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About our cover: qnotes joined some of our featured young professionals year at the Levine arts.this entertainment. news. Museum views. of the New South on March 8 for this print edition’s front cover photo shoot. In the background of the photo is a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Special thanks to the Levine Museum for providing space for our young professionals.
cover story 12 Voices for Progress: LGBT Young Professionals
news & features 5 6 14 15 16
Chick-fil-A decreases anti-gay funding News Notes: Regional Briefs Asheville hosts southern conference News Notes: U.S./World Senate leader passes away
a&e / life&style 19 20 21 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Rawls starts new church Travelers have a world of options Travel: Outer Banks Travel: European Prides Jane’s World Performer comes to Augusta Tell Trinity Durham hosts lesbian film Q Events Calendar Our People
opinions & views 4 4 5 5
Editor’s Note TalkBack Guest Commentary QPoll
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qnotes connect March 14-28, 2014 Vol 28 No 23
arts. entertainment. news. views. goqnotes.com twitter.com/qnotescarolinas facebook.com/qnotescarolinas
contributors this issue Paige Braddock, Diane Coe, Matt Comer, Zenda Douglas, John Grooms, Lainey Millen, Trinity, Adam Wadding
front page Graphic Design by Matt Comer & Lainey Millen Photography: Matt Comer 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 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 Editor: Matt Comer, x202 editor@goqnotes.com Copy Editor: Maria Dominguez Production: Lainey Millen, x205 production@goqnotes.com Printed on recycled paper. Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2014 and may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent of the editor or publisher. Advertisers assume full responsibility — and therefore, all liability — for securing reprint permission for copyrighted text, photographs and illustrations or trademarks published in their ads. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers, cartoonists we publish is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or photographs does not indicate the subject’s sexual orientation. qnotes nor its publisher assumes liability for typographical error or omission, beyond offering to run a correction. Official editorial positions are expressed in staff editorials and editorial notations and are determined by editorial staff. The opinions of contributing writers and guest columnists do not necessarily represent the opinions of qnotes or its staff. qnotes accepts unsolicited editorial, but cannot take responsibility for its return. Editor reserves the right to accept and reject material as well as edit for clarity, brevity.
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editor’s note by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
Charlotte mayor should heed pastor’s dangerous example What is the proper place of faith in civic life and politics? At what point does an individual’s faith begin to cloud their judgment or affect their ability to govern or represent the people they serve? These are questions I’ve been mulling over the past several weeks, particularly in response to two local leaders who seem to weave personal faith into significant portions of their public life. The Rev. Mark Harris is pastor of Charlotte’s First Baptist Church. Seemingly no longer happy with his role of moral and spiritual leader of his 1,100-plus member flock, he decided last year he would try his hand at politics. He’s been running against several opponents in the Republican primary for this year’s U.S. Senate race. Current North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis will likely be the winner of the primary, but Harris’ campaign presents troubling questions and concerns for North Carolina’s LGBT community. Harris first dug his hands into the political dirt in late 2011, when he stepped up as a chief proponent of the state’s anti-LGBT constitutional amendment barring recognition of same-sex marriage, civil unions and other relationships. That, alone, is enough to scare even the most conservative of LGBT Republicans (yes, they exist) from voting for Harris. But, Harris has continued to skew further and further to the right as he cuddles up with some of the most extremist anti-LGBT organizations in the country. In January, Harris received an endorsement from Concerned Women for America — the same group whose founder has repeatedly equated homosexuality with pedophilia and whose former spokesmen have maligned LGBT people for decades. Additionally, Concerned Women for America is among a who’s who of far-right, hate groups monitored by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In February, Harris received another endorsement — this time from the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). The group’s affinity for Harris isn’t a surprise. NOM was the largest single donor to Harris’ anti-LGBT amendment campaign, after all. What’s most concerning, however, is NOM’s involvement in broader, global issues of LGBT equality. I reached out to Mike Rusher, Harris’
campaign manager, for comment several times, but he’s yet to respond. Specifically, the public deserves to know if Harris shares the views of NOM President Brian Brown, who traveled to Russia last June at the invitation of the Russian Duma to advocate against LGBT equality there. Brown’s activism there no doubt contributed to the growing anti-LGBT animus in that nation. As a result, Russia has cracked down on LGBT individuals and has practically forbidden even the slightest public acknowledgment of LGBT people through its harsh “anti-propaganda” law. Harris serves as a salient example of my concerns — a dangerous entanglement of religion and government. Should Harris make it through the primary and defeat incumbent U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, we can reasonably believe his service will be marked by continued antiLGBT hostility and discrimination — all guided by a personal “faith” that says exclusion and discrimination are signs of God’s will. Harris, unfortunately, isn’t alone. Even on the other side of the political spectrum, leaders often cozy up to those who have the least amount of care or concern for LGBT equality. Last fall, qnotes decided against endorsing either of our city’s candidates for mayor. Though both Republican Edwin Peacock and Democrat Patrick Cannon seemed fully committed to equality in matters like employment, neither were willing to come out in favor of full legal equality for LGBT people, particularly as it relates to marriage. Cannon, in particular, seemed all-too-comfortable with right-wing buzz words often used to describe gay people — using phrases like “practicing,” “exploring” or “engaging in” a “lifestyle” when describing LGBT people and their lives. Cannon eventually won the mayoral race, and signs of his comfort with anti-LGBT sentiments were evident right from the start of his mayoral tenure. At Cannon’s swearing-in ceremony, Pastor Steven Furtick of the anti-gay, Southern Baptist Elevation Church delivered the closing prayer, doing so at Cannon’s invitation. The mayor has continued to involve Elevation and other faith groups. Recently, he
talkback Letters to the editor and comments from goqnotes.com. and facebook.com/ qnotescarolinas. Web comments are not edited for grammar or punctuation. Chick-fil-A Readers respond to our initial online report detailing a decrease in anti-LGBT funding by Chick-fil-A (see story page 5). Less of my dollars spent there going to discriminate against me isn’t good enough for me. Especially if they aren’t treating their LGBT employees right. They’re going to have to do better before I’ll eat there again. — Jake, March 4, goqnotes.com It’s definitely progress, and I’m happy about that, however they still do harm and I’m nowhere ready to “congratulate” them yet. — Scott Woosley, March 4, Facebook I am not certain why we spend so much time trying to “fix” this company. So if the bar is set to “doesn’t give to hate groups” then I think are standards are too low for what a
successful corporation is. That they still give to even one group does not surprise me, that we are still trying to find a way to support them does actually surprise me. I read the article and their quotes and I still don’t see anything that looks like an apology, nor do I see a community oriented commitment to social justice. So what are we still eating in this place? — Joshua Burford, March 4, Facebook I haven’t in years. Sucks bc I love the food. But I love myself more and don’t want my own money going to “charities” who want to change me, or worse. — Travis Parker, March 4, Facebook Arizona discrimination Readers react to our report on Feb. 21 detailing Arizona-style ‘religious freedom’
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announced the formation of a new mayoral interfaith advisory council. Elevation Church, again, took a primary seat at the table. While there are a diversity of congregations and traditions present — including the LGBT-affirming Temple BethEl and Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church — I’m not entirely sure it ever crossed the mayor’s or his staff’s minds to reach out to Charlotte’s predominately-LGBT congregations. Neither the Rev. Catherine Houchins of Metropolitan Community Church of Charlotte nor Bishop Tonyia Rawls of Sacred Souls Community Church had heard about the new interfaith council and say they had not seen an invitation to join. So, I asked Cannon’s temporary chief of staff, Randy Harris, about inclusion of LGBT congregations, specifically if Mayor Cannon had intentionally reached out to LGBT churches. Harris responded after a couple inquiries with a short statement leaving, I believe, much to be desired. “All faith-based entities are encouraged to participate,” Harris wrote. “As February was our first meeting, we look forward to seeing our numbers grow in the coming months. If you know of any who want to join, please have them contact the Mayor’s office at 704-336-3131.” I’m hoping predominately-LGBT congregations in the area will join Cannon’s new interfaith group. In matters of faith and religion, it’s doubly important for LGBT people to have a place at the table and to be visibly and vocally present when voices of exclusion could have influence in local government and Charlotte’s civic life. Let me be clear: I am a person of faith. My faith obviously informs a great deal of my personal beliefs and values. Yes, those beliefs and values inform my positions on matters of public policy. So, I would never deny any person the right to live their out faith, or lack thereof, in public ways; it’s one of the many things I love about calling this nation my home. Yet, there is a fine line between using faith as a barometer of personal values and using faith as a basis for public policy and governance. Harris has already crossed that line, and I doubt there’s any way to change his views. I won’t even try. But, for Mayor Cannon, however, I hope he’ll take a little more time and effort to truly reach out to the LGBT community as he continues down the path of faith-inspired leadership in Charlotte. He’ll need to set an example of inclusion and affirmation and keep anti-gay churches like Elevation in check, long before they begin to exert influence on local public policy. : :
discrimination legislation introduced in North Carolina’s legislature last year (goqnotes. com/27665/). The Arizona legislation has since been vetoed (goqnotes.com/27703/). I know this is wrong but a small part of me wants this to pass so that we can expose the ridiculousness of these laws and have great examples for the future generations of the lengths to which the religious politicians will go to attack the LGBT community. This concept that they have passed is against every aspect of American ideals. The legislatures involved should be thrown out of office and shamed by the whole country. — Wade, Feb. 22, goqnotes.com Religious beliefs? Don’t make me laugh! The cowards who hide behind their religion probably have no idea how many of their Gods laws they break every singe day of their lives! They are the hugest, most bigoted hypocrites there are. Thank My God that all life is valued in My God’s eyes and only my God can judge me! — Richard, Feb 22, goqnotes.com
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guest commentary by John Grooms :: guest contributor
A peculiar idea of freedom: Fundamentalist fever turns morality upside down Some people have a strange view of freedom. We saw that during the Arizona clash over a proposed law that would let businesses discriminate against LGBT citizens. That battle ended in late February when Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a bill that gave Arizonans the OK to refuse service to gays if serving them went against their, or their business’ owner’s religious beliefs. Many conservatives said the bill was needed to protect what they called their “religious freedom.” I don’t want to add to the post-veto political analysis, but I do want to take a look at this bizarre notion that being forbidden to discriminate against gays is a violation of the would-be discriminator’s religious freedom. Believe it or not, this isn’t a new idea. The first question that comes to mind is: What kind of religious beliefs demand that you treat gays (or women or blacks or illegal immigrants or baseball players or what-have-you) as second-class citizens? Or, to put it another way, what kind of religious beliefs direct you to act like an asshole? The answer is that it’s the same religious beliefs Christian fundamentalists in N.C. used to justify denying gays the right to marry — the Old Testament, specifically the book of Leviticus. Not the entire Bible, just the Old Testament, because as any Bible scholar will tell you, here is exactly what Jesus said about homosexuality: Nothing. Nada. Zero. Bupkes. Zilch. Leviticus, on the other hand, promotes the idea that gay people should be killed, as well as other exotic notions about shellfish and clothes made from two kinds of fabric. Now what was it that Jesus said about bringing a “new covenant” that would supersede the original Jewish covenant with God? Hmmm. Way too many Christian fundamentalists ignore that part of their religion’s scripture,
as well as Jesus’ decrees about helping the unfortunate. Ask a fundamentalist neighbor or family member about the “new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:6) “so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code” (Romans 7:6). I’ll wager you’ll see a momentary vacant stare of denial before he or she launches into some diversionary argument. Meanwhile, fundamentalists keep hanging on to every archaic, murderous edict in the Old Testament. If they weren’t so dead-set on propping up their prejudices by declaring them to be divinely inspired — and if that kind of thinking hadn’t already had a terrible influence on our nation’s history and culture by way of the Old Testament’s approval of slavery — today’s Christian right would just seem silly. As things stand, however, they’re tenacious irritants with more influence than their numbers warrant; a regular source of buffoonery; and a roadblock to the expansion of freedom to more types of Americans than they approve of. During the civil rights movement, I heard supposed “good Christians” rail against Martin Luther King, Jr. with the argument that the Bible justified the legal separation of the races, which of course meant that Jesus didn’t want them to be forced to let AfricanAmericans shop in their stores. Today’s Christian right is part and parcel of the same ignorant, twisted view of their own religion and, just like the Bible thumpers of the ‘60s, they conveniently think their social system and beliefs come straight from God. The only freedom they are fighting for is the “freedom” to isolate themselves from gays and the other realities of a society that, as much as they hate it, is not willing to be stuck in the early 20th century. : :
qpoll Do you become concerned when you see elected officials using religion to justify public policy or when they take steps to include faith groups in government affairs?
