by O'Neale Atkinson | May 7th, 2012 Comments (1)

It can be said that the drag community is a cornerstone of the Gay Pride movement. In an upcoming issue we will be looking at the history of drag, from the Stonewall era to the present day. qnotes would like to hear your thoughts on the drag community and its impact on the LGBT community and the Gay Pride movement.

Do you believe that drag is still a relevant and vital part of the LGBT community and the Gay Pride movement?

Does drag help or hinder the fight for equality and acceptance?

Please share your thoughts with us as we begin to take a deeper look ito this part of our community. You can post your responses here in our blog or email them to O’Neale Atkinson at editor@goqnotes.com.

by Lainey Millen | April 14th, 2012 Comments (0)

Well, the cast grows in our ongoing serial saga, “Amendment One,” here in the Tar Heel State.

This past week, among others, two unlikely allies joined the battle against the rights-stripping legislation on the ballot on May 8 that would not only take away any possibility of gay marriage in North Carolina, but it would also rob those, either gay or lesbian or straight, the freedom to engage in other forms of commitment that would carry with it the right to visit hospital beds of their partners, be involved in the issue of children, and so much more.

In essence, it would turn the Tar Heel State into the Tar Hell State, in my opinion.

Let me begin . . .

Roll credits, please!

First up are Former Charlotte Mayors Harvey Gantt (Democrat) and Richard Vinroot (Republican). Who would have ever thought that two opposites would attract in challenging Amendment One? I sure would have not thought so. However, we’re seeing it everyday. Gantt is well known for his liberal approach to Queen City issues, Vinroot, of course, far more conservative. That’s like seeing a marriage between Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg and Rick Santorum. Not going to happen! But, wait folks, that’s not all. They even went so far as to film a video to support the work that the Coalition to Protect All NC Families are doing.

See the Tar Heel Twosome share their thoughts:

But, don’t stop there.

Next up is our own queen of the cinema, Gov. Bev Purdue. She’s also strongly speaking out against the measure.

Hop on over to listen to her comments as well.

Even big business is getting in on the action this past week (although not officially). Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers gave a big “no-no” to any legislation that would create an environment that was not inclusive, saying “North Carolina is competing with the world for business, and we have to be inclusive and open.”

Check out the “award-winning” short, “NC Amendment One: The Musical!!” It is a rousing and informative “mockumentary” on the whole issue.

Even the leader of our own country, President Barak Obama, says its not good. And, that’s a whole heap of support for us Southerners to receive. You sure would have never heard Former President George W. Bush take that stand. Lawzy mercy, Miss Charlotte (or Raleigh, or Durham, or Asheville, etc.)! If he had, it would certainly have been a cold one down below, for sure!

Want to help make a difference? Then speak out against the proposed amendment, let your neighbors know you are against it by posting a yard sign, volunteer at state or local events and, if possible, contribute your monies however small to the fight. This is easy. To do nothing is hard. It will leave concrete in its wake, leaving us all stuck and exposed to the “elements.” Visit protectncfamilies.org to learn more.

Update:

It seems that some folks who have seen this post and are not in the Carolinas are unsure of what our battle is about. So, here’s a quick reference so that you will be in the know.

First of all, we need to vote against the proposed amendment on the May 8 ballot. Voting for it leads to the concrete scenario mentioned previously.

Now, the 411:

Amendment One states: Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in N.C.

If this amendment to the NC Constitution passes, it means:

Benefits (such as health insurance coverage) for domestic partners (heterosexual and homosexual couples) are at risk

A child could be taken away from a committed parent who has loved them their entire life if something happens to the other parent

Domestic violence protections could apply only to married couples

A single or widowed senior couple could be forced to marry to keep their legal protections, which would cause them to lose benefits such as pensions, health care and social security

Unmarried couples might be prohibited from visiting one another in the hospital to make emergency medical and financial decisions if one partner is incapacitated.

This amendment would enshrine social injustice in the North Carolina constitution.

Hope this makes it easier for everyone to understand.

by Lainey Millen | March 27th, 2012 Comments (0)

Our Being a Gay Parent columnist Brett Webb-Mitchell wrote an informative piece on Huffington Post. I thought our readers might relish this read, so enjoy.

It does share sharp perceptions on the issue. And, I think that those of you who might consider becoming a clergy member would find great insights from someone who has walked these challenging miles.

