Support For - and Against - Marriage Equality

While Durham's city resolution last month to support marriage equality was a breath of fresh air, one of NC's local anti-equality groups reminds us that this is the exception rather than the rule.

Here's an excerpt from the discriminatory NC4Marriage website, which seeks to deny equal rights for LGBT North Carolinians by amending the state constitution:

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County Commissioners in the following counties have passed Resolutions calling for the General Assembly to approve legislation submitting a proposal to the qualified voters of the State for adoption of an Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution stating: "Marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or enforceable in this State."

• Alexander
  
• Ashe
  
• Avery
  
• Craven
• Dare *new as of 4-6-09
  
• Davidson
  
• Davie *new as of 4-06-09
• Gaston
  
• Graham
  
• Madison
  
• Moore
  
• Pasquotank
  
• Rowan
  
• Transylvania
• Union *new as of 4-06-09

The following towns have passed the Resolution:

• Town of Cedar Point

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Admittedly, we don't need much reminding that we're fighting an uphill battle against prejudice - we all experience antigay bigotry every day of our lives.

Still, it's important to realize the reality of the situation, and the reality is that things are changing for the better.

Earlier this year, Elon University released a poll that included data on support for marriage equality and support for a discriminatory constitutional amendment (starting on page 10 of the report). Almost half of the respondents supported extending rights for same-sex couples (though only a quarter supported full marriage equality) and just over half opposed altering the constitution. Clearly, a majority of the public believes in America's promise of equality.

We have a ways to go, sure, and it's good to be aware of the distance to the peak, but it's also important to see how far we've come, and celebrate our current climbing success.

(And of course, we always encourage you to support Equality NC's efforts to achieve equality for LGBT North Carolinians!)