Charlotte Pride: The Benhams Failed

Ten years ago the Benham brothers joined anti-gay activist Michael Brown in demanding that the Charlotte City Council ban gay pride events. David Benham: "This is filth, this is vile, and should not be allowed in our city." In more recent years I've reported on Brown's annual invasion of Charlotte Pride during which hundreds of his red-shirted Coalition Of Conscience followers march into the event with signs and promises of an eternal writhing agony in a lake of fire.

From Charlotte Pride:

Despite their best attempts — regularly coming back to protest Pride events with their father — Charlotte Pride has not been pushed into a closet and our community has not been ignored by city leaders. The Benham brothers and their family tried to silence us. They wanted us in the grave! Instead, they’ve only made us stronger, but we need your support to keep growing and to ensure no one ever tries to silence us again.

Protesters like the Benham brothers have dwindled in number each year, and Charlotte Pride has grown from just a few thousand 10 years ago to over 80,000 people over two days last year. With our success, the Benhams’ father even tried suing the city over our festival permits! But City Attorney Bob Hagemann successfully defended the city and told WFAE that Charlotte Pride is “an economic development benefit to the city and an entertainment opportunity for tens of thousands of people.

Won’t you help us? Donate directly today, or schedule your donation to coincide with National Give Out Day on May 15, when you’ll join thousands of community members just like you in supporting the LGBTQ community causes closest to your heart. Charlotte Pride isn’t dead. It hasn’t been pushed in the grave. We’ve never been denied a city permit, and our voices keep growing stronger, louder and prouder with each passing year. Let’s show the Benham brothers what true equality and community looks like. Donate today or on Give Out Day on May 15 and help make the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade and all our many future events in years to come a success on which no amount of protesters can ever put a damper.”