Equality champion Rep. Deb Butler files two bills to protect same-sex marriage in N.C.
Despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, North Carolina still has a ban on the books regarding same-sex marriage.
State Rep. Deb Butler’s first proposal, House Bill 174, would obliterate the ban and affirm the federal protections of all married couples, regardless of gender.
The second bill, House Bill 175, seeks a state constitutional amendment explicitly safeguarding marriage equality in North Carolina. This amendment would ensure protection even if the federal Supreme Court has second thoughts.
“Deb Butler has long been a champion for Equal Rights, so it came as no surprise to see her seek a state constitutional amendment to protect same-sex marriage in North Carolina,” said Marla Barthen, ERA-NC Alliance co-president and Butler’s constituent. “If you know her, you know she does not yield or back down on matters of equality.”
Given a shifting federal judiciary, North Carolina has the power to fortify civil rights protections for all its citizens. Butler said, “Marriage equality is a settled issue for the vast majority of Americans, and our state should reflect that reality. These bills are about ensuring dignity, security and legal protection for all families in the face of uncertainty at the federal level.”
We applaud Rep. Deb Butler for her strong support of human rights, from same-sex marriage security to equality for all through the 28th Amendment, formerly known as the Equal Rights Amendment.