Same-sex marriage ban
is derailed
DAVID INGRAM,
charlotte.com from the Web. May 23, 2007
An attempt to amend the N.C.
Constitution to ban same-sex marriage fizzled Tuesday, an hour after its
supporters celebrated a small win.
The proposal, first introduced in 2004, had never received a hearing until
Tuesday, when Republicans forced a hearing in the House Rules Committee.
Committee members unanimously decided that the proposal should go before the
full House of Representatives.
Opponents of the amendment expressed dismay. Supporters were optimistic.
"... This is the most action we've seen," said John Rustin, who lobbies with the
N.C. Family Policy Council.
Then, Speaker Joe Hackney said he would send the proposal to a second committee.
The move kills it for the year because most bills must pass either the House or
the Senate by Thursday.
Hackney cited a state law already banning same-sex marriage. A
constitutional amendment is unnecessary, he said.
"I think it's simply a political agenda, and I don't know that we ought to make
time for it," said Hackney, D-Orange.
Republicans called the move undemocratic.
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