LGBT activists look forward to local advances
Five LGBT-friendly candidates win county elections
by Matt Comer Editor editor@goqnotes.com
Published: November 8, 2012 in News
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Members of a local LGBT advocacy group say this week’s elections for the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners gives them hope for future advances. The Mecklenburg LGBT Political Action Committee, or MeckPAC, endorsed nine candidates running for the county board. Five of those candidates were victorious on Tuesday.
“The Mecklenburg LGBT Political Action Committee (MeckPAC) is very pleased with the results of the 2012 election for Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners,” the group said in a written statement. “We look forward to working with the new Board over the next two years to further advance equality and fairness for Mecklenburg County’s LGBT citizens and employees.”
Two of the group’s endorsees are incumbents. Three are Democratic newcomers who swept the at-large races.
“All these candidates and elected officials have indicated either through demonstrated actions or in their returned questionnaires that they are willing to work with MeckPAC on matters of equality and fairness for Mecklenburg County’s LGBT citizens and employees,” the group said.
Mecklenburg County commissioners adopted a non-discrimination policy in 2005 protecting county workers on the basis of sexual orientation. MeckPAC has said previously it wants to expand protections for transgender workers, as well. In 2009, they adopted domestic partner benefits for employees’ same-sex partners and families.
more coverage: LGBT-friendly Republican Wayne Powers: ‘We stood tall’
[Ed. Note -- This writer served a brief term as a volunteer member of the Mecklenburg LGBT Political Action Committee's steering committee during his hiatus from the newspaper this past spring. He no longer serves on the organization's committee and had no special or prior knowledge of the organization's general election endorsements or endorsement process.]
QNotes celebrates a garden party! Showcasing some of the hottest new styles for summer swimwear and underwear. Plus, a celebration of our twenty-eighth year of publishing, local and regional news and more.
Loading ...
Note: Views and opinions written by readers in these comment threads do not necessarily represent the thoughts, opinions or official positions of qnotes, Pride Publishing & Typesetting or any of its staff. Upon submitting comment, user acknowledges they have read and understood our site policies including our commenting and discussion terms. Comment threads are disabled 180 days after an article's publication.