Charlotte, NC - Tie straightened and tuxedo pressed, Ken Whittenauer is ready for the Human Right's Campaign Gala.

Whittenauer says, “There are a lot of people who understand that the LGTB community is just trying to be treated equally."

For the last 10 years the annual HRC event has been part of his routine. It's a fundraiser for the national group which promotes gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender rights.

Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts is in attendance. She says, “It's a human right's issue."

The gala hasn't always had a warm welcome from some of the city's elected officials. But times have changed.

This year's opening speaker is Mayor Anthony Foxx.

Mayor Foxx says, “The reality is that our community is much more diverse in many respects than we often give it credit for."

It is the first time a sitting mayor has welcomed the HRC to Queen City.

Charlotte's first openly gay council person says it goes beyond the mayor office.

Councilwoman LuWana Mayfield says, “Look at the opportunities that we've had with business. Look the fact that we are still considered a banking capital. Our major banks offer domestic benefits packages, our county offers domestic partner benefits."

Mayfield and her partner Gelisa Stitt say it's proof the city welcomes all.

Many say that's something that make the Queen City more attractive looking ahead to the DNC.

2012 HRC Carolina Co-Chair Dan Mauney says, “I think all eyes are on Charlotte and I think that social issues are our issues."

But for Ken Whittenauer and his partner Russ Leciejewski it's not about politics, it's about feeling at ease in the community they love.

Whittenauer says, “It feels like we are very much a part of the main stream in Charlotte."

More than 1400 attended the gala.

Its success comes months before North Carolina votes on its controversial Amendment One.

It would define marriage between only one woman and only one man.