New Orleans will see a major gathering of candidates and community members this weekend as LGBTQ+ advocates bring together contenders for the upcoming municipal elections. The event, taking place on Saturday, September 6, at 11 a.m. at McDonough 35 High School Auditorium, offers voters a rare opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to lead the city on how they will support and protect vulnerable communities.
The forum is free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend and ask questions that matter most to them. Organizers say the forum is designed to give LGBTQ+ residents and allies a chance to engage with candidates on issues of inclusivity, equity, and safety in New Orleans.
Confirmed participants include a wide range of candidates across the ballot. Mayoral hopefuls Royce Duplessis, Renada Collins, Richard “Ricky” Twiggs Jr., and Eileen Carter will all take the stage. City Council races are also well represented, with Matthew Willard, Delisha Boyd, and Matt Hill appearing in the At-Large District I contest, while Gregory Manning and Kenneth Cutno are confirmed for At-Large District II. District A voters will hear from Aimee McCarron, Bob Murrell, Holly Friedman, Alex Mossing, and Bridget Neal. In District C, candidates Kelsey Foster and Jackson Kimbrell will participate, while Belden “Noonie Man” Batiste and Leilani Heno are confirmed for District D. District E will feature a crowded field including Cyndi Nguyen, Jason Hughes, Willie Morgan, Danyelle Christmas, Richard Bell Sr., and Jonathan Anthony Roberts.
The ballot’s other major races will also be represented. Assessor candidates Casius Peeler III, Coreygerard Dowden, and Erroll G. Williams are confirmed, while the sheriff’s race will feature Ernest Lee, Bob Murray, Edwin M. Shorty Jr., Chief Michelle Woodfork, and current Sheriff Susan Hutson.
The forum is being organized with the support of several advocacy groups, including Black Pride NOLA, Forum for Equality, Gulf South LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, HRC Louisiana, Louisiana Trans Advocates, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, and The Pride Center. Together, these organizations represent a wide spectrum of advocacy, from voter empowerment to trans rights, business equity, and community celebration.
Organizers note that the stakes are high for this year’s municipal elections. With ongoing hostilities from both federal and state governments, the forum is a chance for voters to learn who is prepared to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ residents and ensure that New Orleans remains a welcoming city.
