Today, the NC legislature reconvenes to debate House and Senate versions of a bill to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage (which is already illegal in NC) as well as civil unions and domestic partnerships between same-sex couples.
NCAAN staff, interns, and volunteers have fought alongside our coalition partner Equality North Carolina over the past several months to oppose this incredibly hurtful legislation.
We've known from the start that passage of this legislation will lead to a fourteen-month, multi-million dollar media battle full of hurtful lies about gay North Carolinians and harmful lies about HIV/AIDS.
A few nights ago, we got a preview of what's to come if this bill passes, putting the issue on the ballot in 2012.
Speaking at a public forum about why he is lead sponsor of the anti-LGBT amendment, Sen. James Forrester -- who is also a practicing physician -- made this preposterous claim:
"At least 20 years is taken off a homosexual's life if they practice homosexual activity" Forrester said, citing "the increased death rate from AIDS and hepatitis... but that doesn't seem to discourage them from practicing that, um, unhealthy lifestyle.... We need to reach out to them and try to get them to change their lifestyle back to the normal lifestyle."
Heard enough? Because, here's the thing:
If we allow this bill to pass, we're going to keep on hearing this sort of thing over and over and over for the next fourteen months, as those who seek to write discrimination into our state constitution vilify gay people and spread lies about HIV/AIDS.
RIGHT NOW, we have our LAST opportunity to prevent that from happening:
* Right now, please call your state legislators and urge them to oppose the anti-LGBT amendment (you can look them up
here);
* Tonight, join a Vigil for Equality at these locations across the state:
Raleigh Vigil for Equality
Bicentennial Plaza, 1 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC
Statewide vigils:
Asheville's Vigil for Equality
Vance Monument, downtown Asheville, NC
Charlotte Vigil for Equality
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza Charlotte, NC
Duke and Durham: Love=Love Candlelight Vigil
Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Drive, Durham, NC
Fayetteville: SANDHILLS ALLIANCE Vigil for Equality
Cross Creek Park, 216 Green Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Greensboro Candlelight Vigil for Equality
Guilford County Courthouse Plaza on Greene St (between W. Market St and W. Washington St) FREE parking is available at the Green St. Parking Deck, 211 S Greene St, Greensboro, NC
Greenville Vigil for Equality
Pitt County Court House,
100 W 3rd St.
Greenville, NC
Wilmington: UNCW PRIDE Vigil for Equality
UNCW Clock Tower, 601 S. College Rd., Wilmington NC
Winston-Salem Vigil for Equality
Grace Court Park, 931 West 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
* Tomorrow, join the RALLY AGAINST THE ANTI-LGBT AMENDMENT at noon on Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh at the state legislative complex.
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