GOP Lawmakers make biblical arguments for ban
In news that probably isn't shocking, GOP lawmakers in North Carolina have introduced a bill to restore the state’s constitutional ban on same sex marriage.
House Bill 780, titled “Uphold Historical Marriage Act,” states that the landmark 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage legal in all 50-states “is null and void in the State of North Carolina.”
JUST IN: Republicans in North Carolina legislature file HB780 to defy Supreme Court's marriage ruling — says same-sex marriages “not valid.” pic.twitter.com/qNIwohUVAR
— Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) April 11, 2017
Sponsors of the bill also appear to be making a classic states rights argument, saying: “clear that laws concerning marriage are for each state to establish and maintain severally and independently.”
As reported in the Charlotte Observer:
“The bill quotes the Christian Bible and says the ruling “exceeds the authority of the court relative to the decree of Almighty God that ‘a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24, ESV) and abrogates the clear meaning and understanding of marriage in all societies throughout prior history.”
The bill would order state government to return to the constitutional amendment known as Amendment One, which was approved in a 2012 voter referendum. It also says that same-sex marriages performed in other states wouldn't be recognized in North Carolina.
Efforts in other states to defy the Supreme Court ruling failed. In the months after the ruling, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore ordered state judges there not to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Moore’s decision was overturned, and he was removed from office.”
“This bill is wrong,” tweeted newly elected NC Gov. Roy Cooper. “We need more LGBT protections, not fewer.”
John Burns, Wake County Commissioner, also expressed his disagreement with the bill on social media, tweeting: “Pittman and Speciale are embarrassments to the State of North Carolina and should be shunned from public life.”
HB 780 was sponsored by Republican Reps. Larry Pittman of Concord, Michael Speciale of New Bern, Carl Ford of Rowan County and Mike Clampitt of Bryson City.
House Bill 780 was sponsored by Republican lawmakers Larry Pittman of Concord, Michael Speciale of New Bern, Carl Ford of Rowan County and Mike Clampitt of Bryson City.
The Charlotte Observer offers the following description to readers: [The bill is sponsored by] “some of the House’s most conservative legislators. They frequently file bills that don’t get a hearing because House GOP leaders don’t support the proposals.”
“This bill is wrong,” tweeted newly elected NC Gov. Roy Cooper. “We need more LGBT protections, not fewer.”
This bill is wrong. We need more LGBT protections, not fewer. – RC https://t.co/o5niNU9Ly7
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) April 11, 2017
John Burns, Wake County Commissioner, also expressed his disagreement with the bill on social media, tweeting: “Pittman and Speciale are embarrassments to the State of North Carolina and should be shunned from public life.”
House Bill 780 was sponsored by Republican lawmakers Larry Pittman of Concord, Michael Speciale of New Bern, Carl Ford of Rowan County and Mike Clampitt of Bryson City.
The Charlotte Observer offers the following description to readers about the proposed legislation, saying the bill is sponsored by “some of the House’s most conservative legislators. They frequently file bills that don’t get a hearing because House GOP leaders don’t support the proposals.”
h/t: Gaily Grind
