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Several thousand people turned out Tuesday for a marriage rally at Halifax Mall, despite temperatures hovering around the mid-20's.
The group is supporting a bill that would put a proposed amendment defining marriage as one woman and one man on the November ballot.
"One man, one woman," said Andrews resident Daniel Anderson. "It's God's institution."
For five years, supporters of the "Defense of Marriage Act" have tried to get the bill out of committee, and for five years, it hasn't worked; Tuesday's rally was designed to get lawmakers to budge.
"If they can't see the light, make 'em feel the heat: call them, email them, write them letters," said Senator Andrew Brock, a Davie County Republican. "Get involved and get active. Let's go!"
Church groups from all over the state converged on Raleigh, saying North Carolina is a "target" for gay rights supporters, since it is the only state in the southeast that has not passed a similar constitutional amendment.
"We're just really one bad court decision away from legalizing same-sex marriage," said said Tammy Fitzgerald, Executive Director of NC4Marriage, which is spearheading the effort.
Fitzgerald said she's worried that a gay couple could get married in another state and file a lawsuit demanding to be legally recognized as married in North Carolina.
A small group of gay rights activists stood a short distance away from the rally; Capitol Police would not let them on to Halifax Mall.
"The state police have told us that even if we approach without signs, without flair, we are not allowed to go in," said Durham resident Collin Lee.
Jill Lucas, a spokesperson for the State Capitol Police Department, said that was a mistake on the part of an officer and the group should have been allowed onto the mall.
Protestors said the bill's sponsors are ignoring the separation of church and state, and lawmakers shouldn't try to legislate morals.
"What would happen if civil rights were put to a popular vote back in the 60's? Would that legislation have passed for people of color?" said Raleigh resident Brian Adams.
The bill was introduced in the state senate last week, and added to the house Monday.
Tuesday's rally was timed to get more co-sponsors in the house before a 3 p.m. deadline.
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By Sherry Johnson on 03/05 08:41 AM
The bible also says that slavery, polygamy, and murder are ok- under the right circumstances(like when a child disobeys a father).It also says that women cannot enter a church during thier menses(when they are "unclean"), and even when they do, they aren't allowed to speak(not preach- SPEAK) or have thier heads uncovered.I don't suppose you protest those issues, do you? No, you pick and choose, and find biblical passages to support your hatred of others who happen to be differentfrom you. The bible ALSO says "render unto Ceasar what is Ceasars, and render unto God what is Gods". Guess what? That means worry about your soul, and stay out of the political arena. The United States was NOT founded on Christianity, no matter how much some of you wish it were. It WAS founded on the principle of seperation of church and state- a wise decision of our founding fathers(notice there were no founding mothers). For those who think we need for this country to be a theocracy, might I remind you that Iran is also a theocracy- they execute homosexuals- right along with anyone who disagrees with the way thier country is run. And even though we had a long period of time where slavery was ok, and women couldn't vote, we have strived to become a nation where ALL are considered equal- not like in George Orwells Animal Farm, where some are more equal than others. If you disagree with same sex marriage, don't marry someone of the same sex. And try to remember that there are other religions than yours. You may not agree with them, and that is your RIGHT, but it is also the right of others to believe the way they wish to, including that there is nothing wrong with anyone to have the right to marry whomever makes them happy. I keep hoping that one day, this nation will drag itself out of the Dark Ages, but I'm not holding my breath.
By Joe on 03/04 03:54 PM
States with constitutional amendments banning same sex marriage do not get my tourist dollars, nor would I move my business to them. My employees deserve to be treated equally and I want to draw from the most talented pool possible. Many very talented people also happen to be gay.
By Mary on 03/04 03:38 PM
I don't know what the fuss is about--this rally's goal is for a RIGHT to vote on an issue. They want this out for a VOTE. Those pro-sodomy are just scared that the vote will be pro-traditional marriage. We have a constitutional right to vote. Homosexuality is wrong. Period. You can call it right all you want to, but God made guys and girls different for a reason. There's two different ways God made us--Male and Female. If we were supposed to be queer, and if God were okay with this, would He not have made us with BOTH parts? (betcha never thought about that) God is NOT okay with homosexuality, just as He is not okay with any other sin. Child molesters get a kick out of their thing, yet we still recognize this is wrong. It is illegal. Yes, they prefer to do this, but it is W-R-O-N-G.
