Foxrac

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday defining marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman, becoming the latest state to effectively slam the door shut on same-sex marriages.

With most of the precincts reporting Tuesday, unofficial returns showed the amendment passing with about 61 percent of the vote to 39 percent against. North Carolina is the 30th state to adopt such a ban on gay marriage.

Tami Fitzgerald, who heads the pro-amendment group Vote FOR Marriage NC, said she believes the initiative awoke a silent majority of more active voters in the future.

"I think it sends a message to the rest of the country that marriage is between one man and one woman," Fitzgerald said at a celebration Tuesday night. "The whole point is simply that you don't rewrite the nature of God's design based on the demands of a group of adults."

In the final days before the vote, members of President Barack Obama's cabinet expressed support for gay marriage and former President Bill Clinton recorded phone messages urging voters to oppose the amendment.

Supporters of the amendment responded with marches, television ads and speeches. Church leaders urged Sunday congregations to vote for the amendment. The Rev. Billy Graham was featured in full-page newspaper ads backing the amendment.

North Carolina law already bans gay marriage, but an amendment effectively seals the door on same-sex marriages.

The amendment also goes beyond state law by voiding other types of domestic unions from carrying legal status, which opponents warn could disrupt protection orders for unmarried couples.

The campaign manager for the group that opposed the amendment said the nation watched North Carolina on Tuesday night, wondering how the anti-forces came through.

"I am happy to say that we are stronger for it; we are better for it; our voices are louder now," said Jeremy Kennedy of Protect All NC Families. "We have courage like we never had before, and we have strength to continue on."

Both sides spent a combined $3 million on their campaigns.

Six states – all in the Northeast except Iowa – and the District of Columbia allow same sex marriages. In addition, two other states have laws that are not yet in effect and may be subject to referendums

The North Carolina amendment was placed on the ballot after Republicans took over control of the state Legislature after the 2010 elections, a role the GOP hadn't enjoyed for 140 years.

Joe Easterling, who described himself as a devout Christian, voted for the amendment at a polling place in Wake Forest.

"I know that some people may argue that the Bible may not necessarily be applicable, or it should not be applicable, on such policy matters. But even looking at nature itself, procreation is impossible without a man and a woman. And because of those things, I think it is important that the state of North Carolina's laws are compatible with the laws of nature but, more importantly, with the laws of God."

Linda Toanone, who voted against the amendment, said people are born gay and it is not their choice.

"We think everybody should have the same rights as everyone else. If you're gay, lesbian, straight – whatever," she said.

North Carolina is the latest presidential swing state to weigh in on gay marriage. Florida, Virginia and Ohio all have constitutional amendments against gay marriage, and Obama's election-year vagueness on gay marriage has come under fresh scrutiny.

Obama, who supports most gay rights, has stopped short of backing gay marriage. Without clarification, he's said for the past year and a half that his personal views on the matter are "evolving."

Later Tuesday, Obama's campaign said he was "disappointed" with the amendment. Obama campaign spokesman Cameron French said in a Tuesday statement that the ban on same-sex unions is "divisive and discriminatory." Same-sex couples deserve the same rights and legal protections as straight couples, French said.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated on Monday his unequivocal support for same-sex marriage, a day after Vice President Joe Biden said he is "absolutely comfortable" with same-sex married couples getting the same rights at heterosexual married couples.

One fault line that could determine the result is generational. Older voters, who tend to be more reliable voters, were expected to back the amendment.

State House Speaker Thom Tillis, a Republican from a Charlotte suburb, said earlier in the day that even if the amendment passed, it would be reversed as today's young adults age – within 20 years. "It's a generational issue," Tillis told a student group at North Carolina State University in March about the amendment he supports.

"Also, that amendment is against women, I believe, because also underneath the amendment, other laws are saying that people who aren't married at all, they can't file for domestic abuse cases, if they're living with their significant other. Which is wrong," Toanone said.

In North Carolina, more than 500,000 voters had cast their ballot before Tuesday, which was more than the 2008 primary when Obama and Hillary Clinton were fighting for the Democratic presidential nomination. Both sides said that bodes well for them.

___

Associated Press writers Allen Reed, Allen G. Breed, Emery P. Dalesio and Gary D. Robertson contributed to this report.

Amendment One, North Carolina Gay Marriage Ban, Passes Vote

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Foxrac

Wow, all of southern states already have constitution ban on gay marriage and congratulation to anti-gay rights that effectively push gay marriage out of the southern states for now.

