Qnotes May 13, 2022

LGBTQ Local News, Voices and Community

MAY 13 - MAY 26, 2022|VOL 37 NO 02 Printed On Recycled Paper

FREE

– pgs 10,12,13 &19

Qnotes launches new White House names series on labor LGBTQ Karine Jean-Pierre and workplace as Press Secretary equality – pg 9 – pg 8

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Qnotes

1

QNOTES / QNOTESCAROLINAS.COM

IS SEEKING EXPERIENCED JOURNALIST TO COVER THE ARTS, LABOR/EMPLOYMENT ISSUES, FEATURES AND NEWS WITHIN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY. CANDIDATE MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE AS A JOURNALIST/REPORTER. CANDIDATE WILL WORK REMOTELY AS A FREELANCE WRITER AND CAN BE BASED ANYWHERE IN NORTH CAROLINA. PREFERABLY IN THE TRIANGLE OR CHARLOTTE. PLEASE SEND A RESUME AND TWO SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK TO PUBLISHERQNOTESCAROLINAS.COM. Please no creative writers, product writers or poets. Thank you

_____________________________________________

QNOTES / QNOTESCAROLINAS.COM IS ALSO SEEKING A PARTTIME OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR.

ADMINISTRATOR WILL ASSIST WITH GENERAL OFFICE TASK WITH DIFFERENT BUSINESSES, EXCEL, EMAIL, SPECIAL PROJECTS AND SALES SUPPORT. PLEASE SEND COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO PUBLISHERQNOTESCAROLINAS.COM

PRINT SHOP MANAGER WANTED WOULD YOU LIKE TO OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS? MUST BE EXPERIENCED, RESPONSIBLE, HARDWORKING, SALES ORIENTED AND HAVE A FRIENDLY OUTGOING PERSONALITY. PLEASE TEXT JIM AT 7049 655214 FOR MORE INFORMATION. 2

Qnotes

May 13 -May 26, 2022

inside this issue

May 13 - May 26, 2022 Vol 37 No 2

connect

feature

qnotescarolinas.com

contributors this issue

Writers: Alex Bolinger, Bil Browning, Michael Gordon, Kendra R. Johnson, L’Monique King, Jack Kirven, David Aaron Moore, Chris Rudisill, Gregg Shapiro, Clark Simon

front page

Graphic Design by: Tommie Pressley Photography/Illustration:

Mission:

The focus of QNotes is to serve the LGBTQ and straight ally communities of the Charlotte region, North Carolina and beyond, by featuring arts, entertainment, news and views content in print and online that directly enlightens, informs and engages the readers about LGBTQ life and social justice issues.

Pride Publishing & Typesetting, Inc., dba Qnotes P.O. Box 221841, Charlotte, NC 28222 ph 704.531.9988 fx 704.531.1361 Publisher: Jim Yarbrough Sales: x201 adsales@qnotescarolinas.com Nat’l Sales: Rivendell Media, ph 212.242.6863 Managing Editor: Jim Yarbrough, x201, editor@qnotescarolinas.com Digital & Audience Engagement Editor: Chris Rudisill chrisrudisill@qnotecarolinas.com Sr. Content Editor: David Aaron Moore, specialassignments@qnotescarolinas Copy Editor: Bailey Sides Production: Tommie Pressley, x205, production@qnotescarolinas.com

Printed on recycled paper.

Material in Qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2020 and may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent of the editor or publisher. Advertisers assume full responsibility — and therefore, all liability — for securing reprint permission for copyrighted text, photographs and illustrations or trademarks published in their ads. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers, cartoonists we publish is neither inferred nor implied.

The appearance of names or photographs does not indicate the subject’s sexual orientation.

Qnotes nor its publisher assumes liability for typographical error or omission, beyond offering to run a correction. Official editorial positions are expressed in staff editorials and editorial notations and are determined by editorial staff.

The opinions of contributing writers and guest columnists do not necessarily represent the opinions of Qnotes or its staff. Qnotes accepts unsolicited editorial, but cannot take responsibility for its return. Editor reserves the right to accept and reject material as well as edit for clarity, brevity.

9 A New OUTlook 10 LGBTQ Centers of Raleigh and Durham offer much for so many

LGBTQ Centers of Raleigh and Durham Offer Much for so Many

news

5 Hearts Beat as One Board Uncovers Financial Irregularities 6 ‘Hobby Lobby’ Lawyers retained by Charlotte Catholic to appeal ruling in favor of fired Gay Teacher 6 HRC recognizes NC-Based Novant Health with multiple diversity, inclusion and equity awards 6 Former Charlotte Televangelist and PTL head Jim Bakker says Flordia anti-LGBTQ Law ‘getting preachers killed’ 7 ACLU Sues NC Dept. of Public Safety for mistreatment of trans female inmate 7 Charlotte’s LaWana Mayfield gets LGBTQ Victory Fund Endorsment 7 The Mad Madison Cawthorn Report

18

a&e

The Sounds of Pride

life

12 Local & Regional LGBTQ Community Resources 15 National LGBTQ Elders Day is May 16 16 Diet Pills Are Not the Answer, Focus on the Fundamentals 19 Our People: Smote Mote

In this special InFocus triangle issue, we take a close look at the lastest developments of the community centers of Raleigh and Durham.

PAGE 10

Our People: Smote Mote

Smote Mote is a one of a kind. They are more than a librarian, but also a lover of pets, plants, art and people.

In this article, we get an inside look at who is Smote Mote.

PAGE 19

SUBSCRIBE!

twitter.com/qnotescarolinas facebook.com/qnotescarolinas instagram.com/qnotescarolinas

These rates only cover a portion of our true cost, however, our goal is to serve our community Mailed 1st class from Charlotte, NC, in sealed envelope.

Subscription Rates:

☐ 1 yr - 26 issues = $48 ☐ 1/2 yr - 13 issues = $34

Mail to: P.O. Box 221841, Charlotte, NC 28222

______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ name:

______________________________________________________ address:

state: zip: ______________________________________________________ city:

☐ mastercard ☐ visa ☐ discover ☐ american express ______________________________________________________ credit card – check one:

______________________________________________________

card #: exp. date: signature:

views

4 The Temperature of the Far Right Attacks Just Reached an All Time High 8 White House Names LGBTQ Press Secretary

events

charlotteobserver.com/1166/ a local news partner of The Charlotte Observer

For event listings, visit qnotescarolinas.com/eventscalendar.

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Qnotes

3

views

The Temperature of the Far Right Attacks Just Reached an All Time High Op Ed

by Kendra R. Johnson, Equality NC Executive Director Contributing Writer

are outraged and we are hurting. We hope that in the coming weeks the Supreme Court reconsiders this decision. Most importantly, our community is resolute and impassioned. This will not stop our work, and it reinvigorates each of us to see progressive voices elected, and equality focused legislation on healthcare passed.

A reversal of Roe V. Wade will be devastating. Abortion would be immediately illegal in 22 states and restrictions would be implemented in a majority of states across the country. Individuals will have to move, seek dangerous treatments, or be targets of vigilante laws. These decisions and these next few months will be some of the hardest our state and country have faced. And although abortion will still be legal in North Carolina if Roe is overturned, it sends a worrying signal to a General Assembly which we know has been hostile. Last year, North Carolina legislators attempted to restrict abortion access. Now they have been given a green light by the highest court in the land.

Attacking women, trans, non-binary, and intersex people’s basic rights to safe and effective reproductive healthcare is an attack on us all. And it doesn’t stop with abortion. Civil rights laws, marriage

A

s moderate spring weather turns into the heat of summer, the temperature of the right’s attacks on basic human rights just reached an all-time high. After months of book and curriculum bans, 300 plus anti-LGBTQ bills and attempts to criminalize affirming parents of trans kids, late on Monday, April 2nd, Politico published a leaked Supreme Court opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson suit.. The sweeping and draconian opinion penned

by Justice Alito would overturn Roe v.

Wade, the legal decision that established the right to an abortion under the constitution almost 50 years ago.

While abortion is still legal, we cannot understate that this is a crisis event. The news made it clear– Roe v. Wade is under urgent legal threat. The Supreme Court seems ready to end our constitutional right to abortion to further a political agenda, rather than to extend justice.

This is a moment that many progessive voices have been warning about since 2016. It is devastating to see this news. We

equality and even the Supreme Court’s ban on prosecution for consensual same sex relations could be challenged. Bodily autonomy, already under threat from the national wave of anti-trans bills, will be further jeopardized. And we know that the harm from these bills isn’t spread evenly.

Black people, queer and trans people, poor people, and survivors of sexual violence are going to be disproportionately hurt by the removal of Roe v. Wade, and that harm will be particularly common at the intersections.

So where do we go from here? We can look to the profound tradition of work for reproductive justice. Although Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land for decades, in practice large parts of the country, particularly rural areas in red states, have been functionally post-Roe for many years. Advocates in our communities have passionately fought to fund abortions and make them more accessible.

Today, we can do the following to continue in that tradition.

I urge you to take the following actions: Donate! If you are able, donating to abortion funds and reproductive justice organizing makes a big difference!

Call! Contact your representatives and

tell them we must pass North Carolina protections for reproductive healthcare for all. Share your goals for a progressive and equitable North Carolina today!

Vote! Early voting runs until May 14.

Make sure to visit our voting hub to find an early voting location and make your voice heard by voting for one of our endorsed candidates.

Speak Up! Share your story with us.

Tell us how reproductive justice is important to you, or how it has impacted you and we can amplify your story to educate others and share with legislators.

No matter where you are today, I want to close by saying we at ENC stand alongside you. Our staff, our board, our partners and our members share your pain, and we feel your struggle. We knew this year would be hard, and we are proud to be in this fight for equality because of your support. We’re outraged. We’re hurting. We feel the heaviness and pain of the moment. But we will not stop fighting! We are not wavering–we are digging in. We ask you to take action today. Let’s send a clear message that human rights will not be trampled: they will be extended until there’s justice and equity for us all. : :

Grab a coffee, take the survey, make a difference.

Take the 16th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey

®

LGBTQsurvey.com LGBTQ research helps non-profits, universities and businesses better understand and serve our community.

Download survey results free of charge at cmi.info.

Your information is confidential, used for research purposes only.

You will not be contacted for marketing purposes.

4

Qnotes

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Proudly LGBTQ-Owned and -Operated A pioneer in LGBTQ research since 1992.

news

Hearts Beat as One Board Uncovers Financial Irregularities Letter to the Editor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Charlotte, NC - May 6, 2022.

