Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
qnotes
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qnotes
Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
inside this issue
Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019 Vol 33 No 20
connect
feature
goqnotes.com
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contributors this issue
Torie Dominguez, Joe Johnson, Jack Kirven, Lainey Millen, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Trinity, Theresa Viera
front page
Graphic Design by Lainey Millen Photography: Christopher League via Wikimedia. SA 2.0 CC 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@goqnotes.com Nat’l Sales: Rivendell Media, ph 212.242.6863 Managing Editor: Jim Yarbrough, x201, editor@goqnotes.com Assoc. Editor: Lainey Millen, specialassignments@goqnotes.com Copy Editor: Torie Dominguez, torie@goqnotes.com Production: Lainey Millen, x205, production@goqnotes.com Printed on recycled paper. Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2019 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.
Gays and the Holocaust
news 4 PFLAG National Welcomes New Executive Director 4 ECU Peel LGBTQ Center Ribbon Cutting 4 News Briefs 5 Anti-Bullying Laws Can Twart Youth Suicide 5 Trans Directory Released 9 #MeToo Founder Speaks at Duke Chapel
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic is hosting their finale of their annual fashion show after five years of showcasing creations from designers.
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a&e 17 19
Tell Trinity Condom Couture
life 6 Beating the Blues 8 Welcoming Those with Disabilities 13 Black History Month in the Tar Heel State 15 Health & Wellness
views 14
Legal Eagles
events charlotteobserver.com/1166/ a local news partner of The Charlotte Observer
Condom Couture Celebrates Its Last Runway Season
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Bob Woodward in QC ‘Movement Art Is’
Disabilities: Making Everyone Welcome
Including those with disabilities in parties, outings and more during the winter months aids in battling isolation with some helpful tips.
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Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
qnotes
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Briefs
news PFLAG National names Bond new ED WASHINGTON, D.C. — PFLAG National announced that effective Feb. 1 Brian Bond will join the organization as its new executive director. Board President Kathy Godwin said, “I am thrilled to welcome Brian to the helm of PFLAG National. He has a proven record of success unifying people across communities, building strong alliances and partnerships, and working in challenging environments and moments to effect change. His personal story—as a young gay man raised in rural America — will resonate with so many people, including our supporters and members. I know Brian is the leader PFLAG needs to continue our work, and greatly expand our reach.” Bond, a Missouri native with a degree in Public Administration from Missouri State University, is a former Obama Administration official and LGBTQ advocate with a background in constituency outreach and coalition bridge-building. He most recently served as the coalitions director for the Climate Action Campaign in Washington D.C., working to protect clean air and promote action to limit climate change. Prior to that, he was the deputy CEO for the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pa. During the Obama Administration, Bond served as deputy director for the White House Office of Public Engagement and primary liaison for the LGBTQ community. After the re-election of Obama in 2012, he moved to the Environmental Protection Agency to work on the administration’s climate initiatives as associate administrator for Public Engagement and Environmental Education. Prior to these roles, he served as the executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and is credited with expanding the success of the organization and support for LGBTQ candidates during his six-year tenure. “I know what it is to be the scared kid growing up in a rural community feeling different and alone, struggling with accepting who I was and living in fear because I knew I was different,” said Bond. “As the executive director of PFLAG National — arm in arm with the hundreds of thousands of exceptional people who are the backbone of PFLAG — it is my goal to intensify all our efforts serving our diverse families and communities. “For communities of color, we can make this stronger through continued cultural inclusion work and expanded outreach, listening, and tools. We can build on PFLAG’s long and noteworthy trans-inclusive history to expand our programs for transgender and gender-expansive youth and their families. There is no question we also will find the best way forward for faith-based and more conservative families torn between loving their kids and loving their faith. PFLAG is uniquely positioned to do this work, with over 400 chapters in communities across the country, and over 45 years on the front lines of this movement. I am truly honored to take up this work with the dedicated leaders and volunteers of PFLAG, and the PFLAG National staff.” info: pflag.org. photo credit: obama administration, white house — Lainey Millen
ECU center hosts ribbon cutting, open house GREENVILLE, N.C. — On Jan. 12, East Carolina University (ECU) held a ribbon cutting and open house for the newly named Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center. It became the largest center of its kind in the University of North Carolina system. Peel was on hand for the dedication and told The Daily Reflector, “For a young, gay kid in rural North Carolina, having a place like this where you’re able to be who you are and not have to apologize for it, that’s an incredible asset.” He came out in his 30s and considered himself a “late bloomer.” The center is located on the second floor of the new student center and features expanded study and lounge areas, staff offices, a conference room and a lending library of more than 500 titles. Formerly known as the LGBT Resource Office, it was originally founded in 2011 and currently sees more than 7,000 visits each academic year. Its educational programming includes a speaker series, the Queer Film Series, and annual events such as National Coming Out Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance and World AIDS Day. Peel hopes that the new center will be a “a safe, open and welcoming space for young students struggling in their own journeys,” the Reflector added. Peel, a philanthropist who lived in Atlanta, Ga. and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, shared ECU’s vision of a safe and welcoming environment that promotes understanding, acceptance and visibility of the LGBTQ community. His family homestead was located close to ECU in Everetts, N.C. “I would’ve never imagined something like this when I was growing up. I was such a backwoods kid. I didn’t come out until my 30s. I might’ve been too afraid to go to it if there were a place like this in Chapel Hill,” he told the Georgia Voice. Peel was asked to be involved in ECU’s diversity initiative 14 years ago. With the LGBTQ center’s arrival, it captures prime real estate in the heart of the student center. During the Jan. 12 ceremony, “Peel and 350 other attendees from around the state and Southeast spoke to the courage and determination these students have displayed. Each one of them a sprouting part of the future of the LGBTQ world. ‘With that comes an obligation. You need to get out there and become your full potential and become the queer leaders we need,’” Peel shared with the Georgia Voice. He, along with his mother Helen Peel, also established the J. Woolard Peel University Scholars Award at ECU in order to memorialize his father. Upon his mother’s death, Peel sold her three farms and used the proceeds to create the J. Woolard and Helen Peele Distinguished Professorship in Religious Studies, the Reflector reported. The school even made him an honorary Pirate in 2009 and it helped to instill even more love of the university. He hopes that the new center will be a catalyst for the community and provide for a place of welcome for the LGBTQ community. info: ecu.edu. bit.ly/2MlrCNJ. bit.ly/2R2tbBa. — Lainey Millen
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Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
Author, correspondent dies
Gay North Carolina native, journalist and author Perry Deane Young died on Jan. 1 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Young found fame as an United Press International Vietnam War correspondent, arriving on the day that the 1968 Tet Offensive began. His works were made into films and theatre productions, including the 1977 gay-themed best-seller “The David Kopay Story.” He also served as a mentor to other writers, photographers and artists in the Triangle. A celebration of life will take place in late March at the Dead Mule. Memorials can be made in his name to the Compass Center for Women and Families, P.O. Box 1057, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
info: bit.ly/2FO4Ywi.
Men’s chorus sings for Hornets
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte made history when it became the first gay chorus to sing for a professional sports team in North Carolina, WCNC reported. They kicked off the Hornets’ game in early January and performed at halftime. It was the sport organization’s first-ever Pride night, celebrating equality, inclusion, diversity and authenticity. Chorus director John Quillin said that “visibility on the gay community is really coming along” and that “things are really different” and this could not be done 20 years ago.
info: bit.ly/2FCB3Ih.
Youth group begins
The North Star LGBTQ Community Center will launch a youth support group in February. It will be facilitated by a licensed counselor through a partnership with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Email info@northstarlgbtcc. com to learn more.
info: northstarlgbtcc.com.
Carolinian named center director Preston Keith, former assistant director of multicultural students programs at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and the GLBT Center at North Carolina State University, has been named as the University of Cincinnati’s new director of its LGBTQ Center. He assumes duties on Feb. 4.
info: bit.ly/2T6DSEw.
Church provides solace
Safe Harbor Family Church in Clinton, Miss., has served to help author Glenn Garner as a place to find his faith he shared with Out.
info: bit.ly/2T6bORy.
College rankings published
College Consensus has published their ranking of the 25 LGBTQ Friendly Colleges for 2019. Elon University came in at second.
info: collegeconsensus.com.
Pride world conference reg open The 2019 InterPride AGM & World Conference will be held in Athens, Greece from Oct. 17-20 and early registration is open until Jan. 31 for those members who wish to attend.
info: athensprideinterpride.com.
Lone Star State makes history
The Texas Legislature now has an LGBTQ caucus which was started by five women.
info: bit.ly/2M27yjz.
News site shuttered
After a 17-month run, Grindr has shut down its LGBTQ INTO news site.
info: nbcnews.to/2T7lBXQ.
