QNotes, March 10, 2017

March 10-23 . 2017

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HB2 repeal controversy!

qnotes news & features

arts.

4 entertainment.

HB2 Updatenews. views.

5 Two perspectives on HB2 12 News Notes: Regional Briefs 14 News Notes: U.S./World Briefs 15 TOY gets $1.5 million gift

a&e / life&style 16 18 19 21 23 24 26 27

‘BootyCandy’ woos audience Big Mamma’s House of Burlesque Spring A&E LGBTQ Heroes Dishing with Buff Faye Tell Trinity Q Events Calendar Our People: Wilkins

opinions & views 4 Guest Commentary 22 Spiritual Reflections

With civil liberties on the line, HB2 has created a massive struggle on compromises and more between opposing factions. page 4

more news & features

Biz Beat Perspective HB2 & Economics Business leader and recent grad take a look at the financial aspects of how HB2 has affected North Carolina. page 5

Dishing with Buff Faye Queens for the Cure roll into the Queen City as they help to raise funds for those in need. page 23

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news

HB2 Update

Controversy abounds over HB2 repeal ‘compromise’ LGBTQ advocates call the bill ‘HB 2.0’

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff to get re-elected, not a real concern for public safety,” said Gerrick Brenner, executive director at Progress NC Action.

Republican Rep. Chuch McGrady speaking about HB186 at the North Carolina General Assembly.

Photo Credit: Chris Seward, The Charlotte Observer

RALEIGH, N.C. — The controversy surrounding House Bill 2 (HB2) sees developments every day. The anti-LGBTQ legislation, which mandates public restroom use by birth sex and nullifies local non-discrimination protections, has had received massive pushback from advocates and allies. In the interest of keeping our readers informed, qnotes breaks down the avalanche of headlines and provides a comprehesive synopsis breakdown of HB2 news.

Feb. 16 In response to Gov. Roy Cooper’s proposed HB2 repeal, which also doubles down on punishments for sexual assault in public facilities, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest released a statement

saying, “If Governor Cooper’s proposed bill for repealing HB2 becomes law, it will create a state-sanctioned ‘Look But Don’t Touch’ policy in our bathrooms…As long as the man doesn’t touch them, assault them or film them, no legal protection would be afforded the offended woman or child.” Politifact rated this comment as a “pants on fire” lie.

The Charlotte Observer reported that newly-released emails show former Gov. Pat McCrory signed HB2 after receiving poll results showing that it would be popular with voters. Opponents of the law spoke out; “The realization that Pat McCrory poll-tested HB2 before signing HB2 shows that motives behind this discriminatory law were just crass politics

Feb. 22 Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan discussed HB2 before a Charlotte audience.

Moynihan said that the legislation is hurting North Carolina’s economy by preventing companies and organizations from bringing jobs, conventions and other events to the state.

An HB2 repeal bill, House Bill 186, was introduced by Republican Rep. Chuck McGrady in the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA). The repeal would not be clean; while it would repeal HB2, it would also limit local non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people by requiring that such ordinances undergo a referendum process. McGrady said “This is not a take-it-or-leave-it bill …This is the best starting point we’ve had up until now.”

Equality North Carolina and the Human Rights Campaign called the proposal “HB 2.0.” The ACLU and Lambda Legal, serving as counsel for several lawsuits against HB2, came out strongly opposed to HB186.

Feb. 23 Progress NC Action organized a gathering of Triad business owners outside the Greensboro Coliseum to protest HB2. The demonstrators pushed for full repeal before the NCAA fulfills its threat to pull six years of games from the state. Small business owners are especially concerned by the economic impact of companies and organizations removing events from North Carolina.

Feb. 24 The NAACP announced a boycott against North Carolina and urged other organizations to do the same. Committing to moving its convention from the state, NAACP leadership cited HB2, as well as voting laws and the GOP’s

efforts to dilute Gov. Cooper’s powers.

Rep. Rodney Moore (D-Mecklenburg) pulled his sponsorship of HB186. Moore told WRAL that prior to the bill’s introduction, his co-sponsors had “assured me there would be some negotiations on the referendum and other points.” The referendum process would require any potential non-discrimination protections to be confirmed by the majority; essentially, the process would put civil rights up to a vote.

Moore has since received word that this provision is non-negotiable and hence pulled his sponsorship of “HB 2.0.”

Feb. 25 ACC Commissioner John Swofford released a statement saying that the organization felt encouraged by the bi-partisan nature of HB 186. Swofford said that “If legislation is passed that resets the law as it was prior to HB2, it will present the opportunity to reopen the discussion with the ACC Council of Presidents regarding neutral site conference championships being in the state of North Carolina.”

Feb. 27 Rep. McGrady admitted his unwillingness to compromise on HB186 in a Facebook video: “I’m just going to stick with my bill and if the speaker or the pro tem tells me I need to make some changes I’ll consider it.” McGrady called on Gov. Roy Cooper, who already came out opposed to the referendum provision, to advance HB186.

Feb. 28 House Speaker Tim Moore told WBTV “In all candor, the governor should not be involved [in HB186]; this should be members of the legislature doing this.”

Equality North Carolina joined local business owners and Sen. Terry Van Duyn at the North Carolina General Assembly to push for a full repeal of HB2. Executives testified about lost profits and the need for a clean repeal. : :

guest commentary

by Dr. Joseph Lee :: guest contributor

Researchers say marriage equality reduces adolescent suicide attempts. What does House Bill 2 do?

Recent research from Harvard and Johns Hopkins links the presence of state marriage equality with reductions in suicide attempts among adolescents. The effect was particularly strong among adolescents who reported they were gay, lesbian, bisexual or unsure. LGBTQ communities have long debated the merits of marriage equality as a sign of acceptance or as a loss of more radical rethinking of relationships.

How though could adopting marriage policies reduce reported suicide attempts?

A substantial body of research tells us that when policies treat people as less valuable, there is a cost to health. Having supportive family members, trusted adults who care, gaystraight alliances and a place of worship that affirms you can all help protect against broader messages of being less valuable.

Equality in policies can help young people more easily visualize a future. It sends a message that we are part of the state and treated as equals. This is why I loved the “It Gets Better”

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campaign of YouTube videos and TV shows like “Glee,” “Modern Family,” “Transamerica” and even “Orange Is the New Black.”

Each helps us visualize some of the many ways a queer life can beautifully unfold across a lifetime. Policies like marriage equality and positive recognition in the media help show a possible and positive future. They counteract generations of criminalization, medical attempts to “cure” us, sermons of sin and a media that rendered us invisible, or at best sad and lonely (if not being murdered or committing suicide).

Social science research shows that when one believes the negative messages told about our communities, it makes it hard to believe in ourselves and harder to see a future worth investing in.

Growing up is hard, but it’s harder without a light at the end of the tunnel. Affirming our communities’ humanity through policies is one way to show that light, and I think is likely one of the reasons the study found such an impressive association between marriage equality and reductions in suicide attempts.

This is also why House Bill 2, which ignores identity and expression in favor of sex assigned at birth, is so mean spirited.

It creates a lie about who is on the receiving end of violence and harassment. It resurrects unfounded fears of difference. It reinforces the exact opposite messages of marriage equality: You are different, feared and the state sees no future for you.

It’s clear to everyone who pays attention to scientific methods that House Bill 2 doesn’t make anyone safer; it isn’t even that enforceable. It alienates and removes some of the light at the end of the tunnel of discrimination for the transgender, genderqueer and gender non-conforming members of our families. But, it is effective. Maybe not effective for keeping jobs in the state or for improving the state’s reputation, but it’s effective at providing people something to fear. Historians have long documented the “benefits” of picking a marginalized, often minority group and

see next page u

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views

Biz Beat

More NC HB2 discussion: Two business perspectives How the ‘bathroom bill’ is seen by a CEO and a student

by Stan Kimer :: guest contributor tions across major U.S. cities. To kick off the Q&A portion of the session, Triangle Business Journal Editor Sougata Mukherjee asked Shaw for his perspective on HB2.

“I can flat out tell you that it has changed the conversation about North Carolina,” he said, recounting conversations with ❝ So pretty much all transgender executives across people are going to migrate to the country. “It has the liberal states where they feel distracted us from protected like New York, Colorado the conversations and California? ❞ that we should be — Brandon having, namely, how are we going to keep growing?

How are we going to provide good jobs for the people in this state?

How are we going to get things done?” (Quote from TBJ article about the event, link to the full TBJ story, bit.ly/2mkVNKb.) Shaw did comment that the North Carolina economy is clearly losing significant amounts of revenue, including opportunities that we did not even know we were in the running for. He stated that we are continually spending time and money on this issue, and thus losing sight of the real conversations we need to have that will determine our state’s future.

From a recent college graduate: My 24-year old very straight, but definitely not narrow, cousin Brandon just graduated with his Sociology degree from North Carolina State University while working full time. He enjoys discussing current events with me.

On the same day I attended the TBJ Power Breakfast, Brandon and I had this text conversation: BRANDON: “How horrible is this strip of protection by the Trump administration. So transgender students have no protection over the bathroom they can use now?”

ME: “It is now a big mess and is in limbo since it will now be stateby-state and by school district, plus there are still open court cases.”

BRANDON: “So pretty much all transgender people are going to migrate to the liberal states where they feel protected like New York, Colorado and California?”

