Opponents Organize in Moore County to Defeat Marriage Amendment

Opponents got yard signs to help fight the marriage amendment at Sunday's organizational meeting in Southern Pines Photo by John Chappell.

By John Chappell

As of Sunday, March 18, 2012

A room full of opponents – gay and straight – gathered this afternoon at the Southern Pines Civic club to organize an effort to defeat a state constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages.

Amendment One, as it is called, will be on the ballot when North Carolina voters go to the polls May 8 for the primary elections.

Wearing blue “Vote Against One” buttons, they heard volunteers from Moore Against Amendment One explain the use of phone banks and other strategies to have the amendment defeated. They will begin right away calling registered voters to explain the amendment and urge them to vote against it.

“In this referendum, every single vote will count,” said Michael Edwards, who led the meeting. “We are going to be calling people that are most likely to support our position on this amendment.”

Moore Against Amendment One organizer Michael Edwards greets an enthusiastic opponent.

It is a short seven-week commitment they are seeking from local residents willing to work put in some time to help defeat it. When Edwards asked how many would be willing to spend one evening of their time, every hand in the room went up.

“This is a really bad thing, people!” Edwards said. “This is why all of you are here. I can call 10 people in the time it takes to talk to neighbors on each side of me. Phone banking is vital if we are going to make a difference in Moore County. Yes, everybody in this room should talk to their neighbors – that’s canvassing.”

Edwards told of phoning neighbors – Roman Catholics – with the expectation they might not know about the amendment. They did, and he said their answer surprised him.

“Michael, let me stop you right there,” the lady said. “We don’t know what the church’s position is, but we will be voting for freedom.”

Edwards fears much support for what he sees as pure discrimination comes from his own Republican Party.

“When people go into that voting booth, I think people know – at the top of the ticket – what they are going to do,” he said. “On an issue like Amendment One, I think it will make a difference to have a presence at the polls. There are key times: opening to around 9 o’clock, from three, when kids get out of school, to closing. If we could have residents of a precinct handing a piece of paper asking them to vote against this, we could make a difference. We have six weeks to get that organization in place.”

Captains and co-captains will organize each precinct across the county.

“We will get volunteers from making phone calls,” he said.

This meeting was intended as a beginning, with one roomful expected to grow to hundreds of local residents fighting against the first change ever proposed to the Constitution of North Carolina that would limit civil rights, Edwards said.

“This is an organizational meeting to fight discrimination in our state and our county,” Edwards said. “We can beat this amendment if everyone here will talk to just five people, we can defeat it.”

Moore Against Amendment One is registered as a political organization and can accept donations from both individuals and companies. There are no limits to the amount that can be contributed, unlike contributions made to candidates for public office or political parties.

More like this story

Bflat 1 year, 2 months ago

Folks, just remember that Country Commissioners, Larry Caddell and Nick Picerno are in favor of the marriage amendment.

ThinkingMan 1 year, 2 months ago

I am also for Admendment 1. The sanctity of marriage is under attack in many forms! This is just 1 of them. We need to return marriage back to it's original state that God designed! Marriage is a holy union between one man, one woman, & God!

Don't let the spin full you folks! Admendment one shouldn't need to be on the ballot, but it is. I suggest reading it for yourself to find out what it says, & then vote on your convictions!

JohnChappell 1 year, 2 months ago

FYI -- The full text of this proposed change to the state constitution will not appear on the ballot.

JohnChappell 1 year, 2 months ago

Here is the text from the General Assembly website:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE THAT MARRIAGE BETWEEN ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN IS THE ONLY DOMESTIC LEGAL UNION THAT SHALL BE VALID OR RECOGNIZED IN THIS STATE.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1. Article 14 of the North Carolina Constitution is amended by adding 6 the following new section: "Sec. 6. Marriage. Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts." SECTION 2. The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the State at a statewide election to be held on the date of the first primary in 2012, which election shall be conducted under the laws then governing elections in the State. Ballots, voting systems, or both may be used in accordance with Chapter 163 of the General Statutes. The question to be used in the voting systems and ballots shall be: "[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State." SECTION 3. If a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act, the State Board of Elections shall certify the amendment to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall enroll the amendment so certified among the permanent records of that office. SECTION 4. The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act is effective upon certification. SECTION 5. This act is effective when it becomes law.

tarheelz 1 year, 2 months ago

Who can I contact to help volunteer and get a yard sign? So glad we've got a group actively campaigning against this discriminatory amendment!

