North Carolina citizens vote against gay marriage, following a
vote on an amendment of the current law. A referendum was held
yesterday in which voters in the U.S state were given the option of
voting in favour of or against Amendment One.
The amendment states that "Marriage between one man and one
woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or
recognized in this State," outlawing gay marriage and civil
unions.
The amendment came after months of campaigning, both against the
change by gay rights activists, and in favour of it by religious
groups.
North Carolina is the thirtieth state to adopt a ban on gay
marriage, according to the Huffington Post. 61% of votes cast were
in favour of the amendment, with 39% voting to keep gay marriage
legal.
However, Thom Tillis, a Republican State House Speaker has
predicted that the amendment will be reversed "within 20 years" as
it is "a generational issue", he told students at North Carolina
State University.
Bill Clinton, former president of the United States, send out an
automated phone message to around half a million voters shortly
before voting, asking them to vote against the legislation. Members
of Barack Obama's team have also expressed support for gay
marriage, according to the Huffington Post.
Following the ban, a spokesperson for Obama, Cameron French,
described the amendment as "divisive and discriminatory".
It is legal for first cousins to marry in North Carolina,
according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
