North Carolina voting on constitutional gay union ban - polls indicate it will pass - Polidicks

[url]http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/amendment-one-polls-give-edge-to-north-carolina-gay-marriage-ban/2012/05/08/gIQAyga5AU_blog.html[/url] [quote=Washington Post]The latest polling in North Carolina suggests the state’s voters will choose to ban same-sex unions via referendum today, even as popular opinion nationwide trends in support of gay marriage. North Carolina already bans gay marriage by statute. Amendment One goes beyond confining marriage to heterosexual couples; [b]it amends the constitution to also makes marriage between a man and a woman “the only domestic legal union” recognized in the state.[/b] Opponents argue that the ban will endanger legal benefits for unmarried couples, gay and straight, as well as protections for victims of domestic violence. Retiring Gov. Bev Perdue (D) called the vote on Amendment One “our Rosa Parks moment” in an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd on Tuesday. The issue is clearly driving considerable enthusiasm — and turnout. Nearly half a million people voted early in North Carolina — more than did in the 2008 presidential election. A poll this week from the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling found the amendment winning 55 to 39 percent — only a slight change from a week earlier when the amendment led 55 to 41 percent. Fifty-three of voters in the state support either gay marriage or civil unions, but only 46 percent of voters realize the amendment would ban both, according to PPP. “Opponents of the amendment had an uphill battle in convincing voters that it was anything other than a referendum on gay marriage, even though it does go a lot further than that,” said PPP pollster Tom Jensen. Those poll numbers are somewhat remarkable given that the amendment’s opponents have enjoyed nearly a million dollar fundraising advantage. “Most of our money came in the final six weeks,” said Jeremy Kennedy, campaign manager for the anti-amendment Coalition to Protect North Carolina's Families. “We needed more resources early on.” Amendment opponents argue that the high early turnout suggests a possible upset, as polls forecast a smaller electorate. Supporters argue the opposite. “Polling shows that despite racial differences, despite party differences, across gender lines, North Carolinians are supportive of the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman,” said Rachel Lee, spokeswoman for Vote FOR Marriage NC. President Obama, who supports civil unions but not gay marriage, has stayed out of this fight — and he canceled a scheduled trip to the state today. Although his Administration opposes the amendment, the president himself has been quiet on the subject, frustrating some of his North Carolina supporters. If the amendment passes, Human Rights Campaign and other groups “will look into all options to overturn it,” said HRC deputy press secretary Paul Guequierre. Voters in 28 states have instituted constitutional bans on same-sex marriages, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Eleven of those bans were instituted in 2004; some Democrats say anti-gay initiatives helped drive turnout for then-President George W. Bush. But support for these measures is declining over time. In 2004, gay marriage bans passed on average with 71 percent of the vote, but in 2008 the average was 57 percent, according to HRC. However, in Southern states like North Carolina bans tend to pass by wider margins. Polls close at 7:30 p.m. eastern time. A competitive Democratic gubernatorial primary to replace the retiring Perdue is also bringing voters to the polls.[/quote]

The courts will one day have the final say. A shame that so many states are moving backwards.

Even the Christian Party in my country doesn't propose ridiculous shit like this.

It's sad that this is even an issue. All human beings should have equal rights. Any other human being should be able to marry another human being.

I honestly do not see why people are against it to such an outrageous extend. I understand that people have opinions and may disagree with the concept of same-sex marriage, but i don't see why they take such extreme measures to shelter themselves.

winsanity, I noticed that you rated "Winner". You read the article wrong, right?

How pathetic.

"I do not agree with you. Fuck your rights." is the message given here. "land of the free" my fucking ARSE. If you're not a straight caucasian christian, you're fucked. In some cases legally (such as this), in other cases people just don't give a shit about the law and blatantly discriminate against you even though the law prohibits it.

I'm sure that eventually this will be repealed in court, but it's just sad that this has to be done through court.

banning same-sex unions? they are fucking nuts

yaaay my state fucks over its people yet again. :suicide:

Glorious peoples democracy of North America.

the scariest part is the people behind this believe they are doing the right thing. in their eyes they are virtuous heroes and the last vestiges of justice in an immoral, secular world. yes, these people basically own you and will treat you like cattle. ~fundamentalists~

People always bang on about how the US is a republic, not a democracy, because it has legal safeguards to prevent tyranny of the majority I think I speak for all of us when I say lmao gj

[QUOTE=smurfy;35878847]People always bang on about how the US is a republic, not a democracy, because it has legal safeguards to prevent tyranny of the majority I think I speak for all of us when I say lmao gj[/QUOTE] There's no such thing as a perfect safeguard from tyranny of the majority. You can make it harder for it as best you can, but you can't always stop it 100% of the time.

My state sucks, I kind of expected it to pass. Bigots like my mom voted for it. I'll hold out hope though. Maybe it won't pass... hopefully... [IMG]http://content.screencast.com/users/NateH1337/folders/Default/media/67ca3e91-c5fa-4f0b-a50d-fe13f3fde8ef/05.08.2012-16.55.29.png[/IMG]

I can honestly not hold my hat to the American flag until everyone actually gets liberty and justice AKA everyone actually gets equal rights.

Reminds me of a Bill Hicks joke about three rednecks who met him after a show where he made a joke about Christianity Rednecks: "Hey buddy, we're Christians, we don't like what you said." Bill Hicks: "Then forgive me".

It's 2012 North Carolina. Get your shit together. Because right now, you're only making yourself look bad.

In this country that'd be the equivalent of taking away rights from black people. It's unheard of to discriminate against gays, and none of the parties do.

Honestly, what do you expect from the Bible Belt? [editline]8th May 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=mac338;35879371]In this country that'd be the equivalent of taking away rights from black people. It's unheard of to discriminate against gays, and none of the parties do.[/QUOTE] Yes, but your country probably actually READS the bible. So many bible thumpers in the bible belt that probably haven't read the Book of Genesis. :suicide:

[IMG]http://snodgrassreunion.com/images/cousinMarrMap.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://gaymarriagesupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Gay-Marriagelegal.gif[/IMG] A mix of sad and funny. [editline]8th May 2012[/editline] Mostly just sad

Basically, if they didn't vote for it because of religion, then it's because of fear of change, as evidenced by the retard posting on my FB status: (I'm Tyler.) [url]http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad113/Byodood/fearofchange.png[/url]

I voted not to pass it today. Although I live in probably the most left county in the state.

[QUOTE=mac338;35879447] [IMG]http://gaymarriagesupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Gay-Marriagelegal.gif[/IMG] A mix of sad and funny. Mostly just sad[/QUOTE] That is disgusting. Where's the equality?

Sometimes my state is retarded.

[QUOTE=Atlascore;35879529]Wow, so before this retarded Amendment the only states in the South that didn't ban gay marriage and civil unions completely were NC and Florida? God dammit, we were doing decently, but fundamentalists had to ruin it, I hope this shit gets repealed, or doesn't pass in the first place.[/QUOTE] Not really. No Law means that there is neither a law permitting or prohibiting it. Still illegal, but in the neglectful way as opposed to the "we hate you" way that this amendment proposes. Also, that map is pretty outdated. This is a bit more recent: [img]http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/marriage-and-cousins-and-gay.jpg[/img]

I like how in some states two 13-year old first cousins can marry, yet there's an outright ban on same-sex marriage in those same states.

And now I have even more reason to hate where I live.

Honestly I can't name anyone who actually likes to live in this state.