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Cover Story: NC Marriage Amendment

By Jeff Atkinson - bio | email

RALEIGH, NC (WBTV) - The debate over same sex marriage heats up in North Carolina.  In Raleigh Tuesday, an effort to amend the constitution to prohibit gay marriage.  Both sides of the debate in our Cover Story with PrimeTime's Jeff Atkinson.

Five years ago this month.. California followed the example of Massachusetts and began officially marrying same sex couples.

Today, gay marriage and same sex unions are an issue taking on more fervor.. .

All over the country, protests and demonstrations for and against.

In Hawaii.

"God put one man with one woman..."

In California..

Says this activist, "This is about civil rights and equality and insuring that all families of all couples.. all children are treated equally."

A gay wedding even showing up for the first time on daytime TV.

"I thee wed."

Only two states.. Massachusetts and Connecticut allow gay marriage. (California voters last fall rescinded the right through Proposition 8..)  Three more.. Vermont, New Jersey and New Hampshire allow civil unions.

Others.. are trying to get their state constitutions amended to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.

In Raleigh today a group called NC For Marriage launched an effort..

"Our leadership has refused to act.. refused to have this bill heard in committee.."

Legislative leaders have blocked debate on similar bills in recent years.

They say no amendment is needed because gay marriage is already banned in the state.

But backers.. religious leaders and conservative state lawmakers say more protection is need.

"It only takes one liberal judge to overturn our statues and usher in same sex marriage."

County leaders like Rowan county's county commission have already signed on to the effort.

Supporters of the amendment say activist courts have overturned states marriage laws and redefined marriage to include same sex couples.

They want it written in the state constitution to keep it from happening.

NC For Marriage says every state in the southeast with the exception of North Carolina has passed a so-called Marriage Amendment.

Gay rights supporters are against it.

"Do not.. do not put your dogma onto public policy and create unequal minorities in a nation where everybody is supposed to be equal," says Matt Comer of the Charlotte Rainbow Action Network for Equality.

Supporters of the amendment say 30 other states have put it into their constitution--- to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

They are seeking to get the North Carolina Legislature to put on the issue on the November ballot..

Tar Heel voters would have an opportunity to decide whether to amend the North Carolina Constitution.