QNotes, April 21,2017

April 21-May 4 . 2017

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April 21-May 4 . 2017

inside

Q

qnotes news & features

Is compromise always best?

The LGBTQ community continues to battle against discrimination even with the HB142 ‘un-repeal’ measure. page 4

Reader lashes out against Gov. Roy Cooper and Democratic Party on the compromise repeal, shreds voter card. page 5

views. arts.

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HB2/HB142news.

Update 8 News Notes: Regional Briefs 9 News Notes: U.S./World Briefs 10 Road trip to Tiger World 11 Odd and exotic destinations

a&e / life&style 13 15 16 18 19

Out in Print Tell Trinity Health & Wellness Q Events Calendar Our People: Paige Dula

opinions & views 5 6 6 0

A letter to Gov. Roy Cooper Jesse’s Journal AIDSWatch 2017 QPoll

more news & features

Out in Print

Health & Wellness

Local award-winning author Paula Martinac pens a new novel page 13

How good is drinking beer after exercise, a rigorus workout or sports event? page 16

April 21-May 4 . 2017

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HB2/HB142 Update

National backlash against discriminatory legislation continues Despite so-called compromise, transgender North Carolinians aren’t out of danger

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff Although the notorious House Bill 2 (HB2) is repealed, legal discrimination against LGBTQ North Carolinians continues. Under the “compromise” legislation, House Bill 142 (HB142), signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on March 30, much of HB2 still remains.

Though the statewide ban on transgender bathroom access was reversed, a four-year moratorium on local non-discrimination protections has LGBTQ advocates and allies up in arms. In addition, localities in the state are forbidden from enacting any regulations concerning access to multiple-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms, and other public facilities.

In the interest of keeping our readers informed, qnotes breaks down the avalanche of headlines and provides a brief but comprehensive breakdown of HB2 and HB142 news.

March 31 News publications nationwide denounced HB142. The Charlotte Observer, The Washington Post and The New York Times all ran editorials explaining that the new legislation was a false repeal and perpetuates discrimination. Slate, Mother Jones and Fortune criticized the new law as well. According to The Washington Post’s Steve Petrow: “You can’t compromise on civil rights. But North Carolina just did.”

Chris Brook, legal director of the ACLU of North Carolina, sent an email blast explaining transgender people’s rights as they stand under HB142. They can access bathrooms, but are not protected from discrimination and won’t be for a long time. “This is not a true repeal of HB2,” Brooke wrote. “It doubles down on the dangerous lie that transgender people are a threat to safety and privacy.”

April 1 Equality California and other organizations and businesses called on the NCAA to continue its boycott of North Carolina. “HB142 continues to enshrine LGBT discrimination in North Carolina’s laws and is totally unacceptable,” said Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California. “We are especially disappointed

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that Gov. Roy Cooper, who was elected on promises that he would work to overturn HB2, chose instead to sell out the LGBT community by signing this recodification of discrimination.”

April 3 Cities nationwide announced that they are continuing their bans on taxpayer-funded travel to North Carolina. Among the cities and states protesting in this manner: Chicago, Ill.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Cincinnati, Ohio; Santa Fe, N.M.; Portland, Maine; Portland, Ore.; Baltimore, Md.; Burlington, Vt., Palm Springs, Calif.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; San Francisco, Calif.; Seattle, Wash.; Washington D.C.; Oakland, Calif.; New York City, N.Y.; and the states of California, Washington and Minnesota. “Every American deserves to live free of discrimination, and the law signed last week by Governor Cooper does nothing to protect the rights and dignity of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in a statement. “I urge the City Council to extend L.A.’s ban on non-essential travel to the state by City employees. I would sign that ban right away, and will continue doing everything in my power to make sure that Angelenos’ tax dollars are never spent to support bigotry based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

April 4 The NCAA released a statement explaining that the organization would lift the ban on North Carolina sites for sports championships: “this new law has minimally achieved a situation where we believe NCAA championships may be conducted in a nondiscriminatory environment. If we find that our expectations of a discrimination-free environment are not met, we will not hesitate to take necessary action at any time,” the statement reads. “The NCAA Board of Governors reluctantly voted to allow consideration of championship bids in North Carolina.”

National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendall released a statement saying that “the NCAA threw in the towel and

backed down on its promise to take a stand for LGBTQ athletes and North Carolinians. The National Center for Lesbian Rights is deeply disappointed that the NCAA Board of Governors has chosen to stand down in the face of discrimination.”

“The NCAA’s decision to backtrack on their vow to protect LGBTQ players, employees and fans is deeply disappointing and puts people at risk,” Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin said in a statement. “After drawing a line in the sand and calling for repeal of HB2, the NCAA simply let North Carolina lawmakers off the hook.”

N.C. Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange County) released a statement saying, “I voted No because the fix, HB142, prevents local governments from protecting the LGBTQ people in their community… What we need is a bill that adds LGBTQ people in the statewide law that lists the protected classes.”

April 7 The NBA announced that it would consider Charlotte, N.C. for future AllStar games.

April 9 Mother Jones published the testimony of Lara Americo, a transgender woman living in Charlotte who said she has never been more afraid to be from North Carolina. Americo has considered leaving the state, but “I would hate it if I gave in to fear tactics and discrimination,” she said. “There are many people here who don’t care that I’m transgender and they don’t care who uses the bathroom with them. It’s those people who make me want to stay here and be a part of this and fight for the transgender kids who live here and are going to public schools and worry about all these things, and make sure they don’t have to deal with this when they’re 30.”

April 12 Soulforce, an organization dedicated to protecting LGBTQ people in Christian universities, celebrated a successful campaign protesting three NCAA events with banners urging the inclusion and acceptance of transgender people.

April 14 The Trump Administration’s Justice Department filed a motion to dismiss the Obama Administration’s lawsuit against North Carolina over HB2, citing HB142.

“The Trump administration may want to use the fake repeal of HB2 as an excuse to further turn their backs on the transgender community, but the rest of us aren’t going to give up that easily,” Director of the ACLU’s LGBT Project, James Esseks, said in a statement. “We’ll continue this fight as long as it takes to truly strike down this disastrous law for good.” : :

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Speaking Out

Governor’s staff responds to letter with two-sentence statement Statement does not address many points in letter; governor declined further comment

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff Randy Riddle’s letter, printed below, was sent directly to Gov. Roy Cooper in Raleigh, N.C. as well as qnotes and several organizations in North Carolina. Many people seemed to feel that it expresses valid criticism of the governor and his support of HB142, the HB2 “repeal” that left much of the discriminatory law still in place.

qnotes reached out to the governor’s office in the hopes of an interview with Gov. Cooper.

