Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle and Alderman Damon Seils are two of the few openly LGBT elected officials across North Carolina.

The Carrboro leaders were two of 156 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elected officials who signed an open letter to President-elect Donald Trump on Friday ahead of Trump’s inauguration.

The letter begins congratulating Trump on his election before asking him to join them in “embodying the highest ideals of our great and diverse nation.”

“More than 300 million Americans depend on you to bring our nation together,” the letter continues.

The elected officials wrote asking that Trump “deescalate the hostility and intolerance expressed by a small but vocal minority throughout the election season.”

The letter also asks Trump to appoint individuals with “inclusive policy solutions that aim to better the lives of all Americans. And we ask you declared full support of LGBT equality.”

The signees wrote that their concern is “not unfounded” saying the “historic gains” regarding LGBT equality are “recent and vulnerable.”

The letter concluded that the elected officials will hold the Trump administration accountable for actions that infringe upon the rights and opportunities of LGBT citizens.

Carrboro’s Lavelle and Seils were two of four North Carolina elected officials who signed the letter.

You can read the full letter via the Victory Institute here.

Lavelle spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck about the letter on Friday. Listen to the conversation below:

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