Gay Marriage

The voters of the great state of North Carolina have an important choice to make on March 8, 2012.  Do we want to amend our state constitution to define marriage in the state as between one man and one woman?  Same-sex marriage is already banned in the state of North Carolina. The proposed measure, however, would add the ban to the state constitution.

As recently as 2 years ago, I felt that same-sex couples would be well-served by state recognition of civil unions that would bestow marriage-like rights and obligations upon them.  I changed my mind.  I am now a strong supporter of full-fledged gay marriage.  Why did I change my mind?  Three reasons: Holly, Eric & Jordan.  Holly, my 25 year old aspiring lawyer, lives (in sin as we used to say) with her partner, Jon in Boston.  Eric, 22, is an aspiring musician living with his partner, Lindsey in Boston, and Jordan (monster jazz pianist), almost 15, goes to school at the Weaver Academy.  Kitchen table political debates are a favorite family pastime.  Just as with my family of origin when I was growing up in Baltimore, all are encouraged to speak his/her mind and get as loud as he/she feels necessary.  When I posited my position to these youngsters, they were appalled, aghast.  They told me that such "unions" would certainly not bestow rights equal to those of married couples no matter how structured in law.  They challenged me to tell them exactly how equality would be guaranteed.  They drew the inevitable parallel to Jim Crow laws.  They are right.  North Carolinians should reject this regressive amendment and vote against it.

Just as my father's generation was largely racist, mine was anti-gay.  My children's generation will ensure that gay marriage is part of the law in all fifty states.  Last week Washington and Maryland passed laws allowing the marriage of same sex couples, NJ's governor will veto.  NC will decide whether to dig in and double down against same sex marriage with a constitutional amendment in March.

Ours is a state full of contradictions between progressive ideals and deep rooted tradition.  More next post on my opening argument in an alienation of affection case highlighting these contradictions to the jury.