North Carolinians Rally Against Marriage

Special Report - Nov 18, 2008
Approximately 400 people gathered outside the North Carolina General Assembly building on Saturday, November 15th to protest the passage of a constitutional amendment in California defining marriage as between a man and a woman. The protestors shouted angry slogans, held up signs criticizing traditional marriage, and vowed to gain acceptance of same-sex relationships in North Carolina.

The protest was one of six across the State and thousands across the nation convened for the purpose of expressing dissention about the recent Marriage Amendment that was passed by the people of California. Protests were also held in Charlotte, Greensboro, Asheville, Wilmington, and Greenville. The protest at the State Capitol was peaceful, but the rhetoric was angry and defiant. The keynote speaker at the rally in Raleigh was Jimmy Creech, a former Methodist minister. Mr. Creech exhorted the crowd to fight for their “rights,” particularly the ability to marry in North Carolina. He told the crowd that they should thank the leaders of the North Carolina House and Senate for keeping a Marriage Amendment bill buried in committee and not scheduling it for a vote. He stated that this is the beginning of a grassroots movement in North Carolina to obtain same-sex “marriage,” and to gain more rights for homosexuals under North Carolina law. A lesbian couple who had been “married” in San Francisco talked to the crowd about their experience and their desire to be accepted as “married” in North Carolina. Violent rain and wind interrupted the rally, sending protestors for cover.

North Carolina Family Policy Council Attorney, Tami Fitzgerald, who attended the rally, observed that, “For five years, the leaders of the North Carolina Senate and House have refused to let the Marriage Amendment come up for a vote. North Carolina is the only State in the South that has not adopted a constitutional Marriage Amendment. Although our statutes define marriage as between a man and a woman and prohibit the recognition of same-sex “marriage” in North Carolina, a court can overturn statutes. This is exactly what happened in California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Over 70 percent of the public and a majority of members in the General Assembly support the Marriage Amendment, and the people have a right to vote on it.”

Ms. Fitzgerald added, “We view those who are involved in same-sex relationships with the highest form of love, which is an unselfish, unconditional commitment to their greatest good. Because men and women are uniquely created to complement each other in marriage as husband and wife, any other relationship that imitates marriage is harmful spiritually, physically, and psychologically for adults and children. We must protect marriage as between only a man and a woman in order to protect the safety, health, and welfare of our citizens.”

Copyright © 2008. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.