Christian Leaders Call On North Carolinians to Defeat Anti-LGBT Constitutional Amendment

NEW YORK, NY – This week, North Carolina’s legislature passed a proposed anti-LGBT constitutional amendment that would ban any legal relationship recognition for same-sex couples. The amendment now proceeds to the ballot for a statewide vote during the May 2012 primary. 

A coalition of eight Christian organizations, representing a diversity of denominations and perspectives, joins Equality North Carolina and many legislators in that state in calling this proposed amendment discrimination in its highest form. The amendment says that “(m)arriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state,” meaning it would ban domestic partnerships and civil unions as well.

We call on clergy, faith leaders and all those who believe in equality and equal justice for all to work to defeat this amendment. We ask those who will vote on this ban to remember that this law affects gay and lesbian people who are your friends, relatives, coworkers, church members, sons and daughters, nieces, nephews, granddaughters and grandsons. We must always protest the use of the constitution to take away the basic human rights from any group of citizens.

To help defeat the amendment, visit Equality North Carolina online.

Signatories to this statement include:

Believe Out Loud
Integrity USA, The Episcopal Church
Lutherans Concerned/North America, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
More Light Presbyterians, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Reconciling Ministries Network, United Methodist Church
Room for All, Reformed Church in America
United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns, United Church of Christ
Welcoming Community Network (welcoming members of Community of Christ)