Matt Comer over at InterstateQ has a thoughtful open letter to the DNC on the topic of bringing the 2012 convention to Charlotte. An initial point:
The Democratic National Convention stands to bring countless numbers of LGBT Americans to our city. It is an event for a political party whose ideals of equality and inclusion are rarely, if ever, taken to heart by our own local Democratic Party leaders.
And summation:
The local LGBT community would be given the chance to highlight our own achievements and successes (however small they might be). The convention might also give us the inspiration we need to continue fighting for full equality, respect and recognition in local government. Hopefully, that same inspiration might push local Democratic leaders to stand up with real political courage and advocate for full equality.
In short, Charlotte needs the Democratic National Convention: the attention it brings, the people it brings, the party activists and insiders it brings, and especially the LGBT delegates, candidates and elected officials it brings. No doubt, the convention might bring to the Queen City more openly LGBT, politically-active and -aware people than we’ve ever seen here. All of this will combine to make our beloved city better and more inclusive of all its citizens, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Fair enough. But I was disappointed that Matt did not address the Andrew Reyes episode, which just happens to be a topic in this month’s Charlotte magazine. Reyes’ fraud, flake-out, and eventual conviction made local Dems extremely leery of aligning themselves too closely with local gay activists and issues. Maybe it should not have, but when you go from the Mecklenberg County Democratic Party chair to fugitive, it understandably did.
Still, I found it interesting to read a case for a political convention becoming a linchpin for broader activism and civic change beyond the one-week media circus.