Editor’s Note: The following is a resolution passed by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen on Tuesday.
WHEREAS, The Carrboro Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution in support of civil marriage for same-sex couples in December 2008, Resolution No. 47/2008-09; and
WHEREAS, that resolution was adopted because of the Board’s recognition that the institution of civil marriage confers a social status and important legal benefits, rights, and privileges, recognizing that existing marriage laws in the United State discriminate against same-sex couples; and
WHEREAS, that position was consistent with the Board’s positions on legal issues affecting lesbians and gay men, such as being the first municipality in the state to offer domestic partner benefits, advocating for anti-discrimination laws and urging the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†United States military policy; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly is considering Senate Bill 106 and House Bill 777; passage of these would place on the 2012 ballot a referendum to amend the North Carolina Constitution to prohibit marriage between people of the same gender, and further prohibit the recognition of any other form of domestic legal union; and
WHEREAS, adoption of Senate Bill 106 and House Bill 777 would be a backward step in this state, particularly when two 2011 polls (conducted by Elon University and Public Policy Polling) show that over half of North Carolina citizens now support legal recognition of same-sex couples; and
WHEREAS, having such a proposed amendment on the ballot in 2012 would give unfavorable publicity to the state of North Carolina at a time when this issue of equality is clearly shifting in many of the states as well as North Carolina, and would adversely affect the recruitment of employees in the state’s business and academic communities; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of such an amendment is inconsistent with the Town of Carrboro’s commitment to equal rights and opportunities for its residents and employees, could invalidate the Town of Carrboro’s domestic partner benefits, and could lead to litigation;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Aldermen:
1) Opposes Senate Bill 106 and House Bill 777; and
2) Reaffirms its commitment to equal rights and opportunities for Town employees and for all residents of Carrboro, including the rights of same-sex couples to share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitments of civil marriage.
Upon passage, this resolution shall be shared with the members of Carrboro’s General Assembly delegation.
Your article was forwarded to me by my Google news arrangement. Congratulations to Carrboro for its commitment to citizens’ equality.
To halp dispell false notions re same-sex marriage, we (age 74, together 56 years) have developed a Scrapbook website at http://www.nolan-pingpank.com . I’ve been a Christian clergyman since 1963 (now retired), and my partner/spouse (married in CT 2009 at our 50th college reunion) is a retired public high school teacher of mathematics and administrator. We are Yankees now living in a Florida continuing care retirement community of 1,000 residents. In fact, our life together has been quite ordinary. There are so many myths and distortions re gay people, we share our story for those who might be interested — not that all gay people are the same, but we’re among the reserved, responsible ones, perhaps the majority.
a slave state. what can you expect?
Rev. Nolan,
Congratulations on your wonderful, loving, and committed life to each other. You are an ideal example of how same sex couples are just like any other couples.
There are those who portray the negative image of our community, but that happens within all communities. The heterosexual community have more than their fair share of unsavory characters. You cannot judge the many by the actions of the few.
We same sex couples have families, pay mortgages, work, eat, sleep, enjoy our free time, and love each other just like anyone else. We are no threat to anyone, and should be treated as such.
Thank you Carrboro for your wonderful support. Long may it continue, and long may it encourage others to do the same.