UUFR Protects NC Families: amendment one

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Conservative Author Opposes Amendment

Peter McClelland, writing for UNC's conservative journal, The Carolina Review, gives North Carolina conservatives and evangelicals a number of reasons they should vote against Amendment One (or the so- called “Marriage Amendment.”)

He writes that the Amendment "may seriously violate the federal Constitution." He continues by stating that it may threaten "individual liberty and exemplifies a government overstepping its bounds." He believes those things should bother conservatives who prize "freedom and limited government."

McClelland cites two two parts of U.S. constitutional law that the Amendment violates: The Fourteenth Amendment and Article IV, Section I. The former prevents states from denying persons equal protection of the laws; the latter basically says that each state shall recognize the laws of every other state. He concludes with an argument urging evangelicals to vote against the amendment.

Read the full article.

UUFR Statement of Conscience -- Unanimously Approved 1/29/2012

We, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, affirm justice, equity, and compassion in human relations, and the inherent worth and dignity of all persons.

As we unanimously agreed in our 2004 congregational statement of conscience, we “affirm the basic right of same-gender couples to marry and to share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitments of civil marriage”

In the absence of this right to marry, we resolve to oppose any law, policy, or practice that limits the recognition of same-gender couples’ relationships and families and any related rights and protections. We are especially called to oppose any attempt to enshrine such discrimination in the North Carolina Constitution.

We further resolve to that we will respect and protect same-gender couples and their families by raising awareness of the discriminatory effects of any proposed laws or constitutional amendments. We will also take specific actions to defeat such laws or constitutional amendments.