QNotes, March 25-April 7, 2016

March 25-April 7 . 2016

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March 25-April 7 . 2016

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qnotes news & features

arts. news.Center views. gets van 5 entertainment.

Time Out Youth

5 Title IX under fire 6 News Notes: Regional Briefs 9 News Notes: U.S./World Briefs

a&e / life&style 10 12 14 15 16 18 21 22 23

Citizen caucus looks at healthcare Youth orgs offer support Brockington inspired music Sex Ed examined Health & Wellness Youth support groups Tell Trinity Q Events Calendar Our People: Rosenfeld, Johnson

opinions & views 4 Guest Commentary

Late Breaking News!

N.C. General Assembly calls special session on LGBT non-discrimination ordinance At press time, the North Carolina General Assembly said it would call a special session on March 23, to address Charlotte’s expanded LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance.

House Speaker Tim Moore announced the session shortly after 6 p.m. on March 21 in a note to General Assembly members, the Greensboro News & Record reported.

Moore claims he received three-fifths of the House and Senate members to agree to such a session. Gov. Pat McCrory therefore will not need to call the session. McCrory had previously stated his opposition to the transgender locker room and bathroom protections in the ordinance, but also said that he was not in favor of calling a special session.

Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro tweeted out the message to the left upon hearing the news that the General Assembly would go ahead with the $42,000 a day special session.

The expanded ordinance, which offers protections from discrimination for the LGBT community in Charlotte, is set to go into effect April 1. The General Assembly is scheduled to hold a regular session on April 25.

Visit goqnotes.com to learn more about this action , as well as updates on its status and outcome.

— Jeff Taylor, contributor; Photo Credit: Jim Bowen, CC 2.0.

••••• more news & features •••••

Organizations support both youth and family and friends Groups across the Carolinas and the nation are poised to tackle issues that arise. page 18

Foster parents offer support and safe harbor for youth Lesbian couple show kindness, love and more for kids who are ‘in the system.’ page 23

March 25-April 7 . 2016

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guest commentary

by Rob Schofield, NC Policy Watch :: guest contributor

Equality advocates to lawmakers: Please don’t legislate in favor of hate and discrimination

qnotes connect March 25-April 7, 2016 Vol 30 No 24

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

contributors this issue

Jack Kirven, Lainey Millen, Rob Schofield, Jeff Taylor, Trinity, Kevin Varner

front page

Graphic Design by Lainey Millen Photography: Time Out Youth Center Mission:

The focus of QNotes is to serve the LGBT and straight ally communities of the Charlotte region, North Carolina and beyond, by featuring arts, entertainment, news and views content in print and online that directly enlightens, informs and engages the readers about LGBT life and social justice issues.

Pride Publishing & Typesetting, Inc., dba QNotes P.O. Box 221841, Charlotte, NC 28222 ph 704.531.9988 fx 704.531.1361 Publisher: Jim Yarbrough Sales: x201 adsales@goqnotes.com Nat’l Sales: Rivendell Media, ph 212.242.6863 Managing Editor: Jim Yarbrough, editor@goqnotes.com Assoc. Editor: Lainey Millen, specialassignments@goqnotes.com Social Media Editor: Jeff Taylor, socialmedia@goqnotes.com Production: Lainey Millen, x205 production@goqnotes.com

A group of human and civil rights advocates gathered in front of the state Legislative Building on March 17 to plead with state lawmakers and Gov. Pat McCrory not to try to override the non-discrimination ordinance adopted by the city of Charlotte (bit.ly/1Mg2c1s).

As has been reported previously, conservative legislators are threatening to call a special session of the General Assembly prior to next month’s scheduled return in order to take precisely such action. The explanation for the action: the professed (and illusory) concern that the law’s guarantee of access to public restrooms for transgender people will somehow serve as an invitation for male sexual predators to enter women’s restrooms.

Here’s a brief refresher on what this whole debate is really about from a February post entitled “Pat McCrory, Tim Moore and Franklin Graham want to use the same restroom as Caitlyn Jenner” (bit.ly/21zY4Lr): “As long as shameless politicians and bullying preachers are set on taking the matter of Charlotte’s new human rights ordinance (a simple and common sense law that has worked just fine in scores of cities across America [2]) into the gutter with ridiculous claims about sexual predators, we might as well get down to the business of slugging this one out.

So here goes: Pat McCrory, Tim Moore and Franklin Graham want to use the same restroom as Caitlyn Jenner.

I mean, that is, after all is said and done, what these guys are arguing for, isn’t it?

Under the McCrory/Moore/ Graham theory of human gender identity, humans are who they are on the day they are born. Any alteration after that is, apparently, null and void as far as the MMG team is concerned.

Caitlyn Jenner? Sorry, it’ll always be Bruce to the MMG boys.

Renee Richards? Forever Richard Raskind.

Chaz Bono? Forever Chastity.

So, the next time celebrities descend on North Carolina for, I don’t know, a Beyoncé concert, a championship football game, a film shoot in Wilmington or MerleFest in Wilkesboro and for some reason, Caitlyn shows up to check out the scene, let’s hope our brightlights-loving Guv finds himself in the same men’s room line with a glamorous brunette.

Maybe then he can explain to her (and the rest of the world) what the heck he and his buddies were trying to prove with their shameless/ shameful pandering.”

A plea for decency and common sense At the event, a long list of speakers stood up to patiently explain the absurdity of the lawmakers’ rationale. Perhaps most impressive among the speakers, however, was Charlottean Erica Lachowitz, a transgender woman, who noted that she has known her true gender since she was five years old.

In quiet and patient, but powerful remarks, Lachowitz explained that she understood the fear and confusion of people who haven’t had the opportunity to learn about the reality of

what confronts transgender people, but called on them to learn. She also noted the danger that she feels and has felt (both for herself and her child) for years whenever she was unable to use a women’s restroom and pleaded with lawmakers not to try and force her back into the dangerous situations from which she has, effectively, escaped.

Lachowitz was joined at the podium by the Rev. Nancy Petty, pastor at Raleigh’s Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, two Triangle-area business owners, spokespersons for Equality NC and the ACLU of North Carolina, Charlotte City Council member John Autry and other religious leaders.

Petty decried the trend evident in the recent actions of North Carolina elected officials to enshrine discrimination and exclusion and called on leaders to follow the teachings advanced by multiple faiths to elevate love and compassion over hate.

Autry pointed out the need for the Charlotte area to be a modern and welcoming city if it wants to continue to thrive economically and generate 32 percent of the state’s economic activity.

In her remarks, Sarah Preston of the ACLU pointed out that if there’s any violence or harassment taking place in public restrooms, transgender people are vastly more likely to be the victims rather than the perpetrators.

She noted that fully half of transgender people report being harassed and eight percent say they have been physically assaulted simply for being who they are.

Though news reports indicate that majorities of both the House and Senate have expressed a desire to convene a special session, legislative leaders have not indicated yet whether or not they will actually do so. Sadly, an amazingly hateful tweet sent out on March 17 by Senate Majority Leader Phil Berger (bit. ly/1Uotl54, bit.ly/1R4rikl) is not a hopeful sign.

Stay tuned. : :

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news

Different Roads Home gifts TOY with funds to purchase a van Organization opens up its Tonda Taylor Scholarship Fund application season

by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rosedale Infectious Diseases has contributed monies toward the purchase of a van for Time Out Youth Center.

The center, located at 2320 N. Davidson St., was able to purchase a 15-passenger van so that it can more fully support its LGBT youth and expanded programs. Center participants identified outside activities as a top priority.

“This is a dream come true,” Board of Directors Chair Steven Wilson shared. “The youth wanted to be more active in community events, but it was nearly impossible to develop car pools or rent a van for every event. This is a major change for the agency and our youth being able to participate in events.”

The first trip occurred March 11-13 when 10 youth participated in an LGBT youth leadership event sponsored by the LGBT Center of Raleigh in the Triangle. The ASPYRE Leadership Camp was held at Camp Weaver near Greensboro, North Carolina. Center youth joined 40 LGBT youth from across the state for a weekend of leadership training and fun.

“LGBTQ youth are important to me and my staff. We see Time Out Youth Center as a national leader in the youth movement, so we are excited to support them with this gift,” said Dr. Frederick Cruickshank, medical director of Rosedale. “The expansion of primary care services, in addition to our infectious disease work, allows us to give back to the community in new ways. We hope our patients, new and old, see that the Rosedale family supports the LGBTQ community. We want LGBTQ youth to be happy, healthy and successful.”

The van, purchased at McKennySalinas Honda, will allow the center to expand on fun events for youth like lock-ins, theater nights and state and regional Pride events. It will also help youth entering and exiting the Host Home

Program, giving staff ways to transport youth and their belongings to stable housing. In 2014, the Center Speakers Bureau presented 27 trainings reaching 427 individuals with personal stories from youth to the community; access to transportation will allow the Center to meet the increasing demands for more presentations.

In other news, TOY is accepting applications for its annual Tonda Taylor Scholarship Fund, awarded to two individuals at $1,500 each. The fund was established in 2007 to provide financial support and encouragement to LGBT-identified youth who are seeking to earn a two-year or a four-year undergraduate degree in the field of their choice.

“Providing youth leadership and ensuring the success of LGBTQ youth is a core value for our organization,” Board Member and Scholarship Committee Chair Malone Lockaby said. “Past awardees have been successful in completing their education and becoming leaders in the LGBTQ college movement. We are excited to offer the scholarships again this year.”

The application is available online. To qualify, applicants must be LGBTQ-identified; be a high school senior or high school graduate; be under the age of 21 as of May 6; and be a resident of Union, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln or Mecklenburg Counties in North Carolina or York County in South Carolina.

Applicants must be planning to enroll as a fulltime, degree-seeking student at an accredited non-profit academic or vocational institution in the fall of the year of application. Deadline for scholarship applications is May 6. Interviews will take place on May 14. Awards will be announced May 20. Send completed applications and questions to Director of Youth Services Shakira Clarke at sclarke@timeoutyouth.org or call 704-344-8335.

Time Out Youth Center staff and youth share their enthusiasm over the procurement of a new van to be used to expand programming access offsite.

