Nov 12, 2014

Equality NC Responds to Potential Anti-Marriage Gaston County Resolution

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 12, 2014) -- Equality NC responded today to a Gaston County commissioners' announcement that he plans to propose a resolution opposing marriage equality.

WSOC TV Channel 9 and Q Notes report that Gaston County, outside of Charlotte, has a resolution before its Board of Commissioners “opposing LGBT marriage equality and the continued defense of North Carolina’s anti-gay marriage amendment at their meeting this Thursday.”

As QNotes' Matt Comer reports, “The resolution, presented by Commissioner Jason Williams, says the county board 'steadfastly upholds the sanctity of marriage and shall continue to oppose efforts by any court or legislature to legalize same-sex marriage.'"

"While Equality NC is disappointed that this discriminatory resolution has been proposed, it will not change the reality of marriage equality across North Carolina, said Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro. “The rulings from Judges Osteen and Cogburn are final, binding law on North Carolina, and marriage equality will remain the law of the land in the Old North State, regardless of any potential resolutions.”

Sgro points out that public opinion is moving in favor of marriage equality across all of North Carolina. “Most recent polls show that a plurality of North Carolinians favor same-sex marriage, and those numbers of support will continue to grow as more and more communities see loving, same-sex couples married. With this issue decided, and with popular opinion in favor of same-sex marriage, it seems a waste of time and community resources for the Gaston County Board of Commissioners to debate settled law."

The full resolution under consideration this week is available here (PDF).