The city of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed a resolution opposing a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

In a 6-2 vote Tuesday, the city council opposed a statewide amendment that would ban same-sex marriage and civil unions.

The vote follows earlier comments from Raleigh's outgoing mayor who described the ban as "discriminatory."

The American Civil Liberties Union praised the vote and has called other cities to follow suit.

Traditional marriage supporters say the city is overstepping its bounds.

"We seem to be going down a slippery slope, so I'm going to vote against this. And I do want to defend my marriage of 40 years. I think a marriage is between a man and a woman and I think I'll stick with that," said Councilman John Odom, R-Dist. B.

North Carolina citizens will vote on the gay marriage issue next May.