The North Carolina State University Student Senate has voted to condemn the recent passage of a bill in the North Carolina legislature that would allow residents to vote to ban same-sex marriage in the North Carolina constitution. That bill is being seen as the catalyst for the anti-gay vandalism at the GLBT Center of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, according to Paul Cash, president of the N.C. State GLBT-CA.
“About 50 NC State student senators decided to galvanize their support for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community by passing a resolution that opposes a proposed ban on gay marriage pushed by North Carolina lawmakers,” reports WTVD.
“We are very disappointed … we support them,” NC State student senator Harrison Do said.
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On Wednesday night, the student senate passed the resolution in a 29-6 vote, despite the debate turning contentious.
Vandals spray painted the words “fags burn†and “die†across the outside front door and display case doors at the GLBT Center of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, according to police who are classifying this action as a “hate situation.†The University and students are using the event to address anti-​gay issues and held a meeting last night to discuss what their reaction should be.
“I cannot begin to describe how proud I am to be a part of the Wolfpack after the responses from the University, students, and student leaders,” Cash told The Technician, the N.C. State University student newspaper on Wednesday, before the Student Senate vote. “I’m sure there are dissenters—but they aren’t speaking up as loudly as the supporters.”
However, Cash said this incident was not surprising in light of the recent passing of Senate Bill 514, which will allow a vote on adding a same-sex marriage ban in North Carolina’s constitution.
“We’ve been expecting this. As soon as the general assembly passed that marriage amendment, we knew this kind of stuff would be happening,” Cash said. “As much as it hurts me, I’m happy N.C. State was the first place to be hit by this. I think we have a strong organization on campus, huge support from the University and Campus Police, and we’re ready to handle this.”
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While Cash said he wants the vandals to be punished, he also wants to remain positive.
“I do not hate the people who did this. I love them because they are my brothers—my fellow man—and I hope and wish for them that maybe one day their opinions will change and they’ll realize the error of their ways,” Cash said.
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Christopher Smith, a sophomore in science education, said he doubts the vandalism was a stray act.
“I feel this vandalism is nothing but a pure act of hatred and bigotry. The fact this occurred right after coming-out week indicates it was planned beforehand to have a malicious effect on the GLBT community,” Smith said. “TheGLBT center is seen as a central place that the GLBT students can go to and feel safe, but this vandalism has impacted the way the GLBT center is perceived.”
The Student Body’s resolution, signed by hundreds, reads:
