Over the repeated objections of Bishop Peter Jugis of Charlotte and Bishop Michael Burbidge of Raleigh, the North Carolina House, by a 58-57 vote, has passed legislation that would require school employees and students to report “bullying,” “harassing behavior,” or a “hostile environment” that is motivated by a bullying victim’s “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.” The bishops had warned:

The School Violence Prevention Act

is an attempt to eradicate bullying at public schools.

its attempt to make all forms of bullying unacceptable are laudatory

However, the inclusion of the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” as specific examples of bullying to be eradicated, creates a potential for legalizing same-sex marriage in NC.

We oppose this language because of its future implications for same-sex marriage.