Another try at gay marriage ban

Advocates of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage are taking another swing at it.

Legislators, religious and conservative leaders Tuesday hailed the introduction of a bill in the Senate and one expected in the House that amends the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Proponents emphasized that North Carolina remains the only southern state without such an amendment. Similar legislation has been introduced in previous years, but Democratic leaders did not permit a vote.

North Carolina has a law against gay marriage, but one liberal judge can knock it down, supporters of the proposed amendment said. They warned of unhealthy family environments, teaching children that homosexuality is correct, forcing changes in inheritance law and ending marriage as God intended.

"Moms and Dads are not interchangable," said Sen. Jim Forrester, a Gaston County Republican and chief sponsor of the Senate bill.

Opponents said gay couples deserve the same rights as heterosexuals and highlighted how many children are successfully raised by single parents, grandparents and other family constructs that do not include both a mother and father.

Gay couples "have the same values you and I do. They want to love somebody and be loved," said Ana McKee, of Durham, who has a 23-year-old gay son and is active in PFLAG, Parents and Family of Lesbians and Gays.