SoPinesNo1 1 year, 2 months ago

Marriage should only be between one man and one woman. If someone wants a same sex union, It's their right, but don't call it a marriage, and down allow spousal benefits, such as being added to the others health insurance.

dlb 1 year, 2 months ago

Don't blame legislators the reason this is even an issue is a failure of our religious institutions

teufelhunden 1 year, 2 months ago

I like the name tag that says "Confidential".

pgericson 1 year, 2 months ago

Having the balloting during the primary election may skew the results: there is a significant reason for Republicans to come to the polls, less so for Democrats.

SH59 1 year, 2 months ago

pgericson "there is a significant reason for Republicans to come to the polls, less so for Democrats." Are you kidding? Democrats are so sick of this Evangelical Republican social agenda being forced into our government laws the Democrats will be chomping at the bit to finally have our say as the majority voice in this country. Maybe then the social agendas will get off the table and the real issues facing Americans will be worked on by the people we vote for to do their job.

SH59 1 year, 2 months ago

You evangelical crowd have your hands out to the government just like everyone else asking the government to do your work for you. You don't walk the walk; you have your tax free institutions with your followers who think it's easier to make the government change it's laws for all Americans instead of doing the work yourselves. If you think you're putting in all the work you need to do to make social changes with the infrastructure you already have then maybe you need to look at how you're doing it and do a better job. But now you take the lazy path and are crying "poor me, poor me" no one listens to us so now we want the government to change it's laws to make the world the way we want it.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

Marriage is a natural union between a man and a woman. This ammendment is an opportunity for the people of this state to vote on how they wish marriage to be defined. It is amazing that we live in a nation where groups like the above group can dissent and use their rights to try to speak out against it, even though I disagree with them. Vote for marriage between one man and one woman on May 8th.

moonchild7 1 year, 2 months ago

This is so unbelievable in this day and time. You "backwards folks" keep your religious beliefs at home and church. To deny Same-Sex Marriage is unconstitutional and the U.S. Supreme Court will soon find that to be so. This is a Civil Rights Issue and here it is 2012 and people in this country are still wanting to deny those rights to others. Shameful. I will be voting AGAINST this Amendment.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

http://www.redstate.com/shoutbits/2011/06/27/everyone-is-wrong-on-gay-marriage/

What homosexuals want is not marriage, or even benefits. They want recognition, or acceptance by soceity by government fiat that their union is just as natural as a heterosexual couple. The truth is that this about waving someone's unnatural behaviour in the faces of those of us who believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. So I believe that this vote is a crucial in that is the choice of the people how they want marriage to be defined. In all truth I would rather government get out of marriage all together and leave it as it was intended to be. A union ordained by God and meant to be between one man and one woman. But that is a smoke dream. We have to deal with the cards we are dealt. We need to define and protect marriage once and for all from those who wish to foist their unnatural lifestyle on the those who do not agree or endorse their lifestyle. Vote for Amendment One on May 8th.

SoPinesNo1 1 year, 2 months ago

Again, let them have the union that they want, just don't call it a marriage. Let's call it, say extinction, because that is what they will all become without the ability to procreate.

threeputt 1 year, 2 months ago

Amendment One is DISCRIMNATION in the purest form! To deny any person the rights to” life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is WRONG. I respect folks for their religious views on marriage. But all marriages are also a record of the state. Remember, we are not voting to allow “gay marriage”. The referendum asks the voters to define what marriages will be recognized by the state of North Carolina. To write into our constitution that only certain marriages will be recognized is DISCRIMNATION, period.

It is completely acceptable to oppose gay marriage and be against Amendment One. Remember, if we allow a simple majority to be all that is necessary to take people’s rights, then no group, however numerous today is secure in their rights and liberties. Are we willing to allow this kind of tyranny?