On April 10, 2 p.m., TOY’s board of directors are hosting a drop-in reception and open house at the center to celebrate 25 years of operation.

Attendees will be able to enjoy punch and cake, in addition to being able to tour the facility.

RSVP to GPearson@timeoutyouth.org to be included in the festivities. TOY is asking the community to contribute $25 to their monthly giving program which can be done online.

Over the last several months, the center has hosted events and activities such as its “Really Really Free Market” clothing exchange and market for the trans community, among others as part of its inclusive programming efforts.

The center has also been named as a party in an amicus brief filed in connection with the GG., by his next friends and

mother, Dierdre Grimm, Plaintiff-Appelant, v.

Gloucester County School Board, DefendantAppellee (No. 15-2056). “Amici’s proposed brief, attached hereto, urges this Court to grant Plaintiff-Appellant’s request to reverse the judgment of the trial court below in issuing an order denying Plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction,” the document said. The Amici are a transgender student, Evie Priestman, and Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (“GLSEN”); Gay-Straight Alliance Network (“GSA Network”); Gender Benders; iNSIDEoUT; ROSMY; Time Out Youth; and We Are Family. Gender Benders, iNSIDEoUT, the center and We Are Family are all Carolinas youth-centered organizations. : : info: timeoutyouth.org. rosedaleid.com.

Orgs call on NCAA to make divestment Title IX at center of battle by challenges by faith-based colleges who want to make requests to the NCAA to discriminate against LGBT youth

by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A coalition of over 80 LGBT sports, religious and youth advocacy groups signed on to a letter issued publicly calling on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to divest from all religious-based institutions who have made Title IX requests to discriminate against LGBT youth. The effort is being led by Campus Pride and Soulforce as part of the #GivebackIX Campaign being held during the March Madness mens’ and women’ basketball championship season.

The NCAA has long held as core values a commitment to diversity and inclusion of all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, organizers shared. Their

demand states, “We call upon the NCAA to act on its stated values as an LGBTQ inclusive organization and divest from these schools who are willfully and intentionally creating unsafe environments for LGBTQ students.”

“Religion-based bigotry is the basis for the vast majority of prejudice and discrimination LGBTQ people face, especially young people,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. “The NCAA cannot stand for this outright discrimination among its member institutions and we urge them to take action to ensure an inclusive sports culture that is safe and fair for all athletes, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” Windmeyer concluded.

Campus Pride has kept a record of schools that have made these requests on its “Shame List,” calling out the religionbased bigotry online (see campuspride.org/ ShameList). There are currently 59 religiousbased colleges and universities on the list. The requests grew in response to the Department of Education decision in 2014 to include transgender students under Title IX protections. The Alliance Defending Freedom and other anti-LGBT groups actively solicited these requests from religious-based campuses over the last two years.

“As people of faith or spirit, we call upon the NCAA to act on its stated values as an LGBTQ inclusive organization and divest from these schools who are willfully and intentionally creating unsafe environments for LGBTQ students,” said Jordyn Sun, national campus organizer at Soulforce. “No athlete should play sports under the specter of fear and discrimi-

nation. Instead, these schools should simply follow the law,” concluded Sun. LGBTQ young people face high rates of harassment and violence, especially transgender youth and LGBTQ youth of color. The Title IX waiver allows campus administrators to deny transgender students admission, usage of public accommodations, and protections against anti-LGBTQ actions from students and faculty — all based on a student’s gender identity.

“The NCAA has stated that they hope those of all sexual orientations and gender identities speak out against all forms of prejudice targeted toward our LGBTQ student-athletes and colleagues,” said Windmeyer. “Now is the time for the NCAA to put those words into action and only allow campuses that support their values to participate in NCAA sports.”

A list of the organizations can be found online at Campus Pride. info: campuspride.org. soulfource.org.

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

Mayoral, NDO luncheon approaches RALEIGH, N.C. — Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts will be the key speaker at a NC Policy Watch sponsored boxed luncheon to be held on March 29, 12 p.m., at the North Carolina Association of Educators Building, 700 S. Salisbury St. The topic of discussion for the “crucial conversation” event will be Roberts’ plea to the General Assembly to not repeal the city’s non-discrimination ordinance (NDO).

NC Policy Watch noted that multiple news outlets have reported that anti-ordinance groups have used prominent tactics to assert that a provision in the ordinance that allows transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity is somehow a threat to children and will open the door to sexual predators.

The luncheon will serve as an opportunity to hear from Roberts and to learn more about the impact that a repeal would have on the state’s largest city.

Cost to attend is $10 which includes a boxed lunch and pre-registration is required and is available online. info: bit.ly/1Uu6B3z.

Charlotte Arts center honors Carolina artists

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Blumenthal Performing Arts has announced that it is honoring eight Carolina artists with original arts installments at Spirit Square, 345 North College St. Selected from over 1,200 nominations, those chosen were poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, painter and writer Romare Bearden, “Godfather of Soul” James Brown, jazz trumpeter, bandleader and composer Dizzy Gillespie, actor Andy Griffith, bluegrass musician Earl Scruggs, singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone, and singer-songwriter James Taylor.

Of those recognized, the only one who was gay was Bearden. His legacy was honored with the naming of Romare Bearden Park in Charlotte, N.C. Angelou was a pro-gay supporter.

The project will continue through April. Local artists are painting columns at Spirit Square. info: ncbpac.org.

Chorus welcomes spring season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One Voice Chorus will present their Spring concert, “Rite of Passage,” on April 2 at Sugar Creek Brewery, 215 Southside Dr., with two shows, one at 5 p.m. and the other at 8 p.m.

The concert explores rites of passage, both humorous and serious, including those unique to the LGBT community, as well as those that are universal to the human experience. Both the full chorus and the auditioned ensemble, Sotto Voce, will share the concert stage.

Music featured on this program will range from a “Grease!” favorite, to multicultural choral works, to the premiere of a piece written specifically for One Voice Chorus.

Tickets are $20/seated and $10/standing.

Seating (and standing) is limited, so purchase early. info: onevoicechorus.com.

LGBT-focused forum planned

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Alzheimer’s Association is facilitating an LGBT forum on April 13, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., at Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Selwyn Ave.

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The morning will be filled with speakers and intentional discussions about the needs of LGBT older adults, their families of choice and issues related to equality, health and community services, organizers shared. It is being made possible through a grant from the Foundation of the Carolinas Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund.

A breakfast buffet and networking kickstarts the agenda, followed by regular programming. Attendees will be able to visit informational and resource tables.

Continuing Education Units are available for social workers, certified nursing assistants, adult care home administrators and activity directors.

The event is free and open to the public.

Registration is required to attend and seating is limited. info/registration: alz.org/northcarolina. bit.ly/22rff7G.

Faith conference slated

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Second Annual Conference on Including LGBT People and Their Families in Faith Communities will be held on April 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Caldwell Presbyterian Church, 1609 E. Fifth St. The event, sponsored by Caldwell Presbyterian Church and PFLAG Charlotte and funded by the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund, is designed to give inspiration, support and tools to individuals who want to work toward making their congregations more LGBT inclusive. A panel discussion will be led by clergy members who have been through the decision-making process with their congregations and/or denominations to provide an environment of openness and affirmation. A Q&A and small group sessions will be included in the day’s program.

Lunch will be provided. Admission is free and the LGBT and allied communities are invited. info: pflagcharlotte@gmail.com. 704-942-6857.

Fundraiser slated for PFLAG chapter

CONCORD, N.C. — A spring fundraiser dinner and concert to benefit Concord Kannapolis PFLAG will be held on April 16, 6 p.m., at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Rd. The family-friendly event will be catered

by Fatz Café and desserts will be provided

March 25-April 7 . 2016

by Bowtie Bakery. Menu items are Calabash chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, roll, tea, lemonade and dessert.

Performing at 7 p.m. will be the Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte.

The first annual Concord Kannapolis PFLAG Advocacy Award will be awarded during the evening’s program.

Proceeds will benefit the chapter’s efforts and education for LGBT youth and families in Cabarrus County.

Tickets are $10 and must be reserved in advance by the April 8 cutoff. Email ckpflag@ gmail.com to secure a seat. info: bit.ly/1pCFVBq.

Food pantry accepting donations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Jeanne WhiteGinder Food Pantry, located at Different Roads Home, 2320 N. Davidson St. , is now taking in donations to assist its client base.

Items can be dropped off at the office during business hours.

Personal care list items are: single toothbrushes, toothpaste, single roll or 4-pack toilet tissue, single roll paper towels, laundry detergent, bar soap, dish soap (not dishwasher but for example Dawn liquid) and men’s or ladies disposable razors.

Grocery items include: dry cereal, peanut butter, jam or jelly, saltine crackers, instant rice, instant potatoes, stuffing mix, macaroni and cheese, ravioli, chicken noodle soup, tomato soup, tuna fish in water, pork and beans, green beans, canned potatoes, corn, fruit cocktail, Jiffy muffin mix, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, chicken and dumplings in can and beef stew in can.

Of course, monetary contributions are always welcome. info: differentroadshome.org.

Triangle Drag benefit slated

RALEIGH, N.C. — Drag Me to Lunch XI, presented by Pardon Moi French, will be held on April 2, 11 a.m., at the Downtown Raleigh Sheraton, Oak Forest Ballroom, 421 S. Salisbury St., to benefit The LGBT Center of Raleigh.

Hostess Candis Cox and Brian French will be on hand for a diva-studded afternoon of drag starring Bob The Drag Queen from the current season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and former “Race” judge Lady Bunny. Featured performances will be presented by Lindsay Starr, Chloe Cassidy, Alexandra Vittz, Jada J Wess and Ivory Winters. DJ Jermainia will provide musical entertainment.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m.

Tickets are $30-$750 and are available online. info: bit.ly/1MvsA2p. lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.

Storytelling time approaches

DURHAM, N.C. — Rainbow Family Story Time will take place at the LGBTQ Center of Durham, 114 Hunt St., on April 3, 2 p.m.

The family-friendly event will be led by Rachel Galanter from the Exchange Family Center.

Children will be able to see LGBT families in a supportive environment, as well as being able to hear from authors whose books focus on LGBT themes. Target age group is three- to five-year-olds and, of course, their caregivers.

