Politics & Government
NC Lawmakers Seek To Invalidate Same Sex Marriage Through New Law
As N.C. tries to get past contentious HB2 law, GOP bill seeks to nullify the U.S. Supreme Court on marriage equality.
CHARLOTTE, NC -- Three GOP lawmakers are seeking to nullify a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, making same-sex unions a thing of the past. The move comes Tuesday, less than two weeks after state lawmakers narrowly repealed the contentious and discriminatory HB2 “bathroom bill” that prompted widespread economic hemorrhaging throughout the state.
NC Reps Larry Pittman of Concord, Michael Speciale of New Bern and Carl Ford of Rowan County sponsored April 11 the “Uphold Historical Marriage Act,” which would force the state to enforce a 2012 voter referendum that bans same sex marriage.
“Marriages, whether created by common law, contracted, or performed outside of North Carolina, between individuals of the same gender are not valid in North Carolina,” the bill reads.
Pushback was swift and strong following the bill’s introduction.
“Marriage equality is the law of the land in North Carolina and the entire nation, no matter what half-baked legal theories anti-LGBT lawmakers try to put forward,” said ACLU-NC Policy Director Sarah Gillooly. “This bill is absurd, unconstitutional and further proof that some North Carolina legislators remain committed to discriminating against LGBT people and their families. North Carolina lawmakers cannot defy the U.S. Supreme Court based on their extreme personal views.
“Republicans in the General Assembly seem to have a special talent for embarrassing themselves and our state, said North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Wayne Goodwin.
In the state where citizens have grown weary with political action meant to codify discrimination, the Tweetstorm has been stirred up:
Stay tuned, this is a developing story.
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United: “man, we are simply getting hammered. Not sure anyone can top this screwup” NC GOP House: “Hold my beer” https://t.co/Gnp9SBbNIe
— Dr. Michael Bitzer (@BowTiePolitics) April 11, 2017
Can we just ban North Carolina lawmakers?! https://t.co/pAhhI1yIrw
— Nathan G (@nwg83) April 11, 2017
Ridiculous bill filed at #ncga to make same-sex marriage void won't pass, is discriminatory, and would be unconstitutional. #ncpol
— Equality NC (@equalitync) April 11, 2017
Has the whole world gone stark, raving mad? Come on, #ncga, just let it rest. Such a waste of time and resources.
— Ben Emery (@JamesBenEmery) April 12, 2017
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