Text of April 10 resolution opposing Amendment One

Council member Gordon Smith has posted the text of a proposed resolution declaring the city of Asheville’s opposition to Amendment One on the Scrutiny Hooligans blog:

WHEREAS the core values of the City of Asheville include commitments to “value and respect a diverse community, workforce, and ideas,” and to “value the safety and welfare of our employees and the citizens we serve;” and

WHEREAS, the City of Asheville includes at least 737 same-sex couples and has the highest concentration of same-sex couples among North Carolina cities ; and

WHEREAS, the City of Asheville has adopted a policy of extending equal health care benefits to Asheville City Government employees who are in same-sex domestic partnerships; and

WHEREAS, the Council passed a resolution establishing a Domestic Partnership Registry through which same-sex couples can register their relationships;

WHEREAS, the Council passed a resolution endorsing and supporting the rights of same-sex couples to share fully and equally in the familial rights and responsibilities of civil marriage in 2011; and

WHEREAS, this Council recognizes that some local and national companies doing business in the City of Asheville extend equal health care benefits to employees in same-sex relationships; and

WHEREAS, discriminatory marriage laws deprive same-sex couples and their children of fundamental rights and protections, including, but not limited to, health care coverage and related decision-making, access to assisted-living facilities, decision making around funerals and end of life matters, inheritance rights, survivor benefits, child custody, and adoption rights ; and

WHEREAS, on May 8, 2012, the people of North Carolina will vote on Amendment One, a proposed amendment to the North Carolina State Constitution that would prohibit marriage between people of the same sex, and further prohibit the recognition of any other form of domestic legal union; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of such a Constitutional amendment is inconsistent with the City’s commitment to equal rights and opportunities for its residents and employees and could invalidate the City of Asheville’s domestic partner benefits; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of such a Constitutional amendment could invalidate local and national businesses’ benefit policies; and

WHEREAS, Asheville proudly embraces the diversity of its residents;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE THAT:

1) The City Council opposes Amendment One.

2) Whether Amendment One passes or fails on May 8, 2012, the City Council reaffirms its commitment to equal rights and opportunities for City employees and for all residents and families of Asheville, including the rights of same-sex couples to share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitments of civil marriage.

3) This resolution shall be effective on and after its passage, and shall be shared with the members of Asheville’s General Assembly delegation.