N.C. Policy Watch invites you to a special Crucial Conversation luncheon:
Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts: Why the General Assembly should not repeal my city’s nondiscrimination ordinance
In this most volatile of election years, there have been a lot of efforts by cynical politicians to manipulate voters with misinformation regarding important issues. Here in North Carolina, however, it will be difficult to top the efforts by state leaders to misrepresent and disparage the city of Charlotte’s new nondiscrimination ordinance.
As multiple news outlets have reported, their most prominent tactic has been to assert that a provision in the ordinance that allows transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity is somehow a threat to children and will open the door to sexual predators.
As Chris Fitzsimon recently noted:
“It’s nonsense of course. As you have read here before, roughly 250 local governments across the country, including Columbia, South Carolina, have similar rules in place and there haven’t been any problems….But this isn’t about evidence or public safety. It is about politics, rallying the far-right religious base with a divisive social issue.”
According to multiple reports, the General Assembly may even call itself into special session prior to its scheduled April 25 return to overturn the ordinance.
Join us as we discuss this important issue with an elected leader at the center of the battle: Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts.
Mayor Roberts was raised in Charlotte, and now she and her husband, Manley, are also raising their two children there as well. During her professional career, she has worked as a diplomat for the US Department of State, serving in the Dominican Republic as a consular officer and then as a political officer on the Mexico Desk.
During her years in Charlotte, Roberts has been Director of the Mayor’s International Cabinet, a lending officer in International Corporate Banking at First Union, and executive director of the Charlotte World Affairs Council. She has also served on the Mecklenburg County Commission as a member and chairperson. She was elected Mayor in 2015.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from this important leader on this controversial matter.
When: Tuesday, March 29 at noon — Box lunches will be available at 11:45 a.m.
Where: North Carolina Association of Educators Building, 700 South Salisbury St, in downtown Raleigh
Parking is plentiful at this venue, but space for the event itself is limited – preregistration is required.
Cost: $10, admission includes a box lunch.
Questions?? Contact Rob Schofield at 919-861-2065 or rob@ncpolicywatch.com