The Charlotte Observer, North Carolina’s largest and most widely read newspaper, published its first wedding announcements for gay and lesbian couples over the weekend. The paper, which historically published these as “celebrations,” for the first time accurately called these loving commitments by their rightful title: marriages. On Sunday The Observer, which attracts more than 500,000 daily, published the announcements of Becky Stamler & Lisa Macdonald; John Johnson & Eric Hinson; and, Laura Murphey & Jo Lynn Helms. The announcements appeared both in the newspaper and online. The announcements have an added importance as North Carolina faces a proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a man and a woman. GLAAD was instrumental in helping to challenge the paper's discriminatory practice and place these announcements.