QNotes, Feb. 26-March 10, 2016

Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

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Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

inside

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Carolina filmmaking!

qnotes news & features

arts. entertainment. news. views.

5 Youth center makes new hires 15 News Notes: Regional Briefs 16 News Notes: U.S./World Briefs

a&e / life&style 11 ‘Closet Case’ seeks funds 12 Artists share vision, creativity 14 XOXO performance group

Anthony L. Williams (pictured on the right giving cast members some direction) is in the process of raising funds to produce “Closet Case,” a film that challenges what norms truly are. page 11

17 Tell Trinity 19 Fun trip to Key West 22 Q Events Calendar 23 Health & Wellness

opinions & views 4 Black History Month

more news & features

Health & Wellness

Performance theatre group

Get the real story on ‘good bacteria’ vs. ‘bad bacteria’ and ways to help stay in top shape. Hazmat suits are not needed! page 23

XOXO brings an innovative, creative approach to stage performances using eclectic and unusual ways to tell the story. page 14

Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

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qnotes connect Feb. 26-March 10, 2016 Vol 30 No 22

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

contributors this issue Nick de la Canal, Mike Keefe, Jack Kirven, Lainey Millen, Jeff Taylor, Chris Tittel, Trinity

front page

Graphic Design by Lainey Millen Photography/Illustration: courtesy of John W. Love, Jr., Francisco Gonzales, Gil Croy 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.

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, editor@goqnotes.com Assoc. Editor: Lainey Millen, specialassignments@goqnotes.com Social Media Editor: Jeff Taylor, socialmedia@goqnotes.com Production: Lainey Millen, x205 production@goqnotes.com Printed on recycled paper.

Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2016 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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Vote comes in at 7-4 to add LGBT protections to the city’s non-discrimination ordinance

by Jeff Taylor :: qnotes staff The Charlotte City Council voted Monday, Feb. 22, to expand the city’s non-discrimination ordinance to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, after over three hours of public comments.

City Council voted 7-4 to approve adding LGBT protections to the ordinance, which already prohibits discrimination based on gender, race, age and religious affiliation.

Council members Al Austin, John Autry, Patsy Kinsey, Julie Eiselt, Vi Lyles, James Mitchell and LaWana Mayfield all voted in favor of expanding the ordinance. Republicans Ed Driggs and Kenny Smith voted against, as did Democrats Greg Phipps and Claire Fallon.

Fallon had earlier stated that she would vote for the motion by leaving the dais, which results in a yes vote.

Fallon claimed that only the pro-ordinance side was heard from, despite dozens of antiordinance speakers stating their case, and said that she could not vote yes when she felt there was still so much confusion and fear over the transgender bathroom issue.

The ordinance failed to pass last year, with a 6-5 vote against, but new members Eiselt and Mitchell were able to tip the balance in favor.

There were 140 individuals signed up to speak on both sides of the issue and nearly all were present. The majority spoke out against passing the ordinance. Those from outside of Charlotte were even more lopsided against, which Driggs pointed out in his statement before voting no, claiming the city council should listen more closely to those outside city limits.

Driggs said he might vote for an ordinance that did not include the transgender protections. That was attempted last year with an amendment, but failed to pass when Mayfield and Autry voted against, saying they did not want to leave any member of the LGBT community behind. Driggs also voted no on the amended ordinance expansion.

Many of those speaking against expanding the ordinance also voiced concerns over allowing transgender people to use the bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their identity, claiming it would put women and girls at risk, despite

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City Council gives thumbs up in historic decision

Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

Supporters and opponents of the ordinance hold signs at the Charlotte City Council meeting on Feb. 22.

Photo Credit: Jeff Taylor

there being no evidence of that happening in cities that have passed similar ordinances.

Many evoked God, Jesus and the Bible.

Several speakers told Mayor Roberts and city council members that they need to “turn away from sin” and accept Jesus Christ.

Steve Knight, pastor at Missiongathering Charlotte, spoke in favor of the ordinance and said that he noticed a lot of people quoting from the Bible, but not so many quoting Jesus and his message of love and acceptance.

This was a sentiment mirrored by transgender pastor Debra Hopkins.

“I believe that God calls on all of us to come together as one body. To be able to live in harmony…with mankind, one with another,” Hopkins said, calling on the city to provide the same rights and protections that other Charlotteans enjoy.

Mayor Roberts had to stop several times throughout the night to ask for decorum, as those in attendance clapped, yelled out and

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otherwise showed signs of their support or lack thereof for what was being said at the podium.

When the vote was cast and the ordinance passed, the audience erupted with both delight and displeasure.

This may set the stage for a battle with the state.

Council member Driggs sent an email to Gov. McCrory on Feb. 21 asking what he thought of the ordinance. The former Charlotte mayor said that if the ordinance passes it will “most likely cause immediate state legislative intervention.”

“It is not only the citizens of Charlotte that will be impacted by changing basic restroom and locker room norms, but also citizens from across our state and nation who visit and work in Charlotte,” McCrory said in the email. “This shift in policy could also create major public safety issues by putting citizens in possible danger from deviant actions by individuals taking improper advantage of a bad policy.” : :

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news

Youth org makes new hires Parker Smith and Gwen Pearson now full time

by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff the center since June 2015 as the organization’s first transgender outreach worker and has been active in Q-Tribe leadership, provided Trans 101 sessions and and served on the planning committee for the “Souls of Our Students: A Transgender Focus” documentary project, among other projects.

As an undergraduate at Appalachian State University, Smith led a transgender rights and support group and worked closely with the local LGBT center to better serve the trans community in the area.

Smith can be reached by calling 704-344-8335, ext. 604 or via email at PSmith@timeoutyouth.org.

Gwen Pearson has stepped into the role of full-time office manager.

She has been a volunteer with the center since 2013 and joined the staff in February 2015 as a part-time office adminGwen Pearson (left) and Parker Smith have been hired full time at istrator. Pearson has 17 Time Out Youth Center. years of human resource

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Time Out Youth Center, 2320 N. Davidson St., has announced the hiring of two new staff members.

Parker Smith has assumed the duties of youth outreach worker. Smith has been with

experience. She also is publisher of Visit Gay Charlotte, a qnotes partner, as well as been involved in the community through her involvement with Charlotte Pride, Charlotte Black Gay Pride, Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Playing For Others.

Pearson can be reached by calling 704344-8335, ext. 602, or by email at GPearson@ timeoutyouth.org. info: timeoutyouth.org.

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a&e

Spring A&E Guide

Carolina director brings enlightening filmmaking to the Tar Heel State Focus based on equality and bullying, even in the face of recent social justice advances

by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff

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nthony L. Williams has a vision. He wants to share the story about the LGBT community and he wants to make sure that it’s done Carolina style.

Over the last number of months and years, Williams has been developing “Closet Case,” an independent dramatic comedy film project that tells the story of alpha-male, husband and father Axel’s overnight experience when he awakens after an evening of drinks with his gay friend Evan and finds the world is turned on its head. It seems that while he was passed out, gay society has become the norm. He’s now trapped in a predominately gay world. And, the story carries on from there as Axel navigates life in an alternate universe. Even though it is somewhat comedic in nature, the complexion of the piece is respectful. It does not take a side on the equality issue, but allows viewers the chance to see what life is like “with the shoe on the other foot.”

Inspiration for the film stems from his life experience growing up in Arkansas and living in the South where he was subjected to bullying as a child and has seen the injustices directed toward the LGBT community, especially AfricanAmerican males.

Williams, who serves as the writer, director and producer through his Second Glance Films company, has been in the business of securing

funds for the project so that it can become a reality. Even though the actual production of the film is yet to be made, one scene has already been shot. He was fortunate to have been able to obtain permission to get some footage during a recent Pride Winston-Salem celebration to blend into the storyline.

“Closet Case” has been cast and it will use professional talent from outside the Carolinas, plus locals. Williams shared that everything is all set to go pending securing the necessary funding to put the project into high gear. The target amount to do the whole project is about $150,000.