All families are welcome.

Some of the selections to be read come from “And Tango Makes Three,” “Belinda’s Bouquet” and others. Participants will be able to enjoy the stories, as well as songs and move-

ment to make the afternoon lively and engaging. info: lgbtqcenterofdurham.org.

Family day, picnic slated

MORRISVILLE, N.C. — Family Equality Council, DADSquared and Triangle Families have announced that they are sponsoring an International Family Equality Day picnic on May 1, 11 a.m., at the Lake Crabtree County Park, Dogwood Shelter, 1400 Aviation Pkwy.

Community members and those with families are welcome to attend the potluck.

Organizers will provide beverages.

For those who wish, swimming will be available in the lake, so bring swimwear.

Additionally, a playground is nearby for volleyball, horse shoes and more.

An RSVP is required.

The event is part of a worldwide celebration of LGBT parenting, family and friends. Last year the Triangle group partnered with groups from 32 countries and 67 cities to celebrate the day.

Organizers shared: “All over the world, more and more children are growing up in families where one or both of their parents identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.

Yet, each of these ‘rainbow families’ have very different ‘lived equality’ experiences, often depending not only on what country they live in, but what street they live on. In some countries, our families enjoy equal rights and social recognition, but in far too many others, both parents and their children face overt discrimination and have to live under a constant threat of violence. By celebrating International Family Equality Day, we raise awareness among politicians and the general public about the need for equal treatment and recognition for all families, regardless of the sexual orientation or gender identity of their family’s members.” info/rsvp: bit.ly/1nYMJrh.

Christian group seeks community help

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Gay Christian Network (GCN) is seeking resources in order to expand its programs, especially those that are targeted at supporting LGBT youth.

They shared statistics that say that LGB youth are four times more likely than straight youth to attempt suicide, and transgender youth are nine times more likely to do so. LGBT youth who grow up in non-affirming Christian homes are even more likely than other LGBT youth to consider or attempt suicide — a pattern that persists even if the young person leaves the church.

GCN has been a respite for 15 years for LGBT individuals and their families and friends, where they have been able to find connections with others who have experienced similar situations to theirs.

Each week they hear from people who affirm that GCN is saving lives. Now, GCN is asking for monetary support to take their work to the next level. The organization needs to raise $50,000 by May 31 to enable it to “grow into a healthy future.”

Contributions are welcome at any level and can be made online. However, a $250 gift will help GCN facilitate a meeting with an influential pastor or church leader; a $150 gift will enable it to increase the effectiveness of its online outreach to LGBT youth who are in emotional pain; and a $100 gift will allow GCN to spend time creating new resources for support and affirmation. info: gaychristian.net.

Network expands staff

RALEIGH, N.C. — The NC AIDS Action Network has announced that it has added

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Christina Adeleke to its staff as its communications and development coordinator.

A graduate of Lee University and Charlotte School of Law, she has previously worked with Equality North Carolina and the Freedom Center for Social Justice.

Adeleke’s office will be based in Charlotte, N.C., where she will work out of the Carolinas CARE Partnership facility.

Additionally, the network has partnered with Mark Benton and John Thompson with The Paratum Group to lead the network’s lobby efforts at the North Carolina General Assembly this year. The two will be on hand at the upcoming HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day at the capital on June 7 where interested parties can speak with them about concerns. Information and registration details will be made available in the near future. info: nraan.org.

Mural calls for acceptance

DURHAM, N.C. — A LGBT mural was unveiled on March 3 at North Carolina Central University’s Alfonso Elder Student Center, a first for the Triangle school.

The mural was a class project which was gifted to the university’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Alliances Center, as well as the LGBT Center of Durham, the Campus Echo reported.

The work, entitled “Shoulder2Shoulder,” was the creation of JahMarie Jean as a “community-based learning project” for his Mass Communications major’s Mass Media and Popular Culture class. It was done to inspire the community to become unified.

Half of the piece will remain on campus, while the rest will be housed at the Durham center at 114 Hunt St. info: nccu.edu.

Western Catholic fundraiser cancelled

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Singer Katrina (Kat) Williams was due to appear at the March 12 annual Catholic Charities Gala for Hope event, but after its organizers discovered that she had married her female partner, they cancelled the entire event rather than have her perform, saying that the marriage went against the church’s teaching.

LifeSiteNews reported that Catholic Charities Executive Director Gerry Carter informed Williams on March 1 that “she would not be needed for this year’s event because Charlotte Bishop Peter Jurgis had read a 2013 magazine article where she’d been quoted saying that she has been ‘married’ to her female partner for seven years.”

Diocese Director of Communications David Hains shared that the church’s stance was that while it felt that everyone was “deserving of respect,” it did not support same-sex marriage.

Williams shared on her Facebook page, …I didn’t think I’d be effected so deeply by one man’s action or his organization. I’m hurt and saddened! My entire career is gratefully connected to important causes or charities that I wholeheartedly believe in. This is the first time I’ve been fired from a performance solely based on who I chose to love. There are two

things in my life I didn’t choose, to be Black and to be gay! I am proud to be both and want our North Carolina religious community to stand with the teachings of Christ — love, forgiveness, tolerance and inclusion.”

Williams did, however, perform on March 18 at an afternoon session opening of the 2016 LGBT* in the South Conference held in Asheville, N.C. To counter the circumstances, Williams is asking the community to contribute to causes that are inclusive: Campaign for Southern Equality and Western North Carolina AIDS Project.

Derick Boyd, owner of O’Henry’s bar, held a fundraiser for the Campaign for Southern Equality after the incident with special performances by Williams, as well as Lyric, to show his support to Williams. info: southernequalitiy.org. wncap.org.

Youth org seeks exec

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Youth Outright Western North Carolina is seeking applicants for an executive director position. Interested parties should visit the organization’s website for full details. All resumes and cover letters should be sent to Anneliese Schombs-Fish, board chair, at anneliese.schombs-fish@youthoutright.org. info: youthoutright.org.

news

Org slates walk

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Our Voice and its Walk a Mile committee have announced that they are holding their largest fundraising event of their fiscal year.

The walk will be held on May 7, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Pack Square Park, 121 College St. Currently, it is recruiting 40 volunteers to assist before and during the day’s activities.

This year Our Voice is setting a $40,000 goal.

For more information or to volunteer, visit Our Voice’s website. info: ourvoicenc.org.

New ED named

HICKORY, N.C. — ALFA has announced that it has selected Christina Kliesch as its new executive director.

“We are delighted to announce this appointment,” said Board President Leslie Cothren. “We had many qualified candidates, but Ms. Kliesch, with her strong experience and deep commitment to our mission is the leader ALFA needs to strengthen our services and expand our programs.”

Kliesch has a strong background in nonprofit administration, grant writing, fundraising, community outreach and social marketing.

Committed to reducing disparities in access to healthcare and LGBT causes, she is on the board of Catawba Valley Pride and served for four years on the ALFA board. She also serves on the advisory board for Teen UP, a Catawba County Social Services program that works with teens to encourage responsible and healthy decisions.

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Carolinas News Notes continued from page 7 “I’m thrilled to join this great organization and look forward to strengthening ALFA’s vital role in the region to educate, prevent, and provide critical services as we work to create a future free of HIV/AIDS,” said Kliesch.

Kliesch received her Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz and is currently completing Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Masters of Public Health Program. info: alfainfo.org.

Candidate wins party primary

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Jasmine Beach-Ferrara won the Democratic Party primary on March 15 for a seat on the Buncombe County Commission.

WIth no Republican contender in the Nov. 8 general election, it appears that she will net the spot and become the first openly lesbian person to be elected to the commission. Only a write-in campaign would derail her effort.

The Citizen-Times reported (avlne. ws/1PiW8Qt) that her platform is built around building bridges and helping people “see she is not a ‘single-issue’ candidate.”

Asheville is looking to incorporate a nondiscrimination ordinance into their structure.

However, there is already opposition to it, especially by Miranda DeBruhl (R-D3), a commissioner from Leicester. Beach-Ferrara favors the proposal. She serves as director of the Campaign for Southern Equality which fought for marriage equality. info: jasmineforbuncombe.org.

South Carolina ASO to host trivia night

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Twisted Trivia will be held on April 15, 8 p.m., at Cleveland Park Event Center, 141 N. Cleveland Dr. Hosted by Patti O’Furniture, the evening will include a cash bar (beer and wine) and free hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds will benefit Piedmont Care.

Prizes will be awarded for team trivia winners, best table name, best costumes and best table decoration. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Tickets are $40 and are available online. info: piedmontcare.org.

ASO raffle underway

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Lowcountry AIDS Services has launched its Red Ribbon Mega Raffle with total awards topping out at $40,000.

The fundraiser is made possible by the May 5, 2015, state constitutional amendment ratification which allows certain non-profit organizations to conduct raffles in South Carolina.

Cash prizes up for grabs are: $20,000 first prize, $10,000 second prize and two $5,000 third prizes. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold. Drawing is slated for May 20.

Proceeds will support Lowcountry’s work serving those living with HIV/AIDS. “The ability to conduct a legal raffle in South Carolina has opened up an entirely new fundraising source for non-profits,” said Bradley Childs, executive director of Lowcountry AIDS Services. “We are excited to be one of the first local non-profits to conduct a raffle of this caliber. Raffles are a terrific revenue stream because they require little investment for the charity but have a big return. Those purchasing the tickets can feel good knowing the money is going directly to programs and services.” info: aids-services.com.

Pride registrations begin

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Upstate Pride SC March and Festival, scheduled for Sept. 10 at Barnet Park, has officially opened up its registration process for guide ads, sponsorships, T-shirt and vendors.

To help facilitate registrations, an online store has been secured to handle transactions.

Returning sponsors and vendors will receive a 20 percent discount if registered by April 1 using promo code RETVEN16. info: upstatepridesc.org.

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

Supreme Court reverses same-sex parent adoption Photo Credit: Matt H. Wade

She has also led several diversity initiatives and organizing efforts for HRC, including a women’s leadership initiative and the Gospel & Unity Celebration, a program which brought together diverse people of faith to support the LGBT community. info: hrc.org.

