS IS! YOU CAN BE CLAIM TO BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST AND BLATANTLY LIVING A LIFE THAT GOES AGAINST WHAT YOU SAY YOU BELIEVE!
Bravo N Carolina!
I am a Christian and a Southerner. Sorry I stopped reading the King James Version years ago. I suggest you should too. FREAK!
HOW MUCH DID YOU READ? NOT THAT MUCH,IF YOU DID YOU WOULD HAVE READ THAT GOD DOES NOT SUPPORT GAY MARRIAGE.
Today bigots won the referendum to write small-minded fear mongering into the North Carolina Constitution. Congratulations on your victory, and for placing North Carolina on the wrong side of history yet again.
Look up the definition of marriage in the dictionary. If two same-gender people want to be joined for the rest of their lives then call it something else! marriage already has a definition, the legal and religious joining of a man and a woman. You guys are equal! if you what to marry someone of the opposite gender than go ahead! you have the same rights as all the rest of us! do you really need marriage to be together.
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You straights marry; you're saying you don't have to either? Really? That's interesting.
this is bs we should have the same rights as everyone else. Love Has No Gender ♥
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i think that same sex marriage should be aloud in nc and i'm an transgender person who wants to become married to another male and becomes his wife
Dah Fukk Man! uuugh! This is not cool, we are people also. all we wanted are the same rights. damnitt!
This video brought tears to my eyes. So sad.
Marriage is between a man and woman only and not two men and two women. The homosexual lifestyle is wrong and hope that people realize that this lifestyle is wrong and it is not natural.
Genesis 2: 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Please repent and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and ask Jesus to come into your heart and life so that your sins can be forgiven. Romans 10 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
what the f*ck mannnnnn
we have the most tolerant city here
whattttt
not cool
EQUALITY FOR ALL