Same-sex marriage ban on May ballot
by Lauren K. Ohnesorge
It's up to North Carolina voters to decide on a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage.
This comes after both the state House (76-41) and Senate (30-16) passed a bill Monday and Tuesday aimed at putting the issue on ballots. The amendment got a push by local representatives Rep. Jonathan Jordan and Sen. Dan Soucek.
“The primary thing here is that marriage, the institution of marriage, has been a time-tested fundamental part of society throughout history,” Soucek said. “I don't see this as anti-any one group. This is pro-traditional marriage and there's lots and lots of societal- and back-based evidence that this is a fundamental building block of society and the best environment to raise children in.”
Soucek has been an outspoken proponent of what he calls “protecting traditional marriage” since taking office and said that the amendment isn't about overstepping the rights of others.
“(Gay marriage) upsets a lot of people who believe in traditional values,” he said. “That's the majority of the state.
Additionally, Soucek took issue with a comparison some gay marriage activists have made in calling gay issues the next civil rights movement.
“It's something, I don't believe, is kin to the civil rights of African Americans,” Soucek said. “(Marriage) is not a right. It's a societal, state-sanctioned privilege.”
Currently, North Carolina is the only southeast state without a constitutional prohibition on gay marriage.
“Marriage is extremely important to our society,” Jordan said. “Marriage is primarily an institution for procreation for society and, by definition, same sex marriages are not for procreation.”
Soucek said it's about promoting “what's strong” and not “singling any one group out.”
“There are lots of groups that are excluded because of this,” he said, “not one group necessarily.”
Soucek said he is still willing to hear arguments, but that the possibility of being dissuaded from his stance is unlikely.
“I suppose there could be something to change my mind, but I haven't heard anything so far,” he said, adding he has received more than 70 letters from church members thanking him for his strict stance on gay marriage.
Opponents of the amendment fear such a measure could negatively impact the business climate by projecting the idea that gay and lesbian workers aren't welcome.
“It's not had any negative on the other 30 states that have this same constitutional provision,” Jordan said.
Jordan said most of his constituents are in agreement.
“Most people want to support the amendment,” he said.
Currently, state law defines marriage as between a man and a woman. An amendment, supporters say, would better protect traditional marriage from a legal standpoint.
Thirty states have similar prohibitions in their constitutions. The issue will be on the May 8 ballot. The amendment had been rejected in past years by Democrats, but Republicans now control the General Assembly for the first time since 1870.
This comes after both the state House (76-41) and Senate (30-16) passed a bill Monday and Tuesday aimed at putting the issue on ballots. The amendment got a push by local representatives Rep. Jonathan Jordan and Sen. Dan Soucek.
“The primary thing here is that marriage, the institution of marriage, has been a time-tested fundamental part of society throughout history,” Soucek said. “I don't see this as anti-any one group. This is pro-traditional marriage and there's lots and lots of societal- and back-based evidence that this is a fundamental building block of society and the best environment to raise children in.”
Soucek has been an outspoken proponent of what he calls “protecting traditional marriage” since taking office and said that the amendment isn't about overstepping the rights of others.
“(Gay marriage) upsets a lot of people who believe in traditional values,” he said. “That's the majority of the state.
Additionally, Soucek took issue with a comparison some gay marriage activists have made in calling gay issues the next civil rights movement.
“It's something, I don't believe, is kin to the civil rights of African Americans,” Soucek said. “(Marriage) is not a right. It's a societal, state-sanctioned privilege.”
Currently, North Carolina is the only southeast state without a constitutional prohibition on gay marriage.
“Marriage is extremely important to our society,” Jordan said. “Marriage is primarily an institution for procreation for society and, by definition, same sex marriages are not for procreation.”
Soucek said it's about promoting “what's strong” and not “singling any one group out.”
“There are lots of groups that are excluded because of this,” he said, “not one group necessarily.”
Soucek said he is still willing to hear arguments, but that the possibility of being dissuaded from his stance is unlikely.
“I suppose there could be something to change my mind, but I haven't heard anything so far,” he said, adding he has received more than 70 letters from church members thanking him for his strict stance on gay marriage.
Opponents of the amendment fear such a measure could negatively impact the business climate by projecting the idea that gay and lesbian workers aren't welcome.
“It's not had any negative on the other 30 states that have this same constitutional provision,” Jordan said.
Jordan said most of his constituents are in agreement.
“Most people want to support the amendment,” he said.
Currently, state law defines marriage as between a man and a woman. An amendment, supporters say, would better protect traditional marriage from a legal standpoint.
Thirty states have similar prohibitions in their constitutions. The issue will be on the May 8 ballot. The amendment had been rejected in past years by Democrats, but Republicans now control the General Assembly for the first time since 1870.