DNC Hosts LGBT Welcome Party

As Obama gets ready to take the stage this week, the convention puts the spotlight on gay issues

As Charlotte, N.C., heats up in anticipation of Pres. Obama’s speech this week, the Democratic National Convention kicked off with an LGBT welcome party. More than 1,000 people attended on Sunday, according to reports. Organized by Unity Through Community, the party was held at the North Carolina Dance Theatre, a few blocks from the official convention site.

Quite a few notables were spotted, including HRC President Joe Solmonese and Clinton White House advisor Richard Socarides.

Charlotte itself is becoming a more LGBT-friendly city in recent years, according to Unity Through Community. “The city has a strong diverse heritage, reflected in part by the growing LGBT population,” says the group. “Same-sex domestic partners are among North Carolina’s fastest growing demographic groups. Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, same-sex couples jumped 68 percent, from 11,052 to 27,250.”

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