Can Local City Councils Help Affirm Gay Marriage?

by Michael Jones · 2008-12-04 15:19:00 UTC
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Prop 8 city resolutionWill the struggle over marriage equality for same-sex couples start playing out in city councils around the U.S.?  In the wake of Proposition 8, it's entirely possible.  Case in point, in response to the overwhelmingly anti-gay measures that passed in California (Prop 8), Arizona (Prop 102), Florida (Amendment 2), and Arkansas (Proposed Initiative Act 1) on Election Day, the town of Carrboro, North Carolina decided to put a gay measure resolution on the city council's plate.

The measure, introduced by town board member Jackie Grist, called on the city of Carrboro to support civil marriage for same-sex couples.  The measure passed overwhelmingly, 5-0.

Though it's largely symbolic, the measure places the issue of same-sex marriage squarely in the eyes of voters again.  Which begs the question - could measures like this around the country be helpful in changing hearts and minds on this issue?

According to Carrboro's mayor, Mark Chilton, the answer is yes.

It was just a couple of college towns when we started in on the civil rights movement in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, and it was just a couple of college towns when we started the process of ending the war in Vietnam.

Other board members agreed. And fittingly so, given that Carrboro, North Carolina was one of the first municipalities in the South to pass resolutions opposing the Patriot Act and the Iraq War.  Now they're showing real leadership on the issue of marriage equality.

Board Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell: "I think it’s really important for the municipalities to weigh in when they know they stand for civil marriage.  I think it's really important for Carrboro to stand firm."

Board Member Grist: "The Election Day victories by anti-gay activists in California, Florida, Arizona and Arkansas were a painful reminder that the gay rights movement still faces many challenges.  Civil marriage for same-sex couples must include all the benefits commonly bestowed upon opposite-sex couples, including, among other rights, health care coverage and related decision-making, privileges under immigration and naturalization law, survivor benefits, inheritance rights and child custody."

For cities and communities outraged over the outcome of LGBT rights in the 2008 Elections, municipal resolutions affirming support for same-sex marriage are definitely one way to show solidarity and support to the LGBT community.  For this to happen in a small 17,000 person town in North Carolina, even if it's a liberal college town, is also historic.

I'm also drawn to Mayor Chilton's comments about college towns laying the foundation for the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement during Vietnam.  Can they be the building blocks again from which a movement to support marriage equality is made?

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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