Updated: 11:55 p.m. ET.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina voters on Tuesday approved Amendment One, a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
With all counties reporting, the amendment passed with the support of 61 percent of voters; just 39 percent voted against the measure.
The measure effectively bans not only same-sex marriages but also civil unions, making it one of the strictest of the marriage amendments approved in 29 states.
North Carolina’s legislature narrowly passed the sweeping anti-gay amendment last September. Critics charged that proponents of the anti-gay measure “snuck it on the May ballot,” at a time when they knew there would be low voter turnout and a more favorable mix of voters on their side.
“North Carolina has wandered into treacherous terrain with Amendment One. For all the talk of bolstering families, this measure shamefully shoves them into harm’s way,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
HRC President Joe Solmonese characterized the defeat as “a temporary setback in the fight for equality.”
“The passage of Amendment One is a heartbreaking loss for families in North Carolina, but will not stop us in the march toward full equality,” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement this evening.
“As the country continues to move in the direction of marriage equality, our opponents have cynically interrupted the important conversations taking place which lead to increased understanding and acceptance.”
Solmonese noted that support for anti-gay marriage constitutional amendments has been dropping over the years as support for marriage equality rises nationwide.
In 2004 similar amendments passed on average 71 percent to 29 percent. In 2008, the margin shrank from 57 percent to 43 percent. The average for these amendments in the South has been 75 percent to 25 percent.
Prior to the vote, the May 1 polling from Public Policy Polling showed voters under age 30 opposed the amendment by 26 points and in addition, reports indicate that youth turnout was significantly high during the early voting period.
North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis recently said the issue was generational and that the amendment would be repealed in 20 years.
“Marriage is a tremendously motivating issue for younger voters, and we’ve seen an outpouring of energy against this amendment from youth,” said Solmonese. “Elected officials would be wise to tap into this enthusiasm.”
Evan Wolfson, Founder and President of Freedom to Marry, called the vote “a painful reminder of what happens when a preemptive ballot-measure is stampeded through before people have had enough time to take in real conversations about who gay families are and why marriage matters to them.”
“This amendment is a last gasp of discrimination that will cause real harm to families, communities, and businesses in North Carolina, but says little about the prospects for a better outcome in battles to come in states where there has been greater visibility for loving and committed couples and those who get to know them,” Wolfson said, in a statement.
“And even in North Carolina, the long-term effect of this nasty attack will be to spur more conversations and open more hearts, helping more people rise to fairness and support for the freedom to marry.”
Herndon Graddick, President of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) said “North Carolinians voted to write discrimination into their constitution largely because the media didn’t do its job.”
“North Carolina’s media failed to educate its audience about the potential far-reaching consequences of this amendment, and as a result, polls show as many as 60 percent of voters didn’t know the extent of what they were voting on,” Graddick said.
“While today’s vote is devastating to those families who will lose vital protections, we are encouraged by a steady rise in support for equality across the country.”
Since September, individuals and organizations on the state, local and national level having been advocating both for and against the measure. As with states preceding North Carolina’s vote, this issue has drawn a stark line between supporters and opponents of the amendment.
In the campaign’s final days, former U.S. President Bill Clinton recorded automated phone calls opposing the measure, while evangelist Billy Graham, 93, took out full page newspaper ads supporting it.
Filed under: North Carolina
Florida teen fighting criminal charges related to same-sex relationship
Harvey: Gays deserve to be fired for displaying their lifestyles to everyone
Anti-gay marriage activist commits suicide on alter at Notre Dame cathedral
Candidate for Va. Lt. Governor warns same-sex marriage leads to bestiality
Bryan Fischer: The Boy Scouts are now the ‘Boy Sodomizers of America’
ACLU, attorney condemn prosecution of teen who had sex with minor girlfriend
Sex and the teenage girl: The Kaitlyn Hunt tragedy
UPDATED: Police call fatal New York City shooting an anti-gay hate crime
Transgender student skips graduation rather than wear female gown
Attorney implies suspect’s child sexual abuse was a factor NYC killing
Iowa anti-gay activist explains his opposition to gay marriage: ‘It’s awful’
Details emerge in case against teen accused of lewd behavior with girlfriend
Lesbian teen charged in relationship with underage girlfriend rejects plea deal
BREAKING: French president signs marriage equality bill into law
BREAKING: Boy Scouts of America votes to rescind policy banning openly gay scouts
thats fucking weak
BOOOO!!!!
