Feb 5, 2014

Equality NC Responds to Anti-LGBT Ellmers' Statement on Aiken

Raleigh, North Carolina – Equality NC joined other LGBT advocates in reacting swiftly today to a statement from U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers’ campaign team, which used coded anti-LGBT language to attack Clay Aiken, who announced his candidacy for Congress this morning.

Via Qnotes:

In a statement, Ellmers spokesperson Jessica Wood used traditional code words and phrases to attack Aiken, contrasting Aiken’s supposed “San Francisco” values with Ellmers’ support of families.

Wood called Aiken a “performer whose political views more closely resemble those of San Francisco than Sanford.”

Wood added, “Renee best represents the values of the voters in the 2nd District and remains focused on fighting for their families.”

Chris Sgro, executive director of Equality NC told Qnotes' Matt Comer that Ellmers’ spokesperson was “out of touch” with North Carolina.

“There’s no room in today’s North Carolina for this failed, coded language trying to draw attention to Aiken’s sexual orientation,” said Sgro. “I’m not sure the last time Renee Ellmers stepped foot in Sanford, but I know that I’ve been there. The values represented by those communities are fairness and equality, and they are going to be interested to hear what Aiken has to say in this race.”

Sgro added, “It’s incredibly out of touch with North Carolina in 2014 that a candidate thinks this is an appropriate attack. North Carolina voters are going to reject it hard.”

RELATED:

(NEWS) Clay Aiken Announces Candidacy for Congress in North Carolina's 2nd District (February 5, 2014)