SoPinesNo1 1 year, 2 months ago

The Amendment doesn't prevent a person's right to be gay, it juust prevents the union from being recognized as a marriage.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

http://dailyhaymaker.com/?p=2667

Opponents of Amendment One better watch out according to renowned NC Democrat party strategist Gary Pearce.

aggou 1 year, 2 months ago

The amendment will easily pass. Let's just vote on this already. PPP and Civitas have shown it passing with over 55% in support for it.

PPP even said Elon's wording is what is making their poll numbers so different from the other two. PPP uses the exact wording, which Elon doesn't, and as PPP said, "It makes a 50 point difference."

cmptrepair 1 year, 2 months ago

joe daily haymaker is a republican website and you know that so that site is biased and baseless. stop making that grape ape koolaid. your way or else. you really don't know squat. when can humans determine race, sex, sexuality, socio-economic status? people born gay usually can't turn off the switch to be heterosexual. glad you ain't a real politician. you have been sheltered from the real world. don't drink joe's Koolaid. its the jim jones cocktail.

SoPinesNo1 1 year, 2 months ago

I understand that some people are born gay. I also understand that some people are born with the inclination to kill others. Using the same arguments that some posters use, shouldn't murder be okay as well? After all they're just pursuing their happiness...

aggou 1 year, 2 months ago

I don't understand what the problem is with people saying you're not born gay.

If it's about equality, then why would it matter whether they were born that way or not? It seems those who are pro-gay marriage focus more on that aspect than anyone else.

It shouldn't change anything if they're born gay, or choose to be gay, if you hold equality for all.

Arestorer 1 year, 2 months ago

im_a_harleyman43 minutes ago; You cant convince the haters, that their not haters...(Hard-headed)

And comprehension seems to ellude most of them..

SoPinesNo1 1 year, 2 months ago

Scooter boy, you entirely missed the point, just because someone is born gay, doesn't give them the right to marry another that was born gay, just as being born a murderer doesn't give that person the right to murder.

Arestorer 1 year, 2 months ago

SoPinesNo17 minutes ago;;; So, Are you the "Rights" giver and taker????

Arestorer 1 year, 2 months ago

I cant believe people still think this is some kind of religious,gay,thing....Its simply their"American Right", to be treated equally...Even if you dont agree with thier beliefs..

If the Government is going to be involved in marriage at all, It has to be Equal to, and for ALL...

cmptrepair 1 year, 2 months ago

sopines1, you been drinking garrisons Koolaid. what makes you or garrison right? hiding behind your screen name. how legitimate! hide hide hide and keep throwing stones - you must have a pair.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

Homosexuality is a lifestyle choice not a natural behavior.

cmptrepair 1 year, 2 months ago

JoeGarrison @SoPinesNo1 "I think its time to let Toda, and the other nuts continue their elementary food fight by themselves. I agree with you and you have done great. I am moving on, the election was successful, the right people were elected and the jail is moving forward. Done deal. I look forward to other issues and seeing your take on them:)"

on the buddy list...if garrison is so smart, why don't he run for office? sopines was one of larry catails supporters in carthage until she was axed for poor performance. child support and handling county finances is a brood stretch when it comes to accounting.

joe thinks he is somebody hanging on his dad in laws shirt tail. grow up kid. Toda has forgot more than you will ever know. cause you dont know jack %@#&^ about anything...

sbranche 1 year, 2 months ago

Nothing but the devil! I have nothing against gays or lesbians personally, but the Word of God says that man shall not lay with another man or woman with woman, it is an abomination unto God. God loves us all. If you repent of your sin then you will not face damnation! I know I will get a lot of haters on this post but I don't care! Right is right and marriage with the same sex is WRONG!! God help this nation!

siya 1 year, 2 months ago

This should be a non issue. What difference does it make if a your neighbor marries someone of the same sex. What harm does it cause? How does it negatively effect anyone? In this day and age we should be above this. Agnostics and atheists get married all the time, religious belief has nothing to do with their rights so why should it with homosexuals?

