Senate Bill 8: Anti-LGBT Constiutional Amendment
This bill would amend the state constitution to discriminate against same-sex couples.
- Bill Number: Senate Bill 8
- Bill Status: This bill was not brought to a vote in the 2005-2006 session and is ineligible for further consideration.
- Bill Link: Check Bill Status and Read/Download Bill Text
- Related Bills: This bill is substantively identical to House Bill 55
- ENC Position: Equality NC opposes this bill.
Bill Summary
Introduced on January 31 by Sen. James Forrester (R-Gaston) and 20 co-sponsors, Senate Bill 8, so-called "Defense of Marriage", would not only deny equal marriage rights, which are already denied lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender North Carolinians, but would also prohibit any recognition of civil unions, domestic partnerships, or similar relationships in the state. The language of the bill is so broad it could prevent private companies from extending domestic partner benefits to their employees.
Sen. Forrester introduced an identical bill in the 2004 session, which Equality NC successfully worked to block.
The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. In order to become law, the bill would need to pass both the House and Senate with at 3/5 margin, and be approved my a majority of voters on the May 2006 primary ballot.
Sponsors
Forrester (R) (Primary)
Allran (R)
Apodoca (R)
Berger of Rockingham (R)
Bingham (R)
Blake (R)
Brock (R)
Brown (R)
East (R)
Garwood (R)
Goodall (R)
Hunt (R)
Hartsell (R)
Jacumin (R)
Pittenger (R)
Presnell (R)
Thomas (D)
Tillman (R)
Smith (R)
Stevens (R)
Webster (R)