The Board of Directors of Hearts Beat as One Foundation, Inc. (HB1) is excited about the future of the organization and continuing its good work. Since its founding, HB1 has been dedicated to making life better for our friends and neighbors in Charlotte. This vitally important work continues today and will continue so long as there is a need.

The Board is aware that recent statements may have been made by HB1's former chair about the future and status of the organization. These statements are inaccurate and do not reflect the true status of the organization or the commitment of its Board of Directors to fulfilling its mission to every person in need.

In addition to reassuring the community and those we serve about HB1's future, we also want to be transparent about our mistakes. Unfortunately, during the change in the organization's leadership, the Board uncovered financial irregularities. The Board immediately launched an investigation into these irregularities, and retained legal counsel and forensic accounting professionals to investigate the source and scope of any malfeasance. This investigation is the Board's priority and will continue until we have answers. The Board is committed to its fiduciary and legal responsibilities to HB1, our clients, donors, and partners. When this internal investigation is complete, the results will be shared with our stakeholders, and if appropriate, law enforcement authorities.

The Board and staff will continue to provide updates concerning this matter. Our work is important and we will continue to serve our community with trust, integrity, and accountability.

Thank you for your continued support!

Greg Godley – Co-Chair

Paul Kelly – Co-Chair

Hearts Beats as One Foundation Board of Directors Bethany McDonald - Executive Director Greg Godley - Co-Chair Paul Kelly - Co-Chair

Chad Turner - Vice-Chair Tracee Karlsson – Treasurer

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Qnotes

5

news ‘Hobby Lobby’ Lawyers Retained to Appeal Ruling in Favor of Fired Gay Teacher at Charlotte Catholic Catholic leaders in Charlotte have appealed a federal judge’s decision that they violated federal law when they fired a gay substitute teacher after he put his same-sex wedding plans on Facebook. The Diocese of Charlotte will rely on a religious liberty law firm to argue the case before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Becket Fund is not yet found on any filings in the Charlotte case. But Becket has added Lonnie Billard v. Catholic Diocese of Charlotte to its online portfolio, which already includes the landmark Hobby Lobby ruling and a current case before the Supreme Court involving a high school football coach who was fired in Colorado for leading midfield prayers after games.

According to the Diocese, the firm will be working for free. Luke Goodrich, one of Becket’s vice presidents and senior counsels, confirmed to The Charlotte Observer on Monday that he will serve as lead defense attorney.

In a phone interview, Goodrich said Charlotte Catholic has “a mission to pass on the faith to the next generation.” To do that, according to Goodrich, “It is essential that all teachers support that mission.”

In Charlotte Catholic’s case, he said, that includes teacher support for Catholic doctrine that marriage is reserved for a man and a woman.

Charlotte attorney Luke Largess told the Observer on Monday that Billard’s legal team is disappointed that the Diocese had appealed “but expected that they would do so.” In written and oral arguments, Largess and the other Billard attorneys said their client was not a minister and had no religious teaching duties. Thus, they said, he was protected under federal law from sexual discrimination on the job.

Billard, a former “Teacher of the Year” at Charlotte Catholic, had retired and become a substitute teacher when he announced on Facebook in October 2014 that

he planned to wed his longmajority in the 6-3 decision. time male partner. The post “An employer who fires an came two weeks after North individual for being homosexCarolina’s ban on same-sex ual or transgender fires that marriage was struck down in person for traits or actions it the Charlotte federal courts. would not have questioned in On Christmas Day that members of a different sex.” year, Billard said he learned In a statement released he’d lost his job. An assistant after the ruling, Billard said he principal at Catholic High later wished he had been allowed told him that the Diocese had to stay at Charlotte Catholic, ordered his “termination” due where he started teaching in Lonnie Billard and to his Facebook post. He sued 2001. “Today’s decision valihis husband, Rich in 2017. Billard and his husdates that I did nothing wrong Donham (Photo Credit: band, Rich Donham, are still by being a gay man,” he said.

Facebook) married. The case dragged Billard and his husband, on for years as higher courts Rich Donham, are still married. sifted through other disputes pitting reliIn a court filing, the Diocese said it will gious liberty versus take its appeal to the Supreme Court if other constitutional protections. necessary. Goodrich said the case has a In 2020, the Supreme Court issued its chance to get there. landmark decision in the Bostock case that This story appears courtesy of our meLGBTQ employees were protected from dia partner the Charlotte Observer. sexual discrimination under Title VII of the info: bit.ly/3wdegux Civil Rights Act. “The answer is clear,” con— Michael Gordon servative Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the

HRC recognizes NC-based Novant Health with multiple diversity, inclusion and equity awards Novant Health excitedly announced late last month that it has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality,” by the Human Rights Campaign and one of “America’s Best Employers for Diversity,” by Forbes for the fifth time.

“We have consciously worked to embed diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging into our organization,” said Carmen Canales, senior vice president and chief people officer, Novant Health. “We recognize that every person is different and shaped by unique life experiences, enabling us to better understand our patients, team members and the communities we serve.

Diversity, inclusion and equity are ongoing commitments, and we are honored to be recognized by both the HRC Foundation and Forbes.”

Novant Health continues to cultivate a diverse, inclusive and equitable culture by providing integration of diversity, inclusion and equity into strategic business impera-

Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the LGBTQ civil rights organization.

This is the fifth time Novant Health has tives; a strong commitment to identifying received system wide recognition. In North and eliminating health care disparities; Carolina, Novant diversity, incluHealth accounts sion and equity for nearly 80 pereducation for all cent of the state’s Novant Health facilities, garnering team memthis distinction bers (including with each of the providers); web facilities receiving chats and open perfect scores. forums to provide HRC and Forbes heap praise on NC Medical The North dialogue among provider for quality care and diversity in employCarolina Novant team members ment.

Health medical on diversity and care centers desiginclusion, health nated as “Leaders equity, COVID-19 and social injustice; and in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” are located Business Resource Groups (BRG), which are in Charlotte, Clemmons, Forsyth, Hemby, organized around a common identity such Huntersville, Kernersville, Matthews, Mint as sexual orientation and gender identity, Hill, New Hanover, Rowan County, and among others.

Thomasville. Additionally, other recognized Fourteen of Novant Health’s hospifacilities include Medical Park Hospital and tals have been recognized as “Leaders in the Presbyterian Medical Center.

LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” by the Human

Former Charlotte Televangelist and PTL Head Jim Bakker Says Florida Anti-LGBTQ Law ‘Getting Preachers Killed’ Televangelist Jim Bakker, 82, a convicted felon and Tammy Faye Bakker’s ex-husband, is claiming that Christian pastors are being murdered while ranting about Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law.

“They will kill us in our pulpits,” Bakker said on his evangelical talk and variety show. “You don’t believe me? They’re already doing it.

“They call it ‘don’t say gay’ – it’s not even true, it’s not even in the law,” Bakker said.

That’s technically correct: the bill bans discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity before fourth grade and requires such discussions be “developmentally appropriate” in older grades.

The problem is that the vague bill doesn’t define what that means exactly, and the bill’s supporters have defended it by calling LGBTQ people who come out to children “groomers.”

Moreover, instead of leaving the definitions of its terms to a government agency, the law allows parents to sue school districts if they believe the law has been

6

Qnotes

May 13 -May 26, 2022

violated, which opponents of the law say will lead to teachers being punished for allowing the kids of same-sex couples to talk about their families in class.

Either way, Bakker didn’t really discuss the law in depth. Instead, he said that Christian pastors are being killed in their pulpits. To date, there are no such recorded incidents resulting from implementation of the bill.

Christian conservatives often claim that any advance in LGBTQ equality will result in pastors being arrested and Bibles getting banned. They have made this argument in the context of marriage equality, conversion therapy bans and hate crimes legislation.

It is unclear how this applies when it comes to the Don’t Say Gay law.

In 1989, Bakker was convicted of 24 counts relating to fraud stemming from his business practices with the PTL club. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison and served less than five.

During that time, Tammy Faye divorced

Bakker, later remarrying to Roe Messner, one of PTL’s leading architects for the PTL production studio and evangelical vacation destination in Fort Mill, S.C., part of the Charlotte Metro region just across the state line.

As Tammy Faye Messner, her career rebounded, landing her in a secular gig with openly gay actor Jim J. Bullock and pairing them together as co-hosts on a comedic talk show called “Jim J. & Tammy Faye.”

Although the program was extremely successful, Bakker-Messner left the program after a single season when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was cancelled the following season.

In the years that followed, she would rebound from colon cancer, author two books, appear on reality television, become the subject of an autobiographical documentary produced by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey (World of Wonder, producers of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) called “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” and be much loved by the LGBTQ community for her open support and refusal to condemn gays and lesbians during a time when intolerance was (and has often remained) standard behavior for televangelists.

This 15th anniversary edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) marks the fifth year that participants received a numerical score based on their LGBTQinclusive policies and practices. HEI participants received scores in four criteria: foundational policies and training, LGBTQ+ patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement.

The HEI continues to show increasing growth in the number of health care institutions that are embracing and adopting LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices. A record 906 health care facilities actively participated in the survey.

Of additional note, 2022 marks the fifth consecutive year, Novant Health has been named as one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes, ranking 242nd in the nation. Of the 500 employers who made the list, only 40 are hospitals and health systems, including Novant Health. info: bit.ly/3kUoIBK — Qnotes Staff

Regrettably, she passed away July 20, 2007, when the colon cancer returned.

Former husband Jim hasn’t been so supportive of the LGBTQ community.

In 2016, he professed his belief that the United States was incurring God’s wrath because “we don’t know the difference between boys and girls” and are allowing “grown men” in girls’ restrooms, which was clearly a reference to Charlotte’s original attempt at passing an all-inclusive NDO and a pot shot at transgender people.

“I get fought on every hand if I mention anything,” Bakker muttered on “The Jim Bakker Show” recently. “And it’s gonna’ be preachers that [are] not going to be able to preach much longer, because they’ll shoot us in the pulpit. They will kill us in our pulpits.”

Bakker’s statement begs the question: Who is it he seems to believe is on a murderous rampage to kill the ministers of America?