Youth suicide attempts can be thwarted by anti-bullying laws LOS ANGELES, Calif. — New research from the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that anti-bullying laws that explicitly protect youth based on sexual orientation are associated with fewer suicide attempts among all youth, regardless of sexual orientation. In addition, enumeration of sexual orientation was associated with fewer experiences of stressors, such as feeling unsafe at school and being physically forced to have sexual intercourse. While fewer youth attempted suicide in states with sexual orientation-inclusive anti-bullying laws, more sexual minority youth experience bullying and other stressors, and they are more likely than nonsexual minority youth to experience suicide ideation and attempts — whether or not their state has explicit sexual orientation protections. “Enumeration of sexual orientation in state antibullying laws is a first step,” said lead author Ilan H. Meyer, Ph.D., a senior public policy scholar at the Williams Institute. “These laws are associated with fewer suicide attempts, but do not eliminate disparities between sexual minority and non-sexual minority youth. Additional interventions, such as training teachers, instituting school-based support groups and promoting social connectedness between youth and their communities may help reduce disparities in exposure to bullying and its ill effects for sexual minority youth.” In the U.S, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws aimed at reducing bullying. Currently, 20 states and the District of Columbia have enumerated anti-bullying laws that explicitly prohibit harassment and victimization of students based on sexual orientation. The report, “Sexual Orientation Enumeration in State Anti-bullying Statutes in the United States: Association with Bullying and Suicide Ideation and Attempts Among Youth” appears in LGBT Health and is co-authored by Meyer; Feijun Luo, Ph.D., economist at the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; Bianca D.M. Wilson, Ph.D.; Rabbi Barbara Zacky, senior public policy scholar at the Williams Institute; and Deborah M. Stone, Sc.D., M.S.W., M.PH,, behavioral scientist at the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the CDC. info: williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu. — Lainey Millen
Trans directory released ASHEVILLE, N.C . — The Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE) released an updated and expanded version of “Trans in the South: A Guide to Resources and Services” to help transgender Southerners access the medical and legal services they need. The new edition features an independently-vetted directory of more than 400 transgender-friendly service providers — including primary care doctors, attorneys, counselors, endocrinologists and more — across 13 Southern states. The guide is available in English and Spanish online. According to 2016 data published by the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, approximately 500,000 transgender individuals live in the South. But many transgender Southerners report experiencing barriers to accessing basic services and a lack of respect, dignity and understanding in medical settings. Nationally, data suggests that approximately 25 percent of transgender people do not seek healthcare at all because of a fear of discrimination. Ivy Gibson-Hill, CSE community health program director, said, “We know that trans folks face disparities in nearly every sphere of life, but in health care particularly. Finding a doctor or attorney who will treat you with dignity and respect can be a really overwhelming task as a Southern trans person. The ‘Trans in the South’ guide is a joint effort by trans leaders across the South to increase our community’s access to competent care and make it easier to find friendly providers and resources.” Last month the Southern LGBTQ Health Initiative, a collaboration between CSE and Western North Carolina Community Health Services, released a report that captured transgender and non-binary Southerners’ experiences accessing healthcare. The report featured conclusions from the Trans Health Focus Group Project, which included the voices of nearly 50 transgender and non-binary individuals from six Southern states. The report provides qualitative data on the many roadblocks trans Southerners face when seeking healthcare. CSE Executive Director Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara said, “We are working toward a South where transgender people can access their basic human rights — including their rights to healthcare and legal protections — without leaving their hometowns, no matter where they live. Our recommendations from the Trans Health Focus Group can create long-term, desperately-needed change for trans Southerners. Until that day comes, we’ll keep creating resources like the Trans in the South guide to create bridges into the care, services and support people need and deserve.” info: southernequality.org/transinthesouth. — Lainey Millen
Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
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life
It’s cold outside and you’re feeling blue Tips for getting out of the rut of Winter SAD-ness Compiled by Lainey Millen | QNotes Staff Writer
H
ere we are at the end of January and there’s officially still a couple of months of winter to go. It’s at this time of the year that people get cabin fever, cagy, glum, as well as simply in a funk. Perhaps, you want to do something, but you’re feeling blue. This is a natural experience of the rhythm of time. Think of yourself as a tree. In the springtime, we get all flowery and energized. Over the summer months we are out and about soaking up the sunshine, then fall season hits and we begin to feel a little chill in the air and some of us get excited that it’s finally not blaring hot. For others, it’s a reminder that colder weather is approaching with winter’s tundra-like weather and shorter daylight availability. (Brrr…) If you enjoy the colder weather and all that it has to offer, then you’ve got it all covered. Just head out to the slopes, find an ice skating rink or shuffle through the snow. However, those who are not fans of this season may be feeling downright SAD. That’s seasonal affective disorder. It comes with a plethora of symptoms and it can get gnarly. Bears hibernate, but we don’t. So, to get through this time, here are some ideas and tips to steer you in a brighter direction.
Get physical
Don’t sit around couch surfing or laid up in bed with your head under the covers! Try to get moving. And while you’re at it, try developing a regular schedule to help you stay balanced during SAD times. It’s also a good time to begin to get fit for warmer months when swimming, sports, etc., are ramping up. You don’t have to purchase expensive equipment and you don’t have to spend a fortune at a local gym see next page u
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Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
The winter months can not only bring on a chill to one’s body, but it can also do the same for one’s mental health in the form of SAD — seasonal affective disorder. Instead of being isolated, find ways to get energized, such as getting some sunshine, meeting friends and getting that body moving. (Photo Credit: Viacheslav Iakobchuk via Adobe Stock)
to feel and look better. Walking is one way that you can charge your batteries. It’s low tech, and only requires a pair of shoes and a bit of determination. You might even head out to a mall and walk around the inside of it for varying amounts of time. If you are just starting out, take it easy. Start with a simple plan of walking for 10 minutes, then increase that until you’ve reached your goal. Your physician should give you the green light to do any activity, especially if you’ve got healthcare concerns. Get that handled first and a prescription for your routine. If you’re more fit, you might want to take in an exercise video while you do a little workout. Some of you might even have equipment at home like a step machine or an elliptical bike. Invite a friend over and take Finding things to beat the blues and turns using it. Or bring up a good TV show or movie and winter funk can help bring on a smile watch it while you cycle. instead of a frown. (Photo Credit: A. You can also try some yoga and let that OHM get Buechert via Adobe Stock) your chi all balanced. Getting outside for some sunshine and exercise can also help you beat the blues. Let the kid in you come out of hiding and try some sledding or a snowball fight. It can be fun, plus it allows you to engage in light-hearted connections with your family and friends. Find the right gear to provide personal comfort and safety while engaging in some energy-producing activities. Here are some tips to get going: • Remember that winter means early sunsets. So, get your journey started early in the morning to take advantage of the limited sunlight. Be sure your pack includes a flashlight or headlamp in the event you are still on the trail as the sun sets. • Before getting started, be sure to give your muscles time to warm up. To avoid injury, it is always important to stretch before embarking on a workout, but it becomes especially important in cold weather. • High-quality wearable tech is crucial for today’s outdoor enthusiast. Seek out a durable watch specifically designed to help you make the most of outdoor sports. You can use your timepiece to learn about your surroundings and support you in the things you want to do, for a safer, more connected journey. • You may be working up heat, but you’ll still want to keep your head, fingers and toes wellprotected in cold weather temperatures. These are the areas of the body most vulnerable to frostbite. Select socks, gloves and a hat specifically designed for sports that offer moisture wicking, comfort and warmth. Be aware of the signs of frostbite and take care to get indoors at the earliest sign. • Just because the temperature is colder doesn’t mean you should skip on the important things you do to stay healthy at other times of the year. For example, drinking water and staying hydrated are important whenever you are physically active. • Keep using an SPF lotion on any exposed skin, and wear eye protection such as sunglasses designed for sports or goggles. • Before investing in expensive, space-consuming equipment upfront, consider whether it’s more worthwhile to rent or buy these items. • Listen to the advice of any instructors you work with and always follow the directions and safety rules at the facility. And, remember that activity with exercise helps your brain to release endorphins, serotonin, adrenaline and dopamine, all the natural mood boosters and feel-super chemicals that make us feel in good spirits.
Try stepping outside on a sunny day and walk around in its warming rays. Don’t forget to bundle up, however. You’ll enjoy the fresh air more when you aren’t shivering! If going outside is a challenge, then turn on the lights in your house. Don’t sit in the dark. Mental healthcare professionals suggest this to their clients as a way to battle the blues. There are even specialized light boxes that you can purchase that will give you targeted illumination in the way of light therapy. These should be obtained after receiving a prescription from your doctor and instructions on how to best use it. You could also use dawn simulators that are light producing devices that bring gradual illumination into your bedroom to help you wake up more naturally. Remember that sunshine gives us vitamins that helps out our immune system. So get up and go! If all else fails, then schedule an appointment with a mental health professional who can help you deal with SAD or other forms of depression. If its warranted, using an antidepressant can provide the extra support that you might need, especially if there is a tendency for brain chemistry or firing mechanisms to have a deficite. The addition of nutritional supplements may also be suggested by your doctor or healthcare provider to help improve your mind and your body.
