Marriage Efforts Nationwide

Special Report - March 3, 2009
The battle for the future of marriage continues in state legislatures across the nation, with several states considering bills this year that would either legalize same-sex “marriage” or give the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples. According to the Family Research Council, legislation that would legalize same-sex “marriage” is either expected to be introduced or has already been introduced in the legislatures of at least three states—New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Both Hawaii and Washington are considering legislation that would sanction civil unions, and Colorado is considering domestic partnership legislation (a similar bill in New Mexico was defeated in the State Senate).

“Nationwide, we are seeing continued efforts by homosexual activists to redefine the institution of marriage through the outright legalization of same-sex ‘marriage’ or through the sanctioning of civil unions or domestic partnerships, which essentially give away all or most of the benefits of marriage without giving away the name,” said Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of NC4Marriage. “These efforts should be a wake up call to our legislative leaders in North Carolina that marriage is under attack and the time to protect marriage in North Carolina is now.”

“Defense of Marriage Act” legislation has been introduced in both the North Carolina Senate and House. These bills would give North Carolinians the opportunity to vote in November 2009 on a Marriage Protection Amendment that states “Marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.” A three-fifths majority of each chamber (30 Senate votes and 72 House votes) is required for passage of the bill.

Fitzgerald added, “The only way to protect marriage in North Carolina is through a Marriage Protection Amendment, and the citizens of this state deserve the opportunity to vote on this issue this year.”

Copyright © 2009. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.