gay rights

In which we observe the "Prayer Warriors" in action.

Cross-posted on Pam's House Blend.

We still have quite a way to go on the LGBT rights front here in NC, which is not exactly a hotbed of homophobia; in many ways the heart of the state has a live and let live attitude on social issues. That doesn't mean however, that our state government is where it needs to be in terms of respecting its tax-paying LGBT citizens.

I'm not just talking about life and death issues, such as violence against people because of sexual orientation or gender identity or being fired from your job. This post is about institutionalized, legal discrimination that is often overlooked, because it isn't a fire raging or putting one's life in jeopardy -- but what lies behind it are the same root causes.

This week I was faced with an amazing professional opportunity related to the sphere of my day job (I'm in academic publishing) that I could not consider for two reasons - both painful, with one completely out of my control.

Heath Shuler and Mike McIntyre voted with 159 Republicans and 23 Democrats to allow employers to discriminate against gay and lesbian employees. That is, they voted to give employers permission to fire employees solely because of their sexual orientation. The bill, Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), passed the House on a 235-184 vote, no thanks to Congressmen Shuler and McIntyre, who again chose to give their homosexual constituents a raw deal.

Here’s what Shuler said in a press release regarding his opposition to ENDA. This is the statement in full:

“I oppose discrimination and bigotry in any and all forms. I was pleased to support Chairman Miller’s amendment to bring further clarification to this legislation. However, I was unable to support final passage of this bill because I believe there are still serious legal ambiguities in the legislation, which could lead to protracted and onerous legal challenges. I look forward to working with my colleagues to address these concerns as this legislation moves forward.”

Shuler did not name a single “legal ambiguity”, nor did he explain why fear of legal challenges would outweigh taking a principled stance opposing “discrimination and bigotry”. Chairman Miller’s amendment made it certain that religious groups could continue discriminating and that this wasn’t some sneaky way to allow gays to marry. In otherwords, Shuler supported the amendment, which would allow and support continued discrimination, but he opposed the actual bill, which makes discrimination on the job illegal.

I'm passing on word about the great LGBT conference we're planning here in NC...in light of the news about Jim Neal, an out gay man, running against Liddy Dole, it's particularly good timing to talk about progress here.

On November 3, LGBT North Carolinians and allies will come together, share stories and strategize about how to advance civil rights in our state with the 2007 Equality Conference & Gala. It will held at the Duke University School of Law, and will feature workshops that bring together movement leaders, grassroots advocates, and LGBT citizens from across the state for a day of networking, skills-building, and learning. In the evening there will be a gala held at the Nasher Museum of Art in Durham.

Erwin Chemerinsky will be there; so should you.

c/p @ ScruHoo

CQ Politics posted an interesting analysis of Democratic Party Unity since regaining the majority. Here's the bit on Congressman Shuler:

Heath Shuler, North Carolina’s 11th District (West — Asheville)

• Party Unity Score: 82.9 percent (4th lowest)

• 2006 result: Shuler 54%, Rep. Charles H. Taylor 46%

• 2004 President: Bush 57%, Kerry 43%

Shuler, who takes conservative positions on some social issues, voted against the bills to promote embryonic stem cell research and to classify certain violent offenses as “hate crimes.” He also voted against a defeated bill, backed by 169 Democrats and two Republicans, that called for the full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq within 180 days.

Follow me over the jump for a look at Shuler's record and what it means.

Dear Speaker Hackney.

It's been a while since I last wrote to you - back before you were elected Speaker. From all I can see, you are doing an admirable job for the most part, navigating the swirling waters of North Carolina state politics with grace and honor. As well you should. You set the bar high in your opening speech as Speaker, when you said:

I come here today with the greatest respect for this North Carolina House of Representatives, and the people who come here to serve in it:

There is no place in this State where public servants are more in tune with the citizens of North Carolina, than in this chamber.

There is no place in this State where the issues of government and politics are better or more fully debated, than in this chamber.

There is no place in this State where the interests of the less fortunate of our citizens are better represented, than in this chamber.

My marriage is sowing the seeds of societal destruction in NC once again.

Yes, it's that time of year again. A group of scared, middle-aged white men (and this year, one woman)  is so threatened by my relationship with Kate that they've gone back to the drawing board to write discrimination into our state constitution.

Senate Bill 13 (SB13) was filed yesterday. The pertinent language:

Marriage is the union of one man and one woman at one time. This is the only marriage that shall be recognized as valid in this State. The uniting of two persons of the same sex or the uniting of more than two persons of any sex in a marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, or other similar relationship within or outside of this State shall not be valid or recognized in this State. This Constitution shall not be construed to require that marital status or the rights, privileges, benefits, or other legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon unmarried individuals or groups."

The prior three attempts have died in committee. The Dem controlled General Assembly has kept it bottled up. That, friends, is the only reason that this state hasn't had an amendment on the ballot. If it ever made it to the polls, it would most certainly pass. The larger question to ask all legislators:

In your opinion, is it appropriate for the people of North Carolina to determine the civil rights of their fellow citizens by direct vote at the ballot box?

It's all or nothing folks, because if they truly believe this is the case, then I want the right to vote on the marriages of the rest of me fellow neighbors and a whole host of other rights, including placing some restrictions on religious fundamentalism. But the answer to this question should be "no." The civil rights of a minority of people should never be determined by the majority.

With stronger Dem numbers this year, we're hoping the same will happen again, but we have to deal with the clowns below stirring up trouble and shameless bigotry.

Primary sponsor of this "essential legislation" --

Email: Jamesf@ncleg.net
District:  41
Counties Represented: Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln

See the rest of the Tarheel homophobes in favor of discrimination after the flip.

I wanted to give kudos to Mitchell Gold, founder of Faith In America, a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating people about the history of religion-based bigotry and how it is being used today to justify discrimination. Gold, named one of its People of the Year by The Advocate, is also well-known as the co-founder and chair of furniture powerhouse Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, which is based in Hickory, NC. From FIA's release:

"We are all so thankful for Mitchell's vision and tireless energy and efforts that brought us all together over the past year," said the Rev. Jimmy Creech, executive director of Faith In America.  "We built this organization on his vision of engaging people directly in communities across the country in open and frank conversations about how religion is misused to deny lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens the full rights and protections guaranteed by the US Constitution.  As a result, through the activities of our first year, we have seen much success."

I posted about the powerful series of print ads that ran last year as part of Faith in America's attempt to open up a dialogue about the injustice of using religion to justify bigotry against LGBT citizens. See a couple after the break.