Greetings Friend,

Following the expiration of HB142 and the state legislature’s inability to make its provision permanent, local governments in Orange County are conspiring together to pass local sexual orientation and gender identity ordinances that undermine religious liberty. Officials in cities such as Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough and the entire Orange County government have decided to enact such changes, despite the fact that these types of local ordinances violate the State Constitution as well as First Amendment protections in the Federal Constitution for freedom of religion, speech, association and conscience.

These cities made the announcement last Friday and are trying to bypass public attention by rushing the consideration process (with Carrboro meeting as soon as TONIGHT). Hillsborough voted unanimously to approve the SOGI ordinance last night.

Just as Charlotte did back in 2015, municipal leaders are hurriedly advancing an unnecessary and unconstitutional law where the town council can punish people and businesses that don't hold to the "government view" of sexuality. The intent is to deprive citizens of their First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of their religious beliefs. The proposed broad-brush ordinance being considered is an attempt to deny every self-employed entrepreneur, small business, church and nonprofit organization doing business with and within the municipality the right to free speech and religious exercise, which are fundamental to the American system.

The ordinances add sexual orientation and gender identity as a protected discrimination class for anyone who employs even one person and any "place" that "supplies goods or services on the premises to the public." There is no religious exemption, so all religious ministries will be affected. Penalties for violating these ordinances would be $500 daily fines, enforcement actions brought by the town to coerce the violator to exhibit the government's view of sexuality, and even possible criminal charges.

Leaders have granted no protections for women in domestic abuse shelters, children attending summer camp, churches or religious nonprofits and businesses operating within their sincerely held religious beliefs.  On behalf of our coalition of churches, members and small businesses the North Carolina Values Coalition strongly opposes the drafts considered by municipalities in Orange County and we will review our legal options to challenge any ordinances that are enacted. 

If you or someone you know will be adversely affected by these ordinances in Orange County, please call us at (919) 813-6490 so we can discuss your legal rights.

No one should be required by the government to violate their religious beliefs or change their speech as a condition to receive a benefit from a local government program or operate their business within the city limits. 

This is where you come in! Cities like Hillsborough, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill are trying to sneak this past you and prevent public outcry. 

Would you take a minute and use our click-to-contact tool to tell Orange County officials to oppose any anti-religious liberty SOGI policies and ordinances?

In gratitude,