Rev. Ray McKinnon

Charlotte, NC

Rev. Ray McKinnon is a Christian minister, a husband, and a father of four sons in Charlotte, NC. He is also a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, which he says deserves the protections that nondiscrimination ordinances can provide. Having spoken out against HB2 five years ago, he now invites North Carolina’s lawmakers to join him on his journey of love and acceptance. He recently shared some of his experience while speaking in support of four LGBTQ+ inclusive bills that were introduced to NC’s General Assembly in March. 

He said: “As a state, we have been on a long journey – and in the five years since HB2 and nearly 10 years since Amendment 1, I know so many North Carolinians who have opened their hearts and minds, opened their arms, and lengthened the table to include our LGBTQ+ siblings.”

“I know this to be true because I have been on my own educational journey about LGBTQ people. For years I was apathetic about my LGBTQ+ neighbors – or worse, I let my ignorance hold me up. But I am so grateful to have had the chance to turn toward understanding and affirmation.”

“I know now, what I should have always known: Every one of my neighbors deserves to be loved, deserves to be invited in. Every one of my neighbors deserves to have the protection under the law that this slate of bills promises – and I’m so excited about that. Because I have been on this journey to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly, and this set of bills does just that. It tells my siblings who are LGBTQ+, ‘we see you, we know you, we love you, and we won’t allow folks to hurt you.’

In closing, Rev. McKinnon urged his state to keep growing on this journey: “Now it’s time for North Carolina to take another big step on our evolution toward justice for LGBTQ people.I pray that we come together and close the ugly chapter of HB2 and HB142 and build a state where no one is excluded or discriminated against because of who they are or who they love – or because of their ability to be real and to be honest and to be who they are.”

The Rev. Ray McKinnon is the pastor of South Tryon Community United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC.