Pirate's Cove

One of the questions surrounding this is “will the poll numbers translate over to the vote?”

(WRAL) A proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage in North Carolina as being between one man and one woman has broad support among voters statewide, according to a new WRAL News poll.

Amendment One, which would effectively bar any same-sex union in the state, will appear on the May 8 primary ballot.

SurveyUSA polled 1,001 likely voters across North Carolina between last Friday and Tuesday and found that 58 percent support the referendum. Thirty-six percent of voters oppose it, and 6 percent remain undecided.

Gay marriage is already against state law, but this would enshrine it in the Constitution. It would also ban civil unions, in a pre-emptive shot in case a Democrat takeover of the General Assembly would chose to make civil unions legal. Civil unions are currently not legal in North Carolina. The text of the proposed amendment, which would be part of Article 14, section 6

Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.

The amendment will not stop private parties from entering into contracts, such as with companies providing benefits to domestic partners, nor with wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Nor will it affect domestic violence laws, in this case, when you have same sex partners living together (more on the subject here).

Of course, outside groups are pouring into NC to oppose this. The California Democratic Party plans on making calls. I hope they understand the time difference when they do. And, if you’ll remember, (NMP) Obama chimed in on the subject last week

“While the president does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the record is clear that the president has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples,” campaign spokesman Cameron French said in the statement. “That’s what the North Carolina ballot initiative would do – it would single out and discriminate against committed gay and lesbian couples – and that’s why the president does not support it.”

Except, it won’t deny rights and benefits, except marriage itself. Let’s not forget, Obama opposes gay marriage himself. Though he does support civil unions. Not that many States actually have civil unions. North Carolina does not.

To be honest, I’m not sure which way I’ll vote. I’ve always maintained that, when pushed, I’m against same sex marriage, but for civil unions. This is America, the land of freedom. One of our founding principles is “if it doesn’t harm someone else, then it’s no one else’s business.” I could care less if someone is gay. Doesn’t affect my life. I also maintain that marriage is primarily a religious institution, and it should be left to the religious institutions if they want to perform a same sex marriage. But, two points: first, marriage is not always performed by a religious leader. A justice of the peace can perform one, for instance, as can a judge. So, not just enshrined in religion. Second, the law forbids certain marriages already: there cannot be a marriage amongst more than two people. People can’t marry dogs. One cannot marry a tree. Yes, people do that. It is a long Hindu tradition, one which is illegal in the USA.

I do not like that it stops all civil unions. But, then, as mentioned, NC doesn’t have civil unions. Nor do most states. Because of the freedom aspect of America, I have a problem with this. I see no reason why same sex partners should be denied the rights and benefits of partnership under the law.

To steal from Allahpundit, exit question: “do you think I should vote for or against the Amendment, and why?”

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.