See the options and vote: goqnotes.com/to/qpoll
news New Chick-fil-A filings show decrease in anti-LGBT funding goqnotes.com/to/news
Charlotte advocate credits relationship with company leader for continued changes by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
A couple kisses during the “National Same-Sex Kiss-In Day” on Aug. 3, 2012, at a Silver Spring, Md., Chick-fil-A. Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes, via Flickr. Licensed CC.
CHARLOTTE — New filings with the IRS show Chick-fil-A has dramatically decreased its non-profit funding for anti-LGBT groups and causes, more than a year after a Charlotte-based LGBT advocate ended his organization’s boycott against the group. Federal tax filings for 2012 for Chick-fil-A’s primary corporate foundation, the WinShape Foundation, show the group has shifted its focus to its own programs — marriage retreats, camps and other services, as well as a scholarship fund at Berry College in Georgia and Lars WinShape, a home for needy children in Brazil. Separate filings for a newly-established foundation, the Chick-fil-A Foundation, show the group has ceased all funding to some of the more controversial and extremist groups it has funded in the past. From 2010-2011, Chick-fil-A came under fire for giving as
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much as $3.6 million in support to groups like the Marriage & Family Foundation, the National Christian Foundation, Family Research Council and Exodus International — groups with specifically-stated anti-LGBT political and social agendas. The Family Research Council had also been named an anti-LGBT hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Those groups are no longer supported by the new Chick-fil-A Foundation or WinShape, holding true to a statement released by Chickfil-A last January. “While we evaluate individual donations on an annual basis, our giving is focused on three key areas: youth and education, leadership and family enrichment and serving the local communities in which we operate,” the
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news notes: carolinas compiled by Lainey Millen & Matt Comer
Charlotte Charlotte LGBT center holds planning meeting
CHARLOTTE — The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte, 2508 N. Davidson St., is continuing its efforts to address community concerns, organizational changes and its financial outlook, according to a statement from the group on March 7. The center’s unsigned statement, released on its Facebook page, strikes a positive tone and outlook, with closure of the organization seemingly no longer an immediate threat. The group says three board members, its operations director and three community members met on March 5 to discuss potential bylaws changes and community engagement issues. The invitation-only meeting had been announced at the center’s February board meeting. The statement contains few specifics — it confirmed Operations Director Glenn Griffin attended the meeting, but did not disclose other participants. Additionally, there has been no full update on the center’s financial status since its February town hall. The group says they will release further details following their board meeting on March 19. The center has been addressing community feedback since last fall. A town hall in December was attended by around 100 community members who called for more openness, transparency and accountability. In
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February, the group announced it could face closure at the end of the month. At the time, the center had just $6,000 on hand, with average monthly expenses of $7,000. A fundraiser last month and other efforts have kept the center open past its initial Feb. 28 deadline. The full statement is available online at goqnotes.com/27916/. Visit goqnotes.com/in/ lgbtcentercharlotte/ for qnotes‘ archive of past center coverage. — M.C.
Center asks for volunteers
CHARLOTTE — The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte is calling on community members to volunteer their time to help staff the center. They are currently needing general staffing during normal operating hours to answer telephones, return calls, greet visitors and provide information to patrons. Volunteers may also be asked to assist on weeknights and weekend days to better organizing and straightening the facility. The center is utilizing VolunteerSpot to handle its program. To provide services, visit vols.pt/hJYQPR and fill out the form there. Spots will be listed according to assignments. info: lgbtccvolunteers@gaycharlotte.com. lgbtcharlotte.org. — L.M.
Church hires new minister
CHARLOTTE — New Life Metropolitan Community Church, 1900 The Plaza, announced that after a long search, it has hired Rev. Dawn Jennifer Flynn as its pastor. The vote to call her to the pulpit in Charlotte was unanimous. She joined the congregation in February. Currently, she has been appointed as a standby-call pastor until she meets the full requirements to become a MCC clergy person. She was previously ordained in the United Methodist Church and held credentials with them. Flynn, who was born Duane Flynn in Pontiac, Mich., in 1949, was featured on the Reconciling Methodist Network’s website where she shared her transgender journey, including her first experience publicly appearing and living at a Relay for Life womanless beauty pageant in Gaston County. Flynn surrendered her clergy credentials in September 2008 when the church superintendent said that after the pageant that she was
Out lawmaker: ‘I will not hide or be ashamed’ CHARLOTTE — State Rep. Marcus Brandon, running for a chance to take the 12th Congressional District seat this spring, was recently featured on Fusion TV. In the interview, Brandon said he “will not hide” and describes his toughest day of work at the North Carolina General Assembly. The interview with Brandon appeared on “Alicia Menendez Tonight,” in early March and was hosted by former HuffPost Live host Alicia Menendez. Brandon, the state’s only openly gay or lesbian legislator, said he’ll take the same openness with him to Washington, D.C. “When I go to Congress, I will continue to have these conversations,” he says. “I will not hide or be ashamed of who I am. I will always speak up for my community or any other communities who are having injustices because I know what that feels like.” Elsewhere in the Fusion interview, Brandon described what he called the “hardest day of my career” when state lawmakers voted to send North Carolina’s anti-LGBT constitutional amendment to the ballot. “It was like being voted off the island,” Brandon says, with tears welling up. “It was really hurtful to hear people that you eat lunch with and you have a beer with and you have respect for them and who they are, but they just put a vote up on that board that said you were less than they were, that I didn’t deserve the same things that they deserve. That was so hurtful. I couldn’t stay in here another second. I just had to walk out. I knew I had to bring myself into a different place to continue to work here. … At that moment, I really felt like I wasn’t part of them.” Brandon is the only openly LGBT African-American state lawmaker in the South. If his congressional bid is successful, he’ll become the first black gay man elected to Congress. He faces several opponents in a primary this May. Brandon has led in fundraising so far during the campaign and received an endorsement from the Victory Fund, a national group dedicated to electing openly LGBT people to office. You can watch the full interview at Fusion TV at fusion.net/leadership/story/north-carolinasmarcus-brandon-hopes-openly-gay-black-472912. — M.C parading around town as a woman, saying that the behavior was “inappropriate.” She also said that she was devastated by the actions brought against her. After undergoing therapy and becoming comfortable with herself, she decided to have sex reassignment surgery in 2011 in Montreal. She has penned an autobiography entitled “God Does Love Me. My Trans Journey to Finding My True Self.” The full story can be read online at rmnblog. org/2013/10/god-does-love-me-my-trans-journey-to-finding-my-true-self.html. Regular services at New Life MCC are held on Sundays at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. info: newlifemccnc.org. — L.M.
Pageant, fundraiser slated
CHARLOTTE — Campus Pride will host its first-ever national intercollegiate pageant for female impersonators and performers on March 23, 10 p.m., at The Scorpio, 2301 Freedom Dr. Contestants will be judged in Creative Presentation, On Stage Question and Talent on a point system. Theme will be “School Spirit.” On March 28, Campus Pride will host a fundraiser benefit for its LGBTQ Leadership for Youth at The Scorpio. Doors open at 10 p.m. and the show begins at 11:45 p.m. On hand will be “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Debutantess of the Deep South, Shangela, DJ
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Marco, Divas Lounge with Latin Viernes and DJ Rage’N Ray. — L.M.
Reunion slated
CHERRYVILLE — The former Gastonia LGBT nightspot, Night Owls, is holding an “Our Place in History…Reunion” during the evening of March 22, at After Hours, 100 E. Church St. Proceeds for the event will benefit House of Mercy in Belmont, N.C. The HIV/ AIDS respite receives 80 percent of its operating budget from contributions. — L.M.
Roller Girls to help those in need
CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Roller Girls has partnered with The Dublin Dog Foundation to help build awareness of the foundation’s effort to connect area in-need citizens with therapeutic and service dogs. Throughout 2014, the team will contribute a portion of its game proceeds toward the foundation. The league has always partnered with local charities to provide support through hands-on volunteering, awareness initiatives and donations from game proceeds and external fundraising. It held its partnership kick off on March 8 at Connolly’s Irish Pub, 115 E. North St. This year’s recipient is Alex Roche. He had a stroke when he was seven days old and his cerebellum was destroyed. He has had challenges with regard to walking, talking and eating. Even though he’s had physical and behavioral therapy and has been improving, the use of the dog would make his life a bit easier. Cost for a guide dog can run upwards of $30,000 each. info/contributions: charlotterollergirls.com. dublindogfoundation.org. — L.M.
Triangle Christian association adds staff
RALEIGH — The Gay Christian Network has announced the hiring of two new staff members. Andrea Dreier is the new director of operations. The Ohio native is a trained classical pianist and a former Peace Corps volunteer. While in Bulgaria, she taught English and led LGBT resources training for new volunteer. Upon her return to the U.S., she became the circulation department manager of the music library at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Aaron Little was hired to be the director of communications. Also from Ohio, he graduated from Malone University with a B.A. in liberal arts and philosophy. He was the first openly gay student there and worked with supportive Side A and Side B faculty and staff to foster a more open, supportive environment for future students. He was selected as the graduate of the year in liberal arts by the faculty. He is a European history buff, cultural enthusiast and bilingual in French and English. info: gaychristian.net. — L.M.
Author to have book signing
RALEIGH — LaToya Hankins will read from her new novel, “K-Rho: The Sweeet Taste of Sisterhood” on March 30, 2 p.m., at the LGBT Center of Raleigh, 324 S. Harrington St.
This book chronicles the strength of sorority live for three Copper Road University sophomores. Afterward, she will sign books while attendees enjoy a reception. Hankins was featured in qnotes in its Spring Arts & Entertainment Guide. Read more about her at goqnotes.com/27797/. info: lgbtcenterofraleigh.com. latoyahankins.com. — L.M.
news
Guild becomes national chamber affiliate, offers mentorship/internships to students
PFLAG to host Kimer
RALEIGH — Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Triangle will bring in Stan Kimer to share his life story and his successes on April 16, 7:30 p.m., at Community United Church of Christ, 814 Dixie Trail Dr. Kimer previously worked as a global corporate LGBT manager with IBM. He currently serves as president of Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer. He was also elected as president of the North Carolina Council of Churches. He received his B.S. in Management Science from Georgia Tech and his Masters from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. In 2003, he was awarded the Triangle Business and Professional Guild’s Professional of the Year. PFLAG Triangle also offers membership to its organization at a cost of $35. Application can be made online. info: pflagtriangle.org. — L.M.
