North Carolina passes anti-gay marriage amendment

State of North Carolina approved an amendment Tuesday defining marriage only as a union between a man and a woman, becoming the 30th state to completely close the door on same-sex marriages. North Carolina law already bans gay marriage, but an amendment will efficiently put a full-stop on such marriages.

Support for the amendment was strong, with about 61 percent of North Carolina voters casting their ballots in favor of the amendment, and nearly 39 percent voting against it. Almost $3 million were spent on both campaigns.

Tami Fitzgerald, who is the head of ‘Vote FOR Marriage’ which favors the amendment, said she believes this action has paved way for future voters to approve the amendment.

According to huffingtonpost.com report, Fitzgerald said at a gathering Tuesday night, "I think it sends a message to the rest of the country that marriage is between one man and one woman.”

She further said, “The whole point is simply that you don't rewrite the nature of God's design based on the demands of a group of adults."

Meanwhile President Obama’s cabinet voiced support for gay marriage and ex-President Bill Clinton also urged the voters via phone to reject the amendment.

People who were in favor of the ban, participated in long marches, ads on TV and debates. Moreover, Church leaders called upon Sunday congregations all over the state to vote in favor of the amendment.

On the other hand, those opposing the amendment also expressed their concern about the situation. Jeremy Kennedy of Protect All NC Families says, “I am happy to say that we are stronger for it; we are better for it; our voices are louder now. We have courage like we never had before, and we have strength to continue on."

Obama's election-year vagueness on gay marriage has come under analysis again. Obama, who firmly stands for the rights of gay people, has not expressed solidarity for gay marriages. Without giving any explanation, he said about the last year and so that his feelings on the issue are "evolving."

According to Huffington Post, Obama's spokesman said on Tuesday that he was "disappointed" with the news of amendment. Cameron French, the campaign spokesperson for Obama, issued a statement that called the ban on same-sex marriages "divisive and discriminatory."

“Same-sex couples deserve the same rights and legal protections as straight couples,” the spokesman added.