Nov 3, 2015
Equality NC Responds to Results of 2015 Elections
For the First Time in its History, Equality NC Endorsed in Municipal Elections
MEDIA CONTACT: Jonah Hermann, Equality NC, (920) 860-1416 -or- jonah@equalitync.org
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Tonight, Equality North Carolina responded to the results of the 2015 municipal general election. For the first time in its history, Equality NC has endorsed in local elections for candidates who have pledged their support for LGBT North Carolinians.
The group pledged to make major impacts in the 2015 elections as a result of the failed non-discrimination ordinance vote by the Charlotte City Council last March. Equality NC partnered with MeckPAC and the Human Rights Campaign to elect a pro-equality majority in a first-of-its kind campaign, TurnOUT! Charlotte this fall.
Chris Sgro, executive director of Equality NC, said, “We are so proud to stand with our partners all across the state, including MeckPAC and the Human Rights Campaign as we delivered a win for the residents of the Queen City. In March, the Charlotte community was devastated when the city council failed to pass necessary, commonsense LGBT non-discrimination protections. Tonight, our pro-equality majority on city council, including mayor-elect Jennifer Roberts, made it across finish line.”
Additionally, Equality NC has focused in on not only electing ally candidates, but openly gay candidates. However, 3 of North Carolina’s 9 LGBT elected officials lost their elections tonight.
On LGBT elected officials, Sgro said, “LGBT elected officials must be leading a conversation about fair and inclusive communities. This year, we took a bold approach to work to elect out candidates in every corner of the state. It is unacceptable that LGBT North Carolinians are not appropriately represented in our communities. Equality NC will only look to expand its efforts in 2017 municipal elections, and beyond, to ensure we are successful in this important step toward full, lived equality.”
Equality NC looks forward to working with all candidates who won this evening to pass vital protections for gay and transgender North Carolinians at the local level.
Equality NC joins with its members and partners in Chapel Hill and Charlotte tonight to celebrate their victories. For more information about all endorsed candidates by Equality NC visit the 2015 Equality NC Voter Guide
Election results for all candidates can be found here.
ABOUT EQUALITY NC: Equality NC is a statewide organization working to secure equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender North Carolinians. For more information, please visit www.equalitync.org