After several emails and a number of voice mails, Deputy Press Secretary Samantha Cole responded with a two-sentence statement: “Governor Cooper has said that the compromise to repeal HB2 was the first step but that it cannot be the last step. It was not

his preferred solution, but now he is focused on fighting for statewide protections for LGBT North Carolinians.”

Many points brought up by disappointed Riddle are not addressed by this statement.

Further messages to the governor’s office elicited no response as of press time. : :

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qnotes connect April 21-May 4, 2017 Vol 31 No 26

arts. entertainment. news. views. goqnotes.com

Errata

qnotes inadvertently placed a photo of Vinnie Holt with an essay written by Caroline Smith (“The voices of our youth”). It should have accompanied the story on LGBTQ youth leaders (“Youth of the LGBTQ community lead by example”).

We regret the error.

citizens? Our nationally ranked UNC campus system?

I have been politically active — and a Democratic voter — in this state since the days of Jesse Helms. I’ve seen friends die of AIDS because of the inaction of Democratic politicians.

I’ve seen, first hand, violence and discrimination against LGBTs, promulgated because you and others like you were simply afraid to do what was right. I have seen the leadership of the Democratic Party stand by — publicly silent — as Berger, Moore, and the GOP have spent years running roughshod over the basic human rights of LGBTs. Rather than voting in the future in North Carolina, I will instead be donating my time and money to organizations such as the NC NAACP, Equality NC and the ACLU, that are actively working to make a difference in the everyday lives of our citizens, rather than trying to “compromise” with right-wing extremists and getting nothing except photo-ops and headlines in return.

I will avail every opportunity to remind others of what you — and leaders of the NC Democratic Party — have done to the the LGBT community and other minorities over the years.

In the primaries, I will support and work for any opponent that runs against you or any NC Democratic Party candidate that has expressed any support for this misguided, discriminatory mess.

I will be giving my time, my money, and my vocal support to the people in NC working for genuine change who keep their word and show respect for every citizen of North Carolina.

You will have my anger, my wrath, and my scorn — but you will never have my vote.

If any major figure in the NC Democratic Party decides to grow a conscience — and

SUBSCRIBE!

Governor Cooper: Enclosed, please find, the remnants of my voter registration card. You’ll notice it has been run through a cross-cut shredder.

Today, I submitted the form to my local elections board to cancel my registration as a North Carolina voter after reading of your support for the so-called HB2 “compromise” bill.

I’ve been registered to vote in the state since the early 1990s. I’ve attended fundraisers and events. I’ve lobbied for liberal NC candidates and causes online and in letters to the editor. I’ve worked to encourage normally apathetic friends and acquaintances to register and vote.

A few years ago, during the Amendment One debacle, I changed my registration from Democratic to Unaffiliated. At that time, I saw it as a personal protest against a party that seemed to be willing to talk equal rights to get LGBT votes, but simply curled up in a helpless mess when they actually had to stand for them. It was my personal protest against a lack of leadership and vision within the NC Democratic Party.

I was willing to give NC Democratic Party leaders more time to find a unified voice on LGBT issues.

With your roll in the homophobic mud with Phil Berger and Tim Moore, you have demonstrated that the Democratic Party of NC simply is really no choice at all — it is just as corrupt and willing as the Republicans to sell out the citizens of NC for appearances and political expediency.

I felt reluctant voting for you in the primary and general election. I remembered how, in late 2015, you agreed with Pat McCrory on “pausing” the settlement of Syrian refugees in the state, supporting the unfounded rhetoric of right-wing extremists, willing to use the battle cry of “terrorism” and the fear of brown-faced foreigners to promote bigotry and intolerance.

I put those concerns aside and supported you because of your promise to eliminate HB2.

You were willing to throw Syrian refugees under the bus. Now, it’s clear you were more than willing to sell out the state’s LGBTs when the time was right.

Who will be discarded the next time for political convenience? NC’s African-Americans?

Muslims? Women? Schoolchildren? Senior

a spine — perhaps I’ll register to vote again.

Based on what I’ve seen today, after decades of inaction and acquiescence by NC Democratic Party leaders, I do not harbor any illusions that a significant show of backbone or basic human decency will come any time soon.

At least in my case, you’ve taken the vote and efforts of someone who is passionate and active about Democratic candidates and causes and simply flushed all that effort right down the HB2 toilet.

As you hold the remnants of my voter registration card in your hands, consider this: How many other liberals and progressives in NC, come the next election, are just going to stay home, saying, “There’s just no difference between Democrats and Republicans, so why bother? Look at what Roy Cooper did with HB2!”

Why should I — or anyone for that matter — tell them to bother registering and voting for candidates that will simply screw them over at the first opportunity?

After working for Democratic causes and candidates for almost thirty years, do I simply say, once again, “Just be patient. The Democrats will help us eventually.”?

I am only one person, one vote, and one voice.

But I say it’s time for the NC Democratic Party to change or get the hell out of the way.

Sincerely, Randy A. Riddle cc: Wayne Goodwin, Chair, NC Democratic Party Equality NC NC NAACP NC ACLU Jim Yarbrough, Publisher, QNotes

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contributors this issue

Maria Dominguez, Torie Dominguez, Jack Kirven, Lainey Millen, Jesse Monteagudo, Randy A. Riddle, Jeff Taylor, Trinity, Kevin Varner

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Jesse’s Journal

Donald Trump and the fall of public television Saving that which serves the public an imperative

by Jesse Monteagudo :: guest contributor

For much of my life, I have been a fan of public television. Unlike broadcast and cable television, which exist mostly to sell advertising and appeal to the lowest common denominator, public TV serves the public with (mostly) quality programs that educate, entertain and elevate our minds and hearts. When cable stations emerged in the 1980s many of us thought that they would make public TV obsolete — a notion that cable quickly dispelled as it descended into a trash heap of dumb reality shows.

Dolores Sukhdeo, CEO of South Florida PBS stations WPBT and WXEL (my local outlets), put it well when she wrote that “we are a storyteller, a teacher, a theater, a library, and a traveling companion. For the 14th consecutive year, we are the most trusted place for families with children, a thoughtful retreat for adults, a source of reliable, unbiased information, and a place where all of us can continue to learn and grow.” Often public TV

falls short of its goals, as when it gives in to the whims of public or private pressure groups, or when it runs thinly-disguised infomercials during its seemingly endless pledge periods.

But, all in all, in spite its faults, public TV comes through.