This story appears courtesy of our media partner LGBTQ Nation. Additional content was added by David Aaron Moore. info: bit.ly/3Fs49WO — Alex Bolinger

news ACLU Sues NC Dept. of Public Safety for Mistreatment of Trans Female Inmate The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of North Carolina and Patterson Harkavy LLP filed a complaint April 28 on behalf of Kanautica Zayre-Brown, a transgender woman incarcerated at Anson Correctional Institution who is being denied essential gender-affirming health care.

Zayre-Brown has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a serious medical condition, and for several years has requested necessary treatment consistent with established medical standards. DPS officials’ pattern of inhumane treatment has caused Zayre-Brown physical health complications and extreme emotional and psychological distress, leading to thoughts of self-harm and suicide.

“Mrs. Zayre-Brown has a serious medical condition that DPS’s own health care providers have recognized requires treatment including gender-affirming surgery. But DPS continues to ignore its

constitutional obligation to provide this medically necessary care simply because she is a transgender woman,” said Jaclyn Maffetore, staff attorney with the ACLU of North Carolina.

Despite that Zayre-Brown is a woman and DPS has known about her gender dysphoria diagnosis since she entered custody, DPS housed her in male facilities for nearly two years before transferring her to Anson CI, a women’s facility where she has continued to be a target of discrimination because of her gender dysphoria.

“The discrimination, mistreatment and neglect perpetrated against Mrs. ZayreBrown is far too common for transgender people who are incarcerated,” said Taylor Brown, staff attorney for the LGBTQ & HIV Rights Project at the ACLU. “The North Carolina Department of Public Safety will now have to answer for their unlawful and discriminatory behavior, as we fight to get

Mrs. Zayre-Brown the “The North Carolina health care that she reDepartment of Public quires and is constituSafety has a duty tionally due. ACLU and of care that must our affiliate partners be exercised in the across the country, case of Mrs. Zayrewill continue to hold Brown,” said Kendra prisons accountable for R. Johnson, executive violations and deprivadirector of Equality Kanautica Zayre-Brown, a transgentions of the rights of NC. “For years, she der woman incarcerated at Anson incarcerated transgenhas been outspoken Correctional Institution is being der people.” about the mistreatdenied gender-affirming health care.

DPS’s refusal to proment, discrimination (Photo Credit: Facebook) vide necessary care for and harassment she Zayre-Brown violates has faced, and LGBTQ+ the U.S. and North Carolina constitutions, and racial justice advocates have repeatedthe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ly called for these issues to be addressed. and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The DPS’s denial of required medical care is complaint seeks damages and an injunca continual and prolonged denial of her tion requiring DPS to provide Zayre-Brown basic human rights and dignity. Equality with necessary medical care and accommoNC stand[s] behind Mrs. Zayre-Brown dations for her gender dysphoria, including and hope[s] to see compassionate care the use of gender-consistent terminology, extended to her immediately.” consistent hormone therapy maintenance info: bit.ly/3KVLiVd and gender-affirming surgery.

— Qnotes Staff

Charlotte’s Lawana Mayfield Gets LGBTQ Victory Fund Endorsement for City Council Seat The LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed 37 more out LGBTQ candidates. Victory Fund has now endorsed 274 candidates running in the 2022 midterms.

Candidates endorsed and announced April 26 include Charlotte’s own Lawana Mayfield, who is running for a third term on the Charlotte City Council, andJamie McLeod-Skinner, who is running for the U.S. House in Oregon and would become the first out LGBTQ person ever elected to

Congress from Oregon.

Candidates given Spotlight status include Ben Chou, who is running for Harris County Commission, Izzy Smith-WadeEl, who is running for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Leigh Finke, who is running for Minnesota House of Representatives, Liz Bennett, who is running for the Iowa state Senate, and Zelos Marchandt who is running for the Oregon House of Representatives. If elected, Marchandt would be the first out trans man elected to a state legislature in U.S.

The Mad Madison Cawthorn Report Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) is no stranger to scandal. But this time he may not be able to wiggle his way out of it.

Cawthorn has been a thorn in Republicans’ side since being elected, but this may make him toxic to his GOP constituents. A group has requested an ethics investigation, alleging he has an inappropriate relationship with Stephen Smith, a male staffer, who is also his third cousin.

After Cawthorn alleged that other Republican members of Congress invited him to orgies and offered him cocaine, his GOP colleagues reacted angrily and after a tongue-lashing from Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R), Cawthorn backtracked and said he had “exaggerated.”

Now people are wondering how big of a hand his fellow lawmakers had in this. Are they trying to use homophobia to get him out of office?

The group known as Fire Madison Cawthorn filed the complaint and they included photos, video, and screenshots of the men’s Venmo history to prove their point. They allege that Cawthorn has given or loaned Smith thousands of dollars.

The two have been inseparable for years, the group alleges, and have lived together for a long time. Smith joined Cawthorn on his honeymoon in Dubai following the then-candidate’s sudden mar-

riage to his girlfriend after he was accused of sexual harassment. The two had not been dating long and divorced shortly after Cawthorn was elected. Smith continues to live with Cawthorn.

The video shows the men laughing in a car as Cawthorn says in a fake accent, “I feel the passion and desire and would like to see a naked body beneath my hands.”

“Me too,” Smith replies, before touching the congressman’s crotch briefly.

The two have also posted steamy Instagram photos with their arms around each other. The videos and photos were published by The Daily Mail.

The Venmo transactions list descriptions from Cawthorn like “the quickie at the airport,” “the stuff we did in Amsterdam,” and “getting naked for me in Sweden.”

Smith’s payments to Cawthorn include “for loving me daily and nightly” and “nudes.”

The video, photos and descriptions could all be potentially explained as “bro” behavior between two young and immature men.

And, frankly, Cawthorn’s history would support that. He has been cited twice for trying to board a plane with a loaded handgun, twice for driving without a license, accused of insider trading of a meme cryptocurrency, sexual harassment, lying about his background, the car accident that

LaWana Mayfield.

(Photo Credit: LGBTQ Victory Fund)

history.

Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about the endorsements: “In every corner of our country, LGBTQ leaders and community organizers are

running to stand up for our community and enact good public policy grounded in equity and acceptance. We are proud to endorse these exceptional candidates who have answered the call to service, despite the barrage of anti-LGBTQ attacks. Their strength and resilience are already changing hearts and minds in communities across the country – we see it every day. This November will be one of the most high-stakes elections for the LGBTQ community. It’s time for us to solidify our political power, make our voices heard and shatter expectations.” info: bit.ly/3wiQbSU — Qnotes Staff

left him paralyzed, and speeding, [and before] putting other members of the guns…there’s been a Congress lives in danger. deluge of things recently He has been a dedicated but [Cawthorn’s behavior] supporter of former presiis not recent. He’s been dent Donald Trump’s big doing this stuff for a lie and the MAGA insurrecwhile,” Wheeler said. “We tion. A photo of Cawthorn stick to the facts. We don’t wearing women’s lingerie do conjecture. Essentially on a cruise ship was leaked what’s happened is he’s last week. been violating House “He’s got temperament ethical rules first of all by and judgment issues,” Sen. providing free housing for Thom Tillis (R-NC) raged. one of his staff.”

Madison Cawthorn (right), The senator has endorsed “You can’t gift more and housemate’ Stephen a primary challenger to than $250 to a friend and Smith.. (Photo Credit: InstaCawthorn, a rare event in House rules say you can’t gram) political circles. give gifts to other House “There have only staff. But it’s tens of thoubeen two times in my sands of dollars because brief political career where I’ve endorsed the guy – Stephen L Smith – has lived in his a challenger to a sitting Republican. One [Cawthorn’s] house here in Hendersonville was Chuck Edwards, the other one was me at least since he took office.” when I challenged a two-term Republican In response to the allegations, in the statehouse.”

Cawthorn simply replied, “Many of my “I want a delegation that works tocolleagues would be nowhere near politics gether,” Tillis told Politico. “I don’t want if they had grown up with a cell phone in a delegation that gets together – minus their hands.” one – and talks about the challenges that This story appears courtesy of our memember is causing.” dia partner LGBTQNation.

But the complaining group’s co-founder, info: bit.ly/3L1z8do David Wheeler, says their investigation — Bil Browning started earlier than the other scandals.

“This all started pre-lingerie, pre-

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Qnotes

7

views * * * SPONSORED CONTENT * * *

Back Together In-Person, Pride Season Is Upon Us!

by Clark Simon (he/him) Charlotte Pride President

April’s showers bring May’s flowers — and, gee, aren’t they so colorful?! With the return of Spring comes a whole new season of Pride celebrations across the Carolinas. And, finally, after two years of virtual, socially-distanced, and small-scale events, Pride groups across our region, including us here at Charlotte Pride, are excitedly gearing up for the return of full-scale, in-person festivals, marches, parades, and other special events!

Pride Month has traditionally been in June, ever since community members decided to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in June 1969. But that hasn’t stopped Pride groups from spreading the rainbow joy throughout the year. In cities and towns across the world, Pride events are celebrated in unique ways and in sometimes unexpected months. In the Carolinas, our Pride season generally runs from May through October. In places like Florida — especially South Florida, with its more mild winter climates and scorching summers — you’re more likely to find cities celebrating their Pride events from January through May, with some in the fall.

Charlotte celebrates our festival and parade in August — the result of a rather boring confluence of happenstance and scheduling. A few years ago, WFAE’s FAQ City podcast did an episode asking just this question: Why August? If you’re curious, check it out here: bit.ly/cltpridewfae.

We think it’s pretty cool how our local Pride scheduling has shaped up over the years. In June, the community can come together in a variety of unique ways to celebrate National Pride Month. Local nonprofits create their own events and host their own special fundraisers. LGBTQ-owned and friendly businesses have an opportunity to celebrate and give back in their own unique way, too. Come June 30, Pride doesn’t end here. It’s just the beginning! In July, the celebration continues as our friends at Charlotte Black Pride host their events. Charlotte

8

Qnotes

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Black Pride Week is traditionally in mid-July, this year running July 17-24. Learn more and get involved with Charlotte Black Pride by visiting them at charlotteblackpride.org.

As Charlotte Black Pride winds down each July, the community continues its Pride celebrations for a third month! This year’s Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade is scheduled for Aug. 20-21 in Uptown! The big weekend itself is preceded by Charlotte Pride Week, Aug. 12-19, packed full of fun events and activities planned by our local partners, other nonprofits, bars, and other businesses. The Sunday before the festival and parade, we host our annual Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service, scheduled this year for Sunday, Aug. 14, and hosted by St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church.

