RALEIGH (AP) — U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan is against a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit gay marriage in North Carolina because she says it would harm the state’s ability to recruit business and jobs and have negative consequences for families and children.
Hagan released a statement this week urging North Carolina residents to oppose the amendment on the May 8 ballot. The measure says traditional marriage would be the only recognized domestic legal union in the state. State law already defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Other amendment opponents have argued the language would imprint discrimination into the state constitution and discourage companies with gay-friendly policies from building or expanding in North Carolina. Hagan said the state can’t afford to give businesses a reason to go elsewhere.