Connie J. \fetter
Attorney
&L
Counsellor at Law
CJVLaw.com
704-333^4000
1208 The Plaza
Charlotte
Photo Credit:
Catch Light Studio
Oeorge Lainis
er nea ' ; enoi; English Titles
Tickets start at $15
SINGLE TICKETS
^ Opera
Caeduna
operacaroiina.org
WELLS
FABO0
The Private Bank
4 qnotes April 12-25.20l3
staff editorial
Local leaders' silence speaks volumes on historic day
Tuesday, March 26,2013, was one of
the most important days in history for LGBT
people, as the U.S. Supreme Court heard a
case on marriage equality for the first time.
We at qnotes were naturally curious and
reached out to local officials shortly before
noon on that day to see where they stood on
marriage equality and the two historic cases
in front of the Supreme Court.
By around 6:30 p.m. that evening, we
received just four statements from the 21
elected officials we contacted.
Per usual, the first response was
from Republican Mecklenburg County
Commissioner Bill James, known for his
conservative, anti-LGBT leanings. Supportive
remarks were issued by County Commission
Chairwoman Pat Cotham and at-large
Charlotte Councilmembers Claire Fallon and
Beth Pickering.
While Mayor Anthony Foxx made no
statement, his press secretary did; “Mayor's
unavailable for comment today. Sorry!"
After a follow-up the next day, the response
from Foxx's office was even blunter: "No
comment."
Where were your LGBT-friendly elected
officials? Even after a second request, no
new responses were received. The city's
first and only openly gay or lesbian elected
official, Charlotte Councilwoman LaWana
Mayfield, also made no effort to issue a state
ment of support for LGBT people to qnotes.
Neither did longtime ally and Councilmember
Patsy Kinsey.
A pattern of silence has emerged time
and time again when this newspaper tries to
reach out to those officials this community
has so loyally supported year in and year out,
election after election.
It's important to note one singular excep
tion. The elected representative who has
without fail responded to this newspaper's re
quest for comment is Bill James. Fie is either
the first or the only local official to respond
when this newspaper seeks comment on the
LGBT issues we report in our community.
It's unfortunate that the only consistent
conversation from elected officials that
^nofes receives is from its most strident foe.
For years, LGBT community members
have supported many of the individuals who
currently sit on our city council and county
commission. On such an important, historic
day, what do we get for those years of sup
port — in money, in volunteer campaign time,
in our votes? Silence.
What a sad, sad commentary, indeed.::
qpoll
Do you think it is appropriate for elected leaders
who have routinely wooed LGBT voters to
remain silent or refuse to vote on important
matters of LGBT equality?
• Yes, paternalistic leaders should expect queers, like
children, to be seen only and not heard.
• Yes, my LGBT campaign cash only buys access to handshaking and parties
not to full equality under the law.
• No, candidates who take LGBT money and votes should be held
accountable to their constitutents.
• No, candidates who promise to be "straight allies" should learn the
definition of "ally."
• I don't care as long^as gay bars aren't raided, Grindr still functions properly
and I can still get my picture taken with the mayor.
Vote online at goqnotes.com/to/qpoll
The only cleaners that gives you
airline miles or cash back.
Earn miles for your next trip!
Join our rewards program on your next visit.
Serving your community since 1964.
3221 Monroe Rd. • Charlotte, NC .
704-332-5638