The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples in all 50 states have a fundamental right to marry under the U.S. Constitution. President Barack Obama will make a speech on the ruling at 11 a.m., Friday, June 26. Live stream here.
Tag: same-sex marriage
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Letter writer: In same-sex marriage issue, magistrates must treat everyone equally
“A magistrate is funded and entitled to perform the services by a/the government. The government must treat everyone equally, therefore this magistrate must treat people equally.”
Supreme Court ruling may open door to gay marriage in NC
USA Today reports that the U.S. Supreme Court “refused to get involved in the national debate over same-sex marriage” today, Oct. 6, “leaving intact lower court rulings that will eventually lead to legalizing the practice in 11 additional states.” North Carolina is one of those states.
Reisinger first register of deeds in South to accept same-sex marriage licenses
Today Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger became the first in the South to accept same-sex marriage licenses, as 10 couples requested them as part of an effort organized by the Campaign for Southern Equality. However, Reisinger stopped short of issuing the documents, saying that while he believes the state ban on same-sex marriage is in conflict with the U.S. Constitution, he will first formally request that North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper allow the marriages to proceed.
Face your fear and stand with us
What is this, target practice? In that case, go long next time. To Pastor Keith A. Ogden: your “argument” has been countered so many times, it has become redundant and boring [“What's Next, Polygamy Benefits?” March 27 Xpress]. Biblical marriage consists not only of polygamy, but also rape, slavery, pedophilia, incest, murder and an assortment […]
Hypocrisy, plain and simple
Pastor Ogden, you are a hypocrite [“What's Next, Polygamy Benefits?” March 27 Xpress]. You and many other Christians are so quick to fervently oppose legalizing gay marriage without also expressing with equal zest your disgust with the legality of divorce, adultery, drunkenness, lying, sex out of wedlock, blasphemy and a multitude of other sins which […]
When love truly fills your heart all fear vanishes
In response to Rev. Keith Ogden's March 27 letter regarding the current “dangerous” homosexual legislation, here are some reasons we should oppose Marriage Equality [“What's Next, Polygamy Benefits?” Xpress]. Being gay is not natural. Real Americans reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, air conditioning and science in general. Gay marriage will encourage people to be […]
Intolerance is poor theology
Why is it that some religious folks are bent on inserting themselves (and their particular beliefs) into the business of government or civil matters, such as equality for all taxpaying citizens and, in this specific case, Buncombe County workers? [“What's Next, Polygamy Benefits?” March 27 Xpress.] While the county commissioners' vote approved benefits for both […]
Let Buncombe be a beacon against Amendment One
In the wake of Amendment One's approval, I am so embarrassed to be a North Carolinian. It is a shame to all of us that our state felt it appropriate to hold a vote on the rights of a segment of our population. It is even more shameful that we voted to deny people those […]
A sad day in North Carolina
The people of North Carolina cast a vote for hate on May 8. Their vote for Amendment One gives LGBT people second-class-citizen status. It is also a slap in the face to those citizens who are in a domestic relationship. As a native North Carolinian, I've always been proud of my state. I'm not so […]
Take heart — Amendment One won’t stand
Amendment One's passage in North Carolina and its similar enforcement in the vast majority of the United States will be on the books now. Although disappointed, I do not despair because this issue has been decided by the “X,” “Y” and “Millennial” generations. As they assume positions of power, the states will rescind these laws […]
Images from Friday’s WE DO protest
Friday, same-sex couples went into the Buncombe County Register of Deeds office to request marriage licenses — knowing they would be denied — as part of the WE DO campaign. Eight people were arrested in the ensuing sit-in. The protests originated in Asheville last year and have since spread to other cities throughout the Southeast, garnering national and international media attention. Images of WE DO’s return to its home city. Photos by Max Cooper.
Asheville City Council preview: Amendment One
Tonight, Asheville City Council will consider a resolution opposing Amendment One, the proposed state constitutional amendment that would ban legal recognition of same-sex couples. Various government bodies and universities across the state have already adopted their own resolutions about this controversial amendment.
Equality NC kicks off “race to the ballot”
Equality NC kicked off its efforts to defeat Amendment One — which would ban legal recognition of same-sex relationships — with staffer Jen Jones running through downtown as part of the statewide Race to the Ballot campaign. The newly opened Asheville office will be the organization’s headquarters for organizing in the Western part of the state.
(Photo by Bill Rhodes)
WE DO campaign protesters convicted for trespassing, fined $10
For refusing to leave the office of the Register of Deeds on Oct. 14, the Rev. Kathryn Cartledge and Elizabeth Eve were today found guilty of 2nd-degree Criminal Trespass in Buncombe County District Court. Both were found guilty and fined $10 plus court costs.
(Photo by Bill Rhodes)
WE DO campaign expands to South Carolina
The Asheville-based WE DO campaign — where couples try to register for marriage licenses as a way of demanding an end to laws prohibiting same-sex marriage — is expanding to South Carolina. On Jan. 17-18, three LGBT couples will request licenses in Greenville, S.C.
Behind Asheville’s WE DO campaign
For two weeks in October, 20 same-sex couples applied for — and were refused — marriage licenses in Buncombe County. Their efforts culminated in a rally and an act of civil disobedience that led to an arrest. This WE DO campaign drew national attention and, in many ways, demonstrates a different approach to LGBT activism.
Elon University Poll: Majority of N.C. residents oppose constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
Fifty-six percent of North Carolinians oppose a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, according to the latest Elon University poll, and the number of people who would prefer to see no legal recognition for same-sex couples has dropped since pollsters asked the same question two years ago.
Legislation has no place in matters of the heart
The times of holding certain classes of citizens from equal rights must end, and should have ended long ago. Our country is a free society that is the model of the world. As we shame and look down upon other nations that mistreat different sexes, beliefs or religions, we forget that, right here in this […]
Proposition 8 protest Saturday in Pritchard Park
Supported by a slew of local LGBT rights groups, Asheville will see a protest at 1:30 p.m. this Saturday in support of same-sex marriage. The protest will target California’s recently passed Proposition 8, which stripped marriage rights from same-sex couples after a court decision had allowed it.