State of North Carolina secondary Archives: on Civil Rights
Cal Cunningham:
Restore Voting Rights Act; for automatic voter registration
Cal will work to protect and expand the right to vote so that all eligible, law-abiding citizens can participate in our elections. Cal supports efforts to expand access to voting and prevent voter suppression, like restoring the Voting Rights Act,
extending early voting, and making it easier to register to vote by enacting reforms like automatic voter registration and making Election Day a federal holiday. He will also oppose efforts like unnecessarily purging voters from the rolls.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate campaign website CalForNC.com
Jun 10, 2020
Cal Cunningham:
Will stand with the LGBTQI community against discrimination
Q: Support same-sex marriage and extension of LGBTQ rights?Cal Cunningham: Yes. Wants to stand "with the LGBTQI community and communities of color in the fight against regressive policies."
Thom Tillis: Mostly no. In 2012 helped add same-sex- marriage ban to North Carolina constitution. Supported repeal of "bathroom bill."
Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 North Carolina Senate race
Sep 30, 2020
Cheri Beasley:
Acknowledged enduring racial inequalities in judicial system
Outgoing Chief Justice Beasley detailed a commission that will recommend how to discourage and ultimately eliminate unfair treatment in the judicial system based on race, gender or other factors. The Chief Justice's Commission on Fairness and Equity
was created by a Supreme Court order. Beasley, the first Black woman serving as chief justice, delivered an address following the death of George Floyd that acknowledged enduring racial inequalities in North Carolina's system.
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Dec 30, 2020
Dan Bishop:
Authored "bathroom bill": no trans-gendered public restrooms
Bishop was the lead author of North Carolina's so-called "bathroom bill" which prohibited transgender individuals from using public restrooms other than those by their biological sex as defined on their birth certificates.
The bill was signed into law. It created public backlash and was subsequently overruled by a federal judge in Asheville in a ruling affirmed by the United States Supreme Court.
Source: Wikipedia on North Carolina "Bathroom Bill" voting record
May 18, 2019
Dan Forest:
Supreme Court gay marriage ruling a "power grab"
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, has ruled that all states must recognize same-sex marriages. Following are some reactions from people across North Carolina: Lt. Gov. Dan Forest:"The power grab by a majority of the Supreme Court is a
full-on assault on the founding principles of democratic process, federalism, separation of powers, the voice of the people and judicial restraint. Under these decisions, the rights and responsibilities of the states and the people are gone, and the
precedent is set that non-elected judges can play super-legislator on whatever issue they want, however they want and whenever they want. When our elected officials step over the line, we the people can vote them out of office. When unelected
judges step over the line, we are without recourse. No longer does it matter what the citizen-elected legislature says. It matters not what the citizen-elected executives say. All that matters is what a majority of nine people in a courtroom says."
Source: WRAL-TV on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Oct 9, 2019
Dan Forest:
Opponents of voter ID law racist and stand for fraud
Forest suggested in an interview that those opposed to a recently blocked state voter ID law, including the state's NAACP chapter, were racist. "To suggest that people that are minorities don't know how to get an ID and don't know how to use one--
I think that's far more racist than saying that this type of bill is racist," Forest said. Forest claimed that the only reason anyone would oppose the voter ID law would be because they "stand for fraud."
Source: American Independent on 2020 North Carolina governor race
Jan 13, 2020
Dan Forest:
Opposed repeal of transgender "bathroom bill"
Q: Support HB2, bill requiring transgender people to use bathroom corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate?Dan Forest: Yes. Opposed repeal of bill:
Called pressure from NCAA "a new form of corporate extortion from an unaccountable, out-of-state, non-elected, tax-exempt organization."
Roy Cooper: No. Opposed, called it a "dark cloud." Signed compromise repeal.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 North Carolina Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
Deborah Ross:
Voted NO on a constitutional amendment to define marriage
SB 514 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage
Bill Passed House (75 - 42); Rep. Ross voted Nay .Synopsis:- Vote to pass a constitutional amendment establishing marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that North
Carolina will recognize.
