More than 20 community leaders put their names on the line in opposition to Measure No. 1 Monday.

With a black permanent marker, local and state politicians and candidates for public office, clergy, business leaders and representatives of advocacy groups scrawled their names on a giant ballot and filled in the "no" oval, symbolically voting against the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

Robert Uebel, chairman of Equality North Dakota, said he was proud of the signers, and that momentum was going in the direction of opponents of the amendment.

"People thought we didn't have a chance, that people wouldn't listen to our case," Uebel said. "I think we've proven them wrong."

The Rev. Shawnthea Monroe-Mueller, a Fargo resident who is pastor at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Moorhead, signed after Uebel.

"I t strikes me that this ballot measure is neither particularly biblical nor Christian," she said. "Lashing out at a different group is not a way to strengthen marriage between heterosexuals."

One by one, the signers were invited to the ballot, hanging on a wall in the meeting room of the Fargo Public Library.

Members of Fargo's Unitarian Universalist church stood in the back, holding two banners that read "Civil marriage is a civil right."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Satrom said while he believes marriage is between one man and one woman, he opposes the amendment because it's being used to generate a conservative electorate.

"North Dakota's just being used as a pawn in a national strategy," Satrom said.

He also is concerned with the message of intolerance it sends to businesses and young people.

Uebel said reasons vary for opposing the measure. Some fear outmigration and a negative effect on the economy. Others believe constituti ons should not deny rights.

He said these viewpoints are a starting point for future discussions.

In the meantime, the opposition stands united.

"You can't just beat up on our community for political gain," Uebel said. "Win or lose, we're coming out of this stronger than when we went in. Our community is here to stay and you'll be hearing more from us."

Christina Rondeau, executive director of the North Dakota Family Alliance that initiated the measure, said the group has not planned any public events before the Nov. 2 election.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Sherri Richards at (701) 241-5525