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Redefining NC Marriage Part 1

Redefining NC Marriage Part 1 (Added: March 19, 2009)

Lawmakers and religious leaders are urging the state to change the constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman (more)

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Lawmakers and religious leaders are urging the state to change the constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman

By Arthur Mondale
Published: March 19, 2009

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It's a proposed law that could define marriage in our state.
Lawmakers and religious leaders are urging the state to change the constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Those on both sides of the argument say officials don't act fast same sex couples could walk down the aisle legally faster than you think.
If recent polls are any indication, the people of our state decidedly against same sex marriages.
The Marriage Protection Act has been introduced in various forms over the past five years--but never made it to the ballot.
It's a step both sides say would allow we the people of North Carolina to define what we want marriage to be.
Proponents of gay marriage are demanding the same rights straight married people have.
"We want the tax benefits,” said openly gay high school teacher Tom Greene. “We want the ability to put each other on health insurance. Recently my partner was denied coverage under my health plan. Therefore he has no insurance."
Greene like others in domestic partnerships have found solace in area with openly gay elected officials-- like Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Towns that have opted for resolutions in support of civil marriage for same-sex couples;
intermediate steps with no legal power, often viewed as red flags conservatives call warning.
Thousands of North Carolinian supporters say the amendment protects traditional marriage.
But opponents say it's a waste of voters’ time and money. While there's no doubt The Defense of Marriage Act or Senate Bill 272 has strong political and religious backing, but some men and women of faith say it's a discriminatory campaign to persuade voters with outdated political propaganda.
Robert Hudak, Rector of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church adds, "It's fear and ignorance because what it's trying to do is protect marriage--it goes back to what I said before--who's marriage?"
While openly gay pastor Ann Marie Alderman of Greenville’s Unitarian Universalist
Congregation said, "Being a lesbian to me is the same thing as you being African-American. It's just part of being who I am period."