North Carolina voters passed a constitutional amendment banning the legal recognition of same-sex marriage on May 8, 2012. There was already a state law outlawing it. According to CNN.com, after more than 1.5 million votes were counted from Tuesday’s referendum, supporters of the ban led opponents by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent, according to figures from the State Board of Elections.
The amendment will alter North Carolina’s constitution to say that “marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.” To understand more about the effects this amendment will have, click here.
But we must forge ahead.
The Campaign for Southern Equality has released a message and video from its executive director, Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, about sending a message of hope to the LGBT youth of North Carolina.
WATCH THE VIDEO
READ REV. BEACH-FERRARA’S MESSAGE
This is a hard night. As I sit in Wilson, N.C. I’m thinking most about the LGBT youth across the state who, for months now, have been hearing increasingly vitriolic messages that they are less than. My heart is heavy for them, and heavy with the news that Amendment One has passed.
But that’s not all that I feel. Looking forward, I feel deeply hopeful about what is possible – tomorrow and in the years to come. This hope comes from knowing people like you and from knowing that we are building a new southern equality movement that, I truly believe, can accelerate the path to full federal equality.
We can’t change the results of this vote, but we can determine what comes next. Tomorrow when kids across the state wake up, I want them to know that this story isn’t over.
We invite you to join us in the next stage of the WE DO Campaign, as we take action across North Carolina in small towns and large cities, from May 9th to May 15. Tomorrow we will kick-off the first action in Wilson.
We take this action to call for full equality under federal law. We believe the federal path is the most efficient way for LGBT people in the South to achieve equality.
We also take this action to let LGBT youth across the state know that there are people ready to stand up for their full equality.
Will you stand with us this, as LGBT people and allies all across North Carolina take action calling for full federal equality?
Please send a message of support to the couples taking action
We need your help to amplify this story far beyond North Carolina.
Thanks for all you do.
Jasmine
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
Executive Director
