RALEIGH, N.C. — Conservative lawmakers in North Carolina introduced an anti-LGBT, anti-family state constitutional amendment on marriage today in the state capital.
Chiefly sponsored by State Sen. Jim Forrester and Rep. Paul Stam, the “North Carolina Defense of Marriage Amendment” would ban all recognition of same-sex marriages, domestic partnerships or other civil, domestic unions.
Roman Catholic Bishops Michael Burbidge of Raleigh and Peter Jugis of Charlotte joined Forrester, Stam and other legislators and conservative activists in a press conference at the N.C. Legislative Building this morning.
This year marks the sixth attempt to push through the discriminatory amendment by anti-gay members of the North Carolina Legislature.
The North Carolina Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality released a statement in the wake of the amendment’s introduction
“We are saddened that some of our legislators continue to use the issue of same-sex marriage to try and re-write our state’s constitution and create a hostile environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens in North Carolina,” said Jack McKinney, pastor of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh and co-chair of N.C. Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality’s steering committee.
McKinney added, “Such an amendment would not only deny equal marriage rights, which are already denied to gay North Carolinians, but could also prohibit any recognition of civil unions, domestic partnerships, or similar relationships in the state. The language of the bill is so broad it could prevent private companies from extending domestic partner benefits to their employees.”
Previous Story: Anti-gay resolutions moving forward
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related stories:► North Carolina gears up for anti-gay marriage protest, August 6th, 2010
► ‘Blood in the water’: Anti-gay consequences of a GOP victory in North Carolina?, February 8th, 2010
► Marriage amendment introduced, March 7th, 2009
► Anti-gay resolutions moving forward, February 24th, 2009
► Thousands-strong anti-gay rally slated for March, February 10th, 2009
► Marriage ban must be lifted, say Scottish gays, January 24th, 2009
► Marriage gains are a two-edged sword, June 14th, 2008
► Anti-gay amendment introduced in N.C. Senate, May 15th, 2008
I’m all for believing in whatever the hell you want to believe, as long as you keep it in your own home and do not FORCE your religion on others. -__- So much for the separation of church and state. Again.
Comment by TJW — March 5, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
I can’t figure out what they are so afraid of and how they think gay marriage or civil unions threatens heterosexual marriage. How are hetero marriages threatened?
Comment by KMC — March 6, 2009 @ 11:39 pm
I don’t get what the issue with our community getting married, loving and living a happy life. I do agree with TJW, what these anti-gay marriage people believe and what the church believe belongs in their homes and their church, not in the faces of our community and not in a forceful way that’s creating hatred and uproar around the world.
We are human and we are people just like everyone else. We are a very loving, caring and happy community that works hard to make a great life for our selves and we don’t deserve, no one does, the hatred that is being lashed out against us.
Stay strong guys!
Comment by TAD — March 11, 2009 @ 11:41 am
I thought church and state are to be seperate. (I guess only when it’s to thier benefit) If they don’t want to give this gay man his rights ,then they shouldn’t ask for this gay mans tax money.( They wouldn’t like that very much would they!!!)
Comment by Peter — March 13, 2009 @ 7:03 pm