QNotes, Feb. 13-26, 2015

Feb. 13-26 . 2015

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inside

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news & features

6 News Notes: Regional Briefs arts. entertainment. news. views.

8 News Notes: U.S./World Briefs 9 Aiken focus of documentary 10 Glitz, glamor, gala 10 Out2Enroll

a&e / life&style 12 12 13 13 15 16 16 17 22 23

Jermaine Nakia Lee First among equals Pam Spaulding lends voice Alvin McEwen’s watchful eye In Sickness and In Health Jane’s World Tell Trinity Dishing with Buff Faye Q Events Calendar Our People: Name

Dean Smith Feb. 28, 1931 - Feb. 7, 2015

❝ He was willing to take controversial stands on a number of things as a member of our church — being against the death penalty, affirming gays and lesbians, protesting nuclear proliferation. He was one who has been willing to speak out on issues that many might hesitate to take a stand on. ❞ — Robert Seymour, former pastor, Binkley Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, as quoted in The Washington Post on Feb. 8.

opinions & views 4 4 5 5

Editor’s Note TalkBack Guest Commentary Spiritual Reflections

Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan shows his love for his former coach, Deam Smith, during game play.

Photo Credit: Zeke Smith, via Wikipedia. Licensed CC.

Feb. 13-26 . 2015

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qnotes connect Feb. 13-26, 2015 Vol 29 No 21

arts. entertainment. news. views. goqnotes.com twitter.com/qnotescarolinas facebook.com/qnotescarolinas

contributors this issue

Paige Braddock, Tessie Castillo, Matt Comer, Isai Efuru, Buff Faye, Lawrence Ferber, Ann Doss Helms, Lainey Millen, Trinity

front page

Graphic Design by Matt Comer & Lainey Millen Photography: Jojo Wilden Courtesy of Sony Picture Classics Mission:

The focus of QNotes is to serve the LGBT 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 LGBT life and social justice issues.

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Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2015 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.

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editor’s note

by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com

With trans visibility on rise, we must still do more In the past year or two, it seems to me I’ve written and read more about transgender people and the issues still at the heart of their experiences than ever before. This increasing rate of discussion, debate, examination, awareness and activism can be properly credited to the brave people who are stepping out, standing up and speaking with fortitude.

And much of this credit — at least locally — can go to young people.

Taking a look back at the archives of what we’ve written here at qnotes, a substantial number of the significant news items on transgender issues over the past couple years has at its crux an individual or group of transgender youth leading the way: trans-inclusive health coverage for students at Duke University, growing attendance at annual Transgender Day of Remembrance events, students pushing for policy changes at schools like Central Piedmont Community College and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, a trans high school senior running for homecoming king, trans students asking for more inclusive policies in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

There are other stories, too: increasing attention on the plight of unemployment and violence faced by transgender people, the continued effect of the HIV epidemic on trans people and increased visibility for transgender people in civic affairs.

When I was in high school, just a mere decade ago, transgender people were nearly invisible. One was lucky to find a small group of openly gay or lesbian students, much less increasing numbers of students unafraid to be their honest, gender-affirming selves. In college, transgender folks were occasional participants in events or activities, but their presence was limited and issues important to them were even more rarely discussed or prioritized. Embarrassingly, I was among the LGB student leaders at the time that often gave short shrift to trans people and trans issues.

In the mainstream, much was the same. Mecklenburg County first passed protections for LGB workers in 2005; they didn’t come back for transgender employees until 2013. Charlotte city leaders similarly first passed protections for LGB workers in 2010, later following up for transgender folks in 2012.

But, in just a very short, amazing time, awareness has changed.

Transgender people and the issues most important to their livelihood are increasingly moving from back seat to the front.

I’m not the only one to notice. I asked over a dozen LGBT leaders and community members, both regionally and nationally, if they also thought attention to and awareness of transgender issues has been on the increase. Most all said yes.

“Dialogue is shifting from sexual orientation and more emphasis is being placed on discussing gender identity and expression,” remarked one.

Another said they’ve witnessed growing visibility and leadership from trans people in their state, particularly a significant growth over the past seven years.

But some thought more improvement was still needed. One told me they see increasing attention isolated according to region or organization, pointing to groups like Time Out Youth, where “trans issues are increasingly at the forefront and demanding center stage,” they said.

Another thought the increased attention, while positive, doesn’t necessarily translate into more advocacy, especially, they said, “when that advocacy can be perceived as at odds with ‘mainstream’ advocates.”

All of the sentiments are valid. In regions or organizations were more

trans folks speak out, trans issues get more attention. And in too many cases, mainstream LGBT organizations aren’t always prioritizing trans issues (though many are trying and improving).

A step in the right direction will be intentional inclusion. Many of our local LGBT organization boards or staffs already have at least one transgender or gender non-conforming member or staffer, but certainly not all.

I believe most groups without current trans representation on their boards or staffs do understand the need for improvement. I’m looking forward to seeing how they grow and change and to what extent trans leadership and visibility continues to increase.

We’re heading in the right direction. For that, I’m proud. I’m also grateful for occasional reminders that, while we’re moving forward, it might not always be fast enough for true justice. This month, trans leaders stormed the stage at Creating Change, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s annual conference. It was bold. It was brave. And it was a necessary, in-our-face reminder that we need to do more.

The activists did more than shout chants. They also included a manifesto, if you will — a list of priorities and demands for LGBTQ organizations and institutions. We’re reprinting them below. Take a look through.

Read and read again. Ponder on your reactions and what you might be able to do to ensure the demands are met. Because, at the end of the day, we’re all stronger and better together.

Trans People of Color: State of Emergency As delivered by transgender activists on Feb. 5 at Creating Change, Denver, Colo.

Purpose: To bring awareness and attention to the issues of structural violence that continues to kill trans people, particularly trans women of color.

Statement: Brothers and sisters in our community continue to lose their lives to structural, institutional, physical and relationship violence. We, the trans community, invite the LGBQ and allied institutions at this conference to join us in putting an end to the violence that our community has experienced for many years. We are demanding intentional, meaningful investment in our community’s efforts to eradicate this epidemic.

We demand: • Funders and organizations, especially LGBT organizations to intentionally invest in the Trans Community • Support and acknowledge trans leadership to build and foster strength in our power.

• Meaningful equity of resources in order to eradicate the economic and health crisis our brothers and sisters face.

• LGBT and ally organizations to hire trans people for leadership positions.

We demand for these organizations to be intentionally inclusive and truly provide leadership opportunities for the trans community. If you serve us, you must include us.

• Investments in new and upcoming trans specific organizations and support their works in underserved areas.

• Big tent and anchor organizations to leverage their access to policy makers and funders and use their privilege to support trans-led efforts in eradicating the ongoing structural violence that our community faces. : :

talkback Comments from goqnotes.com. and facebook.com/qnotescarolinas. Web comments are not edited for grammar or punctuation.

Our online readers weighed in with a variety of viewpoints in response to our story on local TV anchor Audrina Bigos’ comments regarding Bruce Jenner and his rumored gender transition. Here are some of their thoughts below. You can catch the original article online at goqnotes.com/33851/.

No one was offended except this one complainer. She has nothing to apologize about!

— Ric, Feb. 3 Ms Bigos is free to say whatever she wants. Viewers of WCCB and listeners of KISS are free to stop viewing/listening or patronizing their sponsors. This is America; dissatisfaction is best expressed by hitting them in the wallet.

— Jimmy Locke, Feb. 4 This is a prime example of attacks on public speech and the right of EVERY persons opinions to be shared. This is not an example of hate

speech it is an example of someone sharing their opinion on a moral issue. If our country keeps going in its current politically correct direction it will not be long before censorship will find its way into our churches and synagogues. The writer of this article also has the right of his opinion and I hope the management of WCCB recognizes Audrina’s right to her opinion without punishing her for it.

— Alan, Feb. 4 Having not been a party to either her comments or the complete content & intentions in how she expressed herself. I musty wonder if she was supposedly “disgusted” at the situation of Jenner, the story or simply the cover of the “Trash Mag” that was seen in the grocery store ? IF her reaction was to the cover, then, what is there to apologize for ? I think that should be clarified to everyone, before she is publically & professionally crucified. I happened to have seen the same cover & was personally appalled by the pic & the headline that accompanied it. NOT about Jenner’s own journey.

— K., Feb. 5

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views

guest commentary

by Tessie Castillo :: guest contributor

‘Ban the Box’ to increase tax revenue and reduce crime For 1.6 million North Carolinians, the worst part of job searching is not the interview, but the moment they drop off the application. Nearly every employment application contains a small box on the front page that reads, “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” By marking that box, applicants with a criminal record, no matter how old or irrelevant the crime, are effectively checking away their chance at a job. To increase tax revenue and reduce the likelihood that formerly incarcerated people will return to a life of crime, North Carolina needs to ban that box.

Ban the box initiatives follow a simple logic: Study after study show that the most effective way to reduce crime is not to build more prisons or hire more police officers, but to provide more jobs. Formerly incarcerated people who cannot secure jobs are more than twice as likely to return to criminal activity than their employed counterparts.