Contributions are being handled through a partnership agreement with the Millennia Scope Entertainment Foundation which gives contributors a way to make tax-deducible gifts to the film either in a single or ongoing contribution or through an investment. Contributors are able to make contributions through the film’s website which interfaces with Millennia Scope. Also, businesses can have their goods used in the film as a product placement opportunity. The foundation is serving as the film’s fiscal sponsor.

Once funding is secured the film will go into production. Williams does not want to do the shoot piecemeal and also wants to shoot it in one spance of time. Locking down talent (cast, crews, etc.) for a single given timespan will be more efficient.

The film also has national and local business sponsors and supporters such as Pride WinstonSalem, The Tyler Clementi Foundation, Crape Myrtle Festival, as well as individuals.

To contact Williams about contributions, product placement and more, email him at secondglanceproductions@gmail.com. info: closetcasemovie.com. msefoundation.org.

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Spring A&E Guide

Art and the artist: Three men and their imaginations Undeniably creative from the start

by Jeff Taylor :: qnotes staff

Francisco Gonzalez rt was encouraged and present in Francisco Gonzalez’s family when he was growing up, in Mexico.

“When I look back, everybody in my family had the art bug,” Gonzalez says, “it’s just that [starting] when we were very little, we were taught to be lawyers or doctors. Something where you make money.”

He says that a career in art was discouraged, but in the long run that was never going to work on him.

“I’m the one who, even though I tried to do many things, I always came back to the conclusion that I need to do my art,” he says. “I’m the only one who actually dared to do that.”

Gonzalez was in his 30s before he took that leap and he says he sometimes sees artists in their 20s who “already have it going on” and sometimes wonder how much further along he would be if he had been encouraged to consider that option.

Still, he is thankful that he is able to work fulltime as an artist, overcoming the messaging that to be an artist is to starve.

Gonzalez’ is a multimedia artist, working primarily with collage, both on paper and canvas, sculpture and last year, for the first time ever, a bit of fashion.

He also took on the challenge of designing a dress using recycled items for the fashion show ecoFAB Trash Couture. He is planning to participate this year as well, which takes place Apr. 23 at Discover U, 420 E Central Ave., in Mount Holly, N.C. Since participating in the show, he says he has started collecting recycled materials to use in the rest of his work as well, which allows him to continue engaging in a, as he says, “different approach to art.”

His work is abstract and figurative, but he says he is influenced and inspired by nature.

“I think everyone gets inspired by nature. I mean, everything comes from it: the colors people use, the designs, the shapes, everything comes from nature,” he says. “In my case, I don’t approach (it) in the obvious way, to draw flowers or landscapes, but what I take from nature is textures…and colors, and I apply that in abstract form.”

Gonzalez has shown his work thoughout the U.S., extensively in Charlotte, N.C., and the surrounding region. He is encouraged by the growing Latin art scene in the area.

“When I went to the McColl Center in 2002, I was the first local Latino artist,” he remembers. “There had been other Latino artists from out of state, but I was the first local one. Now we

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John W. Love Jr. puts a great deal of thought into his craft such as unusual attire and artwok creations like the crystal high heel shoe.

Photo Credits: Bag, James Martin; John W. Love, Jr. Shoe and profile, Jay Weinmiller hen asked if he always knew that he was experimental an artist , John W. Love, Jr. says, “I always installation and knew that I was creative,” Artist, he says, is a loaded word. one-man performance piece.

“More importantly than that, even before I knew the word creHis work has taken him to Sweden, Paris, New York, San ative, I knew that I had to express. I knew that I was expressive,” Francisco, Los Angeles and, most recently, Alaska, where he he adds. “The yearning, the desire, the need to express in a way was artist-in-residence at The Anchorage Museum. that was kind of fantastical or not quite real, or not quite common, It was an experience that he cherished in part due to the fact was very important to me. Was essential to me, actually.” that they do not have, as they put it, “an agenda of outcome.”

He recounts a story of being somewhere between three- and “And I love that,” Love says, “that they don’t have an ‘agenda five-years-old and seeing a crayon in his crayon box that said of outcome.’ Their only agenda was that they wanted incoming “blue green.” artists to absorb culture and influence culture.”

“In my childhood, imaginative, creative mind, when I saw blue He allowed his environment to inform him, while he worked green I thought that that meant that when I used that crayon it on poetic prose, coming up with a new film performance piece, would be whatever color blue or whatever color green I wanted it continuing to develop characters he has brought to life in varito be,” he recounts. “So then when I would color and it wouldn’t ous performances over the years and filming lots of fur in the be that, at first I got really really frustrated…but then what I did, Anchorage Museum, which he says he has an idea about utilizwas I let go of being frustrated and I did everything in that crayon ing for video work. Texture is important in his work, and while he because it kind of really didn’t matter. But then in my mind, when I says he is not particularly into fur himself, it is big in Alaska. looked at the picture I saw every color that I wanted to see. And in “I absorb everything, and because I see everything through that I realized that there was probably more magic in my imaginathis creative lens…I’m absorbing everything. I’m saying yes to tion than in anything else that I was doing.” everything.”

That fertile childhood imagination, which would also animate He continues to develop characters, both new and old, and is his drawings on the page, he says, so that he could see them willing to abandon or pick up new concepts as necessary. come to life, continue to grow and shape him and find new and “I’m very comfortable saying, ‘Well this is what it is now, ever-changing ways to present itself to the public. and it will probably be different when you see it again, and then His work is interdisciplinary, incorporating performance art, different after that,’ because that’s how my stuff goes,” he says. acting, stage and video directing and literary work, and he seems It is the type of boldness that comes from the confidence to folto be in a near constant state of creation. low your muse and make your own magic, as he has been doing The Charlotte native was honored as the first recipient of the since he was a child. Why stop now? : : Arts & Science Council McColl Award for his work FECUND, an

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Gil Croy il Croy’s work matches his persona: bold, colorful, engaging. If you live in Charlotte, chances are you have seen his eye catching mural on the side of White Rabbit at 920 Central Ave. Or, you may have seen his One World Dragon float in the 2014 Charlotte Pride Parade.

Croy also works as a graphic and interior designer, as well as a photographer. Much of his work directly relates to LGBT issues and themes. In addition to his work as an artist, Croy has long been active in LGBT community organizing efforts.

Croy moved to Charlotte in 1988 and returned after a stint in New York to work as the director of window design and main floor promotion with Macy’s. He currently splits his time between Mooresville, N.C., and Raleigh, N.C., where he has temporarily relocated part time for design work.

He was born in Alabama and raised in Mississippi on a cattle and horse ranch in what he describes as “an extremely religious family.”

When he came out at 13, it was not particularly well received. He sums it up by saying there was a “limited amount of tolerance to it.”

“I was very upfront about who I was,” Croy says.

Croy brushes off the idea that coming out at that age, in that environment, was a courageous act.

“I don’t even call it bravery,” he says. “I was just being honest about who I was…I was just trying to be as honest as I possibly could about my feelings.”

“I didn’t know anyone else that was gay up until late high school.

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So I felt alone a lot,” he remembers. “Being raised out on a ranch, you can have a tendency to feel that way anyway when you’re an only child.”

The concepts of connection, community and identity come up often in Croy’s work. Sometimes, as in the case of the White Rabbit mural, it is obvious. Other times, it is more subtle, but it is still there. For instance, growing up and feeling isolated, Croy’s pets were important to him. He has a pop pet art series, a portion of the proceeds of which go to Charlotte area animal rescues.

He is also the driving force behind the collaborative Human Canvas Project, a body painting series centered on the concept of unity.

“Under the paint, you don’t know what color the person is, or what the gender is a lot of times, by how we pose, or what the sexuality is,” he says. “Paint, for lack of a better vernacular, is a camouflage for what we see first and judge first, unfortunately, as human beings.”