It begins:

On July 10, 2011, the Presbyterian Church (USA) formally amended their constitution (The Book of Order), deleting the ordination requirement that ordained officers “live in chastity in singleness or fidelity in marriage.” The new policy simply asserts “standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life.” This simple phrase allows LGBTQ people to begin breaking out of our second-class captivity, no longer caught in a linguistic snare that denied us ordination, censure or being defrocked.

Like the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), the Episcopal Church, Disciples of Christ, Moravians and United Church of Christ (UCC), most Presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church USA now welcome out-LGBTQ people as ordained and installed leaders. While my heart is filled with joy, others in my Church enter a sober time of discernment, discouraged by the Spirit’s forward movement. They are at odds with the majority who voted to be more inclusive of all God’s people. In this time of a groundbreaking change in the Presbyterian Church (USA), I’m praying for these five changes as I begin to pastor as an out-gay Presbyterian pastor: …

To read the rest of the reflective piece, visit huffingtonpost.com/brett-webbmitchell/out-and-ordained_b_1308010.html.

by Lainey Millen | March 27th, 2012 Comments (0)

Over recent years, our attention has been directed toward the act of bullying, and none more so than that of those in the LGBT community.

We’ve seen such acts that have led to death (either directly or by suicide), physical pounding or a host of other methods.

In my day-to-day searches for Carolina news material to share with our readers in my share of the News Notes section, I come across items that have more far-reaching benefit to the community.

One such one was an really terrific graphic on cyberbullying. Tony Shin contacted me to see if we’d like to know more about his work. After looking at what he suggested it seemed like an important opportunity for all of us. Shin and his team at onlinecounselingdegrees.net came up with a thorough history of how a bully develops. It also shows a multitude of ways this happens and I was really impressed with it. Shin has given us permission to post it here and I hope that you’ll agree with me that this was a tremendous undertaking and one that should not go unnoticed.

The issue of bullying goes beyond just harassment verbally. It can get physical. It can be emotionally devastating. It can affect one’s self esteem. It can lead to fear, isolation and much more. It sees no sociological boundaries, nor those based upon religion, nationality, race — and the list goes on.

It does not lead to finding peace in the world. It does lead to perpetuating wars, discontent, violence and rage. Globally, it has shown its ugly head in the form of hate groups. And, it pushed us into having to create hate crimes legislation to press against it here in the U.S.

Thanks, Tony, for giving our qnotes readers the chance to view this.

by Lainey Millen | March 27th, 2012 Comments (0)

It seems that Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis is at it again!

He’s predicting that the Amendment One ballot measure slated for voter response will win.

Say it ain’t so!

WCNC ran an Associated Press release that said thus:

Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis is standing by a prediction that the proposed amendment to the North Carolina Constitution banning same-sex marriage will be approved by voters, only to be reversed within a generation.

This statement was made to a North Carolina State University group and was later reported in the university’s The Technician newspaper.

His prediction placed the odds at 54 percent passage.

Okay, Carolinians. Let’s not let this happen. Let’s just say no, no, no!

If you have not already registered to vote, be sure to do so by the April 13 deadline. Then, don’t let that exercise go in vain. Head out to the polls on May 8 to cast your vote against a measure that will certainly not show the rest of the country how incredible the Tar Heel State is with regard to being a progressive jewel in the Southeast.

In the meantime, also volunteer your time to organizations like the Coalition to Protect All NC Families. They can always use your help as workers continue to press against the dastardly-conservative machine.

Won’t you join me in casting your opposition to a backward-thinking, narrow-minded and plain and simple violation of a person’s right to marry whom one wishes?

Let’s start singing the old tune, “Na-na-na-na na-na-na-na, hey, hey, goodbye…” to this fundamentalist-inspired initiative. I know I’ll do so, for sure!

by O'Neale Atkinson | March 27th, 2012 Comments (0)

Update from The Coalition since their moneybomb launch on Monday:

Below is an announcement from The Coalition to Protect ALL NC Families.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 26, 2012

CONTACTS:
Jen Jones, Communications Director, Protect All NC Families
Phone: (919) 260-5906, E-mail: jen@equalitync.org
Jeremy Kennedy, Campaign Manager, Protect All NC Families
Phone: (202) 415-0221, E-mail: jeremy@protectncfamilies.org

CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT AMENDMENT ONE LAUNCHES AGGRESSIVE WEEK-LONG ONLINE FUNDRAISING EFFORT

Raleigh, N.C. – On Monday, March 26, Protect All NC Families, the coalition effort to defeat Amendment One on May 8, announced the launch of an aggressive week-long grassroots fundraising effort to reach the referendum campaign’s initial $1 million dollar fundraising milestone.

