FORMER CHARLOTTE MAYORS, GANTT, VINROOT APPEAR TOGETHER AGAINST AMENDMENT ONE
Raleigh, N.C. – In a video released today, Charlotte’s former Democratic Mayor Harvey Gantt joined former Republican Mayor Richard Vinroot to oppose Amendment One, a constitutional rewrite on the May 8, North Carolina primary ballot that would ban civil unions and domestic partnerships, and threaten protections for the state’s unmarried couples. The joint statement meant for online audiences marks the first time a prominent Republican figure has recorded an advertisement against a public referendum touching gay issues, and the only occasion Gantt and Vinroot have appeared together publicly to speak out against a statewide ballot measure.
In the web advertisement, released by Protect All NC Families, the coalition effort to defeat Amendment One, Gantt and Vinroot admit that while the two senior statesmen don’t always agree on everything, they do agree that North Carolinians should vote against Amendment One.
WATCH HERE:
“[Amendment One] is unnecessary and may have serious unintended consequences,” says Vinroot. Gantt adds, “And some of those consequences may harm women, children and families throughout North Carolina.”
As former mayors of the state’s largest city and national financial hub, the advertisement also features Vinroot and Gantt pointing out the economic impact of Amendment One. “It may hurt our ability to attract business and job opportunities into North Carolina,” says Vinroot. “But we do know this: if you vote against it, it won’t harm anybody.”
Protect All NC Families underscored how this joint statement against Amendment One from representatives on both sides of the political spectrum represents a trend emerging throughout the state. “This powerful new web ad illustrates the growing consensus among North Carolinians against the dangerous harms of Amendment One,” said Jeremy Kennedy, campaign manager for Protect All NC Families. “It’s remarkable how such a divisive referendum has, in turn, brought together so many people from all political stripes, personal backgrounds, and perspectives, for one common purpose: to protect our state’s families by voting against on May 8.”
Protect All NC Families (protectncfamilies.org) is a broad coalition of state and national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) and human rights groups, faith organizations, communities of color, nonpartisan organizations, and business & community leaders, coming together for one purpose: to defeat Amendment One on the NC primary ballot on May 8, 2012.
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