“As people of faith…we are mandated by God to demonstrate and protect love in all its forms and to stand for justice for all of creation,” said Reverend John McLaughlin in his beginning prayer to a crowd full of supporters surrounding UNCW’s clock tower Sept. 12.

Many students held signs, others held hands, but most just sat and watched as UNCW’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) organization and People Recognizing Individual Differences Exist (PRIDE) held a vigil protesting North Carolina State Senate Bill 106 and North Carolina House of Representatives Bill 777. The bill seeks to ban civil unions, domestic partnerships and add a referendum to the North Carolina constitution making gay marriage unlawful.

“This proposed amendment is an affront to the equal rights of all North Carolinians. Not only will this potential amendment ban same-sex marriage in North Carolina, it will prohibit civil unions and nullify domestic partnership benefits,” said PRIDE Political Action Coordinator John Harvill. “Along with the aforementioned consequences of this vote, this amendment is also legally unnecessary, as same-sex marriage in North Carolina is already banned by state statute.”

While North Carolina already has a law in place defining marriage as the union between a man and a woman, the new amendment is being added to the May primary ballot for the voters to decide.

“A constitution is set in place to protect its citizens. This is the first time in North Carolina’s history that we have come this close to writing a gender and sexual orientation discriminatory policy into our constitution,” said PRIDE president Kelley Brown.

The vigil took place at dusk with over 120 attendees, all congregating to protest a bill that was being discussed parallel to their rally. With speakers ranging from ministers who discussed the importance of love regardless of orientation to students within the UNCW community who spoke of fear based hatred, the event spanned the amount of time it took for the North Carolina House of Representatives to pass the amendment.

Between speeches, Brown announced to the crowd, “I have some very unfortunate news; the house just passed the bill.” As silence stood out against a previously spirited crowd, Brown refused to let the announcement damper the night’s activities.

Impassioned speeches followed, including those relating to the partisan politics it took to get the amendment passed.

In alliance with this cause, Brown encouraged the crowd to register to vote, pointing out the “Organizing for America” booth that was also handing out volunteer forms with a timeline of President Obama’s accomplishments in pushing LGBT legislation and promoting related causes.

“People who were staunch democrats before have changed their viewpoints because of the despairing economy, and I think that is a major reason why redundant bills such as these are being pushed through Congress,” said Brown.

The night ended in generally high spirits as many first time voters registered to “have their voice heard,” said Brown as she concluded the night’s events.

Despite valiant efforts, the “Anti-LGBT amendment” (as it is known throughout Congress) passed and was put on the ballot for May of 2012.

“While some may feel threatened by us, as a community, we don’t wish to make anyone feel that way…there’s a human spirit in everyone no matter where you come from,” said Brown.