Same-sex couples to protest law that disallows their marriage; couples will apply for marriage licenses, protest outside Buncombe County Courthouse in Asheville

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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In Asheville, even Valentine’s Day is a day for protest. A protest is scheduled outside the Buncombe County Courthouse from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, an event that includes same-sex couples applying for marriage licenses to make their point.

Press release:

On Valentine’s Day, February 14, same-sex couples will once again request marriage licenses at their local County Clerk’s offices in cities all over the country. These actions will not only draw attention to the lack of marriage equality between heterosexual and LGBTI Americans, but it will also raise awareness about the harms and the impact that the inability to marry causes LGBTI families.

In North Carolina, the North Carolina chapter of GetEQUAL (GetEQUAL NC) will be protesting the government’s discriminatory policy to disallow same-sex couples to marry at 12:00 PM at the Buncombe County Courthouse in Asheville. LGBTI couples will apply for marriage licenses, LGBTI and allies will be handing out information on marriage equality, and we protest of the lack of marriage equality if couples are denied the right to apply for a license.

“The government’s decision to grant marriage rights based, not on the sexual orientation or gender identity of the applicants, but simply based on the sex of the two people entering into the marriage is illogical and unjust,” said Angel Chandler, GetEQUAL North Carolina State Organizer. 

For a complete list of Valentine’s Day actions go to www.requestmarriage.com.