Queer Activists and DNC Delegates Party Down at LGBT Welcome Party

Photo Credit: Matt Comer, Q-Notes

The Democratic National Convention kicks off this week in Charlotte, NC and as usual, the gays show everybody how it's done. "Unity Through Community" was the theme at last night's welcome party held at the North Carolina Dance Theatre in Uptown Charlotte.

Q-Notes' Matt Comer reports:

Among the guests were recognizable names like former Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, Democratic National Committee Treasurer Andy Tobias, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis and his partner Bil Browning of Bilerico.com. Also present was Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer and several Human Rights Campaign board members including Meghan Stabler. And, according to blogger Joe Jervis, other big names in the LGBT community were also present, including former Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Brian Ellner and Clinton White House advisor Richard Socarides.

On the local front, openly gay Charlotte City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield and openly gay Chapel Hill, N.C., Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt attended the party, as did openly gay North Carolina state Rep. Marcus Brandon and Charlotte City Councilmember Patsy Kinsey, who represents one of the most diverse and gayest districts in the city. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, popular with LGBT voters, welcomed those in attendance to the city.

Unfortunately, yours truly had to work. I'm not exactly at the top of anyone's guest list, but the good news is that I have been in touch with Bil Browning, Editor-in-Chief of The Bilerico Project. We're trying to schedule some time to meet up later in the week. Bill has been a big supporter of this here blog thingy and has posted several of my articles over the years. It will be a real thrill to finally meet Bil and Jerame. Talk about your gay power couple! Naturally, I'll tell you all about it right here.

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