We have big plans for this year’s festival and parade when we can finally join the hundreds of thousands of smiling revelers on the streets of Uptown again!

You can learn more now about involvement opportunities on our website at charlottepride.org/ pride22. There you can submit applications for vendor/ exhibitor spaces and parade entries, as well as make nominations for our annual Champions of Pride Awards and Parade Grand Marshals, apply to compete in the annual Charlotte Pride Pageant, submit community events to be featured in Charlotte Pride Week, and submit your interest in performing on one of our stages or other entertainment activations!

And, when August finally passes, don’t let your Pride fade away! Celebrate with events in places like Columbia or Durham, traditionally hosted in the fall! Beyond attending Pride events, put your Pride to work by being active in your community. We don’t think Pride is a single, once-annual weekend event. Pride is service, solidarity, and support. There are all sorts of ways you can give back throughout the year, whether that be by directly donating your time, talents or money to Pride groups or other local LGBTQ nonprofits, by voting, actively volunteering for community service projects, and so much more! Celebrate your Pride 365 days of the year!

White House Names LGBTQ Press Secretary Jean-Pierre worked for Obama administration

BY BIL BROWNING | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

K

arine Jean-Pierre, an out lesbian, has Secretary under Jen Psaki. Jean-Pierre will been named the next White House replace Psaki, who had announced she Press Secretary. Jean-Pierre will be the would vacate the role after a year in the first out LGBTQ person and the first Black position for a job with MSNBC. Her last day person to hold the office. will be May 13.

Originally from the French West Indies Jean-Pierre led the White House’s parisland of Martinique, Jean-Pierre was ticipation in Spirit Day last year and said raised in New York City and attended gradit was significant to her because “I could uate school at Columbia University. She only hope that young people who might started her career in politics working for be watching or see clips of this briefing the John will know Edwards that they campaign are supin 2004 ported and and later repreworked sented in for Barack the highest Obama’s levels of 2008 and govern2012 camment paigns. today.”

During “Karine Obama’s Jeanfirst Pierre is term, she a brilliant worked in communithe White cator and House person of Office of tremenPolitical dous intelAffairs, a ligence, position humor Jean-Pierre and poise, said was skills that important will serve to her as a her and lesbian. our coun“What’s Karine Jean-Pierre is the first lesbian and black woman to serve try well in been as White House Press Secretary.. (Photo Credit: Facebook) her new wonderrole. There ful is that are few I was not jobs more visible or more important to the only; I was one of many,” she told The our democracy than to share information Advocate in 2011. “President Obama didn’t with the White House press corps and hire LGBT staffers, he hired experienced answer their questions,” GLAAD President individuals who happen to be LGBT.” and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said after the “Serving and working for President Obama news of the promotion surfaced. where you can be openly gay has been an “To have an out queer person of color amazing honor. It felt incredible to be a speak for the President of the United part of an administration that prioritizes States says everything about Karine’s talLGBT issues.” ent and heart, and recognizes that LGBTQ Outside of her work with political campeople can belong, contribute and succeed paigns and the government, she was the national spokesperson for the progressive in every room.” Ellis continued. Our whole organization MoveOn in 2016, a commencommunity looks forward to seeing Karine tator for NBC News and MSNBC, and a deliver for our nation and represent every lecturer at Columbia University.

LGBTQ person with pride.”

She was the first gay woman and only Psaki also praised Jean-Pierre on Twitter in the second Black woman to lead a White a lengthy thread.

House press briefing in the James S. Brady “She is passionate. She is smart and Briefing Room when she led the briefing she has a moral core that makes her not last year. just a great colleague, but an amazing During the 2020 presidential campaign, Mom and human. Plus, she has a great Jean-Pierre served as Kamala Harris’s chief sense of humor,” Psaki tweeted. of staff, making her the first Black person to “I can’t wait to see her shine as she serve as chief of staff to a vice-presidential brings her own style, brilliance and grace candidate and one of the highest-ranking to the podium.”

LGBTQ people in the Biden/Harris campaign.

This article appears courtesy of our She currently serves as Deputy Press media partner LGBTQ Nation. : :

feature

A New OUTlook

Qnotes launches new solutions journalism series on labor and workplace equality

by Chris Rudisill Qnotes Contributor

the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative, launched by the Solutions Journalism Network with support from the Knight Foundation to strengthen and reinvigorate local media ecosystems.

O

n Oct. 8, 2019, the story of Aimee Stephens was shared before the U.S. Supreme Court. It was one of three cases heard that day that determined whether LGBTQ people are protected from employment discrimination on the basis of sex under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Stephens had been fired six years earlier from R.G. and G.R. Harris Funeral Homes in Shelby, Michigan after informing her employer that she was transitioning from male to female. “What I must tell you is very difficult for me and is taking all the courage I can muster,” Stephens wrote in a letter to her employer. “I have felt imprisoned in a body that does not match my mind, and this has caused me great despair and loneliness.”

Stephens never heard the ruling in her case.

She died on May 12, 2020, a month prior to the 6-3 Supreme Court decision that federal law prohibits employment discrimination against LGBTQ workers. Stephens’ name was added shortly after among American “pioneers, trailblazers, and heroes” on the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor within the Stonewall National Monument in New York City’s Stonewall Inn. While the decision was a monumental moment for equality, the past few weeks have shown us that passage of federal legislation has never been more important to ensure true protections for LGBTQ people at home and in the workplace. Dating back to the 1970s, the Equality Act has been introduced, suppressed and reintroduced in various forms – never making its way beyond Congress for the President’s signature.

If passed, the Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit and jury service. On Feb. 25, 2021, the House passed the act by a vote of 224 to 206, with support of three

Share Your Story

LGBTQ Shout Out Rally at Constitution Avenue and First Street, NE in Washington, D.C., before the start of the Protect LGBTQ Workers Rally on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 8, 2019. Photo by Elvert Barnes Photography, marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.

Republicans. It has since remained in the Senate Judiciary Committee. President Joe Biden called for its passage during his first State of the Union address.

Stephens’ story was not new. It is not the last story of LGBTQ people fired because of who they are or who they love, either.

Despite this case, or even the changes to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in 2007 for companies with at least 15 employees, LGBTQ workers across the country face discrimination in hirings, promotions and basic job security and safety.

Labor issues are at the heart of LGBTQ equality. In fact, even prior to the Stonewall Uprising, employment discrimi-

nation marches helped ignite the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

Frank Kameny, who led these early protests in the 1960s, had been fired from a federal job in Washington, D.C. because of his homosexuality. One picket sign read simply, “Homosexuals Ask for Equality Opportunity Dignity.” A simple request, but one that has yet to be fully recognized.

The patchwork of conflicting laws and religious exemptions continue to make it difficult for many in the LGBTQ community to have the opportunity to succeed in today’s workplace.

From Bathroom Bills to Workplace Protections

The National LGBTQ Wall of Honor in the historic Stonewall Inn was dedicated on June 27, 2019 to celebrate “LGBTQ leaders who have paved the road to liberation and contributed significantly to progress for LGBTQ people.” Photo: National LGBTQ Task Force.

North Carolina’s infamous HB2 led to statewide boycotts, mass protests and a series of battles for LGBTQ protections.

A legacy of the bill and its very loosely dubbed “compromise” HB 142 was a ban on local protections, including nondiscrimination ordinances for employment and housing, that sunset on Dec. 1, 2020.

Since then, 18 communities across the state have adopted non-discrimination ordinances, including in Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Asheville and most recently Raleigh.

In April, Kendra Johnson, executive director of Equality North Carolina, applauded the signing of ordinances across Wake County. “No one should have to fear bigotry based on their ZIP code, nor should they have to move to avoid discrimination,” said Johnson in a statement.

Lacking explicit protections at the state and federal level impacts workers across the state, especially those in small businesses. The challenges are even greater for Black LGBTQ people who face discrimination on multiple fronts, and the LGBTQ workforce coincidingly faces many of the same issues as their nonLGBTQ counterparts like transportation, safe working conditions and opportunities for advancement.

Qnotes is launching a new series examining the challenges that LGBTQ people face in the workplace and the innovative projects that are making a difference. From grassroots organizations creating programs that broaden diversity and inclusion to mentorships that help transgender and gender nonconforming people navigate the job market, “OUTlook: Finding Solutions for Labor and Workplace Equality” will tell the untold stories of the LGBTQ workforce, while tracking legislative progress locally and nationally.

Qnotes joins nine other newsrooms in a new labor reporting cohort launched by the Solutions Journalism Network to report on the issues affecting workers and the promising responses to those issues. The project will run through December 2022.

Other newsrooms include the Arizona Luminaria, Casper Star-Tribune, El Tecolote, Gambit, Graham Media Group, New York Amsterdam News, Prism, The Beacon and WMMT/Mountain Community Radio.

The Solutions Journalism Network is an independent, nonprofit organization that advocates an approach of solutions journalism, an evidence-based mode of reporting on the responses to social problems. Qnotes has previously been a part of the organization’s Renewing Democracy initiative and its work on reporting on economic mobility in the 2021 series, “Stories of Black LGBTQ Resilience and Economic Mobility.” The publication is also part of seven major media companies and other local institutions that comprise

Prior to the Supreme Court ruling on Aimee Stephens’ case, along with those of Gerald Bostick and Donald Zarda, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and the ACLU released an open letter to America’s employers written by Stephens.

“The justices of the Supreme Court will soon determine whether transgender people like me and all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people throughout America are in fact afforded basic employment protections under our nation’s bedrock civil rights law,” wrote Stephens.

The letter posed a pretty simple message and connected to the profound experiences she had witnessed in her job as a funeral director – the way people faced those days immediately following someone’s death, the concepts of service and the sanctity of everyone’s life.

“The intimacy of grief shows us something universal: that a sense of belonging is life-sustaining,” said Stephens. “And that, even in death, we all need a place where we belong. To me, belonging is that special combination of making people feel seen, feel recognized, and feel like a valued part

Aimee Stephens at the Protect LGBTQ Workers Rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court on October 8, 2019. Photo: Elvert Barnes Photography, marked with CC BY-SA 2.0. of the community.”

That is what labor and workplace equality is all about. Over the next few months, we will share more of those stories. We will investigate solutions that are making an impact on the lives of LGBTQ people, and we will share the experiences of our community. Share your story with us.

Have you been fired because of your sexual orientation or gender identity? Have you faced discrimination in the workplace?