The Donald Trump administration, though only a few months old, has made me nostalgic for the “good old days” of the last Republican administration, that of George W. Bush. Things that alarmed us back then seem quaint compared to the horrors that Trump and his minions now plan for our country. The last time I wrote about public television (2005), Bush was president, and I complained about the fact that public TV, under Bush administration pressure, was cutting down on its LGBTinterest programs. Now I worry that there won’t be any public TV left for me to complain about. On March 16, 2017, Trump sent to Congress a budget proposal that, if passed, would drastically change our government’s priorities. Trump’s budget asks for a $54 billion

increase in military spending and $2.6 billion to build his cherished wall across the U.S.Mexico border — despite the president’s repeated promise that “Mexico will pay for it.” In exchange for building a useless wall and buying military hardware that we do not need, the budget drastically reduces domestic spending and eliminates 62 agencies and programs that help people here and abroad, including environmental programs, Meals on Wheels, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the National Endowment for the Arts. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, established under President George W. Bush in 2003, will be abolished, a proposal which led to an op-ed from the former president defending his program.

One of the casualties of Trump’s proposed budget is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a government agency which receives money from the government to fund public television. The money is no big deal, only $445.5 million a year, barely enough to fund several of Trump’s weekends at Mar-a-Lago.

The rest of the public TV money comes from foundations, philanthropies, those notorious pledge periods, advertisements masquerading

as “we support public television” testimonials and “contributions from viewers like you (thank you).” Still, CPB money is vital to many public TV stations, especially those in small towns or rural areas where few philanthropists live.

Possibly Trump and his cohorts believe that their base does not watch or want public television, though here they might be mistaken.

If you agree that public television — and radio — are worth protecting and supporting, you might start by sending a donation to your local public TV station, and not just during pledge periods. You might also want to take a stand and oppose Trump’s drastic and inhuman budget. Though the cause that Protect My Public Media espouses might not be as vital as those of some of the other resistance groups — and any group that opposes Trump is a resistance group, whether it knows it or not — it is still important to maintain a public service that gives so much to our communities. Visit protectmypublicmedia.org, get involved in their latest campaign, invite your friends and family to protect public media, and tell your own public media story. Tell Congress what public television and radio mean to you and why they should be preserved. : :

HIV/AIDS

AIDSWatch 2017 Not about us without us

by Kevin Varner :: guest contributor

Since November, those of us living with HIV have been watching the new administration with a mixture of uncertainty, fear and anger at the current diagnosis of the Affordable Care Act, as well as the laws’ future. Just last month we gained some breathing room when the proposed American Healthcare Reform Act failed to make it to a vote, as lawmakers continued to butt heads over how to treat, and cure, the ailing condition of affordable healthcare in our country.

People living with HIV have a history of leaning into uncertainty, of going into the scary darkness not knowing what comes next, facing fear and transforming into stronger folks who thrive in spite of bad news circumstances. We do it when we face our diagnosis and seek care, when we stare down stigma and discrimination with compassion and education, and when we transform the “impossible” into “I’m possible.”

Being brave doesn’t always mean charging into battle, guns blazing. Bravery is the other side of the coin to being afraid, and the slender edge between those two sides is where uncertainty lives, and where we can decide to do something new and outside of our comfort zone. It’s time for healthcare to step outside its comfort zone, because we cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result…we all know what that definition is.

The recent AIDSWatch 2017 held in D.C. brought over 30 advocates from our state who joined advocates from 35 others to bear witness to the power of affordable, integrated healthcare for those living with HIV. We shared our stories, strength, hope and ability to lean into uncertainty in the offices of Republican and Democratic lawmakers and their staff, who are themselves uncertain and unsettled about what should be done next.

The message from North Carolina lawmakers was clear:

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They’re unclear how to charge forward and tackle healthcare, and yet, they understand the importance of continuing to fund programs like Ryan White, ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program), HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People With HIV/ AIDS) and expanding Medicare. They remember the unacceptable days of high-risk insurance pools and pre-existing conditions. They understand the cost of treating HIV. Instead of charging forward, perhaps it’s time to stop, listen and learn from each other. One of our advocates offered help.

She said, “Ask us. Collaborate with us. We’d be glad to help out and come to the table with you.” The room echoed her offer with murmurs and nods of resounding “yes.” And I thought about the uncertainty of an HIV diagnosis.

When I first got the news that I was HIV infected, I wasn’t prepared. I was scared. A war was being waged in my body, and I was losing. My viral load continued to rise, and my immune system’s ability to fight off infection continued to drop, much like our health insurance premiums threaten to rise, while our ability to use insurance to help fund fighting off infections and other health conditions continues to weaken. The first medication I used to fight the virus wasn’t perfect — it had plenty of side effects, but it did the job. But, my doctor didn’t say, “It’s not perfect, so we’ll scrap the whole thing and start over from scratch.”

Other drugs that were similar to the one I was taking were developed with fewer side effects and that worked even better, because doctors and drug researchers listened to those of us living with HIV and collaborated with us to make improvements, instead of telling us what was best for us.

We collaborated, we listened to each other and we leaned into the unknown, together. I sure wish our government would do the same with healthcare.

There’s a phrase among veteran HIV/AIDS advocates when it comes to our healthcare, our medications, HIV research and laws that govern our bodies and ourselves: “Not About Us Without Us.” We know a little something about facing fear, leaning into those uncertain places that scare us rather than charging head first into battle. We face stigma, discrimination and disease Photo Credit: AIDSUnited without a plan or a roadmap, and we do it because we’ve decided to stop being helpless and ask for help instead. I sure wish our government would do that, too.

At AIDSWatch 2017, the tables were turned. Those of us living with HIV have a lot we can teach our lawmakers in Washington about how to surrender, listen and lean into uncertain times, choosing a new approach to collaborate with the people, rather than defending politics as usual.

I wonder when they’ll listen. : :

April 21-May 4 . 2017

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

Org celebrates bill defeat COLUMBIA, S.C.— SC Equality is celebrating the defeat of “bathroom bill” legislation for the second year in a row.

Rep. Steve Wayne Long’s “discriminatory, unnecessary and economically ill-advised” bill was officially stopped for the year, the organization said. It was modeled after North Carolina’s HB2 and failed to get a public hearing.

SC Equality Executive Director Jeff Ayers said, “South Carolina has told the nation for the 2nd consecutive year it will not make the mistakes of its northern neighbor.

We applaud the members of the House, our friends and ally organizations, and we join our state in proudly saying again that South Carolina does not stand for discrimination or wasting taxpayer dollars on unnecessary legislation. We are open for Business in South Carolina.”

He added, “While we celebrate this monumental victory, we caution South Carolinians that if history teaches us anything in politics, we have to be prepared for any last minute maneuvers to attempt to slide something in cloaked within another bill before the session ends. We caution opponents of this bill to steadfastly continue to speak out about such discriminatory efforts.”