“It’s an intimate connection between the artist, myself, and the person I’m painting on,” he adds, “Because it does take some time.”

Croy is always balancing several projects at once, but says he finds it rejuvenating to be able to continue working, following his interests where they lead him. : :

Gil Croy’s artistic endeavors have lead him to produce provocative artwork, as well as using the body as shown here with his Human Canvas Project. While extending his creativity, Croy also uses his talents to handle interior design for his clients.

Francisco Gonzalez produces multimedia artwork, working with a variety of materials while infusing Latin flavor into his creations as shown here (on previous page) silk screened textiles, plus two pieces named (top to bottom) ‘Lucky Day’ and “El Guardián.’

have art organizations dedicated to bringing spaces and opportunities for Latin artists and there are a lot of communities that have to do with Latin issues. And I have met in the last year, so many Latino artists, from painters to poets to dancers, all local artists here in Charlotte.”

One such organization, of which Gonazalez is a member, is called ArtSi. They help facilitate and create art shows featuring Latino art, in hopes of advancing Latin culture in the city and weaving it into the larger creative community.

Gonzalez admits that at this point most events are attended primarily by those already in the community, but he hopes to see a wider audience start to become aware of and frequent these events.

Either way, he will continue to press forward and make progress as a fulltime working artist. He reports that it was not until he began doing so that he felt truly satisfied in life.

“You can only do what you love,” he says, “in order to feel good about it.”

His work is currently on display in a number of spots around town, including: Pura Vida Worldly Art in NoDa, 3202 N. Davidson St.; the Guinan Gallery at The Art Institute of Charlotte, Three LakePointe Plaza, 2110 Water Ridge Pky.; the Max L. Jackson Gallery at Queens University of Charlotte, 2222 Radcliffe Ave.; and the Delurk Gallery, 207 W. 6th St., in Winston-Salem, N.C. : :

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a&e

Spring A&E Guide

The experimental weirdness of XOXO Theater group strives for more artistic and social diversity in Charlotte

by Jeff Taylor :: qnotes staff

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hen director and actor Matt Cosper looked around the Charlotte, N.C., theater scene in the first decade of the 2000s, he noticed a serious lack of experimental and avant garde work.

“That’s the kind of work I like to see as an audience member,” Cosper says. “I wasn’t getting to see it in town, and I wasn’t getting the opportunity to make that kind of work through my freelance [directing] assignments, and so I just decided that I should probably make it happen.”

So Cosper took the initiative, starting Machine Theater in 2009 and recruiting friends Barney Baggett, Robert Haulbrook, Carlisle Kellum, Jon Lindsay and Barbi Van Schaik to form the first ensemble.

The group incorporated as a non-profit organization and began staging performances. It was evident from the start that experimental theater was not only possible in Charlotte, but that there was a hunger for it.

“We found that people who don’t go see plays, love the plays that we make,” Cosper says. “And that tends to be a more diverse group, in terms of age, ethnic background, sexual and gender identity, class.”

Only Cosper is left from that original group. The core of the ensemble now includes Kadey Ballard, Justin Evans, Kelly Joey, Jennifer Jordan, Amanda Medina, Glynnis O’Donoghue, Anabelle Prince and managing director Karina Caporino.

They began making work under the name XOXO in 2014, with a similar, but somewhat different approach.

“We had a big change within the company as far as the work that we were creating. We were finding that our work can be

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Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

Part of that centers around viewing the performer, auvery cartoonish and playful, dience relationship in a different way from what is typically and Machine sounded a little seen in the more classic tradition. dense and heavy,” Caporino “Theater in the traditional model is frankly done better says. “And while, yes, someby television,” Cosper says. “What we’re doing is explortimes we do want to smack ing what is essential about theater, which is that it’s a live you around and talk about the event. The thing that’s exciting about theater is that it’s hapgross stuff, we really wanted pening live in front of you. That’s the thing to really explore.” to be in a loving, safe, kind of Their work is also alive in a sense — a living, changfun environment.” ing entity. Their most recent performance, titled “I WON’T With their more unique HURT YOU (therefore you should just calm down),” a and interactive approach, the meditation on romantic love, has been well received but is ensemble managed to reach not yet fully formed. an audience that traditional Caporino and Cosper both say they like leaving room theater companies have been for “happy accidents” and that the feedback they receive trying, and more often than goes into creating the finished form, which Caporino says not failing, to connect with likely won’t come for another year or two. for years.

XOXO proved there was an audience for this type of “We didn’t make a choice work, and now they have company in that scene. to abandon theater audienc“Now, in 2016, there’s a handful of really interesting es, but we just kind of figured companies that are making work that sort of blur the boundarthat what we’re making is From a previous performance of ‘The ies between theater, dance, music; there’s really interesting kind of out there, a lot of traExorcism of A.L. Blakley (Que Sera).’ interdisciplinary work that’s happening,” Cosper says. “There ditional theater audiences… are companies like Taproot and Triptych Collective that are doing it’s not necessarily what they want to see,” Cosper explains. some really interesting stuff. It’s cool to be a part of that community.”

“The connoisseurs among the theater heads like what we do, but XOXO is growing and changing as well. Last summer they got maybe we should go out and pursue an audience that is more involved with a group called On The Hook, which endeavors to interested in seeing live music, or going to art galleries or seeing dance and performance. Maybe people who aren’t interested in traditional theater.” see XOXO on 21

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news notes: carolinas compiled by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff

ASO gets set to ‘feud’

Live film screening slated CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A screening of “Holler if You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church” will be held on March 4, 7:30 p.m., at Johnson C. Smith University, Science Center Auditorium, 100 Beatties Ford Rd. The film, created by BET.com and presented by Clay Cane, will be streamed through Facebook Live or Periscope. It was nominated for the GLAAD Media Award. It addresses the oppression of African-American LGBT individuals in religious spaces.

Cane is a nationally-recognized filmmaker, television personality and award-winning journalist and has been featured on MTV, HLN, ABC, etc., as well as The Advocate among others.

His work covers various topics including pop culture, sexuality, race, religion and social justice. He is based in New York, N.Y. He has also been nominated for a 2016 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Digital Journalism.

The event is hosted by the Social Behavioral Science Department, Social Work Department and the Metropolitan College and is sponsored by A.S.P.I.R.E. (A Sacred Place Inviting Realistic Experiences).

A panel discussion follows the screening. Participants include: Monica Raye Simpson, executive director Sistersong, Atlanta, Ga.; Lawana Mayfield, Charlotte City Council member; Pastor Floretta Watkins, Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, N.C.; Dr. Peter Wherry, Mayfield Memorial Baptist, Charlotte, N.C.; Pastor Anthony Sullivan, United Church of Christ HIV/AIDS Network, Cleveland, Ohio; Rev. Frederick Robinson, Charlotte, N.C.; and Minister Melissa McQueen, Many Voices, Washington, D.C. Participants will be able to examine same-gender love in the black church looking at issues of oppression, salvation, spirituality, exploitation, hurt and anger.

The program is open to the public. A pre-screening reception will take place from 6-7:15 p.m.

Email Emma Foster, MSW, LCSWA, at efoster8808@gmail.com or call 704-267-6544 to learn more. info: bet.com. on.fb.me/1oBVIQu.

Charlotte Breakfast to address AIDS, healing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS Breakfast will be held on March 3, 9:30 a.m., at St. Luke’s Missionary Baptist Church, 1600 Norris Ave. Faith and community leaders will deliver “moving and empowering messages about individual strength and the power of compassion and love” during the free, public event. RSVP

by Feb. 26 to be included by calling 704-4969578 or email leshad@carolinascare.org.

Presenters include Mecklenburg County Commissioner Vilma Leake and Mecklenburg County Manager Dena R. Diorio.

“Supporting our local Faith-Based Organizations in their efforts to educate and mobilize their communities is integral to stopping the spread of HIV,” said Shannon Warren, executive director of Carolinas CARE Partnership. “I’m excited to be supporting their outreach efforts to reach our common goal of achieving an HIV-free future.”

