The DOMA Monitor 

Get involved

• Protect NC Families' Communications Director Jen Jones is running 322 miles across the state to raise awareness about the discriminatory effects of DOMA. With campaign organizers, social media street teams and documentarians, she is visiting cities along the way. Durham is the next stop on Friday, Feb. 17, with several events planned:
  
  Duke University Vote Against Photo Shoot, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Old Trinity Room, West Union Building, 416 Chapel Drive.
  
  N.C. Central University Campus Rally Against Amendment 1, 1–3 p.m., Elder Student Union Building. Speakers include the Rev. Jimmy Creech, civil rights activist Mandy Carter and State Rep. Marcus Brandon of Greensboro, an openly gay member of the N.C. Legislature. Also at N.C. Central, the law school will sponsor a teach-in and panel discussion on the legal implications of Amendment 1, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
  
  The "Running of the Bulls" begins at 5 p.m. near Ninth and Markham streets, and heads downtown to the Pinhook, 117 Main St., for a post-race celebration with food trucks, family-friendly entertainment and voter registration tables.


• A Love Wins dance to benefit the Equality NC Foundation is slated for Saturday, Feb. 18, at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Road, Durham. Families dance runs from 5–7:30 p.m., followed by adults dance from 8–11 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids.


• Also on Saturday, a benefit concert for the Coalition to Protect NC Families takes place at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, 3313 Wade Ave. The event starts at 8 p.m. Suggested donation is $7, preferably by check or credit card.
  
  Musicians include Someone's Sister, Rhythmicity and an ensemble from the Triangle Gay Men's Chorus. Speakers include the Rev. Jimmy Creech.

Who's against?

• The Greensboro City Council last week voted 8-1 in favor of a resolution against DOMA. According to the News & Record, Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellamy-Small did not participate in the vote, but technically an abstention is counted as a yes. Trudy Wade voted against the resolution. Both councilwomen said the decision should be up to voters, the article reported.


• Although he didn't directly answer the reporter's question about how he will vote on DOMA, gubernatorial candidate Bill Faison told News14 that he doesn't believe it "is in the best interest of society ... to single out any group of people for adverse action," adding that Amendment 1 is "about divisiveness." As a state representative, Faison voted against DOMA when it came before the House.


• Statewide, nearly 200 Christian, Jewish and Buddhist faith leaders and clergy have publicly opposed DOMA.