Additionally, more people with jobs means stronger family ties, greater economic security, and increased tax revenue. A Philadelphia study on Ban the Box reported that hiring 100 formerly incarcerated people would add $1.9 million to income tax revenue, $770,000 to sales tax revenue and save $2 million per year in criminal justice costs incurred through recidivism.

“Criminal record history acts as a tremendous barrier to people providing food, shelter and clothing for their families,” says Daryl Atkinson, senior attorney with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, a group that spearheaded the Ban the Box movement in North Carolina. Atkinson is himself a formerly incarcerated person. “Ban the Box has been proven to help people get back to work and improve public safety because if people are able to take care of themselves, they don’t go back to crime.

If we are serious about good allocation of tax dollars, we need to ensure that more people with records can get back to work and be productive members of society.”

Employers have a right to know if the person they are hiring has a criminal history. We wouldn’t want someone convicted of embezzlement to land a job as a comptroller. Ban the box doesn’t mean that employers lose the right to do a background check, it simply moves that step further down the job application process, after the applicant has had the opportunity to present his or her qualifications and skills.

“When you go to prison you are serving your debt to society, but the way the system is set up, that debt continues after you get out,” says Steven Manning, a Durham resident who served three and a half years in

prison from 2001-2005 for possession of a firearm by a felon. “When companies deny you a job because of what you did in the past, that creates a revolving door back to prison. I can fill out 20-30 applications and not get a call back because of my record.”

The city and county of Durham, N.C., implemented Ban the Box initiatives in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Since then, the City of Durham has hired 700 times more people with criminal records than previous years.

The County of Durham has seen a 300 percent increase. Importantly, not one of these new hires has been terminated due to illegal activity and neither has there been an increase in workplace crime. In fact 96 percent of applicants with criminal records were ultimately hired, even after background checks. This indicates that the majority of criminal history was determined to be irrelevant, either because the crime was unrelated to the job or occurred many years ago and the applicant has demonstrated rehabilitation.

It’s not often that we see an initiative that can reduce crime, strengthen families, and increase revenue, but Ban the Box accomplishes all those objectives and more. It’s about second chances and breaking the cycle of poverty and crime that grips so many generations. When one person secures a stable job, that person’s children are also more likely to finish school and gain secure employment.

With that in mind, the Second Chance Coalition, a statewide alliance of advocacy organizations, service providers, faith-based organizations, community leaders and interested citizens, have come to advocate for Ban the Box statewide.

“As a person who leads an organization that works with formerly incarcerated persons, I support the Ban the Box Initiative,” says Dennis Gaddy, executive director of Community Success Initiative, a non-profit that helps formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into society and a leader of the Second Chance Coalition. “Under the current system, when an individual checks the box, there are so many things we still don’t know.

How long has it been since the crime was committed? What has that person accomplished since then? Ban the Box allows people a second chance at work — I’m for Second Chances!!”

To get involved in Ban the Box initiatives this year in North Carolina, visit ncjustice.org/?q=second-chance-alliance/nc-second-chance-alliance.: : — Tessie Castillo is the communications and advocacy coordinator for the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition.

Learn more at nchrc.org.

spiritual reflections

by Isai Efuru :: guest contributor

Leap for Yourself it. I actually become humbled at how much God loves me and what he does for me when I’m not paying attention. It took losing what I thought I wanted for me to see what I really needed and how it sustains me.

There is a way to discover how God has stacked our “favor cards.” I call it the “AAA” theory, inspired by a powerful article by David Steindle-Rast I read years ago. Each day, awake expecting favor. Be aware of the miracles around you. Stay alert so that you can spot the gifts that God places all around you as you navigate through life on a daily basis. You’ll find yourself so busy being grateful that you don’t have time for negative energy or people.

Though your challenging moments are still present, they’ll take a back seat to your blessings. They just won’t seem as life threatening in the big scheme of things that God is blending together on your behalf.

God has so much more in store for you than your natural eyes can see, which is why searching for favor in every part of your life walk is worth it. It’s there, beside you, behind you and in front of you. I always wake up thirsting for new mercies. I believe that my latter will be greater, because it always is when I trust God. I leap for joy with a spirit of expectancy, especially when things are rough, because I

know that God’s preparing me for an all-access granted walk into abundance. I won’t, however, be able to leap for you. You’ll have to awake, become aware, and stay alert on your own to recognize how good you have it in life. You have to review your own life story, and leap for yourself. : :

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I’ve had a lot of colorful adventures on my journey. Some were cartoon strips, like the humor I had to find within the pain of trauma, and others were Oscar winning sagas, like surviving a dysfunctional childhood and watching cancer take out a third of my family in a five-year-period. Life for me truly has not been anything close to a crystal stair. One thing that you learn, though, as you become older and wiser, is how to gain perspective. It helps you assess and appreciate what you have and turn it into confetti. On Nov. 13, 2014, as I was discharged from the hospital due to a stroke, I took a moment to do just that. When I realized what was sitting within me, I wept for joy.

Considering all that I’ve gone through, the best of my life is yet to come. That’s exciting.

Some of my toughest lessons are behind me, and they made me the woman that I am now.

They shaped and formed my character, my faith and my confidence. That’s amazing to see!

Now, I can inhale my present life and all of the things I currently possess. The realization of favor is so powerful that I’m driven to tears.

God is just that good, and my natural mind just can’t make sense of it.

When I realize how blessed I am, even in the midst of a challenge, my praise is activated, and I become addicted to worship. I can’t help

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Feb. 13-26 . 2015

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news notes: carolinas compiled by Lainey Millen & Matt Comer

Org wants to speed up equality DURHAM — Equality North Carolina Foundation is holding its 2015 AdvaNCe Equality Conference on March 21 at Durham Technical College, 1637 E. Lawson St. The theme embraces issues important to the LGBT community. Goals are training fairminded advocates on key issues, as well as developing skills for equality advancement in the post-marriage landscape.

Topics for the workshops are: Transgender Visibility, Rights and Justice; Empowering Youth Activism; Winning the Freedom to Work; Cultivating Lived Equality; and Leading a New Era of Pro-Equality Civic, Electoral, and Business Engagement.

Jacob Tobia, pictured, is the keynote speaker.

A Raleigh native and Duke University graduate, Tobia is a writer, advocate and speaker committed to justice for gender non-conforming, genderqueer and transgender people, organizers said.

Tobia has been featured on MTV, as well as The Washington Post, The New York Times and more. They have received awards from such organizations as the Point Foundation Scholarship and the Campus Pride National Voice and Action Award.

As a student at Duke, Tobia served as vice president of equity and outreach for the school’s student government, among a plethora of other activities. Tobia was also a founding member of Equality NC Foundation’s student ambassador program.

Registered conference participants will receive more details in advance of the event.

In other news, Equality North Carolina joined South Carolina Equality and Equality Virginia on Jan. 29 in launching the “Equality Means Business” campaign. The goal of the initiative is to promote and strengthen LGBT-friendly businesses and workplace protections and policies. info/registration: equalitync.org. conference@equalitync.org. 919-829-0343.

— L.M.

Charlotte Ministry welcomes gay Catholics

CHARLOTTE — The Diocesan Ministry for Gay and Lesbian Catholics will hold a mass on Feb. 21, 5 p.m., at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 507 S. Tryon St. Afterward, the group will head out to The Open Kitchen, 1318 W. Morehead St., for dinner.

The organization is planning a retreat in the Charlotte area this spring. This one-day event is free of charge. More details will be announced at a later date.

Additionally, the ministry is in the process of designing a website that will supply important information for LGBT Catholics, including

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welcoming churches in the diocese, as well as family support resources. info: dmfglc@gmail.com.

— L.M.

Arts groups prepare for concerts

CHARLOTTE — March comes in with the wind and so does the spring concert season.

Three groups are holding concerts and events: Charlotte Pride Band, Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte and One Voice Chorus.

The Charlotte Pride Band makes moves with a concert inspired by the body in motion.

“Music That Moves You” will be presented on March 7, 5 p.m., at Heaton Hall at Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Rd. Local LGBTaffirming groups collaborating with the band

include Charlotte Roller Girls, Queens of D’Nile Studio belly dancers and others. This is the band’s fifth anniversary concert.

Tickets are $13/individual and $22.50/family pass (two adults with kids under 12) and are available online.

Gay Men’s Chorus gets formal for their “Forté!” black tie gala on March 21, 6:34 p.m., at CenterStage at NoDa. More information, including ticket purchases, is available online.

Join One Voice Chorus as they continue to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The will present “Wishes: Dreams into Reality” on March 20 and 21, 7:30 p.m., at The Great Aunt Stella Center, 926 Elizabeth Ave. Tickets are $25 in advance online and $30 at the door.

One Voice holds its 25th anniversary silver celebration on March 28, 7 p.m., at Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. Attendees will be able to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, a cabaret and DJ. Alumni will be in attendance. Additionally, participants can also tour the museum.

Tickets are $15 and are available online.

Free parking is at 7th Street Station with validated parking ticket.

