Openly Gay Kleinschmidt is Next Chapel Hill, NC Mayor
Posted on Nov 04, 2009 at 01:07 pm
Q Notes
November 3, 2009
Mark Kleinschmidt emerged victorious in his campaign for mayor of Chapel Hill on Tuesday, with 21 of 21 precincts reporting. He will become the third openly gay man to hold mayoral office in the state. Kleinschmidt, a leading civil rights and LGBT advocate in NC, is a former board member of Equality North Carolina. [Link]
November 3, 2009
Mark Kleinschmidt emerged victorious in his campaign for mayor of Chapel Hill on Tuesday, with 21 of 21 precincts reporting. He will become the third openly gay man to hold mayoral office in the state. Kleinschmidt, a leading civil rights and LGBT advocate in NC, is a former board member of Equality North Carolina. [Link]
Volunteers say yes to No on 1 ‘vacation’
Posted on Oct 07, 2009 at 10:54 am
Portland Press Herald
October 6, 2009
Volunteer vacation week for the No on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign began Sunday. Volunteers from around the state and the country are being asked to serve as full-time campaign staffers during October.
"We have started getting quite a bit of interest from people living out of state, though the vast majority of our volunteers are from Maine," Monique Hoeflinger, No on 1's deputy campaign manager said. "People are rearranging their lives so that they can volunteer."
One volunteer shares her story of why she's joining the No on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign:
Help out in Maine here.
October 6, 2009
Volunteer vacation week for the No on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign began Sunday. Volunteers from around the state and the country are being asked to serve as full-time campaign staffers during October.
"We have started getting quite a bit of interest from people living out of state, though the vast majority of our volunteers are from Maine," Monique Hoeflinger, No on 1's deputy campaign manager said. "People are rearranging their lives so that they can volunteer."
One volunteer shares her story of why she's joining the No on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign:
Pam Perkins, a 50-year-old professional gardener from Hendersonville, N.C., expected to start volunteering after honeymooning in Maine.(Link)
She and her partner, Cathy Jackson, were joined in a civil union in Vermont nine years ago and returned to marry Sept. 1, the first day same-sex marriage was allowed in that state.
Perkins had to return home unexpectedly because her mother died. She didn't think she would make it back to Maine, but she was able to come under a program that brings volunteers to the state with donated frequent-flier miles.
"I'm going to be here for the duration – until we win," she said.
Perkins will work with the volunteer recruitment crew, helping to sign up people for the effort and match them with the right tasks.
She hopes she will someday be able to use what she learns in her home state, which she said is behind on the issue.
Perkins said she's astounded by how much of a difference getting married has made.
The couple's grandchildren like to say how the grammies are married, and she has noticed a change in Jackson's co-workers.
"After we got married, they wanted to see the picture, they wanted to see the rings," she said. "It was like, before I was invisible, and then I wasn't."
Help out in Maine here.
