The dream of a legal marriage for same-sex couples in the Tar Heel state is one step closer to becoming a reality.
Wednesday, a federal judge lifted stays on two cases challenging North Carolina’s ban.
It’s a possible sign the judge is about to legalize gay marriage.
“It’s thrilling. It’s unbelievable. It’s the end of the road we’ve been working towards for so long,” says Shawn Long reacting to the news over the phone.
Shawn and his partner of 20 years have been fighting to tie the knot and legally adopt their son Isaiah as a couple.
“Craig and I, we’ve spent two decades building a life together and almost a decade with our son building a life for him. We just want the same thing that every other family wants,” says Shawn.
Shawn and Craig were among the first to challenge the state’s gay marriage ban.
The only thing standing in their way now is this federal judge who at this point could either uphold the ban or strike it down.
North Carolina is in the same federal district as Virginia which began allowing gay marriages Monday.
The judge’s decision could come any time now.
“The second that we can be there and get legally married and registered as a couple, we will be doing that,” says Shawn.
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High court refuses to rule — and gives tacit victory — on same-sex marriage