Hope is a four letter word
With seemingly constant negative news reports, you may feel like there is little to feel hopeful about these days, but experts say that having hope can be a powerful tool in good times and bad. “Whether you’ve lost a job or a loved one, or you’re experiencing general feelings of despair, hope can give you strength and renew your potential and purpose,” says Dr. Rosalind Tompkins, founder of the National Month of Hope. “Finding hope in everyday challenges is the first step to creating a solution.” To help you find hope in your life, as well as spread hope to others, Dr. Tompkins, a recognized “Hopeologist” and life coach offers the following advice. • Schedule five minute “hope breaks” into your normal routine. • Set goals and move forward, focusing on results. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your progress. • Spread hope to your community by giving time, food and money to those in need. • Is there someone in your life who needs hope? Prepare yourself for a conversation with that person by turning on your own belief that things can get better. While despairing often comes naturally in times of personal and public crisis, consider empowering yourself to move forward by adopting a hopeful attitude. For more information or other tips, visit makeahopeconnection.com. : : Portions of this feature were made available through StatePoint Media resources.
Get out and socialize
Another way you can beat the blues is to get together with your friends and family. Staying holed up does nothing to battle against depression or the blahs. Try getting a cup of java with someone and spend time chatting. Grab lunch or dinner. Play games, shop, go to a sporting event, play or concert or try some dancing. You’ll turn that SAD, frown face into a smiley one.
Hello sunshine
One major element in stemming the blues is light exposure. It helps to stimulate your physiology. Think of light and dark. In the dark, you are quiet and reserved. Bring in some light and you begin to move. It’s sort of like being asleep and and then awake. Light is that thing that brings you to an alert state.
Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
qnotes
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life
Disability: Making everyone welcome Tips for Inclusion
Compiled By Lainey Millen | QNotes Staff Writer
A
s the cold months dig in and we await the warmth of spring, getting out and socializing can help stave off the blues and/ or malaise during these dark times. Daylight is getting longer, even though it does not seem so. Those with disabilities are even more challenged during this time of the year. Weather might keep some homebound and others may simply find lugging around extra weight with coats and such to be a burden. If they do venture out, having accommodations for the disabled will help to make any gathering inclusive and comfortable. Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, president of RespectAbility, and inclusion expert Alie Kriofske Mainella suggest that the LGBTQ community follow these easy steps to help make those with a disability feel welcome at parties or social gatherings.
Involving parents. Parties can be exhausting for the hosts. Asking a parent or two to volunteer to help at the party, particularly if it’s a big group, can lighten the load for the hosts. Parents may feel more comfortable, especially if their child has social anxiety issues, if they are invited to stay or help as an option. Sensory overload awareness. Parties can cause sensory overload for any child or adult. But for a person with autism or a sensory processing disorder, a party can be really overwhelming. Offer opportunities for guests to take a break, perhaps in a quiet room away from the crowd. Some venues may have options for turning down music or minimizing stimulation — and that is useful anywhere there are a lot of kids! Latex allergies (balloons) and chemical sensitivities (use of highly scented cleaners or staff wearing perfumes) are real issues. Solutions: Use alternative mylar balloons. Ask people to not wear strong scents, and choose unscented cleaning products.
Don’t be afraid to include guests with disabilities. Spending time with disabled friends and including them in one’s plans can make for an People with disabilities have their disabilities enjoyable experience for everyone. (Photo Credit: auremar via Adobe Stock) 24/7, so they know how to create work-arounds so that they feel comfortable. If you know someone has a disability, use a simple strategy — ask the with Disabilities Act (ADA), many of them are not fully accesperson what they need to be fully included. All sible. Thus, if your event is at a venue that is not physically Communication. too often people with disabilities are not invited to events, accessible to all, move it to a place that is. That can mean If a guest attending the party is non-verbal or comor don’t go because they feel embarrassed to “put someone a different room in a place of worship, or to a completely municates in other ways such as American Sign Language out” by asking for a simple thing that will help them attend. different place. Venues should have a ground level enor a communication board, talk about it with the guests. By telling them that their presence is valued, and asking what trance or ramp, an elevator if it’s upstairs, and accessible Installing free Dragon software onto an Ipad in advance can they need, you will build a new level of trust and affection. bathrooms. Most public places (hotels, restaurants, bowlenable you to speak with someone who is deaf as it instantFor example, one of the biggest things that aging loved ones ing, video games, pools, bounce houses, etc.) are usually ly transcribes what you are saying. Having an interpreter need is a ride. So help them find a carpool or send an accesequipped for people with disabilities. Just check with the can be worth the cost, as all the people can communicate sible taxi or UBER to pick them up and return them home. venue ahead of time. If you have someone coming who and maybe learn a little sign language! Remember to speak uses a wheelchair, you should also put candlesticks on a directly to a child or adult whether s/he is verbal or not. The RSVP. table that is low enough for them to also be able to light Not all disabilities are visible, so you may not know that candles [if this is part of a celebration]. Reading, cognitive access and vision issues. someone you want to include in your event has some special Children and adults with cognitive, learning disabilities needs. By including a line about accommodations in the invitaSpecial diets. or vision impairments might not be able to read the menu, tion’s RSVP, you are already letting guests know that everyone Anyone can have allergies, celiac disease or lactose instructions for a scavenger hunt or a game score sheet. welcome. If it’s a party for children, parents can tell you, right intolerance, but you won’t know unless you ask on the inviPictures and verbal instructions are useful, as well as pairoff the bat, what their child’s needs might be to attend the tation RSVP. Making sure there is an option for cake, snacks, ing children with those who can help. It’s always great to party. They will be happy you asked! “We want everyone to treats and other food for these guests can be as simple as have an extra pair of reading glasses around if you are inhave fun — please let us know if you have dietary restricpicking up a gluten free cupcake to serve with the cake. It is viting seniors. But you can always tell someone who can’t tions or require other special accommodations to attend! We thoughtful to have refreshments that everyone can enjoy. see or read what they will need or what to know. will do our best to meet special needs.” Note that you aren’t promising to meet all needs — if you can’t find a sign language Addressing attitude. Enjoy the party! interpreter at the last minute or there is another issue, for Kids and adults can be daunted when encountering Don’t let inclusion stress you out. If you are reading this example, you will be able to let your guest know in advance. someone who is different from them. If it’s a children’s list and considering these tips, you’re already doing more Indeed, they may be able to help you find a solution! event you can talk to the group at the start of the party than most! Stay positive, smile and throw that PARTY! about kindness and respect for each other and each Physical access. other’s differences. A party is a great opportunity for kids For more information about disability resources, visit Most public places are accessible. However, because to learn about one another. RespectAbilityUSA.org. : : religious institutions are exempted from the Americans
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Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
news
#MeToo founder calls on women to be ‘visionary’ to build and sustain movements Tanara Burke gave the keynote address in Duke University’s annual MLK Jr. commemoration BY Joe Johnson, The Charlotte Observer | Guest WRITER DURHAM, N.C. — African-American civil rights activist Tarana Burke is calling on women to be strong. Burke is credited with starting the “Me Too” movement in 2006, a campaign that encourages men and women to feel empowered and say “me too” if they have been victims of sexual harassment, abuse or assault. The movement gained national attention and renewed urgency in the past two years after allegations against high profile men rattled entertainment, political, sports and other industries. Burke spoke on Jan. 20 at Duke Chapel, presenting the keynote address during Duke University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration. Her 20-minute talk addressed many themes, from raising awareness about women facing sexual abuse and assault to the leadership role African-American women played during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. “I’ve realized folks don’t understand two things,” Burke said. “One, they don’t understand Dr. King’s connection to women and women in leadership, and then what it takes to build a movement.” Burke recounted the contributions of several women who were critical to the success of the civil rights movement, including Jo Ann Robinson, a co-founder of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rosa Parks and Diane Nash, a civil rights leader who Burke said hasn’t received nearly the same amount of attention for her contributions. She called on women today to be visionary. “We live in a culture of instant gratification,” she said. “So
