Important Information

Social research has shown that people dealing with issues and concerns of sexual orientation are at a much higher risk of suicide and other self-destructive behaviors. This demonstrates why it is important that the campus climate is one where gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) individuals feel safe.

The GLBT Center at NC State is genuinely concerned for the well being of all members of the campus community, with specific attention to the issues and concerns of the GLBT students, staff, and faculty. Whether it is helping a student address his or her own sexual identity, assisting a colleague who had a son/daughter “come out” to them, or providing information to a student who is living with a GLBT roommate, support and understanding is critical. We are working to weaken the social norms of homophobia and helping to create an environment at NC State University that develops positive self-identities for GLBT individuals.

MARRIAGE: THE ANTI-AMENDMENT

The original version of the proposed Senate bill, introduced in February of 2011, stated that “Marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.” In September,a revised version of this bill was circulated (SB514).

The revised version retains the same first sentence, but adds a second sentence stating “This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.” This revised version eliminates some of the broader possible interpretations of the proposed Amendment’s language, and therefore forecloses some of the negative consequences that could result from the Amendment.

Yet this new language still does not solve many other problems caused by the vague and untested language of the Amendment. As a result, the proposed Amendment’s scope is still unclear, potentially far reaching, and has the possible result of unsettling the rights of committed but unmarried couples in a number of legal areas. It could take years of litigation for courts to resolve these issues. (This information provided courtesy of Equality NC, www.equalitync.org)

How Amendment One Could Impact North Carolina:

In 1996 the NC General Assembly passed a law prohibiting same-sex marriage. This amendment does not redefine marriage but rather writes discrimination into our state’s constitution and is not necessary since there is already a law in place.
Uses broad language that would ban civil unions, domestic partnerships, or legal recognition of other relationships (same-sex OR opposite-sex).
Would negate benefits for thousands of NC municipal employees and our UNC system.
Could invalidate domestic violence protections for unmarried couples whether same-sex or opposite-sex.
Hundreds of small and large businesses statewide, including numerous CEOs, are opposed because of the potential negative impact in our state and for their companies.
Researchers have found in states with constitutional amendments GLBT individuals report an increase in stress, anxiety, and substance abuse.

What should you do?
Educate yourself.
Register to vote. Visit one of the following websites: www.sboe.state.nc.us or www.democracy-nc.org.
VOTE on Tuesday May 8, 2012.....it is your civic duty.

Download an informational postcard here.

HATE CRIMES

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) released their annual report in May of 2008 on violence against GLBT people. The NCAVP does an independent report from the FBI because they rely solely on law enforcement reports rather than victim service data. NCAVP's 2007 report noted a 24% increase in total number of victims reporting incidents of anti-LGBT violence (from 1,954 to 2.430). In 2007, the total number of offenders also increased about 5% from 2006. Please visit NCAVP's website to view their publications and more information about hate crimes.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) releases statistics each fall looking at hate crimes for the previous year. Here is summary information for 2008:

7,783 hate crimes reported overall.
9,160 single-bias offenses reported with over 9,691 victims.
Sexual-orientation bias accounted for almost 17.6% (1,706 victims) of all hate crimes reported.
Simple assault most often reported offense – 29.3% of the total.
Gay men highest targeted group.
The location for most offenses took place at a residence, on a highway, or at a school/college.
10.3% (58) of offenses occurred at schools or colleges.

Specific to North Carolina:

87 hate crimes reported overall.
Sexual-orientation bias accounted for 13.7% (12) of all hate crimes reported.
All reported offenses took place in a city and none occurred at schools/colleges.

For more information regarding the FBI's unified hate crimes reporting and statistics please visit their website to view publications and data tables.

EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT

Currently, North Carolina, along with 37 other states do not product individuals from discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. As a result, members of the United States Congress have attempted since 1994 to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would give all GLBT Americans basic employment protection from discrimination based on irrational prejudice.

For the Current Status of the Bill, go to HRC's website on ENDA.

DON'T ASK DON'T TELL

Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) was repealed by the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010. However, the repeal will not happen until 60 days after the President, Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs certify that the implementation of the new policies and regulations written by the Department of Defense is consistant with the standards of military readiness and effectiveness, unit cohesian, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.

For more information, you can go to the military's website on DADT.

VISITATION RIGHTS

In 2008, North Carolina passed a law ensuring that patients can receive visitors no matter the legal status fo their relationship. When a patient is admitted to a hospital, they have the right to designate visitors who will receive the same visitation privileges as the patient's immediate family members.

HEALTHCARE

In North Carolina, most people in the transgender community are not covered for sex reassignment surgery as well as sex-specific care.

The Department of Veterans Affairs just released, as of June 2011, a directive that updated their healthcare to plan to provide care to transgender patients without discrimination, keeps their transgender status and medical care confidential, and covers all sex-specific care. For more information, you can find a PDF on the new directive here.

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