Additionally, the chorus will bring its “Oliver Button is a Sissy” presentation to various locations across Charlotte: Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m., ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St.; Feb. 28, 11 a.m., Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Rd., and Feb. 28, 2 p.m., Matthews Public Library, 230 Matthews Station St. The children’s story is about standing up to bullying and being proud of who one is in life through musical production. info: charlotteprideband.org. gmccharlotte.org. onevoicechorus.com.

— L.M.

Partnership nets schools’ program

CHARLOTTE — In a cooperative effort, Time Out Youth Center and the Human Rights Campaign of North Carolina are bringing Welcoming Schools to the Charlotte region.

A project of the HRC Foundation, the initiative offers tools, lessons and resources on embracing family diversity, avoiding gender stereotyping and ending bullying and name-calling in elementary schools, organizers shared.

TOY’s Executive Director Rodney Tucker said, “Since starting our school outreach program in 2012, we have seen increased numbers of younger youth who are identifying as questioning. This program gives us a product to help these students, teachers and families.”

Welcoming Schools, research has shown, provides “a positive improvement in school

diversity climate, reduction in teachers’ concerns regarding their own lack of training or resources, reductions in teachers’ fears of parental dissatisfaction, and make a positive difference in believing that children of every age could benefit from discussing gender roles/ expression and families with LGBT parents.”

On Jan. 16, HRC and TOY offered elementary and middle school counselor training on LGBT issues and Welcoming Schools in Cabarrus County. Also, youth approval has been received

by TOY for both Cabarrus and Gaston Counties for satellite support, Tucker shared. Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians chapters are engaging their members in assisting in the effort. At press time, locations and dates have yet to be released as plans are still being coordinated. info: welcomingschools.org. timeoutyouth.org. hrccarolina.org.

— L.M. and releases

Pride takes up residence

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Pride has moved into its first official office space at 1900 The Plaza, organizers announced on Feb. 2.

The space, which occupies 2,100 square feet on the second floor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, has office, meeting, storage space, a small kitchen, as well as both small and large conference rooms and a lounge for meetings and casual conversations. It also houses a co-working space for its committees with a smaller meeting area and shared workstations.

The desire for office space was sparked by storage needs, as well as a convenient location to store materials and convene for meetings.

Executive Committee Co-Director Richard Grimstad said in a release, “Our new offices will be our volunteers’ and partners’ ‘home base’ for the weeks and months of work it takes to plan each year’s festival and parade, along with our collaborations on new projects and programs. The hard work of Charlotte Pride’s team of volunteers, with the generous support of our sponsors and donors, has grown this organization from a small annual event to one of the Southeast’s largest LGBTQ Pride organizations presenting unique and substantive programs, projects and events all year long.”

Charlotte Pride expects to host a community open house for its office in March. The organization is also seeking contributions to help fill their furniture wish list. Monetary donations are always welcome, too. Visit the website to learn more.

see next page u

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continued from previous page In other news, Charlotte Pride has also opened up its parade applications process online, as well as those for vendors and sponsors. info: charlottepride.org.

— L.M.

Triad Win with Pride

WINSTON-SALEM — Join Pride WinstonSalem as it holds it Wining With Pride wine and beer sampling event on Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., at Corks Caps & Taps, 626 W. Fourth St. Sample and learn about five wines for $10 or five beer flight for $15.

Tickets are available online at brown papertickets.com/event/1233601. info: pridews.org.

— L..M.

Workshop planned

GREENSBORO — Co-sponsors Guilford Green Foundation, the University of North Carolina School of Education and the Faculty Access & Equity Committee will present its anti-bullying workshop on Feb. 22, 4 p.m., at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, School of Education, Room 114.

Attendees will be able to view the awardwinning video, “Bully,” with discussion afterward.

Facilitator will be Dr. Terri Phoenix, director of the LGBT Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

The event is free and open to the public.

Parking is available free of charge in the surface lots.

Refreshments will be provided by Lindley Park Filling Station. info: ggfnc.org.

— L.M.

League opens player registration

KERNERSVILLE — The Triad Softball League has announced that it is currently open for registration for the spring season.

New members must attend a skills clinic on one of three days: Feb. 21 or 22, 2 p.m., or Feb. 24, 6 p.m., at a location to be shared with registrants.

Teams are Replacements, Diamonds, Bone Crushers, The Q Lounge, Gladiators and Club Snap.

Registration forms are available online.

Deadline is Feb. 24.

The team reveal will be held on March 1, 6 p.m., at the Q Lounge in Greensboro. Team practice will be held on March 7 and 15, with league practice on March 8 and 14. Opening day is March 22 at 12:45 p.m.

Sponsorships are also being accepted. A packet is available online. info/registration: triadsoftball.com. tslcommissioner@triadsoftball.com.

— L.M.

Foundation welcomes new board

WINSTON-SALEM — The Adam Foundation has announced the election of its new board for 2015.

Larry Boles is returning as president, as well as Anne Marie Stott, secretary, and Karrol McKay, treasurer.

New to the board is Mark Cole who accepted the vice president’s post.

Serving on the board is Angela Bauer, Jesse Duncan, Monique Farrell, Thom Hazzard; Robbie King, Mary Law and Kate Mewhinney.

The board is currently looking for volunteers to help the foundation fulfill its mission and objectives. There will be a volunteer orientation session on March 3. Email info@ adamfoundation.org to secure a reservation. info: adamfoundation.org.

— L.M.

Triangle Fest hosts Oscar night

RALEIGH — The Crape Myrtle Festival invites the community to “walk the red carpet” when it holds its Oscar viewing party on Feb. 22, 8 p.m., at Mission Valley Cinema, 2109 Avent Ferry Rd. #124.

Attendees, who are encouraged to dress to impress, will be able to watch a digital screening of the 87th Annual Academy Awards, while enjoying photo ops, food and local brews.

A $10 contribution to Crape Myrtle will be accepted at the door. info: crapemyrtlefest.org.

— L.M.

South Carolina New board chair announced

CHARLESTON — Topher Larkin, pictured, has been named as the new board chair for We Are Family, a non-profit organization that provides direct services and leadership development opportunities for LGBT youth. It is located at 29 Leinbach Dr., Suite D-3.

Originally from Tampa, Fla., Larkin has had an eclectic career. He has worked in surrogacy, entertainment public relations, as well as a personal assistant. However, it is his passion for community activism and youth involvement that led him to We Are Family.

Larkin is on the board of Charleston Pride and serves as board chair for the Charleston Area World AIDS Day committee. He also serves as prevention outreach and quality assurance manager for Lowcountry AIDS Services.

He received his degree in theatre and communications from Emerson College.

“An everyday person can find something that they want to get involved in and really make a difference. We Are Family is small and local, so every type of support, be it financial or volunteer-­oriented, makes a huge impact,” he said. “I’m looking forward to using my experience to help grow the organization,” he added.

The organization hosts the SafeSpace support group on Tuesday nights from 7-8:30 p.m. at Circular Congregational Church of Charleston, 150 Meeting St., for LGBT and straight ally youth. info: waf.org.

— L.M. and releases Have news or other information? Send your press releases and updates for inclusion in our News Notes: editor@goqnotes.com.

Feb. 13-26 . 2015

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news notes: u.s./world.

Reports: Bruce Jenner to sit down with Diane Sawyer to discuss his gender transition Olympic gold medalist turned reality television personality Bruce Jenner will sit down with Diane Sawyer to discuss transitioning from male to female, according to various media reports.

An ABC insider tells The New York Post that portions of the interview were set to begin filming in the first week of February, and the special will air in May. Along with his sit-down with Sawyer, Jenner’s journey will also be chronicled in an unscripted E! series, which Jenner is currently filming, according to Us Weekly.

“The world will see his full transformation,” a Jenner source told Us. “It’s a docuseries featuring the Jenner family talking about Bruce ‘coming out.’”

The announcement comes amid Bruce Jenner pictured here in 2011. heavy media speculation in recent Photo Credit: jla0379, via Wikipedia. months as to Jenner’s changing Licensed CC. appearance.

In late January, stepdaughter Kim Kardashian talked about Jenner’s “journey,” which is expected to be a plot point on the upcoming season of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”

Jenner’s children and stepchildren reportedly are supportive of his transition.

“I think everyone goes through things in life and I think that story and what Bruce is going through, I think he’ll share whenever the time is right,” said Kardashian, 34. “I feel like that’s his journey to talk about.”

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Jenner’s mother, in a Radaronline.com interview, offered no details about the upcoming announcement, but did say she supports him “whole-heartedly” and is as proud of him as she was of his athletic achievements.

“Right now I am more proud of him for what he’s allowing himself to do,” said Esther Jenner. “I am more proud of him now than when he stood on that podium and put the gold medal around his neck. He deserves all the respect.”

Jenner, 65, became a national hero in 1976 when he won the gold medal in the decathlon at the Summer Olympics in Montreal.

— LGBTQ Nation (lgbtqnation.com), a qnotes media partner

Local news: A Charlotte TV anchor has been criticized, and has since

apologized, for disparaging remarks on Jenner’s rumored gender transition. Read more of that story online at goqnotes.com/33851/.

