Former President Bill Clinton speaks out against North Carolina’s anti-gay Amendment One

Joining his daughter Chelsea Clinton in speaking out against North Carolina’s Amendment One, former President Bill Clinton has released an audio statement sharing his thoughts on the controversial measure.

He does not focus on the anti-gayness of the proposed legislation that would ban the state from recognizing civil unions, strip away domestic partner benefits and could eliminate legal protections for all unmarried couples in the state.

The state’s governor, Beverly Perdue, is also against the legislation and says children of unmarried couples could lose their health benefits if Amendment One were to pass.

“I’m calling to urge you to vote against Amendment One on Tuesday May 8.  If it passes, it won’t change North Carolina’s law on marriage.  What it will change is North Carolina’s ability to keep good businesses, attract new jobs, and attract and keep talented entrepreneurs.  If it passes, your ability to keep those businesses, get those jobs, and get those talented entrepreneurs will be weakened.  And losing even one job to Amendment One is too big of a risk.  Its passage will also take away health insurance from children and could even take away domestic violence protections from women.  So the real effect of the law is not to keep the traditional definition of marriage, you’ve already done that.  The real effect of the law will be to hurt families and drive away jobs.  North Carolina can do better.”