North Carolina Representative Comes Out as Bisexual in Response to HB 2

Sometimes it takes an act of hate and intolerance to foster love and acceptance, even within oneself.

For State Representative Cecil Brockman, it took the extreme bigotry of North Carolina House Bill 2 - the one forcing transgender individuals to use whatever restroom corresponds with the gender on their birth certificate - to give him the last push he needed to come out as bisexual.

"It was incredibly frustrating to hear people who have very ignorant opinions," said Brockman (D-Guilford) in an interview with the News & Record, "because very few of these people know a member of the LGBT community."

When the law was passed that allowed ministers and officials to opt out of performing same-sex marriages based on religious beliefs was passed, Brockman stood up and apologized to the gay and lesbian couples of North Carolina, before being silenced by House Speaker Tim Moore.

"I always felt that I tried to stick up for the LGBT community, even when I wasn't 'out,'" said Brockman. "I want to do more of my part, to be stronger and admit to the world that I'm actually a member of this community as well."

Brockman already has a lengthy political past behind him, and wants to help the LGBT people of North Carolina and the country moving forward. "I want people to recognize that members of the LGBT community are your sons and daughters, your aunts and uncles," he said. "You can't turn away from those members of the community. It's important for me as a black person to stand up for the black community, as well as stand up for the GLBT community. I'm a part of both communities, and I want to push my community to be more tolerant and accepting."

Watch a past profile of Brockman below.