Tomorrow, as you know, is going to be a big day for North Carolina and the rest of the country. This will be true whichever way the vote goes--whether voters decide to enshrine draconian anti-gay language in the North Carolina constitution or whether they make history as the first group of voters to reject an anti-marriage equality amendment. We've seen some amazing coverage here on Daily Kos of the Amendment One campaign. I know the ballots haven't been cast yet, but after talking to Tom Sullivan over at Blue NC, I'd like to give a plug for the after-the-vote action planned in North Carolina.
Whichever way the Amendment One vote goes, gay and lesbian North Carolinians will continue to be second-class citizens, whether constitutionally or by statute. So, regardless of whether the amendment passes or fails, the Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE) will be following through with the WE DO Campaign. What will this campaign look like?
The WE DO Campaign will consist of gay and lesbian couples across North Carolina, starting on May 9, requesting marriage licenses. Over 40 couples will be participating in eight communities, ranging from small towns to large cities. From the CSE:
Whatever the outcome on May 8, we have real work to do to achieve full equality for LGBT people in North Carolina and across the South.
And that's why, starting the morning of May 9, we will run the next stage of the WE DO Campaign in eight communities across North Carolina, from small towns with populations of less than 500 to cities of more than one million. Across the state, over 40 LGBT couples will request marriage licenses, knowing they will be turned down and yet taking this action in order to resist unjust laws and call for full federal equality. They will be joined by hundreds of family members, friends, clergy, and elected officials who will stand with them in support. In select towns, trained volunteers will conduct peaceful sit-ins after the denials of marriage licenses occur, as a form of civil disobedience. At every turn, we will express love and empathy towards those who oppose LGBT rights and those whose job it is to enforce unjust laws.
But there's another, more urgent reason why we're starting these actions on May 9. We want to send a clear, simple message to LGBT youth across our state, especially those who, for months now, have been hearing increasingly vitriolic messages condemning them. We want them to know that there are people all across our state - and all across our country - who are ready to stand up for their full equality. We want them to know that this story is far from over.
What can you do to help the WE DO Campaign? Well, no matter where you live, you can do what I'm doing now by spreading the word. This needs publicity and support. From the CSE:
If you live in North Carolina, here are three things you can do:
1) Vote against Amendment One and bring your friends with you (early voting runs through May 5; Primary Day is May 8);
2) Send a message of support to participating couples;
3) Help us amplify the story of the WE DO Campaign by forwarding this email and posting WE DO updates on Facebook and Twitter.
If you live outside of North Carolina, here are two things you can do:
1) Send a message of support to participating couples
2) Help us amplify the story of the WE DO Campaign by forwarding this email and posting WE DO updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Here are the dates and locations of the planned WE DO Campaign actions.
So let's spread the word and support this campaign. But let's also send Amendment One down in flames tomorrow.