N.C. gears up for same-sex marriage fight

RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Groups across North Carolina say they expect a fight over a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage when lawmakers convene in September.

Campaigns over the proposal for the constitutional amendment have sprung up across the state, including petition drives, postcard drives, messages from church pulpits, rallies, billboards and phone banks, The (Raleigh) News & Observer reported Monday.

The constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages is among several lawmakers will consider with they return to the statehouse.

Republicans control the statehouse and the amendment's backers consider now could be their best chance of getting the needed three-fifths majorities of the House and Senate to put the question before the voters.

North Carolina is one of 37 states with a law defining marriage as a contract between a man and woman.