Rev. Clifford Matthews, Jr. of St. Luke’s followed up with, “It is so important for FaithBased Organizations to create authentic relationships with people in our community. Our hope in bringing this breakfast event is to communicate our love and encouragement for all people, especially those people living with HIV/ AIDS and folks in the LGBT community.”

Contributions to Carolinas CARE Partnership (CCP) will be accepted at the event.

Sponsors are CCP, St. Luke’s and The Charlotte Post. info: carolinascare.org.

order them online. Simply fill out the form to receive them. info/tickets: rainbowweddingnetwork.com. samelovesamerights.com.

Chamber benefit slated

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — “Musically Chic: A Benefit Concert” will be held on March 10, 7 p.m., at the Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. Hosted by the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the event’s proceeds will help fund the Barbara Green Entrepreneurial and Small Business Grant. Green was a staunch straight ally of the LGBT business community who passed away unexpectedly last year.

“Musically Chic” is named after Green’s interior design company Simply Chic and will feature a pink color scheme in honor of Green’s favorite color. The chamber hopes to make the concert a yearly tradition that will continue Green’s legacy for years to come.

Concert headliner is Minneapolis’ female rock band, Sick of Sarah. The show will also feature Namoli Brennet, local artist Lara Americo and Sotto Voice, and will be hosted by Francene Morris & Joanne Spataro.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Proceeds from the concert will help fund the Barbara Green Entrepreneurial and Small Business Grant. info: clgbtcc.org.

Wedding expo upcoming

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 2nd Annual Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo will be held on March 13, 12:30 p.m., at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, 555 S. McDowell St. Produced by Rainbow Wedding Network, the event provides over 30 LGBT-friendly resources to couples for their nuptials planning.

Attendees can enjoy music, participation in raffles and more.

Free tickets are available for those who

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — “We Are Family Feud” will be held on April 9, 7 p.m., at Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. Emcees for the evening are Lana Cane and Mink Shoals who will bring their campy drag style to the stage with hilarious hosting and musical numbers. Format for “Family Feud” consists of two traditional and two fast money rounds, all with a little twist from the original game show that the event is modeled after. Families will be drafted from participants in the audience.

Organizers are seeking sponsors. Levels that are currently available are: Ticket ($500), Game ($1,000) and Fast Money ($750). More information on each is available online.

The event is presented by Rosedale Infectious Diseases and benefits Different Roads Home and Carolinas Care Partnership.

Tickets are $25/regular and $100/VIP and are available online. VIP ticket holders receive two seats with reserved seating in the first two rows, parking pass for VIP parking, $25 restaurant gift certificate or a gift card for dinner for a couple and two free drink ticket coupons good for any beverage at the theatre. Note: there are only 15 VIP tickets for sale, so order quickly. info: differentroadshome.org.

Council suits up

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The National Diversity Council Carolinas will host their veteran hiring annual “From Boots to Suits” event on April 29 at DeVry University, 2015 Ayrsley Town Blvd. #109.

The veterans summit will include information on how to develop and launch a veterans program within an organization, become a leader in the veteran recruiting community, as well as capitalize on veterans’ leadership skills in the workplace. This experience can be helpful for veterans who are re-entering the job market in learning how to pitch themselves to prospective employers.

Speakers scheduled are: Andrew Barnes, enterprise talent acquisition project manager at Wells Fargo; and David A. Smith, enterprise military talent acquisition manager at Bank of America. Others may also include: Col. Richard Cantwell, president of Odell International; Noel Humphreys, executive director of Patriots Path; and Col. Dominic Caraccilo, COO of PBI Security, Inc. Registration for veterans is free and all others are at $35, both of which are available online. info: ndccarolinas.org.

Triad Foundation seeks gala award noms

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Guilford Green Foundation is accepting nominations for its annual Gala awards.

Categories are: Visionary, given to an individual who has championed the vision of a better world for the LGBT community; Distinguished Service, given to an individual who has provided years of outstanding service to the Piedmont Triad LGBT community; and Distinguished Leadership, given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership for a specific event, project or situation.

Nominations are due by Feb. 29. Forms are available online and once completed, should be emailed to leighanne@ggfnc.org. info: ggfnc.org

news

Triangle Center expands programming

DURHAM, N.C. — The LGBTQ Center of Durham, 114 Hunt St., has announced that it is hosting “Fair Housing — Know Your Rights” workshop on Feb. 29, 6 p.m.

Participants will be able to learn more about how to proceed if a housing application has been denied and get information on filing a housing discrimination complaint.

For more information, call Larry Revelle at Durham Human Relations at 919-560-4107, ext.

34278, or email Larry.Revelle@durhamnc.gov.

The center is also holding an interest meeting for a safe harbor support group on March 6, 4:30 p.m.

This option is for parents who seek the solace of interacting with others who have undergone the journey of being an LGBT parent in a supportive, safe environment. Children may be of any age.

Now that space has been made available, book donations for the center’s library are being accepted. Bring them to a book drive on March 5, 12-6 p.m. Books should be new or gently used and be of LGBT content and/or authors.

Email library@lgbtqcenterofdurham.org to make arrangements.

The center is inviting the community to collaborate on taking action to improve wellness for LGBT individuals, especially those who are transgender, gender-queer, gender-nonconforming and people of color.

Working groups are being formed to address these concerns. Organizing teams are also being created to work on “big picture” issues relative to LGBT community wellness and to support working groups. More information is available online at bit.ly/1PR1PZR. Email community-wellness@lgbtqcenterofdurham. org to join or learn more about the initiative. info: lgbtqcenterofdurham.org.

Faith, community leaders gather at capitol

RALEIGH, N.C. — On Feb. 7, elected officials, faith leaders and community advocates gathered at the North Carolina State Capitol for I Am My Brother/Sister’s Keeper, a vigil for Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Speakers spoke about the importance of addressing the HIV disparities in the AfricanAmerican community and the need to close the Medicaid coverage gap in North Carolina, Lee Storrow, executive director of North Carolina AIDS Action Network, shared.

“We need to make the African-American community more aware about HIV,” said Rev. Dr. Earl Johnson of Martin Street Baptist Church. “Rates are increasing, and we must educate the community about HIV treatment and prevention,” he added.

Former Wake County Superior Court Judge Abraham Jones delivered prepared remarks on behalf of State Rep. Rosa Gill, stating “If North Carolina would close the Medicaid coverage gap, hundreds of HIV+ North Carolinians would have access to full health insurance. Closing the Medicaid coverage gap would provide health insurance to over half a million North Carolinians. A study done by the Cone Health Foundation and Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust found that closing the gap would generate millions of dollars in tax revenue, and would have created 29,000 jobs in our state in 2015, including over 3,000 here in Wake County.”

Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

see Carolinas on 16

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news notes: u.s./world compiled by Chris Tittel :: qnotes contributor

Guide answers queries on queer taxes

continuing education for health care providers in LGBT cultural and clinical competency.

On Feb. 2, the DC City Council unanimously approved a law mandating two credit hours per cycle in LGBT cultural competency for all healthcare providers who are required to receive continuing education to renew their license.

The LGBTQ Cultural Competency Continuing Education Amendment Act of 2015 is expected to be signed into law by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has previously expressed support.

Transgender White House liaison congratulated

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) has congratulated Jaan Williams on his appointment to the position of White House liaison at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS). In this role, Williams will recruit, support and develop appointees for USDHHS in partnership with the White House Office of Presidential Personnel.

NCTE commended USDHHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell for appointing Williams to this position as the first out transgender person to serve as a White House liaison for any government agency.

The National LGBTQ Task Force has launched a groundbreaking income tax preparation guide for LGBTQ people. The new taxpayer resource is intended to guide LGBTQ people with questions they might want to ask when sitting in front of their tax preparer or program. The first-of-its-kind guide translates complicated income tax form information in a way that is more understandable and accessible for LGBTQ people.