Elton John AIDS Foundation announces grant-making partnership

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On March 7, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed an Alabama Supreme Court decision refusing to recognize a lesbian mother’s prior adoption of her three children in Georgia. The summary reversal restores V.L. full rights as an adoptive parent.

V.L and E.L. were in a long-term same-sex relationship in which they planned for and raised three children together, using donor insemination. To ensure that both had secure parental rights, V.L., the non-biological mother, adopted the couples’ three children in Georgia in 2007, with E.L.’s support and written consent.

When the two later broke up, E.L. kept V.L. from seeing the children, fighting her request for visitation, and arguing that the Georgia adoption was invalid in Alabama, where they live.

In September 2015, the Alabama Supreme Court issued an order refusing to recognize V.L.’s Georgia adoption and declaring that it is “void.” Even though V.L. raised the children from birth and both women participated in the adoption hearing and consented to the adoption, the Court broke with more than a century of precedent requiring states to honor court judgments from other states. Disregarding this clear precedent, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that Alabama can treat the adoption as void based on the Alabama Supreme Court’s view that the Georgia court should not have granted the adoption in 2007.

In November 2015, V.L. asked the U.S. Supreme Court to Review her case, noting that the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision is unprecedented. Before this ruling, no state supreme court had refused to recognize a same-sex parent’s adoption from another state — or any out-of-state adoption — based on a disagreement with how the court issuing the adoption interpreted its own adoption laws.

Under the United States Constitution’s Full Faith and Credit Clause, states are required to respect court judgments, including adoption orders, issued by courts in other states. V.L.’s request said “this Court’s review of the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision is urgently needed” because “the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision flouts a century of precedent on the Full Faith and Credit Clause and will have a devastating impact on Alabama adoptive families.”

In December 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the Alabama court’s decision, allowing

V.L. to have visitation with her children while the Court considered her case.

Madison named HRC COO and CS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) named Joni Madison as the organization’s new Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff on March 9.

She will report directly to HRC President Chad Griffin and will oversee all HRC operations including board relations, finance, human resources, diversity and inclusion, general counsel, facilities and administration. Madison will also work with Griffin and HRC’s senior team to implement the organization’s strategic priorities and goals.

“Joni has a 15-year demonstrated track record of leadership, both within and outside of the LGBT movement,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Joni is already a loved member of the HRC family, and I am thrilled to get to work more closely with her in the fight for full equality.”

Madison comes to HRC from a tenure at McKinney, where she served as the chief operating officer, overseeing the day-to-day operations of a national advertising agency that worked with clients including Nationwide Insurance, CarMax, ESPN, Coca-Cola and General Mills — all top-earners on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index, the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices for LGBT employees. Through this position, she oversaw over 200 employees and cultivated an office environment that was named one of Advertising Age’s “Best Places to Work” in 2010.

As a long-term supporter and volunteer for HRC, Madison served on the board of directors from 2007 until 2014, and served as a co-chair on the board from 2012-2014. She also served on the HRC Board of Governors from 2001 until 2006, coordinating fundraising efforts and managing volunteers throughout the country.

Madison has helped develop strategic plans for HRC and has been active in her community as a lead organizer for HRC’s North Carolina Gala.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) announced a second year of grant awards made in partnership with The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF).

With the support of $100,000 in funding from The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, EJAF has awarded $330,000 in grants to five organizations addressing the AIDS epidemic in the southern U.S. EJAF expressed its enthusiasm about the continued impact this partnership will have in advancing the fight against HIV/AIDS in the southern region where it is needed most.

“Poor access to HIV testing and good healthcare, as well as pervasive inequality for people most vulnerable to the disease, continue to make the U.S. South an epicenter of today’s AIDS crisis,” said EJAF Chairman David Furnish.

“This is particularly true for LGBTQ individuals and Black Americans living in the Southern states. A recent CDC report has projected that, if HIV infection rates remain unchanged, half of all Black gay men will test positive for HIV at some point in their lifetime, as well as one in four Latino gay men, and one in eleven white gay men. By making these grants, both Foundations commit to relentless advocacy and investment until we see meaningful and lasting change in the course of this epidemic.” The projects being supported include: a Birmingham, Ala., center providing a safe, supportive, and affirming space for LGBTQ youth; a Georgia-based advocacy center focused on the impact of HIV/AIDS on young black gay men; a Jacksonville, Fla., organization providing young LGBT people with access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); a Memphis, Tenn., program supporting the needs of black gay families; and an Atlanta-based community organization engaging transgender people of color, the larger LGBT community, and supportive allies to advocate for the end of policies that criminalize HIV/AIDS. “Far too many people are denied equal rights and equal access to health care in this country, especially in the Southern U.S. This partnership helps to address the serious inequities that exist in the provision of education, diagnosis, and treatment for the people most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS,” said ETAF Managing Director Joel Goldman. “At The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, we are thrilled to join the Elton John AIDS Foundation to help right this imbalance and address the needs of the hardest-hit areas and populations in the U.S. South.”

“In the 1980s when the AIDS epidemic began, Elizabeth Taylor was the brightest star in Hollywood, one of the greatest celebrities in the world,” said EJAF Founder Elton John.

“But she was also willing to get her hands dirty.

She stood up for gay people when few others would, and she got right into the nitty-gritty of AIDS policy and fought for the cause, without a moment’s hesitation or thought for her own reputation. Elizabeth was my dear friend, and she remains one of my heroes. I am extremely proud of EJAF’s partnership with The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation to help carry her great legacy forward.” info: elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org.

QUICK HITS —————————— An appeals court reversed a ruling in North Carolina with regard to a “Choose Life” license plate case, saying that there was no provision for an alternative plate with a message supporting reproductive freedom. info: acluofnc.org.

Eric Fanning has been confirmed by a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and is now awaiting a final vote by the full Senate. Fanning is the first gay appointee to ascend to the post of Secretary of the Army. info: militarypartners.org. outserve.org.

Gay former Olympic medalist Greg Louganis will be honored by the Point Foundation on April 11 for his achievements and unapologetic support of the LGBT community. info: pointfoundation.org.

Dining Out For Life has captured volunteer celebrity spokespersons Ted Allen (“Chopped”), Pam Grier (actress), Mondo Guerra (“Project Runway All-Stars” winner) and Daisy Martinez (chef) for its April 28 event. The annual HIV/ AIDS dining fundraiser covers over 60 cities across North America. A video was produced in conjunction with the approaching day and can be seen at bit.ly/1LB8fxB. diningoutforlife.com.

A Kickstarter campaign has been launched for the fifth season of “Where the Bears Are” and will run through April 7. info: kck.st/21i7A5L. March is Bisexual Awareness Month and the Human Rights Campaign has released a coming out guide for bisexual people. info: hrc.org.

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in collaboration with the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project will present a program in April on the state’s pioneering role in LGBT rights. info: statemuseumpa.org.

March 28-April 1 is National LGBT Health Awareness Week and its theme this year is “OUTvisible: Redefining Stigma in LGBT Healtcare.” info: healthlgbt.org.

The Trans Day of Visibility is March 31. info: tdov.org.

Actress Kristin Chenoweth, Dr. Melissa HarrisPerry (Wake Forest University) and Wells Fargo will be honored by PGLAG National at its 8th Annual Straight for Equality Awards Gala on April 4. info: pflag.org.

Carolinas’ Delighted Tobehere will be on hand for the New York’s Best in Drag on May 9 when she will give up her crown. info: ascnyc.org.

California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Salt Lake City, Utah, Mayor Jackie Biskupski will be honored at the National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Garden Party on April 2 during the Dinah weekend. info: nclrights.org.

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HIV/AIDS

Citizen caucus addresses healthcare concerns with government reps Annual event convened for those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS

by Kevin Varner, MA, NCC, LPCA :: qnotes contributor

H

eld yearly in Washington, D.C., AIDSWatch is a caucus of citizens living with or affected by HIV and is assembled to discuss with elected officials the issues impacting those with HIV/AIDS. With over 300 represented from 36 states, North Carolina had the third largest delegation in the country, with 23 members. It was held from Feb. 29-March 1.

The conference is a melting pot of diversity — so many races and ethnicities, that were I to attempt to list them all, I would leave several out — men, women, transgender men, transgenderwomen, gay, straight, bisexual, lesbian, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, veterans, immigrants, disabled, clergy, sex workers, CEOs, the list goes on.

Without the lanyards around our necks advertising our names with the “AIDSWatch” logo, or the signage visible near the conference rooms at the hotel where the yearly event is held, passersby would have no idea what we share in common. Without those three letters, “HIV”, it’s not obvious.

But, when I looked around the room, I saw the faces of HIV/ AIDS today. It’s all of us here, and it could be any of us. HIV/AIDS doesn’t discriminate. People do.

This nasty virus binds us in solidarity for those experiencing stigma, barriers accessing affordable and consistent treatment and those without basic needs like food and housing, made more urgent by HIV’s presence. We

speak to our senators and representatives on behalf of those who cannot, sharing triumphs and struggles, praise for their past support and concerns for the future.

Most of all, we bring our collected stories to lawmakers.

Stories make HIV visible, saying, “See us.

Hear us. We have HIV and we are living, not dying.

We are growing older and aging. We are told to expect long, healthy lives, and we believe it. But, this isn’t over. We need help to thrive in the face of stigma, discrimination and barriers Kevin Varner contemplates on what presenters are sharing during to healthcare, housing and the AIDS Watch caucus held in Washington, D.C. HIV Prevention for those most at risk.” in most cases, a homeless person can find Housing Opportunities for People With somewhere to get a meal. But stable housing is AIDS (HOPWA) is a federal program providanother matter entirely. Housing someone with ing stable, affordable housing for people with HIV provides safety and security. Within those HIV/AIDS. HOPWA gives stability to those walls, they can store their HIV meds safely, in unstable, homeless situations living with rest and heal. Their medicine can be mailed, the virus. Unfortunately, the HOPWA funding they have a place where they can be picked up formula is still based on an antiquated model and taken to their appointments, and they may that includes national census data combining more easily receive Ryan White Funding, AIDS all people — both living and deceased — Drug Assistance Program Funding and access identified as having AIDS in a state. Updating other programs like Medicaid. Through stable HOPWA to include only those who are alive, housing, the odds are greater of staying medinot dead, would greatly increase the amount of cally compliant, not missing doses, suppressing funding available. North Carolina stands to gain HIV to an undetectable level, living a longer, a significant amount of money if this passes the healthier life and lowering risk of infecting House and Senate. Currently, the HOPWA waitothers. That’s how modernizing the HOPWA ing list is miles long, and HOPWA modernizaFormulary will help stop the spread of HIV.” tion would significantly reduce that waiting list.