Do you know of an organization, or have a story about how local LGBTQ communities are helping workers address challenges like transportation, healthcare access or family care that impact a person’s ability to keep a job or grow professionally?

Do you know of a program that is increasing access to jobs for LGBTQ people?

Share your story with Qnotes by emailing me at chrisrudisill@qnotescarolinas.com.

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Qnotes

9

feature

LGBTQ Centers of Raleigh and Durham Offer Much for so Many Raleigh opened at new location May 6; Durham soon to follow with larger space

BY L’MONIQUE KING Qnotes Staff WRITER

I

t’s that time again. Pride Season – a grand time of celebrating camaraderie, equity and identity. For many LGBTQ folks, a month or two or even three out of the year isn’t enough and safer spaces need to extend beyond Pride Parades and parties. For those of us who need more, LGBTQ Centers can offer a plethora of services, support and activities. In the Carolinas, Raleigh and Durham are home to LGBTQ Centers that provide such support and respite for local LGBTQ residents and visitors.

The LGBTQ Center of Raleigh – which just reopened in a new space downtown – entices visitors with services and programs.

According to the Center’s website, The LGBTQ Center of Raleigh has a plethora of social and educational programs in place.

Among them: Queer Life, Health Works, Youth & Family, Transgender Outreach, SAGE Central of North Carolina and more.

The Center’s Queer Life Initiative hosts programs that include: Bi in the Tri, a social and support group for bisexual, bi-friend, bi-interest and bi-curious adults.

This is an important initiative when you consider the pushback and lack of understanding many of our bisexual community members often experience when looking for fellowship and support from lesbian, gay and trans community members. Other Queer Life Initiative Programs offer “Game Night” and “Open Mic Night” for performance enthusiasts. But it’s not all about

A Rainbow in the city: Raleigh’s LGBTQ Center just reopened at 4 North Blount Street. (Photo Credit: VisitRaleigh.com) fun and games, there are also initiatives that cover serious issues with discussions, resources and support for those experiencing disabilities and autism.

As previously mentioned, the website indicates there are health, youth and trans initiatives as well. As you might imagine, within the health initiatives you’ll be able to find program offerings on everything from HIV/STI testing to legal clinics and financial wellness. For trans individuals, there’s a Name Change/Gender Marker Clinic that can literally be an affirming lifesaving opportunity. Likewise, the Youth

Celebrating Pride: Raleigh’s annual event for the LGBTQ community. (Photo Credit: VisitRaleigh.com)

10

QnotesMay 13 -May 26, 2022

initiative has a Queer YA [Young Adult] Book Club, for young people who want to immerse themselves in literature written by or about queer youth. Speaking of books, Raleigh’s Center has a library too – an important tool for a community that has historically been misrepresented.

Raleigh resident and author of “K:RhoThe Sweet Taste of Sisterhood” and “SBF Seeking,” LaToya Hankins, has visited The LGBTQ Center of Raleigh on more than one occasion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I appreciated the space of the Center because it allowed different groups to

come in and have meetings without being on top of each other,” she told qnotes.

“Having attended events at the previous Center it is a nice place to learn more and be part of the community. I am excited about participating in more of the activities they offer.”

The LGBTQ Center of Durham, although active and quite busy, is a center in transition. After two years of virtual programming because of the pandemic, the center remains virtual. While the facility maintains a physical bulletin board at its longtime location to keep visiting community members updated, the center itself is closed to visitors and at the moment, programming remains virtual. Soon to be relocating to a new and larger space, they continue to work towards creating a community where all LGBTQ+ lived experiences are affirmed, supported and celebrated, and they’re utilizing many methods to do it.

Although currently unavailable in person, Durham also has an LGBTQ library.

Visitors to the Center’s website can click on the Programs Link to learn more about their library and other programming.

According to the website, as is also the case with LGBTQ Center of Raleigh, the library is currently in the process of being updated, reorganized and cataloged. Durham’s Center library opened in 2015, along with the initial founding of Durham’s Center, and was designed to accommodate a diverse collection of LGBTQ focused books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and ‘zines to serve the local community.

And though cataloging is still taking place, website visitors are able to click on the catalog link for a sneak peek at well over 2700 books dating back decades.

For LGBTQ Centers, programming in a way that meets the needs of the communities they serve seems to be key. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Durham’s decision to adopt a more digital landscape to provide many of their programs and services digitally has been successful and continues to flourish.

Information gleaned from the organization’s website indicates that they are in the process of structuring and creating the first LGBTQ+ Youth Center in Durham to open in the near future. They are soliciting participation for a Youth Advisory Council to assist with the process and programming – allowing LGBTQ+ youth to become fully engaged in an effort that is designed to safeguard them in what can be a complicated and stressful journey towards self-acceptance and identity.

It’s no secret that LGBTQ Centers are generally about supporting identity in some shape, form or fashion and Durham’s Center is making certain their response and efforts are diverse. Check out their FAQ section for the program Friends Aging Quirkily (FAQ). In an age and society that seems to champion youth over all else, Durham’s FAQ program is described as a collaborative effort to build community among LGBTQ+ folks aged 50+ in and around Durham. Visit their website listed

able hubs, which continue to offer refuge, knowledge and connection. So, if you’re looking for family and know it’s about more than genetics, locate an LGBTQ Center and come home.

More Details: LGBT Center of Raleigh 4 North Blount Street 919-832-4484 lgbtcenterofraleigh.com LGBTQ Center of Durham 114 Hunt Street (new address forthcoming) 919-827-1436 lgbtqcenterofdurham.org : : The little lavender house: Durham’s LGBTQ Community Center is currently closed but maintains a regularly updated informational bulletin board on the front porch. (Photo Credit: NCDHHS.GOV) below and Facebook page for updated information on continuing programming and progress with the new center.

In the past – pre-pandemic – Durham’s LGBTQ center has regularly offered space for community members to hold their own meetings or events. According to the website, space has been available on a sliding scale basis, accommodating anyone’s budget. In the upcoming space, it is expected the practice will continue.

In 1971 – prior to the current LGBTQ acronym becoming common place – the first lesbian and gay community centers opened in Los Angeles and Albany, N.Y. At that time, it was an audacious idea to create a safe public space that welcomed a community many didn’t understand and others despised. The centers of the past

laid the groundwork for what many centers are today when they provided “coming out” support groups, health services and space for community organizing meetings. For scores of LGBTQ+ individuals, these second homes were the birthplace of acceptance, HIV/AIDS support, lifelong relationships and needed social change.

Today, LGBTQ centers nationwide continue to strive, though many fail to survive because of mismanagement and lack of funding. Regrettably, Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina with the state’s largest concentration of LGBTQ individuals, is currently without an LGBTQ Center. Hopefully that will change in the near future.

In the Queen City, that loss has made it apparent how LGBTQ centers remain valu-

Staff

Locations

J. Wesley Thompson MHS, PA-C, AAHIVS, DFAAPA HIV Director and co-founder

East Charlotte (Practice & Pharmacy Hours: 8am-5pm) 6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28215

Richard T. Wynn, MD Primary Care Director and co-founder

Phone: 704-208-4134 Fax: 704-248-8068

Mandy Irvin, PharmD, CPP, AAHIVP Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner Jason L. Hardin, MSN, AGNP-C, AAHIVS Jerry A. Saunders, MD PhD Heather Manos, MD Shane Bentley, PharmD, CPP Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner Bill Kreft, PA-C Hana Kim, PA-C

PrEP • PEP • LGBTrans Care • HIV Care Primary Care • Diabetes Care Accepting new patients daily! amitymed.org Amity Medical Group, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that proudly serves the Charlotte community in providing medical care and linkage to community services to serve your daily needs.

South Charlotte (Practice Hours: 9am-6pm) 10508 Park Rd. • Suite 130 Charlotte, NC 28201 Phone: 704-208-4134 Fax: 704-248-7845 New Location! (Opening July 2021) 9835 Monroe Rd. • Suite B Charlotte, NC 28270

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Qnotes

11

IN

F CUS TRIANGLE

sponsored by

Annual LGBT Newcomer & Community Resource Guide

Local & Regional LGBTQ Community Resources Providing Support for All COMPILED BY Qnotes Staff Academic

Duke University Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity 919-684-6607 csgd@studentaffairs.duke.edu studentaffairs.duke.edu/csgd LGBTQ Center at UNC Chapel Hill lgbtq@unc.edu 919-843-5376 lgbtq.unc.edu/ North Carolina Central University LGBTA Resource Center nccu.edu/lgbta/index.cfm North Carolina State University GLBT Center oied.ncsu.edu/divweb/glbt/ NC State University GLBT Center glbtcenter@ncsu.edu.

(919) 513-9742 diversity.ncsu.edu/glbt/ NC Central LGBTA Resource Center nccu.edu/life-nc-central/health-and-wellbeing/lgbta-center Addiction Recovery D-icers CMA Meeting dicerstriangle@gmail.com North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition loftinwilson@gmail.com 919-370-0671 nchrc.org/ Pipe Down - CMA Meeting 725 N Boylan Ave, Raleigh NC 27605 pipedownnc@gmail.com Business / Professional Raleigh Business and Professional Network (RBPN) RaleighBizNetwork@gmail.com raleighnetwork.org/ Bull City LGBTQ Professionals tacnc@aol.com RBPN - Raleigh’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce RaleighBizNetwork@gmail.com 919-349-0063 raleighlgbtchamber.org/ Community Service ReachOUT NC info@reachoutnc.org gayforgood.org/raleigh-durham/ Community Support The Counselor Education Research Center for Community Mental Health at NC State University ajhebard@ncsu.edu 919-515-6358

12

QnotesMay 13 -May 26, 2022

ced.ncsu.edu/elphd/counselor-educationprogram/ Hospice of Alamance Caswell mj@hospiceac.org 336-532-7216 hospiceac.org/event/the-way-forward/ Wake County HIV Support Group, Under One Roof

Compass Center clientservices@compassctr.org 919-968-4610 compassctr.org/ LGBT Center of Raleigh info@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com 919-832-4484 lgbtcenterofraleigh.com/ Oak City Cares (formerly Oak City Outreach Center) Kathy.Johnson@oakcitycares.org 919-790-8533 oakcitycares.org/ Triangle Empowerment Center, Inc. triangleempowermentcenter@yahoo.com 800-806-3558 triempowerment.org/ LGBTQ Center of Durham info@lgbtqcenterofdurham.org 919-827-1436 lgbtqcenterofdurham. org/