Arestorer 1 year, 2 months ago

sbranche16 minutes ago

;So, Im guessing you were against interracial marriages also..This is America !! The term "Bible belt" is just a saying...You live in the world of "America"...EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL !!!!

cmptrepair 1 year, 2 months ago

JoeGarrison 37 minutes ago Homosexuality is a lifestyle choice not a natural behavior. What the (^$%$&K, and where did you get your phd? you are a child in a mans body thinking like a republican who doesn't know squat. what make you right all the time and evey one else wrong. is sopines1 one of larry catails relatives she talks and acts like she is bethroved to him. young'n give it a break and tend to your offspring who I hope doesn't turn out to be gay. yep that's how it works born today gay tomorrow.

SH59 1 year, 2 months ago

SoPinesNo1, you are so F#@&ED up, you don't deserve to even write here. Go back into your cave and put your head in the sand. It's safer that way for all of us.

Arestorer 1 year, 2 months ago

JoeGarrison54 minutes ago

Homosexuality is a lifestyle choice not a natural behavior.

So is Conservatism......I hope your not going to teach your new son to be a hater....

AM910 1 year, 2 months ago

You don't choose to be gay. When did you choose to be straight?

OBXNC 1 year, 2 months ago

AM910 When you all were born, you were born as a male or female. God does not interfear after that. You can choose your lifestyle. A woman and man married are not the same as a woman and woman, or man and man. The only reason this is a issue is the same benefits granted to a natural married couple is wanted by others who are not married as the letter of the law states. You want one thing, and take from another to get it. The same old system used by some politicians to take from one,s rights to make another group happy. Marrige is defined by law. Call your unions something else and stop trying to make others change to your ideas, and way of thinking. The insurance companies etc. will pick your group up eventually, and if not tough.

SH59 1 year, 2 months ago

OBXNC, you need to go back to your cave too.

blessherheart 1 year, 2 months ago

JoeGarrison... you are so misinformed.

truthmatterstome2 1 year, 2 months ago

My question is a simple one. How does anyone, who is not gay, know that being gay is a chosen lifestyle or whether it is a natural occurance? I am looking for factual information in regard to the subject. Please provide your sources. Otherwise you will continue to sound like an ignorant hick.

SH59 1 year, 2 months ago

truthmatterstome2, Try Google, you know that thing on the computer that can answer your questions! http://www.springerlink.com/content/t18t2213605303j7/

jimt 1 year, 2 months ago

truth... Maybe they can cite Michelle Bachmann's husband, Marcus.., to parapharse the comedian Kathy Griffin...".boy did my "gaydar" light up when I heard him speak."

AFCHIEF 1 year, 2 months ago

Politcal correctness is driving this country down the drain...

jimt 1 year, 2 months ago

You know, AF, it's really too bad you were not born in Germany in the 1920s, then you could have served in the military of a country more in tune with your way of thinking. Pretty sure "H" and Company never tolerated any political correctness.

cantstandya 1 year, 2 months ago

I can remember when this type of behaviour was considered a mental disorder,my how times have changed ,from the asylum to the alter.

lizharry 1 year, 2 months ago

Could we please get away from all of the name calling? Get past the us vs. them mentality? If you have never taken the time to sit down with someone who is a homosexual and never REALLY tried to get to know them, then please don't judge them. That is how discrimination has ALWAYS flourished - judging people you don't know.

cantstandya 1 year, 2 months ago

lizharry, Not calling anyone names,and really have no dog in this fight but what I was referring to was the fact that at one time it really was considered a mental issue,look it up,myself could care less of anyones preference

lizharry 1 year, 2 months ago

I'm aware of that and I was not referring to your post specifically. My post was directed at those who have engaged in name calling which is unnecessary and not helpful.

JustThinking 1 year, 2 months ago

NOT "MARRIAGE" NO NO NO!!! NO MATTER HOW YOU CRAZIES TRY TO TWIST IT......YOU CAN'T CALL IT "MARRIAGE"!!!!! Know why?? ..... CAUSE THAT'S WHAT A MAN AND WOMAN DOES! Not pretend men and women! ONLY A MAN AND A WOMAN! You "pretend" people come up with your OWN TITLE, BUT YOU JUST CAN'T CALL "IT" MARRIAGE ! Got it??!! Invent your own stuff and keep it to yourselves ! Because "YOU" are different right? So name your "union" something unique and different from that of "normal" humans. And Thanks if you do, many many many of us will be happy about that!

