Pro–Homosexual Group Calls Citizens to Lobby

Special Report - March 18, 2009
Next Tuesday, March 24, homosexual activists and their allies from across the state will gather in Raleigh for Equality North Carolina’s “Day of Action.” Sponsored by the state’s largest homosexual advocacy group, the annual lobbying event is aimed at pressuring lawmakers to pass bills that promote the acceptance of homosexuality and gender confusion in public schools, and to oppose legislation that would give the citizens of this state the chance to vote on a Marriage Protection Amendment. According to Equality North Carolina, attendees will spend the day attending a “lobby training session” and meeting with lawmakers to promote their legislative agenda.

A high priority for the homosexual advocacy group is the passage of two bills that would promote the normalization of homosexuality in schools. HB 548 and SB 526, both entitled the “School Violence Prevention Act” (the so-called “Bullying Bill”) would mandate a statewide anti-bullying policy for all public schools that includes language to highlight specific characteristics of bully victims including their “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression.” As we previously reported, HB 548/SB 526 purports to be about safety but actually seeks to promote acceptance of homosexuality and transgenderism in North Carolina public schools.

Equality North Carolina is also one of the groups behind efforts to revamp the State’s Abstinence-Until-Marriage law through HB 88-Healthy Schools Act, which has already passed the House Education committee. HB 88 would implement a two-track system for sex education in North Carolina public schools that places students in a comprehensive sexuality education program in grades 7, 8, and 9, unless parents opt out and ask for their children to be placed in an abstinence-until-marriage program.

Equality NC supporters will also use the day to urge the leaders of the General Assembly and other members to oppose SB 272 and HB 361-Defense of Marriage, which would allow North Carolinians to vote this November on an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as only the union of a man and a woman. Both bills have been referred to committees, where they are awaiting action. There is no doubt that Equality North Carolina and its supporters will use their lobby day to pressure House and Senate leaders to keep the Defense of Marriage bills from ever reaching the House and Senate floor for a vote!

The North Carolina Family Policy Council has developed an easy way for concerned citizens to contact their state lawmakers about these and other important bills. Please visit our Citizen Action Center to make your voice heard on these issues.

“The main goal of Equality North Carolina is the normalization of homosexuality, bisexuality and transgenderism in our state, and a primary target is the public school classroom,” said John Rustin, director of government relations for the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “Pro-family citizens must counter Equality NC’s lobby day on March 24 by flooding their senators and representatives with phone calls and emails opposing these pro-homosexual bills, and expressing their support for the Defense of Marriage bills.”

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