Statewide pro-equality organizations and supporters voice their opposition to the proposed anti-gay constitutional amendment, from the North Carolina General Assembly’s Halifax Mall, Tuesday, September 13, at noon
Raleigh, N.C. -- On Tuesday, September 13, at noon, Equality NC will join a coalition of pro-equality organizations, as well as supporters of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights from across the state, to convene outside of the state capitol for a rally urging legislators to oppose North Carolina’s proposed anti-LGBT constitutional amendment.
The rally on Halifax Mall will take place during a special legislative session on constitutional amendments beginning September 12, and will coincide with a predicted vote on House Bill 777/Senate Bill 106, the “anti-LGBT amendment,” that would ban same-sex marriage (as state statute already does), as well as prohibit civil unions and nullify domestic partnership benefits.
“If we’ve learned anything from the movement for equality happening across the nation and the dramatic shifts in public opinion in our state, it’s that we must reach out, stand up, and make clear why this type of discriminatory legislation is wrong for North Carolina. With this event, we will further amplify the already unprecedented pushback against the amendment we’ve seen in recent weeks and months, and make a multitude of new voices heard in opposition to this divisive and distracting legislation,” said Alex Miller, Equality NC’s interim executive director.
“Through our coalition of pro-equality partners, from business leaders to faith leaders, labor groups to libertarians, fair-minded students to statewide organizations, we’ll show the legislature that writing discrimination into our state’s founding document isn’t a conservative act of morality, it’s an extreme act of bigotry that touches every corner and facet of North Carolina,” Miller added.
Surrounding the rally on September 13, a coalition of business owners and business leaders, along with legislative allies, will also hold a press conference to speak publicly about the potential economic harms of the proposed amendment and the business interests throughout the state that oppose it.
“On September 13 we represent all North Carolinians, whether they be the state’s growing number of same-sex couples who could lose their benefits; our children who are bullied and made to feel like second-class citizens; our business and labor interests that are threatened; our faith leaders whose religions have been co-opted by the politics of hate—all from a state that we’re fighting to keep on the right side of history,” said Miller.
Those who cannot attend the September 13 anti-amendment rally are encouraged to participate in a candlelight vigil on the evening of September 12, meant to draw attention to the growing numbers of North Carolinians who will be impacted by this harmful legislation. Similar vigils will be held in concert with the Raleigh event at locations across the state.
Media are also invited to attend the vigil, the press conference, and the rally on Halifax Mall. Equality NC will also live tweet these events (#equalityaction), with posts, quotes, pictures and video of the two-day highlights also found at www.equalitync.org.
In addition to mobilizing North Carolinians to make their voices heard during the rally, Equality NC will hold an “act in” the entire week of the special session—empowering fair-minded citizens from every corner of North Carolina to join the thousands who have already contacted their local legislators, demanding they oppose this legislation. Interested parties can get involved by joining Equality NC’s Online Action Network atwww.equalitync.org.
Equality NC is a statewide organization working to secure equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender North Carolinians.
[EDITOR’s NOTE: A full list of coalition partners, press conference participants and rally speakers will be distributed on Sept. 1. Opportunities for video, photos and in-person interviews with participants are available following the event. Equality NC's interim executive director Alex Miller will be available for interviews from the vigil, press conference or rally at (919) 349-0936.]
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2011
CONTACTS:
Alex Miller, Interim Executive Director, Equality NC, (919) 349-0936, alex@equalitync.org
Jen Jones, Communications Director, Equality NC, (919) 260-5906, jen@equalitync.org
Jen Jones
Director of Communications | Equality North Carolina
Raleigh Office: P.O. Box 28768 • Raleigh, NC • 27611 cel (919) 260-5906 fax (919) 827-4573
www.equalitync.org
www.facebook.com/equalitync
www.twitter.com/equalitync
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