Marriage Equality Billboard in Greensboro, NC Likely to Spark Discussion
Posted on Oct 02, 2009 at 11:54 am
Fox 8 (Greensboro, NC)
October 1, 2009
A billboard featuring four gay and lesbian couples that reads: "Haven't we waited long enough?" will soon be unveiled in Greensboro, N.C. The Triad Equality Alliance, which created the billboard, says its purpose "is to open minds and eliminate prejudice." [Link]
October 1, 2009
A billboard featuring four gay and lesbian couples that reads: "Haven't we waited long enough?" will soon be unveiled in Greensboro, N.C. The Triad Equality Alliance, which created the billboard, says its purpose "is to open minds and eliminate prejudice." [Link]
Night at the City Council
Posted on Sep 09, 2009 at 12:19 pm
The Durham News
September 9, 2009
Pam Spaulding writes a first-hand account of a Durham, N.C. city council meeting she attended in which members of the council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to endorse and support 'the rights of same-sex couples to share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitments of civil marriage.' [Link]
September 9, 2009
Pam Spaulding writes a first-hand account of a Durham, N.C. city council meeting she attended in which members of the council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to endorse and support 'the rights of same-sex couples to share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitments of civil marriage.' [Link]
North Carolina Court Preserves Adoption by Lesbian Legislator
Posted on Aug 19, 2009 at 02:10 pm
WRAL.com
August 18, 2009
A three-judge Court of Appeals panel ruled Tuesday that state Sen. Julia Boseman's parental rights could not be voided by her former partner Melissa Jarrell. The court ruled that the same-sex nature of their former relationship was not relevant to the case and the result would have been the same if brought by an unmarried heterosexual couple. [Link]
August 18, 2009
A three-judge Court of Appeals panel ruled Tuesday that state Sen. Julia Boseman's parental rights could not be voided by her former partner Melissa Jarrell. The court ruled that the same-sex nature of their former relationship was not relevant to the case and the result would have been the same if brought by an unmarried heterosexual couple. [Link]
City Council of Durham, North Carolina Unanimously Supports Marriage Equality
Posted on Aug 18, 2009 at 02:15 pm
The Charlotte (NC) News & Observer
August 18, 2009
The City Council of Durham, North Carolina got a standing ovation Monday night when it unanimously passed, without discussion, a resolution supporting marriage for same-sex couples. The resolution has no effect on the law, but clearly states the city's stance on the issue. [Link]
August 18, 2009
The City Council of Durham, North Carolina got a standing ovation Monday night when it unanimously passed, without discussion, a resolution supporting marriage for same-sex couples. The resolution has no effect on the law, but clearly states the city's stance on the issue. [Link]
NC State Leaders Remain Steady Avoiding Marriage Vote
Posted on Mar 04, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Associated Press
March 3, 2009
Despite a protest outside the state capitol by anti-gay activists, North Carolina's legislature is unlikely to advance a proposed constitutional amendment banning marriage for gay couples. [Link]
Bill Filed to Ban Gay Couples’ Marriages in N.C.
Posted on Feb 25, 2009 at 10:31 am
Greensboro News & Record
February 25, 2009
N.C. Sen. Jim Forrester filed legislation this week that would amend the state's constitution to further ban marriage for gay couples. [Link]
February 25, 2009
N.C. Sen. Jim Forrester filed legislation this week that would amend the state's constitution to further ban marriage for gay couples. [Link]
Tennessee Court Order Bars Mom’s Partner of 9 Years From Home When Mom Has Custody
Posted on Dec 24, 2008 at 09:14 am
ACLU
December 23, 2008
Although the evaluation concluded that Chandler’s partner was a positive influence on the children, on May 15, 2008, the court imposed a so-called “paramour” restriction on the couple, forcing Chandler’s partner from her home any nights her children are with her. The restriction has caused a huge strain on Chandler’s relationship. Right after the order was issued, Chandler’s partner was forced to move back to North Carolina, making it virtually impossible for the couple to spend time together. [Link]
December 23, 2008
Although the evaluation concluded that Chandler’s partner was a positive influence on the children, on May 15, 2008, the court imposed a so-called “paramour” restriction on the couple, forcing Chandler’s partner from her home any nights her children are with her. The restriction has caused a huge strain on Chandler’s relationship. Right after the order was issued, Chandler’s partner was forced to move back to North Carolina, making it virtually impossible for the couple to spend time together. [Link]
Carrboro Board Takes Stand on Marriage Equality
Posted on Dec 04, 2008 at 03:48 pm
The News & Observer
December 4, 2008
The Board of Aldermen, N.C., passed without opposition a resolution they will send to state and federal lawmakers affirming their support of marriage for gay couples in the wake of nationwide Election Day setbacks for marriage equality. [Link]
December 4, 2008
The Board of Aldermen, N.C., passed without opposition a resolution they will send to state and federal lawmakers affirming their support of marriage for gay couples in the wake of nationwide Election Day setbacks for marriage equality. [Link]