gov. bev perdue (d-nc)
photo credit // thinkprogress.org
Raleigh, NC -
Tacitly acknowledging the negative business implications of creating a gay hostile environment, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue (D) said Friday that she'll vote no in a proposed change to the state's constitution that would prohibit gay marriage.
In a prepared statement released by the Governor's office, Perdue said: "My top priority is creating jobs. Too many people are out of work and I've heard from several business leaders who've told me that the proposed constitutional amendment will harm our state's business climate and make it harder to grow jobs here. I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman: That's why I voted for the law in 1996 that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, and that's why I continue to support that law today."
Most profoundly, Perdue went on to say: "But I'm going to vote against the amendment because I cannot in good conscience look an unemployed man or woman in the eye and tell them that this amendment is more important than finding them a job. In addition, a number of legal experts have argued that this amendment, if passed, could eliminate legal protections for all unmarried couples in our state, regardless of sexual orientation. Right now, my focus, the General Assembly's focus, and North Carolina's focus needs to be on creating jobs."
North Carolina's Republican controlled legislature pushed the proposed amendment through the state's House and Senate last month. Perdue did not have veto power of the bill. The initiative now goes to a statewide ballot next May.
Gay-rights supporters believe the amendment is adding formal discrimination to the constitution.
North Carolina Equality says significant harms could come with the amendment as it has the potential to invalidate domestic violence protections for members of unmarried couples, could interfere with existing child custody and visitation rights, be used to invalidate trusts, wills, and end-of-life directives, and could also have the same dire consequences for the state's unmarried opposite-sex couples and their children.
Political observers speculate that Perdue's opposition to the amendment significantly increases its chances of defeat.
In a prepared statement released by the Governor's office, Perdue said: "My top priority is creating jobs. Too many people are out of work and I've heard from several business leaders who've told me that the proposed constitutional amendment will harm our state's business climate and make it harder to grow jobs here. I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman: That's why I voted for the law in 1996 that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, and that's why I continue to support that law today."
Most profoundly, Perdue went on to say: "But I'm going to vote against the amendment because I cannot in good conscience look an unemployed man or woman in the eye and tell them that this amendment is more important than finding them a job. In addition, a number of legal experts have argued that this amendment, if passed, could eliminate legal protections for all unmarried couples in our state, regardless of sexual orientation. Right now, my focus, the General Assembly's focus, and North Carolina's focus needs to be on creating jobs."
North Carolina's Republican controlled legislature pushed the proposed amendment through the state's House and Senate last month. Perdue did not have veto power of the bill. The initiative now goes to a statewide ballot next May.
Gay-rights supporters believe the amendment is adding formal discrimination to the constitution.
North Carolina Equality says significant harms could come with the amendment as it has the potential to invalidate domestic violence protections for members of unmarried couples, could interfere with existing child custody and visitation rights, be used to invalidate trusts, wills, and end-of-life directives, and could also have the same dire consequences for the state's unmarried opposite-sex couples and their children.
Political observers speculate that Perdue's opposition to the amendment significantly increases its chances of defeat.
