Activists march down Cedar Springs Road in 2009 after voters in Maine overturned marriage equality. (JOHN WRIGHT/Dallas Voice)

In response to the passage of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in North Carolina, LGBT activists in Dallas plan a rally tonight on Cedar Springs Road.

Daniel Cates, North Texas regional coordinator for GetEQUAL, said the rally will call for the Democratic National Committee to move its 2012 Democratic National Convention out of Charlotte, and for the DNC to add support for same-sex marriage and full federal equality for LGBT people to the party platform. The rally will also call for leaders like Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and President Barack Obama to end their silence on marriage equality.

“The passage of Amendment 1 sends a clear message that a majority can, by a popular vote, restrict the rights of a minority. This is dangerous territory and undermines the principals our nation was founded upon. Fair minded people across this nation must speak up and condemn the passage of this amendment.” Cates said in a press release. “We are calling on all leaders, from Mayor Mike Rawlings to President Obama, who have claimed to be our friends and campaigned for our votes to end their silence on issues of civil rights for LGBT people and take a substantive stand for what they know is right.”

North Carolina, where first cousins and convicted murderers can still marry, becomes the 30th state to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage — and the last of the Southern states to do so. Amendment One, which voters approved by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent, also prohibits all other forms of relationship recognition for same-sex couples.

Meanwhile, as if to add insult to injury, Republicans in the Colorado House blocked a vote on a civil unions bill late Tuesday.

Tonight’s rally begins at 7 at the Legacy of Love Monument, at Oak Lawn Avenue and Cedar Springs Road. Participants are encouraged to bring signs, flags banners and candles. For more information, contact Cates at Daniel@getequaltx.org. The full press release is below.

Dallas LGBT Community to Rally Against Passage of North Carolina Anti- Marriage Amendment, Call on DNC, Obama Administration to End Silence on Civil Rights.

Dallas, Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community will rally tonight, 5/9/12, at the corner of Cedar Springs and Oaklawn to protest the passage of Amendment 1 in North Carloina, a measure permanently banning same-sex marriage, removing orders of protection from domestic violence victims, and even remove children from their parents’ insurance policies.
“The passage of Amendment 1 sends a clear message that a majority can, by a popular vote, restrict the rights of a minority. This is dangerous territory and undermines the principals our nation was founded upon. Fair minded people across this nation must speak up and condemn the passage of this amendment.” said Daniel Cates, North Texas Coordinator for the direct action group, GetEQUAL TX.
Organizers of tonight’s rally are calling for the Democratic National Committee to move the scheduled 2012 Democratic National Convention out of Charlotte, NC and to officially add Marriage Equality and Full Federal Equality for LGBT Americans to the Party Platform.
Activists will also call on President Obama to end his long evolution on same-sex marriage and to publicly support full equality.
“We are calling on all leaders, from Mayor Mike Rawlings to President Obama, who have claimed to be our friends and campaigned for our votes to end their silence on issues of civil rights for LGBT people and take a substantive stand for what they know is right.” said Cates
The rally will begin at 7pm at the Legacy of Love Monument. Participants ar eencouraged to bring signs, flags banners and candles. For more information, please contact Daniel Cates, North Texas Regional Coordinator for GetEQUAL TX, Daniel@getequaltx.org.