ME: “That certainly could happen, especially with the talented ones who have the resources to move.”

BRANDON: “Yeah, it’s horrible” Stan Kimer with his cousin Brandon at his recent graduation from North Carolina Yes, an older senior executive gets it. Yes, a recent college graduState University. As a young millennial, Brandon understands the business impact ate gets it. HB2 is a huge negative impact on our economy in terms of discriminatory laws. revenue and workforce talent. Too bad our politicians don’t get it. : : — Stan Kimer, Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer, is a From the senior executive: On Feb. 23, I attended the quarterly Raleigh, N.C.-based business consultant who provides corporate Triangle Business Journal Power Breakfast with other Triangle area and organizational training on a wide range of diversity topics business leaders. The speaker was Whit Shaw, CEO of American City including transgender diversity.

Business Journals, which distributes 43 different business publicaAs a quick refresher, North Carolina’s HB2 law, passed last spring, dictated that transgender people must use the restroom corresponding to the gender on their birth certificate in public facilities, and that municipalities may not pass legislation protecting its citizens from discrimination beyond that already described at the state level. The result has been a huge departure of convention, sporting and entertainment events, as well as potential major business expansion, from the state.

The discussion continues to drag on and on, and now the proponents of HB2 are further emboldened by President Donald Trump’s administration’s recent roll back of federal protections for transgender students. (wapo.st/2mnK9P2).

I now continue this discussion by adding the two different business perspectives: from a senior executive in his mid-60s speaking to a group of local business leaders, and from a recent college graduate.

BUILD

continued from previous page turning them into a threat. Creating a group to fear can help consolidate power and focus attention away from other policy changes. This approach works best under certain conditions.

Economic troubles for the majority and a target group that has been doing better or becoming more visible provide an opening.

With a state legislature intent upon snuffing out hopes for non-discrimination and any expression that is not neatly Johnny in blue and Susie in pink, there will continue to be consequences to the wellbeing of our LGBTQ communities. We can expect to see worse health. But, we can also lessen the effects of House Bill 2 and discrimination on our communities’ health. Efforts to strengthen our LGBTQ

community centers, festivals, traditions and to provide support to each other matter. Even as our communities and allies work to repeal House Bill 2, illuminating visions of a bright future for LGBTQ youth are required. Highlighting the beautiful diversity of gender expression and joy across that spectrum is critical in our state.

So, too, is linking with our allies to show our humanity and work against political forces in the state legislature that seek turn members of our community into things to fear. : : — Dr. Joseph Lee leads the East Carolina University LGBTQ Health Promotion Team and is an assistant professor of Health Education and Promotion.

He is from Madison County, North Carolina.

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qnotes connect March 10-23, 2017 Vol 31 No 23

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

contributors this issue Buff Faye, Maria Dominguez, Stan Kimer, Dr. Joseph Lee, Lainey Millen, Jesse Monteagudo, Jeff Taylor, Trinity, Rev. Wendy Woodruff

front page Graphic Design by Lainey Millen Photography: ‘BootyCandy’ via George Hendricks Photography 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, jeff@goqnotes.com Staff Writer: Maria Dominguez, maria@goqnotes.com Production: Lainey Millen, x205, production@goqnotes.com Printed on recycled paper.

Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2017 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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++++++++ Sponsored Content ++++++++

from the Rx pad……

by Rx Clinic Pharmacy, a comprehensive onsite service of Ballantyne Family Medicine

Colon Cancer Awareness

Gastrointestinal Screenings and Early Detection Can Save Lives As we’ve rolled into March, it is time to focus on our colons. March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and the disease is one of the deadliest of all cancers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colon cancer is the second-largest cancer killer in the United States.

Early detection is essential. A colon screening by a healthcare professional searches for, among other things, polyps or abnormal growths which could lead toward a progression into cancer.

Are you at the age where you need to be screened?

Once a person turns 50, that would be the time to get screened. And if you have a family history of colon cancer, then you might need to be screened earlier. If you have a family history of colon cancer or history of polyps, speaking to your healthcare provider would be a wise decision.

Are you at risk for getting Photo Credit: WrightStudio via Adobe Stock colon cancer? People who have a history of irritable bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) are at an increased risk of developing

colon cancer, as well as those with a personal family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. Lynch syndrome is a genetic colon disease that puts a person at increased risk of colon cancer. There are also several lifestyle factors that contribute to an increased risk of colon cancer: lack of physical activity, a diet low in fruits and vegetables, a low-fiber and high-fat diet, being overweight or obese, high alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.

Colon cancer doesn’t always have symptoms, but you can show some symptoms. This is what you should look for: blood in or on your stool when you go to the bathroom; pains, aches, or cramps that do not go away; and losing weight without any effort.

How can you reduce your risk of colon cancer? In your daily diet, if you try to eliminate high animal fats and increase your vegetable and fruit intake this can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer. Also, try to incorporate whole grains as well in order to increase your amount of fiber so that you go to the bathroom on a regular basis. Reducing the amount of alcohol and tobacco use can help reduce your risk as well.

There are now several different ways that a person can be screened for colon cancer. The one that we know best is a colonoscopy. If you are over the age of 50, you most likely are too intimate with the lemon flavored sludge that you have to drink the night prior to your procedure. A colonoscopy will check the whole colon and it is recommended every 10 years for patients ages of 50-75. After the age of 75, it should be discussed with your primary care provider whether a test is needed.

Men and women can have a stool test done each year.

A sample of stool will be checked for blood. Several different versions of a stool test are available in the United States. A sigmoidoscopy can also be done. This test looks at the lower third of your colon and should be done every 5 years. Lastly, there is a CT colonography where images and x-rays are done for patients every 5 years.

With the knowledge of what is available, which is the best test? Each test has its advantages and disadvantages. It really is up to the patient and what he or she prefers.

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

Bessant named chair of advisory committee CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cathy Bessant, chief operations and technology officer at Bank of America, has been named chair of the North Tryon Advisory Committee by a group of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County leaders.

Bessant will develop the strategies, timelines and resource needs to make the North Tryon Vision a reality. A consortium of nearly two dozen civic, business and government institutions is working to create and facilitate an innovative vision and implementation plan that will catalyze new development in the North Tryon area, the committee said. The North Tryon Vision Plan is a joint collaboration among the City of Charlotte, Foundation For The Carolinas and Charlotte Center City Partners focused on a 60-acre, 50-square-block district in Center City Charlotte. Mecklenburg County commissioners approved the North Tryon Vision Plan on Sept.

20, 2016, and Charlotte City Council approved the plan Jan. 9, 2017.

Bessant sports a strong resume, both professionCathy Bessant ally and civically. Among her achievements are being Photo Credit: John D. Simmons named 2006 Charlotte Woman of the Year, achieving The Charlotte Observer a number three ranking on American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking and being a recipient of North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award.

At Bank of America, Bessant is executive sponsor for the company’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride employee network and LGBT Ally program, oversees diversity and inclusion forums and councils, and was the recipient of the 2013 Out & Equal Champion Award for advocating the equality of LGBTQ employees in the workplace. info: charlottenc.gov.

Charlotte Bus ride benefit upcoming

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Buff Faye’s 8th Annual St. Patty’s Get Lucky Party Bus will hit the streets on March 17, 8:15 p.m., from The Bar at 316, 316 Rensselaer Ave. A fundraiser for Campus Pride, the benefit will tour around the Queen City with stops along the way at favorite “watering holes.” Free cover and VIP access are available at each stop. Drag queen companions will be on hand to satisfy “gold digging pleasures,” organizers said.

Check in early. The bus leaves at 8:15 p.m. sharp. Also, be responsible. Make arrangements for a designated driver or take an Uber or Lyft home.

Participants must be 21 and over and have a valid ID to ride and will have an opportunity to win over $250 in prizes.

Tickets are $35 online and $50 at the door.

Seating is limited, so purchase quickly as space may be sold out up to or prior to the trip. info: campuspride.org/partybus.

Queens hit Queen City

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Pardon Moi French’s Queens for the Cure will make a stop on its tour in the Queen City on March 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Chasers Nightclub, 3217 The Plaza.

Performers include Detox Icunt, Ivy Winters, Jade Jolie, Jiggly Caliente, Jinkx Monsoon, Manila Luzon, Sharon Needles And Victoria Parker.

General admission tickets are $29.50 and other packages are available for an extra charge and can be procured online.

The nine-city tour raises money for a variety of worthy causes. A portion of the Charlotte

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ticket sales will be donated to Campus Pride to help sustain its work. info: pardonmoifrench.com. campuspride.org.

Arts benefit announced

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Different Roads Home has announced that its inaugural Artstravaganza will be held on March 24, 7:30 p.m., at Le Méridien Charlotte, 555 S. McDowell St. The benefit event will be co-hosted by Ramona Holloway and live music will be provided

by Cindy Alexander. Local and national artists will be in attendance. A cash bar will be available.

Early bird tickets are $40 until March 24, $50/ general admission and $75/VIP and are available online. Purchase includes a $25 bid credit, discount parking and butler-passed hors d’oeuvres. info: differentroadshome.org.

Courthouse event set

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Justice Initiative will present Evening at the Courthouse on April 27, 6 p.m., at 832 E. Fourth St. Guests will enjoy a sampling of cuisine from some Charlotte dining establishments along with music, a silent auction, and a live auction.