vision but we built a movement on hope and not only do we want results quickly, faith and vision.” we are often not committed enough Brenda Blue, who attended the talk to the broader, more expansive with two friends, said Burke’s words are vision that we are placated by shortinspiring because she has “the courage and term victories. the voice to come out about this.” “That’s not what a movement “Because there are so many women, is. Imagine if they stopped at beespecially black women, who have been ing able to sit anywhere on a bus. traumatized by sexual abuse,”Blue said. Movements are incremental and “It’s an emotional thing to deal with.” built over time. They’re strategic Before Burke spoke, Duke University and thoughtful. Tanara Burke. Photo Credit: The Charlotte Observer President Vince Price and Durham Mayor “In order to build effective, Steve Schewel reflected on the importance of remembering sustainable movements, we have to believe in something that King’s contributions. seems impossible to others is actually possible.” Price said it is part of Duke’s mission to train thinkers In talking about the origins of the Me Too Movement in who strive for moral equity and justice. 2006, Burke said she felt like there was a “deficit of possibilSchewel, a Duke graduate, said he is proud of his alma ity” among women. mater for finally removing the statue of Robert E. Lee “Nobody talked about sexual violence,” she said. that stood near the entrance of the chapel until last year. “Nobody spoke of it.” It was damaged in the fall of 2017 following a series of But during the last year, that has changed, she said. Confederate statue protests in Durham and Chapel Hill. “So many people don’t understand what it means to be a Schewel also offered his thanks to outgoing UNC-Chapel Hill survivor,” Burke said. “Or what it means to carry that trauma. Chancellor Carol Folt for ordering the removal of the base that But I believe in movement and I believe in organizing. It was held the Confederate statue known as Silent Sam last week. a tool I had. It made sense to build a movement. “We all know Confederate statues across the South The audience, which nearly filled Duke Chapel to capacmust come down,” Schewel said. “She had the courage ity, listened intently as Burke recounted her experiences. have that base removed.” “It was a simple idea,” Burke said. “We started with spreadHis comments received thunderous applause. : : ing the possibility that healing was possible. It didn’t feel like a
Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
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Trial, Terror and Treatment Queers in the Holocaust
By Lainey Millen | QNotes Staff Writer
Holocaust uniform worn by a gay prisoner; Pierre Seel and Gad Beck at the premiere of ‘Paragraph 175;’ and Holocaust prisoners in concentration camp in Sachsenhausen, Germany. (Photo Credit: Jewish Virtual Library, uniform; James Steakley, CC SA 4.0 International, Seel/Beck; Jewish Virtual Library, concentration camp prisoners)
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tories have been written and films have portrayed what the life looked like of someone who was a marginalized community individual during the days of Nazi control. But those of queer survivors and the way in which they were treated have been difficult to retell for reasons known and unknown. The Nazi take over and occupation of European and Asian territories took place between the years 1933 and 1945. The Homocaust website reported that up 100,000 gay men and women were persecuted and imprisoned for their sexuality under Paragraph 175 of the 1871 German Penal Code. The code was revised in 1935 to include 175a and 175b (detailed below). The site also shared that of the approximate count, around 15,000 were sent to camps. Paragraph 175 stated: “An unnatural sex act committed between persons of male sex or by humans with animals is punishable by imprisonment; the loss of civil rights may also be imposed.” During the Nazi Party’s control, the paragraph was revised. Its components were expanded and read: 175. A male who commits lewd and lascivious acts with another male or permits himself to be so abused for lewd and lascivious acts, shall be punished by imprisonment. In a case of a participant under 21 years of age at the time of the commission of the act, the court may, in especially slight cases, refrain from punishment. 175a. Confinement in a penitentiary not to exceed ten years and, under extenuating circumstances, imprisonment for not less than three months shall be imposed: 1. Upon a male who, with force or with threat of imminent danger to life and limb, compels another male to commit lewd and lascivious acts with him or compels the other party to submit to abuse for lewd and lascivious acts; 2. Upon a male who, by abuse of a relationship of dependence upon him, in consequence of service, employment, or subordination, induces another male to commit lewd and lascivious acts with him or to submit to being abused for such, acts; 3. Upon a male who being over 21 years of age induces another male under 21 years of age to commit lewd and lascivious acts with him or to submit to being abused for such acts; 4. Upon a male who professionally engages in lewd and lascivious acts with other men, or submits to such abuse by other men, or offers himself for lewd and lascivious acts with other men. 175b. Lewd and lascivious acts contrary to nature between human beings and animals shall be punished by imprisonment; loss of civil rights may also be imposed. This legal device enabled the Nazis to persecute, try and sentence gays under criminal law. Some were sentenced to prison, while those even less fortunate were
doomed to concentration camps. However, it did not matter because gays were ranked and treated more brutally than “political prisoners, criminals, asocials, Roma – gypsies – and Jehovah Witnesses,” wrote Charles Alexander in a feature on Pridesource (https://pridesource.com/ article/64065-2/). Being gay was a criminal offense in Germany. Henrich Himmler, one of the high ranking members of the Nazi Party and a cohort of Adolph Hitler, created the Reich Central Office for the Combating of Homosexuality and Abortion to deal with “the problem” in 1936. Gays were considered to not be wholesome and regarded as “defilers of German blood.” In fact, during the Nazi regime, gays were subjected to a host of horrific acts which included court-ordered castration, humiliation, severe beatings, torture, medical experimentation (as a type of conversion therapy or worse) and murder. Those who were relegated to concentration camps were often singled out for sexual abuse. Additionally, lesbians were also targeted, but to a lesser extent since they could more easily be forced or persuaded to appear straight. Alexander shared this horrific picture of life on the inside of the Nazi system: “Upon arriving at the police station he [Pierre Seel] says that he and other homosexuals were repeatedly beaten. Any who resisted the SS Gestapo brutes had their fingernails torn out. Others had their bowels punctured, causing them to bleed profusely. After his arrest he was sent to the concentration camp at Schirmeck. “There, Seel shares that during a morning roll-call, the Nazi commander announced a public execution. A man was brought out, and Seel recognized his face. It was that of his eighteen-year-old lover from Mulhouse. The Nazi guards then stripped the clothes off his lover, placed a metal bucket over his head, board banged it repeatedly, then released trained German Shepherd dogs to maul and tear him to death.” Recounts from gay survivors have been few and far between. Once liberation occurred, gays still had to contend with Paragraph 175 and known information from arrest and capture records about these individuals’ sexual identity. Some were re-arrested and put into prison based upon evidence that the Nazi regime gathered during the occupation across the landscape. Even after WWII, the law remained and incurred some revisions until its demise. It was not until March 10, 1994, that Germany struck down the law due to the changes in social norms. On May 17, 2002, Germany passed a supplement to the Act of Abolition of National Socialism which coincided
symbolically as 17.5. It annulled the convictions of gays and deserters from the Wehrmacht. In 2016 a move was put into place to provide amnesty, pardons and remuneration for those gays who were convicted under Paragraph 175. Sums were based upon a conviction plus more money for each year spent in custody. It passed overwhelmingly in 2017 and became the law of the land. Those affected by convictions are entitled to apply for a “vindication certificate” which is open to those who are living and posthumously by relatives. Among those survivors and victims of the Holocaust were the following: Albrecht Becker, an actor and photographer Was convicted under §175 and sentenced to Nuremberg due to his admission that he was gay. He served three years and was released. Kurt Hiller, director of the Magnus Hirschfeld Institute of Sex Research Was sent to a concentration camp. Gad Beck, Resistance fighter Stole a German Youth uniform to breach Auschwitz and win release of his Jewish lover. Beck, who was half Jewish and half Gentile, was surprised when his lover refused the release, saying he did not want to leave his family behind. Rudolph Brazda, Legion of Honour awardee Held in Buchenwald until liberation and spoke out against Nazi treatment of gays and France’s role in the deportation of Jews and gays. Heinz Dörmer, survivor Recounted his experience of hearing those sentenced to death howl and scream in inhuman ways. Friedrich-Paul von Groszheim, survivor Was arrested thrice during the occupation and agreed to castration. Karl Gorath, survivor Punished for not obeying orders to decrease bread ration for Polish war prisoner patients. Three memorials have been erected in Germany to honor LGBTQ victims. They are located in Frankfurt (Frankfurter Engel, frankfurter-engel.de/), Cologne (Kölner Rosa Winkel/Rosa Winkel Mahnmal, rosa-winkel-mahnmal. de) and Berlin (Memorial to Homosexuals Persecuted Under Nazism, stiftung-denkmal.de/en/). Others around the globe include ones in Sydney, Australia, the United States and others. To learn more about the Holocaust visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (ushmm.org), Yad Vashem (yadvashem.org) and Making Gay History, The Podcast (makinggayhistory.com/podcast/magnushirschfeld/). : :
Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
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Shingrix
By Arkeia Pruitt, PharmD Candidate Shingrix is a novel, recombinant vaccination, composed of lyophilized gE antigen, that was FDA-approved in October 2017 for the prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in adults 50 years of age or older. Shingles is a condition which usually occurs once in a person’s lifetime when latent varicella zoster (chickenpox) is reactivated. It happens in 2 out of 10 people who have previously had chickenpox. Shingles is a clinical syndrome that is more common in older patients, but can also happen in younger patients. The condition presents as a painful rash consisting of blisters and usually last up to four weeks. One of the major complications of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN causes severe pain due to nerve damage and can last for weeks after shingles has resolved. Shingrix is reconstituted with the supplied ASO1B adjuvant and administered intramuscularly in a series of two doses. The ideal duration between the two doses of Shingrix is 2 to 6 months. For patients who exceed the six month waiting period until the second dose, the series does not have to be restarted, but it is recommended that the patient receive the second dose as early as possible. The administration of the vaccination may cause mild to moderate pain, redness, and swelling. Other adverse events experienced by patients who received the vaccine include fatigue, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and fever, which were more common in younger patients. Usually, these side effects only affect patients’ normal daily activities for 2-3 days.
