Six families challenge NC gay marriage ban

North Carolina's constitutional provision banning gay marriage should be struck down, a group of six same-sex families argue in federal court.

The families originally sued over North Carolina law that bans both partners of a same-sex couple from adopting a child. In an amendment to that complaint, the couples say that North Carolina's gay marriage ban not only deprives them of rights as a couple, but hurts their children's well-being.

The ACLU, which is representing the couples, had announced earlier this month it would seek to change the suit. Defendants in the suit were served with the amended complaint Monday.

"The adult plaintiffs seek the same legal recognition of their family relationships afforded heterosexual married spouses and their families for the same reason all families seek such relationships," the amended complaint reads.

It goes on to say that legal recognition would avoid "numerous psychological, social and financial detriments that arise from a lack of a legally recognized marriage or a legally recognized relationship between parent and child."