NC Amendment Act refers to a ballot initiative that was proposed with the interest of making an amendment that refuses to recognise any legal union other than marriage between man and woman. The exact words of the Amendment state, ‘œMarriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.’ The movement took place in May of 2012 and approximately 61 percent of the voters voted in favour of the amendment as opposed to roughly 39 percent voting against it. Ever since it was passed, the amendment has faced severe criticism accusing the law makers and supporters of discrimination and violation of civil rights.
Any legal domestic union that takes place between an unmarried man and a woman is barred by laws according to the NC Amendment One.
Children of unmarried couples stand to lose from this act. All healthcare support, prescription drug coverage, child custody etc. coming from an unmarried parent will be taken away in lieu of the amendment.
Since North Carolina already bans same-sex marriage, not providing any rights to couples not bound by marriage will affect the Lesbian and Gay community even further.
Unmarried couples in need of visiting one another in the hospital or for taking financial decisions in case of medical emergencies will no longer be permitted due to the NC Amendment Act.
It has been stated that this Amendment has not only had legal implications but also affected economic and social development of North Carolina. The law also served as a proof of the conservative beliefs of the people in the state.
Women facing domestic abuse from their partners but not legally married are in further threat having no way to voice their protest post such an Amendment.
On May 17th, 2012, about 3500 Christian conservatives including Pastors and Evangelists had gathered in rally to support the NC Amendment One. The rally conducted for the same on the 20th witnessed well known public speakers like Senator James Forrester and Mary Frances Forrester speaking for the amendment.
President Barrack Obama is said to have been against the Amendment and had expressed his deep disappointment when the Bill had been passed in its favour.
Since the passing of the Bill, several campaigns have been launched against the Bill with the hope of the Amendment being repealed.
Many individuals and organisations who are not in support of the Bill that had been passed consider the positive voting to be caused due the older generation comprising the voting majority.
The North Carolina Libertarian Party is also said to have expressed views against the NC Amendment One.
A North Carolina State University student Jennifer Halweil is said to have launched a campaign against the Amendment and there are already about 73000 people who have joined this growing campaign. Around 12000 people were estimated to have joined the campaign within the first two hours of its launch.
Prior to the passing of this amendment North Carolina had already placed a ban on same sex marriages.
About half a million people were estimated to have turned up for the voting that had been conducted for the Amendment.
