Marriage- April 23, 2012
This was us seven years ago tonight…
April 23, 2005 my groom dipped me while we danced. We fed each other cake after rambling, tearful toasts. My grandma said the music was too loud and my friends drank too much. A bridesmaid may or may not have made out with the bartender. I stand by the cliche that it was one of the “happiest days of my life.”
I’m using the occasion of our wedding anniversary to speak out about an issue I feel very strongly about. Two weeks from tomorrow North Carolinians will go to the polls to vote for or against Amendment One. Same Sex Marriage is already illegal in my home state. This amendment would define marriage in the state constitution as a union between one man and one woman, and would ban any other type of “domestic legal union” such as civil unions and domestic partnerships.
I really have no reason to be against Amendment 1. I’m straight. I had the privilege of marrying whomever I chose. Actually I’ve been pretty lucky when it comes to discrimination. Let’s face it. I’m an able-bodied, middle-class, educated, straight, white woman. I think all women have felt the pangs of discrimination somewhat, even white women. But, I’ll never know what it’s like to be discriminated against based on my race or sexual preference. So why should it matter to me if this Amendment gets put into the State Constitution?
It matters because it’s wrong.
If the people of North Carolina vote for Amendment One it would ban domestic partnership benefits including health care for public employees and children receiving domestic partner benefits. I honestly don’t understand why anyone would be against gay marriage anyway. It in no way threatens my straight marriage. If someone told me I didn’t have the right to marry Greyson I would fight until I did.
Worst of all, this Amendment hurts someone I love. It pains me to think that he already can’t marry the person he loves and our home state would never recognize any union he chose to enter in to.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This is the Civil Rights issue of our generation. Gen X and Gen Y in North Carolina, I plead with you to educate yourself about Amendment One.
Spread it around:
Thank you for the “NO VOTE” on the amendment!
Thank you for reading Mrs. Maxwell! Love to your family!
well stated. (and Happy Anniversary)
happy anniversary and i hope your state votes no.
great post Amy! I hope all of NC turns out on the 8th to vote no.
I love this. And I’m so with you… wish I were still registered to vote in North Carolina!
[…] Marriage – April 23, 2012 […]
[…] By Amy on May 8, 2012 It’s Election Day here in the Tar Heel state. Greyson and I sat on the couch and sadly watched the results come in, showing the majority of eligible voters butcher our State Constitution with bigotry. ::sigh:: I’m still proud of the fight against Amendment One. […]
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