VIP tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available. Email administration@justiceinitiatives.org to inquire.

To attend, RSVP online.

The organization brings business, civic and faith leaders together from across the state in recognizing that the efficient and effective administration of justice is essential to building strong, prosperous and vibrant communities. It welcomes them in advocating, supporting and advancing these truths.

Chapters have been established in Mecklenburg, Orange, Chatham and Buncombe Counties. They help to educate the public about

the importance of the rule of law and the role a healthy court system plays in safeguarding a civilized society. info: justiceinitiatives.org.

Church to relocate

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New Life Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) has announced that it is relocating its ministry from Charlotte, N.C. to Gastonia, N.C. The church has been at its Plaza Midwood address since 1997, and at a special congregational meeting held on Feb. 12, the members of New Life unanimously voted to move from facilities shared with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza to facilities to be shared with All Saints Episcopal Church, 1201 S. New Hope Rd. in Gastonia.

Worship services are to continue on Sundays at 7 p.m. in Charlotte, as well as other functions through March 12 and thereafter at its new location. Its first Sunday service will be on March 19 at All Saints.

The official opening celebration at All Saints Episcopal will be held on April 2. It will include a covered dish dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the worship service at 7 p.m.

In announcing the relocation, New Life MCC pastor Rev. Dawn J. Flynn noted that the LGBTQ community in Gaston County currently is not being adequately served by local churches or other organizations. In contrast, in Charlotte every major religious denomination except the Pentecostals has at least one affirming congregation and there are a great number of other organizations serving a variety of subsets of the LGBTQ community. In Gastonia, New Life MCC intends to provide expanded religious, social and advocacy support to the work already being undertaken by PFLAG Gaston and Gaston Pride. info: newlifemccnc.org. 704-334-0350.

School makes top 25 list

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The University of North Carolina at Charlotte was named to the list of the 25 Most Affordable LGBTQ-Friendly Online Colleges, SR Education Group reported.

Rankings were compiled using data from Campus Pride. Schools offer at least 15 online degree programs and scored three out of five stars or above on the Campus Pride Index, the university shared. info: inside.uncc.edu.

Triad Center launches vet group

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — North Star LGBTQ Community Center, 930 Burke St., has announced that a new peer-support group for LGBTQ veterans and allies has been formed.

The group meets on the second Sunday of the month at 3 p.m.

The center invites interested individuals to be part of the community where ideas and views are exchanged and comrade networking is available.

“This group will serve as an inclusive and welcoming community for veterans who face opposition from society at large because they identify as LGBTQ. North Star LGBT Community Center wants LGBT Vets to know that they are not alone and that they can also find welcome in our space,” Outreach Coordinator Rayce Lamb shared.

For more information about this group, email info@northstarlgbtcc.com or call 336-893-9053.

The center offers other support programs

such as its Trans Clothing Closet, D.R.I.P Mpowerment Group, LGBTQIA+ 40+ Potluck Social, Trans Outreach & Enhancement, Youth Meet N’ Greet, Journeys Support Group and more.

Upcoming events are: March 15, 6 p.m., Muddy Creek Music Hall, 5455 Bethania Rd., Youth Meet N’ Greet with Antigone Rising, an all queer/female band (Youth are invited to stay for the concert as well, but will have the opportunity to ask the band questions before the start of the show.); March 23, 5:30 p.m., NC AIDS Action Network and North Star regional advocacy training, $10 suggest contribution, dinner provided, registration at bit.ly/2jRR0Qk; and March 26, 3 p.m., gay author Mark Spano book reading and signing from “Midland Club.”

Educational opportunities are available on March 11, 10 a.m., Alphabet Soup: What Do All Those Letters Mean? (bit.ly/2mpWthq); March 18, Trans 101, 11 a.m. (bit.ly/2msMGYa); March 25, Privilege 101, 10 a.m. (bit.ly/2msASp6).

Registration is required. info: northstarlgbtcc.com.

Triangle Inclusion app launched

RALEIGH, N.C./SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.

— Stan Kimer, president of Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer, and Darren Noy, CEO of Kannetic, launched a new cloud-based application on Feb. 22 to assist businesses and organizations to better plan and execute their LGBTQ diversity initiatives.

The Kannetic LGBT Inclusion Builder Solution is based on Kannetic’s collaborative social technology which enables teams to collaborate online to evaluate, prioritize and then track progress around particular business initiatives. This latest solution focuses on the hot and continually growing area of LGBTQ diversity, the partners shared.

They added that the LGBT Inclusion Builder solution helps Human Resource practitioners, LGBTQ Employee Resource Groups, Diversity Councils and any other LGBTQ affinity groups collaboratively prioritize and plan actions they can take to enhance their company’s inclusion and support of the LGBTQ community. The LGBT Inclusion Builder can be used as a planning tool for a small group of LGBTQ employee leaders, or as a tool to rapidly engage the perspective of a large group of employees across a company. info: kannetic.com/lgbt-inclusion. totalengagementconsulting.com.

Western Gerontology society to meet

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The Southern Gerontological Society will hold its 38th annual meeting, “New Horizons in Aging: Advances in Research & Practice,” from April 6-8 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Biltmore, 115 Hendersonville Rd. A lunch and learn, “LGBTQ and Older Adults,” has been planned for April 7 and it is open to the public. Organizers are work-

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ing to provide a meeting place for the LGBTQ community and promote discussion about the unique needs of older LGBTQ adults. Experts in research, policy and practice will discuss key issues in the older LGBTQ community from an intersectional perspective, exploring the complex role of sexual and gender identity, race/ ethnicity and region on the aging experience.

More detailed information is available online, including accommodations booking at the hotel. info: southerngerontologicalsociety.org.

AIDS walk registration open

HICKORY, N.C. — AIDS Leadership Foothills-Area Alliance (ALFA) has announced that its 8th Annual AIDS Walk & High Heel Dash will be held on April 8, 9 a.m., beginning located at First United Methodist Church, 311 3rd Ave. NE. The new form replaces the Hike for Hope +5K in order to broaden the organization’s outreach capabilities and provide a more inclusive event. The two-mile walk ends with a community celebration and High Heel Dash at Taft Broome Park, 115 7th Ave. SW. Registration for the walk is $25. The dash is free to participants. Lunch, provided by John Boy, is available for a small fee.

All funds raised benefit ALFA’s HIV/AIDS prevention, detection and medical case management in the local community.

In other news, Jerry Yelton has joined ALFA as its new community outreach coordinator. He is a communications graduate from Appalachian State University. Yelton enjoys advocating for causes he believes are important

and worthwhile, including LGBTQ rights, HIV/ AIDS advocacy, reproductive justice, immigration reform and the rights of all minorities. info/registration: alfainfo.org.

Campus Scene Safety training launched

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Campus Pride has announced that it has begun offering Safe Space, a new online training course.

The program is available for college and university staff. Objectives of the training include: explanation of the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity; definition of terminology used to describe sexual orientation and gender identity; identification of ways to create an inclusive classroom and campus space for LGBTQ students; identification of key moments in the LGBTQ civil rights movement.

Email greg@campuspride.org to register.

Campus Pride’s national Safe Space Program prepares college and university faculty, staff and administrators to create a safe and inclusive campus for LGBTQ students.

Two-day Safe Space Train the Trainer and twoand four-hour Safe Space trainings are also available for on-campus visits. Call 888-5374463, ext. 2 to learn more. info: campuspride.org.

South Carolina Org condemns administration

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — On Feb. 23, Upstate Pride SC and Gender Benders issued a condemnation against the Trump Administration

for its reckless act of withdrawing guidance to protect transgender students.

“No child should be denied access to basic facilities or subjected to discriminatory treatment. We hold firmly that the protections of Title IX are still in effect for transgender students in spite of the guidance being withdrawn, as it was not legally binding,” the organizations stated.

“We are calling for community members to contact their local boards of education and demand that they adopt non-discrimination policies that protect transgender students immediately. Forty-one percent of transgender people have attempted suicide — a number that is nearly 10 times the national average of 4.6 percent. Transgender youth are the most at risk group for completing suicide,” they added.

Upstate Pride SC and Gender Benders also said that “attempting to withdraw what little protections transgender students have at school will assuredly worsen this epidemic in the LGBTQ community.”

Gender Benders Executive Director Ivy Hill further said that they had transgender students’ backs and that they would not stop resisting until transgender students were treated with dignity and respect. Ivy is also the LGBT Rights Toolkit coordinator for the Campaign for Southern Equality.

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Isaac Mintz, president of Upstate Pride SC stated, “Transgender students deserve the right to exist and flourish within our educational system. We believe when trans student rights are preserved at a federal level, it strengthens families and ensures the continued growth of the Upstate. We stand united in support of all trans people. To the trans community — we see you and we love you.”

Statistical information about 350,000 students being affected by Title IX was reported in its withdrawal guidance by the Williams Institute at the University of California. Read the details at bit.ly/2muoXXI. info: genderbenders.org. upstatepridesc.org.

AFFA roasts oysters

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Alliance for Full Acceptance will hold an oyster roast on April 9, 4 p.m., at Bowens Island, 1870 Bowens Island Rd. Participants can enjoy oysters, chili, hot dogs, beer, wine and soft drinks.

Tickets are $25/adult advance, $30/adult at the door and $15/youth under 21 and are available online. info: affa-sc.org.

