NC Gov. Beverly Perdue opposes marriage amendment - and affirms she believes LGBTs are second-class citizens

Submitted by Pam Spaulding on Sun, 10/09/2011 - 11:29am

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You'd think the Democratic Governor of North Carolina would have been well ahead of a Tea Party-affirming Republican member of Congress from our state (Renee Ellmers) in declaring opposition to the marriage amendment, but we had to wait until Friday for this tepid statement from Bev Perdue:

“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. 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.”

Perdue took the politically safe route of emphasizing the waste of time and money that the Republicans who pushed this amendment initiative through as unemployment plagues our state, but it is a slap in the face to use the statement to reiterate that every taxpaying LGBT citizen in this state is a second-class citizen and she likes it that way.

She didn't have to do it, but she did. And that matters.

No one was expecting support for marriage equality from this pol, but damn, a kick in the gut like this is gratuitously mean. She CHOSE to include her bigoted opinion. She also CHOSE to omit an equally true safe and true statement that "the people" shouldn't vote on the rights of another group of North Carolinians.

Thanks for next-to-nothing, governor. We certainly know how you feel about us; you've made it perfectly clear (and I'm sure you won't take any second-class gay dollars for your re-election, will you?).

Pam Spaulding's blog

I’d like a pro-equality Dem...

Submitted by Pam Spaulding on Sun, 10/09/2011 - 11:31am.

...but I’d settle for one that doesn’t purposely backstab us publicly in order to gain votes.

--
Pam Spaulding
Durham, NC USA

Pam's House Blend
www.pamshouseblend.com

Perdue is a marriage hypocrite too

Submitted by usernamehere on Sun, 10/09/2011 - 5:53pm.

She divorced her first husband in the mid-90s right as she was voting for that DOMA statute she made a point to still support.

Screw her.

And I'm sick of people saying things could be worse with McCrory or somebody else or how we shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

What the f%ck is perfect about this situation?

Perfect would be getting marriage equality. Good would be getting civil unions or some additional benefits.

This a case of the shitty being the enemy of the crappy.

We're fighting a super-DOMA amendment that will take away existing rights from people in NC, and we've got a Governor using Family Policy Council talking points.

Enough is e-f$ucking-nough.

Perdue can take her "marriage is one man, blah blah blah" bullshit and shove it up her divorced a$$.

You're both right

Submitted by scharrison on Sun, 10/09/2011 - 7:24pm.

I won't insult your intelligence by by saying I know how you feel. As a matter of fact, I can't possibly imagine the years of pain and anguish you've suffered. And are still suffering, in part because of the thoughtless comments of our Governor.

I can only hope those poorly thought-out words were written by somebody else, who mistakenly believes it will nudge her a half-point in the polls.

Even if it's not a mistaken belief, that's a half-point the Democratic Party doesn't need, and shouldn't want.

Consequences

Submitted by PackMan97 on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 7:51am.

The Consequences of Gay Marriage

I do not like to think about homosexuals. I don't like to think about them marrying. I don't understand gays and they make me uncomfortable. I won't lie.

However, that is a HORRIBLE reason to vote for a constitutional amendment that restricts their freedom and denies their loved ones the same rights my wife and I enjoy with regards to employer benefits, survivorship and medical decisions. I will be voting against this amendment not because I want gays to marry, but because this is a stupid amendment that restricts freedom for no good reason.

I am shocked that Governor Perdue could have such a poor response. She's voting against it because the economy is bad? Does that mean if this were 1999 or 2007 she would vote for the amendment? When it comes to Gay Marriage, Perdue does mean chicken.