By Joey G. Lopez
North Carolina’s Senate Bill 2 would sanction discrimination against LGBT families – SB2 would allow public employees to recuse themselves from serving same-sex couples or any other couple whose marriage they disapprove of.
Across the state, people of faith are speaking out against SB2, writing letters and op-eds in their hometown newspapers.
February 24 – Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara – Fayetteville Observer
“Religious freedom means having the freedom to practice your religion in your private life – in your house of worship, in your home, in the countless daily choices about how you lead your life. But those choices have a limit. Religious freedom does not mean that one particular set of religious beliefs dictate our laws or how government offices provide services.”
May 28 – Tyler Helms – Charlotte Observer
“Gay marriage is legal… If the duty of the magistrate is to perform marriage ceremonies, then gay marriages are now a part of that job duty.”
June 1 – Rev. Sarah Howell – Winston Salem Journal
“SB 2 could make it difficult for same-sex couples to marry, but its language is so broad that it could also present stumbling blocks for anyone whose union might not measure up to the official’s religious standards.”
June 2 – Chris Grimmett – High Point Enterprise
“I want to be as faithful to God as I can possibly be, and I assume many of you feel the same. However, leaving the decision on who gets basic human rights, to one specific person’s opinions and reading of the Bible makes me nervous. So whether you are a Christian or not, I pray for you to stand with me and ask our N.C. House of Representatives to not allow Senate Bill 2 to pass and become law.”
June 3 – Joey Lopez – Thomasville Times
“These legislators are using the guise of the Christian faith as a tool to discriminate. Discrimination is not a Christian value or a North Carolina value.”
June 3 – Carolyn Ogburn – The Sentinel News & Record (Madison County)
“[I]f a person chooses to work for the state of North Carolina in the role of clerk or magistrate, they should uphold the law.”
If you would like to write a letter or op-ed in your local paper opposing SB2, contact Joey Lopez at joey@southernequality.org.