Bullshit!
F-U North Carolina! Shame on you!!!
This state is so stupid I am ashamed to live here :(
Sick sick sick
Dammit.
North carolina. Why am I not surprised? -_-
holy shit people, quit worrying about marraige right now!! because technicly we have no anti descrimination act for us, which means our gay ass’s can get fired for being lgbt. there are bigger fish to fry here!!
They can forget ANY of our tourism dollars. WE will spend them where they are deserved!
NC is stupid
*Levi- Thank you, kind sir, for summing up my thoughts exactly with far less profanity than I’d have used.
Well, since the Amendment has been passed, I am going to start looking into filling a lawsuit to over turn it. Anyone with me? Also, anyone that has any information that may relate to this. Please e-mail me @ [email protected], or message me here or on my personal profile. All get checks daily.
So sad!!! WTF!!!!
Such a shame. Happy I moved!
DISLIKE!!!!
BIG disapointment
:( Gay marrige should be allowed EVERYWHERE!!
what a surprise….
BOOOOOO!!!!!
They can kiss tech business in Research Triangle goodbye.
What do you expect? It’s a trashy state. You can’t pass Anything that involves equality on a redneck or ghetto black community .
I can hardly see what I am typing because the tears just won’t stop. The only thing I can say is how ASHAMED and EMBARRASED I am to live in the state of North Carolina tonight. Fear, ignorance, hatred and bigotry are STILL alive and well IN this state. I also want to ask anyone of my FB friends that voted “for” this hate Amendment to please un-friend me. I just cannot and will not have people in my life that do not think that I am a human being deserving the same DIGNITY, RESPECT, AND RIGHTS as them. Truly a sad day in North Carolina history.
Unbelievably despicable.
A temporary setback in the inexorable march to equal rights for all LGBTs everywhere. It will happen and can’t happen soon enough.
are they finished with the counting, also what group of people were prevented from voting?
I just LOVE NOM, don’t you? (DRIPPING with sarcasm, of course…..)
its only showing 23 of 100 counties reported so far?
Wow..writing descrimination into a constitution…..amazing …..
Such bull!! People really need to stop wasting time on such stupid laws as this one!! Thought this was a “free” country!
are you serious!? Whatever! If Obama is for the LGBTQ Community then he should pass a bill that makes all states Approve LGBT Marriages and for it to be Recognized!
The majority of North Carolonians are homophobic bigots who like to take others rights away
im boycotting NC from now on
This proves that that state is nothing but judgmental hicks.
Crap. CRAP!!!!!!!
If somebody’s already mentioned this, I apologize, but FB REALLY needs a “Don’t Like” button.
Fucking Bullshit
What a bunch of crap. This is ridiculous.
Time to file a court challenge!
call for a boycott
I give it 8 months.
I am so upset to say I live here, this is really heartbreaking.
Asshats.
Closed minded sob’s! EVERYONE has the right, regardless of who or what they are to have a happy life!
Amazingly sad. Most voters polled, didn’t even know WTF they were voting for or against, they just said yes.
Let the class action lawsuits begin. Stupidity may have been voted in by the narrow minded religious folks, but eventually civil liberty WILL win out…but for now…North Carolina, you sir…SUCK. That is all.
that so sad . this is going to end up in the lap of the surpreme court. but thats what the high court is for . to over turn laws that hurt citizens or group any law taking their rights away.
Nononononononono. D:
if u reside in the state of North Carolina…file the lawsuits tomorrow…there are lawyers that will fight it out there…GO GET UM!!!!!!