“LGBTQ people are disproportionally more likely to live at or below the poverty line — they are also often the most in need of income tax information and least able to access it.

The straightforward information in this guide will empower LGBTQ people to get credits and deductions that lift millions of people out of poverty,” said Meghan Maury, criminal and

economic justice director for the National LGBTQ Task Force. “Most LGBTQ people don’t know that you can deduct out-of-pocket costs for transition-related care, including surgery.

Many of us also don’t know that you may be able to claim a large credit for adoption-related expenses.”

The new publication is part of the organization’s “Queer Our Taxes” effort, a public education and advocacy campaign focused on securing economic justice for LGBTQ people.

To learn more about Queer our Taxes, and to download the new taxpayer guide, visit queerourtaxes.org.

LGBT cultural competency in healthcare

The District of Columbia (DC) is set to become the first jurisdiction in the nation to require

Cohabitation agreements decline following same-sex marriage ruling

Cohabitating couples are splitting up with the help of lawyers in a growing number of relationships. According to 45 percent of participants in a recent survey of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), legal disputes between unmarried couples who had previously lived together have been on the rise during the past three years. A significant number of the attorneys — 70 percent — also noted a decrease in cohabitation agreements being drawn up between same-sex partners since same-sex marriage has been legalized.

“Even without an engagement ring or marriage license, a live-in relationship can often produce a number of legal complexities and tangled disputes that could require the involvement of legal counsel,” said AAML President

news

Joslin Davis. “While cohabitation agreements might represent an effective option for a variety of partners with finances and assets to protect, we are also finding a substantial decrease in these contracts for same-sex clients, coinciding with the marriage equality movement in recent times.”

Overall, 45 percent of AAML members have cited an increase in the number of legal disputes between unmarried couples who had previously lived together during the past three years, while 53 percent stated no change, and two percent saw a decrease. In all, 26 percent cited an increase in cohabitation agreement requests from unmarried couples, 68 percent said no change and six percent noted a decrease.

LGBT military rights group appoints new leader

OutServe-SLDN’s board of directors has reported that Matt Thorn has been hired as executive director on a permanent basis. Thorn had been interim executive director since February 2015.

OutServe-SLDN is the largest non-profit, legal services, advocacy and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America’s military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Initiative targets LGBT businesswomen Out Leadership, a global business advisory organization, has announced the launch of OutWOMEN, an initiative that champions the success of senior LGBT women in business.

Beth Brooke-Marciniak, global vice chair of public policy and a member of Out Leadership’s Global Advisory Board, and Martine Rothblatt, CEO of United Therapeutics, will co-chair the inaugural OutWOMEN event in March.

OutWOMEN is a new platform Out Leadership will build to bring together senior LGBT executives to create business opportunities and cultivate talent — and, thereby, drive equality forward.

Carolinas News Notes continued from page 15 all applicants in early June. Grants will then be presented at the foundation’s 2016 Community Grants Presentation scheduled for early July.

A full list of guidelines and requirements plus applications are available online. info: adamfoundation.org.

The event was sponsored by the Alliance of AIDS Services - Carolina, Crape Myrtle Festival, LGBT Center of Raleigh, Martin Street Baptist Church, North Carolina AIDS Action Network, North Carolina Justice Center, North Carolina NAACP, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and Triangle Empowerment Center, Inc. info: ncaan.org.

Western

Grant cycle opened

ASO releases report

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Adam Foundation has shared that its 2016 grant cycle will open on March 4.

Applications will be accepted until April 30.

For those who were 2015 recipients, a report is due by Feb. 29 in order to maintain eligibility for 2016 grant funding.

Applicants’ work must be centered in the Forsyth County and adjoining counties and Winston-Salem, N.C. area and be targeted to the LGBT community.

The volunteer grant selection committee will begin reviewing applications after the April 30 deadline. Upon completing review, the board of directors will make a final determination regarding grants and notice will be provided to

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HICKORY, N,C. — ALFA, 1120 Fairgrove Church Rd. S.E., Suite 28, has just released its 2015 Annual Report, sharing information about its successes and record setting over the past year.

Highlighted are: donor contributions, provided services, fundraising goals, approval for Hep-C testing, van purchase and making its part-time medical case manager full-time.

In addition, ALFA exceeded all state-set goals with regard to client outcomes. Its Region of Care set the lead for the whole state.

In other news, ALFA will hold its Red Carpet Affair Academy Award Viewing Party on Feb. 28, 7 p.m., at Main Cellar City Club, 332 1st Ave. S.W. Cost to attend is $50 which covers dinner, beer and wine open bar, swag bag for the first

Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

48 ticket purchasers, Oscar bingo, predictthe-winner contest, plus awards for Best Dressed and Best Celebrity Look-a-like.

Tickets are available online at bit.ly/1Ug3Fq2 or at the club.

ALFA will hold its 7th Annual Hike for Hope + 5k on April 9 in the downtown area.

Entry fee is $25 which includes a T-shirt and a swag bag.

The event’s proceeds go to support the work of ALFA in providing free medical case management, HIV testing and education.

Registration is available online. info: alfainfo.org.

South Carolina Volunteers sought for SCEC event

COLUMBIA, S.C. — SC Equality is on the hunt for volunteers who will serve on one of two shifts as a gate person for the upcoming 34th Annual St. Pat’s in Five Points to be held on March 19.

Shifts are 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Volunteers receive free admission to the event.

SC Equality is hosting the gate where volunteers will work.

Entertainers slated are Drive-By Truckers, Shovels & Rope, Old Dominion, The Front Bottoms, SUSTO, The Movement, Atlas Road Crew, Villanova, The High Divers, Brave Baby, Isabelle’s Gift, ColorBlind, The Rival Brothers, Tyler Boone, Kimberly Henderson, The Harsh Truth, Thin Lips, Magic Mike, GuyL., Dylan Deekay, Jade Frost, LUDID, Bois Obscur and Killtrak.

Tickets range from $15/advance until March 18, $20/at the gate, and $95/VIP and are available online. info: scequality.org. stpatscolumbia.com.

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

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tell trinity

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

The polite way to say, ‘get lost’ Hi Trinity, After work, I like to go to the local bar for a drink. I often meet guys who act friendly, yet eventually get aggressive about getting into my pants. How do I turn someone away without being too rude?

Just A Drink, Milwaukee WI Hi Just A Drink, Such a polite question deserves some polite answers. First, put a ring on your wedding finger. Second, sit at the end of the bar so there’s only one seat open and toss your coat on that seat. Third, have one comment that scares people off like, “I can’t talk, my jealous lover is coming and I don’t need anymore trouble!” Fourth, try places like cafes or restaurant bars instead of pick up bars. And lastly, darling, try looking less seductive when you go out. One day you’ll be wrinkled and hard of hearing and wish this was your biggest problem! Good luck.

Hello Trinity, Three weeks ago, I fell in love with a young man, however, I know he just wants to be friends. He is also moving out of state. Do I risk losing his friendship by telling him how I feel, or do I keep my big yap shut?

Totally Confused, Reno, NV

Hello Confused, He, “just wants to be friends.” He’s moving out of state. And it has only been three weeks.

Knock knock, is anyone home who is not obsessive-compulsive? It sounds like you’re lonely and swimming into unhealthy waters. So here’s a little poem I wrote just for you. “There once lived a man, who was alone. Until one day he got a bite of a lovely, young bone. But when he didn’t want to unclench, he got dumped into a trench until a cold shower and some selfesteem showed him the way home.” Pumpkin, shut up, grow up and let him go, please!

Dearest Trinity, My lover freaks out that I take so long getting dressed when we go out, but it’s my one enjoyment. Must I stop taking my time?

Dressing Drama, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Dearest Drama, If you need time, then take it, but start earlier or make later plans. This way, honey, you can take your time without taking so much of someone else’s time. (My cartoon sure shows how I deal with this situation. Hey, we all want to look handsome or totally gorgeous. There are all sorts of things you can do to up the anty. Just make sure it works for all concerned timewise.

