Anew coalition of local and state-level elected officials in North Carolina has been established explicitly to work on issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. As the group, named N.C. Electeds for Equality, is forming, it must fight LGBT-oppressive legislation while expanding its membership. UNC Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator Bob Pleasants has a few specific ideas the group should keep in mind as it develops.
The group’s first problem in confronting legislation affecting LGBT persons in the state is the recently passed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, known as Amendment One. The amount of misinformation distributed by lawmakers to garner support for the amendment may have long-lasting implications to constituents. Leveraging this information, proponents of the ban were able to transform the debate from an issue of citizens’ equal rights to the hotly contested issue of gay marriage.
“The first goal of the Electeds for Equality should be confronting the widespread misinformation generated by the Amendment One legislation.”
However, the Electeds for Equality will need to focus on mobilizing those in power to cooperate. The group consists of several high-profile leaders, including Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt and N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper.
“LGBT issues are already being promoted at University and local levels throughout the state.”
But the last frontier of the LGBT equality movement needs to be in the state arena.
“There may be room at this level for cooperation between the aisles, particularly for bipartisan
cooperation between LGBT equality supporters and officials on the right.”
All of this is not to say that the group shouldn’t focus on smaller-scope issues, too.
“I think small-potato issues like gender-neutral housing are another opportunity to promote LGBT equality at the university level.”
