We are some of the staff behind The Blotter, a magazine distributed throughout North Carolina. The proposed Amendment One could — among many other hateful things — forbid companies from providing equal benefits to their gay employees. I and my colleagues hereby state: that if it passes, we will categorically refuse to obey it.
At the moment this is a moot point, since we’re so small and nonprofit we can’t afford to pay anyone benefits, including ourselves. It’s a matter of principles instead. The principle that all our employees are American citizens, human beings and children of God, created in His image and loved by Him unconditionally (as in, UNCONDITIONALLY), and therefore deserve unconditionally equal recognition, respect, rights and benefits.
The principle that minorities should be protected from the tyranny of the majority, since if majorities got to vote on minority rights there wouldn’t be any. (If Civil Rights had been put to referendums 60 years ago, Rosa Parks would still be at the back of the bus.) And, the principle that if any institution — such as marriage — is so fragile that it needs discrimination, injustice, cruelty and constitutionally mandated apartheid in order to survive, then it by God should be redefined.
We invite every organization, business and municipality in this state that supports equality to stand with us and avow: No government or referendum on Earth will ever force us to commit bigotry against our own people.
— Martin Smith, Garrison Somers, Marilyn Fontenot, Laine Cunningham and Richard Hess
The Blotter
Durham
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.