Advocates Target Changing NC Same-Sex Marriage Ban

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Activists seeking marriage rights for same-sex couples continue searching for an official willing to flout North Carolina law and issue marriage licenses in an act of conscience.

Two lesbian couples on Monday requested and were denied licenses in Greensboro. Guilford County Register of Deeds Jeff Thigpen said he would be honored to do it, but was barred by North Carolina law. A constitutional amendment voters approved last year makes changing the law very difficult and requires any official actions to recognize marriage pertain only to a man and a woman.

The North Carolina campaign to find a willing official started last month after similar clerks in New Mexico and Pennsylvania decided to issue same-sex marriage licenses despite laws in those states banning gay unions.