(RALEIGH) -- A group opposed to a state constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in North Carolina has kicked off an awareness campaign to defeat the measure. Minority Whip Rep. Rick Glazier said it will take unity to win at the ballot box.

"It is now time for us to begin our race to the ballot and to stand together arm in arm with our brothers and our sisters and show the world that North Carolinians value each other as people more than any ideology or long overdue to be eliminate tradition," said Glazier.

North Carolina is the only state in the Southeast that does not have an amendment banning gay marriage in its constitution.  The issue will be on the ballot across the state in May.

The Coalition to Protect All NC Families will hold a kickoff event on January 27 in Asheville as part of the awareness campaign to bring attention to the issue. A group that favors passing the amendment has also formed and plans awareness events to bring attention to its point of view.