Student: Anti-marriage push is like being told 'f*gs die'

A student at North Carolina State University encouraged county commissioners on Monday not to support a resolution calling for voters to ban same sex marriage because it was basically the same as saying "fags die."

Numerous citizens came to the Wake County Board of Commissioners to speak out against Republican Chairman Paul Coble's resolution (PDF) urging Wake County voters to support Amendment One, an attempt to add North Carolina's current ban on same sex marriage to the constitution.

"WHEREAS, the Wake County Commissioners encourage the people of Wake County and North Carolina to voice their opinion by exercising their right to vote," the resolution reads. "NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Wake County Board of Commissioners endorses the Marriage Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution which states that the only domestic legal union that is valid or recognized in North Carolina is marriage between one man and one woman."

One of the many speakers standing up the oppose Coble's resolution was a man who identified himself as a senior at N.C. State University, which is located in Wake County.

"Our GLBT center at N.C. State was vandalized during the two weeks that this was in committee," he explained. "The words 'fags die' and 'go to hell' were put on the doors for everyone to see."

"While the resolution that you are talking about tonight do not have the words 'fags die' or 'go to hell' written in it, the intent is the same," he added. "You are telling me that I'm a second-class citizen because of the way you feel here. I strongly support equality and I hope that you do as well and will not allow this to pass today."

The co-founder of an organization opposing the amendment told Raw Story that the the resolution was "political pandering" on the part of Coble.

"Many municipalities, including the City of Raleigh, have adopted resolutions opposing the Amendment thus far," Neighbors for Equality Executive Director Tyler McCall told Raw Story. "Now, Wake County, under the leadership of Republican Chair Paul Coble, is moving the home county of our state's capital back."

"It is also important to note that Coble is running for U.S. Congress in the 13th district this year," he added. "We can only imagine that the move to adopt this resolution is an instance of political pandering as he seeks to mobilize his supporters in the 13th district."

At the time of publication, only one speaker had expressed support for Coble's resolution. Commissioners were expect to cast their votes Monday afternoon.

Recent polls indicated that Coble, a former Raleigh mayor, had a significant lead over other GOP candidates in his bid to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives this year.

Watch this video from Wake County Government TV, broadcast Feb. 20, 2012.

(H/T: Blue NC)