South Raleigh News

Governor Roy Cooper hosted a Pride Month reception at the Executive Mansion today to honor LGBTQ+ pioneers who have been at the forefront of the fight for equal rights for decades. The Governor was joined by legislators, representatives from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, and other LGBTQ+ activists.

“In North Carolina, our diversity is our strength," said Governor Cooper. “Our LGBTQ+ community makes our state stronger, and in this Pride month we lift up the early pioneers who have for decades led the charge for acceptance and equality. In the face of hateful rhetoric, legislation and even violence, we must all continue their efforts."

“The LGBTQ+ community here in North Carolina is strong and diverse,” said Representative Allison Dahle. “Pride Month is a time to both celebrate who we are and recommit ourselves to the fight for equality. I'm excited to join Governor Cooper today to celebrate Pride Month and our LGBTQ+ Pioneers."

“Supporting our aging population is important, including LGBTQ+ elders who face unique issues as they grow older,” said Carolina Aging Alliance Interim Director Sharon Kilpatrick. “The Carolina Aging Alliance works hard to address these challenges and we are excited to join Governor Cooper today to highlight these issues and celebrate Pride Month here in North Carolina.”

Carolina Aging Alliance is a nonprofit organization that advocates and provides services to LGBTQ+ individuals who are 50 and older. Their mission is to improve “the quality of life for all LGBTQ+ older adults through inclusion, advocacy, education, and positive social engagement.”

At the event, the Governor presented a proclamation declaring June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month to activists Mandy Carter and Allan Troxler. Carter has been an activist for over 50 years and co-founded Southerners On New Ground. Troxler has dedicated his life to advocacy and created the “Our Day Out” poster for North Carolina’s first gay and lesbian march in 1981.

LGBTQ+ elders have been at the forefront of the fight for equality for decades but now face unique challenges as they grow older. Reports show older LGBTQ+ people are at a higher risk for social isolation, discrimination, neglect, and often struggle to find competent inclusive health care.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated nationwide in June to honor the riots that took place at the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969 in New York City, commonly recognized as the birth of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Governor Cooper remains committed to making North Carolina safer and more inclusive. He has taken steps such as establishing the first Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in a North Carolina Governor’s Office.

In 2017, he issued Executive Order No. 24 prohibiting discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity within his administration. This order also established the NC Commission on Inclusion which advises policies promoting inclusion while addressing discrimination.

In 2019, Executive Order No. 97 banned state funding for conversion therapy for minors.

In 2023, Executive Order No. 280 directed action towards building an age-friendly state with initiatives like "All Ages, All Stages NC: A Roadmap for Living and Aging Well" planning process aimed at addressing needs of North Carolina’s growing diverse aging population.

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