Protect All NC Families has already raised more than $950,000 in financial contributions, the vast majority from thousands of individual North Carolina donors, as well as key coalition members the Human Rights Campaign, Replacements, Ltd, Self-Help, Equality NC, the ACLU and others.

The campaign launched this week’s fundraising campaign, also known as a “money bomb,” as a primarily online effort in order to bring a national focus to Protect All NC Families and their efforts to defeat Amendment One. The money bomb will encompass a major social media fundraising push, state and national blogger outreach, the coalition campaign’s over 100 partner organizations and others to build on the campaign’s momentum.

“This seven-day money bomb enables us to do the most important thing we could in this campaign: educate as many state citizens as possible in as many ways as possible about the harms of this constitutional amendment, including communicating those harms to women, children and families on television and radio,” said Jeremy Kennedy, campaign manager for Protect All NC Families.

###

Protect All NC Families (protectncfamilies.org) is a broad coalition of state and national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) and human rights groups, faith organizations, communities of color, nonpartisan organizations, and business & community leaders, coming together for one purpose: to defeat Amendment One on the NC primary ballot on May 8, 2012.

by O'Neale Atkinson | March 1st, 2012 Comments (0)

With just 10 weeks to go until citizens of North Carolina will be able to cast their vote on Amendment One, The Coalition to Protect ALL NC Families has released a new video detailing the momentum that the grassroots campaign has built up to this point.

You can watch their new video here, Momentum.

Along with the release of this video, Protect ALL NC Families sent out a statement regarding the work they have accomplished since Amendment One was placed on the ballot in September.

Since the campaign launched the following achievements have occurred and we would love your support in spreading this message:

• 117 partners have joined the coalition — including the NAACP, Southerners on New Ground, the Libertarian Party of North Carolina, and numerous faith congregations.
• We have 30 staff and seven field offices across the state.
• We have raised more than $600,000 — more than $150,000 of that has come in online, with more than $80,000 of that number coming in the last three weeks.
• We have more than 2,000 donors who have given $92 on average — the grassroots donors are with this campaign. We have raised our money in $10, 100, 250 and 1,000 chunks and we are ahead of schedule with what we have raised from that category.
• We have more than 15,000 volunteers at this point and we are making 20,000 voter calls per week.
• Important validators such as Senator Kay Hagan, Lt. Governor Walter Dalton, the conservative Carolina Review, libertarian thinker Michael Munger, Myers Park Baptist and others have come out in opposition to the amendment in recent weeks.
• RACE to the Ballot has held conversations in towns, large and small, across the state (http://www.racetotheballot.com) which has generated positive news coverage, and momentum, around the state. More to come on that front.

For more information, visit protectallncfamilies.org

by QNotes Staff | January 25th, 2012 Comments (0)

In our upcoming issues we will be rolling out several changes and we need your input on one of our new features: 20 Questions. Is there someone in our community that you want to know more about? Do you think people would like to know more about you and what you are doing?

If you know someone that you want to learn more about we want to know who they are! Email us your ideas at editor@goqnotes.com.

by QNotes Staff | January 16th, 2012 Comments (0)

On Friday, Jan. 20, 7-9 p.m., the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte Adult Religious Education/Spiritual Development program will be screening the documentary “Ballot Measure 9.”

Ballot Measure 9 was an anti-gay amendment proposed to Oregon voters in 1992 by the conservative group Oregon Citizen’s Alliance. This documentary goes behind the scenes of the fight to stop Measure 9. It contains portions of anti-gay videos produced by the Citizen’s Alliance as well as news clips and interviews with the people who successfully fought passage of Measure 9.

Donna Red-Wing, a grassroots gay rights activist and principle in the film will attend.

The event will be held at the church, 234 North Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211.