QUICK HITS ———————————————————— A man, Ezekiel Dear, 25, turned himself into police in Van Nuys, Calif. He is suspected in the stabbing death of his transgender girlfriend, Yazmin Vash Payne. She died on Jan. 31. She was 33. more: bit.ly/16ikVFk Police in Spokane, Wash., have arrested two men accused of assaulting a homeless transgender woman. more: bit.ly/1uaPW9y Hungary’s Supreme Court has ordered that three anti-gay protestors convicted of attacking police at Budapest’s 2011 Pride march be re-tried. The high court said the attackers’ sentences, which included only community service, were too lenient. more: bit.ly/1zgMuuk

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news

After campaign loss, Aiken to feature in network documentary Camera crews for ‘The Runner-Up’ captured Aiken’s political campaign trail

by Lainey Millen :: lainey@goqnotes.com

Clay Aiken on the campaign trail from a ‘The Runner-Up’ film still.

RALEIGH — Clay Aiken, who ran against Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers for a congressional bid in 2014, is the centerpiece of a new documentary set to premiere on Esquire Network in April.

“The Runner-Up” tells the inside story of his campaign as a gay Democrat from the South.

It was executive produced by Jonathan and Simon Chinn and Mitchell Tanen for Lightbox.

Esquire said that it was an exclusive, allaccess look at one of the most unique political campaigns of the 2014 mid-term elections — the improbable congressional run of the “American Idol” star, highlighting the perspective of someone who was new to the campaign scene and the challenges he encountered.

Taking him as a serious contender and not “simply a reality TV star” topped Aiken’s struggles.

Chinn told the Television Critics Association during its recent tour that it was done with a small crew, usually three people with a single camera and “unfettered access,” Broadcasting & Cable reported. He also added, “Clay Aiken the candidate is probably somebody 99% of the public has not seen. I think you see a different side of Clay.”

The publication also shared that Aiken, who was present for the panel, learned considerably from the experience. He felt that he would not change a thing about how the campaign was run. He stuck to the issues, ran an honest race and stayed true to himself.

“A few days before ‘American Idol’ runner-up Clay Aiken lost the November

election, Bill Maher slammed the singer’s North Carolina congressional campaign because the openly gay candidate said that gay marriage ‘isn’t an issue that is really on the radar’ for his constituents,” Deadline Hollywood reported.

The issue surfaced during the TCA tour, nonetheless. Deadline Hollywood also reported that Aiken defended his campaign and never “distanced” himself from “the gay marriage issue.” He said he had been vocal about LGBT issues since he came out.

Chinn indicated that Aiken’s “celebrity” and “an openly gay candidate in the South” were “a couple of the myriad reasons this was a fascinating race.”

As to whether he has plans for being involved in the political arena again, he said, “I don’t think what I tried to do I am finished being

Photo Credit: Esquire Network

able to do. I’m not sure what the path is any more than I did on Nov. 5.”

Deadline Hollywood also reported that “Aiken said he spoke to Rosie O’Donnell, who encouraged him to use his celebrity while he has it. … ‘Listen, we are all waiting for obscurity.’”

Aiken said he’d “like to find a way to focus on veterans issues and homelessness in North Carolina.”

TCA represents more than 200 professional journalists who cover television for publications across the U.S. and Canada. Their annual awards bestow honors on shows and personalities in an assortment of categories including those from the LGBT community and productions. : : info: tvcritics.org. tv.esquire.com.

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Glitz, Glamor, Gala Charlotte to host 20th annual HRC Carolina fundraiser, national speakers and award winners

by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com CHARLOTTE — Organizers say they expect as many as 1,300 or more people to fill the Charlotte Convention Center’s ballroom for the annual Human Rights Campaign North Carolina Gala on Feb. 21, bringing with them a bevy of well-known speakers, entertainers and award winners.

The event is the national group’s 20th annual fundraising gala in the state. The anniversary celebration is made more special by the state’s recent recognition of same-gender marriages, say organizers.

“Our 20th anniversary gala will have several exciting elements including a celebration of the ability for same-sex couples to marry in North Carolina, a tribute to past galas [and] tribute to past gala co-chairs,” said Jay Biles, an HRC Board of Governors member, local dinner organizer and past dinner co-chair.

Biles said gala attendees can also expect a Kettle One martini ice luge at the reception, where special performers will also be present and a Hollywood-style runway entry will be hosted by Roxy C. Moorecox. Additionally, a silent auction will be present.

The events get off to a start on Friday, Feb. 20, when Takeover Friday hosts their popular evening mixer at The Westin’s lobby bar. That night, the Duke Energy Center’s lights will be hued in a rainbow motif. Other events that weekend include a Saturday morning Front Runners fun run and a Sunday brunch. HRC will also be welcomed by sponsor Bank of America, which will fly an HRC flag at its corporate headquarters and display the organization’s iconic blue and yellow on its walkway stretching over College St. Speakers, award winners to shine The annual fundraising dinner will feature an address from HRC President Chad Griffin, who will fly from the group’s D.C. headquarters to attend the event. Also present will be 1990s

house singer Crystal Waters, who will perform at the event.

But the real stars will be HRC’s 2015 award winners. The group will award its Visibility Award to Samira Wiley, a lesbian actress who stars in the role of Poussey Washington on the hit Netflix series “Orange is the New Black.” Wiley, 27, was recently featured on one of the OUT 100 20th anniversary magazine covers.

Locally, the group will award the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund and Josh Bledsoe. An instructor at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, N.C., Bledsoe is also a founding faculty advisor for the college’s LGBT student group, PRISM, and has been involved with a variety of local LGBT efforts, including a production of “The Laramie Project” and the creation of a Western North Carolina gay-straight alliance network. The fund, an endowment initiative of the Foundation For The Carolinas, is the state’s largest ongoing funder for LGBT causes.

Other special guests and dignitaries will also be expected to attend the event, including Charlotte City Councilmembers LaWana Mayfield, Al Austin, Claire Fallon, Patsy Kinsey, Vi Lyles and David Howard, and state Sens. Jeff Jackson and Terry Van Duyn.

The gala will also host 20 youth leaders in its youth leadership program co-hosted by Equality North Carolina and Time Out Youth Center.

The 20th anniversary gala is being hosted in Charlotte for the fourth time since returning to the Queen City in 2012. It had been previously hosted in Charlotte from from 2005 through 2009, before moving to Raleigh in 2010 and 2011. The first local HRC gala was held in Greensboro in 1996 and 1997, then moved to Raleigh from 1998 through 2002 and then back to Greensboro in 2003 and 2004 before moving to Charlotte. : : — For more information on the gala, other weekend activities and for information on ticket purchases, visit hrccarolina.org.

Lesbian “Orange is the New Black” actress Samira Wiley will be presented the Visibility Award at the Human Rights Campaign North Carolina Gala on Feb. 21.

Out2Enroll pushes to enroll LGBT people for health insurance Effort is reaching out to local communities

by Ann Doss Helms :: The Charlotte Observer Bklyn Littlejohn of Charlotte is eager to add her fiance to her health plan when they marry later this year.

For many that might be a routine detail. Not so for Littlejohn (her first name is pronounced “Brooklyn”), who couldn’t get married until October, when a federal judge made same-sex weddings legal in North Carolina.

“Every little step counts,” says Littlejohn. “This isn’t just a lifestyle for us. It’s a life.”

Because lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have long faced barriers to health care and coverage, North Carolina enrollment advocates are working with the national Out2Enroll campaign to make sure they know they have new options under the Affordable Care Act. In the final weeks of 2015 sign-ups, which end Feb. 15, Out2Enroll has done cultural sensitivity training for enrollment workers in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Asheville. Local and national staff are staging enrollment events aimed at the LGBT community, such as a Sunday service last month at Charlotte’s Sacred Souls Community Church where about 30 people got subsidized coverage.

“Folks don’t think of health care as an equality issue, but in many ways it is,” said Katie Keith, an Out2Enroll leader who has been working in North Carolina.

The push originated with a Center for American Progress study showing that in 2013, about 1 in 3 lowand moderate-income LGBT people lacked health insurance. In 2014, when the ACA provided income-based aid to pay premiums, that dropped to about 26 percent, the study found.

Out2Enroll is working with Get Covered America to get the word out that the ACA bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. It also stops insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, which kept many HIV-positive and transgender people from getting health insurance.

Jermaine Lee, program director for Charlotte’s PowerHouse Project, says his HIV-positive status kept him uninsured for many years. People with the virus, which destroys the immune system, can get their treatment covered through the federal Ryan White Program, he said, but often lack coverage for other health issues — a bigger challenge as people live longer with HIV. PowerHouse, a Beatties Ford Rd. center that focuses on reaching men of color who have the virus or are at high risk, is among the groups holding events to get the word out. Lee said he’s also working online social networks to let young people know they can get covered and start health habits that will protect them.

“There’s a lot of stigma around being gay,” he said, “a lot of stigma around being (HIV-) positive.” : : — Originally published by The Charlotte Observer on Feb. 4. Reprinted with permission. qnotes is a member of the Observer’s Charlotte News Alliance.