Western Dining event on horizon
ASHEVILLE — Dining Out for Life, the Western North Carolina AIDS Project’s 12th annual benefit, will be held on April 24. The initiative is seeking ambassadors who are willing to serve as meet and greet hosts at participating restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner. At press time, over 110 food establishments have said they would participate by contributing 20 percent of their gross sales. Ambassadors are asked to provide their first, second and third choices for assignment. Required training party sessions will be held on March 26-27 at 6 p.m. and March 29 at 2 p.m. at The Grove House, 11 Grove St. There volunteers will be able to pick up supplies, watch a video and receive important updates. info/registration: diningoutforlife.com/ asheville. — L.M.
South Carolina Petition launched on state funding
SPARTANBURG — Tabatha Holmes has established a petition at change.org to ask the South Carolina state legislature to reinstate a funding cut as a result of both the College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina-Upstate that used “books on homosexuality.” Her petition states: Funding should not be cut for a school which is promoting acceptance of diversity. This book illuminates an important part of the states history. It is morally corrupt for legislators to withhold funding in an attempt to dictate academic agendas.” All of this started when the College of Charleston assigned its freshmen to read
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Charlotte Business Guild member and former board member Nate Turner, guild President Chad Sevearance and Vice President Natasha Tutt.
CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Business Guild has been named a local affiliate of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The move gives the local organization and its members access to a variety of business resources and advocacy offered by the national chamber, including the national Supplier Diversity Initiative and a national LGBT Business Enterprise certification, which provides businesses that are at least 51 percent owned by LGBT people access to supply chain and contracting opportunities. In a release, Charlotte Business Guild President Chad Sevearance said the group’s decision to join the national body reflected its “obligation to its professionals, businesses and collegiate membership in providing the most strategic partnerships available.” He added, “The decisions that we make on an executive and board level as an organization can greatly impact our membership, and that is why we have chosen to seek affiliation with the NGLCC. Success and greater visibility within our progressive Charlotte community will allow the LGBT professionals, business owners and allies to have a seat at the table, and most importantly a voice.” Justin Nelson, president and co-founder of the chamber, said that he was proud to add the guild to its network of chambers and looked forward to working together. “We are proud to add the Charlotte Business Guild to our network of chambers and congratulate their board of directors on this bold and powerful step to bring LGBT entrepreneurs and business owners to the forefront of the Charlotte economy and to connect their local Guild to this powerful movement for economic equality. We look forward to working together,” Nelson said in the release. Representatives from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce will join the guild at the March 25 meeting at the Belk Action Center, 330 S. Tryon St., to make the presentation. Bob Morgan, CEO and president of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce will be the keynote speaker. The event starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10/members, $15/non-members. In other news, the guild voted in February to establish its Aspiring Leaders Initiative, an internship and mentorship program. Its purpose is to identify LGBT students and entrepreneurs and to match them with business members and professionals of the guild. It will connect Charlotte area students with professionals of various fields and backgrounds to develop professional skills in an LGBT-friendly workspace. Internships are 13 weeks in length. Guild members will provide guidance and development opportunities to promising leaders accepted into this program. Mentorships will provide personal guidance from a business owner or professional in the student’s field of interest. Internships focus on professional development through hands on experience in the field of interest. Short-term goals are to build a program that’s respectable and sustainable for Guild members and collegiate chapters, such as Charlotte’s Spectrum, Severance commented. Lee Ziglar and Cameron Joyce, both students at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and collegiate members of the guild, serve as co-chairs. Natasha Tutt and Severance serve as liaisons. Pairings are handled through an application process. Upon receipt, a committee of three that will complete selections prior to each 13-week internship. Applicants will be required to go through an interview on both sides in order to make a good match. Students are asked to submit a resume, application and an essay for consideration. For more information about becoming an intern or if one is a business or professional interested in participating in the program, email intern@charlotebusinessguild.org. info: charlottebusinessguild.org. nglcc.org. — L.M.
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For the second year in a row, qnotes is profiling a handful of LGBT and ally young professionals who are making a difference in their community. Our featured profiles this year include entrepreneurs, financial career professionals, local non-profit staffers and more — each are working at their businesses and in volunteer community involvement to make life better for LGBT people. All under 35 years old, some of our young professionals are already leaders in their own right; others represent younger or up-and-coming leaders whose influence and involvement will only grow in years to come.
Robin Tanner ❝We need to stay focused on the multifaceted nature of oppression for the entire LGBT community.❞ 30, Lesbian, Female Education: B.A. Psychology and Religious Studies, University of Rochester; Master’s of Divinity, Harvard University Hometown: Syracuse, N.Y. Robin Tanner has been the lead pastor of Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church since 2010, moving to Charlotte four years ago. There, she helps to lead Interweave, the congregation’s organization for LGBT members. Robin has taken the issue of marriage equality to heart, helping to lead several couples to Washington, D.C., to marry. Locally, she says the most pressing issue facing the community is the current state of oppressive legislation, particularly the anti-LGBT constitutional amendment. “Nationally, we are seeing marriage equality have sweeping victories,” says Robin, “and I think we need to stay focused on the multifaceted nature of oppression for the entire LGBT community.”equality, but equality for our trans* community.”
Natasha W. Tutt ❝The most important issue in the LGBT community today needing to addressed is social equality. ❞ 34, Lesbian, Female Education: B.A. Economics, Spelman College; M.B.A. Operations and Supply Chain Management, N.C. State University Hometown: Amityville, N.Y. Currently the vice president of the Charlotte Business Guild and a member of the LGBT Democrats of Mecklenburg County, Natasha Tutt has nearly a decade of experience in leading teams in the financial services industry. Originally from New York, she says she was brought up in a community-minded family. Her parents helped to create UNAYO, a non-profit dedicated to preparing youth to be viable, productive adults. Beyond her involvement there, she has also done multiple credit workshops for the North Carolina Cooperate Extension.
Mel Hartsell ❝Homeless and working class people should have voices in our activism work and our priorities; everyone in the community deserves to be heard. ❞ 25, Queer, Non-binary Education: B.A. Social Work, Master’s of Social Work, UNC-Charlotte Hometown: Concord Mel Hartsell works for Elon Homes and Schools for Children, where she currently oversees training and quality assurance and previously worked as a foster care case manager. Prior to her work at Elon Homes, Mel was a social work intern at Time Out Youth Center. They also co-founded Prism, an organization for LGBTQ young adults at the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. Mel has lived in Charlotte full-time since 2009, but also spent time in Boiling Springs, N.C., and Washington,
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D.C. Classism, Mel says, is a pressing issue for the community. “Having money or the appearance of having money is the ticket in to a lot of local LGBTQ work,” Mel says. “It is a hugely divisive issue. We should be more focused on economic injustices within our community. Homelessness, unemployment, and a lack of resources should be priorities for people in all age groups and all in parts of our community.” Racism, too, is a major concern and Mel believes organizations should work “in solidarity with queer communities of color in Charlotte and make major events safe and inclusive for queer people of color.” Nationally, the LGBT community must also focus on issues of economic injustice, universal healthcare and an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act. “We need to make sure our work is intersectional and that we are serving the most marginalized among us through our activism,” says Mel.
Cameron Joyce ❝It is evident that the South as a region could use more attention and resources. ❞ 23, Queer/Bisexual, Male Education: B.A. History and Political Science, Master’s of Public Administration, UNC-Charlotte Cameron Joyce is currently pursuing his Master of Public Administration at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, after which he plans to enter the public sector, working for either the city or county. He also serves as co-chair of the Charlotte Business Guild’s Aspiring Professionals Initiative and is a member of the 2014 Emerging Leaders Program through the Human Rights Campaign. Previously, he served as a coordinator for Prism, an organization for LGBTQ young adults at the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte, he was a field team organizer for the ONE Campaign in 2012-2013 and was an North Carolina Student Area Coordinator for Amnesty International from 2010-2012. Locally, Cameron believes that Charlotte’s community can be more organized and more connected. Local leaders and organizations, he says, should focus resources on youth issues like safety, shelter and stability, as well as economic advancement and healthcare for marginalized portions of the community. Nationally, the LGBT community should be more intentional in its inclusion efforts and political priorities, he says. “A more diverse national leadership would help align priorities in a more equitable manner,” Cameron adds, noting that the South needs more investment and resources.
Kayla Lisenby ❝As queer folks in the South, we need to keep our resources at home and stop outsourcing them if we aren’t seeing a return. ❞ 25, Queer, Trans* Femme Education: B.A. Anthropology, University of Alabama; Master’s of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs, University of South Carolina Hometown: Tuscaloosa, Ala. Living in Columbia for two-and-a-half years, Kayla Lisenby currently works as the coordinator for LGBT programs at the University of South Carolina. There, Kayla coordinates the school’s Safe Zone Ally network, which currently has over 700 trained faculty, staff and student allies. They also advise the school’s LGBT student organization and they are involved in the new LGBTQ Faculty/Staff Coalition which formed in the fall of 2013. Locally, Kayla believes supporting queer southern organizing is the most pressing issue facing the community. They ask, “National organizations are sending an abysmal amount of resources and funding to the South, so why do we continue to support them?” In particular, Kayla believes the community needs to find a way to address the unique needs of rural areas. “On a national level, folks
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need to look at ways to be more equitable in the division of resources,” Kayla says. “While marriage campaigns are making their way to the South, that isn’t enough. We need tangible resources in order to create networks of support that for our queer communities.”
Jennifer Martin
communities need to focus more on LGBTQ homeless youth and young adults, especially those who are transgender and queer youth. Issues of medical and mental health care are on the rise, Sarah says, and funding is being cut all over the state. Nationally, Sarah wants to see greater focus on broader equality issues, saying, “On a national level, the most pressing issues are putting an end to workplace discrimination (ENDA) and increasing overall awareness so that more LGB and ally individuals step up to the plate to fight for, not only marriage
❝I believe that LGBTQA Youth should be the number one priority in the local and national community. ❞ 33, Female Education: B.A. Political Science, Miami University Jennifer Martin is currently an insurance advisor with Liberty Mutual, working with personal insurance line, home, auto, life and annuities. She’s worked with Liberty Mutual and their products for five years, though only recently came on as a direct employee in January. Previously, she worked for Fifth Third Bank for 10 years, and in that time played roles on the Diversity Council, LGBT Business Resource Group and Pride Committees. She currently serves on the board of the Charlotte Business Guild and works with Time Out Youth and the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. Married to her husband of 10 years, Jennifer says she does not believe in labels on sexual orientation. “Love is love,” she says. Originally from Virginia, she was raised across the Southeast and Midwest but now firmly calls Charlotte home, where she believes both the national and local LGBT communities should make youth support and services their number one priority. They are our future bankers, writers, doctors, business owners and workers and need to be given all the resources they need to succeed,” Jennifer says. “I lost my Uncle Garry to AIDS related illness at the age of 39, and watched him and his partner of 15 years struggle emotionally and financially. As a young teen he lived a very hazardous life on the street after not being accepted at home. Although there are so many worthy organizations and issues in the community, educating and providing programs for the youth as early as we can will filter up through society fostering the accepting culture we want for future generations.”
Ryan Philemon ❝We need to stand up as a people, to engage in all cultures and all walks of life to break down the walls of segregation, starting within our own community. ❞ 23, Gay, Male Hometown: Charlotte Ryan Philemon is the co-founder of Charlotte Fashion Guild and producer of the guild’s Style Week. The guild is the first business network for fashion, beauty and creative professionals in Charlotte. He says he grew up in the entertainment industry and has a love for fashion and the arts. His goal is to raise the standard of fashion in Charlotte and to push individual to be more creative, while working to see that city officials recognize the growing, local fashion industry as an economic stimulus. Additionally, Ryan is involved in the Charlotte Business Guild. He says social acceptance is the most pressing need for the community, and says individuals need to eliminate social boundaries that constrict our community, including the embrace of straight allies. “It is our duty to portray to LGBT youth that we are no different from one another and that we all are fighting for equal rights,” Ryan says. “It is important to not categorize ourselves as just ‘LGBT.’ When we give ourselves a label, it portrays that that defines us.”
