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City Council to consider opposing state marriage amendment

The Greensboro City Council on Tuesday will consider a resolution to oppose a constitutional amendment to ensure that the state recognizes marriage as the union between one man and one woman.

Voters will be asked to decide the issue in May.

The council rarely gets involved in social issues of this type. But the city has policies that are welcoming to homosexuals, including rules that allow domestic partners of gay city employees to get benefits like health insurance, the same way legally-recognized spouses would.

The proposed resolution, which council members will be asked to adopt Tuesday, said the amendment may negatively impact the city's ability to offer those benefits.

"The city of Greensboro affirms its commitment to offering its employees competitive benefits and a workplace free of discrimination and to improving the quality of life for Greensboro residents by encouraging fair treatment and promoting mutual understanding and respect among all people," the resolution reads.

The council's agenda does not indicate who requested this resolution be considered, although Mayor Robbie Perkins and Councilman Zack Matheny are listed as the points of contact for the agenda item.

Read the full resolution here. It's item No. 33.
Posted by Amanda Lehmert on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 12:50 pm

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in the schools

February 3, 2012 - 2:45 pm EST

I'm proud to be from Greensboro for many reasons, and this is one of them.

rightwingnemesis

February 3, 2012 - 6:46 pm EST

I am proud of real "leaders" for standing up for what is fair. Great day for Greensboro.

Poindy06

February 3, 2012 - 2:52 pm EST

I am very pleasantly surprised to hear that Greensboro's city leaders are considering taking a stand against this latest round of bigotry.

ReadMuch

February 3, 2012 - 3:15 pm EST

Thanks be to God that some of the council members support equal rights for all people by publicly opposing this discriminatory amendment. No one would choose to be gay. Who would want to endure the bigots and hate crimes? Did you choose to be straight? If so, when? Therefore, being gay is as biological as the color of our skin. Therefore, gay people should be able to marry, divorce, go to the hospital to see loved ones, etc. just like the rest of us. People should have the right to marry whichever person they want. My decision to marry my spouse was not prohibited by the government. It was my choice. Who am I to tell others who to marry?

Please pray to God that the council passes the resolution.

sparkeysig

February 4, 2012 - 8:35 am EST

So, by your logic homosexuality is genetic and not behavioral? So, if I commit a crime or some other behavioral misdeed I should just explain to the courts that it really was not my decision to act in this manner I was overcome by genetic predisposition?

That is complete and utter garbage. Homosexuals are not in any way, shape, or form a minority, they are people who have chosen to behave in a manner that contrary to the normal behavior of the vast majority of society. If you are going to commit the act at least stand up, take responsibility and accept the consequences that come with it instead of blaming it on your chromosomes.

Abner Doon

February 4, 2012 - 11:43 am EST

"So, by your logic homosexuality is genetic and not behavioral?"

Actually, the genetic thing is factual.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animals_displaying_homosexual_behav...

The problem may lay in the "belief" that humans are also animals?

"So, if I commit a crime or some other behavioral misdeed
I should just explain to the courts that it really was not my decision
to act in this manner I was overcome by genetic predisposition?"

Are you saying being gay is a crime?

Or should be a crime?

Or a crime against your religion?

"That is complete and utter garbage."

Nice straw man
by using a non relevent example of someone who breaks the law
and then calls the idea in question garbage
based on a flawed metaphor?

"Homosexuals are not in any way, shape, or form a minority,
they are people who have chosen to behave
in a manner that contrary to the normal behavior of the vast majority of society."

They "behave" differently from us,
so let's make them pay for being that way
thereby identifying them as a minority
which you also say they are not?

"If you are going to commit the act at least stand up,
take responsibility and accept the consequences that come with it
instead of blaming it on your chromosomes."

So you believe gays should go to jail?

Or is that still the straw man argument?

Have you ever had premarital sax?

Are two women in love
in their home
while not treading on you
somehow breaking the law?

Would you let one of your kids
date a member of a different race?

sparkeysig

February 4, 2012 - 12:12 pm EST

The simple point of the matter, that you cannot tap dance around, is that Homosexual behavior like any behavior including those currently against the law is learned and done by choice, It is not done due to a genetic predisposition. Homosexuality is wrong pure and simple, if that makes me Bigot or a Straw man in your eyes I can live that and wear that title proudly, I will not sacrifice my values for the sake of liberal political correctness.

Abner Doon

February 4, 2012 - 12:21 pm EST

So when some young people start thinking about sax,
and they are only attracted to the same sax,
that is their choice?

How do you know when you're hungry?

How do you know when you're tired?

Why are you sure it's a choice?

When I was in grade school,
all I could think about was girls.

What if all some other boy could think about
was other guys?

Do grade school kids consiously make that choice?

because that is usually when it happens.

Do some grade school kids know they may be "liberal"?

Please consider not using stereotypes to make logical arguments.

They take away from the validity of your rhetoric.

gsoagt

February 4, 2012 - 2:19 pm EST

Give up Abner Doon... You can't fix Stupid.... Here is another study that probably has to do with Genetics too... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/27/intelligence-study-links-prejud...

Abner Doon

February 4, 2012 - 3:10 pm EST

Who am I to say what the morality of what someone else thinks is?

Is this not a thrown stone?