- Specifies that North Carolina voters will vote on this amendment during a statewide election held on the date of the first primary in 2012 with a simple majority needed to pass the amendment.
Source: VoteSmart synopsis: 2011-2012 North Carolina voting records
Sep 12, 2011
Deborah Ross:
Introduced gender pay equity bill in state legislature
While serving in the North Carolina House of Representatives, Deborah introduced a bill that banned employers from paying employees differently based on gender--
protecting the economic security for the many women who are primary breadwinners for their families. In the US Senate, she'll continue to fight for a national pay equity law, ending the gender pay gap.
Source: 2016 North Carolina Senate campaign website DeborahRoss.com
Aug 31, 2016
Deborah Ross:
Transgender individuals use public bathrooms of their choice
Q: On Gay Marriage: Support gay marriage?Burr: No. Personal belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Legislatively, voted several times through 2010 to ban same-sex marriage.
In anticipation of Supreme Court ruling, took the position that it should be decided by the states.
Ross: Yes
Q: On Gay Rights: Should transgender individuals have the right to use public bathrooms of their choice?
Burr: No. Opposed Obama's Executive Order, stating decision should be made by states, parents, and communities.
Later, in response to backlash against NC anti-LGBT legislation, said state had gone too far and should "rein it in before a judge does it for them."
Ross: Yes
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 North Carolina Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Erica Smith:
Supports Equal Rights amendment to Constitution
I support enshrining Equal Rights for Women in our
United States Constitution.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
Erica Smith:
Universal, automatic voter registration
I support reinstatement of Section V of the 1965 Civil Rights Act, universal and automatic voter registration,
Election Day Holiday and protection of our electoral process from interference from foreign governments.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
Erica Smith:
We don't have an agenda for addressing minority concerns
I am a curriculum and instructional specialist at Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School. To see us not have a message for tribal communities was deeply disturbing. In North Carolina, our state motto is Esse quam videri, to be rather than to seem,
and it just seems we are not meeting that mandate. We are failing to connect with communities of color and indigenous people. We have to accept we do not have an agenda that addresses the concerns of minority communities.
Source: The American Prospect on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Nov 30, 2020
Holly Grange:
Courts will decide if LGBT people are a protected class
I don't think anybody should be harassed, whether they're LGBT or transgender or for any reason whatsoever. People don't deserve to be harassed. There are court cases pending that will probably address whether or not
LGBT communities should have protections afforded by the Constitution, as far as a protected class or discrimination based on that, but that's all in the courts now. And that will tell us what we need to do.
Source: WHQR Public Media on 2020 North Carolina Gubernatorial race
Oct 9, 2016
Ken Spaulding:
End state-based acceptance of the Confederate banner
Gov. Pat McCrory signaled his intent to ask the General Assembly to end availability of license plates that pay tribute to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Gubernatorial contender Ken Spaulding hailed McCrory's decision as a step toward signaling an
end to state-based acceptance of the Confederate banner, which has been adopted by white supremacy groups and is seen by African Americans as a symbol of racial animosity."As a child and throughout my life, the confederate flag has brought significant
pain to many of us as it has symbolized to so many people racial intolerance and racial divisiveness," Spaulding said. "I sincerely hope that this action will also lead to state policies which will address the currently existing divisive
policies of income inequality, a shrinking middle class, voter suppression and other issues which hurt so many North Carolinians. I hope that this action will lead to not only symbolic change, but also will lead to the much needed substantive changes."
Source: Charlotte Post on 2015 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Jun 24, 2015
Mark Walker:
Marriage is a union of one man and one woman
Q: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman? No government has the authority to alter this definition?
WALKER: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 North Carolina House race
Sep 30, 2014
Pat McCrory:
Terminate license plates noting Sons of Confederate Veterans
Southern governors, including North Carolina's Pat McCrory, are pushing to erase state support of the Confederate battle flag. McCrory signaled his intent to ask the General Assembly to end availability of license plates that pay tribute to the Sons of
Confederate Veterans."Governor McCrory will be requesting that the General Assembly change the North Carolina statute in order to discontinue the issuance of the Confederate battle flag emblem on state-issued license plates," his Communications
Director said. "The time is right to change this policy due to the recent Supreme Court ruling and the tragedy in Charleston."
