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High Court could consider same-sex marriage; Could impact N.C. amendment

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court could make an announcement Monday on whether to take up the issue of same-sex marriage.

The justices met privately Friday to discuss whether same-sex marriage deserves equal treatment under federal law.

The high court is considering challenges to a federal law that prevents married same-sex couples from receiving federal marriage benefits.

They could find that the law is discriminatory toward gay people, which means challenges for North Carolina's Amendment 1.

“Then it would be a very simple matter to file a lawsuit challenging Amendment 1 because clearly it's based on from preventing homosexuals from having the same rights as others in regards to marriage,” said lawyer Luke Largess.

In May, North Carolina voters decided to approve a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.