2023 was marked by cruel attacks on LGBTQ+ equality, in both North Carolina and around the country – and now we know that 2024 is a generation-defining fork in the road for North Carolina. It will take all of us to ensure we don’t slide down the path of a dangerous and very real political extremism.
Lt. Gov Mark Robinson, the leading GOP candidate for NC Governor, is one of the most virulently anti-LGBTQ+ politicians in the United States. If he becomes Governor, North Carolina could become the new testing ground for extreme anti-LGBTQ+ policies that harm all of us.
Through Queer the Vote NC, we’ll be pushing hard to make sure every single LGBTQ+ person and ally in NC gets to the polls to vote for our rights – and for a North Carolina where every single person can thrive.
This page has everything you need for you, your friends, and your family to #QueerTheVoteNC this year.
NAVIGATE
➡️ Voter Registration Resources
➡️ What’s at Stake?
➡️ Anti-LGBTQ+ Candidates
➡️ More Ways to Get Involved
Voter Registration Resources
Are you ready to vote? If you’ve changed your address or name, or want to switch your party affiliation, you may need to update your voter registration to be able to participate in the primary.
Key Dates for the 2024 Election
- September 6th – County boards of elections begin mailing absentee ballots
- October 11th – Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.)
- October 17th – In-person early voting begins (same-day voter registration available)
- November 2nd – Early voting ends (3 p.m.)
- November 5th – Election day!
You can vote in the election on November 5th, but why wait? Early voting is a great way to make your voice heard on your schedule, and avoid potential wait times on Election Day if you won’t be able to vote until after work.
Review Your Sample Ballot
While you probably know who you want (or don’t want) to vote for in the Governor’s race, there are a lot more candidates to track for the NC House and Senate. After the 2020 Census, some districts were redrawn, which means that you may be voting for different candidates than some of your neighbors. It never hurts to check exactly who’s going to be on your ballot.
Make a Plan to Vote
Friends don’t let friends sit out important elections – especially not when LGBTQ+ rights are at stake. Research the candidates, make your plan to vote, and ask three friends to join you. You can even plan an activity together after to make it more fun!
What’s at Stake for LGBTQ+ Rights?
2023 was a horrific year for our rights here, and it’s had devastating consequences for so many North Carolinians. Arm yourself with the facts, and get ready to vote to take our rights back. Anti-LGBTQ+ laws have had consequences for the whole state. Read more about the positive impact LGBTQ+ people have on state economies, and the costs of targeting us on our blog.
2023 Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws
In 2023, state lawmakers:
- Banned medically-necessary healthcare for transgender youth (HB. 808) – trans youth and families can access support in NC through the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project.
- Barred teachers from creating LGBTQ+ inclusive classrooms by prohibiting any discussion or sexuality or gender identity. Teachers are also forced to “out” students who wish to go by different names or pronouns at school (SB. 49). Take action with us using our SB49 resources.
- Blocked young transgender people from participating in school sports (HB. 574)
What’s at Stake in 2024?
NC lawmakers are already discussing their wishlist for new anti-LGBTQ+, and the outlook is bleak. If they win, they’ll likely take a page from the national anti-LGBTQ+ playbook, which right now includes:
- Attempts to further restrict access to medical care for transgender people.
- Targeting Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion programming at colleges and universities (similar legislation passed in Texas and Florida).
- Trying to pass wildly unpopular “Bathroom Bans” – similar to HB2
Eyes on the Anti-LGBTQ+ Opposition
There are a number of candidates for local, statewide, and national offices that have said and done horrible things about LGBTQ+ people, and are threatening to target more of our rights in 2024. But one stands above the rest as homophobic, derogatory, and all-around misinformed: Lt. Gov Mark Robinson, the GOP candidate for governor.
Lt. Gov Mark Robinson is one of the most virulently anti-LGBTQ+ elected officials in the country. He stoked the flames that allowed the passage of three anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2023 and has lambasted LGBTQ+ people, women, Muslims, and Jewish people.
Some of the things he’s said about LGBTQ+ people include:
- Calling us “filth.”
- “God formed” him to fight LGBTQ+ visibility.
- We’re turning this country into a “hellhole.”
- Teachers can’t teach children how to read because “they’re trying to push homosexuality and transgenderism. That ain’t got no place in schools.”
- Trans people should “find a corner outside somewhere” to use the bathroom, and trans women should be “arrested” for using women’s restrooms.
- If “homosexuality is of god, what purpose does it serve? What does it make? What does it create? It creates nothing.” (See our economic benefits blog for the fact check)
- LGBTQ+ education on different gender identities are “lies from a pit of hell.”
This is only a snapshot of some of his incendiary commentary. Read more about his history of targeting LGBTQ+ people, powerful women, and more on our blog.
More Ways to Get Involved
Want to do more? Our friends at Equality NC and Democracy NC are organizing information hubs, phone banks, and door-knocking opportunities.