What is the difference if it has nothing to do with anybody else other than who does it?

Probable reply: "it infects the community etc..."

Men sleeping with neighbors pets... ?

For the record, I believe if you fantasize about a member of the same sex,
and etc... occurs,....chances are you're gay.

siht happens.

Don't hate them for it.

Chances are it had nothing to do with them,
other than thier inherited biology.

Why wouldn't passage of an amendment
not be a form of establishing religion?

Isn't the reason the amendment is desired
biblical?

Where else in North Carolina's constitution
does discrimination exist?

There are hundreds of other species of animals
that exibit similar behavior.

If you had asked Jesus 2000 years ago
if the universe revolved around Earth,
or if you were on a planet,
or what stars were
or if there were dinasours or the Americas
or Asia,
what do you think he would have said?

Certainly don't allow them to "marry" in your church,
if the majority of the flock opposes.

but what's the difference when they can visit each other in a hospital?

How can a belief that doesn't tread on others be wrong?

Maybe different from yours, but not wrong.

Panacea

February 4, 2012 - 9:24 pm EST

Homosexuality is not illegal in the United States. Canon law is not the same thing as civil law.

It is not a choice. It is genetics in some way, and is present in many other species besides man. You can dress up your bigotry as much as you like, but the science is not on your side, and neither is civil law.

standupusa

February 3, 2012 - 3:17 pm EST

Minorities disregard majorities and plead to the bleeding hearts. That is not what build America. Our forefathers shed real blood for democracy, not for Lobbyists for their own agenda, selfish cause or belief. They built a Christian Nation under God. One man, one woman= marriage. NOT 2 men or 2 women. Do the RIGHT thing and go somewhere else where you can be whomever you like. BACK IN THE CLOSET.

GsoInd

February 3, 2012 - 4:32 pm EST

I beleive it was Patrick Henry who said "give me liberty, or give me death". My forefathers fought for the LIBERTY of all - all even homosexuals. Democracy is just the tool by which we ensure that we keep it.

Panacea

February 3, 2012 - 4:52 pm EST

Our system of government was designed to protect minorities from the "tyranny of the majority." You should google the term and learn what it means.

rmacz

February 3, 2012 - 6:40 pm EST

Standupusa, I believe we're out classed today, with "Reverse Bigotry"....ha!
http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2012/02/03/controversial-artist-depicts-oba...

See ya at the polls....we have some cancer to vote out!

Traveler

February 3, 2012 - 6:00 pm EST

I am one of the most hetrosexual men that every loved women.

I have also gotten to know several gays and lesbians. They are good hard working people. They do contribute to society.

I support a civil union between 2 women or 2 men, with all the rights, duties, and benefits of marriage.

A word to my gay and lesbian friends. Be careful what you wish for. You may get it.

Divorce court is hell. It won't be long before the gay and lesbian community learn how hellish divorce is.

RKellyGSO

February 3, 2012 - 7:01 pm EST

Traveler, I am sure the gays will ruin divorce for everyone else too. In the interests of full disclosure, I am a happily married gay man. We were wed in DC, which was perfectly legal.... however, we would have to both establish residency in DC to get a divorce. Total foolishness if you were to ask me.

Traveler

February 4, 2012 - 1:06 pm EST

Help me.

Let's say one of you, the one with the less assets wants to leave the relationship.

Would there be an division of property? Any alamony? If the two of you were to adopt, who would get the child? Visitation? Child support?

Poindy06

February 3, 2012 - 3:28 pm EST

Yes, they did build one nation under God...with liberty and justice for ALL.

standupusa

February 3, 2012 - 3:55 pm EST

For All who live within the boundries of what was built by God fearing Americans and not for those who are trying to tear down the Principles for which we as Christians stand.

Poindy06

February 3, 2012 - 4:04 pm EST

Says who?

GsoInd

February 3, 2012 - 4:35 pm EST

You as a christian are not required to marry the same sex, and if you and people that hold those same beliefs do not, that is fine. But someone else marrying the same sex does not inhibit your right and liberty to be a bigot.

nemo0037

February 3, 2012 - 3:32 pm EST

To "Standupusa":

The Bill of Rights is at its heart a list of principles protecting minorities from unjust tyranny by the majority. This issue is one of equal rights. You want gays to stay out of sight and not offend you... perhaps it'll be better for all concerned if you take your bigotry and keep IT in your sock drawer, and let others live in peace.

standupusa

February 3, 2012 - 3:51 pm EST

If you people would keep you abomination to God and man to yourselves we would not be having this conversation.

aboveandbeyondaverage

February 3, 2012 - 3:53 pm EST

People don't need YOUR permission, or God's permission, to get married.
Atheists get married.
Other religions get married.
Marriage is not just for religion.

1234

February 3, 2012 - 3:59 pm EST

Getting married to your pet(s) will be next?

aboveandbeyondaverage

February 3, 2012 - 4:22 pm EST

PETS ARE NOT CONSENTING ADULTS.

Panacea

February 3, 2012 - 4:52 pm EST

That's a strawman argument and not worthy of response.

RandolphBloke

February 3, 2012 - 6:32 pm EST

They should just remove your access for bringing up bull like this, 1234.

Poindy06

February 3, 2012 - 3:57 pm EST

Who are "You people?"

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