At Charlotte's LGBT Welcome Party

Last night I attended Unity Charlotte, a rather swank welcoming party for the hundreds of LGBT delegates and activists attending the DNC. In the house were many boldface names such as former HRC head Joe Solmonese, former Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Brian Ellner, Clinton White House advisor Richard Socarides, New York Assemblyman Harry Bronson, Q Notes editor Matt Comer, and Stonewall Democrats president Jerame Davis and his partner, Bilerico founder Bil Browning.

We were welcomed by Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, who opened by denouncing Amendment One before ticking off Charlotte's accomplishments in LGBT rights, including the recent adoption of domestic partner benefits. Entertainers included disco queen Kristine W, lesbian comic Suzanne Westenhoefer, the Charlotte Pride Woodwind Quintet, and the local gay chorus. Great night and I got to meet a lot of JMG readers! Big thanks to my longtime San Francisco pal Ron Vereen for fetching me from the wilds of rural South Carolina. Hit the slideshow for more names and faces. Full screen photos here.