Photo Credit: Ann Doss Helms

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Jermaine Nakia Lee Leader committed to community service recently honored with MLK Medallion

by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com

J

ermaine Nakia Lee, a longtime African-American and LGBT community leader in Charlotte, was honored in January with the city’s annual award named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lee is thought to be the first openly gay person to receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Medallion Award, presented to locals who exemplify the ideals of King. The award was presented on Jan. 19 during the city’s and McCrorey Family YMCA’s annual MLK Holiday Prayer Breakfast at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Lee is a founder of several black gay Pride events across the Carolinas, including in Charlotte and Columbia. A native of Miami, Fla, Lee is also a playwright and artist, writing the musicals “For the Love of Harlem,” which explores historical LGBT individuals from the black Harlem renaissance, and “Take a Walk in My Shoes,” exploring the lives of teenagers living with HIV/AIDS. Lee works as the MPowerment Coordinator for the PowerHouse Project, an HIV prevention and education agency offering a drop-in center, testing services and other health and social services for young men of color.

“I am completely humbled by the nomination alone,” Lee said in an interview, in anticipation of the award ceremony. Lee was considered for the award along with two other nominees.

“One of my beloved mentors once told me that ‘a life of service is generally a thankless job. Don’t expect any appreciation or validation. Be motivated by your heart for people,’” Lee said. “I’ve certainly found that to be true but this recognition proves there are some exceptions to the rule. I have intentionally modeled my life and consciousness after that of Dr. King.”

Lee said it “feels good” to be recognized for his community work in the arts, HIV/AIDS prevention and LGBT empowerment, and he thinks it’s significant that the city has bestowed the award on a member of the LGBT community.

Lee said, in anticipation of the honor: “Before she passed, Coretta Scott King declared that Dr. King would have been a champion for LGBT rights were he alive. That revelation stunned many AfricanAmericans and angered her fundamentalist daughter Bernice King. I am a proud African-American same gender loving man. I am a father to two beautiful boys. I am a loving partner. I am an artist, an educator and healer. So receiving the city’s MLK Medallion award would bring more visibility and awareness of the rich contributions of Charlotte’s diverse LGBT community. I believe my nomination as a finalist also speaks to the growing culture of acceptance and inclusivity in our city.

It’s exciting to consider the impact that a Black gay man winning the medallion would have on this community’s social conscious.” : :

❝ One of my beloved mentors once told me that ‘a life of service is generally a thankless job. Don’t expect any appreciation or validation. Be motivated by your heart for people ❞

First among equals LGBT African-Americans have made historic first in North Carolina politics

by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com

L

GBT African-American leaders in North Carolina have been among the historic firsts that have helped push politics and government to more inclusive atmosphere. From the state level to the local level, black gay North Carolinians have made their visible presence and their voices known.

LaWana Mayfield

Marcus Brandon

Al Austin

Elected to her District 3 seat in 2011, Charlotte City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield was the city’s first-ever openly LGBT elected official. Mayfield, a longtime community advocate and organizer, wasn’t the first to try. That honor first went to Robert Sheets, then a president of Queen City Quordinators, who became the first member of the LGBT community to attempt to run for City Council in 1987.

Sheets, who was white, was followed in 1995 by Sue Henry, the first LGBT community member to attempt a run for Charlotte mayor.

But it was Mayfield who took attempt to success, running against an embattled and controversial incumbent and winning 78 percent of the general election vote in November 2011.

Mayfield was re-elected in 2013 and has worked on a variety of measures, both for her district and her diversity of constituents. She’s advocated for “banning the box” and making employment easier for those with past criminal histories, as well as recent efforts to add LGBT-inclusive protections to alreadyexisting city ordinances.

Elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2010, Marcus Brandon was the first openly gay man to win election to the statewide General Assembly, and only the second openly LGBT person to serve there.

It was during Brandon’s time in office, after openly lesbian state Sen. Julia Boseman had already left her office, that the state was faced with its anti-LGBT constitutional amendment on marriage.

It was a political debate Brandon took to heart.

“I take it very personally,” Brandon told qnotes in a September 2011 interview. “I’m the only openly gay member of the legislature and there’s definitely a responsibility that comes with that when we’re talking about something so personal.”

The amendment did eventually pass the legislature and was put on the May 2012 ballot, but Brandon was there every step of its way through the lawmaking process and speaking out at every turn and putting a human face to an issue under consideration by his colleagues.

Brandon chose not to run for re-election in 2014, turning his attention to a bid for Congress in Charlotte’s 12th Congressional District and a bid for mayor of High Point. He lost on both attempts, but he hasn’t disappeared. You can find him at civic events and elsewhere around the Triad.

Though Mayfield might have broken the initial mold for open LGBT service in the city, it was Charlotte City Councilmember Al Austin who helped to round out a bit more of the progress.

Austin was elected to his District 2 seat in 2013, coming out as a gay man to qnotes immediately following election. He’s the second openly gay man to serve on the Council, following Billy Maddalon’s short tenure.

Austin has lent his name and efforts to some of the same LGBT-inclusion efforts as Mayfield and has been a staunch advocate for District 2.

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life

Famed blogger lifted unheard voices Durham’s Pam Spaulding chats two years out from her retirement from Pam’s House Blend

by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com

Photo courtesy Pam Spaulding.

N

early two years ago, an iconic era in southern LGBT voice and visibility came to an end. Durham’s Pam Spaulding, keeper of the wildly popular blog Pam’s House Blend, took of her blogging cap and traded it for time with family and personal passions.

Her blog quickly rose to national fame soon after she founded it in July 2004. What had started out as a way to share memories and photos of family trips and vacations became a national platform for her unique wit and insight on politics — all from the perspective of a black southern lesbian.

Spaulding, who spoke to qnotes this month, in advance of the impending two-year anniversary of her blogging retire-

Even with the success, it wasn’t nearly enough to constitute ment this July, looks back and credits the visibility as the most a sustainable job. significant contribution the Blend gave to the progressive and “I had started out in a low point [in the growing blogosphere], LGBT communities. when it was easy to build readership. By the end, it was almost “Certainly, being able to write about the intersections of race impossible to build readership with so many blogs out there,” she and gender and political matters was significant,” she says. “There says. “I left sort of at the time when I had to make a decision on weren’t many other people of color or lesbians of color blogging at whether it was worthwhile to blog or not financially. I was never all on politics. It was pretty lonely out there in the beginning and it able to really monetize my blog. There was never any chance was still lonely at the end. It was sad there weren’t more.” during those nine years I was blogging where I could have conSpaulding’s retirement came as she dealt with increasing sidered leaving my day job.” complications from rheumatoid arthritis. For a time, she kept a Spaulding is still at her day job, though she’s shifted roles running “RA Diary” recounting her trials and tribulations. and is no longer in her IT position. And she’s enjoying with her “It is an autoimmune condition and one of the things it does blogging retirement. is wipe you out,” she says. “I was already burning a candle at “I have absolutely not missed blogging at all,” she says. “I both ends.” really do not watch the news with as much intent or purpose as I She isn’t exaggerating. used to. It is somewhat a relief to be able to tune Spaulding’s blog was updated conout and not have to monitor all these sources stantly — nearly every hour of every — newspapers, TV, online — which you’re day — despite having a full-time job forced to do when you’re writing on news that as an IT manager at Duke University can change from moment to moment. On some Press. Mornings, lunch breaks and late stories now, I’ll just catch up later. I’m okay with evening hours were filled with writing that. Before, I wasn’t okay with that, when I felt and research. like I had to be on top of things.”

“It had started out as a labor of It feels a lot longer than two years since love nine years prior, but the effort to she left, Spaudling says, but she’s enjoying the produce a lot of content every day and changes. And she hasn’t completely disapdoing more than a full-time job, it was peared. On Facebook and Twitter, she often just too much burnout,” she says in reshares her thoughts and opinions on some of flection. “The writing was one thing, but the days’ latest news items. Her short-form I was also asked to often go to speakcommentary, she says, has been enough to ing engagements or be on a panel or do satisfy her need for speaking out. From her radio appearances. All of those things Pam Spaulding, right, with MSNBC host Facebook perch, Spaulding has been keeping together was just too much.”

Melissa Harris-Perry, left. tabs of the latest political developments here at Spaulding’s commentary and writPhoto courtesy Pam Spaulding. home and across the nation. ing touched nearly every aspect of the “I never thought marriage would happen so fast,” she LGBT and progressive communities. She kept tabs on local polishares, cautiously pointing out how much more work is left to tics in cities across the Carolinas, often attending local governdo. “Marriage is wonderful, but what good is it if you can put a ment meetings in and around the Triangle. She’d visit the General picture of your spouse on your desk and get fired for it?”

Assembly to report on lobby days or get on-the-scene sources Spaulding’s encouraged by the local movement in North during legislative debates. She detailed LGBT activism in states Carolina — efforts to extend protections in cities like Greensboro and towns across the country, and even weighed in as an on-air commentator on CNN during the 2008 election. And, she used her see Spaulding on 14 increasing influence to build and lift the voices of other people of color, southerners, women and transgender writers.