For more information, call 704-366-8623 or visit uuccharlotte.org.

by QNotes Staff | January 6th, 2012 Comments (0)

Crowdsource time!

We’re looking for folks to chat with for a story with a VERY interesting angle!

Our 4th annual Sex Issue, “Love & Lust,” is coming up soon. With the anti-LGBT constitutional amendment on marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships around the corner, we thought we’d blow the old stereotype of gay sexuality…

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Young (18+ teens, 20s, 30s) LGBT people who are virgins — yes, virgins — and who are waiting for the right, special someone for marriage or commitment.
• Long-term, monogamous and committed same-sex couples of any age.
• Long-term, monogamous and married same-sex couples of any age.
• LGBT people of any age who were virgins before entering a long-term, monogamous and committed or married relationship.

Desires for anonymity and confidentiality will be respected. Email us your story at editor@goqnotes.com.

by Matt Comer | December 28th, 2011 Comments (0)

Happy holidays! We hope your Christmas and Hanukkah weekend went by as smooth as ever. Folks are still celebrating Kwanzaa and New Year’s is just around the corner, but we’re back here at qnotes, ready to get down to business as the days slip by toward 2012. With holiday break over and work piling up, here’s a couple things you might have missed over the past couple days…

A civil debate?

Rev. Mark Harris, pastor of Charlotte’s First Baptist Church and president of the N.C. Baptist State Convention, told The Charlotte Observer yesterday that he wants a civil debate on the impending anti-LGBT constitutional amendment.

From the paper:

In that capacity [as president of the Baptist Convention], [Harris] is sure to be a point man in the campaign for a state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages. The amendment, on the May 8 primary ballot, would restrict the state’s recognition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. It would also place more restrictions on civil unions and domestic partnerships and make it more difficult for future legislators to rescind.

He understands the debate will be emotional on both sides.

“But I hope we can express our positions – keep the conversation to the facts and our principles – and do it in a civil way,” Harris, 45, said. ”It doesn’t mean I’m going to change someone else’s position or they’re going to change mine.

“But in America, we all ought to be able to express ourselves without things getting out of hand.”

Protect NC Families, the coalition leading opposition to the amendment responded.

From a statement:

“We agree with Mark Harris’ assertion that we should keep the Amendment conversation factual – and do it in a civil way. Nevertheless, this type of discourse is something not seen in other states, especially from an industry willing to pit people’s religion – as well as gross misinformation – against families. We must be willing to honor the very real emotions, including pain and fear, that these types of discriminatory measures naturally evoke, especially when North Carolina’s particular Amendment is not only a permanent ban on marriage equality and civil unions – relationship recognitions that a majority of North Carolinians support – but also strips basic benefits and protections from loving couples, women, and children, and causes substantial economic harms to families, business and the perception of the state as a whole. No one of faith – or otherwise – will sit back while families lose their health insurance, domestic violence victims lose their protections, and loving couples lose their ability to see each other in the hospital. We can’t and we won’t let that happen. We will make sure that the families of NC are protected from this harmful, extreme amendment.”

In the crosshairs…

Columbia, S.C.-based blogger Alvin McEwen picks up on a recent concerning graphic used in a N.C. Family Policy Council publication. In it, a straight couple is seen with crosshairs squared over them.

“Maybe it’s just me, but civil debates on marriage equality don’t necessarily encompass images of an assassin targeting newlyweds,” McEwen writes, alluding to those recent comments by N.C. Baptist State Convention President Mark Harris.

Visit Alvin’s pad to see the graphic and read more of his commentary…

UNC student challenges Speaker Tillis

N.C. Psychological Association opposes amendment

The North Carolina Psychological Association has come out in opposition to the proposed anti-LGBT state constitutional amendment. In a letter (read it here), the group outlines four reasons why the amendment is bad for LGBT people, LGBT-led families and the state.

by Matt Comer | December 15th, 2011 Comments (11)

At the beginning of the month, we reported on a new pro-LGBT equality ad campaign that would be hitting The Charlotte Observer‘s website this month.

We noticed this morning that the ads had finally appeared. Screenshot below, click to enlarge. Article exploring the ads here.

by QNotes Staff | December 13th, 2011 Comments (0)

New results from an LGBT travel and tourism survey reveal some interesting data points for those interested in targeting the LGBT market. The top LGBT travel destinations, as you might imagine, line up with those one might already assume are popular with gay crowds. New York City came in on top. Others include Key West, Las Vegas, London, Miami, New Orleans, Palm Springs, Provincetown and San Francisco.

