North Carolina voters ban gay marriage, civil unions

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Liz Goodwin | The Ticket


North Carolinians voted to change the state constitution Tuesday to say that the only valid "domestic legal partnership" in the state is marriage between a man and a woman, according to the AP's projection. The amendment passed 61 to 39 percent with most counties reporting, making North Carolina the 29th state with a gay marriage ban in its constitution.

The state already outlawed gay marriage, but the constitutional amendment makes it more difficult for politicians to ever change the law. The amendment also means that a handful of North Carolina municipalities that extended benefits to the domestic partners of their employees will no longer be able to do so, since marriage is now the only valid legal partnership in the state. Former President Bill Clinton urged the state's voters not to support the amendment in robocalls, while President Barack Obama's office said he was also against the change.

Supporters of gay marriage out-raised and out-advertised their opponents in the lead up to the vote, emphasizing in TV ads that the amendment could also have repercussions for unmarried straight couples because of its vague language. The anti-amendment coalition raised more than $2 million, according to campaign finance disclosures, most of which came from small and large individual donations. The pro-amendment crowd, called Vote for Marriage NC, raised a little more than $1 million, with most of the money being donated by nonprofit groups, not individuals.

Only 46 percent of voters realized that the amendment would ban civil unions for gay couples as well as marriage, according to a Public Policy Polling poll. A majority of North Carolina voters support civil unions.

Minnesota faces a ballot gay marriage ban in November, while Maine activists are hoping that residents have changed their minds and will vote to approve gay marriage this November after repealing its legalization in 2009. Lawmakers in Maryland, Washington and New Jersey passed laws legalizing same-sex marriage this year, though Gov. Chris Christie vetoed New Jersey's law.

[Southern Belle]

I feel strongly about lots of issues, but this is not one of them.
The only thing that irritates me is the bunch whiners on facebook. Ashamed to live in NC, blah blah blah. Move to one of the FEW states that allow gay marriage, I say.
And calling conservatives ignorant. I think the liberals are ignorant.



Just venting.

[RBP]

I don't think there's been any state that has approved gay marriage by ballot initiative, only by legislative action. Right?

It's an interesting to follow, especially with Biden now weighing in on a national level. I am not sure why Obama has decided to make this an issue for November since it seems to be a loser for him at the ballot box.

[Southern Belle]

Because he's an idiot?

[RBP]

Because he's an idiot?

oh yeah, that's right.

[Southern Belle]

[PorkChopSandwiches]

So stupid, I love how people feel the need to be so involved in other peoples lives and decisions.



SAVE THE CHILDREN, THEY'RE ALL GOING TO GET THE GAY

[RBP]

So stupid, I love how people feel the need to be so involved in other peoples lives and decisions.

SAVE THE CHILDREN, THEY'RE ALL GOING TO GET THE GAY

We're all involved in each other's lives, that's what laws are by definition.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

So stupid, I love how people feel the need to be so involved in other peoples lives and decisions.



SAVE THE CHILDREN, THEY'RE ALL GOING TO GET THE GAY

[Hal-9000]

I hear that they have Jewish people in NC




true story

[PorkChopSandwiches]

We're all involved in each other's lives, that's what laws are by definition.

Its one thing for a law to protect the people, like traffic laws and laws against violence....What is this protecting?

[RBP]

Its one thing for a law to protect the people, like traffic laws and laws against violence....What is this protecting?

Societal structure and standards, same as many other laws, including bans on polygamy.

[minz]

I don't see any wrong in two people getting married or forming a civil partnership what ever their gender.

[RBP]

I don't see any wrong in two people getting married or forming a civil partnership what ever their gender.

why not three?

[Godfather]

Personally I think this is despicable. We all know equality is coming, and rightfully so. I fail to see how this is different than voting against interracial marriage or other previous equality issues we now view as basic.... whoever holds out longest should be the most embarrassed.