Outgoing Raleigh, North Carolina Mayor
Charles Meeker has called on the City Council to take a stand against
a proposed constitutional amendment that would bar all legal
recognition of gay and lesbian couples, including marriage, civil
unions and possibly domestic partnerships, the News
Observer reported.
Voters will consider the issue during
May's Republican primary.
The City Council will decide whether
to take a stand on the issue at its meeting on Tuesday.
“This kind of effort to divide our
community for political purposes is just wrong,” Meeker said during
a Unity Day forum at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Chris Moutos, chairman of the Human
Rights Commission, which recommended the City Council oppose the
amendment, said he hopes the council will take his commission's
advice.
“I'm hoping it will be well-received
and our City Council members will vote to make Raleigh an inclusive
city where everybody is welcome,” he said.
Meeker, a Democrat who did not run for
re-election, leaves office on Monday after 10 years on the job.
Raleigh is considering extending
benefits to the spouses of domestic partners.