Entertainment Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus tgmchorus.org/ Health, Medical, & Wellness Laura Torres, MD • Carolina Gender Care, PLLC care@carolinagendercare.com 336-308-9008 carolinagendercare.com/ Alliance Of AIDS Services - Carolina info@aas-c.org 919-834-2437 aas-c.org/ Durham VA Health Care System 919-286-0411 durham.va.gov/services/lgbt/index.asp Samantha Hoover rainbowembracept@gmail.com 984-999-0503 rainbowembrace.com/ Carly Kelley, MD, MPH 919-620-5300 dukehealth.org/treatments/adult-gendermedicine Rebecca Kooistra, Family Nurse Practitioner quickl@piedmonthealth. org 919-545-3420 piedmonthealth.org/locations/moncure-community-health-center/

Crisis

Dr. Louise Metz • Mosaic Comprehensive Care abanning@mosaiccarenc. com

Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860 translifeline.org/ Trevor Project Lifeline 866-488-7386 thetrevorproject.org/pages/get-help-now Wrenn House / Haven House Crisis Line 919-832-7866 havenhousenc.org/ Durham Crisis Response Center DCRC crisisline@durhamcrisisresponse.org 919-403-6562 durhamcrisisresponse.org/ HopeLine, Inc 919-231-4525 hopeline-nc.org/ Orange County Rape Crisis Center info@ocrcc.org 919-967-7273 http://ocrcc.org/ ElderCare Village Hearth Cohousing villagehearthcohousing@gmail.com 561-714-8009

919-240-7269 mosaiccarenc.com/

NC AIDS Training and Education Center at UNC 919-843-8604 med.unc.edu/ncaidstraining/prep/PrEPfor-consumers Planned Parenthood (Raleigh Health Center) 919-833-7526 plannedparenthood.org/health-center/ north-carolina/raleigh/27603/raleighhealth-center-3338-90860 Melissa Reed, MD • Reed Family Medicine Transgender hormone hello@reedfamilymed.com 919-578-5525 reedfamilymed.com/ Destry Taylor (they/them/theirs) board certified FNP 919-951-7600 piedmonthealth.org/chapel-hill-location/ UNC Fertility

erica.mccready@integramed.com 919-908-0000 uncfertility.com/understanding-fertility/ lgbt-family-building/ Wake County Health Department Clinic E wakegov.com/humanservices/publichealth/information/hiv/Pages/default. aspx Rupal Yu, MD • Carrboro Community Health Center yur@piedmonthealth.org 919-942-8741 piedmonthealth.org/locations/carrborocommunity-health-center/ Student Health Action Coalition HIV Free rapid HIV testing shac.hiv.unc@gmail.com 919-956-4000 UNC Infectious Disease 984-974-7198 Night Clubs The Bar info@thebardurham.com 919-956-2929 thebardurham.com/ Legends Nightclub Complex 919-831-8888 legends-club.com/ Ruby Deluxe rubydeluxebooking@gmail.com rubydeluxeraleigh.com/events/ The Pink Hook INFO@THEPINHOOK.COM thepinhook.com/contact Political ACLU of North Carolina contact@acluofnc.org 919-834-3466 acluofnorthcarolina.org/ Equality North Carolina equalitync.org/ Human Rights Campaign (HRC) linebacka@gmail.com hrc.org/local-issues/community/thetriangle NC AIDS Action Network lee@ncaan.org 919-914-0311 ncaan.org/ NC National Organization for Women NC NOW northcarolinanow.wordpress.com/ Social Mu Chapter of Kappa Psi Kappa Fraternity, Inc muchapterkpsik@gmail.com 919-520-1331

Upcoming Triangle Pride Celebrations Raleigh and nearby Apex celebrating LGBTQ Pride

BY Qnotes Staff | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

T

his year’s Apex Pride celebration takes place Saturday, June 11, at the Apex Town campus located at 73 Hunter Street, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In case you’re considering visiting Apex (located in Wake County) for the event, it’s a 20 minute drive from Raleigh and just over two hours from Charlotte.

The events include live music, a variety of edibles to choose from, social gaming activities, vendors with a multitude of wares to commemorate the event, and more.

In 2018, apex was chosen by realtor. com as the fastest growing suburb in the United States. As of 2020, the population was listed as 58,780.

For additional information on Apex Pride, visit their Facebook page.

Out Raleigh Pride takes place Saturday, June 25, for their official 10-year anniversary. Join in on the fun at Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh for an inclusive and family-friendly action-packed event, with activities for all ages. Running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the event offers live entertainment, local vendors and artists, great food, a KidsZone, and a beer garden. Additionally, there will be a tween/ teen space, a low sensory zone, a sober space, and a VIP Tent. There is no admission fee.

This event is an important way to raise the necessary funds to support the

LGBTQ Center of Raleigh and all of its 20+ amazing community programs. The last in-person event brought thousands of people onto Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street to celebrate the culture of the LGBTQ community in a welcoming environment for everyone.

Of particular note and reflective of corporate America’s respect for the queer dollar, Out Raleigh Pride has an impressive list of sponsors for the event. Workplace Options serves as the presenting sponsor. Diamond sponsors are Red Hat, Hunt Houses NC, Wolf Speed, NCCARE360, Schneider Electric and Wells Fargo. On the list of platinum sponsors are WakeMed, Duke Energy, PNC Bank, UNC Health,

Advance Auto parts, Drucker and Falk, Gilead, Glamazon, Brightly and Biogen.

Among the gold sponsors are Relias, IQ Via, Ally and NCE, State Farm, Mosa Spa and Resort, the Crape Myrtle Festival, The Carolina Hurricanes, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Carolina Conceptions, Lifetime Asset Management, visit Raleigh, Cisco, Eaton, Stem Express, lifetime tax management, BASF, Truist, GlaxoSmithKline, MERZ Therapeutics and Panera Bread.

For more details on Out Pride Raleigh visit their Facebook page or their web page at www.outraleigh.com.

We can’t wait to celebrate PRIDE Month with you! More details to be announced. : :

muchapterkpsik.com/

betheldurham.org/

Carolina Bear Lodge - Raleigh Den https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ RaleighNCBears/info

Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church info@htelc.org 919-828-1687 htelc.org/

raleigh@stonewallsports.org stonewallraleigh.leagueapps.com/

Prismatic Speech Services Greensboro kevin@prismaticspeech.com https://prismaticspeech.com/

Gay Men’s Social Club anthony@copianart.com meetup.com/Trianglegayguys/ Men’s Abuse Survival Tools playwright1010@yahoo.com Primetimers primetimersww.org, meetup.com/rdu-pt/ Queer Women’s Book Club library@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com lgbtcenterofraleigh.com/library/librarysponsored-groups/queer-womens-bookclub.html The Society of Femmes, Inc info@societyoffemmes.org societyoffemmes.org/ Geeks and Gaymers meetup.com/GeekNC/ Holly Springs Gay and Lesbian Group groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/hollyspringsncgl/info Triangle Area Gay Scientists (TAGS) tags.zuberfowler.com/ Triangle LGBTQ Active Adventures meetup.com/Triangle-LGBTQ-ActiveAdventures/ Triangle LGBTQ Couples and Friends info@trianglelgbtq.com trianglelgbtq.com/ Spiritual Rainbow Gathering jang7e@gmail.com 919-348-9599 Sunday Assembly Chapel Hill info@sundayassemblychapelhill.org http://sundayassemblychapelhill.org/ Beth El Synagogue info@betheldurham.org 919-682-1238

Pilgrim United Church of Christ pilgrimucc@frontier.com 919-489-1381 pilgrimucc-durham.org/ Raleigh Friends Meeting (Quakers) friends@raleighquakers.org 919-821-4414 quakercloud.org/cloud/raleigh-friendsmeeting St. Luke’s Episcopal Church info@stlukesdurham.org 919-286-2273 stlukesdurham.org St. Philip’s Episcopal Church javier@stphilipsdurham.org 919-682-5708 st-philips-durham.dionc.org/ Triangle Insight Meditation Community info@triangleinsight.org 919-383-0179 triangleinsight.org/ United Church of Chapel Hill (UCC) office@unitedchurch.org 919-942-3540 unitedchurch.org/ Watts Street Baptist Church contact@wattsstreet.org 919-688-1366 wattsstreet.org/ Sports Durham Rainbow Bowling League LGBTQ Bowling League Kings & Queens Bowling League kingsqueensbowling@gmail.com kingsandqueensbowling.org/ NC Softball League ncsoftball.org/

Triangle Rainbow Bowling League LGBTQ Bowling League trianglerainbowbowling@gmail.com trianglerainbowbowling.org/

UNC GLBTQ Center lgbtq.unc.edu/news-events/calendar

Triangle Tennis Club triangletennisclub.com/

Kuan Yin - Transgender Health Services kuanyinsep@gmail.com

NCHRC Trans Discussion Group transgender/gender-nonconforming/genderqueer. loftinwilson@gmail.com 919-370-0671

Bull City Running Co bullcityrunning@gmail.com 919-265-3904 bullcityrunning.com/ Durham Queer Sports katyaweissandersson@gmail.com Triangle Front Runners LGBTQ triangle-front-runners@googlegroups.com trianglefrontrunners.wordpress.com/ Transgender

Youth PFLAG Triangle pflagtriangle@gmail.com 919-354-2999 pflagtriangle.org/

Duke Voice Care Center tara.nixon@duke.edu 919-684-3834

Safe Schools NC contact@safeschoolsnc.org safeschoolsnc.org/

Durham Gender Alliance Group groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/durhamgenderalliance/info

Capital Area Youth and Young Adult Center info@edsisolutions.com 919-758-8453 edsisolutions.com/locations/capital-areayouth-program

El Centro Hispano www.elcentronc.org/ Jane Hutchison Voice Coaching janebhutchison@gmail.com 919-389-5028 LGBT Center of Raleigh Transgender Initiative lgbtcenterofraleigh.com/programs/adultprograms/transgender-initiative.html Name Gender Documentation lgbtcenterofraleigh.com/adult-programs/ transgender-initiative/changing-yourname.html North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition loftinwilson@gmail.com 919-370-0671 nchrc.org/

iNSIDEoUT insideoutsterling@gmail.com 919-706-2941 insideout180.org/ Friendly, Loving Support thomas.taylor@alliancecil.org 919-833-1117 alliancecil.org/ Queer Oriented Rap/Rock Day School qordsinfo@gmail.com 503-680-0763 qords.org/ Safe Schools NC contact@safeschoolsnc.com safeschoolsnc.org/

Stonewall Sports-Raleigh

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Qnotes

13

MAY IS

MENTAL HEALTH

AWA R E N E S S M O N T H

704.977.2972 704.948.8582

14

QnotesMay 13 -May 26, 2022

@TheDudleysPlace @MyRosedaleHealth

dudleysplace.org myrosedalehealth.com

life

National LGBTQ Elders Day Is May 16 Local resources for LGBTQ seniors available in Charlotte, Raleigh and Wilmington

by David Aaron Moore Qnotes Staff Writer

T

he rights and protections that LGBTQ people experience today didn’t happen overnight. Many individuals in our senior LGBTQ communities across the country fought hard to gain legal and social acceptance.

