Judge Clears Way For Gay Marriages, But Fight Goes On

A federal court judge in North Carolina has overturned the state's same-sex marriage ban, allowing gay and lesbian couples across the state to marry immediately.

Brent Morin of Winston-Salem has been waiting on this moment for a long time. He and his partner tied the knot in Washington D.C. in 2011. But now they are planning a celebration in their hometown. 

“It's indescribable to explain how it feels for your marriage to be recognized," he says. "It's not just the rights and protections, it's that feeling of acceptance in your heart from other people and being seen and treated as an equal and that is huge. It goes beyond what protections the law might give me.”

Legislative GOP leaders Phil Berger and Thom Tillis issued a joint statement shortly after the ruling. They still support Amendment One and will work to keep it in place:

“While we recognize the tremendous passion on all sides of this issue, we promised to defend the will of North Carolina voters because they – not judges and not politicians – define marriage as between one man and one woman and placed that in our state constitution. It is disappointing this decision was made without North Carolina's law receiving its day in court, and we will continue to work to ensure the voice of the voters is heard.”

Gloria Racey of Winston-Salem waited with her partner, Gaye Hodges, at the Forsyth County Register of Deeds Friday afternoon to get a marriage license. The couple has been together for 17 years. Like Tillis and Berger, Racey also says the fight is not over.

"It's just like segregation, slavery, abortion - those issues were decided, but we're still fighting about them," she says. "And folks will continue to fight that. I know that. But that's not my worry, that's not mine. Mine will be to be legally married. And let them fight. Who cares?" 

Like many couples, Racey says she plans to come back Monday to get her marriage license.