When North Carolina holds an election on May 8, voters won’t merely be deciding the fate of same-sex marriage in the state; they will be voting on an amendment with implications that could affect gay and straight couples alike.
If passed, Amendment One would establish marriage between a man and a woman as the only legally recognized union in the state — a sweeping distinction that would preclude legal recognition for all other domestic partnerships. The broad language of the amendment, which was passed by the Republican-controlled general assembly last fall, has opponents fearful that its passage could ultimately deny both benefits and domestic violence protections to thousands of unmarried North Carolina couples.
Although a significant proportion of people think gay married couples, and common law couples should have at least some legal recognition, many of them are poorly informed and will likely vote for eliminating all rights.
Polls have shown that plenty of North Carolina voters support the measure, although caveats abound. A survey by Public Policy Polling (D) last month showed that 58 percent of likely voters intend to vote for the amendment, but many are ill-informed of its actual consequences. For example, 51 percent said they support some legal recognition for gay or lesbian couples, be it marriage or a civil union — yet 34 percent of that same group still intend to vote for the amendment.
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You don't have long to educate them ...
