Celebrities Pan Gay Marriage Ban in North Carolina

Ellen Degeneres, Neil Patrick Harris and Brooklyn Decker among the celebrities angered by state's stance on same-sex unions

There was no shortage of celebrity reaction against North Carolina’s constitutional ban on gay marriage Tuesday evening, with bold-faced names taking to traditional and social media outlets to express their thoughts.

“Getting married was one of the greatest things I have ever done,” tweeted Ellen DeGeneres, who married Portia De Rossi in California in 2008. The TV talk show host added, “I hope everyone in North Carolina gets the same opportunity some day.”

“North Carolina passed Amendment One. Unbelievable,” wrote  Neil Patrick Harris.

Sixty-one percent of the state’s voters passed the constitutional amendment that strictly defines marriage as between a man and a woman. While same-sex civil unions were already banned in the state prior to the amendment being passed, the vote may have long-term ramifications on domestic partnerships and health insurance coverage.

Openly gay father and “American Idol” winner Clay Aiken told CNN that, “The thing that effects everyone, whether it’s same-sex couples or opposite-sex couples who have children, is unless they are married opposite-sex couples who are living together or who have children run the risk of losing health insurance for the child if they are not married.”

“Really disappointed in my home state of North Carolina this evening. One giant step backward.” tweeted “Battleship” star Brooklyn Decker.

Roseanne Barr called for Hollywood to withdraw productions from N.C., while Scissor Sisters singer Jake Shears said the state was “on the wrong side of history. Absolute fools.”

Follower reaction was just as swift-both supporting and condemning the celebrity chatter.

“Show me one gay relationship that has caused harm to another citizen,” tweeted Garry Shandling in response to the anti-gay marriage response.

Wrote Seth Rogan: “Claiming that someone else’s marriage is against your religion is like being angry at someone for eating a donut because you’re on a diet.”

Poking fun at the ban, RuPaul took to Twitter with a much-uttered phrase the iconic drag queen uses as a judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race”: “North Carolina … I’m sorry but you are up for elimination.”

“This is an interesting fact I just learned, said “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “First cousins can marry in North Carolina. (Unless they are the same sex, I assume.” According to “Scrubs” actor Zach Braff, the state is now off his retirement list.

Some stars were looking to the future. Mia Farrow commented, “Oh North Carolina – the disappointment we feel now is nothing compared to the bewilderment and shame your children will feel.” And Meghan McCain wrote: “Way to be a bad southern cliché North Carolina. I’m sure your grandkids will look back on this day in horror.”
 

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