Although our history is an ever continuing process, learning about the achievements and experiences of the past can only help educate and develop understanding about our future.

Many significant changes created a huge impact on our culture, and the people that created that change deserve recognition.

At a quick glance, here are some achievements from the past of important note in the United States created by many in our community who have achieved elder status: Dec. 24, 1924, saw Henry Gerber establish in Chicago, with formal recognition from the state of Illinois, the Society for Human Rights. It is now recognized as the first gay rights group in the United States.

June 28, 1969, saw the start of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, setting the stage for the beginning of a full blown

fight for civil rights.

It was Dec. 15, 1973, when the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the official list of mental illnesses. Same sex attraction was no longer listed as a mental illness.

On June 26, 2003, following the outcome of the historic Texas v. Lawrence ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court declared sodomy laws unconstitutional, making it possible for gays and lesbians to enjoy sex and romance without fear of prosecution or incarceration.

It was May 17, 2004, when Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, eventually leading to full marriage equality on June 26, 2015.

So what exactly is National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day? It’s a date that offers an opportunity to explore the history and people who have brought the equality we experience today to the LGBTQ community.

While more work will always need to be done to combat bigotry and intolerance, don’t pass up the opportunity to recognize and pay homage to the LGBTQ elders who have survived and made a difference.

If you have a story to share about an LGBTQ Elder who has made a difference in your life or helped the LGBTQ community in a way that deserves to be recognized, visit

www.lgbteldersday.org to find out more information about sharing another fascinating story with our national community.

Unfortunately, there are no current events scheduled to coincide with National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day in our region.

It’s relatively new – the registrar of the National Day Calendar officially proclaimed it as of May 16, 2015. However, there are some LGBTQ elder resources available across the state.

If you’re a resident of North Carolina and you’re a senior in the LGBTQ community, know there is friendship and support for you in Raleigh, where the organization SAGE (Service and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders) serves the city and surrounding metro region. Located in the Four North Blount building in central Raleigh, SAGE Central Carolina offers gatherings and outings and provides advocacy work for LGBTQ seniors. You can visit their Facebook page for more details or pay a visit to their website.

Purportedly offering support and social activities to a large portion of North Carolina’s coastal region is SAGE Wilmington of the Cape Fear Coast. Like the Raleigh chapter, they are said to have social activities and advocacy support. You can check out their Facebook page, but their website is down. A phone number (910-262-0327) is available for the lo-

cal LGBTQ Center, which reportedly can provide information on this SAGE chapter during the Center’s operating hours.

Here in the Queen city, there’s the Charlotte LGBTQ Elders group, The organization was founded in 2018. An initial attempt was made to get the group up and running in early 2020, but the pandemic and unexpected death of key member Dan Kirsch waylaid earlier efforts. Now back on track, in the past year the organization has finalized their 501C3 status with help from local attorney Lee Robertson.

After a re-launch and info session April 21 at Time Out Youth, several individuals have volunteered for the renewed effort.

A May 9 meeting will see the selection of co-chairs and setting up committees. Their Facebook page is regularly updated with the latest news on organizational events.

Charlotte LGBTQ Elders was conceived to serve as a resource for LGBTQ individuals aged 55 and older. The group’s work focuses on monthly programs and social events, as well as providing cultural LGBTQ-related competency training for organizations that serve elders. In the near future, they plan to become a local chapter of SAGE. More details, including an upcoming events calendar are available at their website. : :

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Qnotes

15

life

Diet Pill Are Not the Answer, Focus on the Fundamentals Health and Wellness

BY JACK KIRVEN Qnotes CONTRIBUTOR

T

his morning a friend I have known for over 10 years finally asked me to design a program for him. He is a bril liant man, but he knows nothing about the specifics of exercise and weight loss. This is good, because it reminded me that it’s important to keep information accessible and uncluttered. Specifically, he asked me about a fat loss product whose name I already cannot remember. There really isn’t much point: They are all ultimately indistinguishable. They make bold claims that aren’t backed by independent study, they aren’t scrutinized by the FDA (so there is no consistent quality control), and ultimately they may cause more harm than good. If you are going to take a product for losing fat, it is imperative that you first make sure with your doctor that it won’t adversely affect your health conditions or negatively impact any medications.

First, let me clarify something about these fat burning pills, gels, powders and drinks. They are generally a hyper concentrated dose of caffeine. When you look at the ingredient label, they may try to avoid saying it directly. Similar to foods that avoid using the word “sugar” by listing various other ingredients instead (e.g. unrefined cane extract, honey, sucrose, beet powder, high fructose corn syrup, etc.), these diet pills will name caffeine once (if at all), then go on to name green tea extract, green coffee extract, etc. In other words, caffeine, caffeine, and caffeine.

There may also be way too much vitamin B, some chili pepper extract, crushed red pepper, raspberry, and other substances

that increase your metabolic rate temporarily.

All of these ingredients do have an effect on your metabolism, but they also affect blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety, and depression. These concentrated compounds can make you feel energized temporarily, but they also often cause a crash afterward.

They can also become addictive.

I want to shift toward calories. It is really quite frustrating that people still think of them as a simple unit of relevance.

People in the fitness industry continue to preach that losing fat isn’t complicated, it’s a simple matter of creating a calorie deficit.

Burn more than you consume. That makes logical sense; however, this is the human body, and it’s not simple or logical.

First, if it were true that a simple process of bean counting would cause weight loss, then diets and supplements would work. But they don’t. This is well observed: People cannot sustain the restrictive and/ or demanding requirements, they discontinue what they are doing, and they regain all the lost weight (plus some). This should have thoroughly disproven the burn/ consume theory. There is far more going on, and frankly your body cannot count calories.

And generally it’s not helpful, even when your brain makes the attempt.

Formulas for calculating a person’s resting metabolic rate (the number of calories a person burns just to stay alive)

are deeply flawed, and generally quite inaccurate. These formulas cannot account for metabolic states, hormone levels, medications and a variety of other non-mathematical considerations.

Take two people with the same age, gender, height, weight, activity levels and health conditions, and each will require a different number of calories to live.

It does not work that way: Being obsessed with calories isn’t effective across your lifetime. But rather, let us focus on what actually is simple: healthy diet and adequate exercise. Even in this, not everyone will be able to achieve the same results from the same practices.

Walking is perhaps the single best exercise you can do to improve all aspects of your wellness. But what if a person does not have the space or physical ability to walk?

Healthful foods are imperative, but what about someone with a wide variety of allergies or intolerances? Even the “simple” practice of food and activity isn’t simple. It makes sense that people would resort to magic pills and potions, but these are not the answer.

Considering your own personal situation, if you want to improve your body composition (changing the ratio of fat to muscle), it is important that you not tie yourself to the idea that you have to accomplish someone else’s goals by their particular means. You have to separate yourself from fitness models, porn stars, movie actors, social media influencers and

advertisements. There is a general principle underlying fat loss, but it isn’t fixed or universal to all bodies.

To reduce body fat, be mindful of the degree and frequency to which your food choices spike your blood sugar.

Consider where your foods cause inflammation in your bowels or undermine your intestinal flora. Be mindful of any medications or hormonal conditions that interfere with your ability to shed fat. Once you can steer clear of those hurdles that are specific to you, then consider the physical activities you enjoy. Can you walk? Okay, can you walk more?

Do you need to focus on upper body conditioning because of an injury or disability in your legs?

Research options that let you focus on getting your heart rate up with your arms and torso. Do you do strength and/or performance training? When your technique allows you to do it safely, increase your volume with more resistance, sets, and/or repetitions. Increase the frequency, duration and/or intensity of whatever activities you enjoy.

This is the way to lose fat: The way that works best for your body and your situation. Some people will remain lean regardless of what they do or avoid. Others will struggle to lose weight. What will improve your chance of success is to set specific goals to achieve by a particular deadline, and to then journal the process. Journaling doubles your chance of success. Focus on programs that are designed to your own specifications and needs, and be careful of people who sell you that idea that anything about losing weight is simple. Most importantly be you and love your body, treat it like the temple that it is. : :

Bright Businesses deserve well-lit

AD SPACE Call Q-Notes 704.531.9988

16

QnotesMay 13 -May 26, 2022

Start

May 13 -May 26, 2022

Qnotes

17

a&e

The Sounds of Pride

Celebrating the music of queer singers, musicians and songwriters

by Gregg Shapiro Contributing Writer

T

by queer singer/songwriter Jenny Parrott is a scorching effort. Thirst-quenching opener “Knocking Back Some Cokes,” while “My Hero” gives her a chance to demonstrate her vocal variations. The strings on “Georgia” are a nice touch, as are the a cappella vocals on “July.” If there’s one complaint, it’s that at eight songs, Parrott leaves listeners hungry for more.

Now married to a man (!) and a “new mom,” Edie Carey never sounded more like Ani DiFranco than she did on her bisexuality anthem “The Middle” from her 2000

he title of Atlanta-based out singer/ songwriter Michelle Malone’s new album, 1977 (SBS), is a reference to the year she first began to play guitar. It’s fitting then, that album opener “Not Who I Used To Be” opens with the bold sound of an electric guitar. A self-described “big fan of 1970s music, especially singer/songwriters from the Laurel Canyon scene,” Malone succeeds in capturing the spirit and energy of the period on standout tracks “Even The Queen,” “Georgia Made,” “Know My Name” and “River Song” (featuring Amy Ray on backing vocals).

Ramesh (Srivastava), the queer, former lead singer of Austin band Voxtrot, returns with Eternal Spring (Cult Hero), his first solo album since 2014’s The King. “Redemption” kicks things off to a rocking start.

