Same-Sex Couples Seek Marriage Licenses

Special Report - October 4, 2011
A homosexual advocacy group based in Asheville launched a campaign this week aimed at publicly resisting North Carolina’s current laws that prohibit same-sex “marriage,” and protesting the proposed amendment to the State Constitution that will further protect the institution of marriage in the Tar Heel state from redefinition. The Campaign for Southern Equality, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy group based in Asheville, officially launched the “WE DO Campaign” on October 3.

The campaign, which will involve more than one dozen same-sex couples requesting and subsequently being denied marriage licenses from the Register of Deeds in Asheville between October 3 and October 14, is described by organizers as an effort that calls for “full equality under the law for LGBT couples.” According to a press release, the same-sex couples requesting marriage licenses “will be accompanied by a team of supporters, including clergy, elected officials, and community members.” The effort kicked off on October 3 with two homosexual women, Reverend Kathryn Cartledge and Elizabeth Eve, along with two other same-sex couples, requesting and being denied a marriage license at the Buncombe County Register of Deeds. The group of supporters joining the women included North Carolina Representatives Susan Fisher (D-Buncombe) and Patsy Keever (D-Buncombe), along with Asheville City Council Member Gordon Smith. The “WE DO Campaign” will end on October 14 with an “interfaith blessing” of LGBT couples in front of the Buncombe County Courthouse.

“This marks a new chapter in the movement to achieve LGBT rights,” said Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive direct of the Campaign for Southern Equality, in a press release. “There comes a time when we are called to resist unjust laws and this is such a time. We will take action until our message–that we are fully equal–echoes throughout our entire nation, including the corridors of Congress and the White House.”

North Carolina voters will finally have the opportunity to vote on the proposed Marriage Protection Amendment at the ballot box in the May 2012 primary, thanks to the General Assembly’s long-awaited passage of the “Defense of Marriage” legislation last month. For more information on why the Marriage Protection Amendment is necessary to protect the institution of marriage in North Carolina, visit our resource page.

“If there was ever any doubt left in anyone’s mind that LGBT activists are seeking to redefine marriage in North Carolina and legalize same-sex “marriage” here, this effort by the Campaign for Southern Equality should erase that doubt,” said Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “Throughout the debate over the Marriage Protection Amendment legislation, we heard from opponents that marriage in North Carolina is not under attack. These recent attempts by same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses, even as part of an organized campaign, prove that the ultimate goal of homosexual activists is to redefine the very nature of marriage and family in this state and nationwide. The real campaign for southern equality is the one that will allow North Carolina to join every other southern state by having our own marriage protection amendment.”

Related resources:
Senate Approves Marriage Amendment - September 13, 2011
Marriage Amendment Passes House - September 13, 2011
Marriage Amendment Rally Monday - September 8, 2011
Marriage Debate Press Events - September 7, 2011
Leaders Argue for Marriage Amendment - August 31, 2011
2011 Legislative Marriage Battles - August 24, 2011

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