Governor Bev Perdue has finally come out with her statement of why she objects to a constitutional amendment to defend marriage as between one man and one woman. The General Assembly approved the amendment during the latest special session with bipartisan support. Supporters noted Senator Perdue voted for a bill in 1996 that put the same definition into state law.
She tries to explain that vote versus supporting a constitutional amendment in a press release.
“My top priority is creating jobs. Too many people are out of work and I’ve heard from several business leaders who’ve told me that the proposed constitutional amendment will harm our state’s business climate and make it harder to grow jobs here. I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman: That’s why I voted for the law in 1996 that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, and that’s why I continue to support that law today. But I’m going to vote against the amendment because I cannot in good conscience look an unemployed man or woman in the eye and tell them that this amendment is more important than finding them a job. In addition, a number of legal experts have argued that this amendment, if passed, could eliminate legal protections for all unmarried couples in our state, regardless of sexual orientation. Right now, my focus, the General Assembly’s focus, and North Carolina’s focus needs to be on creating jobs.”
The Defense of Marriage constitutional amendment will be put to the voters on the May primary ballot.
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