After Gay Marriage Ban, 16K Sign Petition to Move DNC Convention Out of North Carolina

One day after North Carolina voters opted to ban same-sex marriage, more than 16,000 people have signed onto a petition to move the Democratic National Convention out of the state.

The effort, spearheaded by Gay Marriage USA, was more than halfway to its goal of 25,000 signatures late Wednesday morning.

"On May 8th, the people of North Carolina voted in support of Amendment One, a constitutional amendment that discriminates against LGBT people, couples & their families," the petition states. "In protest, the Democratic National Convention Committee should MOVE its convention (September 2012) to a state that upholds values of equality & liberty, and which treats ALL citizens equally."

The issue of same-sex marriage has been reignited in recent days: On Sunday, Vice President Joe Biden became the highest-ranking administration official to indicate support when he said he was "absolutely comfortable" with it. President Barack Obama has so far declined to elaborate on his "evolving" views, though remains formally opposed. His campaign did however say he was "disappointed" in North Carolina's vote.

There has also been a growing movement to add a marriage equality plank to the Democratic Party's national platform.