I assumed that the senator’s staffer would One of Sen. Thom Tillis’ staff asked me to smile and nod, take a photo, pretending to explain how stable housing relates to stopping listen, but not really “hear us.” I misjudged. I’m the spread of HIV. “Will you connect the dots not sure what will happen with HOPWA, but all for me?” he asked. of us from North Carolina who participated in “My training is in counseling psychology,” AIDSWatch felt we had been heard. We shared I explained. “Are you familiar with Maslow’s stories, were fully present and spoke with Hierarchy of Needs?” strength and dignity on behalf of those in our “Yes, I am,” he said. He was clearly paying state living with HIV. attention, helping me feel less nervous as I sat “AIDSWatch” reminds our lawmakers that in a blue leather chair in the ornate conference we are paying attention to the choices they room of Sen. Tillis’ office on Capitol Hill, flanked make. We are diverse, we are strong, and we by my NC AIDSWatch brothers and sisters. have a voice in the fight to end HIV, and we will “Okay,” I replied. “Before a person can bebe watching what our elected leaders do next. : : gin to deal with HIV, they must have some basic — Kevin Varner is director of prevention human needs met — food, clothing and shelter. and education at Triad Health Project in Of those three, food and clothing are fairly easy Greensboro, N.C. He is a member of NC AIDS to come by. We don’t have naked homeless Action Network and has been thriving in spite people wandering the streets of our state, and of HIV since 2007.

Participants at the 2016 AIDS Watch caucus held in Washington, D.C.

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Young & LGBT

Two youth-focused orgs aid teens Time Out Youth Center and Campus Pride help shape young LGBT individuals

by Jeff Taylor :: qnotes staff

W

hen it comes to assisting young LGBT individuals, two organizations — one local and one national — approach serving them from different vantage points.

For Time Out Youth Center (TOY), it’s all about making sure that teens are getting the assistance they need while they are still developing into young adulthood. Where it leaves off, Campus Pride (CP) takes over with its focus on working with students in the college-age sector.

Between them both, LGBT youth have all of the resources needed to blossom into someone who is able to deal with issues and also contribute to the world around them.

TOY celebrates 25 years of helping LGBT youth Walking into TOY, it is easy to see why so many LGBT young people turn to the non-profit for refuge and acceptance, 25 years after it began as a small support group of fewer than half a dozen. A lot has changed in the two and a half decades since then.

Executive Director Rodney Tucker, who took the position in 2012, proudly points out that they are now the oldest and largest LGBT center in the Carolinas.

They operate out of a 3,000 square foot space in NoDa, at 2320-A N. Davidson St. It includes group rooms, a kitchen, counseling center, office space and a computer lab donated around this time last year by the David Bohnett Foundation.

The reception area, a feature not present in any of the group’s previous locations, allows for a nice separation of “adult land” as Tucker calls it, and the space for the kids, which consists of most everything other than the counseling room.

While counseling for both youth and adults has been a part of TOY’s work for some time, they are about to begin stepping up that work.

“We are adding therapeutic services this year,” Tucker said.

They are looking for a therapist to join the staff, which has already grown this year with the recent full-time hires of youth outreach worker Parker Smith and office manager Gwen Pearson. That makes six full-time staffers.

In addition to counseling and community, TOY provides a washer and drier, since they often work with those who are homeless or couch hopping.

The refrigerator is stocked with food, and when staff notices someone consistently relying on it, they make sure to slip them a Food Lion gift card to ensure they don’t Discussion groups are an important part of the work that supports LGBT youth. go hungry when they go back home. teacher training, consultations and making sure that [inclusive] They also work to help get youth into policies are in place,” Tucker said. housing. In 2015, eight LGBT-identified youth Rosedale ID recently provided them with a van, which should were housed through the Host Home Program, allow them to get out into the community even more, both locally which helps those who have been kicked out and beyond. of their homes due to their sexual orientation, The first trip will be to Aspyre, a leadership camp which takes gender identity or expression. place Mar. 11-13 at Camp Weaver in Greensboro, N.C. Under the leadership of Tucker, and with The organization also presented at Pride Organizers of the the continued support from the LGBT and allied Southeast Conference this year on how to engage LGBT youth community, the non-profit has also been able to in organizing, which Tucker said he sees an increased interest in increase its advocacy work. among the kids he sees come through the doors.

In 2015, they provided Safe Zone training He recounted that when Bree Newsome, the activist who reto educators and counselors in Catawba County, moved the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Statehouse, in partnership with OUT Right Youth, as well as to came in she was treated like a “rock star.” staff from Stanly County Community College and Central “They all were just like, ‘How are you so brave?’” Tucker Piedmont Community College’s library services staff and the remembered. He said it led to a conversation about what they counseling department and student life. can do in their own lives to try to advocate for change, includTucker remembered that when they first started working with ing taking part in the Day of Silence, where students take a schools three years ago, it looked much different than it does now. vow of silence to encourage schools to do something about “All we were doing [then] was GSA [gay-straight alliance] anti-LGBT bullying. support, getting those clubs formed, helping them with leaderThe group’s largest event of the year, the LGBT prom, which ship development. And now the majority of what we’re doing is was the area’s first when TOY held the inaugural event within the first few years of their existence. This year’s prom, which had over 200 attendees, was the largest youth event in their history.

This year also saw TOY making continued efforts to ensure they were a safe and inclusive place for the transgender community, with additions such as a bowl of buttons declaring which pronouns the wearer wishes those addressing them to use.

In addition, they worked with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the Department of Public Instruction and other local groups to create “Souls of Our Students: A Transgender Focus,” a documentary about the experience of being a transgender student and the issues they face.

TOY had a big year in 2015 and it appears as if they are already on track to match or even top it. More information about them can be found at timeoutyouth.org.

Time Out Youth Center staff provide the cornerstone of support for Charlotte-area LGBT youth. They are (left to right) Director of Youth Programs O’Neal Atkinston, Director of Youth Services Shakira Clarke, Executive Director Rodney Tucker, Transgender Youth Outreach Worker Parker Smith, Office Administrator Gwen Pearson and Director of School Outreach Todd Rosendahl. Not pictured are Programs Assistant James Rice III, Interns India Muse and Sandra Rettis.

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The annual prom is signature event of the year at Time Out Youth Center.

Time Out Youth Center’s library and fulll computer lab

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life

openly discriminating, are banning out transgender students and order to pursue Campus Pride full time, right around the same harming LGBT students on their campuses with these policies,” time “The Advocate College Guide” was published.

Windmeyer said.

He applied for and received 501(c)(3) non-profit status and beWindmeyer points out that many individuals, even those who live gan one of Campus Pride’s first signature programs, Camp Pride. and work at the colleges in question, do not know about the issue.

Camp Pride, an LGBT social justice leadership program for “Many times the students, faculty and staff at these undergraduate students, will have its 10 year anniversary this campuses have no clue that summer, July 19-24 in Charlotte, N.C. their administrators, or their They also began their Campus Pride [administrators’] lawyer, had Index at that time, which allowed LGBT stuapplied for a Title IX exemption, dents to go online and find LGBT-inclusive so it comes as a surprise,” he campuses, as well as The Campus Pride said. “Some of these campuses National College Fair program. do have faculty, staff that are The college fairs kick off every year closeted, sometimes there are nationally in August, and allows parents and out students at these campuses, students to learn about LGBT-friendly camand so it brings into question their safety and their ability to get a puses. They host one as part of the Charlotte Pride festival each good education.” year, followed by fairs across the country in eight other cities: In addition to continuing this work, Windmeyer says his Roanoke, Va., Boston, Mass., Atlanta, Ga., Los Angeles, Calif., desire for the future is to see more vocal, prominent transgender Washington, D.C., Vancouver, New York, N.Y. and Chicago, Ill. leadership within local LGBT organizations going forward.

For those who cannot make it to one of the fairs, there is an “We have to give [young transgender people] hope, and that online version, which took place this year on March 17. comes from having trans visibility in our Campus Pride is run by a organizations in Charlotte, in the leadership combination of non-student and of Charlotte organizations, and having trans student leadership. Windmeyer people speak in front of television cameras noted that the student involvewhen there is a trans leader who is visible ment is important in keeping and out. They need to start seeing themthem relevant. They have an selves — as trans people of color, as trans advisory board consisting of people of faith, whatever intersection — around 16 students from around young people need to see themselves in their the country, Windmeyer said, leadership in order to feel they have hope who keep them better informed and inspiration,” he said. “That’s what I really as to their changing concerns. challenge Charlotte to do a better job of. We “The students are very important to what types of proCollege Fairs are a key component of the work that have to do better, it doesn’t just get better.”

Windmeyer spoke at the city council grams we do, how we impleis done by Campus Pride.

LGBT non-discrimination hearing, warnment our programs, ing that some of the anti-LGBT, and especially anti-transgender, how our programs change, because young people rhetoric could cause us to lose members of our community. He was [today], they are different from young people five, 10 pleased to see it pass, though noted that he wished it could have years ago, in what their needs are, what their interests been done without the public forum, which allowed for the airing of are, and that’s important to us,” he noted. those prejudiced points of view. He said he felt the need to speak In December of last year, Campus Pride published in order to do his part to counteract that message. He concluded their “Shame List,” listing several dozen colleges and his statement that day by telling young people watching, “If you’re universities that had requested, and in some cases relistening tonight, know that you’re loved. Your God loves you.” ceived, Title IX exemptions, allowing them to discrimi“It is important for us that, if we’re going to live in Charlotte, nate on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender we have to invest in Charlotte as a community and make it identity as a result of their religious beliefs. better,” Windmeyer said, reflecting both on that night and the “The ‘Shame List’ is basically meant to say, ‘How work his group has done in the past. “It’s one thing to just have dare you use religion as a way to justify discrimination an organization in Charlotte, but we feel we have a duty, or a at your college campus?’” Windmeyer said. responsibility, as a national organization to make sure we give Belmont Abbey College, a Catholic university in back locally and help change the culture of Charlotte to be more Belmont, N.C., responded to their inclusion on the list, LGBT inclusive.” justifying their actions by saying the U.S. Department Campus Pride partners with over 1,400 colleges and universiof Education’s expansion of Title IX to include “gender ties across the country. This year that included local colleges identity” threatened their religious mission.

