Carolina Rainbow News – Page 14 – A LGBTQA community Resource for the Carolinas

North Carolina Considers Similar Legislation to Indiana’s “Religious Freedom” Law

PRESS RELEASE

North Carolina Considers Similar Legislation to Indiana’s “Religious Freedom” Law

Asheville, N.C. (March 30, 2015) – The N.C. Religious Freedom Restoration Act, legislation similar to Indiana’s so-called “religious freedom” law, has been introduced in both the North Carolina state House (HB 348) and state Senate (SB550). The legislation could allow for discrimination against LGBT individuals and other groups.

“I hope Governor McCrory and elected officials in North Carolina have learned that discrimination is bad for business and that they avoid making the same mistake as Indiana,” says Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality and a minister in the United Church of Christ. “Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our country, but discrimination is not. These harmful bills are clearly based on animus and could open the door to discrimination against LGBT people and other groups of individuals. Religious freedoms are already protected by the Constitution and federal law.”

The full text of the bills can be read at:

(HB 348) http://ncleg.net/sessions/2015/Bills/House/PDF/h348v0.pdf

(SB 550) http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2015/Bills/Senate/PDF/S550v0.pdf

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Based in Asheville, North Carolina, the Campaign for Southern Equality is a non-profit organization that advocates for the full equality of LGBT individuals and families across the South.

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Contact: Aaron Sarver, Communications Director, Campaign for Southern Equality, 773.960.2857 (c), aaron@southernequality.org

MAR 20 Wish: Dreams Into Reality – Charlotte

Friday March 20 at 7:30 Join One Voice Chorus, as we celebrate 25 years of inclusion and inspiration!

Wish: Dreams into Reality will feature some music from the history of One Voice Chorus, music that speaks to LGBT inclusion, and a newly commissioned work by the prolific composer, Joshua Shank.

Tickets: $25 in advance/ $30 at the door

http://onevoicechorus.com/

Facebook Event Link

https://www.facebook.com/events/1567182873550526/

The 2015 LGBT* in the South conference

The 2015 LGBT* in the South conference will take place in Asheville, North Carolina on April 17 & 18. The conference is a project of Campaign for Southern Equality.

Register now! Registration ends March 15, 2015.

At this critical time for the equality movement in the South, the conference will connect and educate Southern organizers and local practitioners to better serve the LGBT* community.

Flapjack fundraiser

TWO AREA ORGANIZATIONS COLLABORATE WITH A PANCAKE BREAKFAST FOR YOUTH OUTRIGHT… Sister Care WNC and Asheville Prime Timers have joined forces to help raise funds for Youth Outright and the work they do for LGBTQ youth in Western North Carolina. You can help by buying joining them for a Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s in Asheville and Hendersonville (2 locations) on Saturday, April 4. Serving time is 8:00am -10am. Ticket cost is only $7.00 Have a great breakfast of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee and help Youth Outright. Buy your tickets NOW direct -go to: http://sistercarewnc.weebly.com/flapjack-fundraiser.html Want to learn more about SisterCare WNC , Asheville Prime Timers, and Youth Outright? The direct links to all three organizations: www.sistercarewnc.weebly.com www.ashevilleprimetimers.com www.youthoutright.org

Breaking: Statement on Passage of SB2 by North Carolina State Senate

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Aaron Sarver, Communications Director, Campaign for Southern Equality, 773.960.2857 (c), aaron@southernequality.org

Statement on Passage of SB2 by North Carolina State Senate

Asheville, N.C. (February 25, 2015) – “This discriminatory bill treats gay and lesbian couples as second-class citizens and distorts the true meaning of religious freedom. Once again our legislature has demonstrated a willful disregard for the basic concept of treating all North Carolinians fairly. Like Amendment One, I believe this bill will not stand the test of time because it is rooted in animus,” says Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality.

The full text of the bill can be read at: http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2015&BillID=sb2&submitButton=Go

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Based in Asheville, North Carolina, the Campaign for Southern Equality is a non-profit organization that advocates for the full equality of LGBT individuals and families across the South.

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