That's very sad and I'm forward to hear on court ruling over DOMA. If court strikes DOMA down so all states have to accept the marriage from other state, regardless on sex orientation or states can be sued with costly court. When once federal recognize gay marriage, it means state definition on gay marriage is no good, even no matters where are you in.

Personally, I don't think government should involve with marriage but it is people's choice to get government involve with marriage. It is very sad and mistake because in couple of century ago, the marriage were performed in church or other place whoever do responsibility on marriage, without government's hand.

I'm very sad about this news and I'm going add North Carolina to my no move list after graduate from college, even I was born in North Carolina. It is just effective for anti-gay rights to take control of our life. I will be happy if gay marriage is legal in all USA or majority of people want throw government out of marriage business - aka privatization of marriage.

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CSign

Very disappointing, although not surprising.

PowerON

So far... 29th states carry the same-sex marriage ban (mix legal).

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rockin'robin

Not surprised at all.

soutthpaw

Here is my issue with this law
""The whole point is simply that you don't rewrite the nature of God's design based on the demands of a group of adults.""
I am an Atheist so God to me is an imaginary being. I do not follow the wishes of something that is Imaginary.

Most important is that the USA is a Secular Nation. It was NOT founded on the basis of any Christian Ideals.. I will post the exact writings of John Adams and George Washington if you don't believe it. This is why we have a separation of church and state. Do not impose YOUR god on my laws. America is governed by the laws of man not a god. Worship as and who you please but do not force it on those who do not have the same religious beliefs as you...

TXgolfer

We have "separation of church and state"? You sure? Is that in the constitution?

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CrazyPaul

Fact or bullshit?

CSign

Clearly it's a fact.

Why would anyone willingly choose to subject themselves to a lifetime of being stigmatized and tormented by the ignorant folks who can't see past their noses?

Foxrac

fact.

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CrazyPaul

If someone asks me how come my son is gay, should I say "well, he was born gay and it's not even his choice so there's nothing I can do about it"? Come on, gay people choose to be gay people, not because they were born that way. I used to have many gay friends at NTID and I never heard them saying that they were born that way.

Foxrac

Seriously, it isn't choose to be gay, bisexual, straight or transgender because it come from your brain that maintain the behavior. I'm realized that sex orientation isn't choice after had difficult to transition from homosexual to heterosexual so finally I accepted to be bisexual in 2008. My therapist told me that sex orientation isn't choice and explained about how to accept about who I am.
Bill Donius: Suicide Is a Choice When Being Gay Isn't

Not all gay people would going say about from born, neither is all of them are realize about sex orientation isn't choice.

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Foxrac

Yup, I agree with you and I have no problem about you are atheist.

You are correct because of First Amendment.

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Foxrac

Yup, we have one but indirect - First Amendment, however it isn't clearly to say "Separation of Church and State".

We should have new constitutional amendment about Separation of Church and State but it won't happen because of political opposition.

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Steinhauer

A new Constitution would require an overthrow of the United States. Good luck.

Foxrac

Not true.

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rolling7

No answer to post #7 yet.....

Foxrac

I already answered his question - look #14.

Note: Please refrain from trolling and be civil.

Same goes to Steinhauer.

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Jiro

Separation of church and state in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Jiro

I'm sure he meant Amendment. Constitution is constantly evolving... you know that, right?

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Foxrac

Yup, you are correct and I'm saying about new constitutional amendment.

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TXgolfer

Ah, so there is no separation of Church and State mentioned currently...

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TXgolfer

Exactly....it is not specifically mentioned in the constitution.

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Jiro

it is.... all over....

but of course... there is no law against being obtuse.

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Foxrac

It is already under First Amendment, even if specific words aren't there.

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TXgolfer

Nope it is really not. In fact this has been left up to the interpretation of the court on many occasions with varying results (as even your wiki page pointed out). Case law shows this. If you disagree with case law your argument is with them....not me.

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Foxrac

You seems confused about my post.

There is "Separation of Church and State" style in First Amendment.

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TXgolfer

You seem confused by the first amendment....

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Jiro

and what is this case law that you speak of? care to cite a specific one?

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Jiro

correct!

You seem to be purposely obtuse because you know very well that Foxrac is correct.

Do you know why the federal government does not tell you or church what to teach and what to believe in? Do you know why government does not enforce or mandate or regulate or promote its religious doctrines?

First Amendment with separation of Church and State in mind:

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