Sparks Fly, N.C. County Approves DP Benefits

Commissioner Bill James spoke, and the clocks in Charlotte turned back forty years. What on Earth does a fool like that think they're accomplishing? To celebrate his "accomplishment", he probably went out and took candy from children, just for the fun of it. What a sad, nasty man.

GayElephant. Have you no shame? His actions were inexcusable. This man has a long history of hate and discrimination toward the gay community. Please do some research on him (you can easily google his name). He is a bigot in the classic sense. If you really read what she said, it was that she couldn't believe that in this day and age we are still talking about equality. I know you are a republican and a conservative, however, WHY can't you denounce this man? That woman had every right to talk about her son without fear of receiving an insensitive remark from a bigot. Would it have been okay if she spoke about a child that died of sickle cell anemia and have him respond "your child was a nig...Really?" I have seen many people on here criticize democrats, I have once yet to see you write anything critical about your party or any of its members except that it is all welcoming. Again, where is Michael Steele on this?

@ Gayelephant. Before you get the wrong idea, I find it just as irritating when "liberals" do the same thing. There are many, many things I find irritating about Obama, the current administration and the Democratic party, even though I consider myself a "Liberal". In fact, I didn't vote for Obama because I found him to be more talk than substance. I find the current dialogue in this country quite frankly insane, on the right AND left. Adhering to a party platform, concept or ideology regardless of whether it makes sense or is supported by fact irritates me beyond belief and is the real reason why this country is in the mess it's in. I don't have to agree or disagree with everything a person says to also find that they have good ideas in other areas. To constantly disregard, argue or belittle anything here because it comes from a perceived liberal/democratic standpoint makes you seem ignorant and ignorable, which I assume you are neither.

Gay Elephant how is it that you feel you know so much about this woman, her son or their relationship? What exactly is it about this 'story' that you don't 'buy'? How can you possibly know that she is trying to compensate for something she did in the past? I agree with the other post. Your heart might be in the right place, but this time you're just being an asshole. I think you have a lot of internalized homophobia. I think you want gay people to fit some sort of warped mold of what you think life, or living life, and morality should be. I think you believe that straight people have somehow earned a set of rights that we don't have because we haven't proven ourselves worthy. The only thing straight people did or do was to be concieved and then born. That's it. I know people like you--miserable. Most gay people don't understand you and your precious Republican party doesn't want you. Dude, if you were straight, you'd be Brian Brown.

GayElaphant, I understand your initial sentiment: Honor your loved ones now, at present, and yes, while they are still alive; but I do not agree with your view of Vilma Leake as guilt-ridden seeker of redemption. Watch the video transcript of this historic decision (search Char Meck BOCC). You'll see and hear a woman rooted in her moral and spiritual convictions. The bulk of her argument does not focus on her son. She refers to a sermon on Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd...") likening The Board to shepherds who must “do right by” their flock. She scoffs at the lack of acceptance and hypocrisy of so many who call themselves "Christians." Then she gives what I feel is THE most likely cause for her support: she is an African-American and a woman who's seen discrimination first-hand. Kudos to you, Commissioner Leake. As for Mr. James? For nearly 14 years now, childish outbursts and repetitive rhetoric have been his modi operandi on any of our issues. I don't know why he hates us so...

Bill James gives southern white trash a bad name.

You know gayelephant, just because you are a "conservative" and view this sight as "liberal" doesn't mean for every single article and post you have to be a contentious asshole simply to cause dissent. Talking about a person in a respectful, positive light and having someone else speak of them in a derogatory manor are not even close to being the same thing. Even a conservative gets that. You can be conservative and still have a mind of your own. What is your point in even participating in a gay forum when all you do is follow every single conservative talking point like a robot regardless of if it makes sense or even when it totally, ignorantly and abusively bashes you as a gay man. You are entitled to your own opinion and view points, I even welcome a good debate and exchange of ideas, but to be argumentative simply because you will not allow even the slightest fraction of a diversion from the Republican Party by laws is beyond boring to, quite frankly, ignorant and a waste of time.

Let me bring up my son in this conversation but you better not talk about him. -- I mean this is what I got from this foul mouth. Look I am sorry what happened to your son, but he is dead and gone, my first love died of cancer, and I know it is painful. But we shouldn't do things now because they are dead, you should do things like this in spite of your son's death. If you really wanted to honor him you should have done this while he was alive. I don't know you much, but I'm sensing that you did something to your son (or maybe didn't) that now you regret that has made you speak about him and act accordingly on this bill and vote. As though you are redeeming yourself. I don't buy this woman's fake try. Sorry I just don't, not just with this story alone. And for what that other commissioner said, if he were to reference my dead son in that fashion I would have resigned right there and then and waited for him in the parking lot. Plain and simple.

Thank you Councilwoman Leake and my condolences in losing your son. I have no doubt you could would make that other 'man' in to something quite resembling mince meat should you so choose. Thanks for standing up to him and showing him for the coward and ignorant white trash he is.

Thank you Councilwoman Leake for speaking eloquently and from the heart on behalf of your son and our community. That coucilman must have been out of his mind insulting your son like that. Clearly his momma didn't raise him right.