Campus Pride Executive Director (left) joins staff members and others at a recent Camp Pride event held in Charlotte, N.C., at Johnson C. Smith University.

Queens University, UNC Charlotte, Davidson College, Johnson C. Campus Pride has received a grant to do work foLeft and right of center are Charlotte City Councilperson LaWana Mayfield and Smith and Central Piedmont Community College, among others. cused on the Title IX exemption, allowing them to hire Bishop Tonyia Rawls of the Freedom Center for Social Justice helped bring an You can learn more about Campus Pride at campuspride.org. a new part-time staff person to work in that area. extended sense of community to the event.

Find the Campus Pride Index at campusprideindex.org and the “Our work over the next year will be, basically, enPhoto Credit: Katie Simmons-Barth via Flickr Shame List at campuspride.org/shamelist. : : suring that everyone knows that these campuses are Campus Pride celebrates a decade of national advocacy efforts Campus Pride Founder and Executive Director Shane Windmeyer said he hears it all the time.

“Why do you have your headquarters in Charlotte?” people ask him.

Windmeyer is aware that having a national LGBT organization founded and located in the South is unique, when most are in the usual suspects of New York, N.Y., Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, Calif. “It’s because we care about the South,” Windmeyer said he tells them. “We care about young people in the South, particularly in rural areas,” he added, noting that there are not a lot of resources in the region for LGBT youth, in comparison to other parts of the country.

Windmeyer grew up in rural Kansas, went to school in Indiana, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. He moved to Charlotte, N.C., with his then boyfriend, now husband, Thomas Feldman in 1997, going on to work for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

He also authored books on LGBT campus life and issues, including 2006’s “The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students,” which listed the 100 best colleges for LGBT students.

“I learned through [working on] my books, and doing research, as well as through working at UNC Charlotte and obviously from being a college student, that there weren’t a lot of resources for queer students,” Windmeyer said.

It was this lack of resources that first inspired him to start a website with some colleagues in 2001. The website, campuspride. net, was meant to be a clearing house for LGBT young people across the country to be able to share resources and learn about how they could make their campuses safer and more inclusive.

Windmeyer began taking on college speaking engagements during his time off from teaching at UNC Charlotte and soon that passion took over, causing him to leave his job at the college in

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Young & LGBT

Crowdfunding campaign launched Commissioned music focuses on trans activist Blake Brockington

by Jeff Taylor :: qnotes staff

T

he East Mecklenburg High School marching band has launched a crowdfunding campaign to get a piece of music commissioned for transgender activist Blake Brockington, who died as the result of suicide in March of last year.

Brockington was a 2014 graduate of East Mecklenburg High School and was a member

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of the band. He was a drum major in his junior and senior years.

The GoFundMe campaign seeks to raise $15,000 by Mar. 31.

The GoFundMe page states: “Blake was a strong voice for those he felt often went unheard and was an exceptionally strong advocate for LGBT youth. While he ex-

March 25-April 7 . 2016

celled at so many things academically, musically, and athletically, he felt that he achieved so much when he was crowned as East Meck’s first transgender Homecoming King in January 2014.

“We would like Blake’s spirit to live on in music; something that can be appreciated by everyone and often goes unjudged, which is how he wished he could have lived.

“Our goal is to raise $15,000 to commission an artist who would be most understanding and appreciative of Blake, not only as a musician, but as an individual whose heart was open to all. We are accepting monetary donations in any denomination to help us reach our goal by May 31, 2016.

We understand the urgency in this date, but our hope is that this piece can be commissioned and played by the class of 2017.”

Donations to the campaign can be made online at gofundme.com/2uuxx2ws or by check payable to East Mecklenburg Band Boosters with Blake Brockington’s name in the

memo line and mailed to East Mecklenburg High School, % Band Director, 6800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC 28212. : : Photo Credit: The Charlotte Observer

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life

Young & LGBT

Sexual education in Carolinas is failing students Efforts to provide comprehensive curriculum thwarted by subject matter discomfort

by Jeff Taylor :: qnotes staff

L

ast month, President Barack Obama’s 2017 budget included a noteworthy cut: Federal funding for abstinence-only based sexual education. Since the early 1980s, under the Reagan Administration, over one and a half billion dollars has been funneled into abstinence-before-marriage sex ed, despite a body of evidence showing its ineffectiveness.

Obama’s proposed budget must pass congressional approval. They have until Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year, to debate this and other proposed line items.

A 2007 federal report found that abstinence-only sex ed had “no impacts on rates of sexual abstinence,” and the following year a University of Washington study found that teenagers who received comprehensive sex ed were 60 percent less likely to get pregnant than those who received abstinence-only sex ed.

That same study found that children who were white and from higher income families were more likely to receive comprehensive sex ed, whereas black students from low income families were more likely to receive no sex education. Those who received abstinenceonly were more likely to be from low to moderate income families.

Sexual education standards vary from state to state.

North Carolina moving back to abstinence-only sex ed?

In September of last year a bill, Senate Bill 279, was passed in North Carolina, weakening progress that had been made years earlier. The Healthy Youth Act, a bill passed in 2009, reversed a policy re-

quiring schools to teach abstinence-only. It, instead, required schools to teach comprehensive sex education, including information about condoms and other forms of contraception, as well as abstinence.

Senate Bill 279 also allows those the state would deem “experts” to sign off on curriculum. This would open up the pool of individuals educating students on sex and sexual health.

Elizabeth Finley, a spokeswoman for SHIFT NC, a non-profit working to reduce teen pregnancy and the spread of STIs, told North Carolina Health News that she believes the intention is to bring abstinence-only education back into classrooms.

“Knowing the history of sex education in North Carolina, there’s absolutely a hidden, or not so hidden, agenda, especially when you listen to some of the things said in committee,” said Finley.

“I think one of the things that’s important for people to know is that before the Healthy Youth Act existed, lots of schools used outside speakers who, for example, compared girls who were sexually active to chewed-up candy,” she added.

The bill could have been even worse, as late additions to the legislation would have prohibited cities and counties from passing local ordinances for cases of housing and public accommodations.

Equality NC, which worked to stop this addition attacking local protections, issued a press release celebrating the victory.

“Equality NC is excited that, although SB279 passed, it will not strip the rights of North Carolina’s municipal governments.

Last night, legislators made a last ditch effort to attack the LGBT community by adding language to the Healthy Youth Act that

would greatly impact gay and transgender North Carolinians.”

South Carolina sex ed anti-gay?

South Carolina provides comprehensive sex education to students, as mandated by The Comprehensive Health Education Act, passed in 1988.

That is the good news. The bad news is that the law includes the following language: “The program of instruction provided for in this section may not include a discussion of alternate sexual lifestyles from heterosexual relationships including, but not limited to, homosexual relationships except in the context of instruction concerning sexually transmitted diseases.”

Attorneys for the SC Equality Litigation Post-DOMA Task Force have discussed a possible constitutional challenge to the law, reported The Post and Courier back in August.

“What we primarily have here is a First Amendment issue,” said task force member Derek Black, a constitutional and education law professor at the University of South Carolina. “It seems to me the number one potential problem here is the state is trying to prohibit people from talking about stuff it’s not comfortable with.”

There is currently proposed legislation (HB 3447/SB 574) which would amend existing laws related to comprehensive health education in schools to include that information is medically accurate and also requires school districts to publish on its website the title and author of health education materials used. : :

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life

health and wellness

by Jack Kirven :: personal trainer, qnotes contributor

Economic Muscle Right now the Republicans are making extraordinarily irresponsible claims about impending doom and gloom. They somehow deny that we have recovered from The Great Recession, despite the DOW being treble what it was in 2008 and an unemployment rate near 5 percent. They want people to be afraid and angry.

This is preposterous.

Photo Credit: Comugnero Silvana via Dollar Photo Club

The American economy is strong, but as with any muscle, it needs periods of both exertion and rest to grow.

Normally, I keep my observations in this column to those matters that are directly connected to exercise, nutrition and general wellness practices. But, I am seeing a trend lately which I feel needs comment. The 2016 primary election cycle and the Republicans’ downward spiral into rage, bigotry and outright dishonesty has to be countered with reason, composure and calm optimism.

The American economy is a muscular system. It’s capable of impressive feats of strength. If the world’s economies were in a bodybuilding contest, the USA would take Mr. Olympia practically every year. I can see already that some people will push back against my metaphor with a comment about steroids, but hear me out.

Muscles require the following to grow: intense sessions of work, proper nutrition and plenty of rest.

When muscles encounter resistance, more fibers have to be recruited to move against that resistance. Sometimes the exertion is performed slow, sometimes fast. Sometimes the muscles pull against gravity, sometimes they resist moving toward gravity.

Whatever the training method, the point is that the muscular group performs as an integrated system to create work.

Once the work is done, there is a mess to clean up. The work has torn the muscles at the microscopic level. Food and water have to be invested to provide the necessary resources for building blocks and waste removal. This allows growth to continue. Energy has to be spent, even after the work has stopped, to sustain what has been accomplished.

Then there is rest. This component of growth is constantly overlooked and consistently undervalued. Rest is the only time long-term growth happens in the muscle. It may look like wasted time; however, this is when healing allows newly formed fibers to settle and become“permanent.” You don’t want to rest too much, or you will lose the momentum built during the work phase. But, you also don’t want to work to the point of systemic failure.

Injuries that result from too little nutrition or rest will force you to stop work altogether. Once you finally recover, then you have to try to catch back up to where you already were.

So then, what does all that exercise have to do with our economy?

There are times in our history when we have experienced both unbridled growth and terrible injuries. But, what has also consistently happened is that we have recovered and continued to make gains. We work hard, and we grow. Even after we tore our Achilles tendon and got crippled during The Great Depression, we still came back and won all the medals.