SoPinesNo1 1 year, 2 months ago

Nature defines male and female, not me or any of you gay marriage proponents on this blog. The gay community wants spousal benefits for their "against nature" union so they can further milk the system. They want to take advantage of the marriage tax break, they want to be a dependent on their partners health insurance, they want to be able to draw their partners social security. They want the world to change to recognize something different than what nature has defined.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

@Arestorer- I will raise my son in the same values that my parents taught me which is to believe in God, to always work hard and try your best, and yes to believe in the conservative principles laid out in our Constitution. So no I will not teach him to hate, unless it's the tarheels :P

And some of you have made my point, I never had to think about my sexuality because all of us are born to naturally be heterosexual. Homosexuality in nature as with humans is a choice, a lifestyle, that has to be chosen and forced rather than heterosexuals, who's behaviour is not forced or chosen because it is natural. Homosexuality is a choice. I have had several friends who are homosexual and we still could be friends even after they knew my beliefs because I was honest and because even though I don't agree with their lifestyle doesn't mean I have to be rude or castigate them. It just means I don't agree with their lifestyle choice and that marriage shouldn't apply to them. Vote for marriage between one man and one woman on May 8th.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

@cmptrepair- I think you meant to say betrothed, which means to be engaged. Not "bethroved" Unless we are speaking your native language of ignoramus in which case your spelling would be acceptable:)

eflat7 1 year, 2 months ago

Good posts JoeGarrison. I understand your point. Just because you don't agree or believe in that lifestyle doesn't make you homophobic, or racist, or colorblind. Or whatever ever else people decide to label you.

What if everyone was "born" gay? The problem would soon correct itself. I believe that is enough proof that it is unnatural behaviour.

teufelhunden 1 year, 2 months ago

Joe Garrison- Bravo for standing up for what you believe in!!!

Bflat 1 year, 2 months ago

I don't care what others do in "their" bedroom and of course others will be quick to flaunt their preferences and defend themselves. Religion, morals, ethics, values, principle, statistics, psychology and all kinds of things can be argued all day long like it has been in these threads. I am not the one that others have to answer to, either.

Amazed 1 year, 2 months ago

This is ridiculous. Why is it anyone's business who gets married to whom? We heterosexuals have certainly made a joke out of the 'sanctity' of marriage. Last I checked there's something like a 50% divorce rate. Can't imagine homosexual people will fare any worse.

Courseaire 1 year, 2 months ago

Maybe we're just trying to keep the gays from making the same mistake the heteros made and save them a lot of pain and money..

Courseaire 1 year, 2 months ago

Harley - And nature also defines preferences - Preference means to "choose", a conscience act and not defined by nature. Maybe you are confusing it with "Natural Selection

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

http://dailyhaymaker.com/?p=2670

The above link talks about the flawed Elon university poll which suggests on shaky terms that a majority of North Carolinians oppose the amendment. Check it out.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

http://www.returnamerica.org/Marriage%20Rally%20poster.pdf

Check out the poster for a rally for traditional marriage on May 17, 2011.

Vote "Yes" on Amendment 1 on May 8th.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/003/660zypwj.asp

Check out Stanley Kurtz's story on how homosexual marriage undermined traditional marriage in Scandinavia.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

Check out another story by Stanley Kurtz on how gay marriage can lead to more defiling of the meaning of marriage including polygamy.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/002/938xpsxy.asp

Vote "Yes" for Amendment 1 on May 8th.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

http://www.returnamerica.org/RAdownloads.html

Check out this video of a gay marriage supporter cursing out a pastor who voiced support for the marriage amendment. The video is an example of how those who are against the amendment are willing to do anything to defeat this vital protection of traditional marriage, even intimidation.

Vote "Yes" for Amendment 1, on May 8th.