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

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news notes: u.s./world compiled by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff

SCOTUS vacates lower court ruling on transgender student case WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a disappointing blow to transgender student rights, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated a lower court ruling and chose not to hear the case brought to it by Gavin Grimm, a Virginia transgender student who sued the the Gloucester County, Virginia School Board for discrimination. The New York Times reported that the court did so in light of a move by the Trump Administration.

In its decision, the case now goes back to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

The case, Gloucester County, Virginia School Board v. G.G., had been scheduled for hearing on March 28. It was to look at whether the Gloucester County School Board’s policy prohibiting transgender boys and girls from using restrooms that other boys and girls use discriminates against transgender students on the basis of sex, in violation of Title IX. An outcry was generated by transgender advocates over the decision. One organization, GLSEN, issued a statement that shared the sentiments of others saying the the Supreme Court missed an opportunity to end the painful discrimination currently faced by thousands of transgender students nationwide.

Prior to the decision New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman had led a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, in support of Grimm. The attorneys general argued that discrimination on the basis of gender identity causes real and significant harm to both transgender people and the states themselves.

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Those filing are from New York, Washington, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont and the District of Columbia. The brief was co-authored by Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

“The amici States’ shared experience demonstrates that protecting transgender people from discrimination benefits all members of the public. And contrary to the petitioner’s claims, our shared experience demonstrates that protecting the civil rights of transgender people — including by allowing them access to common restrooms consistent with their gender identity — creates no public safety or personal privacy threat and imposes no meaningful financial burden,” the brief states.

In addition to the attorneys general, others also submitted joint amicus briefs.

Seven educational organizations joined forces to file. They are GLSEN, National PTA, American School Counselor Association, National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of Independent Schools, Colorado Association of School Executives and Massachusetts Association of School Committees.

More than 1,800 clergy and religious leaders signed a friend-of-the-court brief which included more than 95 national religious leaders from the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Metropolitan Community Church, the Alliance of Baptists, Muslims for Progressive Values, and Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism. The presidents of six seminaries and the leaders of 49 religious organizations also signed the brief. Signers belonged to approximately 50 unique religious traditions, including signers who identify as Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, Unitarian Universalist, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, and more.

Others who join in were from some of the nation’s prominent business leaders (Apple, Airbnb, eBay, Microsoft, PayPal, Salesforce, among others), major medical associations rep-

resenting the scientific and medical consensus (American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychiatric Association, Endocrine Society, among others), labor unions representing more than a million teachers, more than 60 current and former law enforcement officials from across the country, major civil rights organizations (NAACP, National Women’s Law Center, Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, among others), and a number of other groups and individuals across the country representing educators, students, parents, lawyers, artists, scientists, and veterans.

Mobile phone carrier CREDO also joined in.

In a news story in The Washington Post , journalist Steve Petrow posited the question: What is the legislating of children’s rights doing to their emotional well being. He also asked what message it was sending to their parents.

California’s West Hollywood pushes back against Trump

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — At its regular meeting on Feb. 21, The City Council of the City of West Hollywood approved an item that directs City of West Hollywood staff to take steps in prohibiting West Hollywood City Hall from doing business with entities that provide financial or other

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benefits to the President of the United States or his revocable trust. The City’s Finance Department will review the financial institutions, hotels, real estate-related companies, investors, and direct affiliates with which the City does business and develop a list in order to evaluate next steps.

“Ultimately, this is an ethics issue and a legal issue,” said West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister. “We’re addressing public concerns that President Trump continues to benefit from his business interests while in office. The Domestic Emoluments Clause clearly states that the President shall not receive any gifts or benefits other than his compensation — no other President in this country’s history has so blatantly disregarded protocol and the Constitution. And, as Councilmembers, we take an oath to uphold the Constitution.”

The City of West Hollywood, in December 2016, reaffirmed its commitment to its core values and is working diligently to defend the fundamental rights of its community members.

The city is monitoring federal proposals and is responding to policy changes that may have a harmful effect on West Hollywood’s residents, including LGBTQ residents, people with disabilities, seniors, people of color, immigrants, women and others. : :

QUICK HITS —————————————————————————————— InterPride, the International Association of LGBTI Pride Organizers, has announced the opening of its 2017 grant cycle for its Solidarity Fund. Application deadline is March 30. info: interpride.org.

In honor of what would have been Elizabeth Taylor’s 85th birthday on Feb. 27, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation released a short video to celebrate her legacy. info: elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org.

Judy Bradford, Ph.D., a pioneer in LGBTQ health research and advocacy has died. info: glma.org.

“A Very Sordid Wedding,” a sequel to “Sordid Lives” will premiere in Palm Springs, Calif. on March 10. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams will serve as one of the event’s sponsors. info: bit.ly/2mycemN. GLAD’s 36th Annual Summer Party will be held on July 29 in Provincetown, Mass. info: glad.org.

Seven Stories Press will hold a book launch party on March 14 at the New York Public

Library for the historical novel “Jews Queers Germans.” info: sevenstories.com.

Filipina actress Ivory Aquino, who played her first transgender role in ABC’s LGBTQ miniseries, “When We Rise,” told The Hollywood Reporter that writer Dustin Lance Black did not realize she was transgender during casting: “He was upset because he specifically wanted to see trans actresses,” she said. info: hollywoodreporter.com.

Canada’s Pink Triangle Press named David Walberg as its executive director. He assumes duties on April 3. info: pinktrianglepress.com.

Atlanta, Ga.’s The Gentlemen’s Foundation has launched its Circle of Trust couples group which meets on Wednesdays. info: thegentlemensfoundation.org.

On March 12, comic Kathy Griffin will be honored with the Vanguard Award by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus at its 11th Annual Crescendo Gala. info: sfgmc.org.

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life

Youth

Philanthropic family gifts $1.5 million to Time Out Youth for youth shelter Org hopeful that this will inspire more donations

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Time Out Youth Center (TOY) has received the most generous donation of its lifetime as Sarah Belk Gambrell (of Belk department stores fame) has announced that her Gambrell Family Foundation will give $1.5 million to the organization. The donation is personal; one of Gambrell’s teenage grandsons recently came out as gay, and the family wants to help youth like him to fully realize their potential.

“I think this could save lives,” Gambrell Foundation manager Sally Gambrell, daughter to Sarah Belk Gambrell, told The Charlotte Observer (see charlotteobserver.com/news/ local/article135400019.html). “Not all families are as understanding, meaning other children who come out as gay may not be as lucky to still have a home.”

The funds represent nearly half of TOY’s $3.4 million goal needed to build their new youth shelter at the Monroe Rd. location currently under renovations. The organization’s executive director, Rodney Tucker, told qnotes in a recent interview that a shelter has been a long-held, distant dream for the organization. Now, it seems, the dream is on its way to becoming a reality.

“A youth shelter has always been in the strategic plan for the board of directors. It was our number one goal to look at,” Tucker said (see goqnotes.com/49760). “[Now] it becomes a real way that we can make it happen.”

Even more important than the money itself, the gift essentially declares that one of the most influential philanthropic families is on the LGBTQ community’s side. Sally Gambrell expressed her desire to lead by example, making this donation and using her family name to draw more donations to the cause.

“I just want to invest in young people so they can reach their potential and contribute to society,” she said. “I’m inviting people to join me.”

The leaders at Time Out Youth appreciate this gesture and are proud to be the vehicle for change in a region that in recent years has been openly hostile to LGBTQ people. Tucker told the Observer that the family’s gift is more than money: “It is a statement to the city, state and country that we are more than House Bill 2 — that our city cares about the LGBTQ community and will ensure that our city is a welcoming place for all.” : :

Sally Gambrell (left) and Sarah Belk Gambrell have announced their desire to support the Time Out Youth Center through a generous contribution by their Gambrell Foundation.

Photo Credit: The Charlotte Observer

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Spring A&E

Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte wows audience with ‘BootyCandy’ production Shocking, funny show inspires deep thought about real issues

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff

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ne of the many interwoven questions raised by “BootyCandy” is one that all audiences must ask themselves at some point: what is the purpose of theatre? According to the protagonist, a playwright named Sutter, he seeks to make his audience “choke.”

That is just what “BootyCandy” does; it chokes viewers with emotions from every degree of the spectrum. From cackling laughter to audible gasps, those lucky enough to catch the play will go through it all. But it isn’t just the script that made this play so impactful. The cast and crew, including director Martin Damien Wilkins, were the real victors here.

Working with the unusual setting of the Mint Museum Randolph’s round auditorium, Wilkins’ methods were creative and effective. A backdrop of fragmented screens took the place of extensive props, with images projecting background, scene titles and dramatic text. The interactive way that each screen changed with actors’ cues was executed masterfully.

The actors themselves deserve acclaim, especially Jeremy DeCarlo, whose multiple characters were each distinct and memorable. Not every actor could play a transvestite preacher, a bumbling stepdad and an elderly grandmother with the poise and variation that DeCarlo achieved.

Lydia Williamson and Ericka Ross also pulled off a challenging scene in which both actors switched characters multiple times, with mannerisms and small props aiding the rapid shifts.