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March 25-April 7 . 2016

Recently, Warren Buffet made the point that every middle class person in the world (and many impoverished people) has better access to technology, information, healthcare and entertainment options than Rockefeller had 100 years ago. Despite all his millions, Rockefeller couldn’t buy what most people now take for granted. We have made huge improvements to quality of life, and we will continue to do so.

Is the economy exactly as we would like?

No. But, that doesn’t mean we’ve blown out our rotator cuff and will never lift again. It simply means we had some mildly disappointing workouts where we didn’t get quite as much done as we wanted. But, we’re still stronger than we were, and we can still make plenty of gains. We shouldn’t abandon good lifting techniques and proper diet just because the visible six pack abs we want are slower to come than we had hoped.

Lift, eat, sleep, repeat. That is the formula for growth. Now, let’s go grab the gold! : :

info: Jack Kirven completed the MFA in Dance at UCLA, and earned certification as a personal trainer through NASM. His wellness philosophy is founded upon integrated lifestyles as opposed to isolated workouts. Visit him at jackkirven.com and INTEGRE8Twellness.com.

March 25-April 7 . 2016

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Young & LGBT

Support groups provide community for LGBT youth Carolinas replete with offerings

by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff

T

he Carolinas are filled with scores of LGBT-focused support and family groups to provide a shoulder or welcoming arms for those in the community who seek the solace of safety.

For students, gay-straight alliances have been a key component to make an uncomfortable situation more palatable. Not only are they front and center for them while they are engaged in their academic endeavors, but they also provide a social outlet as well.

Gay-Straight Alliance Network contacts for both North and South Carolina are: Time Out Youth GSA Network Charlotte, N.C. timeoutyouth.org South Carolina GSA Network Columbia, S.C. scgsanetwork.org These two organizations will also have other youth-related resources available for those who see other options. Visit their websites for contact information and to learn more about local GSAs and their locations.

Other organizations that help to support youth, both regionally and nationally are: Campus Pride National organization supporting secondary and post-secondary students. campuspride.org.

Gay Straight Advocates for Education Greensboro Organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA youth with an emphasis on creating safe educational environments for ALL youth. gsafe.org.

GLSEN Leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. glsen.org.

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March 25-April 7 . 2016

iNSIDEoUT & Upsidedown A youth-led and youth-founded organization located in the Triangle. Supports two differenct age groups. insideout180.org. insideout180.org/upsidedown.

OUTright Youth of Catawba Valley Provides a safe environment for LGBT youth and their allies. outrightyouthcv.org.

PRISM Charlotte Provides a safe social space for LGBT young adults in the Charlotte area. facebook.com/PrismCharlotte.

Safe Schools NC A statewide group focused on training school professionals to work effectively with LGBT students. safeschoolsnc.com.

Time Out Youth Center The Queen City’s resource and support center for youth education, empowerment and more. timeoutyouth.org.

The Trevor Project Leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBT young people. thetrevorproject.org.

see next page u

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Youth OUTright Youth advocacy and leadership organization located in Western North Carolina. youthoutright.org.

• • • • • Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) groups are also an asset to helping the community to provide much-needed support and education for those who would otherwise lack the guidance and camaraderie so necessary when raising an LGBT child. They also serve as organizations that advocate for equal rights.

PFLAG chapters in North Carolina: PFLAG Alamance Elon, N.C. pflagalamance.org.

PFLAG Charlotte Charlotte, N.C. pflagcharlotte.org.

PFLAG Concord/Kannapolis Kannapolis, NC ckpflag@gmail.com.

PFLAG Flat Rock/Hendersonville Flat Rock, N.C. community.pflag.org/flatrockhendersonville.

PFLAG Gaston Gastonia, N.C. pflaggaston.org.

PFLAG Greensboro Greensboro, N.C. pflaggreensboro.org.

PFLAG Greenville Greenville, N.C. pflag@outgreenville.com.

PFLAG High Point High Point, N.C facebook.com/pflag.highpoint.

PFLAG Lenoir Lenoir, N.C. pflagcaldwellcounty@gmail.com.

PFLAG Raleigh-Durham/Triangle Durham, N.C. pflagtriangle.org.

PFLAG Rocky Mount Rocky Mount, N.C. pflagrm@aol.com.

PFLAG Salisbury/ Rowan Salisbury, N.C. facebook.com/salisburyrowan.pflag.

PFLAG Aiken Aiken, S.C. pflagaiken.org.

PFLAG Columbia Columbia, S.C. cola.pflag@gmail.com.

PFLAG Greenville Greer, S.C. pflagupstatesc.org.

PFLAG Spartanburg Spartanburg, S.C. pflagupstatesc.org.

• • • • • University LGBT centers and programs are: Alliance University of North Carolina at Asheville facebook.com/groups/AllianceUNCA. CPCC Spectrum Club facebook.com/groups/CPCCSpectrum.

PFLAG Wilmington/Cape Fear Wilmington, N.C. pflagwilmingtonnc.org.

Charlotte School of Law LGBT Legal Society bnicholson@charlottelaw.edu.

PFLAG Winston-Salem Winston-Salem, N.C. pflagws.org.

Duke LGBT Network Duke University duke.edu/ dukelgbtnetwork.

PFLAG chapters in South Carolina:

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see Youth on 20

March 25-April 7 . 2016

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life

Youth resources continued from page 19 Gay Straight Alliance Davidson College davidson.edu/student-life/ multicultural-life/lgbtq-atdavidson.

Gender & LGBTQIA Center Elon University elon.edu/e-web/students/lgbtq/.

Gender Equity Center Johnson & Wales University jwu.edu/content.aspx?id=62480.

GLoBAL Winthrop University winthrop.edu/studentorgs/ default.aspx?id=6197.

GLBT Center North Carolina State University ncsu.edu/glbt.

LGBT Center University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lgbtq.unc.edu

Pride University of North Carolina at Greensboro uncg.edu/student.groups/pride

GLBTQA Resource Center Guilford College guilford.edu/academics/multicultural-ed/ bayard-rustin-center/index.aspx.

LGBT Resource Center East Carolina University ecu.edu/cs-cas/lgbt/

Pride JWU Johnson and Wales University facebook.com/pride.jwu.7

LGBTQ Resource Center North Carolina Central University nccu.edu/lgbta

Safe Queens University safequeensgsa.wordpress.com

LGBTQ Center Wake Forest University lgbtq.wfu.edu

This list is not fully comprehensive and qnotes welcomes input so that the integrity of the list is sound. Email editor@goqnotes.com to make changes or additions.

Henderson Springs LGBT Center Appalachian State University lgbt.appstate.edu Individuals Recognizing Identities and Sexualities (IRIS) Western Carolina University orgsync.com/97391/chapter

Multicultural Resource Center UNC Charlotte mrc.uncc.edu/sex-gender

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March 25-April 7 . 2016

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tell trinity

and need some words of wisdom, please.

Down Deep, Philadelphia, PA

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

Dearest Down Deep, Successful people have one thing in common — they don’t give up, give in or get too discouraged for too long. They also constantly try new ways of bettering themselves, knowing that failure is certainly a part of success. Now, honey, don’t just listen to me, start reading what others have to say with:

Running away from a bad relationship Hello Trinity, My lover is very controlling and would “kill me” if I suggested breaking up. I’m planning on running away when he’s gone on a business trip.

Could this work?

Away I Go, Los Angeles, CA Hello Away I Go, Running away is not the best solution. It’s often emotionally childish and mentally devastating to both of you. Being honest is always best. With that being said, if you’re in any danger in your relationship and must run away then “run” and talk later when you’re safe. Don’t leave this column behind, but do leave a letter saying what went wrong. Keep a copy. And, darling, run smartly and strategically. Plan your escape, tell someone and take cash. Do it right the first time! Good luck.

Hey Trinity, I’m going to propose to someone. Any ideas?

Propose Stumped, Santa Fe, NM Hey Propose Stumped, With any proposal, always prepare yourself mentally for the worst and pray for the best.

Expectation ruins everything! Now you can be romantic and simple, or you can be exciting and outrageous. It’s all up to what you think would bring the best response. Oh, and, sweetie, try

not to kill yourself in the process! (My cartoon sure shows you how “daring” the whole proposition thing can be if you don’t leave yourself with a net! Just keep your balance, stay focused, keep calm and hang in there.)

Dear Trinity, I’ve been invited to a family wedding and I’m thinking of bringing someone I’m dating. I don’t want my date to get scared thinking that I’m suggesting anything long-term by introducing him to my family. It’s only been a month. Also, I’m recently out of the closet and don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable. Help!

Wedding Date, Maui, HI Dear Wedding Date, First…and last…do what feels right in your gay heart. Today, most people don’t really care who’s gay and at big events most people get so drunk everyone ends up gay anyway. So, pumpkin, yes, ask your date to go with you, but in a light-hearted, easygoing way. Of course, never suggesting that he or she is really the one you want your family to meet, as well as seeing if this style of wedding would work for the both of you!

Dearest Trinity, I just lost my job. I thought I was doing great, but blah, blah, blah. I’ve been very depressed

Trinity’s Smart Quotes For Successful Living 1. “You will find the key to success under the alarm clock.”

— Benjamin Franklin 2. “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”

— Woody Allen 3. “Success is not measured by what is accomplished, but by the courage to maintain the struggle against overwhelming odds.”

— Charles Lindbergh 4. “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength or knowledge, but a lack of will.”

— Vincent Lombardi 5. “ Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.”

— Sir Winston Churchill 6. “ Flaming enthusiasm, backed by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.”

— Dale Carnegie 7. “ It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one

a&e

most responsive to change.”

— Charles Darwin 8. “ I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs, but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.”

— General George S. Patton 9. “Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction.”

— Al Bernstein 10. “If you want to be successful, shut up and keep pushing forward. Don’t waste time complaining!”

— Trinity 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.

March 25-April 7 . 2016

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EVENTS March-April 2016 Continues through April 23 SEP MAR MO ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ Paul Green Theatre 300 Country Club Rd., Chapel Hill Times vary

Submit your event to our calendar!

