Hagan staffer to lead Equality NC

North Carolina's gay and lesbian advocacy group Equality NC has named Chris Sgro, a senior staffer to U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, as its new executive director.

Sgro currently serves as Hagan's director of economic development. Before that, according to a release from Equality NC, he worked on Hagan's campaign, as well as that of former state Sen. Don Vaughn, D-Guilford. He also worked with CARE, a national anti-poverty group.

The Greensboro political operative replaces former executive director Stuart Campbell, who led the group during its losing 2012 battle against the state's constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions.

Equality NC is gearing up for a court battle against the amendment, and Sgro acknowledged the challenging political environment in his statement.

“Equality NC has much work to do in order to protect and secure the rights of LGBT citizens across this state, but North Carolina has long stood as a beacon of equality and fairness in the South, and with fresh leadership and resolve, I know it can be done," he said in the release. "Alongside our talented staff and dedicated board, I am ready to lead Equality NC in our unflinching fight to make the Old North State a state of equality."  

Sgro lives in Greensboro with his partner, Ryan Butler.