Lesbian seeking marriage license arrested in NC

Forsyth County sheriff's deputies arrest Mary Lee Bradford of Winston-Salem and Mary Jamis of Mocksville after they refused to leave at the Forsyth County Register of Deeds office in Winston-Salem, N.C., May 10, 2012. / AP Photo/Bob Leverone

(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.

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.

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

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.

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"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.

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.

"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.

"I just want to point out that we're married in the District of Columbia, our nation's capital," Morin said. "Thank you."

"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.

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.

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.

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.

They were charged with second-degree trespass, a low-level misdemeanor, and released without bond, authorities said.

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.

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.

Picou said she did not object to same-sex couples being allowed to wed.

"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."

The demonstration attracted no counter-protest and it's likely few inside the sprawling county office building knew the protest was under way.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[welovepeace]

IT REALLY DOES NOY MATTER IF YOU ARE THE SAME SEX YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET MARRIED AS A LOVING COUPLE THE GOVERMENT SHOULD HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OUR LIVES, JUST LIKE IF GAYS WANT KIDS THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT AS WELL, OR IF A WOMEN AND A MAN WANT TO HAVE ANOTHER WIFE.

[WyomingNative]

This case has the possibility of being added to other cases that will go before the United States Supreme Court along with the Prop 8 cases. The attorney's who are taking this all the way to the SCOTUS not only have the law of civil rights on their side but they also have our President and a growing support among the people of the United States of America, especially among the rising generations. DOMA is going down in flames as a bigoted, unconstitutional and discriminatory law. Most of all Marriage Equality will one day (likely within the next 5 years) become recognized on a national level. I'm sure there will be screaming and whaling and gnashing of teeth among the religious bigots but their whines and moans of feeling persecuted will be ignored. It's about time that the separation between religion and the state be fully upheld.

[mfarst76]

WyomingNative what a visionary you are. Your an anti-religious bigot, that can't write and uses hyperbole in mass. Your visions of over turning 3000 years of human existence is flawed on so many levels.

[Nononameplease]

What does "whaling" have to do with this? Are you calling these two women whales?

[Psyllicon]

Alicia is correct, it is not the Government's place to decide what you can do in your private life so long as it does not harm others. The fact remains, however, that 60% of the states now have CONSTITUTIONAL abrogation of same-sex marriage.

MANY states have 'alternatives' for the persons leading alternative lifestyles, however. What this comes down to is that the great majority of citizens have already voice support for the concept that Gay Marriage is not an accepted 'norm'

[American4truth]

Maybe you aren't aware, but gay couples are also discriminated against with housing and immigration just because they are gay. And the arguments used to discriminate are virtually identical to the arguments once used to discriminate against blacks and Jews.

Why are you mentioning percentages that are affected? Does it become acceptable to harm a minority if they are a small enough percentage of the population? By that reasoning you would not consider anti-Jewish discrimination to be a big deal. They represent a smaller percentage of the population than gays and lesbians, after all.

[Topkitty27]

DAPLUMBERMAN which God said it was disgusting? I mean since Republicans worship Mammon, is that who you mean? My feelings toward Christians is the same as my feeling towards gay folks. Don't ask me to become one and don't tell me if you are one!!!! I don't care!! Whatever makes you happy during the financial enslavement of America during the Corporate occupation of Congress and the Senate. Stupidity and ignorance are the GOP's best friends.

[American4truth]

Can you explain how preventing committed couples from getting married promotes marriage?!

I agree with you that marriage improves health and lengthens lifespan. That makes it rather cruel to prevent a minority from being allowed to marry, don't you think?

[JMcDon1007]

The overarching theme of those who are against marriage equality is simply ignorance. They refuse to believe or refuse to educate themselves, or more than likely, are not smart enough to comprehend that gay people do not choose to be gay. I can't fathom such ignorance.

All it takes is a little research to educate themselves and to realize that they are wrong. Pull up the American Medical Assoc. website...or pull up the American Psychiatric Assoc. website and READ. Both of these organizations have stated that all of their research leads to one conclusion...that gay people DO NOT choose to be gay.

So for all the religious nuts out there, if being gay is not a choice, then you would have to conclude that God made them that way. Right? We are all God's children and no one should judge someone on whether or not they are going to heaven or hell.

I blame the Southern Baptists for the majority of this mindset. Their "fire and brimstone" method of preaching is filled with hate. I was raised Methodist and I got so much joy out of going to church when I was younger; yet, I have spoken to so many current and ex-Southern Baptists and they say the opposite. Why? Because the SB's insist on focusing their message on what you're doing that will send you to hell, and how if you don't change, there is no hope for you. I was always taught that love prevails in church and the message that was delivered each and every Sunday focused on that.

One last thing that has really gotten on my nerves over the past few days is hearing those that were in support of the NC marriage amendment say that they are being "attacked" by the liberals because they are against marriage equality. Sure, everyone is entitled to their opinion; however, when that opinion is a belief of hate or is a belief of taking away the rights of a certain group of individuals, then it is simply bigotry. That is the difference between our opinion and your opinion. So if it smells like a dog, and acts like a dog, then call it a dog!

[freedomfighter47]

yawn

[TheRealMBear]

Thank you for the truth & the sanity post, but alas: it seems most of the posters are wantonly ignorant & apparently get violent and hateful when they are called on their lies & deceit.

I find it frustratingly unAmerican. Apparently they are not happy living a free society, having freedoms such as religion, and a strong belief in civil rights. Perhaps they're be happier in countries where religious doctrine reigns supreme as the primary source of 'morality' (in quotes, because we all know the BIble supports murder, incest, rape, pedophilia, genocide & a host of other atrocities which no sane person could consider 'moral' LOL)

Perhaps they be happier in Saudi, or Iran.

I'm sure if we get a colllection together, we could most likely start buying them one way first class tickets. I'll be happy to donite my miles & send a religious person who wants a theocracy a one way ticke to the theocratic country of their choice! Come on!

[bigirl4life]

what is the difference between a man and a woman getting married and a woman and a woman/a man and a man i mean i love to stair at a women walking down the street i like a womans ass idk about any of u but i think that all states should have same sex marriages bc if not then they are just going to dis obay ur law and do it in a state that allows them to get married there so just let us get married to a woman why are u taking their love from them

[SFNative76]

Why do people want to feel better than other people, to the point of taking away their rigths? Where is the love, North Carolina?

[mfarst76]

You liberals got people thinking you need the government to validate a marriage between two people. You are just a bunch of money hungry radical autonomists out for your own self interests.

[chateaudebelves]

If ever you are confronted by someone spewing Leviticus as evidence of why homosexuality is forbidden by god, please inform them that Leviticus was a set of rules to help codify the ancient Jews. In 49AD, the Council of Jerusalem struck down Leviticus for Christians. That is why Christians aren't kosher, can eat shellfish, and have gay sex without spiritual consequence.

[Chinckley6]

Jimbo_KK2 what the hell do you care if two men our in a sexual relationship? No one is forcing you into their bedroom to watch them. Get over it and mind your own closed minded business.

[audemus]

If you feel that way Jimbo, you should knock it off....

[audemus]

I respect anyone who demonstrates in a peaceful manner, the courage of their convictions. We don't have to agree with their positions to agree with their right to protest what they view as inequality and unjust treatment because of them.