The debate on same-sex marriage in North Carolina is heating up. On Sept 13, 2011, the N.C. House and Senate voted 75-42 to refer proposed Amendment 1 to statewide ballot in the May primary. Amendment 1 proposes that "Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State."
Although gay marriage is now illegal in North Carolina, Amendment 1 would add the ban to the state constitution.
The proposed amendment has met opposition from the gay community and its supporters. "I believe that we are all human and we should be able to love who we want to," said biology freshman Micah Barbee, who voiced her displeasure with the proposed amendment.
LGBT groups on campus, including COLORS, DOMS, Outlaw, and Polychrome, have taken a clear stand against Amendment 1.
To show support for the gay community, these campus groups have hosted a range of LGBT Week activities including speed dating, films about same-sex marriage, and a rally in opposition to Amendment 1.
Among those leading the vocal charge is political science senior Brandon Hicks. Hicks is also a member of COLORS and sees no logic behind the proposal.
"Spain, Portugal, Canada and South Africa have legalized gay marriage and I don't see them legalizing pedophilia," he said.
Hicks said he is not surprised at the attitudes of some North Carolinians toward same-sex marriage, but he said he is disappointed at the attitudes of many African Americans.
"Living in the black community I found it more open … I expect more acceptance." Supporters of the ban have cited religion as their main reasoning for being anti-gay.
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