The ballot measure that passed last night in North Carolina added an amendment to the state constitution making same-sex marriage illegal, as if it weren’t already. (It was already illegal, by the way.)

To commemorate North Carolina’s very, very brave and very, very redundant display of patriotism in quashing of the non-threat of same-sex marriage, we here at USDemocrazy thought it would be useful to review the state of gay rights, state by state. By state.

The Guardian has a cool interactive chart showing each state’s level of support for gay rights issues and degree of protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Let me tell you, folks, it really runs the gamut from Vermont to Utah.

Vermont vs. Utah Gay Rights

That northeast bastion of liberal decadence sports full equal rights in all categories: marriage, adoption, and hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples. Vermont also has robust anti-discrimination laws preventing prejudicial treatment based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Finally, Vermont has passed legislation concerning anti-gay and anti-transgender harassment.

Utah, that Mormon Shangri-La, has banned same-sex civil marriages, prohibits adoption by same-sex couples, seems not to permit hospital visits by same-sex partners, and does not protect against discrimination, harassment, or hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

North Carolina's Gay Rights Legislation

North Carolina’s protections against harassment of LGBT people are laudable but the Tar Heels resemble their neighbors, South Carolina and Georgia, in the realm of marriage and adoption rights.

The AP reported a great line from State House Speaker Thom Tillis, a Republican: “It’s a generational issue,” Tillis told a student group at North Carolina State University in March about the amendment he supports. “If it passes, I think it will be repealed within 20 years.”

So what’s the point? Same-sex marriage already isn’t legal. The Republican Speaker of the North Carolina House thinks it will be repealed anyway, in due time. Why do this?

Perhaps it has something to do with North Carolina’s state motto: “Esse quam videri,” roughly, “To be, rather than to seem.” They don’t want it to seem like same-sex marriage is illegal in North Carolina; they want same-sex marriage to be illegal. Twice.

The Truly Great, Great State of North Carolina

While other states, including Washington and Maryland, have made great strides this year, North Carolina is stuck in the 1950s. Back in the good old days, when the majority dictated the rights of the minority.

Which reminds me of North Carolina’s other state motto: First in Flight, Last in Rights.
(Look it up! Just kidding.)