Although Kevin Aoussou’s Sutter was the most complex character by far — the subject of a coming-of-age story spanning decades — the evolution of his character was not as emphatic as it might have been. Nevertheless, Sutter’s story was compelling and his body language expressive. Aoussou’s portrayal was more subtle than his co-stars’, but still he rendered his character the most sympathetic of the bunch…which is why the twist in the second act was such a surprise.

After connecting to that character for an hour and a half, that twist left me feeling betrayed. The script acknowledged that, and turned the fourth wall on its head in a vindicating way.

Writer Robert O’Hara consistently referenced the audience, and it brought all of us into the action of the play along with the cast.

Four of the five-member cast played multiple parts, but a combination of acting prowess and costuming brilliance helped even the slower audience members follow shifts fairly well.

A series of wigs were the foremost method for showing time period, from the afros of Sutter’s early childhood to his teenage Jehri curl and adult buzzcut.

Like a true coming-of-age story, “BootyCandy” touched on complex topics and inspired its audience to keep thinking after the curtain fell. Sexuality, morality and consent were at the forefront. Race was also a complicating factor, though it almost seemed that O’Hara wanted to bring it up just to claim its irrelevance in the grand scheme of theatre.

For adults who want a raw, real, somewhat scandalous viewing experience, the Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte’s production of “BootyCandy” is right on target.

Playing until March 19 at the Mint Museum on Randolph Road, 2730 Randolph Rd., this memorable show is most definitely worth the time.

For showtimes, tickets and more information, visit atcharlotte.org. : :

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Spring A&E

Sex, songs and sequins:

Big Mamma’s House of Burlesque takes Charlotte by storm Insiders describe the modern incarnation of an old art

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff

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ig Mamma’s House of Burlesque has given the Charlotte entertainment scene a spice of sex and variety for over a decade. Now in the beginning of its 11th season, the troupe is made up of acts much more unique than a simple striptease show. Upcoming for the group are shows at the Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., on April 8 and June 10, and at Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave., on March 3 and May 11.

Walking into the Visulite for the troupe’s Feb. 11 Valentease performance, I was blown away by the sheer volume of gorgeous people in titillating attire. My guide, Devin “Rebel” Adams, introduced me to everyone; from MC Johnny Anonymous in a striped suit reminiscent of Jack Skellington, to divas in sparkly gowns and tight corsets, the many characters promised a viewing experience like nothing else.

“I knew that there had to be a foundation of both variety and sexy in the show,” says Deana Pendragon, aka Big Mamma Dixie Crystal. “I make sure that we keep the comedy in, and we have things that keep the audience involved other than just tatas.”

As the show began to the tune of “Sweet Caroline,” (a tradition, according to Rebel), and throughout the evening, I never experienced a dull moment. There were hula hoops, singing, even a ukulele player called Phoebe Nyx, whose sweet, charismatic singing voice is a new addition to the group.

“Phoebe doesn’t remove a single stitch of clothing,” Pendragon said. “[She’s] really super talented, finding her confidence and being validated at every turn, because she is so sparkly and shiny when she smiles. You have to have that excitement and that sparkle.”

One thing that every performer in the House shared was that sparkle. Rebel, this year’s Prince of the The Great Southern Exposure Burlesque and Variety Arts Weekend’s pageant, was previously the subject of qnotes’ Our People feature (see go-

qnotes.com/49619) and is one of the group’s most compelling personalities. His second act featured a brilliant gold cape that he spread out like angel wings.

“I like to flirt with the crowd,” Rebel confided to qnotes.

“As soon as I get on stage, I’m Ophelia PopTart instantly happy, doesn’t matter Photo Credit: Craig Muzse what song I’m performing to.”

Jackson Heels Rebel is one of two male Photo Credit: Ron Tencati burlesque performers with Big Mamma’s House. “Boylesque,” or gender inclusive burlesque, has gained in popularity in recent years. “[Burlesque] is experiencing an exploration of the non-binary,” Pendragon said. “When I first started, it was all glove and gown, and now it’s a kaleidoscope of sexuality, of political commentary, of pop culture.”

Looking back at the history of the troupe, and of burlesque in general, the art form has undergone an undeniable evolution. Before Big Mamma’s House, there had only been one other burlesque show in the state of North Carolina, and it had shut down.

Pendragon says she faced reticence and even hostility when planning her first shows. Once, when trying to reserve hotel rooms for visiting performers, the hotel representative was friendly until Pendragon mentioned the word “burlesque.”

“She slammed the phone Rebel down,” Pendragon said. “It went Photo Credit: Robert Baker like that, so much so that I was very timid about promoting it in the beginning. I would tell people ‘I work with show girls’.”

Despite the initial reactions, burlesque has skyrocketed in popularity, as the cheering crowd at the Valentease show illustrated.

“I think it surged because people want to feel pretty, you know?” Pendragon said. “They’re at home with the hairbrush in the mirror, singing and dancing and doing things that they wish they could do in public and they just don’t have the courage to do. One of my greatest accomplishments, if I’ve done anything with this art, is that I’ve helped people feel beautiful.”

This personal factor is the real reason that burlesque is Pendragon’s passion. She says that discovering burlesque “was like my compass stopped spinning and slammed into true north.” Her time mentoring beginners is the most rewarding aspect of her work.

“The most fulfilling part is working with new performers, who have never done or experienced this,” she said. “They don’t know how to do this, but they have a heart full of art.”

Her troupe is her family — in some cases, literally. She and her husband of 15 years, David aka Johnny Anonymous, are expecting a baby boy this month.

“We had been hoping for this for a long time,” she smiles.

“I’m hoping, by the way, [the baby] wakes up early every morning that I’m getting a drag queen.”

The couple made the formal announcement at the Valentease show, holding up a child’s onesie to roaring applause. It was the culmination of a series of witty exchanges between the MC and his diva wife that went on throughout the show and led up to the finale.

“We’ve gone back to doing our plot, where there’s an ongoing storyline on top of all the stripping and performances,” Pendragon said. “We have a couple of performers who float in and out when they’re available. That’s really nice because it allows you to round out your performance and have more variety.”

The regular performers already offer remarkable variety. No two have the same style. Of the burlesque dancers, Veronica Broadchest has a bold, confident energy, and Ophelia Poptart teases with the slender curves of a pin-up model. Rebel’s fearless and fabulous moves set him apart, and all use their sexuality to connect with the crowd.

“I can connect with male, I can connect with female,” Rebel said. “I’m a Libra, and we’re natural flirts.”

“Every human is attracted to both sexes in some form or another,” Pendragon believes. “We all want to see a beautiful woman and we all want to see a beautiful man…Finding what ties us together as humans and putting that in a performance makes all the difference.”

Other burlesque performers with Big Mama’s House are DeeDee Perks (described by Pendragon as “tremendous”), Meredith Sparkles (“prolific”), Anita Tool (“creative” and “adorable”), and cross-dressing “delicious” Jackson Heels.

The variety performers range from hula hooper Kitten Wink to Phoebe Nyx and new MC Oliver Moxie. Pendragon, however, is always looking for new talent.

“Come explore what we have, and if you don’t see something you want, come make it,” she said. “Bring me art. I will put it on stage.” : : Big Mamma’s Burlesque cast: (left to right) Kitten Wink, Rebel, Big Mamma Dixie Crystal, Ophelia PopTart, Phoebe Nyx, Anita Tool, Veronica Broadchest, DeeDee Perks, Sheba, Meredith Sparkles, Johnny Anonymous and Kitt Nuveau.

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Spring A&E

Arts options dot the Carolinas From theatre to galleries, fun things to do as the weather warms up

by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff

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the present against a background of changing attitudes towards being gay. Tickets go on sale soon and will be available online.

Museums

May 10 7:30 p.m.

Julianne and Derek Hough: Move — Beyond — Live On Tour Ovens Auditorium 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. blumenthalarts.org.

“Dancing with the Stars” Julianne and Derek Hough bring their brand-new stage production inspired by the elements — earth, wind, fire, and water — which the duo have infused into fresh, high impact choreography.

Tickets start at $39.50 and are available online.

pring has come early to the Carolinas, with daffodils already in bloom and trees cascading their blossoms over streets and highways from the mountains to the coast. So now is the time to break away from being stuck inside and venture out to theatres, concerts, festivals and more. With that said, here are some idea starters to whet qnotes’ readers’ appetites, with more extensive details on this listing on qnotes’ website.

March 11-Aug. 13 Various times “The Wyeths: Three Generations, Works from the Bank of America Collection” Mint Museum Randolph 2730 Randolph Rd., Charlotte, N.C. mintmuseum.org.

The exhibition of Bank of America’s largest collection of unique works by one family, provides a window into the Wyeth family’s artists through more than 60 paintings, drawings, and photographs. Among the special guests during the exhibition’s run will be Victoria Wyeth, granddaughter of Andrew Wyeth, who will appear for a free “Evening with Victoria Wyeth” talk on March 29, 6 p.m. Tickets are $12/adult and $9/senior and student are are available online.

March 24 12 p.m.

“Brown Bag Gam: Women Pirates” N.C. Maritime Museum 315 Front St., Beaufort, N.C. ncmaritimemuseums.com.

Whether by association, partnership or practice, women were very involved in the world of pirates. The pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read are the program focus, with a look at other women in supporting roles. Free.

Theatre March 24-April 2 Various times “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” Theatre Alliance 1047 Northwest Blvd., Winston-Salem, N.C. wstheatrealliance.org.