This is where everybody is wrong. It had nothing 2 do with gay marriage at all. It fucked a lot of people up. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwap.wsoctv.com%2Fwap%2Fnews%2Ftext.jsp%3Fsid%3D37%26nid%3D2702879232%26cid%3D366%26scid%3D-1%26ith%3D1%26title%3DLocal%2BNews%26headtitle%3DLocal%2BNews&h=NAQEnhmIdAQGMdW3LoRNGqJJcsnEOHUQPmUDb7hgLonIsgA
Shame On You N.C, None of My Gays Dollars will be spent in your State………………Gay Ban On NC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
WOW.
And I thought Tennessee had the monopoly on anti-gay legislation…Maybe all us reasonable people should move North and West of the Mason-Dixon line and leave the Republic of Bigotistan to its own devices.
a huge disappointment…. (tears)
I will not spend a single penny that benefits the newest HATE STATE in the US.
I am curious how many divorce people voted against it. Leave gays, lesbians alone.
it is a minor set back…which we must expect along the way…there are 50 states…and Marriage equality is only one of the accomplishments we look forward to as a community…we have come a long way…its discrimination as a whole!! we got this!!!
Cant wait to move from this damn state.
Grow UP!
And people wonder why I choose to travel to Europe vs. the states. N.C. you will not see any of my $$$.
While the north consistently makes progress, the south continues to linger behind.
Sad day.
Fuck those Bible beaters. They can all go to Hell.
Never going to that state.
Losers in North Carolina….homophobic
And the worst part is that all these people who voted against it didn’t see that this will also effect Single mothers, Unwed mothers, Single women trying to get restraining orders there are so many issues.
SHAME & DISGRACE! And to think I was thinking of buying land there!
And the worst part is that all these people who voted for it didn’t see that this will effect Single mothers, Unwed mothers, Single women trying to get restraining orders there are so many issues.
Not pleased
@Dominique: Even worse, some still believe women should know their place, people of color are inferior, and Obama is not a citizen. Backwards thinking makes me sad.
I agree it’s a minor set back… keep fighting the good fight!
North Carolina & their homophobic ways SUCK!!!!!!!!
Shame on NC!!
No more vacations in nc :-( they will not get any of my money
It’s not right that some people are still being treated like 2nd class citizens. I guess those voters don’t care. And obviously they have never had to walk in someone else’s shoes to see how it feels.
Give the breaders NC…..like anyone wants to be there.
Ignorant people ignorant law. So incest is ok and gay marriage is not?? Ridiculous…
This is a reason why President Obama needs to step it up and endorse marriage equality.
Written By Brian Rierson of Winston Salem NC: To the FOR people:
As you celebrate, many are sad.
As you are proud, many are hurt.
As you still have the same rights, many have theirs stripped away.
As your heart is filled with hate,
many hearts overflow with love.
Your celebration is a wicked example of the hatred in your heart.
Your pride in what you’ve done speaks volumes of your character.
Your rights, while never threatened, are a privilege you mock.
Your hatred for what you don’t understand ridicules Jesus’ love.
To all:
Haters gonna hate.
Their hate strengthens us.
Soon, and very soon…
We shall overcome!
The amendment of North Carolina will prove tha people asre not ablle to do whatever they want. The Amendment will state that they may not be able to cover their domestic partners children under theiir insuranance. That elderly couples that have been together for years will not have any rights to the things they have bult together if they do not wed. Domestic Violence offenders will have lessened conssequences for theor actions. What I will choose to do as a Single Gay father is teach my daughter to live as I live. To have a feeling that everyone should have the same rights I feel should have and if their actions are wrong (in my opinion). I will do as the bible states Judge not and let God handle them inthe manner that he feels best. None of us know what God will say to the other when it is time. I will continue to pray for this state and country as we as a nation still have a very long way to go!
As a black male. I feel cheated again. I am disgusted with this outcome. How dare a majority decide the rights of a minority! Then justify it with the Bible is more heinous and disgusting!
Legislating love. Hmm, what do you think is coming next people? Legislating thought perhaps…? :-/ Nate L, fag since 1969.
Well, once again my faith in humanity is lost!
Fail.