Tamalea Pierce
Nate Turner
❝As we push for our rights as a community, let’s remember our entire community is in this together. ❞
❝I believe that Charlotte and the surrounding area needs more diversity and camaraderie within the LGBT community. ❞
27, Lesbian, Female Education: B.A. Psychology, Queens University Hometown: Asheboro Living in Charlotte for nine years now, Tamalea is the owner of L4 Lounge, opening a year and a half ago. Previously, she worked as a restaurant manager, where she says she developed the skills to become an entrepreneur. L4’s motto, she says, is “Love. For. Everyone.” The motto is lived out in her personal life, where she has volunteered with numerous local organizations, fundraisers and causes and organized experimental research projects for the LGBT community. Acceptance is among the most pressing issues for the community, says Tamalea. “If we expect to be accepted outside of our community, we must acknowledge negative judgment projected onto each other within it,” she says. “Mind boggling thoughts arise when our community sometimes discriminates against individuals outside of their own sexual orientation/gender identity.” Discrimination within the community is particularly felt among those who identify as bisexual, transgender and queer, she says, and leads to a “lack of understanding for individuals of the BTQ community.”
Sarah Alwran ❝Many of our youth are struggling with access to basic medical and mental health care services and they are the ones who need it most. ❞ 28, Lesbian, Female Education: B.A. Sociology, UNC-Charlotte; Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, Pfeiffer University (in progress) Hometown: Charlotte Sarah Alwran has worked as director of youth services at Time Out Youth since February 2013. There, Sarah has spearheaded the creation of the organization’s Host Home Program and is currently in the process of organizing the group’s Domestic Violence and Teen Domestic Violence Awareness Program. Previously, Sarah had been a volunteer there and also worked for the YMCA as an ACSM Certified Personal Training. As a student, she sits on the executive committee of Delta Kappa Honors Society and the Graduate Student Association. In the community, she has volunteered for AIDS Walk Charlotte, Dining with Friends, Girls on the Run and the Dove Real Beauty Campaign. She believes the local and national
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25, Gay, Male Education: Associates of Science in Culinary Arts, Johnson & Wales; B.A. Business, Columbia Southern University (in progress) Hometown: Salisbury, Md. Nate Turner has lived in Charlotte since 2006, where he now works full-time as an entrepreneur. In January 2013, he opened his own company, Your Custom Catering & Events, LLC. He has catered a variety of events and dinners, with guests including Mayor Patrick Cannon, former Judge Shirley Fulton, former County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts, City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield and Mecklenburg Commissioner Kim Ratliff. Previously, he freelanced as a private chef and in-home cooking instructor. In the community, he played for the Charlotte Royals Rugby Football Team from 2010-2012 and was a director on the Charlotte Business Guild board. This year, he serves as a community liaison for Charlotte Black Gay Pride and is an active Democratic Party volunteer, where he assisted with Charlotte’s hosting of the Democratic National Convention in 2012. Additionally, he has provided in-kind services and catering for groups like the Charlotte Men’s Shelter, Teen City Stage, Goodwill Industries, the U.S. Army, Wadswoth Estate, LifeSpan and several non-profit organizations. The most pressing issue facing Charlotte, Nate says, is diversity and inclusion in the LGBT community. “Many groups specifically separate themselves instead of improving the community,” he says. Additionally, he and his partner are make it a point to raise awareness on marriage discrimination. Nate says, “Currently my partner and I are planning our wedding and since it is not legal to get married in North Carolina we have had to adjust our plans to be able to live our life.”
IN THEIR OWN WORDS… Flip to page 27 to read selected thoughts from this year’s featured
young professionals and their answers to our issues-based question on this year’s young professionals questionnaire: “What do you believe is the most pressing issue needing to be addressed by the local LGBTcommunity? By the national LGBT community? Profile text and photos by Matt Comer. Other photos courtesy Lisenby, Martin, Philemon and Tanner. Special thanks to the Levine Museum of the New South.
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In It Together: Conference focuses on intersectionality in the South 200-plus attend Asheville conference by Campaign for Southern Equality by Diana Coe :: guest contributor ASHEVILLE — Activists and organizers from eight states across the South gathered in this North Carolina Blue Ridge city Feb. 28-March 1 for the Campaign for Southern Equality’s first conference, “LGBT in the South: Advocacy Within and Beyond the Law.” Intersectionality was a recurrent theme at the event, filled with information for legal professionals, activists, faith leaders and lay people striving for LGBT rights. The conference was sponsored primarily by Asheville’s Hart Law Group and the Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE). Day one’s sessions were focused on panels and workshops for legal professionals. As Hart attorney Mae Craedick introduced an early morning line-up of such heavy hitters as Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger, CSE Executive Director the Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara and Shannon Price Minter, keynote speaker and legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, it was clear that this conference was the place to be for anyone serious about procuring and defending LGBT rights in the South. A first glance at the program led one to believe that the focus (particularly on Saturday) would be on marriage equality with participation not only by the staff at CSE, but by such notable speakers as Michael Crawford and Jake Loesch of Freedom to Marry and Marriage Equality USA’s Brian Silva. Indeed, there was a tremendous focus on marriage equality, but as highly-respected activist Mandy Carter, co-founder of Southerners on New Ground and national coordinator of the Bayard Rustin 2012-2013 Commemoration Project, reiterated, “It’s about marriage equality and…” Carter and others spoke of the intersectionality of marriage equality and workers’ rights, marriage equality and homelessness issues, marriage equality and prison reform and inmate rights, marriage equality and immigration reform and immigrant rights, marriage equality and racial justice and all other forms of injustice that impact the LGBT community. It became abundantly clear to all present that there is significant work to do above and beyond the tip of the iceberg that is the freedom to marry. Following a poignant discussion between Reisinger and Beach-Ferrara (during which Reisinger revealed that in standing up for his belief in marriage equality, he found himself “in the awful position of having to deny marriage licenses to same sex couples”), Minter delivered a powerful and emotional keynote speech that addressed the roller coaster that has become the national landscape for LGBT rights of late. “Our country is going through transformation for LGBT people at a breathtaking pace,” Minter said. While we are seeing state by state marriage bans falling like dominos, we are also bearing witness to states like Arizona, Georgia and Mississippi attempting to pass bills that
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More than 200 people attended the conference over Friday and Saturday. Here, a packed house listens as the conference begins on Saturday morning. Photo Credit: Campaign for Southern Equality.
would legalize anti-LGBT discrimination in the worst possible ways. Minter also spoke at length about supporting our struggling LGBT youth as they experience high substance abuse and suicide rates. He urged us to “become advocates for our children and then become advocates for all children,” and went on to remind us to continue to tell our own stories as they become “a million tipping points of private courage.” As the majority of the participants on day one were legal professionals, there were concurrent and practical workshops offered that dealt with tax laws, estate planning, social security and veterans benefits and employee benefits laws. Beach-Ferrara, addressing the focus of the first day’s offerings, said that these professionals are “thrust on the front lines, serving people in crisis or needing to protect rights. We are giving them the strategies to make them zealous advocates in time of need.” Day two’s opening session at First Congregational United Church of Christ was populated by nearly 250 enthusiastic registrants from eight southern states, as well as Utah, Illinois, and New York. Ivy Hill, leadership team chair of the Gender Benders, brought a contingent of nearly 30 gender non-conforming young people, their partners and allies, from Greenville, S.C. They discovered a welcoming atmosphere celebrating the “T” in “LGBT” by finding themselves reflected, not only in attendance, but also in positions of training and leadership. Numerous workshops addressed transgender rights including training for legal professionals who represent transgender clients offered by Wake Forest University Divinity School’s Liam Hooper; a presentation on transgender rights in prisons, schools and workplaces facilitated by Chris Brooke, legal
director of the ACLU of NC and Holning Lau, Professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law; transgender resources in the south offered by Hill and Allister Styan from WNC Community Health Services; along with hands-on name change clinics facilitated by the Freedom Center for Social Justice’s LGBTQ Law Center in Charlotte. The day was packed with three concurrent workshops at a time, making it difficult to choose where to be during any one 50-minute session. Representatives from various faith communities came together to discuss being pastoral voices in the public square. Many on the panel addressed the hurt experienced within the church and how that has impacted their work toward LGBTQ rights, particularly here in the South. “The South being unwinnable? That’s part of our spiritual wound,” said the Rev. Lisa Bovee-Kemper, assistant minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville. Rabbi Joshua Lesser of Atlanta’s Congregation Bet Havarim drew enthusiastic nods of agreement when he stated, “It wasn’t my faith that led me to activism, but my activism that led to my faith.” Conference goers continued to be treated to presentations and discussion by rock stars in the current activist circles. Legal eagle and Utah Pride attorney Paul Burke shared horror stories from his years fighting Utah’s Amendment 3, passed in 2004. He continues to “fight laws that denigrate gay people from the time they discover they are gay,” including laws that make the formation of gay-straight alliances in schools all but impossible and the state of Utah arguing the parental right to determine a young teen’s sexual orientation. Burke’s “Postcards from Another Red State” was followed by an all-star plenary ses-
sion that included fervent pleas for intersectionality from panel participants Caitlin Breedlove of Southerners on New Ground, Ian Palmquist from Equality Federation, South Carolina Equality’s Ryan Wilson and the the LGBTQ Law Center’s lead attorney, Kelly Durden. Wilson reminded all present to raise their voices and be aware of their local representatives and Breedlove encouraged everyone in the continuing and sometimes seemingly uphill battle toward LGBT rights for all. “Statewide policy wins are very difficult for us here in North Carolina right now,” said Breedlove. “We’ve struggled with loss, but underneath that is deep change that lasts. It takes a long time to get there, but it lasts.” At the end of a long, but exhilarating weekend, conference participants were buoyed for activism, social justice and radical love. Sarah Demerest, staff attorney for the Charlotte Law Center summed up intentional intersectionality beautifully. “It is wonderful to change policy and laws, but what good is marriage equality or nondiscrimination policy unless we change the hearts and minds of people?” Demarest asked. “We are responsible to youth, those experiencing racism and poverty, our trans* brothers and sisters. We can’t leave anyone behind.” And, as Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara closed us out with a fist-bump and an “I have your back” for our neighbors around us, she reminded us all that it is “always right to stand up for love and it is always right to stand up for justice.” : : — Diana Coe is a queer social activist, writer, artist, mom, spiritual seeker and lover of all things eclectic. She is unlawfully wedded to trans* activist, Liam Hooper, and together they try to spread radical love and justice, one social action at a time. Diana blogs at transpreacherswife.wordpress.com.