“Hank Williams: Lost Highway” is a musical biography of the legendary singer-songwriter.

The play follows Williams’ rise from his beginnings on the Louisiana Hayride to his triumphs on the Grand Ole Opry to his eventual self-destruction at 29. Tickets are $18/adults and $16/ students and seniors and are available online.

April 27-May 6 Various times “The Pride” Queen City Theatre Company Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte, N.C. queencitytheatre.com.

Philip, Oliver and Sylvia exist in a complex love triangle, which spans over half a century, living and loving simultaneously in 1958 and

June 2-18 Various times “Avenue Q” Raleigh Little Theatre 301 Pogue St., Raleigh, N.C. raleighlittletheatre.org.

In this classic production, recent college grad Princeton moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. Along with his new friends, Princeton struggles to find a job, date and discover an ever-elusive purpose in life. Tickets range from $21.55 to $25.29 and are available online.

June 27-July 2 Various times “Fun Home” Knight Theatre at Levine Center for the Arts 500 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, N.C. blumenthalarts.org.

The Tony Award-winning stage play comes to the Queen City. Based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir, Fun Home introduces the audience to Alison at three different ages as she explores and unravels the many mysteries of her childhood. Tickets start at $25 and are available online.

Festivals April 27-30 MerleFest Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro, N.C. merlefest.org.

MerleFest is a celebration known for its unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented music from the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, Americana, blues, country, Celtic, Cajun, cowboy, zydeco, rock and many other styles. Ticket range from $155-$235 until April 27 with higher gate pricing thereafter beginning on the festival start date.

May 18-21 Moogfest Various times and locations Durham, N.C. moogfest.com.

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life

Jesse’s Journal

LGBT Heroes: Cleve Jones and Barbara Grier Looking back at LGBTQ history and those who ‘fought the good fight’

by Jesse Monteagudo :: quest contributor

Even as we recognize and honor today’s LGBTQ heroes, we should also look back and remember those women and men who made our community what it is today. Unlike today, when leading an LGBTQ community organization is often a profession, the heroes of the 1960s and 1970s were volunteer leaders of a movement. And while being out is now a given, the women and men of the 1960s and 1970s were openly lesbian or gay, bisexual or transgender, at a time when most of us were still in our closets. What would our community be without the likes of Harry Hay, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings, Jack Nichols or Harvey Milk? Even in areas such as South Florida where I Iive, we owe much to the likes of Frank Arango, Staci Aker, Bob Basker, Edda Cimino, Rev. Joseph Gilbert, Jay Freier and Tom Bradshaw. Milk is still remembered, thanks to the movie of the same name and his nephew’s work. How will we remember the others?

Two of our leading LGBTQ icons made a joint appearance in Miami in 1981, as Grand Marshals for that year’s Gay Pride Parade.

One of the Marshals, Cleve Jones, is well-

known as Milk’s protégé and the creator of The NAMES Project AIDS Quilt. The other Marshal, Barbara Grier, though not as famous, is perhaps the most important person in the herstory of lesbian literature. Though Grier did not write any major works of fiction or non-fiction, she promoted “lesbiana” as a lesbian book collector, critic, bibliographer (“The Lesbian in Literature”) and publisher (Naiad Press). I was an active member of Pride at the time, and I got to meet both Jones and Grier. However, I established a greater rapport with Grier, if only because I was one of the few male book critics who reviewed lesbian books. Grier added me to her list of reviewers who received copies of Naiad books and I tried to return the compliment by writing about most of the books she sent me.

Cleve Jones, who is a year younger than I, needs no help on my part to get the recognition that he deserves. Jones, after all, is the main character of “When We Rise,” an ABC TV miniseries about the LGBTQ movement in San Francisco. Jones is also the author of “When We Rise: My Life in the Movement” (Hachette Books), a memoir of his eventful life that is as interesting as the series that he appears in.

But Barbara Grier (1933-2011), though no longer with us, is finally getting her due. “Indomitable: The Life of Barbara Grier” (Bella Books) is a long-overdue biography by Joanne Passet, author of “Sex Variant Woman: The Life of Jeanette Howard Foster.” (Foster’s 1956 classic, “Sex Variant Women in Literature” was an inspiration for Grier and everyone else who came after them.) Here we read about Grier’s early

days as a lesbian in the Midwest, her relationships with Helen Bennett and Donna McBride, her work with the pioneer lesbian journal The Ladder; and her years where she spent encouraging and browbeating lesbian authors as head of the Naiad Press. Grier was not an easy person to work with, as many disgruntled former Naiad writers and workers told Passet.

However, even Grier’s greatest critics recognize her contributions to lesbian literature and to the LGBTQ community as a whole. Like all of us, Grier and Jones have or had their share of faults, but these are outweighed by their virtues, talents and contributions.

Though I do not read as many LGBTQ books today as I did when I wrote “The Book Nook,” I still keep an eye out for good books — especially non-fiction titles that educate and inspire our community and our movement.

Both “When We Rise” (the book and the series) and “Indomitable” make major contributions to LGBTQ studies and to the history of our community through the lives of a man and a woman who gave us much. They inspire us at a time when our progress is endangered, both from above and from below. : :

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views

spiritual reflections

by Rev. Wendy Woodruff :: guest contributor

This is Home!

In 1992, I walked into a church. I hadn’t done that for a very long time. I have to admit that my motivation was not necessarily all that pure. I was dating a woman who went to church every Sunday evening and I needed to see what or who drew her there. Yes, I was jealous! I found a place filled with love and joy, where everyone, even me, was accepted and celebrated. I saw couples holding hands. I saw same gender partners, opposite gender partners, individuals and groups of friends receive communion together.

After service, nearly everyone gathered to share a meal, to laugh, to talk seriously, to simply be community together. I had found Home, just as others had found it before me. The relationship with the woman didn’t last, but I still have Home.

Today it’s hard for many of us to remember a time when simply loving another person could result in imprisonment or institutionalization.

It’s hard to remember police actions where one could be arrested for dancing with another person. It’s hard to remember the fear of losing one’s job or family simply because of assumed sexual orientation. It’s hard to remember being arrested for wearing “gender inappropriate” clothing, even women wearing pants with the wrong zipper location. It’s hard to remember being asked to leave a church because of whom we love. It really wasn’t that long ago.

In 1968, a defrocked Pentecostal preacher, the Reverend Troy D. Perry, was called to let all of us know that, “God created you as you are and God loves you as you are!” That calling led him to place an ad in the local gay paper in Los Angeles. On Oct. 6, 1968, 12 people attended a worship service in Rev. Perry’s home in Huntington Park. Rev. Perry celebrated communion at that service. There were tears and smiles. Many had been denied the sacrament simply because of who they were. We continue to celebrate communion at every service, and we continue to have tears and smiles. That service was a spark that grew into a bright light for the “outsiders,” those who have been denied the fellowship of the Christian community. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) was born!

The light continues to spread. Today, MCC has churches on six continents. (We are still working on Antarctica!) We have grown from a gay church, to a gay and lesbian church, to a church that welcomes everyone, no matter their sexual orientation, gender identity, ableness, language, cultural background or all of

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those other things that keep us apart from each other and from God. It has not always been a smooth road. MCC churches have been bombed and set afire.

Members have died. We had to learn that everyone doesn’t agree on the basics of theology and to live with that difference. We fought for marriage in the U.S. and continue to fight for it around the world. We ordained women, trans folk, people of color and so many others. We truly believe that we are loved and are called to love others.

Until recently, some had come to believe, because welcoming church communities are becoming common, that MCC’s mission was at an end, that we should simply join other communities of faith. We began to believe that our human rights were inviolable. But whenever change occurs, there is pushback. We can get married, but at least in North Carolina, we can be fired from our jobs, denied service from businesses and evicted from our houses when someone perceives that we are different. All they have to do is cite “religious conviction.” We are concerned about the young people among us. They face being shunned by their peers and evicted from their families. We are concerned about the trans folk among us. The controversial “bathroom bill” is only the tip of the iceberg here.

We are concerned about our older people, who feel the need to hide who they are in assisted care facilities. We are concerned about those who find they have to hide who they are in their workplaces. We are concerned that many believe that they need to “go back in the closet” in public life and in their church communities. We are concerned that we are once again separating ourselves into communities that are afraid of “the other,” whoever that “other” may be.

It’s time for all of us, MCC and other churches, people of all sexual orientations and gender preferences, people of all races, national origins, abilities, religions, political affiliations and so many others who are on the outside to step up, to step out, and to be out. We need to speak the truth; we need to march once again. We need to display Pride flags. We need to join with all of the other “others” to stand up, to come out, to be authentically who we are and to love others for who they are: created by God and loved by God. This is our Home; we need to protect it. We need to welcome everyone Home! : : — Rev. Wendy Woodruff is the senior pastor at Metropolitan Community Church of Winston-Salem.

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dishing with buff faye

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

Pardon moi what?

Courtesy of PardonMoiFrench.com

It takes a village, even for drag queens.

Often we don’t see all the supporters and people behind the scenes, helping make a queen look flawless. Nor do we think about what it takes to put together a drag show: the costs involved, the planning of a special event and all the logistics.

Well, one of those people behind the scenes is promoter Brian French of Pardon Moi French.

I got a moment to catch up with Brian recently.

