Battle of Church and State (United Church of Christ vs the State of North Carolina)
N.C. Clergy Bring Legal Challenge to Amendment One, Citing Religious Freedom
Religious Leaders Seek the Right to Wed Same-Sex Couples in their Congregations
On April 28th, a federal legal challenge to Amendment One was filed in the Western District of North Carolina on behalf of clergy from across faith traditions, same-sex couples and the United Church of Christ. The case challenges the constitutionality of marriage laws in North Carolina including Amendment One that ban marriage between same-sex couples and make it illegal for clergy to perform wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples within their congregations. Clergy plaintiffs seek the religious freedom to perform these ceremonies and same-sex couples seek the freedom to marry. The plaintiffs are represented by the law firms of Tin Fulton Walker & Owen and Arnold & Porter LLP.
http://www.amendmentonechallenge.org/