In June, speaking to a church audience, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson referred to homosexuality and transgenderism as "filth."  And as if to emphasize the hatred he has for any member of the LGBTQ community, he repeated his verbal attack of filth multiple times and dared any who disagreed to challenge him face to face.

So here is our face to face challenge Mr. Robinson.  Our sons and daughters are the ones you refer to as filth.  And such a proclamation makes it clear you are unfit for your job - a job that requires you to represent ALL citizens in our state, regardless of their gender identity or sexual preference.

Like many minorities in this country, our LGBTQ brothers and sisters have faced years of abuse, mistreatment, hatred, and violence.  It is shocking that any civil servant would engage in such an open attack on those who are unlike them - all the more so by an African American man who should know well what it feels like to be marginalized, dismissed, and mistreated by others.

We further call on the NC Republican Party to stand up and speak out against this vicious hate speech by a member of their own party.