Calling traditional marriage "the foundation on which every other institution rests," the Rev. Ron Baity said Friday that the group he leads, Return America, would work with church pastors and others to bring out a strong vote in favor of an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
Baity talked to about 100 supporters in a room at Joel Coliseum, saying that because "marriage is not the product of a legislative enactment … it cannot be a product of man's invention."
The amendment, which will be on the May 8 ballot in North Carolina, would have the effect of writing a ban on same-sex marriages into the state constitution. Although state law already defines marriage as between a man and a woman, supporters say the amendment is needed to prevent a judge from someday declaring the law invalid.
There were lots of "amens" from the audience as Baity spoke, emphasizing that "God, not man, established marriage."
Baity and people in the audience said they have been falsely accused of spreading hate.
"We love the homosexual," said Lianne Roussel, who was in the audience. "We don't approve of the lifestyle. I get very offended when all we hear in the media is that we are hate-filled and bigoted."
An opponent of the amendment watched the announcement from the sidelines.
Will Robinson, the field director of the Coalition to Protect North Carolina Families, said the amendment would harm people's ability to direct trusts and end-of-life directions, among other effects.
Robinson said opponents to the amendment would be making an announcement in Greensboro on Feb. 14.
"It is just not right to say we are equal in 2012 when we can debate the rights of other people," he said.
Return America officials said their campaign would include rallies, regional meetings and billboards. Other groups are promoting the amendment as well, but Baity said Return America once drew 12,000 people to a rally in Raleigh.
"We are the one organization that has been able to get out the people," Baity said.
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