While every-one is trying to over-turn current Policies on Same Sex Marriages this State is putting I place a Constitutional Ban backed by the Voters. This impedes all that is being undertaken by most other States with-in the U.S.
so much for Freedom for ALL!! Why don’t we just burn the constitution and give our country away in pieces…John Kennedy was right when he said
This amendment bans ALL civil unions, even straight! Thousands of couples and their children stand to lose their parents benifits because they don’t have a piece of paper. There was already a constiutional amendment against Gay marriage in NC, what’s next: all but Church Marriages? They thought they voted against Gays but wait till Sally Sue goes to court and tries to get Billy Bob to pay for that thar baby!
We’d won’t have to be invaded, we’ll destroy ourselves…How’s it feel NC to hate so much, that you’d BAN those not like you happiness…You MAKE ME SICK and if I could I would ban you from my world…
Caught a small bit of the news in Iowa, A teen in Clinton, Ia. cannot recieve a scholarship from an organization that gives them to openly gay students. Perhaps you could find the whole story and report it??
Grandparents will no longer have rights for their illigitmate grandchildren because it’s not recognized by state!
Nice to know the state supports inbreeding but abhores gay marriage. Bunch of redneck inbred morons.
Something for those who voted to pass Amendment One in NC today. Not so much for the men, who have always enjoyed equal rights, but specifically for all the women, racial minorities, senior citizens, and people of faith. Thank you all. And by thank, I mean FUCK.
“When the Nazis came for the communists,
I did not speak out;
As I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I did not speak out;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
As I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
As I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.” ~ Martin Niemoller
I’m from N.C and we aren’t all bad. I voted against it, but unfortunately, not everyone thinks the same as I do. I hope that one day, those people will realize that we are all human and no matter if you want to marry a woman or man, it’s okay. Seriously.
i think they should ban all gun toting inbreds!!!!! super duper fucktards!!!
Raquel(:
have you seen all the stuff i’ve posted bout it?
What else do you expect from conservative southerners ….I had a civil union in chicago…and I moved with my partner to NC because of work but this state sucks major ass!!
I’m also from NC and voted against it. We aren’t all bad, and so many people I know voted AGAINST it. Sadly, all the super conservative folk followed like sheep, to vote for the “marriage amendment”. *sighs* We’ll get there eventually… >.<
I have, Peter
Glad you’re informed and everything at leastttt
buttheads. another 2 years.
I just hope Hell is big enough for everyone. The haters will answer for this. How sickening this is. I believe its time for my partner and I to move where my dollars are more welcomed.
all that proves is their a bunch of inbred,behind the times HICKS that look like a bunch of bigoted FOOLS in 2012..ConGrats..I Feel Bad for Gays in That State,Keep Up the FIght for Equality !!! Probably still Eat Pigs Feet to and think Blacks should use a different bathroom..BOOO NC,BOO !
hey hey..easy on the southern and redneck bashing..I was born and raised in the south..we aint all that damn stupid..Im transgendered and my girlfriend is bisexual..she was born in NC..we just glad she had the sense to leave it..
I think every LGBT person should move out of the state.
What can be boycotted from North Carolina to make the feel the pain of our displeasure? Tourism?
Instead of spewing more hatred understand that these are ignorant people who have been BRAINWASHED and live in fear of GOD – they have been TAUGHT hatred – just like any other group who hates – don’t lower yourselves – the time will come – its inevitable – all struggles for equality take time – women , blacks and all minorities still struggling for equality – this struggle is new compared to those
You know whats awesome?? the 16 people who LIKED this post hahaha, and btw good news for all you homophobic hate mongers,ill be joining the ranks of Americans moving OUT of the states to somewhere thats actually bothering treat people right…WOOT (germany where gays can marry and have legal rights like all you straight pricks get) here i come!!
How sad. people just dont get it.
Wow!
=p
People this is a generational issue. Most of the people who bored are probably the older Reagan bigots, we all know my generation is going to repeal it your way
@Mora. Mora, these people don’t fear God…They fear sexuality, and most importantly, their own unconscious desires.
