By Melanie Nathan, Publisher of GAY U.S. A. the Movie and Blog
Photo: Kristina Lapinski of GAY U.S.A. the Movie
As North Carolina legislators gear up to vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, editorial boards at newspapers throughout the state have come out against the vote and the amendment. Some papers cite it as a distraction from job creation, while others have called it an effort enshrine discrimination in the state constitution.
The American Independent searched for newspaper editorials supporting the proposed amendment, but identified none as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Lexington Dispatch argued that amending the constitution was a hasty idea:
Legislators need to use restraint when amending the state constitution. Only the most serious issues should be sent to the voters for their say-so. If passing a law will accomplish the same goal, then that’s the better path to take. Even on the no felons as sheriff’s amendment, some opponents argued that didn’t merit a change in the constitution. Similar concerns can be voiced over the gay marriage amendment. The state constitution already defines marriage as between a man and a woman. A law passed in 1996 doesn’t acknowledge same-sex marriages in North Carolina that occur in other states that allow it.
The Raleigh News Observer warned Democrats not to side with Republicans in voting for the amendment:
Just as clearly, hostility to gay marriage – and to gays – would be cemented in the constitution, a document better suited to expanding rights than to constricting them. It’s likely that in coming years such an amendment will seem as illogical, discriminatory and downright unfair as states’ former laws that outlawed interracial marriages.
The Wilmington Star News said job creation should be a top priority of legislators, not banning same-sex marriage.
The Greenville Daily Reflector said that with clean up from Hurricane Irene still underway, now is not the time for an amendment vote.
The Charlotte Observer called the amendment a roadblock that would harm business in the state:
Winston-Salem Journal called the push for an amendment by Republicans and some Democrats “useless”:
The Shelby Star wrote that government should get out of the marriage business.
See Full quotes and Article can be read in full at The American Independent:
Somewhat buried in CNN’s story on Barack Obama’s fundraiser in New York is this little tidbit about his administration’s plans for marriage equality—