SC Equality had previously leant its support to Rep. James Smith (D-Richland) who introduced the Workplace Fairness Act, a bill aimed at protecting LGBTQ South Carolinians in the workplace from being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

It has also supported House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford’s (D-Richland) Uniform AntiDiscrimination Act designed to not only protect LGBTQ South Carolinians in the workplace, but would also give protection from discrimination in housing and public accommodations.

In other news, SC Equality is heading out to the theatre to see An Evening with David Sedaris on April 26, 7:30 p.m.,at the Koger Center for the Arts.

Tickets are $34 and $39 and are available online at bit.ly/2fyUhBO. Enter “EQUALITY” in the coupon code section and receive a $5 discount. info: scequality.org.

experienced, successful and enthusiastic in producing all Charlotte Pride events and programming, including the 2017 Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade.

The person selected will provide leadership and management of all Charlotte Pride events, organizational assets and processes, as directed by the board of directors.

Send an email with a resume, brief statement of interest and compensation requirements to kacey@charlottepride.org.

More position detail information is available online. info: charlottepride.org.

Triad Church presents car show

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Metropolitan Community Church of Winston-Salem, 4105 Patsy Dr., will hold its Spring Car Show on April 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with proceeds benefitting the church.

Attendees can enjoy games of corn hole, 50/50 raffle, prize raffle and more.

Contributions are also being accepted for food served at the event. info: mccwschurch.com.

Mystery evening upcoming

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Adam Foundation will hold its 27th Annual Adam Festival, themed “A Murder Mystery at the 18th Hole,” on May 6, 6:30 p.m., at Maple Chase Golf and Country Club, 5475 Germantown Rd. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Tickets are $55 and are available online at bit.ly/2pHfjPi. info: adamfoundation.org.

Film screening hits Triad

Charlotte Choruses set for ‘Big Sing’

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Carolinas Voices’ The Big Sing will be held on May 5 and 6, 7:30 p.m., at Spirit Square’s McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. The event will feature all three of its ensembles — Mainstage Choir, Festival Singers and Impromptu — in performance. Audience members are encouraged to be part of the evening’s entertainment by becoming part of the fourth ensemble. At various interludes, there will be opportunities for audience participation.

“The Big Sing is a musical journey that will take the listener through the entirety of the human experience. … So expect to laugh, cry, dance and sing as you listen to the sounds of greats such as the Beatles, Aaron Copland, Michael Jackson, Simon and Garfunkel, Eric Whitacre, Queen, Katy Perry, and much more,” Guest Director James Kevin Gray shared.

Tickets are $15-25 and are available for purchase online at carolinatix.org. info: carolinavoices.org.

Band to hold concert

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Pride Band will present its “80s to the Max” concert on May 20, 5 p.m., at Heaton Hall, Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Rd. Featured will be pops music from radio, film and stage.

The band will perform hits from Freddy Mercury, Toto, John Williams, Stephen Sondheim, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Bon Jovi and many more for a total flashback experience.

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Tickets are $15 and are available from band members, online and at the door. info: charlotteprideband.org.

ASO hosts 5K run

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolinas CARE Partnership will hold its Carolinas CARE 5K Run on June 3, 8 a.m., at McAlpine Greenway Park, 8711 Monroe Rd. All runners will receive free T-shirts. All finishers will receive a medal.

The event is open to all. Early registration before May 30 is $30 and afterward goes up to $35 and is available online at bit.ly/2okGgaw. info: carolinascare.org.

Church ousts scouts

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — The Boy Scout Troop 169 has been given its walking papers by the Coddle Creek Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church due to the Boy Scouts of America’s recent decision to accept transgender scouts, The Progressive Pulse reported.

The church’s clergy, Pastor Andrew Shoger, told The Charlotte Observer that the church’s decision would affect both the boys and its affiliated Cub Scout troop.

After a decade spent at the church, this comes as a blow to the scouts and their leaders. The reason behind the ousting was that they could not accept an organization whose rules of inclusion go against their principles. info: pulse.ncpolicywatch.org.

Pride org seeks staff applicants

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Pride has announced that it is seeking applicants for a full-time program and events director who are

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Out at the Movies Winston-Salem will screen “Contracorriente (Undertow)” on May 13, 7 p.m., at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts ACE Theatre Complex, 1533 S. Main St. The film is an unusual ghost story set on the Peruvian seaside where a married fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his boyfriend with his town’s rigid traditions.

Tickets are $7/general and $6/seniors and are available in the lobby beginning at 6:15 p.m. Cash, checks and credit/debit cards are accepted for payment. info: outatthemovieswinstonston.org.

Pride event scheduled

LEXINGTON, N.C. — The 2017 Davidson County LGBT Pride Foundation’s Woodstock Festival will be held from May 19-21 at Pride Field, 262 Zimmerman Rd. On May 19, a food drive kick-off will take place. Camping setup begins at 1 p.m., karaoke and open mic at 7 p.m. and bonfire at 7 p.m.

The following day, a parade will be held along W. Center St and Vance St. Line up is at 11 a.m. and the parade steps off at 12 p.m. All are encouraged to join in.

Afterward, at 3 p.m., head back to the festival site and gear up for a show between 4-6 p.m. At 7 p.m. at cedar swing raffle drawing will occur, along with first, second and third place winners of hippie trippie flags announced.

(Flags and tapestries are to be handmade in 4-foot x 6-foot or 6-foot x 10-foot sizes.) Stay around for the first memorial bench unveiling at 8 p.m. The evening settles down with a bonfire at 9 p.m., but cranks back up with after parties.

On May 21, enjoy family games such as three-legged races and tug-o-war and more.

Festival organizers hope that participants will stay around and help clean up afterward.

The event will feature a 50/50 drawing, entertainers, live music and special guest speakers.

More information is available online. info: bit.ly/2png17Y.

Triangle Race exhibit to open

RALEIGH, N.C. — “Race: Are We So Different?” will open on April 22 at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, 11 West Jones St. Hours of operation are MondaySaturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 12-5 p.m.

The award-winning exhibit is the first national exhibition to tell the stories of race from the biological, cultural and historical points of view. Combining these perspectives offers an unprecedented look at race and racism in the U.S. It addresses the topics of race and racism from three different perspectives — science, history and experience. The three sections are interwoven and tell a compelling story of science with deep and lasting social impact.

“This is perhaps the most important conversation we’re going to have as a community in the next decade,” said Damon Circosta, executive director of the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, the presenting sponsor of the exhibition. “Typically, conversations around race and equity happen in the margins. We’re so excited about having it right in our downtown, because it deserves broader distribution than a college class or book club. This exhibition underscores the notion that we really are more alike than we are different. It does so in such a way that doesn’t anger, it informs. It invites discussion and open-mindedness.”

The exhibit runs through Oct. 22.

Admission is free and open to the public. info: naturalsciences.org.

