Originally published: April 8, 2009, 7:58 a.m.
Updated: April 10, 2009, 8:00 a.m.
Three North Carolina counties are the latest to pass anti-gay resolutions supporting an anti-family, anti-LGBT marriage amendment in the North Carolina legislature.
According to The Winston-Salem Journal, the Davie County, N.C., Board of Commissioners unanimously backed the resolution on Tuesday, April 7.
The Craven County Board of Commissioners reiterated their support of a similar resolution on Monday, April 6. They originally passed their version on March 2, according to The Sun Journal in New Bern, N.C.
Union County, east of North Carolina’s largest city Charlotte, also passed a similar resolution on Monday, April 6.
The Davie, Union and Craven commissioners join several other county and municipal governments who have passed similar resolutions. The statements are being presented to and supported by anti-gay State Sen. James Forrester (R-Gaston) and the anti-gay groups N.C. Family Policy Council and NC4Marriage.
The anti-gay marriage amendment is currently being held in several committees. Democratic lawmakers say the amendment has no chance of being heard.
Correction: This article originally said Monroe County had passed a resolution. There is no Monroe County. Union County passed the measure. The Town of Monroe is the county seat.
something needs to be done, we can’t keep allowing these bigots to speak for everyone in nc, I think its time for a huge protest in Raleigh. to make our point we need to due a march too, we need to meet at one place an march to Halifax mall, we need to show are numbers, we need every lgbt person in nc to come out and be counted… No more hiding in the closets.
When you say Monroe County, do you mean Union County or the city of Monroe? There is no Monroe County in North Carolina. Thanks so much for the clarification!
justcurious,
Thanks for the correction. Small things like that can slip by someone when trying to get an article online quickly.
Matt Comer, editor
No, picketing does nothing!!!!!!!!!!!
If you want change you must do as I did…go to your city/county government and ask them to endorse the resolution FOR civil marriage for same-sex couples. People may hear you when you picket – but it has no real affect – take REAL action and talk to your government officials!
I agree with Joshua.. picket if you want to be visible, but if you’re serious about change you have to work through the proper channels. Stop letting the people that represent YOU at a city/county level get away with inaction. Be a force that drives change that way, and you’ll get more done than any picketing could ever accomplish.
It’s time that all of us, however we identify – straight, gay, lesbian, het, trans, or otherwise – really let our numbers in opposition to the hate truly be known, and voice our opinions LOUDLY at *both* the local and State levels. Letters, emails, and attendance at local Board and other governmental meetings will have MUCH more impact than the ephemeral effects of picketing.
Having returned to NC after leaving for college in the ’80s, and then working on the West Coast (mostly in the Bay Area) for the past 20 years, I’ve been really shocked by both what has and hasn’t changed. I’ve seen a handful of good examples like my home town of Asheville become infinitely more tolerant than I could have ever imagined, but overall, there are few, if any protections for gays + lesbians – or even for basic workplace or housing rights in NC. I’ve really been shocked by this gap from what I had taken for granted was ‘the norm’ in my experience. The persistence of petty hatred with acts like this proposed amendment merely reinforces the feeling that we *are* still the state of Jesse Helms; unrepentant racist extraordinaire. And it’s going to kill our ability to compete economically for the best and brightest to boot.
I’m as het/straight as they come. As at least a 8th+ generation North Carolinian, I also am ashamed.
I’m exactly the kind of highly skilled worker than the State repeatedly claims it wants to attract for a 21st-Century Economy (an experienced biotech scientist and skilled manager), but as it stands now, I will definitely relocate back to more friendly climbs in the foreseeable future – and actively discourage others from coming here.
But – In the meantime, I am sure as hell going to make my opinion known. Hopefully, someday soon NC will emerge fully from its past, but I’ve been sadly disillusioned so far. I want to see my home state come into its own.