New York Times: "Bigotry on [North Carolina's] Ballot" - "driving “a wedge between gays and blacks.”

"...lawmakers got careless with the wording of the measure, known as Amendment One.

It would constitutionally prohibit recognition not just of same-sex marriages, but of other legal arrangements like civil unions and domestic partnerships.

That could harm all unmarried couples, imperiling some children’s health insurance benefits, along with child custody arrangements and safeguards against domestic violence.

...One of Amendment One’s most vocal opponents is the Rev. William Barber II, president of the state chapter of the N.A.A.C.P.

Mr. Barber draws a strong link
between the proposed amendment and struggles against racial unfairness,
an appeal with special resonance
following the publication in March of memos from the National Organization for Marriage,
one the most prominent groups fighting same-sex marriage,
about driving “a wedge between gays and blacks.”

...public opinion continues to move steadily toward marriage equality.

In 2001, Americans opposed same-sex marriage by a margin of 57 percent to 35 percent.

Today, 47 percent are in favor and 43 percent opposed...

Opponents of marriage equality have never been able to show any evidence
that any harm is caused to heterosexual marriages
by granting all American adults the right to marry as they choose
— because there is no such evidence.

With little more than a week to go before the May 8 contest,
and early voting already under way,
North Carolinians need to consider
whether they really want to inflict this gratuitous bigotry
on their fellow citizens and their children."

NYT

On North Carolina Gay Marriage: Vote Against Amendment One?

Why were women denied the right to vote until 1920?

Natural Law is derived from divine law

Charles Davenport

List of animals displaying homosexual behavior

Marriage shall not impede a man's right
to take concubines in addition to his wife or wives.

II Sam 5:13; I Kings 11:3; II Chron 11:21

.

Are people gay because they choose to be
or because it’s biological?

A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin.

If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed.

Deut 22:13-21

Marriage of a believer and a non-believer shall be forbidden.

Gen 24:3; Num 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Neh 10:30
.

If a married man dies without children,
his brother shall marry the widow.

Gen 38:6-10; Deut 25:5-10

Could the use of Mr. Davenport's definintion of Natural Law
violate the US Constitution?

No State shall make or enforce any law
which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States;
nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law;
nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

.

"Their lifestyle choice should be opposed
only when they lobby for public approval"

Charles Davenport

.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,

or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,

or of the press;

or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,

and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

.
First Amendment to the United States Constitution