On Amendment 1: 'What are these people so afraid of?'

To the disappointment of equal-rights advocates everywhere, North Carolina voters passed Amendment One that recognizes only marriage between one man and one woman, and bans any other type of "domestic legal union," such as civil unions and domestic partnerships. We're taking a look at this story and the bitter reactions from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:

North Carolina Passes Constitutional Amendment to Ban Gay Marriage

Submitted by jeffissleeping

North Carolina passed Amendment One, which defines marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman, with an overwhelming 61 percent of the vote. The state constitutional amendment leaves no room for legal recognition of civil unions or domestic partnerships. North Carolina becomes the 30th state to adopt a ban on gay marriage.

The amendment also goes beyond state law by voiding other types of domestic unions from carrying legal status, which opponents warn could disrupt protection orders for unmarried couples.

The campaign manager for the group that opposed the amendment said the nation watched North Carolina on Tuesday night, wondering how the anti-forces came through.

"I am happy to say that we are stronger for it; we are better for it; our voices are louder now," said Jeremy Kennedy of Protect All NC Families. "We have courage like we never had before, and we have strength to continue on."

President Obama’s campaign says he was "disappointed" by the outcome of the election, however, the president just publicly announced that he now supports same-sex marriage.

A North Carolina student has already launched an online campaign in an effort to repeal Amendment One.

The community are disappointed with the passage:

DeliaTheArtist: "This decision is on the wrong side of history. It's nothing less than the continuation of institutional discrimination."

KSirys: "Btw, how the f*ck is marriage between cousins allowed but gay marriage illegal?? are you serious?"

FreeSpiritMuse: "What are these people so afraid of?" 

tverdell: "I really feel sorry for these people. It must be a miserable psyche to try to keep others from happiness based upon false pretenses."

rerushg: "The ongoing effort of red states to marginalize and get rid of those who are not like them. They aspire to three kinds of citizens: the wealthy, those who service the wealthy, and those who need to get the hell out.
"Intolerance". Still looking for the biblical passage that justifies that."

cclark_productions: "when did everyone get so close minded?"

On "Viewpoint," Eliot Spitzer called on President Obama to lead by endorsing what is right:

See more coverage on equal rights from our shows:

• Shhh! Brett’s Talking Now: Biden comes out
• Obama will endorse same-sex marriage soon, says adviser on gay issues to President Clinton
• Gay marriage: Obama parsing the issue feels dishonest to voters
• Power Panel: President Obama ‘won’t have the guts’ to come out for same-sex marriage
• When it comes to gay rights, why does Washington, DC lag behind the rest of the country?

Join the discussion -- or head over to the Community page for more popular stories from the community.

(Photo: Getty Images)