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news notes: u.s./world. Poll: Record number support same-sex marriage
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more than a dozen other states. On adoption and ion and parenting, 61 percent of respondents said gay couples should be allowed to adopt, and 78 percent said gays “can be as good parents as straight people.” Read more about the poll at ABC News at abcn.ws/NCzQ4r. — LGBTQ Nation, a qnotes media partner (lgbtqnation.com) QUICK HITS —————————— Pope Francis has suggested the Catholic Church could tolerate some types of samesex civil unions, though he also reiterated the church’s opposition to full marriage equality. The comments came an interview with Itialian daily Corriere della Sera on March 5. more: bit.ly/1gdobzZ Organizers of the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade have barred a gay veterans group from marching in the annual tradition. more: bit.ly/NCAwXC Four men convicted of gay sex were sentenced to public whippings at a northern Nigerian court in early March. more: bit.ly/1l8gAXL
A straight ally attends a rally at the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26, 2013. Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes, via Flickr. Licensed CC.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A record number of Americans now support same-sex marriage, say adoption by gay couples should be legal and see gays and lesbians as good parents, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll released on March 5. The poll also found that most oppose the right to refuse service to gays, including on religious grounds. And, by a closer margin, more also accept than reject same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. The results continue a dramatic transformation of public attitudes on the issue, led by political, legislative and court-ordered develop-
ments alike, reported ABC News. Support for same-sex marriage has advanced from 32 percent in 2004 to a majority for the first time three years ago, and on to 59 percent in this survey, a new high. Opposition, at 34 percent, is down by 6 percentage points since last summer and 13 points in less than a year and a half. The poll also found that 81 percent of respondents oppose allowing businesses to refuse service to gays and lesbians; 65 percent say so even if business owners cite there religious beliefs, referring to controversial religious freedom bills proposed in Arizona and
Uganda’s president has finally signed his nation’s draconian Anti-Homosexuality Act into law. Several European nations have already cut or redirected foreign aid. The U.S. government has not taken such a step, but Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken with the Ugandan government, saying the law complicates U.S. ties. more: bit.ly/1gVUcy6
Regional News Notes continued from page 7 Alison Bechdel’s “Fun Home.” According to an AP report, the book was descriptive of Bechdel’s childhood with a “closeted gay father and her own coming out as a lesbian.” [Ed. Note: Bechdel was a previous contributor for qnotes.] The Upstate campus assigned “Out Loud: The Best of Rainbow Radio” as a required freshman course. Rainbow Radio is the state’s first gay and lesbian radio show. Lectures and out-of-classroom activities were used as a catalyst for open discussion. However, conservatives complained about this assignment. “The proposed reductions in the budget equal what the colleges spent on the programs,” the AP added. Rep. Garry Smith was the author of the legislation. He said that college officials “refused to give students an option to read something else.” The Simpsonville representative said he understood diversity and academic freedom, but felt that was a promotion of “a lifestyle with no academic debate.” He opposed the books, but said that if the courses were elective, he would not have issue with this requirement. Presently, the House Ways and Means Committee voted 13-10 to defeat the proposal.
Republican Rep. B.R. Skelton (R-Six Mile) told the AP that “retribution is inappropriate.” Other legislators voice concern as well. Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Huner (D-Orangeburg), said that imposing censorship “can set a troubling precedent.” To sign, visit change.org/petitions/ south-carolina-state-legislature-to-reinstatethe-funding-cut-as-a-result-of-college-ofcharleston-and-usc-upstate-s-use-of-bookson-homosexuality?recruiter=1967030 &utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium= email&utm_campaign=petition_invitation. — L.M.
Drug abuse resource available
Narconon has announced that it has a free brochure available for families of those who abuse addictive pharmaceuticals. The piece describes the signs of drug abuse and resources to those at risk. The group also provides free assessments and referrals. Call 800-431-1754 or visit drugabuse solution.com to learn more.
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In Memoriam
Senate leader and LGBT ally Martin Nesbitt dies at 67 Leader passes away after cancer diagnosis in late February by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com ASHEVILLE — State Sen. Martin Nesbitt, a veteran lawmaker and LGBT community ally, died on March 6 at age 67, 10 days after a stomach cancer diagnosis. Nesbitt, an Asheville Democrat, had represented Buncombe County in the North Carolina House and Senate since 1979. Most recently, he served as the Senate minority leader, previously serving as majority leader when Democrats controlled the chamber. Citing health issues, Nesbitt stepped down from his position on March 3, but asked at the time that his health concerns be kept private. Nesbitt was first appointed to fulfill his late mother’s vacant House seat in 1979. He was reelected to the position each election until 1994, when a Republican opponent pushed him out. In 1996, he returned to the House. He was elected to the Senate in 2004. During his time in Raleigh, Nesbitt was a solid ally to the LGBT community. He sponsored or co-sponsored several LGBT-inclusive and other progressive pieces of legislation. In 2008, Nesbitt was a co-sponsor of the Healthy Youth Act, which mandates more comprehensive sex education in schools, and he voted to approve the landmark School Violence Prevention Act requiring all public schools to adopt stringent, LGBT-inclusive anti-bullying policies. Nesbitt was also a co-sponsor of a bill to prevent racial profiling in traffic law enforcement and the North Carolina Racial Justice Act, which set up protections to guard against racial bias discrimination in judicial decisions imposing the death penalty. In 2007, Nesbitt co-sponsored a bill that would have banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in state employment. Nesbitt’s affinity for the marginalized struck up controversy, even within his family. His stepson, Chad Nesbitt, founder of the conservative website CarolinaStompers.com and a former Buncombe County Republican Party chairman, once criticized his stepfather’s employment bill and said North Carolina LGBT advocacy groups were looking to “push [their] sex life on others.” In 2011, Nesbitt spoke out against the thenproposed anti-LGBT constitutional amendment,
taking on the measure’s sponsor, the late state Sen. Jim Forrester. Nesbitt called Forrester a “gentleman and a scholar,” but nonetheless struck back on the floor of the Senate as the chamber debated the measure. “I’ve served with Sen. Forrester since he got here and I’ve always considered him a gentleman and a scholar. I appreciate my service with him and he drags this bill up and the next thing I’m reading is that he’s declared
State Sen. Martin Nesbitt
my community a cesspool of sin,” Nesbitt said in response to Forrester’s comments regarding Asheville just one week before the floor debate. “I tell you what, mountain people are getting a little tired of people sitting down here throwing darts at them.” Last fall, Nesbitt joined Equality North Carolina’s new Electeds for Equality. Nesbitt was also known for his strong values and advocacy on behalf of mental health issues, education, women and workers. Nesbitt also spoke out against dramatic changes to North Carolina voting law shepherded by Republicans in the legislature last year. : :
queer insight. pure politics. qnotes is your source for the best progressive and LGBT politics news and commentary in Charlotte and the Carolinas. Read us daily online at goqnotes.com
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Meet the Staff of Rosedale ID Making a Difference in Healthcare!
We are excited to bring you the most up-to-date information and share our experiences with you through our new “Meet the Staff” columns in QNotes in addition to our already popular “Ask Dr.C” column. Featured Team Member: Maysha James, MA Maysha James is a Medical Assistant at Rosedale ID. She was born in Panama and raised in New York. She currently lives in Charlotte with her daughter, Abigail. She received her Medical Assistant training through Kaplan University. She is currently attending Central Piedmont Community College to pursue her pre-requisites for nursing school.
HIV routine and safety labs HIV positive patients have a lot to deal with. It can be hard to think about and even harder to talk about. There’s a lot to know about this disease and it can be overwhelming. Because it can be, we may often simply let our healthcare providers do what they think is best for us. But I think, and have seen with our patients, that a proactive stance by a patient is more likely to decrease feelings of depression, helplessness, and fear, and increase feelings of strength, health and well-being. Knowledge is power and knowing about HIV and your body only helps your healthcare provider give you more excellent care. Plus, knowledge of the truth can help defeat the head-gremlins that want to prey on our deepest fears. Your medical provider may be an expert in diagnosis, but you are the expert on your own body. Unless you both work together, diagnosis and treatment can become extremely difficult and frustrating for you both. So, I would like to give you information about the routine labs and safety labs that you may get when visiting us at Rosedale or your own medical provider. Common Lab Tests: • CD4/T-cell count: A count of your CD4 cells gives a general measure of the health of your immune system, and is a good measurement of immunosuppression. • CD4 Percentage: This measures how many of your lymphocytes (types of white blood cells) are actually CD4 cells. • Viral Load (VL): This test measures the amount of HIV in your blood. • Complete Blood Count (CBC): This is a measure of the concen-
tration of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of your blood. • Serum Chemistry Panel: This test helps provide information about your body’s metabolism. • Fasting Lipid Panel (Cholesterol and Triglycerides): These tests measure your total cholesterol level, as well as give you information about the different types of fat proteins in your body. • Fasting Glucose (blood sugar): This test measures your blood sugar levels to check for signs of pre-diabetes or diabetes. • Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Screening: These screening tests check for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. • PAP Smear (Cervical and Anal): This is a screening test for abnormal cells that could become cancerous. • Hepatitis A, B, and C tests: These blood tests check for current or past infection with Hepatitis A, B, or C. • Tuberculosis (TB) Skin Test: This skin test checks for exposure to TB. • Toxoplasmosis Screening: This test checks for exposure to a parasite that can cause severe damage to the brain, eyes, and other organs in people with weakened immune systems. • Vitamin D levels: This test checks for vitamin D levels in the blood. • Testosterone screening: This test checks for levels of testosterone in the blood. Call our nursing staff for more detailed information on labs. Don’t forget to visit our website at www.rosedaleid. com, friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for community and clinical updates! You can also email us at info@rosedaleid.com. — Sponsored Content —
March 14-27 . 2014
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Chick-fil-A continued from page 5 company said at the time. “Our intent is to not support political or social agendas. This has been the case for more than 60 years. The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect and to serve great food with genuine hospitality.” The new foundation shows grants to groups like Habitat for Humanity, the United Negro Scholarship Fund and two groups that work with homeless and at-risk youth in Atlanta. Only one arguably anti-LGBT group remains, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which holds some anti-LGBT leadership policies and religious doctrines. But, that group received just $25,390 in 2012, down from nearly a half-million dollars in funds it received in 2010. Charlotte-based advocate Shane Windmeyer, of the national group Campus Pride, had once sought to boycott Chickfil-A, later backing off in September 2012 after developing a personal relationship with company COO Dan Cathy — a relationship he wrote about for Huffington Post last year. Windmeyer was also the one who announced last year that Chick-fil-A would be shifting its focus. He now says the new financial documents prove his personal dialogue with Cathy helped to move the conversation forward. “I still wouldn’t call Chick-fil-A a gay-friendly company, but I would say that our dialogues
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and conversation that Campus Pride has had has been a positive one. There is some, albeit small, progress there,” Windmeyer tells qnotes. [Ed. Note — This writer worked briefly as a communications manager for Campus Pride in the spring of 2012.] Windmeyer had come under fire from some activists and bloggers for his relationship with Cathy, with some commentators asking tough questions of the leader and asking for proof of Chick-fil-A’s change of heart. Windmeyer has defended his conversations with Cathy, calling them “a lesson to learn for the future of our movement.” “It’s not always about winning or losing,” Windmeyer said. “It’s about having tough conversations we need to have with people who disagree with us but doing so in a way that creates understanding and creates care for each other.” He added, “It’s my purpose to role model that you can come together and talk to someone with opposite views and you don’t have to have opposing voices. You can sit down and have conversations. One can decide to boycott, but as long as that person is willing to do work heading toward common ground, then I don’t want to shut off the dialogue.” Common ground is exactly what Windmeyer says Chick-fil-A’s Cathy wants. And, indeed, the company’s Hollywood store was a sponsor just in the past two weeks of Level Ground, a Los Angeles festival that ran Feb. 20-March 2 that “uses art to create safe space for dialogue about faith, gender, and sexuality.” Though Windmeyer believes Cathy and Chick-fil-A are making progress, there remains much more work to do. The company, for example, does not offer non-discrimination protections for LGBT employees and it does not offer benefits for LGBT employees’ partners. Additionally, some critics will have continued concerns over Cathy’s personal religious views or the Chick-fil-A Foundation’s continued funding of groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Even so, Windmeyer intends to continue his dialogue. “We sometimes forget that we may achieve equality when it comes to marriage in the near future,” he says, “but ultimately there will still be people who disagree with us. How can we have conversations and engage those individuals?” : :
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Bishop Tonyia Rawls founds new church Sacred Souls will expand on Rawls’ social-justice-oriented ministry by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com Frankie Pickens is a Sacred Souls member. When Tonyia Rawls came to Charlotte 14 She was with Rawls at the birth of Unity years ago, she looked out upon the city’s faith Fellowship Charlotte and helped develop some community and saw closed doors, closed of the first services. Like her bishop, Pickens hearts and closed minds. sees a need to expand. “Nobody was willing to say ‘God,’ ‘gay’ and “The call she has been given is one that ‘good’ together. It was like, ‘We are not aligns with my own spiritual vision,” Pickens having this conversation with you.’” says, “that we would be a ministry that Rawls, who identifies as leswould speak to whosoever, for real.” bian, had moved from Washington, As Rawls and her congregants emD.C., to set up the Unity Fellowship bark on this new spiritual journey, they’ll Church Movement’s first flock in take “whosoever” — gay or straight the Queen City. The denomination, — while preaching a radically inclusive founded in 1982, was born from message they hope will change culture a need to minister primarily to and create community. LGBT blacks during the Sacred Souls’ location height of the AIDS on Eastway Drive, in east crisis. Charlotte, will aid them in that “Our clergy mission, says Rawls, who were among the describes the area as few who would “complicated.” actually support “28205 has the LGBT people,” oldest country club Rawls says. in Charlotte and The denomisome of the highest nation’s presence poverty rates,” Rawls in the South grew, says. “The complicafrom her lone Bible tion is that we are so Belt church to sevincredibly diverse and eral others. In 2008, probably one of the she was elected most diverse areas of a bishop, eventuCharlotte — from the ally overseeing her Bishop Tonyia Rawls immigrant community, church in Charlotte in the racial diversity, socioeconomic status and addition to churches in Atlanta, Charleston and the LGBT community.” D.C. The LGBT-specific ministry grew, providing Sacred Souls will seek to bring each of a safe space for those who needed affirmation. those communities together as they outreach People still need that safety and assurto thousands of their close-by neighbors in ance, but, these days, Rawls and many of her apartment complexes scattered along Eastway congregants feel a new call. That’s why they’ve and in adjoining neighborhoods. Several founded a new body, Sacred Souls Community bilingual members of the congregation are Church. Though Unity Fellowship Church interested in connecting with the Latino comCharlotte will continue — now meeting weekly munity. New and expanded ministries will proat the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte — vide free counseling and health and well-being Sacred Souls will focus on a new, more open programs, such as “Emotions Anonymous” ministry to reach the entire city. and “Overeaters Anonymous.” The church is “Every soul is sacred, and we are called brainstorming a summer neighborhood theater by God to really serve at that place,” Rawls arts program for children. says. “When you look at a soul as sacred, “We see new ways of being able to supevery other defining measure goes away. I no port not only our congregation, but also the longer see race. I don’t see a man or a woman needs in the larger community,” Rawls says. standing in front of me. I see just a soul — this She admits her more open and broadened wonderful thing God has created.”