TOYTIME 1 year, 2 months ago

Stay focused conservatives! This is not the issue to be bringing up now. If gay people want something legaly binding them so be it; don't get into "the weeds" on social issues like these. There are much more important issues we need to be focused on like economy, taxation, private property etc. A legally binding "union" between two consenting adults is okay, tangents like this and frickin birth control pills is stupidville right now. FOCUS!!! You know the next four/five year are important for SCOTUS too right.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

It's not a distraction. It's on the ballot. It's a simple yes or no vote. Many polls suggest that the amendment may pass with a wide majority. I think people can worry about the economy and their values at the same time.

TOYTIME 1 year, 2 months ago

How does gay people having a legal union effect your or my religious values Joe? Both of us are Christian and my guess is you are very devout as am I. Morals are important to me and I intend on imparting my morals onto my beloved 3yr old son. However we're not going to change other peoples opinion through legislation. A union observed by the government has nothing to do with our religion. I am an intellectually honest conservative and don't want the government deciding what is valid between two adults who are committed to one another. If a gay couple has been with each other for years and are legally bound they should have the right of hospital visitation, property division all of it. This argument against calling it marriage is understandable, but this is of law not our religion, understand that. It is our responsibility to mold our childrens morals, not the government. Please get passed the religous aspects of this. People who are not Christians are not going to be saved by laws that our government passes, they will be saved by their personal decision to come to Christ. "Go to them gently" Do not force your will apon them, Christ gives us a choice. This is a government issue and unless you can point to a legal reason why we don't give gay people the legal rights the rest of us have we're going to turn off alot of votors this year.

blessherheart 1 year, 2 months ago

Woefully woefully misinformed.

TOYTIME 1 year, 2 months ago

How so blessherheart?

blessherheart 1 year, 2 months ago

Values? It is not a lifestyle choice. How can you be so callous as to assume that people who are born homosexual would choose this life with people like you around that deny their existence and their right to live their lives like you? Who bully them and make them feel inferior and deny them the same opportunities that a legal union would provide. You wear your homophobia like a badge. It is insulting that you would even say you have gay friends who understand your disagreement. You also said you "had" several friends who are homosexual" which implies they are no longer your friends.

JoeGarrison 1 year, 2 months ago

@Toytime, I hear you I guess we'll just agree to disagree:)

TOYTIME 1 year, 2 months ago

Not in response to me, okay.

cmptrepair 1 year, 2 months ago

good Lord Prince of Moore County...as Toda puts it Poorer County. your ego and larry catails is comparable. glad you read my stuff, i'm not smart like you. you and sopines should move in together since you think so much alike. so when is homosexuality determined by the constitution? Where is God mentioned in the Constitution? did you know there are amendments to the constitution? or is that way above your intelligence? who are you to tell people to vote one way or the nother when it comes to individual thinking. you must belong to the tea patriots of phurst! one thought one mind. i;m glad you annit an elected official ... you might be surprised. go for it brain surgeon..

cmptrepair 1 year, 2 months ago

by the way - how old are you anyhow. some say 19 or 20? still immature no less.

cmptrepair 1 year, 2 months ago

stand up for what you believe but don't post on here about your beliefs. you don't make no sense when you try to always be right. gay is how one is born ... blame God for creating an single human being not to your likeing.

TOYTIME 1 year, 2 months ago

@cmptrepair "stand up for what you believe but don't post on here about your beliefs."

Huh? That just gave me an Icecream headache.

apblue 1 year, 2 months ago

Here is the thing: voting to give someone else a right does not take away any of yours, JGarrison and everyone else in favor of this amendment. You are not doing anything but showing your hatred for a group of people, plain and simple.

If this amendment passes, I hope the outcome will be the same as Prop 8 in California. There is NO argument other than a religious one for denying people their EQUAL rights.

Also, this amendment is not just about the issue of "gay marriage"-- it affects EVERYONE. Unmarried couples will be affected by a changed definition of marriage, and domestic violence disputes have already proven to be problematic under different phrasings for legal marriage, as well.

Read this for more information about how Amendment 1 is an issue we all should care about: http://www.acluofnc.org/?q=vote-against-amendment-1

buskwon 1 year, 2 months ago

This is strange , finally a topic that dusty will not discuss, hmmmmm? I guess he has Harleyman doing all his dirty work.