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

Charleston Pride Paints the Town Orange Tabbuli Grill 6 N. Market St., Charleston 9:30 p.m.

Charleston Pride is painting the town all the colors of the rainbow, leading up to its Pride celebration from Aug. 6-14. Pride Emperor Chaz Striker and Empress Justine van de Blair will host a lineup of favorite drag queens including Symone N. O’Bishop, Jaisee Alexander, Desiree Valentino, Demi Valentino, Mercy Madison and Venus Alexander.

More information is available online. charlestonpride.org.

Continues through April 2 SEP APR MO Charlotte Symphony Pops: ‘Bond and Beyond’ Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts 420 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, 8 p.m.

The Charlotte Symphony, joined by vocalist Hilary Kole, presents a selection of music from the James Bond film series. There will also be a selection of non-Bond “spy-fi” classics like “Mission Impossible,” “Peter Gunn” and “Austin Powers.” Tickets range from $29.50$84.50. More information and tickets are available online. blumenthalarts.org.

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts: Why the General Assembly should not repeal my city’s non-discrimination ordinance North Carolina Association of Educators Building 700 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, 12 p.m.

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts will present a talk on why the North Carolina General Assembly should not repeal any portion of the recently expanded nondiscrimination ordinance, which now includes LGBT protections. The General Assembly is considering action against the portion of the ordinance which permits transgender individuals to use the bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. Tickets cost $10 and includes a box lunch. More information and tickets are available online. ncpolicywatch.com.

Trans* Pride Mixer Charlotte Pride & Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 1900 The Plaza, Charlotte 7-10 p.m.

Join Trans* Pride in celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility. Food, DJs and more. Free admission. More information is available online. charlottepride.org/trans.

–––––––––––––––––––– ‘Rite of Passage’ Sugar Creek Brewing Co. 215 Southside Dr., Charlotte 5-7 p.m.

One Voice Chorus explores the theme of rites of passage, both serious and humorous, and LGBT specific and general.

Music will range from familiar favorites to a piece written specifically for this performance. The full chorus will be joined onstage during the concert with its auditioned ensemble, Sotto Voce, which will also be performing. Tickets range from $10-$15. More information and tickets are available online. onevoicechorus.com.

SEP MAR MO

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PlayMakers Repertory Company presents the musical thriller “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Steet,” a tale of obsession and revenge, with comedic, dramatic and grizzly turns, with a score

by Stephen Sondheim. The multiple Tony Award-winning play tells the dark tale of a murderous barber and his culinary accomplice Mrs. Lovett. On March 23, PlayMakers will host “The Vision Series-Directors in Conversation,” a free event which offers a behind the scenes look at the theatre and the process of a production in process. Space is limited, RSVP to the box office at 919-962-7529. Tickets for the show cost $15-$45. More information and tickets are available online. playmakersrep.org.

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

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Continues through April 10 BOOM Festival Plaza-Midwood Neighborhood Various Venues & Streets, Charlotte BOOM is Charlotte’s first artist led, annual festival of experimental and performance art. Local performance groups and artists XOXO, Taproot, On Q Productions, Carlos Cruz and Sarah Emery will be joined by additional artists and performers from around the country for around three dozen shows over the weekend. The three main venues will be Open Door Studios, Petra’s and Snug Harbor. Street performances and live music will also take place in and around various other spaces and venues. More information is available online. boomcharlotte.org.

SEP APR MO

LGBTQ Wedding Expo and SEP APR MO Conference DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville-Biltmore 115 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Blue Ridge Pride presents an LGBTQ wedding expo, a brand new event. It will include three parts: a conference, an expo and a group commitment ceremony.

The conference will feature panels and guest speakers, who will present on legal, family and social issues around same sex marriage. The expo will feature LGBT friendly wedding vendors. The group commitment ceremony will allow couples to marry or renew their vows, followed by a reception. Tickets are $9.39. More information and tickets are available online. blueridgepride.org.

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SEP APR MO

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‘We Are Family Feud’ Theatre Charlotte 501 Queens Rd., Charlotte 7 p.m.

It is a “Family Feud” experience unlike any other, with drag emcees Lana Cane and Mink Shoals. They will bring their campy style, which will include fabulous musical numbers. The families will be plucked from the audiences, and will compete in two traditional and two fast money rounds. The event is presented

by Rosedale Infectious Diseases, benefiting Different Roads Home and Carolinas Care Partnership. Tickets are $25 and $100 for VIP. More information and tickets are available online. differentroadshome.org.

ESEED20 Onstage SEP APR MO Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte 6-9:30 p.m.

SEED20 is Social Venture Partners’ annual fast-pitch competition for nonprofits, who will present a three-minute pitch to a panel of judges and the audience to vote on. There will be 20 presenters, which will be whittled down to 10 or fewer finalists. A celebration reception will follow. Tickets range from $55-$70. Tickets and more information are available online. seed20.org.

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Submit your event at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/

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life

OUR PEOPLE:

Q&A with Rachel Rosenfeld and Alesa Johnson Foster parents

by Jeff Taylor :: qnotes staff

Rachel Rosenfeld and Alesa Johnson Rachel Rosenfeld and Alesa Johnson seem like they were destined to meet and it is clear that they make one another stronger. Together they have taken leaps into self-realization, parenthood and marriage.

Where are you from?

Rachel Rosenfeld: I was born in Massachusetts but grew up in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Va. Alesa and I lived within a few miles of each other in Virginia many years ago, but didn’t know each other. We both independently moved to Charlotte in 1987. We didn’t meet for many more years.

Alesa Johnson: I’m originally from Illinois. I’ve lived in Charlotte longer than any other place.

So, I consider this my home.

How did you two meet? How long have you been together?

AJ: We met at an Elementary School where Rachel was the school psychologist and I was the computer teacher.

RR: I really didn’t know that I was gay at the time.

I would find myself singing to myself as I walked past her computer classroom. I was in my late 30’s at the time. I’m a really slow learner. Alesa proposed to me the day that marriage equality became legal in North Carolina. We were at Food Truck Friday when we heard the news.

Alesa said to me, “Now will you marry me?” She then said, “That wasn’t very romantic, was it?”

I agreed that it wasn’t. She then said, “You want me to get down on one knee, don’t you.” I agreed again. And then she got down on one knee, in the rocks and dirt, surrounded by countless strangers. She’s usually a very private person. I was shocked. We were married on May 3rd. Our current foster son served as our videographer.

When did you two make the decision to begin fostering children? How was the process of beginning fostering? How difficult was it to get through the approval process?

RR: I actually made the decision to foster in 1986 when I had my first job in a residential treatment facility. I decided then that I could make a difference with one kid that I couldn’t with the 64 in the treatment facility. I got licensed 10 years later. Becoming licensed was easy for me. I was a school psychologist. The act of actually parenting, though, wasn’t quite so easy. I remember

that I’d been asked to write an advice article for our agency newsletter about the time that I got my first kid.

He was 13. He had been with me for about three days when I asked him one evening if he’d brushed his teeth and found out that he didn’t have a toothbrush. It was a few more days before it occurred to me to ask him if he’d done his homework. Here I was a school psychologist who preached to parents about the importance of routines and homework, and I hadn’t remembered to practice what I preach. I ended up calling my article, “Don’t Do What I Do, Do What I Say: Advice from a School Psychologist and Newbie Foster Parent.” I think becoming a foster parent has made me a much better and more realistic school psychologist more than being a school psychologist has made me a good foster parent.

AJ: Rachel was already a foster parent when I met her, so I went through the training and we got licensed as a couple.

RR: When Alesa and I first got together, we were really afraid to tell our agency that we were gay.

We agonized over the decision to come out.

Our agency was super supportive. The funny thing is, my first foster kid was gay. He came out waaaaaay before I did.

a two-week trip across the country with one of our foster kids in a Volkswagen Beetle. We love the beach and try to go every year. Last summer, we took our honeymoon to Hawaii. While we’ve done lots of traveling together, that was without a doubt, the best trip ever!

AJ: We go to the movies and go for walks. We do a lot of things around Charlotte, mostly when we can take the kids with us. We go out to eat. We love to go to festivals and Pride in different cities.

We get together once a month with ladies in our neighborhood and play Bunco. We like to spend time with our grandkids in Charlotte and D.C. Would you rather have the power to fly or stop time?

RR: Fly. AJ: If I could go back in time, I’d rather do that, but I’d take flying over stopping time.

Favorite snack?

RR: Ice Cream; Ben and Jerry’s Pistachio Pistachio.

AJ: Ben and Jerry’s Everything But The. What is something about yourself that most people don’t know, or might be surprised to find out?

We took American Sign Language together at CPCC and we’ve been in the Oval Office. : :

How many kids have you fostered so far?

AJ: Our current kid is number 15. We’ve fostered all but Rachel’s first together. The longest a kid stayed was for six years. The shortest stay was for three weeks while a kid’s mother got housing. At one point, we had two foster kids and two bio kids at four different high schools. Rachel and I were each working at different elementary schools at the time, so our family attended different schools. We’ve fostered gay, straight, bisexual, and trans kids.

What has being a foster parent brought to your lives together?

RR: We’ve learned a lot fostering together. Many of our kids come with baggage and will triangulate if we let them. Honestly, in many ways, it was easier to foster as a single mom because there was no opportunity to manipulate/triangulate. However, I definitely prefer fostering together. I think we’re a really good team. I tend to be more professional and Alesa tends to be more real. I think that we really complement each other and our family is much better than either one of us is alone. Some of the things we’ve learned include never making decisions unilaterally. Our catch phrase whenever a kid asks one of us something is “I hear your request. We’ll consider it and get back to you.” Our current kid now says, “Will you consider this and get back to me?” when he wants something. We’ve learned that it’s important to do things together as a family, but it’s just as important that we do things as a couple. Taking respite, where the kid goes to another home for a weekend, has been vital for us.

AJ: I think that we’ve learned that we have two different parenting styles that work very well together. We make a great team and we’re great problem solvers. I think that it makes us appreciate each other in different ways than we would have if we weren’t parents. I think it’s made us more understanding of other people and other people’s situations.

What do you like to do together for fun?

RR: We love to travel. A few years ago, we took

March 25-April 7 . 2016

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March 25-April 7 . 2016