He is such a sweetheart and a busy bee! He was anxious to answer my questions, so I got right to it. Of course, I had to ask the question I ask every handsome pretty boy…

“When was your first time?” He chuckled a bit.

“Well, the first time that I went to a gay club was the Sunday after I turned 18. I went to Legends Nightclub and Ebony Summers was performing “Sky”

by Soniq. To this day, I remind Ebony of that night,” Brian shared.

“That initially sparked my intrigue ever since.”

I could tell immediately Brian is a “professional.” And he doesn’t scare easily, so I continued with my next question: “So why drag and why didn’t you ever become a drag queen?”

Brian smiled and replied: “I’d be an ugly drag queen. Honestly, I’ve always been a planner. Ask my closest friends and family. Some of them love how OCD I am and others often have to ask me to chill out.” That answer was refreshing. After all, Pardon Moi French and Brian genuinely have been there to support so many queens. And who needs another drag queen. Seriously.

He continued: “I always wanted to be a part of this drag phenomenon and I felt like Pardon Moi French was the best way to use the strongest character traits and qualities that I have. I’ve found over the years that the riskier the show, the bigger the rush! No words can describe the feeling that you get five minutes before doors open, and there’s a line of 100 people waiting to get in.”

You could tell Brian loves what he does as a promoter. You can see it in how excited he gets when he talks about his past events or what he has coming up. And indeed, Pardon Moi French has a lot of which to be proud. The company has been growing and expanding the last year with promoting even bigger events.

Pardon Moi French started in the RaleighDurham, N.C. hosting “Ru Paul Drag Race” queens for a “Take Me to Lunch Series” and then began holding similar events across the Carolinas. Now Pardon Moi French has gone even further reaching across the Midwest to the Southeast with the upcoming “Queens for the Cure Tour” featuring seven “RuPaul Drag Race” queens, as well as highlighting local

queens in all 12 cities. The tour will visit Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida starting March 15 until March 26.

“The ‘Queens For The Cure Tour’ is like nothing I have ever done in my life. The tour has me feeling ecstatic, anxious…the whole idea is to entertain and take a group of drag queens who want to do their part to make a small difference city by city,” Brian said.

A percentage of ticket sales, all raffle money and donations raised will go to Until There’s A Cure and a portion will also go to a local charity in each city. I greatly admire promoters like Brian who put all their time and money into big ideas and events. It takes a lot to pull such a tour off. And as a charity queen myself, I applaud that Brian gives proceeds back to the community. In his own words, I wanted to hear him say why?

“In the end I could have these shows and keep every penny. I choose to incorporate charities in many of my events because I feel like it’s the right thing to do. I want to help our community,” replied Brian. “In the end I would not be able to produce events if I didn’t have this community.“ This is exactly the reason why I wanted to chat with Brian for my column. As a promoter, he gets it. Each of us has the power with drag — or through drag — to make a difference in the lives of others. And as Brian shared, the impact is real, especially for many kids today.

“A lot of the shows that I produce are open to all ages. I’ve been emotionally touched by so many 10-15-year-old kids who break down crying during meet and greets because they had the chance to meet their ‘hero.’”

That should make us all happy. We all need our drag queen heroes.

Drag has the power to help lift people up and change lives.

Brian, thank you. You are helping make that a reality. : : DRAG TIP: Advice from Brian French as a promoter: “I’m not in the business of convincing people to like drag. The audience is already there. You just have to provide what they want.”

— Buff Faye calls the Queen City her home and believes in making the world a better place (and likes to raise money for charities).

Find her at your favorite bars and hot spots.

Plus don’t forget her weekly Saturday night show with Patti O’Furniture, monthly drag brunch and regular Friday night party bus.

Learn more at AllBuff.com.

Follow on Twitter @BuffFaye.

SHOUT OUTS: Buy your tickets now! The Pardon Moi French “Queens for the Cure

Tour” will be all across the Carolinas March 18-20 with stops in Raleigh, N.C., Charlotte, N.C. and Greenville, S.C. Yours truly will be in the Charlotte show date! Buy your tickets online at PardonMoiFrench.com.

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tell trinity

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

How important is “his excuse” when getting dumped?

Dear Trinity, My boyfriend left me without a trace. A year later he returned with his new boyfriend.

Now they want me to spend time with them.

But I want some closure first. If I don’t get it, should I still see them? And how can I get over him for good?

Wounded, Green Bay, WI Dear Wounded, Yes, if you want closure and an explanation, then demand it. You always deserve that, especially if you’ll see them around town, and he wants to be friends. However, if he said, “It was me or you or the devil,” isn’t it always just psychobabble anyway? In the end, isn’t it just you trying to figure out how to deal with it, how to learn to forgive him and how to move on with your life? So, deal with it in any way that feels right, get closure and move on ASAP! Remember, pumpkin, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Hey Trinity, My very close group of friends spend lots of time together telling each other everything.

Now, one of them won’t talk to me because I told the others about his sexual experiences.

What’s the big deal?

Sloppy Secrets, Queens, NY

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Hey Sloppy Secrets, It’s great to want to share your friend’s experiences with your other comrades, but that’s not your business! Sharing “intimate” information about someone must be cleared by them first; otherwise, you’re gossiping and not being a good friend, period! Darling, gossiping and sharing are two very different things! (This is not a game of Truth or Dare or anything like it. There’s an old adage, and “Pretty Little Liars” has it in their theme song: “two can keep a secret if one of them is dead.” My cartoon shows you how the game should be played. Mum’s the word, honey!)

Hello Trinity, I met someone who wants to date regularly, but still wants to have his one-night stands on the side for a while. Help!

One Night Stand Off, Houston, TX Hello One Night Stand Off, Honesty’s a bitch! However, it’s not untypical for gay relationships to grow slowly into monogamy (and then sometime out of it).

Rather than expecting someone to jump onto the monogamy train right away, a) try to start this relationship with an open mind, b) try not to talk about it too much and c) if it goes on for too long, honey, try to run away from it!

Dearest Trinity, How do you know when you’re no longer dressing in drag for fun, but have become a professional drag queen?

Trans-formation, Nashville, TN Dearest Trans-formation, There are many signs on the road to professional drag-queendom. Besides paycheck increases, a MAC membership and a closet full of dresses, sweetie, here are: Trinity’s Sparkling Tips For Knowing If You’re A (PDQ) Professional Drag Queen 1. When you have a dedicated drag bag, a drag closet and drag accessories — welcome home, PDQ! 2. When you haven’t seen your chest hair, leg hair and/or facial hair for months — you’re probably a PDQ or from LA or South Beach!

3. When fake boobs, hip pads, stockings and a wig have a special place of their own in your home — you’re a PDQ! 4. W hen you’re constantly finding excess eyelash glue and glitter — then you’re definitely a PDQ! 5. W hen you find yourself saying, “Cover Girl does not cover boys.” Or “Real men wear dresses too.” Or “MAC = God!” — then guess what.

6. When your birthday gift collection has nothing remotely masculine in it, and no one knows your “boy name” — then guess what again!

7. When a life changing experience includes finding an “affordable” designer dress

or having your “face on” in under an hour — PDQ! 8. When your other gay friends see a guy with a girl and say, “Look at him! What a waste!” but you say, “Look at her shoes!”

— PDQ! 9. When your travel agenda always starts at a Payless ShoeSource women’s section — then you’re an official PDQ! 10. Lastly, when you’ve learned to walk into a woman’s clothing store with pride — then you’re finally a proud PDQ! : : 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.

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a&e

Spring A&E continued from page 19 Moogfest is an independent music and tech festival that offers a safe space for artists and attendees alike, as well as workshops. Tickets range from $249-$1,500 and are available online.

May 26-June 11 Spoleto Festival Various locations and times Charleston, S.C. spoletousa.org.

For 17 days and nights, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with performances by renowned artists, as well as emerging performers in opera, theater, dance and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music. Ticket costs and other information are available online.

Potpouri March 11, 18, 25 “Women at Reed Gold Mine” 1 p.m.

Reed Gold Mine 9621 Reed Mine Rd., Midland, N.C. nchistoricsites.org/reed/.

Tours highlight the role women played in America’s first gold rush at Reed Gold Mine and how they defined themselves in a patriarchal, antebellum society. $2.

May 5-6 Kings Drive Art Walk 11 a.m.-6 p.m./Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m./Sunday Little Sugar Creek Greenway between E. Morehead St and Pearle Park Way Bridge along Kings Dr., Charlotte, N.C. festivalinthepark.org/kings-drive-art-walk.

Spring fine arts event focusing on fine and emerging artists.

May 20-21 Asheville Fine Arts Show 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

U.S. Cellular Center 87 Haywood St., Asheville, N.C. hotworks.org.

A two-day juried art show featuring up to 175 artists which focuses on visual arts, diversity, community enrichment and fostering art education among youth within Asheville and its surrounding areas. Disciplines include paintings, sculpture, clay, glass, jewelry, wood, photography and more. Various price ranges.

Admission: $8/one-day pass, $10/two-day pass and 12 and under free.

May 25-27 Circle K Speed Street presented by Coca-Cola 12-11 p.m.

Romare Bearden Park 300 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 600festival.com.

Three days of music, food and more that takes place during the races at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Vendor displays, kid’s activities, racing-related fun and more until 8 p.m.

