Post submitted by Stephen Peters, former Senior National Press Secretary and Spokesperson

Today, HRC; Equality NC, the statewide organization working for LGBTQ equality; and the Mecklenburg LGBT Political Action Committee (MeckPAC) announced their endorsement of Vi Lyles for mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Vi Lyles is committed to building a stronger community and advancing equality for LGBTQ Charlotteans,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “With the experience and vision needed to move the Queen City forward, Vi Lyles is the clear choice for fair-minded voters in the race for mayor this November.”

“Vi Lyles has reaffirmed her commitment to being both an ally and an advocate for LGBTQ people in Charlotte," said Equality NC Interim Executive Director Matt Hirschy. “Vi Lyles has a vision of making Charlotte a welcoming and inclusive city for all. Her experience on the city council and her tireless drive to move Charlotte forward make her the right choice. Equality NC is proud to endorse Vi Lyles for Mayor of Charlotte.”

“MeckPAC is proud to stand with Vi Lyles in her historic mayoral bid,” said Jamie Hildreth of MeckPAC. “Lyles has a proven record of supporting the LGBT community at every turn and we are confident that we can continue to advance LGBT equality in Charlotte with Lyles in the mayoral office.”

Vi Lyles is committed to passing fully-inclusive, commonsense non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ residents and visitors in Charlotte. After city lawmakers passed LGBTQ non-discrimination protections in February 2016, anti-LGBTQ state lawmakers viciously ripped away those protections through the now infamous HB 2 and its similarly discriminatory replacement HB 142. While other major southern cities like Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; Jackson, Mississippi; and Birmingham, Alabama have these critically important protections in place, Charlotte remains one of the largest cities in the country without them.

Lyles has over 40 years of public service leadership experience in Charlotte, including 30 years of work for city government. She has also been endorsed by the Black Political Caucus, Democracy for America, the Charlotte Post, and the Charlotte Observer.