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which is the chickenpox vaccine. Other contraindications for the use of Shingrix include patients with active episode of herpes zoster and women who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Recently pharmacies and clinics have had to place patients on a waiting list to receive the Shingrix vaccine due to its high demand. Shingles can be a debilitating disorder, so prevention of the condition is the key to ensure patient safety. The only treatment options available are supportive care measures. Tylenol or aspirin can be used for pain and fever, as well as topical agents to relieve skin irritation. Remember, Shingrix is the preferred vaccination for healthy adults 50 years and older, regardless of whether the patient has or has not received Zostavax.
Shingrix cannot be substituted with Zostavax, which is a live vaccination also used for the prevention of Shingles. The two vaccinations differ in category, administration, and efficacy. Zostavax is a one dose, live vaccination administered subcutaneously. Evidence shows that Shingrix is 97% effective in adult patients 50 years and older for the prevention of herpes zoster while Zostavax is only 70% effective. Although studies show that Shingrix is more effective than Zostavax, there are still times that Zostavax would be a more beneficial option in clinical practice. If a patient has a hypersensitivity to the components of Shingrix, Zostavax is the best option. Zostavax is also the best option to prevent herpes zoster if Shingrix is unavailable. Patients who are not immune to the chickenpox virus should not receive Shingrix or Zostavax, but should receive Varivax,
References Shingles Vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/ index.html. Last updated August 2018. Accessed September 2018. Lexicomp Online. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. 2018. Accessed September 2018. Shingles: Overview. PubMed Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmedhealth/PMH0072808/. Published April 2017. Accessed September 2018. Searle-Mallick, Snodgrass B, Brant JM. Posttherpetic neuralgia: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and pain management pharmacology. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2016; 9: 447-4554. What Everyone Should Know about Zostavax. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/ shingles/public/shingrix/index.html. Last updated June 2018. Accessed September 2018.
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N.C. Black History Month Commemorations State Historic Sites and Museums Share Rich Past
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frican-American history in North Carolina involves struggle, resistance, songs and celebrations. All of this will be showcased at various programs at venues of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. There are many free, family friendly events available all across the state.
East February. Roanoke Island Festival Park (RIFP). Social Media Presentations. Visit the RIFP Facebook, Instagram and blogposts during February as it honors Black History Month highlighting the Freedman’s Colony, Champney drawings and Pea Island Life Saving Station. RIFP reopens March 8. Feb. 1-22. Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City. First Friday. Harlem Renaissance: Contemporary Response Art Show at Arts of Albemarle. The visual impact of the Harlem Renaissance will be on display at Arts of Albemarle, showcasing the impact of artists including Selma Burke and Aaron Douglas through works by today’s local artists; a collaboration among the Museum of the Albemarle, Arts of Albemarle and the community advocacy group Voices for a Diverse Culture.
Compiled By the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Feb. 16. Somerset Place State Historic Site, Creswell. Made of the Land Outreach Program at Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Columbia. The program describes objects made at Somerset by enslaved workers and white families in 1843. A costumed historic interpreter will discuss artifacts that were grown, constructed or purchased for the plantation’s everyday operations. Noon. Free. Feb. 16, 23. Historic Edenton. Edenton: From Civil War to Civil Rights. Tour focuses on African American life in Edenton from preemancipation to the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting black leaders, businessmen and educators from Edenton and the Albemarle region. Departs from Historic Edenton visitor center and lasts about an hour. 11 a.m. RSVP to 252-482-2637. $2.50. Feb. 16. Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City. Harlem Renaissance: A Forward Movement Exhibit Opening. View the exhibit, try 1920s style hats and accessories and enjoy refreshments. Adults and children may participate in creative activities. The exhibit will showcase through artifacts the impact of Harlem Renaissance artists on contemporary artists and the cultural ideas from that period through Feb. 22. Free.
February. Historic Edenton. Harriet Jacobs Walking Tours. The tour highlights the life of Harriet Jacobs and the maritime underground railroad that led to freedom. The program is aimed to the eighth- grade curriculum. Pre-registration required, call 252-482-2637. Feb. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. $2.50.
Feb. 16. Museum of the Albermarle, Elizabeth City. Harlem Renaissance: A Foward Movement. Historic artifacts related to the Harlem Renaissance will be on view which explore cultural ideas emerging during that vibrant era. Flapper fashions, pro-black literature and African-American art will be shown through March 30. Free.
Feb. 2. CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center, Kinston. U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) and the Civil War-Lunch and Learn/Battlefield Tour. Hear two lectures on the USCT role in the war in eastern North Carolina. Learn about recruitment, equipment and training, missions and combat. Lunch and tour of Wyse Fork Battlefield included. Space is limited, reservations required. 11 a.m. $10.
Feb. 21. Tryon Palace, New Bern. AfricanAmerican Lecture Series. Music of Black Migrationers. Music has been a mainstay in the African-American culture to sustain spirits and hope. Dick Knight & Company will share music of southerners who fled injustice in the South, including W. C. Handy, Huddie Lead Belly, Bessie Smith and Nina Simone, in the N.C. History Center. 7 p.m. Free.
Feb. 6. Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City. History for Lunch: A Look at the Harlem Renaissance. Dr. Leon Pringle, Albemarle Voices for Diverse Culture, will speak on the historic importance of the Harlem Renaissance. 12:15 p.m. Free. Feb. 8. Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City. Harlem Renaissance: Contemporary Response Art Show, Elementary School Day. Performance by Atumpan-the Talking Drums followed by hands-on activities that explore literary, musical, performance and visual arts of the Harlem Renaissance. Inclement weather date Feb. 22. 9 a.m-1 p.m. Free. Feb. 15. Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City. Harlem Renaissance: Contemporary Response Art Show, Middle and High School Day. Douglas Jackson, assistant professor, visual and performing arts, Elizabeth City State, will discuss his grandmother Anita Scott and the Renaissance. Students will use immersive experiences to measure its impact on arts today. Inclement weather date Feb. 22. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.
Piedmont Jan. 28. N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh. African-American Cultural Celebration. Join the statewide kickoff to Black History Month. Named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, the 18th annual day-long African-American Cultural Celebration features scores of musicians, storytellers, dancers, chefs, historians, playwrights, authors, artists, reenactors and more. 10:30 a.m. Free. Feb. 1. Historic Stagville, Durham. Stagville Under the Stars. Join Historic Stagville and Morehead Planetarium as a storyteller shares African folk tales about the sun, moon and stars. Peer through a telescope as the planetarium provides a tour of the night sky. 6 p.m. Free. Feb. 4. N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh. Live! Manners Matter. Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum Site Manager Jamie Jones and Museum of History Educator Sally Bloom in a livestream explain that school founder
Dr. Brown reminded students, civil rights leaders, artists, and others that politeness and grace were more than “nice to have,” but that Manners Mattered at that elite prep school for African-Americans and elsewhere. Online registration for schools here. 10:15 a.m. Free.
and the campus, hear of famous AfricanAmericans from actors to politicians who came to Palmer. Program meets N.C. curriculum standards. Lunch arrangements available. For information and reservations contact Education Coordinator Sonya Laney at sonya. laney@ncdcr.gov or call 336-449-4846.
Feb. 9, 23. N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh. African-American History Highlights Tour. Docent-led tours through exhibits highlight the contributions of African Americans to North Carolina.1:30 p.m. Free.
February. N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh. Exhibits: The North Carolina Roots of Artist Ernie Barnes through March 3, The Green Book Mini Case, through Feb. 28.
