{"id":12235,"date":"2012-05-10T21:35:11","date_gmt":"2012-05-11T01:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theredphoenixapl.org\/?p=12235"},"modified":"2012-05-10T21:35:11","modified_gmt":"2012-05-11T01:35:11","slug":"lesbian-seeking-marriage-license-arrested-in-nc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/redphoenix.news\/es\/2012\/05\/lesbian-seeking-marriage-license-arrested-in-nc\/","title":{"rendered":"Lesbian seeking marriage license arrested in NC"},"content":{"rendered":"

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(AP) WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – A lesbian who sought a North Carolina marriage license with her partner and was rejected under a state law banning same-sex marriage was arrested with another person Thursday after they refused to leave a government office where several gay and lesbian couples were turned away.<\/span><\/p>\n

The civil disobedience followed a day after President Barack Obama publicly endorsed same-sex marriage, and two days after North Carolina voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman.<\/span><\/p>\n

The protest came amid attempts by a gay rights group, Campaign for Southern Equality, to broaden public support to allow same-sex marriage and more protests are planned in coming days at other county offices in North Carolina that issue marriage licenses<\/span><\/p>\n

Nine gay and lesbian couples each presented completed forms and identification to a clerk at the local Register of Deeds office in Winston-Salem, but were refused because state law recognizes only heterosexual couples.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We cannot issue you a marriage license because it is not allowed under North Carolina law,” a clerk told Brent Morin, 36, and his partner Gerald Morin, 42, of Winston-Salem.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Tuesday, North Carolina became the 30th state to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The state already has laws that prohibit gay marriage, but adding the prohibition to the state constitution will make that much harder to change.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Can you at least acknowledge on here that you’re denying it and the date?” Brent Morin asked, his ring-bearing left hand trembling. The clerk complied. Other clerks smiled sheepishly or shook the hands extended to them by couples they had turned away.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I just want to point out that we’re married in the District of Columbia, our nation’s capital,” Morin said. “Thank you.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Hopefully, one day you’ll be able to say yes,” said a woman who was the first to request a license with her partner. She and most of the other couples declined to give their names. A group spokesman said most couples feared trouble with their employers or other complications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Jamis, 52, of Mocksville, and a heterosexual friend who joined the protest, Mary Lea Bradford of Winston-Salem, were arrested after they blocked the entrance to the marriage license office and refused to leave more than 30 minutes after closing time.<\/span><\/p>\n

A county administrator tried to talk the women into leaving and avoiding arrest, but the two insisted they would stay unless Jamis was issued a marriage license for her and her partner, Starr Johnson, 48.<\/span><\/p>\n

A half dozen female officers then crowded around Jamis and Bradford, who were seated. The officers asked them to stand, handcuffed them and led them out a side door and into a van to be booked at the county sheriff’s department across the street.<\/span><\/p>\n

They were charged with second-degree trespass, a low-level misdemeanor, and released without bond, authorities said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Christine Regan, 35, and Megan Silbert, 34, of Winston-Salem, were rejected for the marriage license while a heterosexual couple a few steps away were receiving theirs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nate Bounds, 29, and Alicia Picou, 32, of Winston-Salem said they planned to marry May 19, when his father could arrive from his home overseas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Picou said she did not object to same-sex couples being allowed to wed.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Why not? I don’t think it’s really anybody’s business,” she said. I don’t think it’s the government’s business to be telling people what to do with their private lives.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The demonstration attracted no counter-protest and it’s likely few inside the sprawling county office building knew the protest was under way.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Campaign for Southern Equality’s “We Do” effort that sends same-sex couples to fruitlessly ask for marriage licenses started last fall in Asheville, culminating in the arrest of a lesbian couple who said they had been together for 30 years. That two-week effort was followed by efforts in South Carolina in February.<\/span><\/p>\n

Supporters of North Carolina’s newly passed amendment says it will make the definition of marriage more clear; opponents said it could harm health benefits for unmarried couples and affect domestic violence laws.<\/span><\/p>\n

The campaign expects to stage three similar demonstrations Friday in county offices in Bakersville, Marshall and Asheville, where further arrests are planned. Marriage-office demonstrations are planned next week in Asheboro and Charlotte.<\/span><\/p>\n

Obama declared his support for gay marriage on Wednesday in a historic announcement that gave the polarizing social issue a more prominent role in his re-election bid.<\/span><\/p>\n


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