Oh my goodness: North Carolina Voters to Decide on Same-Sex Marriage

From The New York Times:

North Carolina on Tuesday took a big step toward losing its status as the last state in the Southeast without a constitutional amendment making it clear that marriage is legal only when there is a bride and bridegroom.

It is already illegal for people of the same sex to marry in North Carolina. If the amendment passes, it will serve to reinforce that ban and make it more difficult for future legislatures to extend marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples.

It could also call into question domestic partnership benefits offered by public institutions and the application of domestic violence laws . . . .