ministry is somewhat ironic. She began her ministry reaching those excluded by others. Now she’s also trying to reach the others. “We are being challenged by God to say, ‘How are you leaving out others of my children?’” Worshiper Angela Thompson says the new focus on greater inclusion means new opportunities for fellowship. At a recent church service, Sacred Souls and another local congregation, a predominately heterosexual one, worshiped together — an experience that may not have usually happened at Unity Fellowship. “That’s one thing I missed when we were Unity — the fellowship with another church and meeting other people,” Thompson says. “It doesn’t matter who you are, who you love, what color you are, we are all God’s children.” Rawls says she’ll continue the same socialjustice-oriented leadership she’s known for. She’ll continue to speak at statewide social-justice events, as she did recently at the NAACP’s Historic Thousands on Jones Street march earlier this year, in Raleigh. She’ll continue to encourage people to be civically engaged. She’ll continue to work with other pastors whom she’s seen grow in their inclusion of LGBT people and other diverse communities. “There is a common human sense of rightness and there are also responsibilities and protections that come with citizenship,” she
says, pointing to an obligation all people, including clergy and people of faith, have to be aware of the issues facing their neighbors. “When thinking about affordable housing or a quality education for all, those are things that in my mind should be the concern of people of faith.” But Rawls says people of faith never have the right to impose their beliefs on others. “The religious right says, ‘The way we think is the way the whole community should be governed.’” Instead, people of faith should seek to embrace their unique role in building and facilitating conversation and dialogue across lines of difference, while upholding every person’s dignity. “The beauty of the world is what happens at those points of intersection,” Rawls says. “As a person of faith, it’s where I believe my faith is worked out.” Rawls says Sacred Souls Community Church’s mission will be to encourage all people to live uniquely and bravely in Christ. “You have to walk your own authentic path. If we all purpose to do that and not be so ready to judge others when they do that, we’re going to have some incredible times.” — The article is provided in partnership with Creative Loafing and was originally published in Creative Loafing’s Feb. 27, 2014, print edition. Learn and read more at clclt.com. Creative Loafing is a qnotes news partner.
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Average Travel
SPRING/SUMMER TRAVEL
LGBT travelers have a world of options as warm weather nears
Men: 4 leisure/vacation trips; 9 hotel nights Women: 4 leisure/vacation trips; 7 hotel nights
International group, local tourism boards promote safe, inclusive travel by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
Practicing respect and inclusion — In 1983, the International Gay and even in leisurely travel — is an act of Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) began advocacy, in a sense. Halden says IGLTA with just a handful of LGBT travel agents and the LGBT tourism industry as a and hotel owners. Their goal then was to whole has helped to change culture. provide community members with infor“I think the LGBT tourism industry mation about friendly and affirming travel was really kind of a pioneer in terms of destinations and options. A testament to building bridges,” she says. “There is a their work is the dramatic increase they’ve big dialogue that happens when you are seen in LGBT-friendly travel across the out and visible in the world and traveling globe. Today, they have partners and conthe globe.” nections in more than 75 countries. The LGBT travel market has been “The growth has really been tremenstrong, too. Halden describes it as “redous,” says LoAnn Halden, IGLTA’s media cession proof.” While there were more relations director. “Certainly, there’s been “staycations” during the recession, more focus on LGBT travel in the last LGBT people still found ways to get out 10 years and in the last five years it has and explore the world. Marketers and increased dramatically. We are finding travel experts have noticed. many more LGBT-friendly destinations. “It definitely feels like we’ve see a We’ve been having conversations with corner turned in terms of member engagemore than 100 tourism boards, either at ment and coming back to the table and the country level or city level.” wanting to be involved,” Halden says. Concerns about safe and friendly Even at home, local tourism boards travel are particularly important for LGBT have noticed. Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill people. And, that’s as much true for and Charlotte each have LGBT-oriented international travel as it is domestically. “microsites” on their main visitors’ web “For LGBT travelers, the most importals. Just a few years ago, Chapel Hill’s portant thing is you want to be traveling tourism board hosted dozens of LGBT in a way that makes you feel safe and journalists from across the nation to help welcome, whether choice of travel that spread the word about the area’s LGBTmight be,” says Halden. friendly atmosphere. Internationally, the U.S. State Community members, too, are reachDepartment has even jumped in. A special LGBT-focused section of the State Visitors flock to Florida’s South Beach for fun, sun, sand and water. ing out and marketing their own cities. qnotes media partner VisitGayCharlotte. Department’s website — travel.state.gov/ Photo Credit: James Willamor, via Flickr. Licensed CC. com and NC Pride’s NCGayTravel.com lgbt — provides travelers with up-to-date are just two examples of community-based travel and tourism marketing information on safety and laws pertaining to LGBT people across the globe. efforts. Both sites list a variety of LGBT and friendly community organizaThe site answers basic questions about passports, including specifics like tions, events, lodging, retail, nightlife, eateries and more. name changes for newly-married same-sex couples. Additionally, the site Globally, IGLTA’s Halden says South America continues to be of interincludes travel alerts and warnings about countries where it may not be est to LGBT travelers. entirely safe for LGBT visitors. “Buenos Aires and Rio have always been on the radar, but now we’re Halden says IGLTA’s in-depth resources and information in their online seeing travelers go behind the obvious destinations in a country and travel directory is a safe bet for travelers making choices about future trips. There, to other smaller, lesser-known parts of that country,” she says. “When travelers can choose from a wide array of travel agents or trip types from you see, both in the U.S. and globally, rights change or marriage pass, you around the globe — each of them committed to upholding IGLTA’s values. always see more of an interest in those destinations. That’s all part of the “Anyone who joins IGLTA is agreeing to uphold our bylaws and that they messaging that this space is welcoming.” : : will treat all people with respect,” Halden says.
Top U.S. Travel Destinations
Top International Travel Destinations England
Chicago• • San Francisco Washington, D.C.• • Las Vegas • Los Angeles/West Hollywood • San Diego • Atlanta
New York City
•
• Boston
France Mexico Spain Germany Italy Montreal, Canada Toronto, Canada
•
Ft. Lauderdale
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Vancouver, Canada The Caribbean
On the sea… Carnival Cruise Lines .........................................23% Royal Caribbean .................................................19% Holland America ................................................15% Norwegian ...........................................................14% Celebrity ...............................................................13% Princess ...............................................................11% Top LGBT cruise companies For men: Atlantis ................................................11% For women: Olivia ..............................................20%
In the bed… LGBT travelers say these are their favorite hotels: Hilton Marriott Kimpton W Hotels Hyatt What LGBT travelers look for in a hotel: Men Women Good value 82% 85% Free internet/Wi-Fi 73% 74% Free breakfast 32% 40% Pool 20% 21% Gym/fitness center 18% 15% In-hotel restaurant 16% 19%
In the community… LGBT travelers are booking overnight stays out of town for a variety of community destination events: Men LGBT Pride event.................................................19% Bear community event....................................... 7% LGBT cultural, arts or film event....................... 6% LGBT theme event (e.g. “Gay Days” in Orlando)............................. 6% Women LGBT Pride event.................................................16% Lesbian community event.................................. 7% Women’s event (not lesbian-specific)............. 7% LGBT cultural, arts or film event....................... 6%
Source: 2013 LGBT Travel Survey, Community Marketing, Inc.
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SPRING/SUMMER TRAVEL
Explore history, nature and the beach at The Outer Banks any time of year by Zenda Douglas :: The Charlotte Observer
Bodie Lighthouse
Hot weather is not required to soak up all the rich goodness of the Outer Banks. You’ll find timely activities to match any season, plus all the fun, fine food and festivities visitors want to complement an off-season getaway. Take time going through the portal and enjoy the town of Manteo. It’s on the eastern side of Roanoke Island, which sits between North Carolina’s mainland and the barrier island beach towns that include Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Duck, Rodanthe, Avon and Hatteras. Manteo is everything you could hope for in a small, coastal village; its long history is embedded in many of its buildings, sites and landmarks. Stroll along the downtown waterfront boardwalk and marina, shop for unique art pieces, then set out to explore Roanoke Island’s attractions. They include Roanoke Island Festival Park with its 16th-century replica ship Elizabeth II and the ever-fascinating Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Island Farm (circa 1847). History buffs will also be delighted to learn that Roanoke Island played an important role during the Civil War after its capture by the federal army in 1862. Hundreds of African-American slaves fled to this safe haven and established a working community. Save part of a day to meander through the must-see Elizabethan Gardens, a living memorial to the Lost Colony. It’s an enchanting surprise within the coastal environment: Even in winter, the gardens seem lush, with patches of color adorning the landscape. Period sculptures add reflection and serenity to the gardens. Before leaving Manteo, stop in the Full Moon Café & Brewery to sample the beer and enjoy a tasty lunch or dinner.
