Video: Mayoral Forum for the LGBT Community

Please enjoy this video of the October 29 Mayoral Forum for the LGBT Community. NCTV will rebroadcast it today at 2:30pm on Channels 12 and 15, and again on Monday at 9:00am on the same channels.



The debate was covered in The Rainbow Times:

...Bardsley, a gay man who has been a visible figure in the LGBT community for many years, began with a recollection of a gathering of LGBT and allied people in 1995, after voters repealed the city's non-discrimination ordinance.

“We were united because we felt we had a common enemy and our rights had been attacked,” Bardsley said. "Now here we are 15 years later and circumstances are different. The LGBT community - not so much the T part, but the LGB part of the community has become much more integrated and the T community has made some strides, with many more to go."

Bardsley differentiated himself from Narkewicz as someone with a long history of working with the LGBT community as it struggled for civil rights. He also noted that despite Northampton's recent history as a haven for LGBT people seeking acceptance and rights, other forces have made it more challenging for them.

“Many middle class people and families - both LGBT and straight - are finding Northampton to be an increasingly difficult place to live.”