However, the songs that follow reveal Ramesh’s mellower Michelle Malone (although no less energetic) side via queer power-pop tunes including the exhilarating title cut, “Wilderness of the Heart,” the synthdriven experimentation of “New Style” and “Valentino,” and the dance-beats of “Acid & Tender.”

Berlin-based, Ireland-bred Wallis Bird releases her “summer album” Hands (wallisbird.com) in May 2022, between the milestone seventh anniversary of marriage equality in Ireland and Dublin’s Pride Festival. Warm as sunshine, this soundtrack for the season is meant to be listened to Jenny Parrott with all the windows rolled down on the car while zooming through traffic. Most of the 10-songs, beginning with the political statealbum “The Falling Places.” That was then, ment of “What’s Wrong with Changing,” as this is now, as you can hear on her new rewell as “No Pants Dance,” “I Lose Myself cord The Veil (ediecarey.com). The twelve Completely” and “Aquarius,” are driven by originals (including one collaboration with synth-beats aimed at your feet. Bird also Megan Burtt) find the Colorado-based spreads her folky wings on “I’ll Never Hide singer/songwriter settling into domesticity My Love Away.” and an Americana style, hoping her songs Landing four years after her debut “bring a measure of healing and reconnecalbum, The Fire I Saw (jennyparrott.com) LP

18

QnotesMay 13 -May 26, 2022

tion” during these “deeply divided” times.

Gay singer/songwriter Jon Fuller makes a lasting impression with “Stepping Stone,” from his third album When Did You Get So Damned Scared (jonfullermusic. com). A touching, alternately humorous and dramatic, number about first gay love, Fuller fills the listener’s ears with all the feels. It’s one of the best songs you’ll hear on the subject. Fuller also doesn’t shy away from getting political on the songs “Not In My Name,” “Burn It Down” and “Gonna Have Fun Today.” Fuller is a welcome voice in the LGBTQ+ music

1980s. The song effortlessly conjures the pop mindset of the period. But by “Bullied,” the second song, containing the lyrics “I was attractive, I was kind of queer/ Who better to tempt my schoolyard domineer?”, we know we’re listening at a time when such subject matter is addressed.

Also of note are the shape-shifting “Our Love/The Run,” the deceptively dark “Shark” (which returns to the schoolyard), the queer “politics” of “Forever You and I,” and the unexpected folk of “What Good Is It Now.” The 12 selections on lesbian singer/songwriter Sean Della Croce’s subtly radiant debut album Illuminations (Pasadena), shine a generous light on her artistry. The Nashville native proudly represents contemporary Americana with a touch of folk on the songs “Rebecca Henry,” “Catharine Street,” “Lille” and “End All Be All.” Della Croce is also at home turning up the twang as does on “Then, Now,” “Break In the Jon Fuller Rain” and “Weak Days.”

Drawing on influences ranging from Tegan and Kid Moxie Sara to Billie Eilish and Avril Lavigne, queer singer/ songwriter Carlie Hanson grabs us by the collar and doesn’t let go with her debut full-length album Tough Boy (Warner Records). Easily the most commercially-produced-sounding album in this column, Hanson has a knack for co-writing catchy numbers made all the more enticing because of the lyrical content of songs such as “Nice To Know Ya,” “Fuck Your Labels,” “Girls In Line For the Bathroom” and “Gucci Knife.”

Better Than Electric (Pasadena) is the Sean Della Croce fifth full-length studio album by queer musician Kid Moxie (aka Elena Charbila). scene.

Created while in lockdown in Los Angeles.

Genderqueer artist Diane Coffee, during the pandemic, the songs sound like also known as Shaun Fleming, serves up a dream of nostalgia and longing for comtheir fourth full-length album With People munity. “At The End of the Night” is pure (Polyvinyl). If you didn’t know any better, ‘80s adrenaline,” while “Unbroken” has a you might think album opener “Corrina NIN vibe. The dance tracks, including “Miss from Colina,” had been discovered in a Robot,” “Black Flower” and “Lost In Time,” fault that had been locked since the early are Kid Moxie’s strong suit. : :

life

Our People: Smote Mote

People, pets, books, arts and plants are some of the aspects that make up the Raleigh LGBTQ Center librarian

BY L’MONIQUE KING Qnotes Staff WRITER

T

here’s a two-story house with a teal-colored front door and finished basement located in Raleigh, N.C. Its occupants are a quirky bunch of queer folks who enjoy each other and living life to its fullest. One of those people is a creative artist and librarian named Smote Mote (they/them).

In 2017 Smote’s partner found a job in Raleigh, prompting them both to relocate from Kent, Ohio to Raleigh, a place that Mote always thought of as a second home. During Mote’s youth, almost every summer was spent on a fun-filled family vacation to Raleigh.

With pleasant childhood memories in toe and warmer weather to look forward to, the decision to buy a home in Raleigh wasn’t a difficult one to make. Recently, from their home office that doubles as an arts studio, Mote shared with qnotes a little bit about what it means to be them.

Smote is an interesting name. Is it your given name?

It is not my birth name, but it is my name. I want to discuss it, but every time it comes up, it makes me feel uncomfortable.

I always hate when I’m asked for my name.

I love my name, but it comes with the complication of having to explain it every single time, and I don’t like having to justify my name being chosen versus being given.

Additionally, I don’t think people think about the fact that asking someone those questions can bring up trauma, because now someone’s thinking about their family [issues connected to a previous name] and those feelings might be negative. It’s one of those things that queer people have to navigate. I don’t think it happens as much with cis people.

You mentioned the naming issue not being something cis people have to deal with? How do you identify?

I usually say queer. When I’m asked to be more specific, I am non-binary, asexual and polyamorous. For me, my [three] partners are people I enjoy spending time with and want to be around. We live together

and spend time very outdated. together. We’re It took us about basically no difa year to figure ferent than any out what we other relationship. would keep and Not all relationwhat we would ships have to be donate. During built on sexual our “Out! Raleigh intimacy. There Pride” fundraisare five types of ing event that attraction: sexual, happens in June, romantic, physithe library always cal, emotional and has a booth aesthetic. I view where we talk people very much about the library in the same way and sign people I view beautiful up for cards. At art. I don’t want that event, we reto sleep with the home books from art, I just want to our collection. experience it.

What do you enWhat kind of art joy most about do you create? working for an Renaissance individual: Smote Mote is a multiI don’t have a LGBTQ library? disciplinary artist and serves as librarian at the definitive style.

Honestly, my Raleigh LGBTQ Center.

I’m a multi-disfavorite thing to ciplinary artist. do is introduce I do traditional books to people printmaking, digital art and photography. that represent them. Books where they I make merch (stickers, bookmarks, etc.), could see themselves in the characters, in sculptures, art books and I love painting the story and not just fiction but in nonin acrylic and watercolor. I also just profiction as well. The ability to help someone duced my first enamel pin. I love and find them a piece of media that they exploring and experimenting. connect with is just the best feeling.

But you’re a librarian? Did you go to When you’re working for one of the school for art or library sciences? libraries or making art, what are you Both. I have a B.A. in digital communimost likely doing? cations design, a B.F.A in fine art printmakOnce I wind down, I love cooking. And I ing and a master’s in library and info scihave a bunch of plants, they’re my babies. I ence. Currently, I’m working for Wake Tech also take care of my axolotls.

Community College’s Perry Health Sciences What’s an axolotl?

Library as a library technical assistant.

They are a type of fully aquatic salaTell us about your association with the mander that never leaves its larval stage.

LGBTQ Center of Raleigh.

They never come up on land, they keep I have been working there since 2017 their gills and stay in water their whole life. when we arrived in Raleigh. I started as North Carolina actually has a native salaan intern. When the librarian left, I took mander that exhibits the same traits. over for her. My co-librarian Brittany and I Sounds like a full and happy life. Is worked very hard to bring the library more there anything that unnerves or infuriup to date with what represented our ates you? community. A lot of the library’s founda[Without hesitation] Raleigh drivers! tion was based on people donating books.

[Chuckles] every single person in this area Many of the books fit into the category needs to go back to driving school. I don’t of cis gay or cis lesbian romance. It was think anyone here knows what a turn

signal is or what to do when they see an emergency vehicle. It’s my daily complaint.

Do you have a favorite book?

You can’t ask a librarian that! That’s just rude [bursts into laughter].

Ok, so how about a book recommendation for parents of trans or nonbinary children?

Absolutely. There are a few, but I’d start with “Beyond The Gender Binary”

by Alok Vaid-Menon, “A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns” by Archie Bongiovanni & Tristan Jimerson and “The Reflective Workbook for Parents and Families of Transgender and Non-Binary Children” by D.M. Maynard.

Speaking of binary issues. What are your thoughts on the recent news of a possible overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision?

Not a fan of that. I don’t understand why this is a thing. We have scientifically proven time and time again that denying access to reproductive care only causes harm – more death, more injury, more pain. The fact that the people most impacted by this are the people who basically can’t afford or aren’t in positions to get somewhere safe to have an abortion is infuriating.

In light of that frustration many of us share, what makes you smile?

Without fail, my cat. He does this little chirp when I call his name. My partner thinks he’s calling my name and every time he does it, it is the most precious thing.

He also has 24 toes and I absolutely love him. Most cats have 18 toes. He has seven [each] on the front and five on each back paw. His name is Nimbus.

Anything else you’d like people to know about you?

I want people to understand that I am not just my identity. While my identity makes me who I am, I very much want to share with people my hobbies and my interests. I want to support my community, but at the same time I think that restricting ourselves to only defining ourselves by our identities is harmful. We’re so much more than that.

So, when people interact with me, I want them to see the things that I love first.

Any final words for qnotes readers?

Drink tea and be queer. : :

Become a foster parent today! chsnc.org/foster May 13 -May 26, 2022

Qnotes

19

Out on the Town is an LGBTQIA+ social group sponsored by Blumenthal Performing Arts. Members enjoy special discounts as well as FREE mixers before or after select performances throughout the year.

It’s the perfect place to network with fellow arts lovers.

There are no dues, no officers, and no membership requirements.

You can become a member by simply signing up!

UPCOMING EVENTS AND SPECIAL OFFERS: BlumenthalOutOnTheTown

blumenthalarts.org/brands/detail/outonthetown

@outonthetownclt

Questions? Email us at outonthetown@blumenthalarts.org

20

QnotesMay 13 -May 26, 2022