Photo Credit: Kaua’i Dreams, via Flickr. Licensed CC.
see Outer Banks on 22
US Airways has direct flights to European LGBT destinations US Airways is launching several direct flights between Charlotte and several international cities ranking high on a list of destinations popular with LGBT travelers. The cities include Manchester in England, Brussels, Barcelona in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal. England and Spain rank second and fifth in top LGBT international travel destinations, in addition to other European destinations, according to 2013 market research from Community Marketing, Inc. In addition, each of US Airways’ seasonal direct-flight destinations are in nations which offer full marriage equality to all couples and have LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination laws. US Airways’ seasonal direct flights will run from spring through the fall. See the list of flight dates below, along with links to The Charlotte Observer’s special “insider guide” coverage of each of the cities. Additionally, we’ve also included dates for each of the cities’ LGBT Pride events. Unfortunately, Brussels will hold their event one month prior to the start of US Airways’ direct flights.
Barcelona, Spain Service: May 22-Oct. 24 Insider guide: bit.ly/1i5gEaU Annual Pride: June 19-29 pridebarcelona.org Lisbon, Portugal Service: May 22-Sept. 28 Insider guide: bit.ly/1cPeO8V Annual Pride: June arraialpride.ilga-portugal.pt
Manchester, England Service: May 22-Sept. 28 Insider guide: bit.ly/Oe6eKL Annual Pride: Aug. 22-25 manchesterpride.com Brussels, Belgium Service: June 5-Sept. 1 Insider guide: bit.ly/1irUoq1 Annual Pride: May 1-17 rainbowhouse.be thepride.be
Barcelona Pride. Photo Credit: Adria Garcia, via Flickr. Licensed CC
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SPONSORED CONTENT
What could your Tax Refund do for you? by Judson Gee | JHG Financial Advisors Is a tax refund coming your way? If you have already received your refund for the 2013 tax year, or are about to receive it, you might want to think about the destiny of that money. Here are some possibilities. Start (or add to) an emergency fund. Many people don’t have a dedicated rainy day fund, only the presumption that they might have enough cash in case of a financial tight spot. Invest in yourself. You could put the money toward education, career training, personal improvement, or some sort of personal experience with the potential to enhance your life. Use it for a down payment on a car or truck or real property. Real property represents the better financial choice, but updating your vehicle may have merit — cars do wear out, and while a truck also ages, it can help you make money. Put it into an IRA or workplace retirement account. If you haven’t maxed out your IRA this year or have a chance to get an employer match, why not? Help your child open up a Roth IRA. If your under-18 son or daughter will earn income this year, he or she can open a Roth IRA. Your child’s contribution limit is $5,500 or the amount of his or her earned income for 2014 (whichever is lower). You can actually make this Roth IRA contribution with your own money if your child has spent his or her earnings.1,2 Buy some warehouse memberships. If you have a large family, or own a small service business, why not sign up to save regularly? Pay down debt. Always a smart choice. Establish a financial strategy. Some financial professionals work on a fee-only basis. If your tax refund is substantial, it could pay some, or all the fee that might be charged for a review of your current financial situation and a plan for the future, with no further obligation to you. Pay for that trip in advance. Instead of racking up a bigger credit card bill, consider prepaying some costs or taking an all-inclusive trip (some are not as pricey as you might think). Get your home ready for the market. A fourfigure refund may give you the cash to spruce up the yard and/or exterior of your residence. Or, it could help you pay a professional who can assist you with staging it. Improve your home with energy-saving appliances. Or windows, or weather-stripping, or solar panels — just to name a few options. Create your own food bank. What if a hurricane or an earthquake hits? Where would your food and water come from? Worth thinking about. Write a proper will. Your refund could pay
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the attorney fee, and the will you create might end up more ironclad. See a doctor, optometrist, dentist or physical therapist. If you haven’t been able to see these professionals due to your insurance situation, or your personal cash flow, the refund might provide a way. Give yourself a de facto raise. Adjust your withholding to boost your take-home pay. Pick up some more insurance coverage for cheap. More and more affordable options exist for insuring yourself, your business, and your property. Pay it forward. Your refund could turn into a charitable contribution (deductible on your federal tax return if you itemize deductions). Last year, the average federal tax refund was $2,744. That’s a nice chunk of change — and it could be used to bring some positive change to your financial life, and the lives of others.3 Judson Gee may be reached at: JHG Financial Advisors, 704-536-3423 judson.gee@jhgfinancial.com Web: www.jhgfinancial.com Twitter: @JhgFinancial. Securities and financial planning offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC ) This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary. Net Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note — investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Citations. 1 - wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com/wfweb/wf/ retirement/ira/faq.jsp [2/11/14] 2 - kiplinger.com/article/saving/T046-C001-S003often-overlooked-opportunities-to-save-in-a-roth-i. html [1/28/14] 3 - blog.seattlepi.com/irs/2014/02/04/irs-kicks-off2014-tax-season-check-your-eitc-eligibility/ [2/4/14]
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Outer Banks continued from page 21 The Manhattan clam chowder is an awesome way to start. Once you make your way across the sound and onto the barrier islands via the long and tall connecter bridge, the town (and beach) of Nags Head is your first encounter. Here is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Thousands of visitors flock each year to 400acre Jockey’s Ridge State Park — featuring the tallest sand dunes on the East Coast — to hike, hang-glide and fly kites. The Bodie (pronounced “body”) Island Lighthouse is nearby. A major renovation project allows visitors to climb to the top of the 156-foot lighthouse built in 1872. A self-guided nature trail leads to a wildlife viewing platform built in the surrounding marshes, where egrets, herons, glossy ibises and wading birds can be easily observed in their most natural of habitats. Three fishing piers extend from Nags Head:
the Nags Head Fishing Pier, the Outer Banks Fishing Pier and the North Carolina Aquariums’ Jennette’s Pier, new in 2011. Jennette’s Pier is fascinating for educational programs, alternative energy demonstrations, live animal exhibits, and even cooking classes. Awarded the Platinum LEED Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2012, the pier features three iconic wind turbines, solar panels, a reclaimed water system and geothermal wells that provide heating and cooling. When it’s time to come in from the pristine beaches in Nags Head, the town offers a multitude of shopping, entertainment and dining options. : : For more information, visit outerbanks.org — Originally published by The Charlotte Observer on March 7, 2014. Reprinted with permission. qnotes is a member of The Observer’s Charlotte News Alliance.
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‘Drag Race’ veteran to perform at Augusta Pride by Adam Wadding :: Augusta correspondent AUGUSTA, Ga. — One of the season four veterans of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will make an Augusta debut during the fifth annual Augusta Pride this June. Latrice Royale, who was in the “Drag Race” season four top five and a close contender for the first ever all-star season, will be on list for performers for one of Augusta’s biggest festivals. The Florida native will be one of multiple — yet to be announced — performers to take the stage after the Augusta Pride parade, Saturday, June 21. Royale is one of the most seasoned queens to appear on “Drag Race,” where she first gained national fame in 2011. She has 20 years of experience as a female impersonator. Before appearing on the show, Royale had only worked extensively within the state of Florida. Despite not taking the superstar crown, Royale was voted as a fan favorite, receiving
the title Miss Congeniality for the entire season. With multiple local competition wins and television fame under her belt, Royale plans to continue her passion of performing. “It’s time for me to spread these wings a bit further,” says Royale. With the success of last year’s performer, Chad Michaels — who also appeared alongside Royale on season four of “Drag Race — Royale should bring as large a turnout at
the Augusta event. When it comes to Royale’s performances, she believes she offers something more than just a lip sync performance. “What you and your guest are about to encounter is an adventure. An adventure that you nor your guest will ever forget,” says Royale. Royale will be joined by a multiple performers, who will be announced leading up to the pride festival this June. : :
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tell trinity by Trinity :: qnotes contributor :: trinity@telltrinity.com
“I’m so horny I just want all my hot neighbors to @#*% me!� Hey Trinity, I’m 23 and never sexually satisfied. The better sex gets with my boyfriend, the more I want it with everyone else. The other day we did it five times and when he fell asleep at night, all I wanted to do was knock on all of my hot neighbor’s doors and have them @#*% the hell out of me. I’ve tried to talk my boyfriend into
having an open relationship, but he doesn’t want it. We love each other, but lately I feel that my butt has been taking command of my life. What should I do? More, More, More!, Minneapolis, MN Hey More, More, More, Wanting to be with someone special, i.e., your boyfriend, but also wanting your “hot� neighbors basically means one thing, you’re a normal, healthy young gay man who needs to make some grownup decisions. So, honey, your choices are, a) accept the wishes of your (five-times-a-day) boyfriend, b) end the relationship and be a single slut for a while, I mean mingle a bit for a while or c) learn to take cold showers. But, you have to get this hole, I mean whole problem filled, I mean dealt with. Hey, maybe it’s just the full moon? Hello Trinity, After six months I want out of my relationship, but finding the perfect time to end it is impossible. When is it the right time to end a relationship? The Perfect Goodbye, Cambridge, MA
Hello The Perfect Goodbye, There’s really never the right time to say, “it’s over,â€? but there is the right way to do it. Start by sitting together in a private place. Be clear, to the point and try not to use words like, “well... ah‌um‌â€? And, sweetie, remember in a break up someone always gets hurt, so it’s not about not hurting someone, but about hurting someone the least! (You surely can take some serious reflection and pointers from my cartoon.) Dearest Trinity, Don’t you think saunas and bathhouses are degrading and unhealthy? Sauna Scrutiny, Toronto, ON Dearest Sauna Scrutiny, Saunas and bathhouses may be dangerous, dirty and even unhealthy, but degrading? Pumpkin, saunas with sexual activities have been around for thousands of years. The Roman Empire was famous for its saunas. Today, if you’re careful, you can have a great, relaxing and even enlightening time. And, with that I give you: Trinity’s True Enlightening Bathhouse Tips   1. Some days everyone wants you and some days no one knows you’re alive. (People experience you differently at different times!)   2. When someone shows interest, it’s because you fit their certain “type,â€? not because they like you. (When someone’s attracted to you it has nothing to do with â€?Youâ€? per se!)