Feb. 9. N.C. State Capitol, Raleigh. Black History Month Read-In. Celebrate literature as words and experiences of African-Americans echo in a structure built by African-Americans for whom it was illegal to read. Local authors, community leaders and students read to children, teens and adults. Presented in partnership with the N.C. African-American Heritage Commission, Wake County’s Richard B. Harrison Library and the N.C. Government and Heritage Library. 1 p.m. Free. Feb. 9. Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum, Sedalia. Palmer Personalities. During these special tours visitors will meet actors portraying notable personalities from the school’s history, including Dr. Brown’s family. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free. Feb. 10. N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh. Music of the Carolinas: Donna Washington. Author, storyteller, performer Donna Washington, well-known spoken word recording artist, will perform. 3 p.m. Free tickets distributed at 2 p.m. Feb. 13. N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh. History á la Carte. Running for Freedom: Enslaved Runaways in North Carolina, 17751840. Learn how relatives of men, women and children searched for loved ones escaping slavery based on newspaper advertisements detailing physical descriptions, personality traits, locations, and rewards, from historian Dr. Freddie Parker. Noon. Free. Feb. 21. St. Augustine’s College, Raleigh. Public Art and Public Memory. The N.C. AfricanAmerican Heritage Commission partners with Envision Saint Agnes for a reception and panel discussion, Public Art and Public Memory “A Community Conversation Honoring AfricanAmerican Heritage Through Public Art,” in the Prezell Robinson Library. 6 p.m. Free. Feb. 23. N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh. Fascinating Figures Workshop. Artist Pinkie Strother is known for her three-dimensional figures that place everyday people in historical scenes, as was Ernie Barnes whose work is on exhibit. In this hands-on workshop, you will see works by Barnes and Strother, then create one. Ages 12 and up; 1 p.m. Pre-registration required. $20 for non-museum members. February. Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum, Sedalia. Black History Month School Tours. Students will learn of the important role Dr. Brown and Palmer Memorial Institute played in the lives of AfricanAmericans in North Carolina before it was a historic site. On a tour of Canary Cottage
February. N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer. Special Exhibit: Safe Bus Company. Exhibit of a bus from the Safe Bus Company, formed in Winston-Salem to provide transportation to African-American workers in Winston-Salem who were underserved. Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. March 1-2; March 3 noon to 5 p.m. Regular admission; adults $6, seniors/military $5, Ages three-12 $4, two and under free. February. N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer. Special Exhibit: Rise Above: Tribute to Tuskegee Airmen. A touring mobile movie theater with inspiring history lessons of the Tuskegee Airmen. The 160-degree panoramic film highlights the courage and determination of the airmen with spectacular footage of the CAF Red Tail Squadron’s P-51C Mustang flyer. Feb. 27-28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., also on March 1-2; March 3, noon-5 p.m. Regular admission; adults $6, seniors/military $5, Ages three-12 $4, two and under free.
West Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23. Reed Gold Mine, Midland. African-American Miners in North Carolina. Saturday tours focused on the site and the mine that tell stories of African-American miners at Reed Gold Mine in the region. 1 p.m. $2 for ages eight and older. Feb. 21. N.C. Horne Creek Farm, Pinnacle. African-American History Talk. An examination of local families, the Sawyers and Cundiffs, showing what the lives of African-Americans were like in turn-of-the-century North Carolina. 12:45 p.m. Free. Feb. 23. N.C. Horne Creek Farm, Pinnacle. Tour of the Hauser and Sawyer Cemeteries. A guided tour explores the historic white and African-American cemetery at Horne Creek Farm. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. February. Mountain Gateway Museum, Old Fort. African-Americans in the Mountains. Weekly social media posts featuring AfricanAmericans in western North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, visit ncdcr.gov. : :
Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2019
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N.C. Law on Domestic Violence in Different Relationships Legal Eagles
BY Theresa Viera, attorney | guest WRITER With the landmark civil rights case Obergefell v. Hodges, the United States Supreme Court found that the fundamental right to marriage extends to individuals in same-sex relationships under the United States Constitution. This ruling has led to a ripple effect on various state laws regarding divorce, adoption, child custody and financial support matters. State laws are now under a microscope to ensure uniformity and equality of individual protections in samesex relationships versus heterosexual relationships. In particular, this has led to an in-depth analysis of North Carolina law protections of individuals who find themselves in domestic violence situations. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute Section 50B-1, domestic violence encompasses physical violence, an attempt to cause physical violence, and/or placing an aggrieved party or a member of an aggrieved party’s family or household in fear of imminent serious bodily injury or continued harassment that rises to such a level as to inflict substantial emotional distress. Under this statute, a personal relationship includes the situation where the aggrieved party and the perpetrator are “current or former household members” and/or “current or former spouses” with no requirement that the parties are persons of the opposite sex (NCGS Section 50B-1(b)(1) and (5)). Under these specific provisions, persons in same-sex relationships similar to those in heterosexual relationships are able to obtain what is referred to as a Chapter 50B Domestic Violence Protective Order under North Carolina law. A Chapter 50B Domestic Violence Protective Order (“DVPO”) is a unique legal tool and form of protection that is established by a civil claim between two individuals.
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Once a Court deems that a DVPO is warranted, should the defendant violate the DVPO then said person may be charged in a criminal court for a Violation of a DVPO, in contrast to other forms of civil protective orders. In certain circumstances, a suspected or reported violation can lead to the automatic arrest of the defendant without the need for a warrant or other process by the court. Rather, an officer who has probable cause to believe the defendant knowingly violated the DVPO will automatically result in the defendant’s incarceration. However, a concern arises for same-sex couples when the partners have never been current or former household members or spouses. If they do not meet these provisions, then their same-sex relationship is not characterized as a “personal relationship” for purposes of DVPO protections. Rather, the DVPO protections are only available to “persons of the opposite sex” who are in or have been in a dating relationship ((NCGS Section 50B-1(b)(6)). Therefore, simply put, because of this provision in the law, same-sex partners do not have all the same DVPO protections as heterosexual partners under North Carolina law. A 50B DVPO is not the only form of restraining order permitted by North Carolina law. Also available are Civil No-Contact Orders provided for under North Carolina General Statute Section 50C. A Chapter 50C Civil NoContact Order is an available remedy to same-sex couples in specific situations per the statute; however, this type of protective order does not have the same enforcement mechanisms as a DVPO. In particular, an officer cannot automatically arrest the defendant if there is probable cause to believe there was a knowingly and willful violation, and
a Civil No-Contact Order violation is not prosecuted in the criminal courts. Rather, in general, a violation of a Civil NoContact Order violation is handled via a contempt matter in the civil courts. Because of these stark differences, enforcement of a Civil No-Contact Order can be much more difficult and take a lot more time. The time and difficulty involved with a Civil No-Contact Order results in deterrence of individuals seeking such protections. As of today, the full extent of available domestic violence protections to same-sex relationships is not equivalent to partners in heterosexual relationships in North Carolina. If same-sex partners are married, or have lived together, they do qualify for Chapter 50B protections equal to that of heterosexual partners. If same-sex partners have not been married or lived together, they cannot seek Chapter 50B protections — however, they can seek Chapter 50C protections. In order to have a legal system that protects individuals equally regardless of relationship type from the detrimental reality of domestic violence, the North Carolina legislature and legal system has some work to do to close the gap. As we have seen in recent news, legislators across the state are working toward changing the current laws to equally protect everyone in our community. : : Sodoma Law Attorney Theresa Viera practices Family Law in Charlotte, N.C. She provides litigation and counseling services in a wide variety of cases including domestic violence, child custody and support, divorce, equitable distribution and alimony. She is a member of the Mecklenburg County and North Carolina Bar Associations, and serves on the Board of Directors for Justice Initiatives.
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Getting Past the VD Hump
Health & Wellness: How to Avoid Being in the 90 Percent BY Jack Kirven | qnotes contributor Okay, I admit it: That title was clickbait. The VD in question here is Valentine’s Day, and the 90 percent refers to the number of new gym members who stop going by Feb. 14. It’s a statistical truth that only a tiny fraction of members actually go to their gym. Gyms bank on this. If everyone actually showed up, it’d be a train wreck. Gyms oversell their capacity, specifically because they know you have only a 10 percent chance of showing up. Your resolutions are important. You made them, because you know you need to improve. It doesn’t really matter what the resolution is, you made it, because you felt it was something that could help you live a happier life. If that resolution was to exercise more, I want you to keep it up. You must, must, must create new habits by way of repetition. I won’t lie: Repetition can become deadly. Especially with exercise, it can be incredibly daunting. But wait, I have some ideas! Yay! What do they all have in common? They take the pressure off of you trying to go it alone. Wherever possible, make sure you have some source of accountability, especially if you know you won’t have enduring discipline within yourself.
Gym Buddy
Make it a one-on-one situation where someone is there waiting to grow with you. Perhaps this person is more experienced, but it’s just as likely as not that they’re starting on the same level you are. Either way, having a buddy with you not only reduces your risk of flaking out (unless you’re just that rude about wasting other people’s time), it can also reduce the intimidation or anxiety new members often feel. Gymtimidation is real, and I absolutely do not want other people’s progress or attitudes undermining your own. Find a friend who will go with you! It can be frustrating to find someone willing and reliable, but you both stand to gain significantly.
