North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue on Friday stated her opposition to the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage that North Carolina voters will vote on this coming May.
Bev Perdue
In a statement released on her website and quoted by news sites such as LGBTQ Nation and the Huffington Post, she asserted that she is opposed to the amendment, yet qualified that statement with the following words.
“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.”
It seems as though she may have to take this “middle ground” in regards to equality in order to keep her governorship away from her potential challengers (according to recent polling by Public Policy Polling she has a very low approval rating and is trailing or equal in the polls with her gubernatorial challengers).
But is this a stand that should be applauded, or even just met with statements like “well that’s good or “at least its a no vote” by LGBT activists? I think not, for this statement out of the Governors office shows nothing more than a lack of substance or interest in promoting equality for her gay and lesbian constituents.
Based upon her language, if a bill came before her to legalize marriage equality in the state, we would see a veto — since she continues to support and believe the discriminatory notion that marriage is only between one-man one-woman.
Instead of holding her feet to the fire, Equality North Carolina — an organization with which I normally respect and admire — issued a tepid response. Instead of calling out the governor on the ridiculousness of her “opposition”, they instead release a statement saying:
Governor Perdue’s statement makes clear that while there are issues on which we do not agree, we do agree that this amendment, and this debate, is not about legalizing same-sex marriage, but is and should be about what this amendment would actually do: eliminate legal recognition and protections for all unmarried couples, regardless of their sexual orientation.
With our communities focus on the negative economic impacts of anti-gay marriage amendments, it might seem as though we have gotten away from why marriage equality actually matters. Marriage bans are wrong because in them, we are being singled out for exclusion strictly because of our sexual orientation. We are denied legal relationship recognition because we were wired to love someone of the same-sex.
Instead of elevating the reality of our exclusion and denial of a basic fundamental right, organizations like Equality North Carolina is allowing individuals like Governor Perdue to assert that economics is the only reason to vote pro-equality. Because its “bad for business,” it is bad for the North Carolina.
It is only because it is better to “focus on jobs” and not fundamental rights that she will be voting against the bill. So does that mean that if business was booming and we were in the middle of economic growth, that the Governor would be voting for the discriminatory amendment?
That is the problem with allowing individuals like Governor Perdue to state that their opposition for marriage equality is strictly economic, rather than because such an amendment is a fundamental disregard of human rights and legal equality. A friend to our community who is only a friend because of economics is not a true friend at all.
Instead, Perdue is an opportunist and a true politician, not only disregarding standing firm for equality, but embracing economic justifications for social policy. The slave-owners of the pre-war South would find much in common with her.
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Filed under: Views & Voices
Glad someone finally noticed what she actually said…
Me too Renee!!!
I bet you any money Bev Purdue supports gay marriage, but wouldn’t say it because in the southern USA she wouldn’t get re-elected, simple as that.
Why is it that some republicans/conservatives are afraid to come out, so to speak, about accepting equality? Are they really *that* afraid of backlash from their peers?
Someone has to start to speak up.
Perdue, in French, means “Lost”. Her name fits her like a glove, she’s a lost cause. She will stand on the wrong side of history.
SMH. I’d hate to think that it was strictly a “southern” thing because of all the celebrities in country music that are becoming open and more involved in gay rights. I believe that it is more of a “Republican/Conservative” thing.
As much as I hate this reasoning, I appreciate the burst of reality and the understanding that maybe because we spend virtually nothing on marriage, and it’s a non-issue, marriage should be a punishment that can be enjoyed by all.
Perdue is not a Republican, she is a Democrat.
She sucks
meh
Is she concerned about DIVORCE probably Note or she would loose 50% of her friends.
Well, not surprised. She is a politician. We need someone to stand-up for what’s right. Rightfully ours!
<—–Heh heh only becasue of my last name.
What supporters of LGBT rights have to understand is that many, if not most of the people who oppose it are really being honest. The truly, in their heart of hearts believe it is wrong. They are not bigots, or rednecks. They are people who grew up being taught a faith that does not require proof. If they say they believe the bible should be taken literally and they grew up in a Christian church then I’m going to accept that they totally believe what they are saying. I will not call them names, I will honor their beliefs as I would ask them to honor mine. Only when I see people or organizations making money or gathering power in the name of homophobia will I denounce them.
I can change the minds of people who will truly listen to me. They will not listen to me if I speak in hate or fear. They will not listen if I want to take their beliefs from them. They will not listen if they feel their lifestyle is in danger. Just as we won’t. If you want to change minds, respectful dialogues are the best tool. I believe her and I respectfully disagree with her. We have to convert honest people to the truth we speak. They say we are trying to convert them and we are. We have to do it with respect or we waste our energy.
Good way of speaking out of both sides of her Mouth!…
Of course she is Pro Gay, the climate is not at this time
favorable to position. Typical Politician. She has no chance
of being re-elected in 2012.
Of Course I am a Straight Person… I predict overwhelming
support for the Constitutional Amendment in May of 2012..and
that it will pass… For the Un-Informed it is called
Democracy… the majority rules… any questions?
wow. I like how in her statement it says “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” did she research this at all? or does she just agree with everything she hears? is this concrete evidence? also, just because she doesn’t believe in same sex marriage, i mean why eliminate benefits and recognition for same sex couples also, at very least?
My last name is PURDUE, not PERDUE…and I say that this Governor is very much lost on the fact that there is a LEGAL reality behind this ban and she won’t have to live it