McEwen has a watchful eye S.C. blogger has shifted conversation, tone on anti-LGBT religious right

by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com

I

n the middle part of the last decade, Columbia’s Alvin McEwen was in the process of writing a book. He’d wanted to track the actions and movements of the anti-LGBT religious right and document them. The book publishing was slow, and a friend, he said, suggested he start a blog. And so, his blog, Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters, launched in 2006.

McEwen, 43, poured his heart into tracking statements and actions from well-known right-wing leaders.

“I was looking at how anti-gay groups distorted information,” McEwen explains. “Looking at their tactics and their history of cherry-picking science and relying on junk science.”

He soon attracted attention and support from gay blogosphere powerhouses Jeremy Hooper of GoodAsYou.org and Pam Spaulding of the now-retired Pam’s House Blend.

“Pam Spaulding, she pretty much embraced me and helped me along,” he recalls.

McEwen’s work, along with that of Hooper, Spaulding and others, came during a time when few other LGBT leaders or organizations were so forcefully countering rightwing,

anti-LGBT narratives. McEwen said he thought it was crucial that LGBT people and straight allies have an understanding of the patterns of lies and falsehoods repeatedly pushed by the anti-gay right.

“People are so nonchalant about it, particularly our own people,” McEwen said. “That’s a big mistake.”

McEwen believes — and has often been able to prove or link together — deliberate attempts by rightwing groups to twist facts, mischaracterize scientific studies and malign LGBT people in the process.

“They say they are standing on God’s principles and God’s law,” he said. “Okay, if you’re doing that, why do you have to lie? Why do you have to do all these other things?”

Exposing the right’s hypocrisy and their intentional efforts at discrimination defines nearly all of McEwen’s passion and citizen journalism. He’s challenged some of the biggest names on the right, and even got one to admit the truth, he said.

see McEwen on 14

Alvin McEwen turns away from his blog as he converses at a national Netroots Nation Conference.

Photo courtesy McEwen

Feb. 13-26 . 2015

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Spaulding lifts voices continued from page 13 and Charlotte. Statewide, though, she knows we’ll be waiting a while.

“Our state legislature is never going to pass protections,” she analyzes. “We’re going to have to wait for that to happen federally.”

The biggest challenge facing the state?

Voting and apathy, she says.

“We’re moving in the right direction. We just have so many problems with people getting out and voting,” she says. “I don’t know what to do with that, especially with efforts to make voting more difficult.”

With her extra time away from blogging now, Spaulding has been able to turn attention to her personal passion — the band Journey.

Spaulding’s no normal music fan. She’s a super fan. A groupie. Wake Forest University professor and MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry even cited Spaulding’s love for Journey in her short piece recounting Spaulding’s accomplishments when she retired.

“I think that people find it very curious I have such an interest in all things Journey,” Spaulding says. “I recently ran into Melissa

Harris Perry and she asked me if I was touring with the band yet.”

Not quite. But almost.

Spaulding now collaborates and assists with promotions, social media and website management for Journey Revisited, a tribute band she fell in love with. (She wanted us to plug their website, which she redesigned. You should totally visit it at journeyrevisited.com.)

“I happened upon them by accident,” Spaulding recalls. “I didn’t know anything about them. Someone had posted a video of theirs and I was just blown away at how good they were.”

She left a positive comment on that video and the band’s Facebook page and began a dialogue with one of the band’s members.

She finds herself spending time now helping the band on new projects, instead of chasing down the latest news leads across the country.

“I got so enamored with the work they were doing,” she says. “I’m not just a fan. I’m knee-deep in this tribute band, and it’s been extremely satisfying.” : :

McEwen keeps watch continued from page 13 “I had a conversation with Robert Knight,” McEwen recalled of the man who has worked with Concerned Women for America and the Family Research Council, two of the nation’s

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largest anti-LGBT groups. “I asked him about how he used junk science. He said, ‘Yeah, we use it. So what?’”

McEwen has also published a small booklet, that briefly outlines and compares today’s anti-gay arguments to much of the same arguments used decades ago. The lies and falsehoods have never changed, he said, and anti-LGBT groups simply recycle the same tropes. LGBT groups, McEwen believes, have to be able to show the patterns and expose their hypocrisy in order to be successful.

His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. He’s been twice nominated for a GLAAD media award, this year and last year. He hopes this year is will bring good luck and feels the award will help him up his game.

“I don’t do this for pay,” he said. “I do this because I think it needs to be done. And when you get a nomination from GLAAD, it says you know they appreciate your work, that people appreciate your stuff and it makes you move it up to the next level.” : : — Read more from McEwen and browse his extensive blog at holybulliesandheadlessmonsters.blogspot.com.

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In Sickness And In Health Gay filmmaking couple behind Oscar nom ‘Still Alice’

by Lawrence Ferber :: qnotes contributor

Kristen Stewart as Lydia and Julianne Moore as Alice in the film ‘Still Alice.’

P

artners in life and filmmaking, Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland may have helped bestow Julianne Moore with her first Oscar this winter — or at the very least, another nomination.

Adapted from Lisa Genova’s novel of the same name, “Still Alice” sees Moore deliver a stunning performance as Alice Howland, a Columbia University linguistics professor stricken with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

While her husband John (Alec Baldwin) and three grown children (Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth and Hunter Parrish) rally in support while grappling with their own responses, Alice struggles with losing everything that defines her.

It’s a powerful, suspenseful, heart-wrenching, and humane tale, and more than a bit personal for Glatzer and Westmoreland: in 2011, Glatzer was diagnosed with A.L.S., which has progressed to the point he’s currently relegated to a wheelchair, feeding tube and communication via typing with a toe on his iPad. The couple has been uplifted by the awards buzz — and A.L.S. Ice Bucket Challenge videos

by Moore and Stewart among others — and maintains a sense of humor and optimism.

Regarding the feeding tube, for instance, Glatzer quips, “food is so passé.”

Based in Los Angeles’ Echo Park neighborhood, the setting for their breakout 2006 Sundance Film Festival award-winner “Quinceañera,” the married couple first col-

Photo Credit: Jojo Whilden, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

laborated on 2001’s “The Fluffer,” a drama set in the gay porn industry. They executive produced 2008’s Dustin Lance Black-scribed Pedro Zamora biopic, “Pedro,” while 2014 also saw release of their under-the-radar Errol Flynn biopic, “The Last of Robin Hood,” starring Susan Sarandon and Kevin Kline.

Here the U.K.-born Westmoreland discusses “Still Alice,” A.L.S. and the possibility of hitting the red carpet this winter.

Boston and a Harvard professor in the book, and we shifted it to New York and made her a Columbia professor. It made a lot more sense to shoot there. There were certain storylines we would have loved to include, but it would have made it a miniseries. When you’re adapting a book, its like you have nine puppies and can only keep five. We had to distill what would be the true essence of the film for the big screen.

Lawrence Ferber: What compelled you to take on “Still Alice?”

Wash Westermoreland: It came to us at a very pertinent time. Richard had the first indications of A.L.S. in 2011 and we were dealing with a lot of medical stuff. We were approached to adapt the novel in late 2011, and at first it was like so many of its situations were similar to what he was going through.

Not just in terms of the neurological examinations Alice has at the beginning, but also the barriers the disease puts between you and the world. As we got more and more into it, we thought this is why we should be doing this movie right now and its such a beautiful story and brings hope into a dark difficult place, which we needed as well.

What was the atmosphere like on set?

It was cold! The house we were in didn’t have any heating, so in between takes we were all putting on coats and drinking warm broth.

But as far as how everyone got on, it was very warm. Alec and Julianne are old friends.

The scenes were so heavy you needed, in between, to have some kind of break. Kristen is a wonderful, down to earth person to work with and you almost forget there are 50 paparazzi camped outside the house for her. The whole crew bonded. Seeing Richard on set every day typing with one finger, determined to be part of this enterprise, sort of brought this special feeling to the set. Also the fact Julianne was giving such a magnificent performance just radiated out, so even the guys on the grip truck outside knew something important was happening on this film.

What were the biggest changes made to “Still Alice” in translating it from a novel to a screenplay and film?

One of the most obvious changes was she’s in

Alec executive produced “Compared To What,” a documentary about openly gay

former congressman Barney Frank. How was working with him?

He was terrific. It’s great to see him doing something like Alice. Before the movie, he wrote that he’s always being offered big comic characters or heavies, and its nice to play a normal guy in love with his wife who can’t bear to see her disappearing.

What is your creative process as husbands like? Are there many disagreements?

Well, we disagree about everything and we resolve it. When we write, we’re completely honest with each other, so neither of us has to wear kid gloves to express what we think about what the other person’s thinking. Hopefully, by being pretty raw and honest in the writing stage, by the time we get to the directing stage we’re on the same page and have hashed out all our differences.

How do you both feel about the Oscar buzz for Julianne’s performance? In December she won the IFP Gotham Award for Best Actress.

Well, its just unbelievable. When we went into the Toronto International Film Festival to premiere the film in September, it was very under the radar. We had a Monday afternoon screening and the response was so tremendous.

