The controversial Amendment One, declaring "that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized" in North Carolina, won statewide last night, despite losing in Asheville and other urban centers throughout the state.
With 2,067,251 ballots cast, 1,266,860 voters (61.2 percent) voted for the Amendment, and 475,010 (38.7 percent) against. Voters in Buncombe County, however, went the other way, with all precincts reporting, 35,768 voters (51.4 percent) were against the amendment, and 33,702 (48.5 percent) for.
"We opened a lot of hearts and minds to an issue that had been very taboo in this state and in the South," Liz MacNeil, the regional coordinator for the Coalition to Protect All NC Families, told Xpress, who thanked her volunteers and believes their efforts will bear fruit. "We've activated hundreds of organizations, faith communities, college campuses across the state and nationally. There are going to be a lot of people fighting for what the Amendment's taken away."
The coalition issued a statement on the results, declaring "together, we have proven to North Carolina and the entire country that fear tactics, discrimination, and division may compete with love, compassion, and solidarity in the short term, but we know that the time is coming for true equality."
The pro-Amendent One Vote For Marriage organization, who worked along with local, has yet to issue a statement. But the Washington Post quotes organization head Tami Fitzgerald as saying the results send "a message to the rest of the country that marriage is between one man and one woman ... 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.”
Buncombe County Commissioner Holly Jones, who easily won a spot in the Democratic primary, expressed pride in local opposition to the amendment.
"I'm just grateful to live in a place that really made a statement about the importance of dignity for all people and equal rights," Jones says.
With 2,067,251 ballots cast, 1,266,860 voters (61.2 percent) voted for the Amendment, and 475,010 (38.7 percent) against. Voters in Buncombe County, however, went the other way, with all precincts reporting, 35,768 voters (51.4 percent) were against the amendment, and 33,702 (48.5 percent) for.
"We opened a lot of hearts and minds to an issue that had been very taboo in this state and in the South," Liz MacNeil, the regional coordinator for the Coalition to Protect All NC Families, told Xpress, who thanked her volunteers and believes their efforts will bear fruit. "We've activated hundreds of organizations, faith communities, college campuses across the state and nationally. There are going to be a lot of people fighting for what the Amendment's taken away."
The coalition issued a statement on the results, declaring "together, we have proven to North Carolina and the entire country that fear tactics, discrimination, and division may compete with love, compassion, and solidarity in the short term, but we know that the time is coming for true equality."
The pro-Amendent One Vote For Marriage organization, who worked along with local, has yet to issue a statement. But the Washington Post quotes organization head Tami Fitzgerald as saying the results send "a message to the rest of the country that marriage is between one man and one woman ... 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.”
Buncombe County Commissioner Holly Jones, who easily won a spot in the Democratic primary, expressed pride in local opposition to the amendment.
"I'm just grateful to live in a place that really made a statement about the importance of dignity for all people and equal rights," Jones says.
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Maybe they should add it to the ten Commandments as well. As it is these "moral" concerned citizens are forcing people to continue to commit adultery, which happens to be covered in the ten big offenses.
I would feel better not legally recognizing any union as it discriminates often against single people.
By uh-oh
05/09/2012
The last time North Carolina amended their constitution on marriage it was 1875 to ban interracial marriage. If the Civil Rights of everyone aren't protected, then no one's Civil Rights are safe.
By Bjorn
05/09/2012
North Carolina has been perceived by many throughout the country as a more progressive state than most Southern states, a trend that has been developing for some years now. Many businesses have embraced a more tolerant, inclusive attitude when it comes to domestic partnerships and the provision of benefits to these people. A piece on NPR this morning, where business owners were interviewed, showed a lot of worry on their part over this national embarrassment.
The thumpers have set the state back a few decades.
By Dionysis
05/09/2012
Damn those who disempower.
Blast those who discriminate.
Curse those who let themselves be lead blindly.
Chide those who place their dogma over their humanity.
Neo-zealot Christian fascism is the new pop.
If you do not conform you will be chastised.
By Matthew Burd
05/09/2012
"If you do not conform you will be chastised."
You could say the same for any clique in asheville.
By bill smith
05/10/2012
Amendment 1 is dangerous because it denies everyone's civil rights. It only passed because it was framed as a morality issue, which if there was true separation of church & state should never have gotten on the ballot.
By Bjorn
05/09/2012
The religious right and the other forces that are celebrating the results can now proudly proclaim that they were victorious in making sure that those who wish to marry have as their only mechanism an institution that has slightly better than a 50% failure rate, which is trending even higher.
So, you wish to marry the person you love? No problem, as long as that person is of the opposite gender and you promise to enter into a decaying and antiquated social structure that produces more failures than success. Heck of a victory.
By Dionysis
05/09/2012
:)
By Chad Nesbitt
05/09/2012
Careful with the gloating, Chad. Someone might be tempted to bring up that $300,000 pledge of yours, or the fact that you used to be *gasp*... A DEMOCRAT!!!!
http://tinyurl.com/d2gp3nk
By Barry Summers
05/10/2012
Geez, sparky. All he did was smile. That's totally not even the e-gloat-icon. Let him have his small victory that will be repealed in the courts.
By bill smith
05/10/2012
So, this seems like a pointless effort by the Republicans in NC. It pretty much just affirms existing law. And it will likely be repealed in court. BUT if it forced Obama to announce his 'personal' support for gay marriage, then it *might* end up costing Obama NC in the election in Nov.
Was this the GOP's plan in NC with Amendment 1?
By bill smith
05/10/2012
@ Eye Ball - I just can't stop smiling!
By Chad Nesbitt
05/10/2012
Hey Chad, I read this and couldn't help but think of you:
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/opinion/sunday/homophobic-maybe-youre-gay.html?_r=1
"WHY are political and religious figures who campaign against gay rights so often implicated in sexual encounters with same-sex partners?
One theory is that homosexual urges, when repressed out of shame or fear, can be expressed as homophobia.
It’s a compelling theory — and now there is scientific reason to believe it. In this month’s issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, we and our fellow researchers provide empirical evidence that homophobia can result, at least in part, from the suppression of same-sex desire."
It's OK, Chad. Stop hating yourself. You live in an area that offers lots of support for coming out of the closet.
By tatuaje
05/10/2012
@ Eye Ball - I just can't stop smiling!
By Chad Nesbitt
05/10/2012
This gay thing - it really means a lot to you, doesn't it?
By sharpleycladd
05/10/2012
Ironic that the political party that historically mouths platitudes about 'individual freedom' and 'keeping government out of people's lives' and the like show their true authoritarian, anti-liberty colors by gloating over how they've reduced others' freedoms.
I guess they have to take solace when they can get it, since they've offered nothing of substance beyond pushing their sanctimonious 'social values' slash-and-burn campaign.
They'll be relegated soon enough to the dust heep of history, much like Luddites, Flat Earthers and pro-slavery types in times past.
By Dionysis
05/10/2012
http://vimeo.com/41802835
By Orbit DVD
05/10/2012