HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Tuesday evening, an online forum discussed issues that plague the LGBT+ community and local candidates were in the hot seat to speak out. The forum was put together by Rocket City Rainbow and other groups.
Moderators representing local LGBT+ organizations, asked pre-submitted questions from the community to local leaders and candidates during the live-stream.
Each candidate was asked if they would support the addition of the terminology "sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity" to the city's non-discrimination ordinance.
Here are some responses from those on the ballot for Huntsville Mayor:
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle says in response, “I hate it that we would have to have a law to enforce that. I hate it that we would have to have a special laws to enforce that. I would hope that out of the rightness of our hearts, the goodness of our hearts-- being who we are as a community-- we would be able to enforce that without having to have special legislation.
Andy Wolosyzn, candidate for Huntsville Mayor, says, “Yes, 100 percent. And I don’t know if it goes far enough. We need to be able to have an ordinance. We need to have legislation that protects you no matter who you are in terms of your gender, your sexuality and your personhood.”
Organizers say, the focus of the forum is to shed a light on LGBTQIA+ issues.
Those who spoke during the forum were as follows:
- Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle
- Francis Akridge, Huntsville City Council
- Bill Kling, Huntsville City Council
- Jocelyn Broer, Madison City Council
- Marc Highsmith, Candidate Madison Mayor
- Andy Wolosyzn, Candidate, Huntsville Mayor
Other organizations involved include GLSEN Greater Huntsville, AshaKiran, Rocket City Pride, Trans Family Support System, PFLAG Huntsville, the Knights and Orchids Society, TKO and more.
Here's the link to the livestream of the forum.
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