Gaiety banquet slated

DURHAM, N.C. — iNSIDEoUT’s 11th Annual Banquet and Gaiety will be held on May 27, 12 p.m., at The Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Rd. Attendees will be able to enjoy a brunch and musical entertainment.

During the event awards will be presented to LGBTQ youth and their allies.

Business and organizational sponsors are being sought. Contribution levels range from $80-$1,080. Recognition will be made in the organization’s Backwords zine. Visit insideout180. org/banquet2017 to make contributions. Also, iNSIDEoUT is asking for nominations for individuals and organizations to receive awards.

In other news, the organization’s Queer Prom will take place on May 20, 8 p.m., at Calvary United Methodist Church, 304 E. Trinity Ave. More information is available online. info: insideout180.org.

Theatre to hold auditions

RALEIGH, N.C. — Burning Coal Theatre Company will hold its 2017/18 season auditions on May 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at its Murphey School auditorium, 224 Polk St. To schedule an audition, email burning_ coal@ipass.net to schedule a five-minute time slot. Further information is available online.

Auditionees are asked to bring three copies of their headshot if one is available with resume attached to the back and to prepare two one-minute, contemporary monologues — one dramatic and one comedic.

Burning Coal is particularly committed to the idea of race, age and gender non-traditional casting.

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Individuals who wish to work backstage are also encouraged to email interest and availability. All acting and backstage positions are paid stipends. All are welcome. Equity and non-Equity may audition.

Shows are “Darkside,” “Peter Pan,” “The Normal Heart” and “Amadeus.” info: burningcoal.org.

Org installs new board

RALEIGH, N.C. — ReachOUT NC has announced the installation of its new board.

The decision-makers are: Michael Wilson, past president; Richard Flenory and Todd Forman, project directors; Robb Beaman, marketing director; Ross Berrier, president; and Tricia Andrews, volunteer director.

Upcoming service projects for the organization are Raleigh Parks & Recreation grounds beautification on April 22, 9 a.m., and Habit for Humanity home build on April 22, 12:30 p.m., in Durham, N.C. More information is available online. info: reachoutnc.org.

South Carolina Biz guild hosts Ayers

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The Coastal Business Guild’s Lunch & Learn will be held on May 2, 12:30 p.m., at the Clarion Hotel Conference Center, 101 Fantasy Harbour Blvd.

A legislative update will be provided by SC Equality Board Chair Jeff Ayers, as well as a group discussion on local, state and national issues.

Cost is free to members and $10 for guests with box lunch included or free for a no-lunch

option. Advance registration is due by April 24 and is available online at bit.ly/2okGMW0. info: grandstrandpride.com.

Affinity ready to ‘dazzle’

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Affinity Health Center’s 14th Annual Dazzle and Denim fundraising event will be held on May 12, 7 p.m., at The Magnolia Room, 4017 Laurel Creek Dr. Tickets are $60/individual and $100/2 tickets through May 5. Afterward tickets will be $65 per person. Tables can also be reserved for groups of 10 for $500. Tickets can be purchased online or by mailing a check to 500 Lakeshore Pky., Rock Hill, SC 29730. All proceeds from this event will benefit Affinity Health Center. info: affinityhealthcenter.org/dazzle.

Regional HIV/AIDS advocacy day on the horizon

RALEIGH, N.C. — HIV Speaks on Jones Street will be held on April 25 at the North Carolina General Assembly.

During the event advocates from all over the state will be making the trip to the state capitol to speak to legislators about issues important to those living with HIV/AIDS throughout the state, NC AIDS Action Network’s Christina Adeleke shared.

Legislators need to hear from parts of the state that are most disproportionately impacted

by HIV/AIDS. info: ncaan.org.

Resistance training upcoming

DURHAM, N.C. — The Carolina Resistance Summit Training will be held on May 6, 10 a.m.-

5 p.m., at Rogers-Herr Middle School, 911 W. Cornwallis Rd. A first for the movement/organization, the day-long training will equip attendees, both new and seasoned with the tools to organize and continue fighting back against regressive legislation and policies. It will focus on the overall N.C. political context, as well specific skills sets that participants can use in their dayto-day organizing, organizers said.

Training blocks will focus on messaging strategies (including narrative storytelling, social media and earned media); organizing tactics such a base-building and volunteer recruitment, and “mobilizing to win” efforts including field tactics such as door knocking, phone banking, voter registration and strategic planning, they added.

Whether new to the work or just looking to hone organizing skills, the training will provide one with the tools and skills needed to fight back against regressive legislation and policies.

“Together we will build a forward-thinking state that works for all North Carolinians,” they shared.

Registration is available online at bit. ly/2nSLrD7. info: resistnc.org/summit. carolinaresistance@ progressnc.org.

Campus Scene Camp registration open

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Campus Pride has announced that registration is now open for Camp Pride and the LGBTQ Professional Academy for Advisors (aka Advisor Bootcamp) which will be held from July 18-23 at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

news

Early bird rate for the camp and bootcamp is $945 until April 28. Full-price registration is $1,095. Included are room and board, educational program materials and meals. There is limited capacity, so expedient registration is suggested.

The camp event is open to undergraduate LGBTQ and ally students.

Full and partial scholarships in limited quantities are available for campers who qualify. There is also some scholarship monies available for the advisors, but not as many as for campers. Learn more at campuspride.org/money. info: campuspride.org.

Research Roundup Resilience study seeks participants

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jessamyn Bowling, Ph.D., MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is seeking participants from members of the gender-diverse community (transgender, genderfluid, genderqueer, gender non-binary) for a study which focuses on resilience.

Volunteers will complete an anonymous online survey or an interview.

Only those individuals who are 18 years of age and older are permitted to join the study and must have familiarity with Mecklenburg County.

Surveys include $20 Amazon gift card (bit. ly/2kN8J7n) and interviews are up to $75 (two interviews including participant-submitted photos focused on strength, fill out screening at bit.ly/2jnQGZe). info: jbowlin9@uncc.edu.

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

Rainbow flag creator dies NEW YORK, N.Y. — Gay activist Gilbert Baker, the creator of the rainbow flag, died on March 31 at his home. He was 65.

A self-described “gay Betsy Ross,” The New York Times reported, that Baker handdyed and stitched together eight strips of colored fabric into a rainbow flag.

The worldwide iconic flag has become a symbol of solidarity for the LGBTQ community and was created prior to the assassination of openly gay City Supervisor Harvey Milk who had asked Baker to create an emblem to represent the movement and to be used at a gay Pride parade on June 25, 1978.

“We stood there and watched and saw the flags, and their faces lit up,” Cleve Jones, a friend and fellow gay rights activist, told the Times. “It needed no explanation. People knew immediately that it was our flag.”