By StormC. on 03/04 02:19 AM
Oh, look. All the little religious cripples waving their bibles like pompons at a special olympics sports event. The only thing "unnatural" is the way some fools cling to this pretentious middle-eastern desert mythology. Stop pretending that you're spreading "love." The word turns to stone on your lips. For a group that claims to spread "love," all you really seem to spread is war after war, hatred, prejudice and bigotry. If there was a God, he would puke you out of his mouth. Give me the chance to vote on your religions. I'll bet the majority would be willing to put a few of you Snake-handlers out of business pretty damn quick. And they'd do that, too, in the Name of God.
By Stephanie Kansas on 03/04 01:17 AM
This to me is a non-issue. If you don't agree with marriage equality, don't marry someone of the same sex! As a school teacher, I don't ever recall reading/citing the words..."with liberty and justice for ALL" and seeing the word, "except." Separate but equal does not, has not and should not work! We can not "eenie meenie miney moe" through our neighborhoods and point to who is allowed marriage or not. Many read the Bible more literally, others more metaphorically, however each should be respected. We also need to take cultural, as well as historical, perspectives into consideration when reading the Bible. Yes our country was founded on Christianity, however many would argue it was also found on slavery and without woman's rights. We are a Nation continually moving in the direction of Justice! Lastly, if we want "traditional" marriage we must be careful in using the Bible as a reference. In Biblical days men had multiple wives and usually treated them as property and baby bearers only. Lot had sex with his daughters. We cannot use the Bible (or certain parts of it that are convenient) to set our moral compass with regards to sexuality or just certain relationships. As a Christian and American, I am for equality, love, and acceptance to all human life. God bless you, see you in heaven. - Stephanie
By Kevin on 03/03 08:25 PM
Bill J: I dont know here you get that about the constitution party? Show me in their platform where they want to execute sodomites? http://constitutionpartync.com/platform.php If you have a problem with the constitution party because we honor our fouding principles then you certainly would have a problem with our nations first president George Washington which said : "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." What about Ben Franklin which said: "Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature. John Adams said: "Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not only of all free government, but of social felicity under all governments and in all the combinations of human society." So dont tell me the constitution party wants a theocracy. We only seek to honor our heritage as a nation!
By Bill J on 03/03 07:42 PM
The Constitution Party was founded by an avowed theonomist. They probably want to execute homosexuals.
By Kevin on 03/03 07:25 PM
I was unable to attend due to the weather but its my undertanding the constitution party of nc is the only politcal party in Nc that is backing the bill! http://www.constitutionpartync.com/
By Jennifer L on 03/03 06:40 PM
I attended the marriage rally and it was my Preacher that headed it up. We are against homosexuality and bisexuality because it is unnatural. We are not spreading hate, on the contrary we are spreading love. We as Christians are suppose to love each other enough that we care about one another's eternal salvation. Thats one reason for the rally. Homosexuality is wrong not just because we say it is, but because it is in God's word. All we want is a chance to vote on it.
By Leslie Coggins on 03/03 05:43 PM
This rally was not about home- vs. hetero- or love vs. hate or even God vs. state. This rally was for out NC legislature to see that their are people wanting to practice their American right to vote on something they feel is important.
By Chris Davis on 03/03 05:18 PM
Let the people vote!
By Matt Cuda on 03/03 05:15 PM
Homosexuality is a sin and is especially contemptible to God. It is obvious from scripture that it is not God's plan for the family. Note that he totally destroyed Sodom for practicing this sin. Brett I do not feel like Chris was spreading hate rather he is saying how God feels about this sin.
By brett barris on 03/03 05:03 PM
i figured a ignorant homophobe comment like that would show up... just shows that you are not a child of GOD.. and probably a closet homo... true believers of GOD would never say anything as hateful and ignorant.. what is sad is that these people would stand out in the freezing cold to spread their HATE... it is a tough job spreading HATE. try and find something more rewarding and positive to spread.. you might be happier people.. like the GAYS!! peace out.
By Chris Davis on 03/03 04:56 PM
Homosexuality is sick and disgusting behavior period! It is a shame people have to rally over something as sick as men wanting to marry men!
By brett barris on 03/03 04:50 PM
another sad attempt of religious NAZI's. they really need to get a life.. END PROP HATE!! EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL. SEPARATE CHURCH AND STATE!! PROP 8 WILL BE OVERTURNED.. GET USED TO IT. YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND DISCRIMINATE AND SPREAD HATE.. NOT LOVE LIKE GOD INTENDED. GOD BLESS YOU.
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