StraightGrandmother 1 year, 2 months ago

Nowhere in that Amendment did I read even one time, the word GOD. So God is off the table. What is on the table are Civil Rights. Keep your HOLY Marriage doctrines in your church. The issue is about CIVIL Marriage. And all of you who hide behind your religion as an EXCUSE to Discriminate against Sexual Minorities are shameful.

Do Same Gender Couples meet the States Interst in Marriage? Yes or No? Are they able to form stable households, commit to each other for life, and pledge to support each other? Yes. There is your answer, Same Gender Couples meet the States Interest in Civil Marriage.

The ability nor intent to pro-create has NEVER been a requirement for Civil Marriage. If it was the State would not issue Civil Marriage Licenses to old people beyond the years of pro=creation.

Sexual Minorities form a sexual bond just like heterosexual couples do, and this sexual bond is not replicated in mere friendship. This sexual bond just like heterosexual couples binds them together into one union. They do this even though the parts do not fit. Doesn't seem to matter to sexual minorities.

buskwon 1 year, 2 months ago

I love my brother , Can I marry him ? my father loves me can he marry me ? I love my son that has down syndrome can we get married?,I am not gay but I demand equal rights, where do we draw the line?

buskwon 1 year, 2 months ago

harleyman , (hey - if you want to marry your brother or father or even mother - GO AHEAD - most people couldn't care less - including me!) Thats just wrong and you know it!

Courseaire 1 year, 2 months ago

StraightGrandmother - Thank you for your post here and on the other blog. You have made the best supported argument as to why this amendment should be voted against. It would certainly be helpful if SCOTUS would finally make a specific ruling on this to put this all to rest Nationally. Again, Thank You, Courseaire

StraightGrandmother 1 year, 2 months ago

Thank you Courseaire. You have no idea the many many hours upon hours I have spent in research on this topic which allows me to be a well informed participant in these discussions.

In my hours of research I have a reference file to save information. If you find my comments are helpful please feel free to copy and save the information for re-use.

In Lawrnce vs. Texas which struck down Texas' sodomy law Supreme Court Justice Kennedy wrote in the Supreme Court Decision,

“for centuries there have been powerful voices to condemn homosexual conduct as immoral. The condemnation has been shaped by religious beliefs, conceptions of right and acceptable behavior, and respect for the traditional family. For many persons these are not trivial concerns but profound and deep convictions accepted as ethical and moral principles to which they aspire and which thus determine the course of their lives. These considerations do not answer the question before us, however. The issue is whether the majority may use the power of the State to enforce these views on the whole society through operation of the criminal law. “Our obligation is to define the liberty of all, not to mandate our own moral code.” …

This, as a general rule, should counsel against attempts by the State, or a court, to define the meaning of the relationship or to set its boundaries absent injury to a person or abuse of an institution the law protects. It suffices for us to acknowledge that adults may choose to enter upon this relationship in the confines of their homes and their own private lives and still retain their dignity as free persons. When sexuality finds overt expression in intimate conduct with another person, the conduct can be but one element in a personal bond that is more enduring. The liberty protected by the Constitution allows homosexual persons the right to make this choice.

How can you make a law which denies citizens a Fundamental Constitutional Right, and the Supreme Court has said FOURTEEN Times, that Civil Marriage IS a Fundamental Constitutional Right, because they are homosexual, when homosexuality and homosexual intimate relations are ALSO a Constitutionally protected Right?

People think homosexuality is immoral and therefore sexual minorities should rightfully be excluded from Civil Marriage. Lookat Lawrence v. Texas, "Our obligation is to define the liberty of all, not to mandate our own moral code.” Furthermore heterosexual couples when they step up to the counter at city hall to apply for a Marriage License are NOT required to take a Morality Test. There is no Morals Investigation of heterosexual Couples. You cannot demand that couples who are sexual minorities pass a Morals Exam while exempting heterosexual couples. The 14th Amendment to our National Constitution will not permit this. Our 14th Amendment requires the government to treat all citizens equally Under the Law.

