GOPer Jim Davis Says North Carolina Gay Marriage Ban Would 'Restrict Freedoms'
- By
- On Top Magazine Staff
- | December 03, 2011
North Carolina state Senator Jim Davis has said a proposed gay marriage ban would “restrict freedoms a little more beyond my comfort zone,” the Macon County News reported.
Voters in May will decided on a far-reaching amendment that would make it unconstitutional for North Carolina to recognize gay and lesbian couples with marriage, civil unions and possibly even domestic partnerships.
At a town hall last week, Davis, a Republican who voted in favor of sending the amendment to voters, expressed concerns over it.
“I have a lot of libertarian in me,” he said. “I believe firmly, passionately that a marriage should be defined as being between one man and one woman. But I also believe with all my heart that in a free America people who choose to live a different lifestyle should have a legal right to do so. Just don't call it marriage.”
“The marriage amendment is so important because these gay and lesbian, transgender people want moral equivalence to a heterosexual marriage, and it never can be in my opinion. A heterosexual marriage is the bedrock of our society. I feel passionately about that, but I don't think we need to restrict the rights of people who do not choose to live our lifestyles.”
(Related: GOPer Renee Ellmers says North Carolina gay marriage ban too aggressive.)