Local, regional and national headliners will take the stages at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $15/Friday and Saturday night headliners, $10/Thursday entertainment. All other activities, free. PNC Speed Street 5K will be held on May 25. Other events take place during the month leading up to the festival. See website for details.

May 10 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

The Naked Magicians McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte, N.C. blumenthalarts.org.

Direct from Australia, the show features magic, mirth and more than a touch of mayhem as two hot and hilarious magicians say abracadabra and take magic to a whole new level.

This R-rated magic show strips away the top hats and capes, promising full frontal illusions.

Tickets range from $19.50 to $59.50 and are available online.

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EVENTS March 2017 ‘Apple Pie: An American Art Show’ Goodyear Arts 516 N. College St., Charlotte 6-9 p.m.

“Apple Pie” is a curated art show addressing the intersectional identities of American artists. Artworks of various media will express the scope of how individuals relate to, synthesize, or explore what America is and/or represents. More information is available online. goodyeararts.com.

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Out at the Movies SEP MAR MO Winston-Salem University of North Carolina School of the Arts ACE Theatre Complex 1533 S. Main St., Winston-Salem 7 p.m.

Out at the Movies will screen “Loggerheads,” a film set in North Carolina, where three stories converge: one about a woman who is married to a pastor and pines after the son who fled their religious household, one about a woman wonders about the son she gave up for adoption, and a man who falls in love with another man while working to save turtles.

Tickets cost $7 for general admission and $6 for seniors. More information is available online. outatthemovieswinston.org.

OUTright Youth of Catawba Valley ‘Gayla’ Café Rule 242 11th Ave. NE, Hickory 6 p.m.

OUTright Youth of Catawba Valley raise funds to continue their programming and their new center. More information and tickets are available online. Attire at the event is evening casual, with a $100 a plate cost. outrightyouthcv.org.

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2nd Annual Gay & Lesbian SEP MAR MO Wedding Expo Sheraton Charlotte Hotel 555 S. McDowell St., Charlotte 12:30 p.m.

The 2nd Annual Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo will feature over 30 LGBTQ-friendly wedding and travel professionals, along with raffles, music and more. Free tickets are available online at samelovesamerights. com. More information is available online. rainbowweddingnetwork.com.

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Submit your event to our calendar!

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).

Concord/Kannapolis PFLAG SEP MAR MO Fundraiser and Spaghetti Dinner McGill Baptist Church 5300 Poplar Tent Rd., Concord 6 p.m.

The Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Concord/Kannapolis will hold its Annual Spring Fundraiser and Spaghetti Dinner to support their work in the community. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte will perform and the ConcordKannapolis PFLAG Advocacy Award will be presented. The event will also include a silent auction. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at ckpflag@gmail.com.

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Charlotte HIV/AIDS SEP MAR MO Advocacy Training RAIN Offices 601 E. 5th St., Suite 470, Charlotte 5:30-8 p.m.

Join NCAAN, in partnership with RAIN and Carolina Cares Partnership, for a regional advocacy training. Attendees will learn about the current legislative session and NCAAN’s legislative priorities for the year, organizers said. The hands-on training will equip advocates with the tools and skills necessary to speak with legislators about issues of importance to the HIV/AIDS community. Dinner will be provided. More information is available online. ncaan.org. carolinarain.org.

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

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Continues through March 26 SEP MAR MO Young & College Democrats State Convention Greensboro The Young & College Democrats of North Carolina will hold their annual state convention in Greensboro.

It is billed as a “chance for you to meet and join North Carolina’s and America’s next leaders.”

Attendees will work to grow leadership in the state, and discuss ways to advance the Democratic agenda in both Raleigh and Washington, D.C. Ticket prices vary. More information and tickets are available online. ydnc.org/convention_2017.

–––––––––––––––––––– Continues through March 16 ‘The Heart is a Lonely Hunter’ Staged Reading Frock Shop 901 Central Ave., Charlotte Times vary A staged reading of novelist Carson McCullers book “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” will take place over three nights: March 24 at 8 p.m., March 25 at 8 p.m. and March 26 at 5 p.m. McCullers began work on the acclaimed novel while living in Charlotte, finishing it in Fayetteville. She would have turned 100 this year. More information and tickets are available online. bit.ly/2mBwyUQ.

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Prohibition Gala and Green SEP MAR MO Party 2017 Cadillac Service Garage 304 W. Market St., Greensboro 7 p.m.

The Guilford Green Foundation hosts a gala where attendees will step away thinking that “a little party never killed nobody” in “Great Gatsby” style.A silent auction will take place with bidding online at bit.ly/2lxypZw. Tickets cost $175. More information and tickets are available online. ggfnc.org.

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SEED20 OnStage Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts 430 S Tryon St., Charlotte 6:30-9 p.m.

Charlotte non-profits take to the stage to share their story at SEED20 OnStage, Social Venture Partners’ 6th annual program that spotlights and supports the region’s most innovative ideas for tackling pressing social challenges. A total of 20 non-profits will present,

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with a catered reception and open bar to follow. Tickets cost $85 and are available through CarolinaTix at carolinatix. org/events/detail/seed20-on-stage.

More information is available online. seed20.org.

Submit your event at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/

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life

Our People:

Q&A with Martin Damien Wilkins Director of ‘BootyCandy’ with Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte talks the arts

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff In the world of thespians (not to be confused with lesbians), the Charlotte theatre scene is diverse and lively. No one knows this better than Martin Damien Wilkins, 37, a local stage director whose newest production, “BootyCandy,” is playing at the Mint Museum on Randolph Rd. until March 19. Wilkins has worked with the Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte for several years, spending two as the company’s National New Play Network’s Producerin-Residence. He is a member of the inaugural class of National Directors Fellows and has directed for B Street Theatre and Howard University.

In Wilkins’ introduction in the program of “BootyCandy,” he wrote that the show speaks to him personally in a “world [that] feels less safe for people like me, whose experiences are reflected so boldly in this play.” Wilkins and the show itself are defiantly out and proud.

What’s the best part of working in theatre?

The most amazing part of working as a professional theatre artist is that I have an opportunity to collaborate with incredibly gifted individuals to create my work…I am in contact with practically every person who is involved with mounting a show. I’m discussing the set, lighting and costume designs with the creative team. I’m organizing rehearsals with the Stage Manager. And of course, I’m staging the show with the actors.

Which show was your favorite to work on, and why?

I nurture my shows like they are my babies, and while I won’t say that I’ve enjoyed making each of them equally, I also can’t choose my favorite. My favorite aspect of working on my latest project, directing Robert O’Hara’s “Bootycandy” at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, is that it’s a script that I first encountered more than a decade ago in a very early draft shortly after meeting Mr. O’Hara at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Connecticut…So, when ATC’s artistic director, Chip Decker, first suggested that he wanted to do it, I made it clear that I wanted to direct. It took about 12 years, but I finally persevered in directing one of my dream shows. That it has been for the hometown crowd is an extra special treat.

What inspired you to become involved in the arts?

My mother had a beautiful singing voice.

Think Sandy Patti performing “We Shall Behold Him.” My mother had the range. In fact, one of my earliest memories is of her performing “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” in church pageants…

She performed the song with the same emotion as if she were praising God. That instilled a passion for music in me, and while I didn’t quite

inherit her voice, I did eventually begin playing in the band in elementary school and continued through high school. And once I became a student at Charlotte Latin School, I found my way on the stage. I even had a featured role in our high school musical my senior year, playing the Hungarian stage director in our production of “Crazy for You.” Reflecting recently on the profound impact that experience had on me, I found the fake beard and taps that I wore on my shoes. I’ve kept them for nearly two decades.

What are some of your hobbies or personal interests?

Because I make theatre for a living, my interests are usually centered around people, places and things that are creative. I was born shortly before MTV was created so I remember when the network played music videos basically non-stop throughout the day. And even though my religious upbringing dictated that I should not have been watching, I grew up on a healthy diet of Michael, Janet, Prince, Madonna, George, and my ultimate diva, Whitney. Indulging on such excellence from a very young age has made me a bit of a pop culture junkie throughout my life. I’m not the type who is keeping up with the Kardashians or the Housewives of Atlanta.

But I do, for example, keep up with stats on the Billboard charts like a sports fan may keep up with the stats for their favorite athletes or sports teams.

When you look in the mirror, what are you most confident about?

Well, I still have too many insecurities about how I look to say that it’s anything physical, although I do think I have a cute butt.

But seriously, I can relate to anyone reading this who experienced trauma growing up in a hostile community because they were gay…

Even now, as I think back on some of the most painful memories I had as I grew into an adult, I would have had a hard time convincing my younger self that I would have the support of many of my family members as I came out… if I’ve grown confident about anything, it’s that I have full permission to be my best self and live my best life. I do not have to fear that I must hide any part of what makes me uniquely the person that I am. That is my resistance. That is also freedom.

How would you describe your “happy place?”

Anyone who knows me well knows that there is definitely a lot of Beyoncé in my happy place and has been for nearly two decades when “No, No, No” was also a ballad. In fact, friends and I attended her concert in Tampa last spring. We scored tickets on the front row of the BeyStage, and while performing “Crazy in Love”, she stopped, saw that I was losing my mind, smiled and winked at me. True story. I even posted about it on my Facebook page. So, if I’m having a day when I’m struggling to find my happy place, I just conjure that memory, and I’m usually okay. : :

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