RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's business community has been silent on the coming vote on a constitutional amendment against gay marriage,

North Carolina Chamber of Commerce CEO Lew Ebert said the state's business organization has not heard much from members on the amendment and is staying neutral.

While their corporations are not taking a position, executives for Duke Energy, Bank of America and Greensboro-based VF Corp. say businesses will see North Carolina as less friendly to the workers they need if the amendment is approved.

Amendment supporters say business leaders who back their side are staying silent because of boycott fears.

State House Majority Leader Paul Stam of Wake County disputes that passing the amendment and solidifying the prohibitions against gay marriage would lead some companies to rethink their North Carolina presence.

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Emery Dalesio can be reached at http://twitter.com/emerydalesio