Letter To Editor: "Same Sex Marriage Amendment" - April 20, 2012

On May 8th, the voters of North Carolina will be voting to decide whether or not to add an Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution that would define marriage in this state as between one man and one woman. Same-sex marriage is already illegal in North Carolina so it strikes me as kind of ridiculous to propose an Amendment that makes something illegal when it's aleady illegal. But we're dealing with politicians so what else do you expect, right? But this Amendment, the so-called "Same-Sex Marriage Amendment" takes it a step further by stating that the marriage between a man and a woman is "the only domestic and legal that shall be recognized or valid in this state". So for anyone with a Civil Union, a domestic partnership, a common-law marriage or just shacking up, this doesn't effect just gay couples, but any couple involved in a relationship besides traditional marriage. Just think about it. Long time couples, who for whatever reason are not married, will not have their relationships recognized by businesses, hospitals, funeral homes, insurance companies, courts, city, county and state governments. It will be as if their relationships don't exist and the couple, despite their time together and committment to each other, will be treated as totally unrelated to each other. Marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships recognized and valid in other states will be ignored and considered non-existent. And this is just totally and absolutely wrong. I understand that some people do not like the idea of a same-sex couple being "married" and even though I don't agree with those people, that's their right to feel that way. But is it right for two people who love each other and are committed to each other to be denied basic rights and privileges and a chance to find happiness and have a life together? I don't think so. If this Amendment is passed, then North Carolina voters are saying that it's okay to discriminate and deny people their basic human rights. They're telling us that what we think and who we love and want to spend our lives with and be committed to doesn't matter. That my dream to one day have a formal committment to the person I choose to love, to live and love our lives in peace and happiness, doesn't matter. That we don't matter. How is this right? I'm not asking people to like the idea of same-sex marriage or couples shacking up and living together. That's a personal choice. But I am asking that everyone look deep into their hearts and consciences and think long and hard before allowing discrimination and hate to be placed into the North Carolina State Constitution via this very bad and poorly written Amendment. No one should be treated as second-class citizens or deprived fairness and equality and that's exactly what this Amendment does. Think about it and please vote against the so-called "Marriage Amendment". North Carolina deserves better than petty bigotry and discrimination. Thank you