Dylann Roof was charged in the shooting deaths of nine African Americans at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., last
week. Roof is an alleged white supremacist whose social media postings prominently displayed the Confederate battle flag. S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley asked lawmakers to remove the flag from the statehouse grounds in response to the Charleston shooting.
Source: Charlotte Post on 2015 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Jun 24, 2015
Pat McCrory:
Transgendered people must use bathroom based on birth gender
A state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people and directs transgender people to use public restrooms matching the gender on their birth certificate has dominated the political discourse since it was signed by GOP Gov.
Pat McCrory earlier this year.Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper, who has held the office since 2001, has declined to defend the law and vowed to try repealing it as governor.
Source: Associated Press on 2016 North Carolina Gubernatorial race
Oct 1, 2016
Pat McCrory:
Let states decide on same-sex marriage
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, has ruled that all states must recognize same-sex marriages. Following are some reactions from people across North Carolina: Gov. Pat McCrory: "Like many North Carolinians, I still believe the
definition of marriage should be determined by the states, and it should be the union between one man and one woman. However, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution, which compels me as governor to ensure that North Carolina upholds the rule of law."
Source: WRAL-TV on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Oct 9, 2019
Pat McCrory:
Signed anti-transgender "bathroom bill" into law
McCrory's tenure as governor is most remembered for the fight over House Bill 2, which limited LGBTQ protections and stopped local authorities from expanding their own nondiscrimination ordinances. The state law came in response to
Charlotte adding LGBTQ protections to its nondiscrimination ordinance. Republicans passed the law which required people to use bathrooms in schools and other government buildings based on the gender listed on their birth certificate.
Source: The Charlotte Observer on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Apr 14, 2021
Pat McCrory:
Identity politics has gone too far, especially on the left
This cancel culture has got to end and the identity politics has gone way too far, especially on the left.
We've got to end the identity politics and cancel culture and we need to be judged by our individual character, heart and souls.
Source: The Charlotte Observer on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Apr 14, 2021
Richard Burr:
Let same-sex marriage be decided by the states
Q: On Gay Marriage: Support gay marriage?Burr: No. Personal belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Legislatively, voted several times through 2010 to ban same-sex marriage.
In anticipation of Supreme Court ruling, took the position that it should be decided by the states.
Ross: Yes
Q: On Gay Rights: Should transgender individuals have the right to use public bathrooms of their choice?
Burr: No. Opposed Obama's Executive Order, stating decision should be made by states, parents, and communities.
Later, in response to backlash against NC anti-LGBT legislation, said state had gone too far and should "rein it in before a judge does it for them."
Ross: Yes
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 North Carolina Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Roy Cooper:
Women deserve equal pay
Our daughters deserve the same pay as men who are
working the same job.#EqualPayDay
Source: Facebook.com posting on 2016 North Carolina Governor race
Apr 12, 2016
Roy Cooper:
Repeal law requiring bathroom use based on birth gender
A state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people and directs transgender people to use public restrooms matching the gender on their birth certificate has dominated the political discourse since it was signed by GOP Gov.
Pat McCrory earlier this year.Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper, who has held the office since 2001, has declined to defend the law and vowed to try repealing it as governor.
Source: Associated Press on 2016 North Carolina Gubernatorial race
Oct 1, 2016
Roy Cooper:
Repeal the "Bathroom Bill"; it's a dark cloud over NC
North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in America. By 2025, we will have one million more residents. And when they come here, they are welcomed. There is a welcoming handshake at the ball field. There are the open arms of entire communities.
Our people are welcoming. But some of our laws are not.I call on the legislature once again to repeal House Bill 2 [the "Bathroom Bill" which requires transgendered people to use the bathroom of their birth gender]. The law has damaged our state.
The legislature must erase this law from our books. Pass a clean repeal of HB2 and I will sign it the same day. Pass a compromise repeal that works to eliminate discrimination and brings back jobs, sports and entertainment and I will sign it--as long as
it truly gets the job done.
