Friends –

Today, one prong of North Carolina’s House Bill 142 officially sunsets, ending a years-long moratorium that blocked cities and towns in the state from protecting their LGBTQ residents through local nondiscrimination ordinances. 

I know that folks across North Carolina have been waiting for this day since the moment HB142 passed. I’m relieved that we’ve dismantled this barrier to equality, and now, we can continue to push forward by passing local LGBTQ protections, advocating for full repeal of discriminatory laws, and calling on state and federal lawmakers to pass LGBTQ protections. 

To mark the occasion, the Campaign for Southern Equality has teamed up with Equality North Carolina to launch NC is Ready for LGBTQ Protections (www.ncisready.org), a digital platform  through which North Carolinians can easily contact their elected leaders and voice strong support for LGBTQ nondiscrimination. Check it out – and use it to send a message to your local City Council and Mayor. 

It’s fitting that today is also Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving to nonprofits and causes like ours. Donations from supporters like you is what helps to fuel our daily work, including this latest effort in North Carolina. If you’re able to kick in a donation to support our work toward lived and legal equality for all LGBTQ Southerners, we’d be honored. Just click here. 

Today, we can finally begin writing a new chapter for LGBTQ North Carolinians, one where no one is left vulnerable to discrimination based on who they are or who they love. It’s all part of our vision of a South where every LGBTQ person can thrive without leaving their hometown.

Take a look at the NC is Ready action hub here, and, if you can, donate to our work here. 

Thank you for all you do,
Allison Scott
Campaign for Southern Equality