New video ads feature a North Carolina couple whose legal fight to have their union recognised helped bring marriage equality.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Equality NC are releasing two new video ads in North Carolina: “Hillary” and “Voting.” The ads feature Lennie Gerber and Pearl Berlin, a North Carolina couple together for a half-century, talking about what is at stake and on the ballot in this election.

In “Hillary,” Lennie talks about the historic nature of voting for Hillary Clinton: “It’s well past time for America to have a woman president, and so every single vote counts. I am voting for Hillary Clinton. No question about it.”

In “Voting,” Lennie emphasises the importance of voting to ensure the repeal of anti-LGBTQ laws like HB2 in North Carolina: “HB2 is unconstitutional. It has cost us millions and millions of dollars. Every vote counts, and you can’t say, ‘Well, my vote doesn’t count.’ It does.”

“Lennie and Pearl’s story inspires anyone who believes in the American promise of liberty and justice for all,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Because of Lennie and Pearl, and thousands of other pro-equality voters, North Carolina has the historic opportunity to elect Hillary Clinton, the first woman president, and to send Roy Cooper to Raleigh to repeal HB2.”

“Lennie and Pearl are personal heroes to me and countless LGBTQ North Carolinians,” said Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro. “This election is the most important in memory for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Tar Heels, and folks like Lennie and Pearl are working to make sure our voices are heard. We are not this – we are not HB2. We are the state of fairness and equality, and we will turn out this year like never before.”

Read more about Lennie and Pearl, their life together and their historic role in achieving marriage equality here.