The survey also found that LGBT travelers are more likely to avoid travel destinations due to recent anti-LGBT violence than the presence of anti-LGBT laws.

And, perhaps, the most interesting take-away from the survey, applicable to all sorts of industries and businesses interested in attracting LGBT clientele: The survey found that 71 percent of gay men and 62 percent of lesbian women own smart phones. That’s above and beyond the average. In July, the Pew Internet & American Life project found that just 35 percent of all Americans owned such devices.

by QNotes Staff | December 13th, 2011 Comments (0)

From release:

Chow Down South End -A Food Truck Festival continues in at Atherton Mill to showcase local food trucks and promote small business entrepreneurs. Food truck chefs will serve up a variety of food options from gourmet Italian, hibachi style tacos, pulled pork BBQ, hand crafted burgers, cupcakes, and more!

Participating vendors include Cupcake Delirium, Maki Taco, Outdoor Feasts, Napolitano’s, Roaming Fork, Herban Legend, Tasty-Yo and Charlotte’s newest food truck, Goody Woody’s.

Free parking in the Atherton Mill lot and you will see the food trucks set up in the lot near the Atherton Market.

Please do NOT bring a cooler of alcoholic beverages as this is not BYOB. Beer and wine will be on-sale at area restaurants. FREE admission (food vendor pricing applies). Please bring cash as not all of the food vendors accept debit/credit cards.

For more information, visit southendclt.com/2011/12/12/chow-down-south-end-this-wed-dec-14-at-atherton-mill/

by Matt Comer | December 13th, 2011 Comments (4)

A writer for Politics365.com, a politics and policy news website for communities of color, says Charlotte City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield’s election as the city’s first openly gay or lesbian elected official is a good sign for Charlotte and the South.

Matt E. Stevens writes:

In a moment possibly indicative of the “New South” observers are talking about, barriers are quietly being torn down on the Charlotte, North Carolina city council. As the city enjoys a lift of national notoriety from the arrival of the Democratic National Convention in 2012, it’s also witnessing history within its local politics.

[...]

Now that she’s been elected, Mayfield wants to bring stability to real estate values, focus on solid economic development, and keep the community safe. She described her district as one with potential for additional investment if the area is marketed properly to businesses. Her district encompasses much of west and southwest Charlotte, including Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and some major interstates in the city.

[...]

And Mayfield doesn’t just talk about her area, she lives in it. Her home of 11 years is also in her district. It seems that her dedication to the neighborhood has finally put her in one of the best positions to advocate for it.

Read Stevens’ full write-up at Politics365.com…

by QNotes Staff | December 9th, 2011 Comments (0)

This weekend is a blast of Ho Ho Ho Holigay fun. Check out all the great happenings in Charlotte and elsewhere this weekend:

Dec. 9 • Charlotte
Candyland
Atlanta’s DJ Mike Pope visits Marigny for JustTwirl’s annual pajama party, one night before their annual Twirl to the World. Marigny Dance Club, 1440 S. Tryon St. 10 p.m. $5. justtwirl.com.

Dec. 9-10 • Charlotte
Drummer Boy
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte performs in their annual holiday extravaganza. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1510 E. 7th St.
8:04 p.m. $20. gmccharlotte.org.

Dec. 9-11 • Charlotte
Fine Art Show
HotWorks.org presents their fourth annual Charlotte Fine Art & Craft Show, with hand-made crafts and art pieces of all shapes, sizes and prices. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. For more information, hours and ticketing, visithotworks.org/ charlottefineartshow/.

Dec. 10 • Charlotte
Twirl to the World
JustTwirl’s annual holiday party featuring New York City’s DJ David Marc and benefiting Crisis Assistance Ministry and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots. Sponsored by Charlotte Pocket Rocket and CBM Design. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 9 p.m. $5/with new, unwrapped toy. $15/without toy. justtwirl.com.

Dec. 10 • Winston-Salem
Ever Green
Triad Pride Men’s Chorus presents an encore performance of their annual holiday show, “Ever Green,” in celebration of winter greenery, lasting youth and life and hope through music. Wait Chapel, Wake Forest University, 1834 Wake Forest Rd. 8 p.m. $10/advance. $15/door. 336-589-6267. triadpridemenschorus.org.

