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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

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.

Home

PRESS RELEASE

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

 

Statement on Probate Judges in Alabama Violating Federal Law

 

Asheville, N.C. (February 9, 2015) – “Probate judges in every Alabama county should immediately begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in accordance with today’s action from the U.S. Supreme Court. Alabama families can’t wait another day for the freedom to marry and the legal protections they deserve. This is a simple matter of law, justice and dignity,” says Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality.

 

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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.

http://www.southernequality.org

BREAKING: The #4thCircuit has denied South Carolina’s request for a further delay, meaning marriage equality will be the law of the land in South Carolina Today!

Read the order here: http://bit.ly/1uMH48c

Target Corp. is adding its name to a legal defense of gay marriage, joining other large companies that are taking a stand, just four years after the retailer came under criticism for supporting a strident opponent of same-sex unions.

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