In the United States, to date, 30 states have passed a Marriage Protection Amendment, that places the traditional definition of marriage in their Constitution, thus beyond the reach of judicial activists.  Unfortunately, North Carolina in not among those 30.  In fact, North Carolina is the only state south of Washington, DC and east of New Mexico that has chosen not to protect traditional marriage in it's Constitution.  This choice undoubtedly makes North Carolina a huge target for gay-rights activists.  The other southern states that have adopted a state Marriage Protection Amendment,  have done so with an overwhelming average of 74% of the popular vote.  As of now, North Carolinians have been denied the opportunity to vote on this issue.  Those of us who believe in this cause, should join together and let our lawmakers hear our voices proclaim that we, too, want the same protection, by a clear definition, for the marriages in our state!  If activists like us can sway legislators to approve this bill, then it will be on the ballot on November 3, 2009.

"We are sponsoring this legislation because we firmly believe that North Carolina's marriage laws are at risk of being redefined by activist courts to include same-sex couples."

          ~Senator Jim Forrester (R) 

"The only way to protect North Carolina and our strong marriage laws from legal attacks against the institution of marriage is to amend the State Constitution."

           ~ NC Family Policy Council

 "It is urgent that North Carolina protect their marriage laws before homosexual couples move to North Carolina with a marriage license and file lawsuits forcing the state to recognize these licenses as valid."

     ~Tami Fitzgerald, NC4Marriage

 "The indisputable fact is that the only way to protect marriage in North Carolina is through a constitutional amendment, and the people of this state should no longer be denied the opportunity to vote on this issue."

   ~Representative David Lewis (R)