And the South shall rise again…smh…@$$holes!!
I don’t understand how something like this is decided by a vote. How is a gay couple getting married affecting anyone? Or taking away from other’s rights? Their Bible belt is a little too tight.
hoping for an wakeup call
Boooo those narrow-minded pathetic of an excuse of voters!!!! -_-
I have lived in NC, my brother and sister were born there, it’s a beautiful state, until today, it became a very ugly place that i will never step foot in ever again!! A sad day for tolerance, acceptance and freedom, but worse,an even sader day in the history of this country!!!
That’s true Ociel
actually has me pretty depresssed =/
Bigotry veiled by prayer and legislation IS STILL BIGOTRY!
home of the brave, land of the free. oh wait a minute, what’s this? smh.
I bet you the majority of those voters who voted against Same-Sex Marriage are frustrated losers and completely JEALOUS!!! >:(
Can’t wait till all the fraud and NOM bullshit is exposed. Until then BOYCOTT NC!!!
Boycotts people…boycott
I’m so disappointed in the people of my state and my legislature.
After I receive my education, I fully plan on leaving. Forever.
add me and see my file
NC is Stupid and Racist States!
I bet you the majority of those voters who voted against Same-Sex Marriage are frustrated losers and completely JEALOUS!!! >:(
NC the state that proves to ALL children, no matter how dumb or bigoted they may be, as long as you’re WHITE and pretend to be STRAIGHT, you too can be a politician!
NC the state that proves to ALL children, no matter how dumb or bigoted they may be, as long as you’re WHITE and pretend to be STRAIGHT, you too can be a politician!
Hate is strong in the South
Marriage between only one man and one woman leaves a lot of respectable, adult US citizens out in the cold when it comes to marriage.
WOW. That’s a really big spread…
NC, the U.S.’s dirty little secret.
<3
I’m gonna milk this place for an education then I’m taking my family away forever….sorry mom and dad i can’t stay here…. Gotta raise my son in a place that isn’t completely full of idiots
and wont be long till the supreme court says that is illegal :P so fuck the hicks
I’ve lived in North Carolina my entire life. I’m taking a trip to Stockholm in August and I honestly don’t know if I’ll come back after this. I’m so tired of North Carolina consistently undermining the constitution- JUST because they’re still sore about losing the civil war. :|
Have you seen the commercials urging people to vote for Amendment One???!!!! They are using CHILDREN as examples!!! That is just a sick and twisted game and politicians should NOT have went there. The fact that gay couples actually PLAN ahead of time that they are going to adopt a child would actually make it BETTER for the child, NOT worse!!! Most pregnancies are unplanned…gay couples would actually be prepared!!! They seriously went to far; I’d like to see the facts backing up their cruel and twisted advertisements promoting homophobia with some actual facts instead of some bullshit people have pulled out of their ass…
How is it constitutional to vote on discrimination?!
How sad for our LGBT brothers & sisters in NC !
This just gets more despicable as more information becomes available. Sickening.
1 step closer to getting it Federally overturned! Sad for the mean time..
Funny. 61% is about the number of people who did NOT know that Amendment 1 takes away rights of all unmarried couples, gay or straight.
Sad for everyone, this is America folks, land of the free. Lets practice equal rights and pave the way for our children.
The churches pulled out the vote. They have the passion of their hatred and bigotry to galvanize their congregations. And while many many folks in that state are bigoted and racist, it should be noted that the religious conservative churches that helped pass this bill are both the white AND black churches.
Here is how its unconstitutional. the 1st amendment. nobody but atheists and fucking liars think marriage is anything other than a holy sacrement between 2 people and God. as such it is the free exercise thereof that yall gays are denied by the hypocrites who do this yet cry for 1st amendment protection from the hhs mandate
@John Sad thing is, if Romney is elected, the supreme court will fly so far right it will never happen! :-( I just don’t understand how people can be so hateful and just plain stupid!
