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I am very proud of my hometown tonight after attending the Durham (NC) City Council meeting where a resolution supporting civil marriage equality for same-sex couples was passed unanimously. Mayor Bill Bell and council members affirmed marriage equality. While NC does not allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, it is heartening to have the support of the Bull City (our state legislature has also turned away, for the sixth time, a state marriage amendment).
When I entered the council chambers to sign up to speak (around 6:20, with the meeting to begin at 7PM), it was already filling up. I gave a hug to Mayor Bell, who has known me since I was a little p-a-m. He apparently keeps up with the "trouble" I get into on the Blend and in The Durham News. I was also greeted and hugged by Mike Woodard, who frequently marches in the Pride Parade with the allies and "family" Old West Durham peeps (even though neither of us live in the neighborhood these days).
I sat down in the second row. After several proclamations and bits of business it came to the main agenda items of the night. It was clear this was a big meeting for two reasons — the resolution and a matter concerning the city's recycling vendor contract. I'm sorry to say that I was not up to date on the latter issue, but after an excruciating hour of debate that shed little light (at least to me) on what the outcome was, it was time for the resolution.
The council decided to move on the issue, meaning no debate was needed. All but one of those who signed up to speak was in favor of the equality resolution. One woman in my row (well-known local homophobe and failed political candidate Victoria Peterson) jumped to her feet to object (about 4:30 in) "Excuse me, I'd like to speak." Mayor Bell firmly, but politely told her "I'm running the meeting" and said they were ready to move the item and vote. And they did — and there was a standing ovation (4:48).
Notice the racial divide — who was standing and who remained seated. It's too bad that I was unable to get up to speak. That's for another day…I'll take this opportunity to announce that I've been asked to be the keynote speaker at NC Pride this year. The parade, which weaves in OWD next to Duke's East Campus, ends with the keynote and other guests. It will be a good opportunity to celebrate the victories — and address this sad divide in understanding.
The full resolution is below the fold.
The full text:
WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized civil marriage as one of the basic civil rights fundamental to our very existence and survival and one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Durham has adopted and reaffirmed a policy of promoting equal rights and opportunities for employees of Durham City Government without regard to race, religion, age, sex, handicap, national origin, color, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation or belief; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, the City Council of the City of Durham formally extended health care benefits to same sex domestic partners of City employees and their legal dependents due in part to the fact that same sex marriages are not legally recognized in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the continued refusal to legally recognize same sex marriages denies individuals involved in same sex relationships the important legal benefits, rights and responsibilities of civil marriage that are available to heterosexual couples; and
WHEREAS, the continued refusal to deny same sex partners the ability to enjoy the benefits, rights and responsibilities of a legally recognized civil marriage union is tantamount to the denial of these benefits, rights and responsibilities on the basis of sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, the denial of the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage on the basis of sexual orientation is inconsistent with the City Council’s commitment to equal rights and opportunities for its employees without regard to sexual orientation.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DURHAM:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Durham endorses and supports the rights of same-sex couples to share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitments of civil marriage.
Section 2. This resolution shall be effective on and after its passage.
Thank you Mayor Bell and the members of the Durham City Council for affirming that separate is not equal and that the Bull City supports diversity.
William V. “Mayor Bill Bell
Mayor
Phone: (919) 560-4333 ext. 10269
Bill.Bell@durhamnc.gov
Mayor Pro Tem
Cora Cole-McFadden
City Council Member (Ward 1)
Phone: (919) 560-4396 ext. 10277
Cora.Cole-McFadden@durhamnc.gov
Farad Ali
City Council Member (At-Large)
Phone: 560-4396, ext. 10273
E-mail: farad.ali@durhamnc.gov
Eugene A. Brown
City Council member (At-Large)
Phone: (919) 688-9314
Eugene.Brown@durhamnc.gov
Diane Catotti
City Council member (At-Large)
Phone: (919) 560-4396 ext. 10278
diane.catotti@durhamnc.gov
Howard Clement, III
City Council member (Ward 2)
Phone: (919) 560-4396, ext. 10272
Howard.Clement@durhamnc.gov
Mike Woodard
City Council Member (Ward 3)
Phone: (919) 560-4396 ext. 10276
Email: mike.woodard@durhamnc.gov
13 Comments
AwesomeI wish you could have spoken too, Pam, you would have been great. I know you would have made lots and lots of critical points – points which many in the crowd probably needed to hear. But the outcome of the city’s action is uplifting and affirming. Congrats.
Congratulations to Durham, and for Pam at Pridenice homecoming present
That’s great!I was a little worried when I e-mailed one of the council members because I didn’t want to feel like an outside force butting in, and instead tried to come across as a neighbor with a vested interest in the Bull City. I didn’t contact them all, but since I live close to one of their wards I thought it not inappropriate to contact him.
Here is my e-mail:
The emphasis there wasn’t in the original e-mail, but I was just trying to point out that he had cover if he felt he needed it since other triangle area cities were already doing the same thing.
and here was his response (I guess I lucked up in contacting someone who was already very much on our side):
Absolutely Fabulous! Congratulations!!!!!I am so impressed with this and coming from Durham NC even more so. Pam I am not sure who authored the resolution but it nearly brought me to tears.
You know, this is just another nugget to support my and others feeling that the ‘war’ has already been won but that there will remain many more ‘battles’. This is another battle won. Pam, thanks for being a witness and shaker and mover to help make this happen in Durham and to all of those here on the Blend who are doing the same in their own communities and countries.
BRAVO and BRAVO and a huge thanks to all of our straight friends who helped make this happen as well!
xoxo
YAAAYYY!!!This is fantastic! And congrats on being asked to be the keynote speaker at pride!
isn’t the keynote somewhere between e-sharp and f-minor?
Hooray!
I admit to knowing nothing about Durham, but it seems to me that the vote being unanimously in favor is as big a victory as winning at itself.
Congrats! And, also for the Pride invitation!
As for those who remained seated, someday “love will build a bridge.”
WonderfulCongrats Pam and all of the residents of Durham (once the home of Maura Hennessey)
KeynoteCongratulations, Pam.
Durham has come a long waySince I was at neighboring UNC Chapel Hill in the 1950′s. Congratulations Pam. You played a large part in making this milestone happen.
Howard Clement Abstained?As a point of clarification, Howard Clement seems to have abstained, correct?
no, he apparently approvedMayor Bell opened and closet the vote so fast I think the long-serving councilman didn’t hit the button in time.
Thanks.My first thought was that maybe the lightbulb had burned out…all those budget cuts, lol. Anyway, not that important in the big scheme of things. Just wondered, ’cause I do that.
“Notice the racial divide — who was standing and who remained seated.”Pam would you talk to us about this some more?
Why do you think this racial divide exists and what can we do about it?
It is very frustrating to me.