To the Editor:

The passage of Amendment One by a majority of North Carolinians this week adds fuel to a fire burning in the bellies of civil rights activists nationwide who are working hard even today to ensure cases on marriage equality are soon heard by our U.S. Supreme Court. This law will, on the federal level, eventually be overturned.

But like my family and friends, I am greatly saddened to think of the message this amendment sends to all our gay brothers and sisters here in our mountain home. So to them I want to say this: even though you may feel alone, you are not. Don’t give up hope but instead keep on working to overcome ignorance and fear. Many allies here in your hometown believe in you and in your right to live peacefully and love whom you choose. I certainly do. 

Mary Alice Lamb

Waynesville