Amendment One would amend the North Carolina constitution so the only legally recognized unions would be heterosexual marriage. It would end the possibility of civil unions and have dire consequences for unmarried heterosexual couples, families and single women as well. More here.

Monday, a North Carolina philanthropist announced his support for the "No On Amendment One" campaign by pledging to match donations dollar for dollar up to $100,000. Todd Stiefel is the founder of The Free Thought Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit private foundation that provides financial support and volunteer strategy consulting. Todd describes himself as "a secular humanist, an atheist and full-time freethought activist." He is also a cum laude graduate of Duke University.

Stiefel is committed to the free thought movement which counts among its goals the secularizing of public policy, which I guess is exactly the same thing as being a Nazi in the estimation of Illinois Catholic Bishop Daniel Jenky.

Todd and Diana, so cute I hope they have kids.

Friends, My name is Todd Stiefel. My wife, Diana and I have a passionate belief that our country would be better off if we put people above politics. Families in North Carolina matter far more than a divisive constitutional amendment such as Amendment One, and that is why we are now offering a $1 for $1 match up to $100,000 to the campaign.

The campaign to defeat the amendment only has three more weeks to get out the word about the harms that North Carolina would face if Amendment One passes on May 8. That is why we are stepping up now to give to the campaign. We hope that you can join us.

The momentum against Amendment One has grown substantially in recent weeks. Former GOP Gubernatorial nominee Richard Vinroot, Justice Bob Orr, John Hood and other conservatives have advocated against it in recent weeks. Governor Bev Perdue came out passionately against it last week in a powerful video, and the next morning Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers condemned the amendment as well.

But all of this momentum does not matter if the campaign does not have a fully funded television, radio and direct mail campaign. Will you donate $25, $50, $100, $250 or $500 today to make sure that the people of North Carolina hear the truth about the amendment? Diana and I will match every dollar that you give, doubling the impact of your gift, up to $100,000.

This campaign has been largely funded by people just like you. Now, in this critical stretch, we must step up once again.

The ads that the campaign have produced are truly powerful. The message that they carry forth about the harms to children, families and unmarried women must be heard. While this amendment directly impacts gay and lesbian families, it is so poorly written that straight families, unmarried women, and children are collateral damage of this harmful amendment. This amendment does not help anyone; it only harms. Diana and I were so inspired by the message that we decided to step up and we hope that you will join us.

The campaign has offered to show the television ads first to anyone who donates to the campaign this week. They will go on the air soon and every dollar that you give this week will go directly to increasing the ad buy. It is fair to say that every dollar that you give will go directly towards defeating the amendment.

On May 8 we North Carolinians will decide if they want the state to treat people equally or if we want to write discrimination into the constitution of our state. We must choose to place people, especially children, above politics by voting against the amendment.

Please stand with us.

Best,

Diana and Todd Stiefel

His generous donation has made him a hero to many in North Carolina and across the country, myself included. He explains in his own words below, what moved him to give. I got to speak to Todd and heard some of this reasons he felt the need to participate. He really believes there is a real opportunity to win in the south. He said he felt he had to step up and that it felt good just to do the right thing.

He explained he believed in putting people over politics, and this amendment is nothing more than using divise politics to hurt people. And then he said something that was just so true and honest and heartfelt, it really touched me, he said,

"As a straight man in a happy marriage, Amendment One doesn't benefit me. It doesn't benefit anyone.

It harms families. It harms women. It harms gay people. Amendment one only harms people.

Most of all I am giving this because we can win this. We can win this in the middle of the south."

The team at Protect ALL NC Families are quite frankly rocking the shit out of this, against all expectations. They've persuaded so many high profile people from both sides of the aisle to speak out. This news is breaking this morning:

Great news. Via email, Howard Dean says @DFAaction, impressed by @ProtectNC, is joining the fight against #Amendment1 — Joe Sudbay (@JoeSudbay) April 18, 2012

Update: From the horse's mouth:

The Netroots Money Bomb generated $180,000 in online gifts from around the country. It's time to bring it home with a big push that will knock National Organization for Marriage right on their arse.

Above, some of the harms Amendment One will visit on the people of North Carolina if it is passed. Please distribute this video freely. Polling shows if people understand what the Amendment does, and what the consequences may be if it passes, they do not support it. We have three weeks to educate them.

Todd's gift is a big help for getting the word out. Your gift, in whatever amount, will be a big help too.

Reminder: Early voting starts in North Carolina tomorrow, Thursday April 19. That mean GOTV starts tomorrow, and you have three weeks to pester everyone in your social circle.