Group Class
So you can’t find or don’t want a gym buddy. Consider a whole room of potential buddies. If you like crowds, the energy and dedication of other people can be very exhilarating and motivating. It can also be distracting or discouraging, so shop around a bit before you commit. Make sure you’ve found the right activity, the right level, the right location, the right instructor and the right community. If you’re gonna do it, do it right. (Thank you, George Michael.)
Personal Trainer
Avoid being a gym-ditching membership-goer statistic. Find ways to stay engaged once the ‘new’ wears off the year, be it with a gym buddy, group class, personal trainer or other methods. (Photo Credit: Bojan via Adobe Stock) ability that comes from groups without having to be present with them. If you know you will do your workouts, but that you risk getting bored or losing focus, consider joining a virtual community where people post their progress. Some people find that very engaging. Personally, I don’t care for all this social media obsession, but I’m an old geezer, and you can get off my lawn. Ultimately, you will have to invest time and energy in committing to a new pattern. I’ve seen it said that making a permanent change requires anywhere from 30-100 repetitions (depending on the author). Will you prioritize your resolution 30-100 times? Be honest. If you can do it, perfect! If you cannot, find the encouragement and accountability that will press you until you are consistent enough to press yourself. Happy new year to you: I sincerely hope that you will meet and exceed all your hopes and expectations! Now, let’s get you past the VD hump. : : Jack Kirven completed the MFA in Dance at UCLA, and earned certification as a personal trainer through NASM. His wellness philosophy is founded upon integrated lifestyles as opposed to isolated workouts. Visit him at jackkirven.com and INTEGRE8Twellness.com.
This is like a gym buddy but better (at least I think so). Once you find the trainer you like (ahem), that person will show up reliably, and you will be working with someone who can help you identify your goals. A good trainer will give you the motivation you need to make safe progress, so be sure that their style and personality meshes with you. One of the most important reasons to have a trainer is accountability. Someone is there waiting for you, so you better show up. Also, I charge my clients for the session if they don’t give me proper notice to cancel. I mean, if you want to pay me to sit around checking email and watching cat videos, that’s on you.
Journal
Oh, yes. Your inner voice. Here it is. People who journal are nearly twice as likely to meet their goals by their deadlines. Why? Because your journal will never lie to you. Use it consistently. If you feel you haven’t gotten anywhere, look at your journal. It will remind you specifically how far you’ve come. Conversely, if you don’t do your sessions, your empty journal will remind you of that, too. It will say everything by saying nothing at all. One way or another, a journal is one of the single most effective strategies for success. I cannot recommend it enough. Keep. A. Journal.
Goals and Rewards on Social Media
This is rather like an online version of the group class. There are hundreds of options for you to consider, and you can become involved in the type of camaraderie and account-
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Help, I’m Trapped in a Raunchy Sex Scene Tell Trinity
BY Trinity | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Hey Trinity, I met this guy at the bar and brought him home for some lovin’. Well he turned into a sex pig, spitting, swearing, choking and more. I’m not vanilla, but when sex gets too dirty or painful it turns me off. How do you know if someone wants a “scene” rather than just good sex? Sex Or X, Denver, CO Hey Sex Or X, With one-night stands you have to take a stand. Just ask them, “What do you like?” and then listen for key words like kissing, passion and affection verses bondage, spitting and raunch. Some people are way more X-rated and can easily make you feel vanilla for just wanting good ole sex. Honey, you really have to be clear before letting a complete stranger take you to his dungeon! Love, Trinity
Hello Trinity, My partner and I don’t have sex anymore, and I’m sure he’s cheating on me. Am I wrong if I cheat on him? Sex, Lies And Cheating, Boston, MA Hello Sex Lies And Cheating, First of all, sex is a gift — not a tool by which to punish someone. That only happens on afternoon soap operas, (what’s left of them). So, yes, you’re wrong for cheating even if your partner cheats on you. However, sweetie, you’re right to do something less dramatic, such as sit down together like two sane adults and talk about your problems. Either agree to try an open relationship or agree to separate for a while, but end the drama today! (Drama can ensue in a relationship if you aren’t honest and don’t take the time to hash out your differ-
ences. You don’t have to be a “Scarlett” or a “Rhett” to get it right. Just check out my cartoon to see how this can play out.)
the City” pretty much covers it all. Take a weekend and rent the six seasons. But for now, read:
Dearest Trinity, I have a wonderful boyfriend. The only trouble is that he likes to take his shirt off at the club and, therefore, insists on shaving regularly. He looks great, but it’s so prickly! I’d prefer him au naturel. How can I bring this up? It’s a sensitive matter. Yours, Seriously Over Stubbled, Laguna Beach, CA
Trinity’s 10 Most Critical Aspect Of Dating (According To ‘Sex and the City’)
Dearest SOS, Before opening a can of worms, I always start with a bottle of wine. It sets the mood. Once he’s feeling tipsy, let him know how great he is, how much you love him and how much his shaving is making your love life “uncomfortable!” Pumpkin, if he loves you, he’ll toss the razor. But if he’s an egotistical, selfish man with low self-esteem (like most men) he’ll never see your point, unless, of course, you do the same (hint, hint)! Good Luck, Trinity Dear Trinity, I’m new to the dating scene. I just got out of a 10-year relationship to the only person I ever dated. Do you have any fast-learning dating advice? Thanks, Back After Ten Years, Honolulu, HI Dear Back After Ten, I’ve been working on a book, but it won’t be ready any time soon. However, darling, an old TV series called “Sex and
1. The most critical aspect of dating is “sex.” “Be good in bed!” 2. The second is, “have a stylish apartment and date people with style!” 3. The third, “when you start feeling something, it’s working!” 4. Fourth, “wait a while before talking about your exes.” 5. Fifth, “know that it all happens for a reason!” 6. Sixth, “there’s no such thing as easy. Even if your date is easy, easy doesn’t last forever!” 7. Seventh, “Accept that when a man’s not interested, he’s just not interested!” 8. Eighth, “just when you’ve figurd it all out… you may not have!” 9. Ninth, “the chances that it may not work out are far greater, especially when you don’t work at it.” 10. A nd the last most critical aspect of dating is, “dream, take risks, tell it like it is and always try to look your best!” With a Masters of Divinity, Reverend Trinity hosted “Spiritually Speaking,” a weekly radio drama performed globally, and is now minister of sponsor, WIG: Wild Inspirational Gatherings, wigministries.org, Gay Spirituality for the Next Generation! Learn more at telltrinity.com. Send emails to: trinity@telltrinity.com.
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events January 25-27 ‘The Firebird’ and Sibelius Violin Concerto
January 24-February 16 ‘Nina Simone: Four Women’
Hadley Theater at Queen’s University 2132 Radcliffe Ave., Charlotte 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday Presented by Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, Christina Ham’s play explores vocal legend Nina Simone’s transformation from well-known songstress to activist in the wake of the 1963 Birmingham bombing that resulted in the deaths of four young girls. The official opening Jan. 30 follows three nights of previews offering pay-what-you-can or discount admission. Cast talkbacks will be held each Thursday after the performance. Sunday, Feb. 10 the show will include ASL interpretation. General admission $30-35, $20-25 for students and teachers, or $15-17.50 for military servicepeople, Actor’s Theatre partners, and members of the Queens University community. Premium admission $44-$50. atcharlotte.org/nina-simone.
January 25-27 Shen Yun
Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday Classical Chinese dance and music company Shen Yun partners with the North Carolina Falun Dafa Association to deliver an elaborate celebration of five millennia of Chinese culture. Tickets $80-$150. bit.ly/2W5mKRC.
Meymandi Concert Hall at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts 2 E. South St., Raleigh 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday Memorial Hall at UNC Chapel Hill 208 E. Cameron Ave., Chapel Hill 7:30 p.m. Sunday Grammy-winning guest violinist Augustin Hadelich joins the North Carolina Symphony to perform Jean Sibelius’ <Valse Triste” and Violin Concerto in D Minor. The concert will continue with Igor Stravinsky ballet suites ”Pulcinella” and “The Firebird.” Tickets $18-$77. bit.ly/2FNfa8d.
January 28 Bechtler Museum Guest Lecture: Nathaniel Kahn
Wells Fargo Auditorium, Knight Theater Entrance 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte 6 p.m. Academy Award nominee filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn will be present for a special screening of his acclaimed 2018 art-world documentary “The Price of Everything,” followed by an audience questionand-answer segment hosted by the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Tickets are $10 for the public, $6 for Bechtler members and free to students with valid ID. Firebird and Modernist Society members are entitled to complimentary admission but must register in advance. bit.ly/2Cyw6My.
