Sam Spencer
Fellow Democrat–
Last week, instead of helping North Carolinians recover from Hurricane Irene, Republicans in the General Assembly launched a campaign to write discrimination into the North Carolina Constitution.
Instead of arguing that the amendment is bad for job creation (it is), or that gay marriage is already illegal (it is), I’ll keep this simple: anything less than marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people forecloses on the idea that all men are created equal.
In politics, we often eschew didactic arguments in favor of pragmatic ones. However, on the issue of marriage equality, I’m unequivocal: violating the civil rights of a minority based on nothing other than the preference of a perceived majority is wrong. LGBT people deserve the equal protection of the law — nothing more, nothing less.
Individuals can be selective in their application of scripture and verse, but the law and our Constitution cannot be. One can focus on homosexuality instead of a myriad of other sins, but principles like equality and liberty cannot single out a group. If you believe that we are all born equal, that we all have the freedom to pursue happiness, that we all deserve liberty, then you have no choice but to fight for the dignity of your fellow women and men. Gay rights are human rights.
I implore you to stand against a Constitutional Amendment outlawing gay marriage. If you’re ready, I hope you will go a step further and stand for marriage equality. It is an idea whose time has come.
If the Republicans in Raleigh do write hate into the North Carolina Constitution, you can count on our generation to erase it.
Take Action Today:
Sign up for YDNC’s LGBTQ Caucus!
Attend a vigil to fight the amendment TONIGHT, Sept. 12!
Contact your legislator about the amendment!
Rally against hate TOMORROW in Raleigh on Sept. 13!
For Equality,
Sam Spencer
President, Young Democrats of North Carolina
