Raleigh Sexual Orientation

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Raleigh Adds Sexual Orientation to Group's Mission Statement

Special Report - April 7, 2004
The Raleigh City Council voted on Tuesday, April 6, to amend the mission statement of its Human Relations Commission (HRC) to include sexual orientation in the list of individuals for whom the organization advocates. The City Council’s 5 to 3 vote approving the new language came despite strong opposition from the majority of citizens assembled in the City Council chambers, some of whom were not allowed to address their concerns to council members until after the vote was taken. The vote split along party lines: Democrats Thomas Crowder, Jessie Taliaferro, James West, and Janet Cowell voted in favor of the change, and Republicans Mike Regan, Neal Hunt, and Philip Isley voted against it. Jere Royall, Director of Community Impact and Counsel for the North Carolina Family Policy Council, was present after the vote was taken and presented his concerns to members of the council. Addressing the vagueness of the new language, Royall said, “The words sexual orientation do not even exist in North Carolina state law. There is not a specific definition for these words. Therefore, they can mean whatever anybody wants them to mean. Someone can say that they are orientated sexually in whatever way they wish and nobody would be able to challenge their claim as being in violation of this proposed language. Such vagueness could result in your endorsing behaviors and relationships that you do not know you are endorsing.” In addition to sexual orientation, the council voted to add disability, marital status, and economic status to the mission statement.