On Tuesday, April 12, 2017, North Carolina Republican Representatives Larry Pittman, Michael Speciale, Carl Ford, and Mike Clampitt attempted to introduce a bill (HB 780) that would ban same-sex marriage in North Carolina. This bill threatens the security and the equality of the LGBT families. Many advocacy groups, such as the ACLU and the North Carolina Policy Watch, have made statements and taken action.
The representatives filed House Bill 780 and argued that the state should have the ability to establish its own laws separate from federal mandates.
Reportedly, a majority of the state voted for the bill several years ago, but the federal policy overruled the state's attempt to ban same-sex marriages.
Republican House Speaker Tim Moore does not plan on allowing the bill to move forward, but members of the LGBT community are still facing the possibility of scrutiny for their lifestyle and family choices.
LGBT in North Carolina and The ‘Uphold Historical Marriage Act’
The controversial proposal refers to biblical scripture when confronting the ruling of the United States Supreme Court. Here is the crux of the bill that only cites a bible verse from the Old Testament, the testament that reportedly most Christians cherry-pick their information from:
- Marriages between individuals of the same gender are not valid in the state.
- The United States overstepped its constitutional bounds when it struck down the Obergefell v. Hodges decision of 2015.
- Almighty God has the authority and "a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become 23 one flesh" (Genesis 2:24, ESV).
#NCGA introduces #HB780 to "nullify" same-sex marriage. A vote in favor of this discriminatory bill is a diservice to the people of NC.
— Gregory Pizarro Jr. (@gregpizarrojr) April 12, 2017
The ACLU protects the LGBT comunity
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) made a public statement regarding the state’s proposal of HB 780:
Furthermore, North Carolina’s Policy Watch has its concerns mainly due to the fact that the HB 780 cites a bible verse and attempts to define the culture of marriage throughout our global history without substantiation.
The failure to separate church from state often affects those in the LGBT community.
WHATS SO WRONG WITH LETTING PEOPLE MARRY THE PERSON THEY LOVE! Your religion shouldnt be law. Same sex marriage doesn't affect you! #hb780 https://t.co/n0JV3s5Fv0
— Rachelle Chapman 📎 (@FollowRachelle) April 12, 2017
What is North Carolina not focusing on?
Several sources indicate that NC legislators have much more pressing issues in the state.
The Cape Fear/Neuse River is severely endangered, rural poverty is almost highest in the nation, and education is in dire need of reform. Members of the LGBT community are up against several house bills that threaten the security of their families. It is unknown how the state intends to address those issues; but for now, HB 780 is going to the place where bills get laid to rest.
