Saunders: Gay people didn’t go anywhere after N.C. vote – News & Observer

Say, didn’t we just vote to get rid of those people?

Well, how come there’s a bunch of ’em marching down the middle of the street?

A week after North Carolina voters joined the 19th century and 30 other states by voting to approve a constitutional ban on gay marriage, you can still see gay people working, walking down the street, at the gas station and at the mall. (More)

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Amendment One

Focus on job creation and the economy, not gay marriage by Geoffrey Cooper

Without shame and swift denial, I’ve always been proud to call North Carolina my home.

For 17 of my 24 years alive, I’ve enjoyed prosperous times in the Tar Heel state. I’m no longer a resident, but it is where I obtained a quality education and forged unforgettable, lifelong friendships. I hope to one day return to this great state to start a family of my own.

One important lesson I will teach my children is about tolerance. I want them to live in a world where individual differences are celebrated, and not suppressed because of ignorance or bigotry.

On Monday, a dark cloud was cast over North Carolina as the General Assembly debated a proposed state constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage altogether. That measure passed 75-42 in the N.C. House and is on to the Senate. If the Senate gets enough votes, residents statewide will be able to vote on the amendment during the May primary.

Mind you, the state already has on the books a law that defines marriage between one man and one woman.

It has been no secret that Republicans – who control the General Assembly after more than a century of rule by the Democratic Party – are adamant about getting revenge. Republican’s take-no-prisoners attitude was most effective during the crafting of their partisan redistricting plan and budget, which squeezes the life out of every level of education throughout the state.

For years, the legality of gay marriage has been a scorching hot topic for conservatives throughout the country. State Republican leaders want to strike now on the issue while they have the votes handy.

N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, originally said the vote on the constitutional amendment would take place during the November 2012 elections. Now he’s saying a vote on the amendment will move to the May primary in order to take politics away from the matter.

Yeah right Mr. Speaker. Nice try though.

Any political pundit or reasonably sane person can see through this ploy. It’s a given Republicans are going to show up in large numbers to cast their vote for a candidate to take on President Barack Obama in the November elections. What better time – and cowardly way – to get the votes you need.

Meanwhile, our state unemployment rate has jolted to 10.1 percent, and thousands of families are contemplating how to put food on table, or where the next paycheck is going to come from.

So tell me lawmakers, what are you really worried about in Raleigh? Having the backs of working families, or catering to big-money interest groups for the next election?

A huge part of the GOP’s platform this session has been less government intrusion and fiscal responsibility. Yet, those positions have taken a back seat regarding this matter. All of a sudden it’s alright for the government to tell Bob and Henry, two consenting adults, that it’s unlawful and immoral for them to love each other and legally wed. What’s next, a statewide abolition for couples to file for divorce?

Plus, this amendment sends a bad message to potential job creators who might be eager to invest in our state. How do lawmakers expect large, diverse companies like Apple or Google to ever do business in North Carolina if we are ostracizing our own people because of sexual preference?

Furthermore, the Bible continues to be used as a crutch for political posturing during this debate. I don’t claim to be omniscient of every scripture and book, but who are we to sit here and cast judgement on homosexuals just because they live a different lifestyle than straight people?

How is that and carelessly touting the public with scriptures of homosexuality being immoral Christ-like? If we are going to go there, doesn’t God also order us to be compassionate toward each other, and that HIS judgement is the final word?

Let’s try to return these stones back to the dirt and keep them out of our hands.

In order for our state to remain competitive, we must move past trivial matters and focus on the big picture – that’s education, jobs and the future of our economy. Anything else is a non-factor.

If this amendment makes it to the ballot next May, I can only hope that the good-natured people of this state will defeat it. That will send a loud message to our lawmakers and the majority in control that we have bigger issues to worry about.

We are better than this. Let’s show the world we can look past pettiness and political agendas and be the state that puts people first. Every person – regardless color, sex, religion or lifestyle – deserves a shot at equality and a peaceful way of life.

Geoffrey