Can you say shortcuts?)

a&e

Dear Trinity, My friends and family keep insisting that I’m gay. Maybe they know something I don’t. How does one truly know if they are gay?

So I’m Told, Kansas City, MO Dear So I’m Told, It’s hard to know who is gay or who just appears gay, especially if he or she doesn’t like rainbow stickers, HRC clothing or leather armbands. That’s why, sweetie, I created: Trinity’s Top Secret Tips For Knowing If “You’re Probably Gay” (YPG) 1. Needing expensive colognes, fine shoes, upscale vacations and a Jack Russell means… YPG 2. If you cried when Susan Lucci got the Emmy in 1999 for “All My Children,” well then…YPG 3. Owning “Mommy Dearest,” “All About Eve” and the original “A Star Is Born” can only mean one thing…dah!

4. W hen you look at your fingernails with your palm facing down, guess what?

5. S o, you love “Les Miserable,” “Wicked,” “Kinky Boots” and Cirque du Soliel, well…YPG 6. I f your iTunes collection includes Donna Summer, Lady Gaga and Madonna, honey…

YPG 7. Living with your mother, vacationing with your mother and/or including your mother in

your social activities is wonderful and YPG 8. When you pull off your T-shirt from the sides up and over, instead of from the back forward, guess what again?

9. All your best friends are women. You don’t talk about sex with anyone. And you take unexplainable midnight walks then…YPG 10. Lastly, if you know these words: wall sconces, duvet covers and chenille throws well then…welcome to Oz, Dorothy! 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. 26-March 10 . 2016

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life

Road Trip

The Island of Misfit Boys How three nights in Key West, FL turned me into a raging drunk without any clothes on

by Nick de la Canal :: qnotes contributor

M

y first impression of Key West, Fla., was the wild cock.

Literally, cocks and chickens run wild through this tiny, historic island town, situated in the heart of the Florida Keys. It was the first sight I saw after leaving the tiny airport, about the size of a two-story motel, and catching a ride with my guide for the week: a jolly, mustachioed queen named Chris.

“Yeah, the chickens were brought on ships in the 1800s,” Chris explained as we drove past rows of pastel-colored bungalows, tropical palms and more packs of feral chickens. “The early settlers used to eat them, but now they just roam wild. You get used to them after you’ve lived here for awhile.”

Chris had graciously offered to pick me up and drive me to my lodgings, a clothing-optional gay resort I had chosen out of a brochure. He saved me from paying for a cab — which, by the way, are all colored pink, “Not because they’re gay,” Chris explained, “It’s because that’s the color of a conch shell, and our nickname is the Conch Republic.”

Then again, no one would bat an eye if the island’s taxi fleet did color their vehicles pink solely to attract visiting gays.

Provincetown and Fire Island may be the gay meccas of the North, but south of the Mason-Dixon, you can’t get much gayer than Key West.

Just how gay is it, you ask? The locals hang rainbow flags from front porches on nearly every street here; the crosswalks downtown are painted in rainbow colors; and even the Builda-Bear Workshop on Duval St., the town’s main tourist strip, spells its name in rainbow lettering and employs actual bears.

“The old queens know this as one of the places that you go,” Chris told me, “You know, the dyed-in-the-wool LGBT from the get-go, type. Course, what’s happening now, with the world opening up to the LGBT experience, you’re finding more places that are willing to market to us. And where there used to be only four or five places on the map that you could go on holiday, there’s now over a hundred.”

True, by the ‘50s, Key West was one of just a handful of places in the world where two men could walk down the street holding hands and not get beaten or heckled. Actually, two men walking down the street holding hands would probably be one of the last things a visiting Evangelical might consider stoning in the streets of Key West, where nudity, open containers, and potsmoking drag queens are all part of the local flavor.

It’s also true that LGBT tourism is ballooning all over the country. Las Vegas, Nev., for instance, spent about a million dollars last year on ads aimed at attracting the LGBT community, but Chris says he isn’t worried. After all, Key West is one of the originals, and you still can’t order a drink to-go in Las Vegas.

The lodge No one seems to know how, exactly, this tiny island turned into a little slice of gay paradise on earth. Some say it started with Tennessee Williams, the gay playwright who helped put the island on the map when he bought a modest home here with his partner in the 1940s. Others say the remote location offered gays an escape from the bigotry and persecution they often faced on the mainland. Maybe the gays are just naturally attracted to the Keys, considering how closely they resemble seminal fluid leaking out of Florida’s dong-shaped peninsula.

Whatever the reason, scores of gay men have called the island home for more than a half-century, and a vibrant arts and tourism industry has sprung up around them.

I was to spend my week at Island House, an all-male, clothing-optional resort on the northernmost tip of the island’s historic district. I had never stayed anywhere that was clothing-optional, the exception being an apartment I shared with a couple of hippies in Boston, Mass., and I figured I’d take the option with clothes for at least the first day or two.

Chris and I checked in with a very nice receptionist named Alan, who handed me my room key and gave us a tour of the premises. There was the naked pool, the naked hot tub, the

naked sundeck, the other naked hot tub, and the gym — the only place in the resort where shorts are mandatory. Sure enough, while some guests wore shorts and tank tops, many more opted for Speedos, or nothing more than towels wrapped around their waists, to be unwrapped later while lounging by the pool.

As Alan unlocked the door to my room and swung it open, I was greeted by a large oil painting of a grizzled muscle man, all in the nude, staring heroically out of a gilded frame. Yes, I thought, this would do just fine.

Alan left a few flyers on the bedside table and bid me a good stay. Chris, too, had some errands to run and wanted to give me time to unpack and settle in, but before leaving, he sat me down, a stern look on his face.

“Listen, Nick.” He said, his mustache pulled to one side, “Make sure you see other parts of the island.

There’s so much stuff to do out there. We’ve had journalists check into ‘Island House’ before, and some of them never check out.”

I laughed and assured him that wouldn’t be the case. My editor wanted an article with some family-friendly content in it, after all.

I showed Chris the door, unpacked a little, and began mapping out my itinerary. Maybe paddle boarding through Florida’s mangrove forests would make a fun experience. I flipped through some brochures and found a couple options. I picked the one with a naked man in the picture. The ad said “clothing optional.” Oh well, I thought. If the paper really wanted family-friendly content, it should have sent me to Disneyland.

That night, I dreamt of a feral chicken getting drunk off Manhattans.

ing, he reached down and plucked what looked like a fingersized turd from the sea floor.

“It’s a sea cucumber,” he said.

“Oh! I never realized they were so small.”

“Well, it gets bigger,” he said with a smirk.

Later that day, back at the Island House, I would recount this story to a gaggle of drooling queens.

“Did anything happen between you two?” one asked, almost immediately.

“No! Of course not,” I said, “I’m not one of those reporters who sleeps with his sources.”

“Well I’m surprised,” said another with double-pierced ears, “Everything in Key West is pretty cruisy. Seriously, you can get laid just going to the supermarket.”

The table gave a collective belly-laugh.

Then the man turned to me. “By the way, we’re all hitting the bars tonight. Are you joining?” he said with a lilt.

The wreck Make no mistake, there’s plenty to do in Key West that doesn’t involve getting piss-drunk. The town has a decent theatre scene — “Mothers and Sons,” a show about first-time gay parents, was playing when I visited. There are lots of sightseeing tours too, and plenty of good restaurants serving key lime pie and various dishes featuring conch (my personal favorite being Caroline’s on Duval St.) But there are just as many, if not more, activities focused on binge drinking. You can book a sunset “booze cruise,” or get drunk watching a two-hour long drag show, or just walk in a straight line until you end up inside a bar — they must have over a hundred here.

