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.

______
Keep up with the stories Chris Cowperthwaite is working on every day: http://twitter.com/CCowperthwaite

MyNC invites your thoughts on this topic.  We will close any posted comments that people may find offensive or comments with derogatory slurs.