January 26 ‘Drag Me to the Red Carpet’
Newton-Conover Auditorium 60 W. 6th St., Newton 7:30 p.m. Top local drag performers put their spin on a plethora of celeb-
A conversation with co-founders Lil Buck and John Boogz of the activist performance collective Movement Art Is, moderated by Charlotte City Councilmember At-Large Braxton Winston. The evening will also feature an original dance piece, as well as a screening of the pair’s short film “Color of Reality.” Free and open to the public with advance registration available online. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St., Charlotte. 7:30 p.m. bit.ly/2Cyw2fM.
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Submit your events: editor@goqnotes.com
rity impersonations, featuring odes to Judy Garland, Bette Midler, Marilyn Monroe, Dolly Parton and more. Hosted by Flip Wilson in character as Geraldine, with artists including current and former Miss Gay NC America, Miss Gay America and Miss Charlotte Pride titleholders, and presented by OUTright Youth of Catawba Valley. General admission $25. Ages 15 and up. bit.ly/2W341WE.
January 29 UNCC Personally Speaking Author Series: Freedom Narratives of African-American Women
UNC Charlotte Center City Campus 320 E. 9th St., Charlotte 6:30 p.m. Author and UNCC associate professor Janaka Bowman Lewis discusses her book “Freedom Narratives of African American Women: A Study of 19th Century Writing,” exploring the rich history of progressive storytelling and political writing by African-American women long before the commonly recognized advent of the civil rights movement. A reception and book signing will follow the conversation. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. bit.ly/2W7AZoH.
January 29 National Geographic Live! View from Above
McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m. Astronaut Terry Virts, retired commander of the International Space Station (ISS), delivers a dynamic presentation guided by his own stunning portfolio of out-of-thisworld photographs – many of which featured prominently in the National Geographic book “View from Above” and the IMAX film “A Beautiful Plane.” Tickets $19.50-$39.50. Purchase includes admission to hands-on events at Discovery Place with Virts before the show. bit.ly/2sEkJhH.
January 31-February 9 ‘Two Trains Running’
January 31: ‘Movement Art Is’
January-February 2019
Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday August Wilson’s ”Two Trains Running” sees a Pittsburgh restaurant owner forced to consider selling the beloved establishment when aggressive urban development threatens to destroy the neighborhood he calls home. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s civil rights movement, the play represents the seventh of 10 installments in “The American Century Cycle,” for which Wilson
February 3: A Conversation with Bob Woodward
The legendary investigative journalist, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and Washington Post associate editor became a household name when he, along with Carl Bernstein, broke the story of the Watergate debacle. Now he pays a visit to Charlotte to speak on the state of the American presidency in the context of the Mueller investigation, economic policy, nationalism and potential armed conflict. Tickets $24.50-$79.50, with VIP meet-and-greet package $179.50. Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. 2 p.m. bit.ly/2W4SLJn. was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. General admission $28. bit.ly/2RChshH.
February 1-17 ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’’
Theatre Charlotte 501 Queens Rd., Charlotte 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday with additional matinee performance 2:30 p.m. Feb. 9 This fan-favorite revue, winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, showcases the best of Golden Age jazz legend Fats Waller. Includes the classic numbers “Honeysuckle Rose,” “The Joint is Jumpin’,” “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” and more. Rated PG-13. $28. bit.ly/2TXKfdg.
February 1 Blumenthal Performing Arts Open Mic Night
McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m. This free public showcase features local performers of all stripes, with past events having included acts from singer-songwriters, beat poets, magicians and more. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. All ages welcome. bit.ly/2U20ciL.
February 2 Cupid’s Undie Run
Whisky River 210 E. Trade St. Suite 300A, Charlotte 12-4 p.m. A fundraising run with a twist: billed as a “mile(ish)” in length, the aerobic portion of the event takes place smack dab in the middle of a party… with participants clad only in their underwear. Proceeds
benefit Cupid’s Charity, an organization dedicated to fighting the genetic tumor disorder neurofibromatosis. Runners may register solo, form a team or join an existing team. Advance registration is $40 through Jan. 27 and $45 thereafter, or $50 at the door. cupids.org/city/charlotte.
February 2 Tosco Music Party
Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m. The Queen City staple Tosco Music Party series is back with its first concert of the new year, featuring as always an eclectic mix of styles and performers plus intermittent audience singalongs. Ticket prices range from $15.50 to $34.50, with discounts available for students, groups of 10 or more, or when purchasing tickets to multiple events. bit.ly/2RChnup.
February 9-March 3 2019 Charlotte Jewish Film Festival
Temple Israel 4901 Providence Rd., Charlotte Regal Ballantyne Village Stadium Theaters 4815 Ballantyne Village Way, Charlotte Various times More than a dozen films from around the world elevate Jewish stories and celebrate the diversity of experience they reveal. Take in the LGBTQ-themed “The Cakemaker” on Feb. 16 at the Regal Ballantyne Village theatre. In addition to the core series lineup, limited screenings will be offered on three successive Sundays at Our Town Cinemas in Lake Norman. Ticket prices start at $11. charlottejewishfilm.com.
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REGULAR EVENTS
Condom Couture Fashion Show Celebrates Five Years and Says Goodbye
Charlotte Latin Pride
Spanish-language support nights, second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m., Charlotte Pride offices at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza, Charlotte. info: charlottepride.org/latin/
PFLAG Charlotte
Support meetings, second Monday of each month, 6:30-8 p.m., Time Out Youth Center, 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte. info: pflagcharlotte.org
Prime Timers
Monthly meeting including dinner, speaker, games and more for gay men ages 21 and up, 5-7 p.m., Park Road Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 3900 Park Rd., Charlotte. info: primetimersww.com/charlotte/
Trans Youth Group
Weekly discussion groups for transgender youth ages 13-20 each Thursday, 4:30-6 p.m., 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte. info: timeoutyouth.org
Transcend Charlotte
Support groups for partners, friends and family of transgender and gender non-conforming adults ages 18 and older, second and fourth Sundays of each month, 6-7 p.m., Time Out Youth Center, 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte. info: transcendcharlotte.org
Youth Drop-In Space
Drop-in space Monday-Friday, 3-6:30 p.m., 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte. info: timeoutyouth.org
Youth Discussion Group
Weekly discussion groups for LGBTQ youth ages 13-20 each Wednesday, 6:308:30 p.m., 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte. info: timeoutyouth.org
Youth of Color Group
Weekly discussion groups for LGBTQ and ally people of color each Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m., 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte. info: timeoutyouth.org
UPDATES/ADDITIONS?
Do you have a regular and reoccurring community event you’d like listed? A listing to update? Email us at editor@ goqnotes.com.
Colorful, creative fundraiser for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic goes out in style BY Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Resources
C
ondom Couture remains one of Charlotte, N.C.’s most daring fashion shows, and organizers wouldn’t have it any other way. The fifth annual fashion show is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 9 at The Fillmore located at 820 Hamilton St. More than 20 local designers will use thousands of condoms to create fashionable, wearable art, promote safe sex and raise funds to sustain the expanding work of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (PPSAT) in Charlotte. The PPSAT Charlotte health center serves thousands of women, men and teens annually, offering a range of services from basic gynecological and breast exams to family planning and testing/treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Education and awareness is key and PPSAT is helping to change the dialogue about sex, sexually transmitted infections and HIV across the Charlotte area. Five years ago, a diverse group of creative talent came together to create an innovative party to support PPSAT and to engage a younger group of supporters and raise awareness about safe sex, said event committee chair Lesa Kastanas. The time has now come for the group to move on to other projects, however. But their love and support for PPSAT remains strong, Kastanas added. “Our final theme is Carnivale, so expect every aspect — from the entertainment to the décor and designs — to reflect the extravagance and abundance of the season,” she says. Last year, more than 800 people attended the show at The Fillmore, raising more than $100,000 for PPSAT. This year, the event is expected to sell out. “The designers represent a range of artistic backgrounds from industry professionals, to cosplayers to visual artists and crafters,” Kastanas says. Their designs will be auctioned off after the show with all proceeds benefiting PPSAT. The designers for this year’s show at The Fillmore include Ladies of Lineage owner Jodene Pooler, women’s wear designer Nicci Wiggins, cosplayer Amberle Linnea and mother/daughter artist team Bree and Robin Stallings, among others.
Designers’ works at the 2018 Condom Couture fashion show. (Photo Credit: (top) Deborah Tripplet, (left) Justin Smith) Blayr Nias, creator and The Almost Famous Comedy Show at The Comedy Zone Charlotte, will host this year’s event. Jess George will lead a live auction of the designer pieces following the runway show. The NC Brazilian Arts Project will perform live and DJ Andy Kastanas will hype the crowd before and after the show. General admission tickets start at $30; VIP seats start at $175. For tickets and more information, visit condomcoutureclt.com. : :
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