Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx made a special visit in uptown yesterday. No, it wasn't as an invited guest to the National Rifle Associations’ annual meeting being held in the Charlotte Convention Center.

He was keynote speaker at the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund's “3rd Annual Happening" luncheon, held at the Omni Hotel.

Foxx’s appearance at the event was the first time a local elected official has attended the luncheon and the first time a Charlotte mayor has addressed any LGBT group in over a decade, according to QNotes, a twice-monthly gay and lesbian publication. Former Mayor Pat McCrorey was noted for not attending gay-lesbian events.

Fox, who attended with his wife, Samara, talked candidly about what it was like to experience racial discrimination while in high school and college. He said being excluded makes you aware of the hatred in the world and that he hoped his attendance would "eliminate the low bar of having to feel our elected officials will show up at a luncheon."

He says he supports the group's philanthropic efforts in helping to make the Charlotte community more inclusive.

He told Qcitymetro.com: "I want Charlotte to be strong, vibrant, connected and sustainable. In order to accomplish that, we have to have every single person working towards they same goal, and that includes the lesbian and gay community."

The CLGF was created to raise money for nonprofit organizations that serve the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The fund also works to build alliances with non-gay sectors of the Charlotte community.

As for the NRA, which is expected to draw 70,000 conventioneers to the Qcity, including former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, Foxx said the group had not extended to him the customary request for a mayor’s letter of welcome.

Foxx called the omission “ironic.”

With 353 participants, attendance was up 40 percent from last year, something event organizers attributed, in part, to Foxx’s support.

Eric Watson, vice president of Food Lion's office of diversity and inclusion, said attending the event was important.

"To personally show up for something for someone other than yourself shows your commitment to people that aren't always able to stand up for themselves," he said.

Other city officials in attendance were: Charlotte Area Transit Systems CEO Carolyn Flowers; City Council member Patsy Kinsey; and Mecklenburg commissioners Jennifer Roberts and Dan Murrey.
 

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