The Weekly Salutes are taking a little siesta but I have another interesting topic to discuss. As many of you know, North Carolina voters will decide whether to adopt an amendment that would make marriage between one man and one woman the only legally recognized marriage in the state. At first, I was going to vote for the amendment but I think I've changed my mind to either vote against it or abstain.
Here's why: people have been saying how this amendment would define marriage and nothing more. As per my skeptical self, I knew the law had to do more than just that. I've never heard of a law that solely covers one item like people claimed this amendment does. So, I did some further research and found a non-partisan organization, Democracy NC, and a publication they created that's directed toward voters.
Here's why: people have been saying how this amendment would define marriage and nothing more. As per my skeptical self, I knew the law had to do more than just that. I've never heard of a law that solely covers one item like people claimed this amendment does. So, I did some further research and found a non-partisan organization, Democracy NC, and a publication they created that's directed toward voters.
Here are the key points about the amendment you may want to consider before heading to the polls on May 8, according to that publication:
1. "North Carolina law already defines marriage as between one man and one woman. A gay couple can not marry in North Carolina. The Amendment does not change the law about marriage itself."
2. "The Amendment changes what counts in North Carolina law as a 'family' or 'domestic relationship.' This change threatens the rights of ALL unwed couples [regardless of sexual orientation], their children, single parents, widows, and single women."
3. "It also affects their insurance, child custody, visitation rights, social security benefits and protection from domestic violence. Grandparents raising a grandchild and a woman abused by her boyfriend can lose legal rights."
I know many people who read this will completely disagree with what I've said (and I respect that) but these are the facts. You're not going to sit there and tell me this amendment is only concerned with defining marriage. There's simply no way that's possible. It's one thing to define marriage, it's an entirely different thing to take away rights to health care insurance, visitation in hospitals, etc. regardless of sexual orientation. That's where I draw the line.
Watch the video below. This is one of the "untold stories" of what this amendment can do.
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