The original flag had eight bands, but was simplified to six colors for mass production. In the attic of the Gay Community Center in San Francisco, Calif, Baker and volunteers filled trash cans with dye and fashioned the pieces together into flags, the Times said. It has served as the dominant symbol of the LGBTQ gay Pride movement and in the advocacy for civil rights and inclusion. It has been translated into countless items, from Pride products to organizational logos. Since it was created, it was never trademarked by Baker. Jones said that it was Baker’s gift to the world, the Times added.

More recently, he had been working to create 39 nine-color flags consisting of the original

eight and a ninth one in lavender to represent diversity and to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the first rainbow flag, the Times said. He was also created flags for “When We Rise,” the ABC mini-series depicting the LGBTQ rights movement’s birth and rise.

On June 15, 2003 in Florida at that year’s Key West PrideFest, a special 25th anniversary edition of the banner was unfurled on Duval St. A mile-and-a-quarter in length, it was dubbed the “Sea-to-Sea Rainbow Flag,” because it was stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and was carried by 3,000 volunteers from the LGBTQ and straight community. Baker assembled the piece at his workshop there that year. He had been approached by County Commissioner Heather Carruthers and resident Gregg McGrady after they learned of Baker’s desire to do something to commemorate the milestone and thought it would be great to have a rainbow flag span from one coast to the other, Carruthers said. All in all, the flag consisted of 18,000 linear yards of nylon in the original eight colors.

“The thing that sold it for me, in terms of committing to do it, was when I found that the city’s motto was ‘One Human Family’,” Baker had said, referring to the motto adopted by the Key West City Commission in 2000 and later by the Florida Keys County Commission, to express an accepting attitude toward all people.

In an interview in 2008, he remarked that the strides made in the LGBTQ fight for equality amazed him.

Baker was born on June 2, 1951, in Chanute, Kansas and served in the U.S. Army from 1970-1972. He was stationed in San Francisco, Calif. and remained there after his honorable discharge. Afterward, he became an activist for the gay rights movement. After the creation of the flag, he went to work for a flag manufacturer who supported his idea of mass-producing the rainbow flag, but later abandoned that to pursue a career in art and design. info: nytimes.com. fla-keys.com.

Gilbert Baker in 2003 in Key West, Fla. under the 18,000 linear yard rainbow flag which he created for the 25th anniversary of the creation of the rainbow flag that stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico (inset).

Photo Credit: Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO

April 21-May 4 . 2017

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life

Summer Travel

Tiger World:

a growing conservation park dedicated to education and love of animals Just a short drive from Charlotte, it’s a summer must-see

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff

A

s I took to the road with boss-man — what I call the publisher of qnotes — we were both excited to see what Tiger World had in store. On the short 40-minute drive to Rockwell, N.C. from Charlotte, N.C., we chatted enthusiastically about our admiration for big cats and our hope that this facility so close to home would treat the magnificent creatures it housed as well as they deserve.

We turned onto a country road in Rockwell and passed residential houses, twisting and turning and admiring the wide-open plots of land for sale near the park. Then we came upon Tiger World, our first sight of it a large graveled parking lot. It looked ordinary, with nothing exotic in sight, until we set eyes upon the peacocks.

The radiant, colorful birds wander the entire park with utter freedom. If you’re lucky, as we were, you get to catch a dancing display of outstretched feathers as the peacocks show off for their more muted-colored, but still gracefully lovely peahens.

As it turns out, Tiger World is a bit of a misnomer. There aren’t only tigers there, or even only big cats. Instead, the facility houses countless exotic animals: Syrian brown bears, primates like macaques and gibbons, New Guinea singing dogs,

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two species of wolves, cranes and kingfishers — the list goes on and on.

One thing I loved about the guided tours — only $15 per adult and $12 for seniors and children — was the personal history shared about each animal. Because most of the creatures are rescues from abusive or illegal homes, each had a story. Two, an elderly tiger couple housed together, were declawed by their drug-lord former owners and have serious arthritis as a result. Saddest to me was Wayne, the 800-pound liger (pictured below), whose artificial hybridity causes cats like him to grow too big for their organs to support, resulting in a lifespan of only nine years.

The tours were also educational, and our (breathtakingly beautiful) tour guide, Rachel, showed great patience and humor when dealing with the children’s constant and often repetitive questions. Rachel, though only hired months ago, knew not only the history of every individual animal, but fascinating and little-known facts about the species themselves.

She seemed to have a personal relationship with each creature, and some even greeted her at the front of the enclosures with friendly “chucking” sounds, rubbing against the glass or metal.

The one drawback of Tiger World as I see it is its rather small enclosures for some animals. However, the history of the facility itself explains this; it was seized from an irresponsible owner in the mid-2000s and the new owner, Lea Jaunakais, has been working tirelessly to develop and expand the facility and its habitats. Walking around the grounds, we saw several areas under construction and countless signs indicating that the big cats’ current homes were only temporary.

To compensate for some enclosures being small, Rachel explained, that the staff routinely rotates the animals among different locations so that the creatures get as much variety of setting as possible. We also saw a number of toys and treats for the playful babies; some were as simple as fruit hung from bamboo, but the White-handed gibbons even had Asian small-clawed otters as pets (apparently the two species frequently cohabitate in the wild).

Overall, visiting Tiger World was an absolute pleasure. Though the place is not perfect, it was obvious that the staff works tirelessly to keep these beautiful creatures happy and safe. I never knew that such a place was so close and so affordable to visit — I will definitely be going back. : :

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life

Summer Travel

Not your average road trip: strange and lesser-known spots Odd and exotic destinations in and around the Carolinas compiled by Lainey Millen and Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff

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o you feel that every summer is all about beaches and hiking, and you want to see something new? This list may be for you.

All across the Carolinas and in surrounding areas, weird and quirky places await to entertain, educate and enliven your imagination. From fun vintage venues and strange collections, to creepy tours and exotic or even mythological creatures, these destinations aren’t your average summer road trip.

Asheville Pinball Museum 1 Battle Square, Ste. 1B. Asheville, NC 28801 828-776-5671 Hours: Monday, 1-6 p.m.; Closed Tuesdays; Wednesday-Friday, 2-9 p.m.; Saturday, 12-9 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m. ashevillepinball.com.

Buy, sell and play arcade games at Asheville Pinball Museum. This venue has over 75 pinball and classic video games and a bar for those 21+. Private after-hours parties are available for adults only.

Bristol Caverns 1157 Bristol Caverns Hwy., Bristol, TN 37620 423-878-2011 Hours: March 15-Oct. 31.

Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30-5 p.m.

Nov. 1-March 14 Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m. bristolcaverns.com.