I also raise this issue at the beginning because HB2 is the dark cloud hanging over our state of promise. It drains the energy from what should be our work for the people of this state. It's time to move on.
Source: 2017 North Carolina State of the State address
Mar 13, 2017
Roy Cooper:
Workplace discrimination "bathroom bill" is unacceptable
When I took office, House Bill 2 [the "bathroom bill"] was hurting North Carolinians and holding our economy back. I said we must repeal it and with bipartisan support, HB2 is gone. But there is more to do. We must show the rest of the nation
and the world who we really are: a state that values diversity, that is welcoming, and that is open for business. I've signed two executive orders that reaffirm those values by banning workplace discrimination.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Carolina congress
Feb 25, 2019
Sean Haugh:
Government has no say over whom consenting adults love
Neither candidate believes the federal government has a role in gay marriage. D'Annunzio said he could make both constitutional and religious arguments for the case. "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.
Anything else, you can call it what you want. That's fine with me," he said. "The federal government has no place in it," and should not be allowed to define it.
Haugh said no level of government--state or federal--should have a role in those matters. Marriage "is one of the most deeply personal
decisions you're ever going to make, and to have government say we get to regulate who consenting adults can love and how they love them is unimaginable," he said.
Source: Carolina Journal on 2014 North Carolina Senate debate
Apr 8, 2014
Ted Budd:
Defend marriage and protect religious freedom
I will evaluate each vote by its effect on families. I am 100% pro-life and pro-family. I will fight for the right to life of the unborn and defend marriage as an institution of one man and one woman.
I also will protect religious freedom for individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and churches, because our country is as strong as our families and faiths are strong.
Source: 2016 North Carolina House campaign website TedBudd.com
Nov 8, 2016
Ted Budd:
Racist policies due to Democrats; GOP brings people together
[Campaign announcement]: "It's all about election integrity to us, but for them, they're about fracturing and deceiving people and that's all this racism is about. If you look at the policies that are actually racist, including Jim Crow, including
slavery, that all goes back to the Democrat Party. When you look at what Republicans did, it's about bringing people together."FactCheck by PublicSeminar.org (7/9/20): All things did indeed reverse more than half a century ago.
The Democratic Party's ruling coalition, which had prevailed since the 1930s, shattered under the weight of the backlash against the Vietnam War and the passing of the Civil and Voting Rights Acts.
At the same time, the Republican Party, seeing a power vacuum, traded white liberal conservatives (which was the majority of New England) and Black Republicans for southern segregationists.
Source: FactCheck on Fox News Radio: 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Apr 28, 2021
Thom Tillis:
Constitutionally define marriage as one man and one woman
Tillis voted YEA on Sept. 12, 2011 for SB 514: Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage (Bill Passed House, 75-42)- Pass a constitutional amendment establishing marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that North
Carolina will recognize.
- Specifies that North Carolina voters will vote on this amendment during a statewide election held in 2012 with a simple majority needed to pass the amendment.
- [Constitutional Amendment enacted May 8, 2012]
Source: North Carolina House voting records (Votesmart synopses)
Sep 12, 2011
Thom Tillis:
Government shouldn't redefine marriage
Question topic: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Tillis: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 North Carolina Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
Thom Tillis:
OpEd: Supported tax cuts over help for students and women
Round two of the U.S. Senate debates featured Sen. Kay Hagan and N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis. During the first debate, Hagan accused Tillis of taking the state backward by supporting tax
cuts over help for students and women. Speaker Tillis says Hagan would be a rubber stamp for President Obama, an approach he says doesn't work in the state.
Source: WFMY News 2 on 2014 North Carolina Senate debate
Oct 8, 2014
Thom Tillis:
Defend the N.C. gay marriage ban
Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan and Republican rival Thom Tillis differ on gay marriage in North Carolina. Tillis defended his decision this week to intervene in lawsuits challenging the state's gay marriage ban that voters approved it in 2012.
The ban could soon be overturned because the U.S. Supreme Court not to consider a Virginia case.Hagan says she opposed the constitutional amendment and pointed out Tillis got it on the ballot.
Source: WFMY News 2 on 2014 North Carolina Senate debate
Oct 8, 2014
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023