Gay Rights ARE Civil Rights!

jimt 1 year, 2 months ago

No matter how often opponents of Amendment One point out that "marriage" is a "civil" contract between two people, not inherently a religous contract, under the laws of the United States. Proponents of Amendment One, in the end, only cite one basis for their support of anti-gay marriage legislation, "I believe gay-marriage is wrong."

The fundamental problem with passing laws and constitutional amendments against gay marriage and domestic partnerships (don't forget Amendment Once also bans domestic partnerships) is that it represents the same logic that formed the basis for all Jim Crow laws. "We believe" the races should not mix. "We believe" separate but equal is equal. "We believe" a certain segment of our population should not be served in restaurants owned by White people, they should not be allowed to vote, should not be paid the same wages for the same work, and on and on and on.

I had hoped that by the 21st Century there would be a consensus among Americans that singeling out a group of people for discriminatory treatment under law was wrong. Guess I'm wrong.

Courseaire 1 year, 2 months ago

When this 1st came up, I was against gay "marriage", not guy unions (civil), but you have convinced me, a both a fiscal & social conservative that I was wrong on the "marriage" issue. This is a moral issue to be dealt with within your own beliefs and should not be forced on others. That does not mean you cannot try to convince or convert others to your beliefs, but they should not be forced. Just as you have convinced me. I'm still conservative, both socially & fiscally, but I am reasonable. Vote "No".

marathonman 1 year, 2 months ago

A vote for Amendment 1 is a vote for freedom. Each time we take a special interest group and approve its behaviors we lose freedom. Each time we must all change our behavior to accommodate a minorities desires, we lose freedom. It is about regulation of minds as well as behaviors. If there is no law then the behavior is tacitly approved by the majority. No, gay rights are about change to give them rights that should only accrue to heterosexual couples married in church or at least by a Pastor/Priest. If two men wish to live together, let them. But it should have no impact on others who chose to live within the accepted norms of society and the laws which were created to encourage them to do so because it was for the greater good. Throughout history, two women have lived together without conflict because they were accepted and no laws were asked for or broken. If two men lived together, we called them bachelors and no one paid much attention since no laws were asked for or broken. No those who advocate marriage for two men or two women are trying to change society and abridge all of our freedoms.

StraightGrandmother 1 year, 2 months ago

Buskwon, allow me to address your false equivalency of wrongly equating same gender couples from friendship.

2 bowling buddies attractions are platonic, not sexual. They create no special enduring lifelong sexual and emotional bond by bowling a perfect game together. They have no sexual bond, that joins them.

Same gendered couples do have a sexual bond with their spouses, a sexual bond exactly like with couples who are heterosexual, who bond together with sexual relations. Same gendered couples together reach sexual orgasm. They simply do it in a different way, but they still enjoy the same orgasmic bonding as heterosexual couples. Bowling buddies do not.

Friendship and romance are different. And they come from different parts of our being. Whereas same gendered couples, like heterosexual couples, experience intense romantic attraction and sexual feelings towards their spouses, bowling buddies friendship is never elevated to the level of romance and attraction, and certainly not sexual.

Furthermore there is no biological drive or deep emotional longing to sexually and romantically pair with your bowling buddy.

Platonic friends don't have sex, spouses do, and that sex leads to a special bond that is not replicated in mere friendship.

jimt 1 year, 2 months ago

Courseaire, I think you are to be congratulated. Now it's me who owes you a beer.

Marathonman, did you even both to read StraightGrandmother's posts?

As I said earlier, opponents of gay-marriage, at their core, base their opposition on their religious beliefs and their ignorance, or in same cases, willful ignorance, of the fact that marriage in the U.S. has firmly been established as a "civil" act covered by civil contract law. In the end, their argument comes down to a "belief" that is not based on law, but soley on "I believe...."

Courseaire 1 year, 2 months ago

StraightGrandmother - Platonic friends don't have sex, spouses do, and that sex leads to a special bond that is not replicated in mere friendship. I may disagree with you one this point though - I think now a day Platonic friends may be having more sex than spouses. I've never been against Platonic sex, sex for sex can be a lot of fun as well as pleasurable.

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