Standing ovations, huge emotional connection.

Then Sony Classics picked us up and the “O”

see Still Alice on 20 Feb. 13-26 . 2015

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tell trinity

by Trinity :: qnotes contributor :: trinity@telltrinity.com

Sex: Never be ashamed of what you don’t know Hello Trinity, I’m trying to be more open about sex, but I come from a very conservative background! How can I rise above it and learn more about sex?

Sex-Esteem, Savannah, GA

make it: boring, uncomfortable, dangerous or fun-tastic! So, honey, never be ashamed of what you know or don’t know. Learn about sex, sexual behaviors and safe sex before you jump into bed with me… I mean, just anyone!

Hello Sex-Esteem, Anyone can change or be convinced to change their attitudes about sex. Adult magazines, videos and visiting fetish stores, as well as libraries (the bookshelves that is), which have many books, are all places to pick up a few tricks about sex. Sexual attitudes, like life, should be a constantly changing and ever evolving process. Let’s not forget the importance of practicing! Sex is what you

Dear Trinity, My lover of six years dumped me cold for someone else. I’m falling apart. I used to love life, but now I can’t wait for it to end! I know I should be strong but…!

Dumped Hard, Nashville, TN Dear Dumped Hard, The minute you’re born, life becomes a struggle to find food, shelter, work, love, relationships and

a struggle to understand it all. Within a lifetime, we are all guaranteed obstacles, troubles, traumas and even disasters.

In other words, sweetie, “This too shall make you stronger!” So, find reasons to get over your ex, to get over your depression and to get on with life. And if all else fails, become a workaholic, which always helps me forget about those no good, cheating monsters! (My cartoon shows you how I deal with this issue.)

Dearest Trinity, For a few months now I’ve been having wonderful three-way sex with this couple. Now, they want me to date them exclusively and live as a threesome couple. Seriously, what are your thoughts?

Threesome Thoughts, Ann Arbor, MI Dearest Threesome Thoughts, I think you’re crazy… for not going for it! Why not try everything and everyone, well, not everyone! Why not go everywhere and let yourself be carried away by life! Just think how much fun it would be to be carried away by two, not just one. However, as with everything, pumpkin, you must first ask yourself, “Will this experience hurt me or give me a greater insight about life?” And even if your heart gets hurt a bit, you’ll still gain great insight. Life is about learning, so don’t be afraid to try everything twice, even three times! Live dangerously, yet proceed with caution!

Hello Trinity, My own mother said I have no morals anymore and won’t talk to me! How can I get her and my morals back?

Moral-less, Peoria, IL Hello Moral-less, When your own mother won’t talk to you, darling, it’s time to read: Trinity’s Snappy Tips For Knowing If You’re MAD (Morals Are Disgusting) 1. Stealing, embezzling, cheating and lying to people who trust you means you’re MAD.

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2. Stalking someone who is clearly not interested in you means you’re MAD. 3. Spending your lover’s hard-earned money on lap dancing, strip joints and adult video arcades means you’re MAD. 4. Being unkind or cruel to old people, children, animals, disabled or mentally handicapped people means you’re MAD. 5. S leeping with the spouse of your best friend means you’re MAD. 6. Sleeping with the best friend of your lover or spouse means you’re MAD. 7. G etting pregnant or someone pregnant just so they’ll marry or stay with you means you’re MAD. 8. Verbally, emotionally or physically abusing others who are in the minority means you are not only taking away someone’s civil liberties, but you’re MAD. 9. Getting someone into legal trouble just to get revenge means you’re MAD. 10. Lastly, ending a relationship without any communication or integrity means you’re a monster and you’re MAD. : : info: 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. Learn more at telltrinity.com.

Feb. 13-26 . 2015

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Lisheidy Calixto & Kristina Elise Rodriguez

dishing with buff faye

by Buff Faye :: qnotes contributor :: info@bufffaye.com

The Virgin Goddess: Gypsy Starr

Kristina Elise Rodriguez, 27, and Lisheidy Calixto, 27, had their beautiful ceremony and reception on June 14, 2014, at Beaver Dam Historic House located in Davidson, N.C. The joyous occasion was filled with love and laughter from family and friends.

After the ceremony the couple had planned to travel to Chicago to make their union legal, but were lucky enough to have N.C. drop the ban on same-sex marriage a few months after their ceremony. They were the first same-sex couple to tie the knot in Union County, even managing to land a front page interview in The Inquirer. The couple continues to call the Charlotte area home with their beloved and spoiled French bulldog, Oxford Emerson. The couple wants to thank Kristina’s mother, Paula Griffin, and step-father, Chris Griffin, as well as all their family and friends for all their help, support and love throughout the whole process.

Love is in the air. This month for Valentine’s Day, I sat down with the Queen City legend and “virgin goddess” herself, Gypsy Starr. What’s her story anyway? It all starts with dinner for two at my fave gayborhood diner Dish. Keep in mind she just had a cocktail.

As a child, Gypsy grew up on a farm in West Virginia and at an early age ran away from home to live with her aunt. “I always knew I was different … and I often would lie in bed and wish I would wake up a girl,” said Gypsy. “I always identified from a woman’s perspective and didn’t know anyone else like me growing up. My aunt understood me.”

I asked Gypsy when she first understood or heard about transgender people. “Phil Donahue, I think,” said Gypsy laughing. “Yeah, I had a TV down the hall from my room and there were three queens on Phil Donahue from the movie ‘Paris is Burning.’ I thought, oh my god, there are people like me in the world.”

Gypsy recalls her aunt taking her to a gay bar and that is when she saw her first drag show. The bar was called South Seas. Gypsy can’t remember if she was 16 or 17, but for some reason she remembers the date being June 26. She says that the bar was small with a stage in the center. She was scared to death and didn’t know what to expect. “All of a sudden this beautiful black woman walked to

the stage. She looked like Diana Ross,” Gypsy recalled, her face lighting up in the moment.

“That very next night, I painted my face, stole some earrings from my mother and wore a jet black wig with heels and came out.” It was her aunt who bought Gypsy her first set of falsies and her first pair of high heels. “I was so scared to go to the counter. She did it for me.”

Gypsy Starr spans over three decades of drag from when she first started performing in West Virginia in the ‘80s to today.

Gypsy was a regular at Oleen’s, performing for nearly 15 years before the bar closed.

She also performed at Scorpio and today you can find her on Sunday nights at “Gypsy Starr’s Legendary Divas” show. Indeed, she is a legend in the Queen City drag community and, more than likely if you do drag, you have had help or advice from Gypsy at one time or another. Be warned, if you don’t want advice, don’t ask — she has been known to make a drag queen cry.

Gypsy candidly shares her advice for new drag entertainers: “Just because you wear a dress, wig and high heels, does not make you a drag queen. Remember you have to be able to capture an audience… and I don’t like copycats. If you’re coming out on stage, be yourself.

Copies are never as good as the original.”

Gypsy prizes the family she has created over the years in the drag community. Despite being a virgin, she has a number of drag children too. It must have been immaculate conception. Gypsy credits her drag family for helping her through difficult times in her life. In 1994, Gypsy survived a deadly sexual assault outside Oleen’s in the parking lot after performing late one night.

“It doesn’t bother me to talk about it any more. The potential for it is always out there,”

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Gypsy opens up. “After a show, a man who had been waiting for me in the parking lot threw me into a car by my hair, drove away… we parked somewhere, smashes a beer bottle, stabs me in the throat, pushes me out of the car. I knew he was going to kill me. He kicked me again in the face…. I thought this was it.” Listening to Gypsy continue telling the story, you can see the strength of a survivor. “It took me years to be comfortable sharing. I am not afraid. You cannot live in fear.”

Gypsy’s story is a stark, horrifying reminder that trans women are disproportionately impacted by murder and violence today. I respect Gypsy’s openness and thank her for sharing. She cautions others to “always be aware of their surroundings.”

Since Valentine’s Day is upon us, I asked Gypsy to conclude dinner by sharing the ultimate secret — what type of man would make her lose that virginity?

“Well, I have had five husbands so I am not easy to live with,” she laughs. “I used to like wild boys but that has definitely changed. I love a sense of humor, honesty is important. I like masculine men, tall, dark headed, thick men… the ones that make me feel petite and tiny.”

Oh, and as far as Valentine’s Courtesy Gypsy Starr Day gifts, Gypsy says she loves a romantic walk and diamonds.

She adds: “I believe every girl should have the four animals of life: A mink to throw over their shoulders, a Jaguar to drive, a tiger in bed and a jackass to pay for it all.”

A girl can dream. Love you, Gypsy! : : DRAG TIP: “Just because you can get it on, does not mean it fits,” Gypsy chides.

— Buff Faye calls the Queen City her home and performs to raise money so she can find a date on Christian Mingle (and raise money for charities). Find her at your favorite bars and hot spots. Plus don’t forget her monthly Sunday drag brunch and regular Friday night party bus.

Learn more at AllBuff.com.