16/5:65 3(> 6--0*, 3HYY` > 1VOUZVU (;;695,@
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  3. When everyone’s wearing just a towel, everyone appears the same. (We’re all basically the same!)   4. Give a man a bed, a pillow, a condom and some soap and he’ll be as happy as a pig for hours. (A man’s needs are basic!)   5. It’s OK to tell someone “no,� especially when there are others to tell him “yes!� (Everyone is responsible for their own feelings!)   6. T here’s always one in the crowd who tries to ruin it for everyone else by being too loud or too pushy. (Everyone needs attention sometimes!)   7. Keeping clean can save you and others from numerous diseases. (If everyone keeps clean, everyone else will stay clean and healthy!)   8. M en are animals. They like to eat, sleep, fart and procreate or, at least, create intimate experiences. (Men are really just semisophisticated animals!)   9. Sometimes you just have to say “no� to things that are dangerous, yet adventurous. (You must always be practicing good judgment and self-control!) 10. L astly, walking around aimlessly and silently in a controlled environment is very peaceful and enlightening. (Sometimes it takes a sauna to make us experience what the Buddhists call, “The quiet mind.�) 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
Local filmmaker producing project Blends New York actors with local talent by Lainey Millen :: lainey@goqnotes.com
DURHAM — Approximately 30 women gathered on Jan. 11 at The Bar Durham, 711 Rigsbee Ave., to be extras in a new film produced and written by local filmmaker Marilyn Hays. It is directed by Hays and collaborating director Becky Lane. Going by the working title of “B2F,” the storyline follows a butch lesbian who goes to the bar with a friend, confronts her prejudices and then has an adventure. It was filmed at the bar and at Hays’ personal residence. Hays lauded The Bar Durham’s owners Renee Batchelor and Rosemary Allegretta, saying they were “wonderful.” The main characters were hired from New York City because it was easier to find and audition professional actors there, Hays said. She
added that two other characters and all of the extras were local to the Triangle or Triad areas, as well as a band featured in the film. It stars Julie Novak, Amy Driesler, Eva Tenuto, Lisa Gagnon and Jennifer Evans. The band is Boys in the Well who hail from the Western Carolina mountains. They are a four-piece folk with alternative undertones group comprised of Danny and Justin Lanier, John Daniels and John Edwards. Monique Veasquez handled the cinematography and film editing. Piper Kessler was the sound editor and sound mixer. And, Courtney Satterfield served as the production assistant. Hayes said that the film was submitted to the Frameline Festival in San Francisco on Feb.14. She hopes that it will be part of the gay
and lesbian film festival circuit this year. And, she said that she felt it would make the North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival later in the year since “nearly all [of the] the women’s committee worked on the film.” Filmmaking required capital and Hays used a “good bonus” from her work place to finance the project. When asked why she did the film, she said, “I’ve been on the Women’s committee for the North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival for several years and have hosted many fine filmmakers for our festival which I have always considered to be the highlight of the Triangle Gay & Lesbian social calendar. I’ve said for years that I would make a film when I found a story I could tell in 10 minutes. A funny thing happened during
the festival before last, which was the seed for the story. After I wrote the script, I showed it to some film friends; one in particular, my director’s mentor, Becky Lane kept after me to commit to making the film. Lane offered some outstanding suggestion that ultimately made it a much better and funnier film and was essential with some last minute notes and changes on the day the primary dialogue was shot. My actors also helped make it sparkle with their ad lib contributions.” Hays grew up in Atlanta, Ga., and moved to Durham in the late 1980s. She is currently an IT security business consultant for Hewlett Packard. Besides the North Carolina film fest, she has been involved with Full Frame. In her spare time she enjoys home renovations, restoring boats and is building an airplane in her garage. : :
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Q
C A L E N DA R MARCH-APRIL 2014 To see more upcoming events, visit goqnotes.com/calendar/ Submit your event at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/
Fayetteville LGBT Center Rainbow Room 223 Hay St., Fayetteville The LGBT Center of Fayetteville hosts its very first Meet & Greet Social. Light refreshments will be provided. Come learn about the new center, its vision and more about local LGBT issues in the Fayetteville area. facebook.com/pages/LGBT-Center-ofFayetteville-NC/467824486670885
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‘Quickie’ Speed Dating SEP MAR Dos Perros 200 N. Mangum St., Durham 6 p.m. Durham Takeover hosts “Quickie,” a speed-dating event for gay men. Registration includes a free drink ticket and snacks courtesy Dos Perros. $30 per person. Guys ages 21-40. durhamtakeover@yahoo.com durhamtakeover.wix.com/home
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Mecklenburg LGBT Democrats Simply Chic 830 Lamar Ave., Charlotte 7-9 p.m. The third and final organizational meeting for the Mecklenburg chapter of the LGBT Democrats of North Carolina. Members will nominate and elect officers, including president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and other board members. Guest speaker is Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon. lgbtdemocrats.org
Julius Caeser SEP MAR Duke Energy Theater Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte Join the Shakespeare Carolina Theatre Company as we conquer one of William Shakespeare’s most gruesome tragedies. The story follows Marcus Brutus’ psychological strife to join the conspirators that plot to murder his once-good-friend and would-be emperor of Rome, Julius Caesar. Remember to “beware the Ides of March” and we’ll see you at the Capitol for a night of theatre you won’t soon forget. Performances at various dates and times through March 30. 704-348-5740 blumenthalarts.org
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Simple Wills Workshop Simply Chic 830 Lamar Ave., Charlotte 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
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Charlotte Business Guild member Montgomery & Haley Law Firm will create simple wills, healthcare powers of attorney and living wills free of charge for the LGBTQ community and allies. charlottebusinessguild.org March 17 HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY from the staff of qnotes
GGF Gala & Green Party SEP MAR O. Henry Hotel 624 Green Valley Rd., Greensboro 7 p.m. The Guilford Green Foundation will host its 17th annual Gala and Green Party, with registration, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction beginning at 7 p.m. ggfnc.org –––––––––––––––––––– Other dates: March 27, 30 The Flying Dutchman Belk Theater 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte Opera Carolina presents Wagner’s classic opera. Mesmerized by the Flying Dutchman, the young dreamer Senta flies from the affections of the handsome Erik and flings herself into the dark waters that lie in wait, choosing to love and save the phantom of the seven seas. Performed in German with English titles. Go online for more information, including performance dates and times, as well as ticket purchases. 704-372-1000 carolinatix.org
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Softball Spring Clinic SEP MAR Revolution Park 2425 Barringer Dr., Charlotte 2 p.m. Carolina Softball Alliance holds its first Spring Season Clinic for returning and new players. carolinasoftball.org –––––––––––––––––––– Sweet Tooth Festival Omni Charlotte Hotel 132 E. Trade St., Charlotte 2-5 p.m. The Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) hosts its newest fundraising event, a drop-in celebration of all things sweet. Event features local sweet-tooth geniuses, bringing their cupcakes, candies, cookies and other sweet treats for your enjoyment and featuring 25 bakeries, sweet shops and home-based businesses. Tickets are $30 per person and include a private tasting, deluxe sampling and lounge. carolinarain.org
CBGP Kick-Off Tempo 4809 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte 9-11 p.m. Charlotte Black Gay Pride hosts “Splash,” a kick-off to their 2014 activities. Come hang out with and meet Charlotte Black Gay Pride board members, learn about the 2014 Pride theme and about this year’s full slate of activities. Tickets are $10 in advance at playdatecharlotte.com and $15 at the door. cbgp.org.
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Walk for AIDS SEP APR Sisters of Mercy campus 701 Mercy Dr., Belmont 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. House of Mercy hosts its 21st annual Walk for AIDS through historic Belmont. Donations go to House of Mercy, a non-profit home serving low-income persons living with AIDS. The walk is three miles. First 250 walkers raising $50 or more receive a free Walk for AIDS T-shirt. A picnic lunch and music follow on the House of Mercy grounds. Visit their website for more information, a map, donation form, team information and more. houseofmercy.org
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Forté Pearl Event Center 19501 West Catawba Ave., Cornelius 6:30 p.m. The Annual Black-Tie Gala of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte. Dinner, live and silent auctions, and performances by GMCC and its small ensemble, 7th Son, and dessert. Working with them to produce this event is Bowtie Benefit Auctions. Tickets are $50. gmccharlotte.org/seasonofthelimelight/forte/
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You can submit your event to our comprehensive community calendar presented by qnotes, the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte and Visit Gay Charlotte. Submit your event at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/ and get a three-for-one entry. All Charlotte-area events will appear on each of the three calendars at qnotes (goqnotes. com), the LGBT Center (lgbtcharlotte.org) and Visit Gay Charlotte (visitgaycharlotte.com).
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OUR PEOPLE
Young Professionals: In their own words Thoughts from this year’s featured Young Professionals In this issue, qnotes features 10 young professionals in the LGBT/ally community. In each of their questionnaires, we asked them: “What do you believe is the most pressing issue needing to be addressed by the local LGBT community? By the national LGBT community? Why do you think this issue (or several) are important?” Here are some selected thoughts from several of our profiled leaders. Be sure to check out all of the featured profiles on pages 12-13. Kayla Lisenby: I think the issue I find most pressing is both a local and a national issue. National organizations are sending an abysmal amount of resources and funding to the South, so why do we continue to support them? As queer folks in this area, we need to keep our resources at home, stop outsourcing them if we aren’t seeing a return. On a national level, folks need to look at ways to be more equitable in the division of resources. While marriage campaigns are making their way to the South, that isn’t enough. We need tangible resources in order to create networks of support that for our queer communities. Additionally, I’ve found that in terms of local issues, finding a way to create support networks that reach rural areas is a pressing need. I primarily work with undergraduate college students, and there’s such disparity in the access to support and resources they have had prior to coming to USC – the more metropolitan areas offer really great things, but those areas are few and far between. Identifying coalitions and looking for creative support solutions in order to provide further reaching support is a need I’ve noticed. Tamalea Pierce: Acceptance of one and another is one of the most pressing issues within our local/national LGBT community. If we expect to be accepted outside of our community, we must acknowledge negative judgment projected onto each other within it. Mind boggling thoughts arise when our community sometimes discriminates against individuals outside of their own sexual orientation/gender identity. Discrimination is seen between lesbian and gay individuals, however for bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals it increases tremendously. Some individuals view BTQ as choosing to be gay/a certain way. People are prone to need clear cut decisions, therefore there is a lack of understanding for individuals of the BTQ community. Natural instinct tells one to fear/question what we do not understand, thus our LGBT community rights are still limited. Therefore, as we push for our rights as a community, let’s remember our entire community is in this together. Sarah Alwran I believe the most pressing issue to be addressed by the local LGBT community is the increase of LGBTQ homeless youth and young adults, with special focus on youth who have aged out of the foster care system and trans* youth. I would also like to see our local community take a more active role in increasing the awareness of medical and mental health care for trans* and queer youth as these needs are on the up rise and our local funding and re-
sources are limited in both areas. Many of our youth are struggling with access to basic medical and mental health care services and they are the ones who need it most. LGBTQ youth are at a higher rate of suicide, depression, anxiety and homelessness. Furthermore, local funding for medical and mental health care is being cut all over the state so this is the time to take an active role in finding alternative ways to provide these services to our community. On a national level, the most pressing issues are putting an end to workplace discrimination (ENDA) and increasing overall awareness so that more LGB and Ally individuals step up to the plate to fight for, not only marriage equality, but equality for our trans* community. Mel Hartsell: I think the biggest issues for the queer community in Charlotte are issues of classism. Having money or the appearance of having money is the ticket in to a lot of local LGBTQ work. It is a hugely divisive issue. We should be more focused on economic injustices within our community. Homelessness, unemployment, and a lack of resources should be priorities for people in all age groups and all in parts of our community. Homeless and working class people should have voices in our activism work and our priorities; everyone in the community deserves to be heard. Racism is another major concern in our community. I hope that we white folk can learn to work in solidarity with queer communities of color in Charlotte and make major events safe and inclusive for queer people of color. Nationally, I think issues of economic injustice should be priorities: universal healthcare and an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act would be the first things on my list. Again, we need to make sure our work is intersectional and that we are serving the most marginalized among us through our activism. Nate Turner: I believe that Charlotte and the surrounding area needs more diversity and camaraderie within the LGBT community. Many groups specifically separate themselves instead of improving the community. Currently my partner and I are planning our wedding and since it is not legal to get married in North Carolina we have had to adjust our plans to be able to live our life. Jennifer Martin: I believe that LGBTQA Youth should be the number one priority in the local and national community. The more we can support the youth of today the stronger and more secure the people of tomorrow will be. They are our future bankers, writers, doctors, business owners and workers and need to be given all the resources they need to succeed. I lost my Uncle Garry to AIDS related illness at the age of 39, and watched him and his partner of 15 years struggle emotionally and financially. As a young teen he lived a very hazardous life on the street after not being accepted at home. Although there are so many worthy organizations and issues in the community, educating and providing programs for the youth as early as we can will filter up through society fostering the accepting culture we want for future generations.
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