Durham City Council considers pro-marriage equality resolution

We've been watching as county boards and city councils in conservative areas of the Tar Heel state pass resolutions in favor of a marriage amendment. Now Durham's city council considers one in support of same-sex couples' right to marry. (Herald-Sun):

City Council members are considering whether they should pass a non-binding resolution that says the city endorses "the rights of same-sex couples to share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitments of civil marriage."

A resident, Joshua Lee Weaver, on Thursday asked the council to consider the resolution. Elected boards in Chapel Hill and Carrboro have already backed it.

City Attorney Patrick Baker said he would study the document and report to the council early next month.

Fellow Bull City residents can email the city council at council@ci.durham.nc.us. I've already dropped them a line.

These resolutions aren't legally binding, of course, but they do put the issue on the record, letting the General Assembly know where cities and counties stand on equality issues as they get bombarded by wingnut protests supporting an amendment.

Equality supporters will gather on Tuesday to meet and speak with legislators about the issues that affect the lives of LGBT North Carolinians, and to urge passage of the anti-bullying bill that is before the General Assembly this year. 2009 Day of Action/Lobby Day to speak directly to legislators about our lives and civil equality face to face.

Related:

WNCT covered the marriage amendment issue in a report on both sides of the issue. Unfortunately, one advocate, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greenville Rev. Ann Marie Alderman, mistakenly intimates that gay couples can achieve full legal parity with heterosexual marriage through private contracts -- that's not true.

Sigh. We need to get more information into the hands of our allies.

Watch for wingnut Tami Fitzgerald of the NC Family Policy Council and NC4Marriage who says that marriage protection is necessary because it provides the building blocks of our society and procreation and "it provides our workforce" and "protects people from transmittable diseases." What?!