By Jason Carson Wilson

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue (pictured) announced opposition to a state constitutional amendment that bans gay marriage Friday. N.C. residents are slated to vote on the amendment in May 2012, according to Perdue’s website, LGBTQ Nation and Huffington Post. However, Perdue’s lack of support isn’t due to a commitment to marriage equality.

“My top priority is creating jobs. Too many people are out of work and I’ve heard from several business leaders who’ve told me that the proposed constitutional amendment will harm our state’s business climate and make it harder to grow jobs here,” Perdue said.

She stressed that a marriage is “between one man and one woman,” but said the gay marriage amendment would be a job killer. She still supports that legislation. With that said, according to North Carolina business owners, the amendment would have an adverse effect on the state economy.

“I’m going to vote against the amendment because I cannot in good conscience look an unemployed man or woman in the eye and tell them that this amendment is more important than finding them a job,” Perdue said.

Perdue voted for a 1996 law defining marriage as “one man and one woman.” Recent polling, performed by Public Policy Polling, show Perdue’s approval numbers are low, according to Public Policy Polling, and she’s trailing those challengers in the polls.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY DOWN UNDER

South Australian Liberal Party leader Isobel Redmond supports marriage equality, reports starobserver.com. Redmond’s endorsement of same-sex marriage followed outgoing Labor Premier Mike Rann call for gay marriage legislation this weekend.

Photo: Courtesy of the Office of North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue