NC: 2PM ET – Wake County to debate resolution in support of bigoted Amendment One

NOTE: Here is today’s meeting agenda for Wake County Commisioners meeting, The resolution is item 19. You can watch the Wake County meeting live: http://ow.ly/9baDr

19. Resolution In Support of Voter Participation in the May 8, 2012 Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution Protecting Marriage

During public comment, they heard from Sam Wells:

“I am a gay man, a voter and a Wake County resident…This amendment does nothing to protect marriage…February is black history month, something that was unthinkable in this state many decades ago…I ask this body not to put Wake County on the side of voting for putting discrimination into our state constitution.”

A nanny who works for a family in the county, Audrey:

“Amendment One will hinder families’ ability to provide for their children…I believe that Amendment One is a damaging piece of legislation that should not be supported by our governement.”

Matthew Mirarchi:

“It’s not about being #LGBT, it’s about being human and reclaiming our rights…personal religious bias does not belong in the state constitution. It’s about me one day being able to hold my husband’s hand as he takes his final breath.”

Wake resident Robert Chapman:

I am a 66-year-old straight man. I oppose Amendment One because I believe it violates the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution…Having grown up in the South before Jim Crow laws were struck down…how basic civil rights were denied to other Americans…I do not wish to see a return to legal discrimination…I therefore ask you to demonstrate neutrality by rejecting the #WakeResolution.”

Resident:

“I’ve lived in Wake County nearly all my life. I never thought I’d have to stand up here saying please do not support a resolution to put discrimination into the state constiitution. It is a badly worded amendment. Mr. Chairman (@PaulCobleNC), you can still be conservative and oppose this amendment.”

Robert Hurley (sp):

“I would appeal to people who believe in liberty…this amendment would make it illegal to have a common law marriage. This is absurd. It’s going to drive potential businesses out of the state…for economic commons sense, in the name of individual rights, I urge the members of this commission to oppose the resolution and to oppose the amendment itself.”

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Wow. I know those of us in Durham and Orange (Chapel Hill/Carrboro) counties don’t have to worry about garbage like this coming up for a debate, but Wake County, the seat of state government, is not a known as part of the progressive nexus of the Research Triangle area. I am saddened to see this, but people in Wake who oppose Amendment One, which would ban not only same-sex marriage, but eliminate domestic partnerships already in place in some cities and counties, and preclude any consideration of civil unions, need to make their voices heard today at 2PM. From Neighbors for Equality, the alarm has been sounded:

On Monday, February 20 at 2pm, the Wake County Board of Commissioners will decide the fate of a resolution in support of Amendment One. The resolution is being introduced by Republican Paul Coble (@PaulCobleNC), Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. Coble is running for US Congress in the 13th Congressional District this year.

The resolution is titled, “Resolution In Support of Voter Participation in the May 8, 2012 Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution Protecting Marriage.” Its summary reads:

“The North Carolina General Assembly voted to place an amendment to the North Carolina Constitution before the voters on May 8, 2012. The amendment recognizesthat marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union recognized in this State. The amendment will ensure that judges will adjudicate based on the law and not on activism, and keep the judiciary from redefining marriage inconsistent with the North Carolina Statutes.”

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Neighbors for Equality encourages our neighbors in Wake County to make their presence known on Monday afternoon and share with the County Commissioners why Amendment One is harmful and why they are voting against this measure on May 8.

Meeting Time: Monday, 2/20, 2pm

Meeting Location: Wake County Courthouse, 7th floor, Room 700

Public Comment: Sign up before the meeting. Comments from the public will be received at 2:30 p.m. for 30 minutes. A signup sheet for those who wish to speak during the public comments section of the meeting is located in the back of the Boardroom.

TWITTER COVERAGE

We will be covering the Wake County resolution throughout the day today and will also live tweet the Amendment One portion of the meeting this afternoon. Follow #WakeResolution for live updates.

Many thanks to our friend James for sharing this important information with us. Find James on twitter,@JTS72 or online at CitizenJames72.BlogSpot.com.

Are your city council members or county commissioners taking action on Amendment One? Let us know at information@neighborsforequality.org so we can activate an ACTION ALERT for our followers!

LINKS and DOCUMENTS

Resolution – Summary
Resolution – Full Text
Wake County Board of Commissioners Agenda for 2/20
Wake County Board of Commissioners Live Video

CONTACT WAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

E-mail the Wake County Commissioners and tell them to vote against the resolution this afternoon endorsing Amendment One.

Paul Coble | Chair | District 7
Paul.Coble@wakegov.com

Phil Matthews | Vice Chair | District 2
Phil.Matthews@wakegov.com

Joe Bryan | District 1
Joe.Bryan@wakegov.com

Tony Gurley | District 3
Tony.Gurley@wakegov.com

Ervin Portman | District 4
Ervin.Portman@wakegov.com
BREAKING (12:33 PM): Via @Sethkeel Wake County commissioner Ervin Portman to vote against Wake Resolution today, saying “the county should not tell people how to vote.”

James West | District 5
James.West@wakegov.com

Betty Lou Ward | District 6
bward@wakegov.com

SAMPLE E-MAIL

SUBJECT: “I Care About Wake County and NC Families”

E-MAIL BODY:

Dear Commissioners,

In the name of human dignity and justice for our beautiful state, I ask you to please vote against the “Resolution In Support of Voter Participation in the May 8, 2012 Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution Protecting Marriage.”

Amendment One contains a multitude of harms that would affect a large population of North Carolinians, and the entire state, if it passes. The amendment is not just about marriage equality, and even if the discriminatory legislation passes, “same sex marriage” will still not be legal in our state. The amendment also affects domestic violence victims’ legal protections. It affects cohabiting heterosexual couples. And, often forgotten in the debate, it affects many children in our state.The harms are far too perilous for North Carolina.

If you pass this resolution, you will be supporting creating a dangerous atmosphere for many living in North Carolina. Certainly, you do not want to create a negative image for Wake County, so please vote against this resolution.

Thank you,

YOUR NAME