NC Amendment one... At this point, I am embarrassed to be a part of state of North Carolina. As a 41 year old gay male, born and raised here in NC, I have grown up with a good deal of closed minded people as well a good number of people who are accepting of others. The law should never encourage prejudice and this is exactly what amendment one does, it also infringes on indivual rights. 20 years ago I faced many trials simply for being gay, it truly saddens me to see it has not changed and that even today people like me [simply for loving a different way] are forced into hiding, yet expected to continue to pay our state taxes without rights or laws to protect us. I share this here in the hopes that people will understand the importance of freedom and add their voice to those in need of support. Weather you agree or disagree with this issue... know that by allowing it to happen, you put your own freedoms that you do enjoy at risk. Freedom is lost one issue at a time, it's freedom for all or freedom for none.