The town was celebrating Mardi Gras the week I visited, and because I’m always up for an adventure, I joined the men from Island House and rejoined my guide, Chris, for a Mardi Gras-themed pub crawl, The excursion led by a drag queen in a My paddle boarding instructor sequined dress and her proved to be one of the nicest people I two twinky escorts in met that week. rainbow fox tails.

His name was Cody. He lived in I was under the New York before moving to Key West impression we’d only hit with his boyfriend about five years ago. five or six bars that night, The first several minutes we spent taking a free shot at each, on the water, we knelt on our boards then parade through the and paddled Pocahontas-style. After streets, pelting pedestrisome time, Cody stood up on his board. ans with plastic beads.

I managed to straighten out my legs So by the time we and lift myself up without falling off, too. reached bar number four, Some time after that, Cody pulled a sleazy gay establishoff his swim trunks and gestured to ment called Saloon 1, mine. “Feel free to feel free,” he said. where gay porn played I pushed my swimsuit down to my on the televisions and a ankles, but there was no way I was dark room towards the going to lift my feet up from where back had the words “Cum they were firmly planted on the board.

Bucket” spelled out over The air around us was warm enough, the doorway, I was feeling but the water was ice cold, and I had pretty good. no intention of losing my balance.

“Remember to pace We continued like this for another yourself,” I recall Chris 10 minutes, gliding down the serene telling me, “We’re not waterways carving their way through even halfway done!” lush thickets of mangrove forest “Not halfway done?”

— him with a cooler of snacks and I sputtered. sunscreen on his board, me with my “We still have 10 more swimsuit around my ankles.

Nick de la Canal enjoyed his excursion to Key West, Fla., and got bars to go,” he said.

We navigated through wide a chance to take in some beach time.

The most I can channels, narrow side streams, and, recount from later that night is meeting an older gentleman during one part of the tour, through a particularly thick tangle of named Joey, who owns most of the gay bars in Key West, and mangrove trees so dense we had to lay on our boards face up, getting an exclusive tour of the balcony above Bourbon St. grabbing onto branches to pull ourselves along.

Pub, where they keep a single giant high-heel shoe — on New Cody pointed out various inhabitants of the forest as we passed them — jellyfish, sea sponges, little tree crabs, a giant orange iguana lazing about in a mangrove. In one shallow clearsee Key West on 20

Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

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19

Key West continued from page 19 Land of the free, home of the gay On my last day in Key West, I met up with Nathan Gay (real name!), who used to be editor of Celebrate!, the island’s now-defunct LGBT newspaper. Like myself, he’s native to North Carolina, but he doesn’t look like your typical conservative Carolinian. When I met him, he was dressed in purple shorts, a purple shirt and a purple fedora he crafted out of a hundred purple pipe cleaners.

“North Carolina was great,” he said, “but I just seem to fit in so much better here.”

He remembers coming down the Key West for the first time 13 years ago and realizing how different things were in the Keys. “It really blew my mind to think, this is how life could be. I could really live my life like this,” he told me.

We talked about the Key West motto, adopted by the city in 2000. It reads: “One Human Family,” and it’s particularly apt for this weird, eclectic community of queers. So you get turned on by people of the same sex? So you’re a guy who likes to wear women’s clothing? So you want to walk down the street wearing nothing but pirate boots, striped shorts, and tassled pasties? Hey — as long as you’re human, you’re part of the family!

I only had a few minutes to talk with Nathan before I had to leave to catch my flight back home.

“Don’t worry,” he told me as I paid for my coffee and checked my flight time, “you’ll be back.

They always come back.”

I was already part of the family. : :

Where to go Key West, Fla., sports a number of attractions and venues to satisfy the most discerning tourist palette.

Drag Shows Trashy: 801 Bourbon Bar; Classy: Le Te Da; Old School Glam: Aqua Night Club Gay Bars Bourbon St. Pub; One Saloon; Aqua Nightclub; Bobby’s Monkey Bar; Gay Excursions Nomadic Stand Up Paddleboard; Blu Q Catamaran Gay Sailing; Gay Trolley Tours

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Year’s Eve, they lower it with a drag queen seated inside. I also remember eating crawfish with a stranger. It’s possible I may have kissed a woman too. I also seem to recall running down a dark sidewalk alone, and knocking down a bike rack. Somehow, through the grace of God, I suppose, I ended up in my own bed sometime around 3 a.m.

“So how was your night, sweetie?” The Island House bartender, Ralph, asked me the next morning.

“A glass of water and some Advil, please,” I replied.

He laughed. “Sounds like you had a true Key West experience, baby.”

Good Eats Seafood: Blue Heaven, Thomas St.; Mediterranean: Azur Restaurant, Grinnell St. People-watching: Anywhere along Duval St.

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Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

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life

XOXO continued from page 14 create performance art work that challenges white supremacy, inequality and injustice. They, along with organizations On Q Productions, One Voice Chorus, The Possibility Project-Charlotte and A Sign of the Times, collaborated on a performance commemorating the victims of the Charleston, S.C., church massacre.

The Charlotte Community Building Initiative then commissioned them to write a short piece about access to the American Dream in Charlotte. “That piece was about marginalized communities; communities that maybe don’t feel like they have a voice: immigrant populations, trans populations, former addicts in recovery or people that have been incarcerated and are trying to reintegrate into society,� Cosper says. “So we made a short work around that, and that went over very well. I think it started a conversation that may have been difficult for people to start.�

That led to their involvement in the LGBT non-discrimination forum, held on Feb. 1, which had the stated purpose of reintroducing the ordinance to the public and allowing for small group discussions around the issue.

The performance took the shape of four citizens alternately

voicing their opposition to and support for the ordinance.

Actor Che Busiek represented a trans man who has had to be fearful no matter what bathroom he uses, male or female. Busiek, himself transgender, was proud to be able to present that face to the public. “Even those people who didn’t want to, had to look at me,� he says. “I was representing my community, all of the men and women that had or have been abused or murdered for their struggle. All of the pain and fear from not feeling like a ‘normal’ or valuable member of a community. Everything was represented.

And that night we were visible. That meant everything to me.� “I think they just felt that it was a natural fit for us to create something around this [issue], but it is very different,� Cosper reflects. “A lot of our work really is surreal and poetic work, but now we’re branching out into this other form that is more documentary theater, more form theater. It’s hopefully more super realistic, plainspoken performance, around social topics, around how we share our community.�

They plan to continue making both types of work, which will likely launch XOXO into an even wider circle of awareness within

the city and beyond. They have already performed in Raleigh, N.C., Durham, N.C., and New Orleans, La., and are looking to do a mini tour this summer, playing Asheville, N.C., Durham and possibly Charleston. After that, the goal is to travel more broadly. “We are looking, in the coming year, to do a larger tour, and hit New Orleans, Austin [Texas], Detroit [Michigan] — we have friends all over the country who are making work that we like, and we have brought people here to share work, so that notion of exchange is very important to us. Especially cities that aren’t New York, LA [California] and Chicago [Illinois],� he says, stressing that great art is made in midsized cities as well, and it deserves a wider audience.

They may not be the type of theater, or the type of performance, theatregoers are used to, but XOXO won’t hurt attendees.

They are here to help, so just calm down and embrace them.

They will be performing “I WILL NOT HURT YOU (therefore you should just calm down)� as part of BOOM, a community and artist-led performance and visual art festival taking place in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood, Apr. 8-10. Visit them online at xoxoperformance.org for more. : :

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Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

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EVENTS

Submit your event to our calendar!

February-March 2016 Condom Couture Neighborhood Theatre 511 E. 36th St., Charlotte 8 p.m.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic hosts its Condom Couture event, where designers create wearable art pieces using condoms.

All proceeds go to benefit Planned Parenthood’s work to provide sexual health and safer sex information and resources. Admission is $35. Sponsorship level tickets are also available. More information and tickets available online. condomcoutureclt.com.

–––––––––––––––––––– Celebrate! Gala Children’s Theatre of Charlotte 300 E. Seventh St., Charlotte 7-11 p.m.

