Asheville, NC - Dozens of community members and students rallied and marched through downtown Asheville April 7, chanting, “Gay or straight, stop the hate! Vote no on May 8th!” Amendment One is an anti-GLBTQ marriage proposal. The University of North Carolina-Asheville Coalition Against Amendment One organized the event.
North Carolina Senate Bill 514, also known as Amendment One, is a dangerous rewrite of the North Carolina constitution. In a sneaky move, the vote is scheduled as part of the primary election in hopes that it would have a higher Republican turnout. The text that voters will vote for or against will read: “Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.”
If passed, it will have countless unintended consequences for children, families, unmarried women and seniors. Children could lose health care benefits and it could threaten existing child custody and visitation rights. Domestic violence protections could only apply to married couples. We have already seen a precedent in Ohio where a similar constitutional amendment allowed convictions to be overturned. Even trusts and wills could be invalidated.
Despite the fact that it is already illegal for LGBTQ people to marry in North Carolina, this would invalidate domestic partner benefits that are offered by many municipalities. Durham, Mecklenburg and Orange counties, as well as the city of Asheville, have domestic partner registries. These provide a mechanism through which hospitals, businesses and other entities have the ability to recognize domestic partnership.
People passing by the rally today were also reminded they can vote against this amendment during early voting that runs from April 19 through May 5. Across the state, there are many more rallies, forums and events against Amendment One scheduled to take place between now and May 8.
Email this Article
As long as you accept Jesus
As long as you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior then you are going to Heaven. However, if you do what you are doing, which is condemning people to Hell basically, then that is in fact something that God frowns upon. Also, most people in America commit a sin everyday. Do you like football? That's a sin. You aren't supposed to play with a pig skin. Eat any kind of pork? Sin. If you're a woman who doesn't keep her head covered at all times? Sin. Wear mixed fabrics? Sin.
Everyone sins. But listen to this. God does not see man as man sees man. Man sees your actions and the way you look. God sees your soul.
I'm 18, and I apparently have more knowledge of the Bible than you do. By the way, my girlfriend says hello.
-A very ticked Transgender man.
true equality
protection under the constitution should apply EQUALLY to ALL citizens, not just the ones who hold popular beliefs. using religion to justify persicution of minorities isn't just wrong, it's un-American! protect all people, fight for equal rights for all. keep religion out of our Constitution!
Don't Believe This Lie
For sure we should be 100% for this bill. Marriage is between a man and a woman, only fools blinded by Satan himself would see it otherwise! Why don't we learn to pick up a Bible instead of allowing ourselves to be fed some junk like this?
fear not
NC need not fear the "activist judges", whom they attempt to fend off by prostituting their state constitution. They need to fear the US Constitution, especially that portion dealing with Equal Protection of the Laws. NC residents cannot clothe their bigotry in a state constitution, for the sceptre of the US Constitution shall strike it down like the snake takes the mouse!
Add your comment