Urgent Calls for Donations  | Having noted the lesson from Prop 8 in California, the need to get the message out cannot be underestimated

Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2012

“Stand With Us” is the message at Equality North Carolina (ENC) as they welcome the generosity of  Todd and Diana Stiefel, a straight couple who have stepped up with a $100,000 matching pledge to ENC. ENC is is mobilizing toward the last days into the vote which will impact equality for North Carolina. Note that North Carolina also has early voting and so getting the message out needs to be fast and furious!

Charlotte’s former Democratic Mayor Harvey Gantt joined former Republican Mayor Richard Vinroot to oppose Amendment One, a constitutional rewrite on the May 8, North Carolina primary ballot that would ban civil unions and domestic partnerships, and threaten protections for the state’s unmarried couples.

There is an emerging consensus against the amendment. Regardless of party affiliation, faith, neighborhood or background people across the state are calling on others to vote against the amendment on May 8.   Having noted the lesson from Prop 8 in California, the need to get the message out cannot be underestimated and TV commercials must appear constantly between now and May 8.

Yesterday  Stuart Campbell of ENC informed GAY USA the Movie, that one of the best way to deliver the message of the harms of Amendment One  would be through  television ads and that this needed to happen sooner than later.

It is imperative however that donations are received so the Stiefel donation can be matched.

ENC assures “Read the e-mail below and know that YOUR DONATION  will mean every dollar will go towards advertising against Amendment One; that YOUR DONATION NOW will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000.

From Todd and Diana Stiefel:

My name is Todd Stiefel. My wife, Diana, and I have a passionate belief that our country would be better off if we put people above politics. Families in North Carolina matter far more than a divisive constitutional amendment such as Amendment One, and that is why we are now offering a $1 for $1 match up to $100,000 to the campaign.

The campaign to defeat the amendment only has three more weeks to get out the word about the harms that North Carolina would face if Amendment One passes on May 8. That is why we are stepping up now to give to the campaign. We hope that you can join us.

The momentum against Amendment One has grown substantially in recent weeks. Former GOP Gubernatorial nominee Richard Vinroot, Justice Bob Orr, John Hood and other conservatives have advocated against it in recent weeks. Governor Bev Perdue came out passionately against it last week in a powerful video, and the next morning Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers condemned the amendment as well.

But all of this momentum does not matter if the campaign does not have a fully funded television, radio and direct mail campaign. Will you donate $25, $50, $100, $250 or $500 today to make sure that the people of North Carolina hear the truth about the amendment? Diana and I will match every dollar that you give, doubling the impact of your gift, up to $100,000.

This campaign has been largely funded by people just like you. Now, in this critical stretch, we must step up once again. 

 The ads that the campaign have produced are truly powerful. The message that they carry forth about the harms to children, families and unmarried women must be heard.   While this amendment directly impacts gay and lesbian families, it is so poorly written that straight  families, unmarried women, and children are collateral damage of this harmful amendment.  This amendment does not help anyone; it only harms. Diana and I were so inspired by the message that we decided to step up and we hope that you will join us.

The campaign has offered to show the television ads first to anyone who donates to the campaign this week. They will go on the air soon and every dollar that you give this week will go directly to increasing the ad buy. It is fair to say that every dollar that you give will go directly towards defeating the amendment.

 On May 8 we North Carolinians will decide if they want the state to treat people equally or if we want to write discrimination into the constitution of our state. We must choose to place people, especially children, above politics by voting against the amendment.

Please stand with us.

Best,

Diana and Todd Stiefel