The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte holds its major fundraising event, Celebrate!

Gala, this year with a Land of Oz inspired theme. There will be an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music from the Blue Dogs, a live auction and raffle. Proceeds go to benefit the theatre’s operating budget, as well as going toward educational and community outreach programs.

Tickets cost $125. More information and tickets are available online. ctcharlotte.org.

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

Charlotte Pride Band’s ‘El SEP MAR MO Ritmo Americano’ Myers Park Baptist Church 1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte 5-7 p.m.

Charlotte Pride Band’s first concert of the year will feature the music of Latin America, with music performed and inspired by Latin America. Countries throughout Latin America will be represented with the concert selections. Highlights include Piazzolla’s “Oblivion,” Hanson’s “Volver a la Montana,” Lalo’s “Cello Concerto in D Minor,” Williams’ “Symphonic Dance No. 2,” Marquez’s “Conga del Fuego Nuevo,” Moliero’s “Joropo,” and Reed’s “La Fiesta Mexicana.” Tickets cost $13. More information and tickets are available online. charlotteprideband.org.

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Continues through March 6 ‘The Realish Housewives of Charlotte’ Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center 130 N Tryon St., Charlotte Varying times “The Realish Housewives of Charlotte” is a parody with performance interaction, featuring “brawls, booze and Botox” and incorporating current events and people making headlines in the Queen City. Five crazy housewives and host Randy will take the audience on a raucous train wreck of a ride. If one loves the drama of “The Real Housewives” series, then this performance is one to be loved. Tickets begin at $19.50. More information and tickets are available online. blumenthalarts.org.

Week of Prayer for the SEP MAR MO Healing of AIDS Breakfast St. Luke’s Missionary Baptist Church 1600 Norris Ave., Charlotte 9:30-11 a.m.

In honor of The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, a coming together for breakfast and communication around HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, care and treatment. The event is intended to spread love and acceptance for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Free. Donations are welcome and will go toward the work of Carolinas CARE Partnership. Limited space. R.S.V.P. by Feb. 26 to Lesha Dodson at 704-496-9578 by email at LeshaD@carolinascare.org. carolinascare.org

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Visulite Theatre 1615 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte 6-9 p.m.

The Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce holds its first annual benefit concert for the Barbara Green Entrepreneurial and Small Business Grant.

Grants go to an individual or small business that demonstrates a plan or project for innovation, sustainability and an ongoing contribution to the community. Green was a Charlotte business owner and longtime ally to the LGBT community who died in 2015. The concert features Sick of Sarah, Namoli Brennet, One Voice Chorus, Sotto Voice and Lara Americo. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show. More information and tickets are available online. visulite.com.

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Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

Continues through March 19 Charleston Fashion Week Marion Square Downtown Charleston Varying times Charleston Fashion Week is a five-night event featuring 40 runway shows, plus a number of other events, including the Emerging Designer Competition: East, the Spring Bridal Show, interactive entertainment, after-parties and press events. Charleston Fashion Week has helped launch the careers of many designers and models and is one of the more highly anticipated fashion events in the Southeast. Tickets range from $20 for single events and up to $1,200 for the all-inclusive Fashion Star Weekly Package. More information and tickets are available online. charlestonfashionweek.com.

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Continues through March 20 SEP MAR MO Charlotte Ballet: ‘ Little Mermaid’ Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts 430 S Tryon St., Charlotte Varying times Charlotte Ballet presents the underwater world of “Little Mermaid,” the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, with choreography from Mark Diamond. The Little Mermaid will fall for a handsome prince and match wits with the evil Sea Witch, all with the help of her collection of silly sea friends. New this year, attendees can purchase meet-and-greet tickets to join the stars of the show after the performance for a reception, where one can get autographs and a picture taken with the performers. Tickets begin at $25. More information and tickets are available online. blumenthalarts.org.

Vanessa Ferguson Sings SEP MAR MO Nina Simone The Stage Door Theater Blumenthal Performing Arts Center 130 N Tryon St., Charlotte 6 p.m.. & 8:15 p.m.

As part of Charlotte’s Jazz Arts Initiative’s Jazz Room series, vocalist Vanessa Ferguson sings the songs of Nina Simone. Two performances will take place, one at 6 p.m. and another at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. More information and tickets are available online. carolinatix.org.

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PFLAG Conference Myers Park Baptist Church 1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays will holds its North and South Carolina Conference at Myers Park Baptist Church, which will include keynote speakers and breakout sessions.

Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided, and there will be door prizes as well. Tickets are $20. Email Joan Gale for more information at ckpflag@gmail.com. pflag.org.

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goqnotes.com/to/life

life

health and wellness

by Jack Kirven :: personal trainer, qnotes contributor

Embracing cooties: Why our quest to kill all germs is unhealthy You don’t have to don a hazmat or other protective gear when you deal with healthy microorganisms, aka ‘healthy bacteria,’ which can help keep your body in check and able to stave off the risk of infections and illnesses.

Use care when taking antibiotics and give special attention to hand washing.

Photo Credit: shotsstudio via Dollar Photo Club

Since the discovery of microscopic organisms in 1676 by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, people have had an antagonistic relationship with microbes. At first people scoffed at their very existence, but soon it became clear that these tiny creatures were the source of all sorts of ailments.

Not long after this, a new attitude toward bathing, cleanliness and sanitation formed, and gradually doctors began to understand the need for antiseptic conditions during medical procedures. More recently, the phenomenon of mysophobia (the pathological fear of contagionor infection) has pushed the industrial use of antibiotics to catastrophic levels.

Because antibiotic usage is so common for both people and animals, many microbes have evolved to be tolerant to medicine.

Penicillin, once a wonder drug, is now far less effective. New drugs are becoming less useful as well. Strains of infections that had been controlled have reappeared in much more virulent forms, and constant hand sanitizing is one of the causes.

New research is showing more and more that we need a wide variety of microbes in and on our bodies. Babies who are delivered via C-section have had a history of being more prone to sickness, food intolerances, allergies and many other metabolic and immune disorders. In a recent experiment, some babies delivered via C-section were immediately swabbed with cloths saturated with the mother’s birth fluids. When compared to C-section babies without the swabs, the treated infants showed a bioflora colonization remarkably similar to vaginal births. It will take time to evaluate whether or not this treatment leads to actual long-term health improvements, but thus far, the infants who are colonized with their mother’s flora are seeing far fewer health complications.

We need bioflora in our digestive tract as well. “Good bacteria” helps us digest our food.

They also grab up extra sugar in our guts, thus

depriving “bad bacteria” from gaining a foothold. Your friendly cooties actually starve out the harmful cooties! Have you noticed how bad you feel after taking antibiotics? It’s because these medicines act like carpet bombing and wipe out your bioflora in general. Virulent species begin to thrive, because your helpful bugs are no longer competing with them. Be sure to eat yogurt or some other type of fermented food after taking antibiotics. These foods replenish your healthy GI tract colonies.

There are also studies that demonstrate that microbes teach our bodies how to differentiate between benign and malignant microbes.

You can reduce allergic reactions and many other common health problems by being more judicious about how many of your cooties get summarily wiped out. Wash your hands with soap and water, but avoid using sanitizer more than is actually necessary. Ask your doctor if antibiotics are truly effective when you don’t feel well, and if they are necessary be certain to take all of your medicine. People who do not finish their antibiotics properly also contribute to the evolution of superbugs.

And one final point: Antibiotics run rampant in our food. Animals are crammed into closequarters, then give each other illnesses that spread like wildfire, and then need even more medicine. I highly suggest that you consume animal-based foods that are sourced from creatures that have been allowed to roam free without being crammed full of poor food and too many medicines. Remember that you are ingesting everything the animal did. Support suppliers who avoid using drugs on their animals and who allow them to live happier lives.

Your health will be so much better! : : info: 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.

Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016

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Feb. 26-March 10 . 2016