Follow on Twitter @BuffFaye

SHOUT OUTS: Don’t forget to find Gypsy Starr at Scorpios on Sunday night. Plus

this Valentine’s weekend, check out the Bar at 316 hosting Andrew Christian Model Topher Dimaggio. Win a free Valentine dinner date with Topher and give back to LGBTQ Youth. Go to CampusPride.org/Valentine.

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‘Still Alice’ nets Oscar buzz continued from page 15

Julianne Moore and director Richard Glatzer. Photo Credit: Jojo Whilden, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

word started being used and it just exploded.

This great love for Julianne that’s built up over her whole career, that’s focusing in on this moment, and it’s bringing so much buzz to the movie. It’s a filmmakers’ dream. Richard is convalescing after a New York hospitalization and I’d say he’s on hit movie therapy. It’s a huge uplift and shot in the arm.

Is there an organization or specific person working on a promising outside-the-box treatment or cure for A.L.S. that people can donate to or otherwise support?

There are loads of people working on all kinds of promising treatments. What’s happening right now is there’s a sense there could be a huge breakthrough. In the ’90s there were a handful of people working on A.L.S., and now there are hundreds and the money raised from the ice bucket challenges could be decisive in actually finding a breakthrough.

We feel like we just have to hang on. You saw the example of how people living with HIV in the 1990s were allowed a second lease on life with the advent of the drug cocktails.

We think of that in relation to A.L.S. Possibly within years there could be a similar moment and that hope keeps us going.

Stephen Hawking, who lives with A.L.S. and is in his 70s now, is subject of biopic “The Theory of Everything,” which is also getting serious Oscar buzz.

We just saw it, and it was very good. I shouldn’t say this, but I hope we run into him on a red carpet… but that would be counting our chickens before they hatch. : :

Director Wash Westmoreland and Julianne Moore Photo Credit: Jojo Whilden, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

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Feb. 13-26 . 2015

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February-March 2015 ‘Whispers’ auditions Gaston College, Dallas Campus 201 Highway US 321 S., Dallas

6-8 p.m.

True Colors GSA of Gaston College and the Human Services Technology Club of Gaston College present auditions for “Whispers in the Wind,” a drama in three acts highlighting LGBT youth who were victims of suicide. Another audition date is scheduled for Feb. 21, 9:30 a.m.-Noon. For more information, contact Jim Kellogg at freenowgo@ yahoo.com.

SEP FEB MO

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HRC Takeover SEP FEB MO The Westin Charlotte 601 S. College St., Charlotte 7-11 p.m.

Dan Mauney returns with his signature Takeover Friday event at The Westin Charlotte’s lobby bar the night before the weekend’s Human Rights Campaign Gala festivities. takeoverfriday.com

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Oliver Button is a Sissy SEP FEB MO ImaginOn 300 E. Seventh St., Charlotte 11 a.m.-Noon Watch One Voice Chorus bring Tomie de Paolo’s children’s story about standing up to bullying and being proud of who you are to life in this special musical production for young families. This is event for perfect for families with young children, pre-K through third grade. Free copies of the book will be shared with each family who attends This production is made possible with support from the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund and Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Libraries. onevoicechorus.com ––––––––––––––––––––

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HRC North Carolina Gala Charlotte Convention Center 501 S. College St., Charlotte 5:30-11 p.m.

The Human Rights Campaign presents their annual North Carolina Gala. The group expects more than 1,500 attendees at their signature local fundraising event. Information and tickets are available online. hrccarolina.org

You can submit your event to our comprehensive community calendar presented by qnotes, the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte and Visit Gay Charlotte. Submit your event at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/ and get a three-for-one entry. All Charlotte-area events will appear on each of the three calendars at qnotes (goqnotes.com), the LGBT Center (lgbtcharlotte.org) and Visit Gay Charlotte (visitgaycharlotte.com).

Music That Moves You Myers Park Baptist Church 1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte 5 p.m.

SEP MAR MO

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The Charlotte Pride Band makes moves with a concert inspired by the body in motion. Music That Moves You brings pieces such as “Rookie of the Year,” “L’Esprit du Tour,” and “Arabesque” to life with action-packed performances.

Local LGBT-affirming groups collaborating with the band include Charlotte Roller Girls, Queens of D’Nile Studio belly dancers, and more! Tickets are $13 or $22.50 for a family pass (two adults, all kids under age 12). charlotteprideband.org –––––––––––––––––––– Adult Ally Night The Bar 711 Rigsbee Ave., Durham Triangle-area youth group iNSIDEoUT hosts an adult ally fundraising night. A $5 cover goes directly to the group. The event is open only to those 18 and up, 21 to drink. insideout180.org

Giving Gala Label Charlotte 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., Suite B6, Charlotte 6:30 p.m.

The Charlotte Business Guild hosts its annual Giving Gala and Awards Ceremony, featuring speakers Charlotte City Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield and Equality North Carolina Executive Director Chris Sgro. Entertainment by Tenya Coleman of the Tenya Coleman Quartet. Tickets start at $70 for members, with a range of options for students, couples and more. Information and tickets are available online. cltbusinessguild.org

SEP MAR MO

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HRC Fun Run Just Fresh 1231 East Blvd., Charlotte 9 a.m.

Join members of the Charlotte Front Runners for BlackedOut a morning fun SEP FEB MO Wedgewood Church, 4800 Wedgewood Dr., Charlotte, 5 p.m. run. Choose from Charlotte Black Gay Pride hosts a celebration of the legendary queer, a two or four mile African-American leaders of history. This free concert celebration features course for a social soloists Destiny Brown, Ban Truesdale, Deon St. James, Bertshalyn Baily run/walk. Event is free. and other performers. hrccarolina.org. charlotteblackgaypride.com

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To see more upcoming events, visit goqnotes.com/calendar/

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Continues through April 4 SEP MAR MO ‘The Normal Heart’ Theatre Charlotte 501 Queens Rd., Charlotte Award-winning production about the early days of the AIDS crisis.

Different Roads Home is presenting sponsor. Tickets are $27 and available online. theatrecharlotte.com

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Feb. 13-26 . 2015

TOY Mimosa Party JB’s on the Greenway 2128 Greenway Ave., Charlotte 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Time Out Youth hosts a fundraising event while cheering on runners in the Elizabeth 8K Road Race. A donation gets you access to bottomless mimosas. In 2014, the event raised close to $10,000 for Time Out Youth. Event details are available online. facebook.com/events/ 1528473724078345/ –––––––––––––––––––– Equality NC Conference Durham Technical Community College 1637 E. Lawson St., Durham The AdvaNCe Equality Conference, hosted by Equality NC Foundation, is the largest gathering of LGBTQ activists in North Carolina. Conference keynoter includes North Carolina-native Jacob Tobia. Information and registration are available online. equalityncfoundation.org/conference/

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credit: freepix.com

EVENTS

Submit your event to our calendar!

Sweet Tooth Festival SEP MAR MO Omni Charlotte Hotel 132 E. Trade St., Charlotte The Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) hosts its fourth annual drop-in celebration of all things sweet, featuring the Charlotte area’s best purveyors of cupcakes, candies, cakes and sweet treats. All proceeds benefit RAIN. carolinarain.org

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news

Democrats elect new party chair Transgender candidate Janice Covington Allison places third, trans-inclusive addition approved

by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com

Janice Covington Allison speaks with a N.C. Democratic Party member before the statewide meeting and chair election in Pittsboro, N.C., on Feb. 7.

Photo Credit: Betsy Muse/BlueNC

Leaders of the North Carolina Democratic Party elected their new state chairman at a meeting in Pittsboro, N.C., on Feb. 7, bypassing a transgender candidate for the office while also approving transgender-inclusive language in the party’s governing documents.

Patsy Keever, a former state House member from Asheville, won overwhelmingly in the first round of voting for the state party chair position, gaining 367 votes to runner-up Marshall Adame’s 129 votes, according to a vote tally provided by a party member at the meeting.

Keever, who had been serving as the state’s first vice chair, had created controversy after calling transgender candidate Janice Covington Allison “a man” during a debate in Gaston County last month. The two later moved toward reconciliation, hugging at a Charlotte debate and agreeing to “cut the drama.”

Allison, of Charlotte, entered the race in early January as the first transgender candidate to run for the statewide party position. She had been endorsed by a transgender member of the Democratic National Committee. Allison was also the first transgender person elected to represent North Carolina as a delegate to a Democratic

National Convention when it was hosted in Charlotte in 2012.

Allison, nominated by Mecklenburg County’s Ty Turner, received just nine votes in the party election, followed by Salisbury businesswoman Constance Johnson with eight

votes and Raleigh party activist Ron Sanyal with six votes.

In another move, the state party overwhelmingly passed a provision to add the term “gender identity” to the state party plan of organization’s preamble. The document already contained an extensive list of other enumerated categories, including sexual orientation. The state party was supposed to have added the transgender-inclusive language last year. The party said last month it would be taken up at its statewide meeting this month. : :

queer insight. pure politics. qnotes is your source for the best progressive and LGBT politics news and commentary in Charlotte and the Carolinas.

Read us daily online at goqnotes.com

Feb. 13-26 . 2015

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