Dec. 10 • Durham
Ye Merry Gentlemen
The Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus presents a festive musical sleigh ride brimming with seasonal cheer, lush harmonies and holiday classics. Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Rd. 8 p.m. Free. tgmchorus.org.

Dec. 11 • Raleigh
Ye Merry Gentlemen
Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus presents a matinee performance of their holiday concert. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1725 North New Hope Rd. 3 p.m. Free. tgmchorus.org.

by QNotes Staff | December 9th, 2011 Comments (0)

The women of Chi Psi Omega Fraternity,a  group qnotes profiled in our Oct. 29 print edition, are partnering with NC Music Factory’s Wet Willie’s for a holiday charity toiletry drive. The toiletries, which must be new and unopened, will be used to help the fill the fraternity’s care packages to benefit clients of Crisis Assistance Ministry.

The vent takes place at Wet Willies, 900 Seaboard St., tomorrow, Dec. 10, 9 p.m. to close. Bring three toiletry items (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant, etc.) to get a special wristband. The wristband entitles you to a free Jelllo shot at entry, $2 domestics and 2-for-1 appetizers.

by Matt Comer | December 8th, 2011 Comments (0)

This morning, qnotes reported on Hartigan’s Irish Pub’s reopening on Wednesday night and the response from community members. Other local media also covered the reopening. Read the story from FOX Charlotte and the story from WCNC-TV, plus video below.

by Matt Comer | December 6th, 2011 Comments (1)

This morning, qnotes published an open letter criticizing Democratic Mecklenburg County Commissioner Harold Cogdell, Jr., for his political gamesmanship and partnerships with Republican board members, including Bill James.

Other Charlotte media have also weighed in.

The Charlotte Observer‘s Peter St. Onge wrote this morning that “Harold has sold his soul.” From the daily:

What did he get in return? We’re not sure. He’ll have plenty of cameras pointed his way in this busy upcoming year for Charlotte. But if his aim is to use that exposure to propel himself toward higher office, he’ll have to do so without the support of his party’s establishment, which believes he’s shown himself to be about Harold first, everyone else later.

He also shouldn’t expect much loyalty from Republicans, who are embracing him only for the possibility of policy support. Privately, they don’t really trust him, either.

QCityMetro, a daily online publication serving the local African-American community, also weighed in.

Harold Cogdell, Jr.

“In a county that grows increasingly black and Democratic, he errs in casting his lot with the like of Bill James, a vile politician who delights in firing off the most bilious emails attacking the African American community,” Editor Glenn Burkins writes.

Cogdell has managed to alienate his fellow Democrats and likely many constituents. As far as being a “swing vote,” he’s shown his new Republican bedfellows exactly how far he’ll go to put Mecklenburg County Harold Cogdell first. He’s also alienated three of the city’s media outlets — two of which serve communities and constituents that have been among Cogdell’s most loyal supporters.

Unless things change between now and tonight, Cogdell will likely become the next chair of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.

“He’ll get tomorrow what he’s wanted for two years,” The Observer‘s St. Onge concludes. “But it’s going to be a very lonely throne.”

A very lonely throne, indeed.

by Matt Comer | December 5th, 2011 Comments (0)

The Raleigh City Council will consider a resolution opposing an impending anti-LGBT state constitutional amendment banning recognition of marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Last week, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker said he was opposed to the amendment and urged the city council to vote for the proposed resolution.

From The News & Observer:

Departing Mayor Charles Meeker condemned a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages in North Carolina on Saturday, days before the City Council considers the controversial issue.

Meeker derided the proposal as “discriminatory in nature, trying to put one group down and somehow (figuring) that’s going to help the rest of us. But it never helps our community when a group is put down.”

Meeker, speaking at a Unity Day forum at the Raleigh Convention Center, also urged attendees to take a don’t-get-mad-get-even approach to the proposed amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions. He counseled voting out of office in the fall of 2012 the state legislators who backed the proposal, which will be on the ballot in May.

“This kind of effort to divide our community for political purposes is just wrong,” he said.

Read the rest of The News & Observer’s coverage. The Independent Weekly also covered the news on their Citizen blog.