RALEIGH, N.C. -- A coalition consisting of state and national LGBTQ and human rights advocacy groups, faith organizations, communities of color, nonpartisan organizations, and business and community leaders is organizing an effort to defeat the proposed North Carolina constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages.

According to Tuesday’s issue of North Carolina’s Charlotte Observer, one of the proponents of the upcoming referendum to outlaw marriage equality in the state, Rev. Mark Harris, the head of the state’s Baptist Convention, wants a “civil debate” over the issue...

Among the groups affiliated with the new Vote for Marriage NC is the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). The group has been involved in several high-profile marriage initiatives, including California’s 2008 Proposition 8 and Maine’s 2009 Question 1. Additionally, NOM took a high-profile stance against New York’s legislative push to approve marriage equality there this year.

This week, N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis admitted he has "personal difficulty" with the anti-LGBT amendment he helped place on the upcoming primary ballot. "I don’t believe government should be telling us what to do," he said.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Meeting over the weekend with more than 400 of their supporters from across the state, officials with the statewide LGBT advocacy and education group, Equality North Carolina, previewed their official campaign to defeat an anti-LGBT constitutional amendment in May 2012.

CHARLOTTE — Democratic candidate LaWana Mayfield made history on Tuesday, soundly defeating Republican opponent Ed Toney in their race for the District 3 city council seat.

Statewide LGBT advocacy and education group Equality North Carolina has released new data from a recent Elon University poll showing a majority of North Carolinians oppose an anti-LGBT state constitutional amendment that would ban marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

GASTONIA, N.C. — Anti-gay state Sen. James Forrester (R-Gaston) passed away at Gaston Memorial Hospital on Monday. The 11-term state senator and retired Air Force brigadier general was 74.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A lesbian couple twice refused a marriage license by the Buncombe County Register of Deeds refused to leave the government office today and initiated a sit-in. The two were arrested.

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue announced today her opposition to a proposed anti-LGBT constitutional amendment that would ban recognition of marriage, civil unions and domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples in the state.

CHARLOTTE — After days of hot attention from LGBT media and blogs, North Carolina state Sen. James Forrester (R-Gaston) has opened up and responded to accusations that he falsified some medical credentials and affiliations on his resume.

CHARLOTTE — State Sen. James Forrester (R-Gaston) has been accused of falsifying some of his credentials and memberships on his resume and campaign materials. His resume padding might also extend even to claims of membership with the Christian Medical and Dental Association.

CHARLOTTE — Gaston County state Sen. James Forrester (R), lead sponsor of the anti-LGBT constitutional amendment placed on the ballot for May 2012, has been accused of falsifying some of his medical credentials.

The White House late Tuesday issued a statement criticizing efforts by North Carolina lawmakers seeking a state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, and said the President opposes laws “designed to take rights away.”

The North Carolina state Senate on Tuesday approved a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, sending the measure to a statewide vote in May 2012. The Senate voted 30-16 [...]