Bristol Caverns is a winding, underground system of caves with stalagmites and stalagtites lighted through a system of concealed, indirect lighting which highlights the natural colors and beauty of the formations. Tours take visitors to all three levels of the caverns which feature an underground river and other formations.

The Button Museum 53 Joe Dority Rd., Bishopville, SC 29010 803-428-3841 Hours: Currently under transition due to the death of its owner in 2016

scbuttonking.com.

Dalton “Button King” Stevens spent over a decade affixing buttons to a host of objects, including clothing, an outhouse, a hearse, a Chevrolet Chevette, a guitar, a piano and two caskets, one of which he was buried in when he passed away. Admission is free, however, donations are accepted to help cover expenses.

Brown Mountain Lights Brown Mountain, Pisgah National Forest in Western NC brownmountainlights.com.

This long, low ridge has been the site of mysterious floating lights appearing, witnessed repeatedly for 800 years or more. The earliest reports come from Catawba and Cherokee tribes and Civil War soldiers, but the modern U.S. government has investigated the phenomenon thrice in recent history. For a chance to catch this mysterious sight, visit Brown Mountain after dark.

Carolina Tiger Rescue 1940 Hanks Chapel Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312 919-542-4684 Hours: By reservation only carolinatigerrescue.org.

This sanctuary for big cats allows visitors guided educational experiences with some of the most graceful and deadly creatures in the world.

The organization hosts many types of cats, and offers public and private tours and twilight tours for those 13+. Reservations must be made and tours will be supervised at all times.

Cryptozoology and Paranormal Museum 328 Mosby Ave, Littleton, NC 27850 631-220-1231 Hours: Daily from 1-7 p.m.

Hours flexible with advance notice. crypto-para.org.

This personally-run museum documents testimony, mythology and evidence of the mysterious creatures and phenomenon to exist rumored, but not recognized by traditional science, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster

and UFOs. In addition to the museum displays, the organization offers after-hours ghost tours.

Elsewhere Museum 606 S. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27406 336-907-3271 Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 1-10 p.m. goelsewhere.org.

Elsewhere is a museum and artist residency set in a three-floor former thrift store housing one woman’s 58-year inventory. It is part residency, school, playground, meeting ground, theater, project space and laboratory for creative ideas.

Emerald Hollow Mine 484 Emerald Hollow Mine Dr., Hiddenite, NC 28636 828-635-1126 Hours: 8:30 a.m.-sunset emeraldhollowmine.com.

The Emerald Hollow Mine is the only emerald mine in the world open to the public for prospecting. It is also host to more than 60 different types of naturally occurring gems and minerals, and one of the few places on earth where the rare gemstone hiddenite can be found. Visitors can participate in sluicing, creeking and digging.

Lazy 5 Ranch 15100 Mooresville Rd. Mooresville, NC 28115 704-663-5100 Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. until 1 hour before sunset; Sunday, 1 p.m. until 1 hour before sunset lazy5ranch.com.

Home to more than 750 animals from six continents, Lazy 5 presents the unique experience of a safari ride in the comfort of one’s own vehicle or in a reserved horse-pulled wagon. Operational since 1992, Lazy 5 has earned a reputation as one of the most humane and ethical handlers of exotic and endangered animals internationally.

Mary’s Gone Wild Folk Art and Doll Baby Museum 2431 Holden Beach Rd. SW, Supply, NC 28462 910-842-9908 Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

marysgonewild.com.

This eclectic shop is stocked with artistic oddities including The Bottle House Gallery, which consists of nearly 8,000 bottles of every imaginable form available, and The Lighthouse Gallery, showcasing a myriad of imaginative art pieces.

Oyotunji African Village 56 Bryant Ln., Sheldon, SC 29941 843-846-8900 Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-Dusk oyotunji.org.

Oyotunji African Village is North America’s oldest authentic African village and the first intentional community based on the culture of the Yoruba and Dahomey tribes of West Africa.

Visitors can experience life in a traditional setting. It also has an annual festival, bazaar, spiritual services and more.

Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden 2025 Independence Blvd., Wilmington, NC 28403 910-341-7852 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset wilmingtonnc.gov.

The Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden features a collection of carnivorous plants including Venus Fly Traps, a variety of pitcher plants and sundews and other insectivorous species occupying a microclimate space which permits year-round growth outdoors. The small garden area includes interpretive signage onsite to provide information about the garden. Plant hikes are available on Saturday mornings free.

Tiger World 4400 Cook Rd. Rockwell, NC 28138 704-279-6363 Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Closed Wednesdays. tigerworld.us.

This growing zoological park has been open to the public since 2008 and houses more than 54 species including 14 endangered animals. The venue offers general admission, guided tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and an evening Carnivore Feeding Safari Tour by appointment only.

April 21-May 4 . 2017

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out in print

by Torie Dominguez :: guest contributor

‘The Ada Decades’ — a review

L

ambda Literary Award-winner Paula Martinac’s fourth novel, “The Ada Decades,” encompasses nearly 70 years in the life of the eponymous Ada Jane Shook, bright, brave, intensely private yet unashamed, profoundly self-aware except when it comes to assigning value to her own strengths. One day in 1957, Ada begins her first grownup job as a school librarian, witnesses the entrance of that school’s first black student and meets Cam, who five decades later will sit at a small kitchen table, hold her hands and call her “the one I was meant to be with.”

The city of Charlotte, meanwhile, is nearly as prominent a character as Ada or her suitably named partner Miss Lively.

While this may prove bewildering to the Netflix-dependent, “The Ada Decades” is not binge material. Born as a series of short stories, the volume retains the unmistakable spirit of a concept album — so much so that it would be equally compelling read backwards. To begin at the beginning is to take each chapter as another dramatic leap away from the newsreel past, leaving us able only to guess at what may have transpired in the intervening

years. It’s a perfectly valid approach. For some, though, putting that speculation to the test will be a more intriguing prospect.

Read an Ada tale, digest it, let it sit inside you for a while, and then set the time machine in reverse.

Read the one before. Ask it to enlighten you, to afford you a glimpse into memory, and watch the characters you thought you knew unfold before you.

In a work of quiet wisdom, the wisest choice of all is to address race only as it’s experienced by Ada herself. You’ll find no arrogant, erudite Sorkin-esque speeches here. Our protagonist, a white woman of a certain background and temperament, is compassionate enough to perceive other people’s pain, innocent enough to be surprised by their cruelty, sage enough to realize that she will never entirely comprehend either. But it is her honesty that stands as the rarest of her virtues. Ada’s inability to deceive herself is, if not second to none, at least second to few, and she is ahead of her time in articulating that questions of identity and equality don’t always exhibit the nobility of battle, or even a gritty kind of romance. Grand principles struggle in the sticky web of personal insecurities.

