Newly-elected as president of the Detroit City Council, Charles Pugh has not hesitated to take a stand on pressing LGBT concerns, such as treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS.  Pugh, speaking at an event sponsored by Housing Works, called the state of HIV/AIDS in Detroit an “emergency” and a “crisis.”  Pugh has promise to be a demanding voice in the call for more care, according to the Michigan Messenger:

Pugh said perhaps the city needs to be “a squeaky wheel” to get the attention needed to address the epidemic, but he also said he will be a “noisy voice.”

“Maybe the wrong people are part of this epidemic,” Pugh said, referring to the lack of political access of those infected and affected by the disease in Detroit. “I have the ear of the mayor. I have the ear of the mayor. I can have greater access to them, that is where you take the opportunity to say we need more funding.”

(via Towleroad)

Victory Fund-endorsed candidate Charles Pugh, who could become Detroit’s first openly gay city councilmember, finished first among more than 160 candidates in last night’s primary, a remarkable feat for a first-time candidate.  The primary reduced to 18 the number of candidates who will compete for nine at-large council seats on November 3rd.

“I’m humbled by one vote. I’m humbled by any vote. If we made the top 18, I would be happy,” Pugh told the Detroit News.

Learn more about Charles Pugh and how you can help him win in November here.

Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) has endorsed Charles Pugh for Detroit City Council’s August 4 primary election, according to The Detroit News.  Rep. Conyers made the announcement on behalf of the Democratic Party of the 14th congressional district, which represents the City of Detroit and surrounding areas.

Victory Fund endorsee Charles Pugh has already secured the endorsement of outgoing city councilwoman Sheila Cockrel, who has announced that she thinks Charles is the best person to replace her.

If Charles is elected, he will become the first openly LGBT person elected to the city council of Detroit, a top 50 U.S. city.

For more information on Charles Pugh’s candidacy, click here.