DemocracyNow.org
North Carolina voters have turned out in large numbers to pass a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman. While North Carolina law already bans same-sex marriage, the amendment means civil unions and potentially other types of domestic partnerships will no longer be recognized legally by the state. Some lawyers say the measure is vaguely worded and could impact the state's 150,000 straight couples who live together, but are unmarried. Others warn it may invalidate domestic-violence protections, undercut child custody arrangements and jeopardize hospital visiting rights. "If we look at the people who sponsored this amendment we see they have a track record not of unity, but of division," says William Robinson of the Coalition to Protect All North Carolina Families.
