http://equalitync.org The latest news from Equality North Carolina. daily 1 2005-11-29T00:29:08Z http://equalitync.org/news1/20080718 7/18/2008 - In a letter to supporters, Executive Director Ian Palmquist provides an update on the end of the 2008 session. Despite having the votes, the School Violence Prevention Act died, though other important bills for the LGBT community passed this year. No publisher ian 2008-07-18T22:01:21Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080717 7/17/2008 - Equality North Carolina applauds the North Carolina House for passing a bill opposing implementation of the federal REAL ID Act. The federal law places arduous, unfunded requirements on the Division of Motor Vehicles and raises serious concerns for individual privacy. Equality NC opposes REAL ID due to its implications for transgender North Carolinians. No publisher ian 2008-07-18T01:54:25Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080716b 7/16/2008 - Equality North Carolina applauds the repeal of the Gift Tax, which unfairly discriminates against same-sex couples. The tax was repealed by the state budget, which Governor Easley signed today. The Gift Tax, a tax paid by the recipient of gifts of real and personal property, exempts gifts between spouses from any tax, and gives certain relatives a lower rate. Same-sex couples, who are denied recognition under North Carolina law, are treated as legal strangers and taxed at the highest rate. No publisher ian 2008-07-21T19:34:00Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080716 7/16/2008 - An overwhelming majority of North Carolinians, across party lines, support a provision to specifically protect children from bullying based on their sexual orientation, according to a poll released today by Public Policy Polling. 72% of those polled in a statewide survey conducted by Public Policy Polling expressed support for the provision. That includes 84% of Democrats, 72% of independents, and 58% of Republicans in the state. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:37:13Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080710 7/10/2008 - Over the last few days, we've asked our supporters to let the legislature know why HB 1366, the School Violence Prevention Act matters. They've come through with hundreds of emails and so many moving stories and intelligent arguments. Here are a few highlights. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:37:49Z News Item