14
Politics
Q-NOTES • SEPTEMBER 24.2005
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Making an LGBT impact on the elections
N.C. Stonewall Democrat Rep
shares insight
by David Moore
Q-Notes staff
Since the presidential elections in
2004, many LGBT voters in both the
Republican and Democratic parties have
been particularly apathetic. Over the
course of time, however, we’ve seen a
resounding bounce back from gays and
lesbians, as they’ve become more politi
cally active in both states.
Actions from S.C. LGBT activists are at
an all-time high (see S.C. News Notes on
pg. 12) as gay amd lesbian residents and
their supporters prepare to battle a dis
criminatory anti-gay marriage bill.
In Charlotte, gay and lesbian residents
recently experienced a decided victory
when the Mecklenburg County Com
mission overwhelmingly supported adding
a sexual orientation non-discrimination
clause to the county’s employment policy.
Clearly, energies are running high and
motivation is in the air. Think it’s time for
you to get involved?
“One of the most important things is to
get active in your precinct,” says N.C.
Stonewall Democrats Representative
Rebecca Braswell. “When I went to my
precinct I brought two proposals — one
was a proposal about appealing DOMA
and another was about hate crimes legis
lation. It was an hour or two out of my
evening, but those two proposals were
sent to Durham county and passed. If a
small number of gay people show up at
their precinct, then we can pass these
things. That’s where the resolutions start
and I think that’s the most important place
for us to start.”
According to Braswell, by motivating a
substantial gay presence to your neighbr-
hood pirecinct — it makes it much easier to
appoint an LGBT delegate to go to the
county convention — where you elect your
state executive committee.
And it can’t be said enough — if you’re
not registered to vote — it’s time to do so.
Although it may be too late to vote in area
primaries, it’s not to late to register to vote
in the November elections.
If you’re already registered, volunteer to
help register those
that aren’t.
“You can run
your own voter reg
istration right in your
neighborhood,” says
Braswell.
Places like retail
stores and shop
ping centers —
wherever large
numbers congre
gate — are often
advantageous. “As
long as the property owner is agreeable to
it,” adds Braswell.
“You can get a North Carolina Voter
Registration Guide at the N.C. Democratic
Party site,” Braswell explains, and learn
how to register potential voters. The web
site address is www.ncdp.org.
N.C. Stonewall
Democrat Rep.
Rebecca Braswell
Election Dates
Charlotte primary elections are Sept. 27, general election follows Nov. 8
Raleigh General election Nov. 8
s.
Chapel Hill general election Nov. 8
Durham general election Nov. 8
If your town or city is not included here contact your local voter registrar's office.
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