Equality Council Member Profile: Angela & Melrose Haas

Angela & Melrose Haas

Angela & Melrose Haas (formerly Melrose Edwards) were married in Toronto, Canada, on March 26, 2008, partly as a result of their commitment to Equality North Carolina. Their thinking was that if they were going to step up to be advocates for equality, then they should go all the way and also get married for equality. Marriage has given them what they needed, what everyone needs:  a sense of security, well-being, and pride that they’ve come so far. Whenever we see Melrose and Angela now, they’re always smiling. They’ve been together for thirteen years and their happiness seems complete.

Angela says, “Marriage for us was about the recognition of our commitment to each other, and our desire to have that commitment recognized by all, just as any other marriage would be. Also, as dedicated contributing members of society, we feel that we have a right to have our marriage recognized for what it is—no more, no less.”

Angela and Melrose are very clear about why they have become major supporters of Equality North Carolina. Angela doesn’t hesitate to say it’s because of the Equality Conference & Gala and because we focus on the right issues and won’t back down, especially on bullying. She says she feels safe knowing we’re fighting to make North Carolina a better place for our LGBT community, and that we’ve held back a constitutional amendment against marriage equality for the past five years.

Melrose feels the same way and adds that it’s important to her to make sure her support for equality is reflected in everything she does, from teaching her nephew about compassion and tolerance to making sure her business vendors support LGBT equality. She’d also like to see us receive more support from allies.

Melrose and Angela live in Raleigh with their dog Marshall and spend a lot of time with Melrose’s nephew. He’s reached adolescence and they’re proud to act as another set of parents for him. “It really does take a village,” Melrose says.

Angela is the senior partner and Melrose is the office manager at Haas McNeil & Associates, PA, a longtime corporate supporter of Equality North Carolina. Haas McNeil is a law firm dedicated to serving families, with a primary focus on family law and estate planning and administration. Haas McNeil will be a major sponsor for the 2008 Equality Conference & Gala—look for Angela and Melrose there!