TO THE EDITOR:
Hillsborough takes pride in its colonial American history. Pride, itself, came to the Register of Deeds office in Hillsborough and I was there to witness.
Eager couples and supporters huddled before the entrance, folders in hand. Several middle-aged, same-sex couples beamed as their relationships were finally to be recognized by the state. Two women had their teenager to take photos! And one young man and woman waited happily to share the historic experience by happenstance.
Upstairs, the outgoing Register of Deeds, Deborah Brooks, was dressed in black clothing — more befitting a funeral than the celebration of a society’s acceptance of constitutional rights. The public was welcomed by a black rope and two black-on-white printed signs prohibiting the press from the vital records office area.
Early on, all but one of the original couples received their documents. Ms. Brooks denied one female couple owing to a discrepancy in name as printed on two documents.
Before I left, a young, male couple arrived for their marriage license. Joyful, they seemed less scathed by the history of immoral discrimination the older couples had endured.
And so, this is progress.
In seven weeks, beyond the legal minimum, we can expect our former Mayor of Carrboro (and distinguished UNC alum), Mark Chilton, to take the office and have a more colorful welcome for We the People!
