The Unseen History: 5 Shocking Facts About Chad Turner, Charlotte's Controversial LGBT+ Leader
Contents
The Public Record: A Full Biography and Professional Profile
The public and professional life of Chad Turner, often cited as Chad Sevearance-Turner, is characterized by significant leadership roles within the Charlotte and Carolinas business communities, particularly in the realm of LGBTQ+ advocacy.- Full Name: Chad Eugene Turner (Also known as Chad Sevearance-Turner, formerly Chad Sevearance)
- Primary Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
- Current Professional Role (as of late 2025): President & CEO of the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CLGBTCC)
- Past Professional Experience: High-level Human Resources (HR) executive and consultant with over seventeen years of progressive experience.
- Key Civic Appointments: Appointed to the Charlotte City Council’s Citizens Review Board.
- Recognition: Named "Person of the Year" by Qnotes Carolinas in 2015.
- Controversial Recognition: Was a recipient of the Harvey Milk Award from Charlotte Pride, which was later removed or rescinded following public backlash.
- Legal History: Registered sex offender in North Carolina. Convicted in 1998 for fondling a teenage boy while serving as a youth minister in another state.
Fact 1: The Dual Identity—Chad Turner and the 1998 Conviction
The most defining and controversial aspect of Chad Turner's public record is his past legal history, which involves a sex offense conviction from 1998. This conviction occurred when Turner, then known as Chad Sevearance, was 20 years old and serving as a youth minister. The offense involved fondling a teenage boy, a crime that resulted in him being classified as a registered sex offender in North Carolina after he relocated to the state. This dual reality—the respected CEO of a major regional chamber of commerce and a registered sex offender—is the core reason for the sustained public scrutiny. The status is permanently tied to his name, often appearing in political attack ads and news reports, despite his subsequent career achievements and advocacy work within the Charlotte community.Fact 2: Leading the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce
Despite the controversy, Chad Turner has maintained a powerful and visible leadership role in the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CLGBTCC), serving as its President and CEO. His tenure has been marked by significant growth for the organization, including the unveiling of a new building and expansion of its influence across the Carolinas. The Chamber’s mission is to promote economic advancement and parity for the LGBTQ+ business community. Turner’s leadership was particularly prominent during efforts to pass a newly expanded Charlotte city ordinance that provided legal protections for gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals. This advocacy work placed him directly in the center of the state’s political battles over LGBTQ rights and local non-discrimination laws.Fact 3: The Political Firestorm in the NC Attorney General Race
Chad Turner's history was weaponized during the highly contested 2024 North Carolina Attorney General race, creating a major political controversy. Republican candidate Dan Bishop targeted his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson, by claiming Jackson had "embraced" Turner, a convicted sex offender. The controversy stemmed from Jackson’s alleged association or friendship with Turner, who was a prominent local LGBTQ leader. This political attack, centered on the sensitive nature of Turner's past, demonstrates how public figures with controversial histories can become unwilling pawns in broader electoral battles, regardless of their current professional contributions. The NC Values Coalition was among the groups that publicly responded to the reports, keeping the issue in the news cycle.Fact 4: The Charlotte Pride and City Council Appointment Backlash
Turner's public profile has also led to internal community and civic controversies within Charlotte. In 2023, Charlotte Pride faced massive backlash for naming Turner as a recipient of the prestigious Harvey Milk Award. The award, meant to honor significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, was ultimately rescinded by Charlotte Pride, who announced there would be no recipients for the Harvey Milk Award, Stonewall Award, or Legacy Award that year. Furthermore, his appointment by the Charlotte City Council to the Citizens Review Board also drew sharp criticism from various groups who argued that a registered sex offender should not hold a position of public trust on such a body. These incidents underscore the deep divisions within the community regarding the concept of rehabilitation and the appropriateness of public roles for individuals with sensitive criminal records.Fact 5: Conflicting Narratives on His Leadership Tenure
A key point of confusion for the public has been the stability of Chad Turner's position at the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber. Older reports from 2016 indicated he had "stepped down" from his role as president following the initial public revelation and criticism of his sex offense status. However, current and recent information from the CLGBTCC and news outlets confirm that he is, in fact, the President & CEO. This suggests either a return to the role after a period of absence or a transition to the CEO position after his initial presidency, indicating that the organization and its board have continuously supported his leadership despite the enduring public relations challenges. His commitment to transgender rights and general LGBTQ advocacy remains a consistent feature of his work in Charlotte.The Enduring Question of Redemption and Public Trust
The story of Chad Turner in Charlotte, NC, is a complex one, touching on fundamental societal questions about forgiveness, redemption, and the limits of public trust. He has been lauded as a fierce advocate and a high-level HR executive, making his mark on the allied business community landscape. Simultaneously, his past as a convicted youth minister and his status as a registered sex offender means his professional and civic achievements are constantly overshadowed by his history. The intense scrutiny and political maneuvering surrounding his name, particularly in the context of the NC Attorney General race and the Charlotte Pride awards, ensure that the discussion about Chad Turner—and the broader implications for individuals with sensitive pasts in public life—will remain a relevant, if difficult, topic in North Carolina for the foreseeable future.
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