Atlanta
(2009-11-20)
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If past runoffs are anything to learn from, overall turnout will be low.
But this year, it's expected to be high in parts of the city where openly gay candidates are seeking office.
GRAHAM: We have several thousand members of Georgia Equality that are located in District 6, as well as in southeast Atlanta.
Jeff Graham is head of Georgia Equality, which has endorsed Alex Wan against Liz Coyle for City Council District 6, and Simone Bell against Asha Jackson for State House Representative District 58.
Georgia Equality has decided not to endorse anyone for mayor. That's because there's no consensus. The Stonewall Democrats support Reed, while a small group called GLBT ATL went for Norwood. Jeff Vierling heads that group:
VIERLING: Mary Norwood has been more direct in interacting with the local LGBT community. For instance, she actually was in the November 1st Pride Parade.
At a Norwood meet-and-greet with LGBT voters this week, the candidate's openly gay stepdaughter also spoke.
Some say they prefer Norwood, because Reed opposes gay marriage. That kind of reasoning makes no sense to Glen Freedman:
FREEDMAN: The only issue that they're talking about is marriage - the word marriage. They're not talking about anybody's stance on hate crimes, non-discrimination policy.
Freedman, a policy advisor to City Council President Lisa Borders, says Reed's voting record in the statehouse has consistently supported LGBT interests.
Reed will hold his own reception with the community at a midtown restaurant tonight.
Odette Yousef, WABE News.
© Copyright 2010, WABE
