Reader comments from www.advocate.com.

* "I fell that a majority of people are reasonable and do not want to overtly or assertively discriminate against any one group or groups of people."

* "I live in North Carolina; our community could never be energized enough to persuade enough of the tolerant middle to support it and counter the energized right wing."

* "I would be a close vote, but a nondiscrimination measure would probably pass."

* "I would not want to depend on a statewide referendum for my rights. It means they could be taken way as easily as they are granted."

* It should never be a matter of `popular vote'--it's a matter of equal protection and equal rights, period."

* "Why waste the money and effort on these hopeless referenda? The courts, prejudiced as they are, are still our best hope."

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