The anger and vitriol from the debate about a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage spilled onto public radio (WFAE) in Charlotte this morning. Rep. Dale Folwell, the No. 2 Republican in the House, squared off against Alex Miller, the interim director for Equality NC in a debate on Charlotte Talks.
The one-hour show (listen here) rehashed much of the same talking points from the legislative debate -- and the deeply passionate feelings on either side. By pushing the gay marriage debate, Miller said Folwell is responsible for unleashing "ugly rhetoric" on the state for the next eight months. Each side traded accusations that they are misleading the public and lying about the facts. Miller sounded like he was shouting at times, prompting show host Mike Collins to say "take a breath Alex."
Asked why he didn't put a constitutional amendment banning divorce on the ballot, Folwell said he didn't have an answer. And under repeated questioning, the lawmaker distanced himself from a group of ministers who used heated language to denounce homosexuality at a press conference he hosted.