At least it isnt as bad as VA’s constitutional amendment: Virginia appears to abridge gay individuals’ right to enter into private contracts with each other. On its face, the law could interfere with wills, medical directives, powers of attorney, child custody and property arrangements, even perhaps joint bank accounts. If a gay Californian was hit by a bus in Arlington, her medical power of attorney might be worthless there.[3]
This is so upsetting. It doesn’t effect me cause I’m canadian though it still saddens me that our community doesn’t have equality. Its the 21st century. Were not hurting anyone why do they have to hurt us?
Not a surprise from a backwards state
Sometimes I think efforts to make the South more understanding and forward-thinking aren’t worth the roadblocks. This is exactly why the good fight looks so futile! I think LGBTs should just cut their losses and flee the South, and LGBT children should be transplanted into Bleu states. I imagine it’ll do them a favor because I don’t trust most of their parents to love them unconditionally.
The states should not be allowed who gets to have rights, and this is why I ultimately think Ron Paul is a terrible choice for President. The states are clearly just as corrupt and ignorant as the federal government. We’d be trading one bad idea for another. Rights should be given on a federal level.
1 word..SOUTH!!!!!!
Please tell me that it is merely a misunderstanding from outside America, that the very wealthy Christian fundamentalists of various stripes along with other equally or maybe even more wealthy deeply conservative religious groups in the USA are slowly using their financial power, serious high birth rate and strong political loyalty to gain control of one of the major political parties in your country to introduce a theocracy similar to that of Iran??
Cory – the reason they do it is because they care nothing about the wellbeing of people in this world. All they care about is getting their supernatural Disneyland reward in the next. Letting people like that vote on gay marriage is like letting the 9/11 bombers vote on airport security: http://bipolarbear.co.nz/2012/05/06/there-should-be-no-debate-on-gay-marriage/
Ok so i hate what just happened in my state but this is still my home always has been and believe it or not we are not all hicks and racist there are alot of good people here at least in my area just not enough to over run those self-rightest church people and has me very sad. And if we cant win the fight here for a better tomorrow and just leave what does that say for the younger genration we cant all just leave and forget them. The south came around before it will wise up again just going to take some work
The LGBT isn’t going to get anywhere (sadly) on these issues until we have a face for our movement. We need a Martin Luther King. Honestly, until we get one, it’s goinh to be very hard to get places fast with our rights.
i don’t live in the U.S., and i don’t understand why straight people are so obsessed about banning gay marriage. i mean, what does it do with them? just because gay marriage is banned, doesn’t mean that gay people will marry their opposite gender or become straight. what do they have in mind? they just don’t wanna see ‘fags’ walking around with joy and pride? that’s the only reason they vote against same sex marriage? i just don’t understand. someone please tell me why.
And now I’ll cease doing business with those businesses based in North Carolina, just to show my appreciation for their thoughts on my rights. You listening Lowe’s?
Its the south! What did we expect. Those bigots are waiting still to separate from the union. Given the chance they would reenact slavery and ban bi racial marriage. I know this because I get the regrettable opertunity to speak with those southerners that hope to see cessation from the us. Im not at all surprised to see the words of jeasus thrown out the window and hate taken up. I even bet most of those that voted wore white sheets under their cloths when they went to vote. God forgive them and please protect us from those who seek to harm us.
Even if you get divorced in NC you’re still brother and sister, father and daughter, mother and son, etc.
I don’t understand how people have the right to vote discrimination into their Constitution. If that’s the case I want a vote to ban divorce. That makes just as much sense. How can people be so ignorant and cruel. Do people have no sense of justice?
ignorant bigotted states. 30 states that my money will not get now.
frankly, i had expected more from the voters of north carolina, although i am not surprised by the outcome. i have said it before, and i wil restate it for the people who neither believe nor agree with me: few things have changed. this just demonstrates it. pious, inbred, fear mongering assholes who have been swayed by the conservative dollar. fuck you.
Disappointed but not surprised. 61% is very high. Hate there is strong. =/ This vote here may very well mirror their vote for president as well. Know those who hate you. Look deep with eyes wide open. Always fight hard and never surrender! Follow your good heart.
“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.” Oscar Wiilde