Unity Wall Spotlight: Ira David Wood III (aka TIP’s Scrooge)

              

1.    How do you think Hollywood/Media will view NC if Amendment One passes?
We’ll certainly lose a great deal of prestige.
   
2.    What affects do you think the Amendment passing, could do to NC’s current growing film industry (Iron Man 3 being filmed this summer, Hunger Games sequel to be filmed in Raleigh, etc.)
The financial incentives that NC offers will be of utmost importance, but the quality of LIFE in North Carolina will certainly be the next important consideration.
  
3.    Tell us a little bit about yourself and your personal history/ties to North Carolina
Born and raised here.  This place has always been “home.”
  
4.     What does your photo represent to you?
A positive step forward in support of the State I love and the wonderful people who inhabit it.
  
5.     What does it mean to you, to be a North Carolinian / North Carolina family?
There is a quote I love:  ” “The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.” ― Richard Bach, Illusions 
When North Carolina has been at its bravest and best, it’s been because mutual respect and joy have been the fundamental base of the grand accomplishment.
  
6.     Why did you take a Vote Against photo?
Because Curtis Brown said he would hold his breath and die if I didn’t.
  
7.     What about Amendment One, is important to you?
It has profound meaning and implications to so many people I love and care deeply about.  
  
8.     How will the outcome of the May 8th Amendment affect you, personally?
It will add immeasurably to my sense of pride in my native State and its people, or it will be a source of sad disappointment.
  
9.    For those reading this, what message would you like them to take away with?
Broaden your knowledge of the subject and widen your gaze as you consider the real issues.  It’s so important to learn the true facts about the amendment.  It’s then vital that you think for yourself.  Don’t relegate that freedom to others - not your church, the news media, your political party, your workplace or your circle of friends.  Think INCLUSIVELY not EXCLUSIVELY.  Try your best not to be guided by prejudice, hate or bitterness in the process - regardless of the side you decide to take.  Remember that true freedom, by its very nature, is to be shared by all people, not hoarded by a privileged few.  A wise man once advised us to love others as we would want to be loved.  Let us live our lives continually striving to put that advice into selfless action so that a better world becomes our precious gift to future generations.

Source: voteagainst.org

As a part of our project, you have provided your support to help create our Portrait of North Carolina Unity. By doing so, you have shown others what the opposition to Amendment One looks like.

Our new web ad, “Focus,” shows just that. Check it out and share it with your friends and family. And if you haven’t already - be sure to share your photos!

Source: voteagainst.org

Diary Entry #22: My Letter to the Editor

I recently submitted this letter to the Editor of my hometown paper. If selected, it will be published this week and printed in a paper that will be read on kitchen tables of many childhood family friends. My hope is to both educate and inspire those that surrounded me in my childhood church, school, and community – encouraging those who may vote ‘for’ the Amendment, to vote ‘against’ it on May 8.

I have vivid memories of sunny April Sunday mornings growing up in Fuquay-Varina. With flowers in bloom and skies the bluest of blue, my Sunday mornings were filled with church dresses and Sunday morning hymns. Like clockwork, my family would rise and attend church just one street over from my childhood home. With the church bells ringing as we exited the church, I would always leave feeling hopeful for the week to come. Although I no longer live in Fuquay, those Sunday mornings remain fresh in my mind — and when reminiscing, I continue to feel hopeful for both the week — and years — to come.

I have been told that in some NC churches, this past Sunday was considered ‘Marriage Sunday’ — an effort by the group ‘Vote for Marriage’ to bring focus and attention to the upcoming Amendment that will be on our May 8 ballot. The Amendment is asking voters to either vote ‘for’ or ‘against’ a constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in the State. After looking at the ‘Vote for Marriage’ website and reading about Marriage Sunday, I was disheartened to learn the focus and intent of their ‘educational’ day.

The message was slated to ‘inform’ church members about reasons why, as Christians, folks should vote ‘for’ the constitutional amendment on May 8. As a Christian, hospice social worker, and native Fuquay-Varinian, I could not stand by and watch many churches preach to their congregations misleading untruths about the approaching amendment. The main theme of the message is the preservation of marriage in NC — a message that, I believe, misinforms the public about the effects of the amendment, if passed.

My belief, as well as many other citizens, is that the amendment actually protects no one. The unintended effects of the amendment has the potential to strip North Carolina families and children of basic health care, threaten parental rights, and throw basic protections like domestic violence laws into what many are calling ‘legal chaos’ — side effects that could affect all unmarried North Carolinians — gay or straight — if it is approved.

If the amendment does not pass, gay marriage will still remain unrecognized in NC after May 8. What some do not know is that those who hold strongly to the ‘preservation’ of marriage between one man and one woman and feel that homosexuality is wrong can STILL, in good conscience, vote against the amendment — and help protect all NC children and families.

As Christians and human beings, we are called to help those in need. James 1:27 states, ‘Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress’. On May 8, I cannot with good conscience vote for the amendment due to its potential to harm those in need — including unmarried, loving couples, single women, children, and elderly couples — just to name a few.

The good news is that I am not alone. There have been many Christians and other people of faith that are taking a stand against the amendment. There has been a statement of NC clergy and faith leaders against the constitutional amendment where they state, ‘As people of faith, clergy and leaders in our faith traditions, we are mandated by God to demonstrate and protect love in all its forms and to stand for justice for all of creation.’ (www.equalitync.org)

In Psalm 140:12, it states, ‘I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy’. It is with these words that I know this upcoming Sunday morning, despite the messages taught from some church pulpits, I will remain steadfast in God’s faithfulness, up until the vote on May 8. Just as I used to leave my childhood church with a renewed spirit full of hope — I can still hear the church bells ringing, and even still, remain hopeful for the weeks to come. I encourage you to follow your inner voice — and vote against on May 8.

-
Lydia Kinton

Source: voteagainst.org

VIDEO WEDNESDAY!

Here’s a collection of new videos to check out!

First we have Pearl & Lennie. A beautiful couple talking about their life together in North Carolina for over 40 years!

Next we have Pam Saulsby informing the public on Amendment One and to VOTE AGAINST on May 8th!

And lastly, we showed you the bluegrass version of the “Vote Against Amendment One” song, but now hear the rock/punk rock version!!

Source: voteagainst.org

Frustrated by the Media


I wake up this morning EXTREMELY upset, and so frustrated. I dont understand how the brain washing has spread so heavily to the majority of NC about what this amendment actually does. Who opened their mouth to say its a Gay-Marriage Amendment / a Same-Sex Amendment? Where is their proof of this fact? Rather than saying it, state it with proven fact.

Thousands of people have worked TIRELESSLY to raise awareness about this amendment harming more straight couples than gay. That it damages the proper upraising of children, it forces my grandparents to decide between love and their pension. It allows abusers to possibly walk our streets again and lay their hands on another single woman with LESS protection rights.

I am a gay man. I am proud of that. — but thats not why I fight. I already can’t get married in this state, nor if this amendment DOES NOT pass, I still CANNOT get married. I have never wanted to get married in YOUR church, I have never dreamt of disrespecting your beliefs and telling you that “you are wrong.”

I have fought uncountable hours to allow religious followers whom decide not to wed yet, to have rights and benefits until they are ready. I fight for the children to be healthier and safer in our state.

I fight for the LEGAL, STATE GOVERNMENT, PROTECTED RIGHTS, that I — AS A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES deserve.

Im not walking down your isle, so hold back your tears and put down your bible for one second, and read some literature that really tells you what this amendment does.

Its going to eventually hurt your BEST FRIEND, your NEIGHBOR, and if you don’t even realize what you’re voting on — IT COULD AFFECT YOU.

You don’t have to like me because I am gay. You can still hold on to your belief system and what you find to be true, and right, and holy — BUT READ THE FACTS — I’ve read yours — now take a second to read the other side.

Brainwashing is an awful thing, we have seen acts of this affect millions before— lets not allow something like THIS to take away the one thing that holds us against the other states, we are NORTH CAROLINA — the most incredible, progressive, beautiful state in the south.

Im holding my chin up high, Im holding on to what I KNOW IS RIGHT, and I am casting my vote AGAINST on May 8th — Because this is more than about ME, this is more than about my sexuality….im doing this for YOU — for the rights of MY PEOPLE of North Carolina. So we have healthier families, more loving individuals and safer streets.

{ ProtectNCFamilies ] www.protectncfamilies.org
[ The Vote Against Project ] www.voteagainst.org

Source: voteagainst.org

Diary Entry #21: Photo Shoots are Over, Now What?

This past weekend our 4-month, statewide tour came to an end. In our final weekend, we had over 1000 people participate and take a strong stand against the amendment. Traveling across the state and meeting so many wonderful people was amazing. But now that the photo shoots are over, we are just going to kick back and celebrate, right?

Wrong – we’re now working harder than ever.

From the beginning, we knew that the photo shoots were just a part of what would make our project a success. We always knew that we would eventually need to switch gears and work hard to motivate all of those who’ve participated in the photo shoots; to ensure everyone has shared their photo and ultimately cast their vote. So from now through May 8th, we are committed to doing everything we can to make this happen.

Here’s a brief glimpse behind the scenes of what we’re working on now:
-          Curtis and his editing team are spending many long nights finishing all of the remaining photos so people can share them with their friends and family before election day.
-          We’ve created a new “Vote!” section on our website with easy access to finding your early voting information and election day polling places.
-          We’re standing by at contact@voteagainst.org  to answer any voting related questions quickly.
-          We have a team of volunteers calling those who’ve participated to make sure they have their photo and correct voting information.
-          Our creative team is working on more amazing, dynamic content to help spread the word on the harms of the amendment.
-          And lastly, Curtis is working on a very exciting, special project. Stay tuned for an announcement very soon!

For more information on our ‘get out the vote efforts,’ be sure to sign up for our email updates and “like” our Facebook page.

Less than 3 weeks to go!

Source: voteagainst.org