Self-awareness does not beget self-control. Sometimes things just get awkward.

“The Ada Decades” is a historical novel with a keen sense of its own modern relevance. For many years its hero regards a friend’s habit of declaring that “the gays have to stick together,” an axiom by which many in the LGBTQ community now live, largely as a bit of endearing quirkiness. It’s a lifetime before a near-stranger leads her to wonder whether “what they had been through might be of value to another generation.” Martinac, for one, holds these truths to be self-evident. : : ———————— “The Ada Decades”

by Paula Martinac ©2017, Bywater Books $9.99 200 pages About the author: Award-winning writer Paula Martinac has published four novels and three non-fiction books, as well as being a syndicated columnist in addition to being a playwright.

Originally from Pittsburg, Pa., Martinac now lives in Charlotte, N.C. with her wife and teaches creative writing to undergraduates at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She also serves as a writing coach with the Authors Lab of the Charlotte Center for the Literary Arts.

April 21-May 4 . 2017

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++++++++ Sponsored Content ++++++++

from the Rx pad……

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

Autism Spectrum Disorder Pharmacological options help patients deal with issues

Many of you have probably been behind a car in traffic and noticed a multi-colored puzzle piece magnet labeled “autism awareness” on the back window. Maybe you ignored the magnet, or maybe you asked yourself, “What is that?”

The multi-colored puzzle piece pattern is the national symbol of Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. This symbol not only represents the mystery and complexity of ASD itself, but also the diversity and uniqueness of each patient affected.

The month of April is Autism Awareness Month and the goal is to not only raise awareness of ASD, but to also ensure that each patient with ASD is given the opportunity to have the highest quality of life possible.

ASD is defined as a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and non-verbal communication, as well as unique strengths and differences. Many ASD patients also commonly experience core maladaptive behaviors similar to the following: aggression, irritability, selfinjury, hyperactivity, and sleep disorders. Along with developmental and social challenges, many patients with

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ASD also experience co-morbid diseases including: GI disorders, seizures, anxiety, and allergies.

Currently, the CDC estimates that ASD affects approximately 1 in 68 children in the United States. More specifically, ASD affects 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.

Traditionally, ASD management has been provided through collaboration between licensed clinicians and the patient’s family or caregiver.

Pharmacists are also equipped to impact therapy for this patient population. As a result, more clinicians have decided to incorporate pharmacists into the care coordination of autistic patients. Pharmacists can provide a valuable resource, not only for patients, but clinicians and family members as well. They can assist clinicians in the clinical setting with medication selection and therapy management.

Pharmacists also have an important role in the community setting by providing medication, answering questions and concerns, as well as providing support for ASD patients and their families.

There are a number of medications that can be used for ASD patients, such as risperidone or aripiprazole for irritability and self-injurious behavior. ASD patients that suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can

utilize medications such as methylphenidate, guanfacine, and atomoxetine. Pharmacists in both settings are equipped to ensure that medications used to help treat the manifestations of ASD do not exacerbate co-morbid conditions.

Some ASD patients are gluten- or milk-protein intolerant, and pharmacists can acquire gluten or caseinfree tablets, capsules, and suspensions through special orders or compounding. These compounded medications are not commercially available and many times can be personalized based on the needs of the patient.

One medication that has shown promise in treating ASD patients with irritability and hyperactivity is LDN, or low-dose naltrexone. Naltrexone can be compounded into multiple formulations, such as a topical cream, oral capsule, or suspension.

Today, pharmacists have a large role to play in healthcare by becoming an invaluable part of the healthcare team for a number of patients. Pharmacists and clinician teams are now working together to help ASD patients by providing resources and support to help them fit into the puzzle of society and have fulfilling lives.

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tell trinity

disconnected hookup apps. Otherwise, see you on Match.com or OKCupid.

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

Hey Trinity, The other day, this gorgeous guy started flirting with me, but for some reason I got a sense that he wasn’t single. I was trying to find some clues, but he was very ambiguous. How do you know if someone is married or partnered?

Flirting Woes, Orlando, FL

Slut or healthy desires: You decide Dearest Trinity, If a man sleeps with 12 different people in one year, one person a month, is he a slut?

Moreover, if he sleeps with 12 different people in one month, and no one else for the rest of the year, is he also a slut? And am I a slut?

Slut Worries, Phoenix, AZ Dearest Slut Worries, To the first man I say, “What the hell are you doing for the rest of the month, living on blow-up dolls and Ben and Jerry’s?” To the second man, who’s spending 11 months on his knees praying for forgiveness, I’d say, “Honey! Get off your knees, pull your face out of your hands and start enjoying your healthy biological appetite. One-night stands are acts of survival and pleasure, not religious persecution and emotional bondage! Feeling like a slut means not respecting your sexual instincts or carnal desires. And in that magic moment of revelation, you will no longer feel like a slut, but rather a healthy sexual being.

Dear Trinity, After a month of dating, it is finally time for me to sleep over at my girlfriend’s house. I’m excited, but I’m also very used to sleeping alone in my own bed with my own pillow, etc. I

don’t want to frighten her with all my “Special Needs.” Help!

Sleep Over Needs, Austin, TX Dear Needs, That’s simple. If you can’t host the sleepover at your place, then tell her what you need, see if she has it and bring everything else.

Then when you arrive and she’s in another room, set up shop. She doesn’t need to watch you prepare for bed the first time if it’s embarrassing. Also remember, pumpkin, earplugs and a glass of wine before bed works wonders for insomnia. (I have my list for sleep overs and it could make someone plotz from the number of items I put on it! Maybe I should trim it down? Nah!) Hello Trinity, I hate/love Scruff. How do I deal with it without getting so let down by all the letdowns?

Scruff Depressions, Portland, OR Hello Scruff Depressions, Hookup apps are by nature anonymous and disrespectful. Dating apps are slightly different, with people looking for a bit more substance, focusing on dating rather than hookups. You, sweetie, have to take Scruff, Grindr and all the rest for what they are — just raw, emotionally

a&e

Hey Flirting Woes, I know what you went through, especially if you’re single and easy…I mean, easily thrown off by the kindness of strangers. That’s why, darling, it’s time to read: Trinity’s Sly Tips For Finding Out If You’re Dating A Married Or Single Man 1. If he invites you to dinner 100 miles away from where he lives, married!

2. I f he says, “I only have email. I don’t have a cellphone,” married!

3. If he plays hard to get with an attitude, single.

4. I f he plays eager to get with a nervous twitch, married.

5. I f his fourth finger on his left hand has a sunburn in the shape of ring, married and deceptive!

6. I f he says, “I’d like to invite you to a party,” single.

7. If he says, “I don’t like parties. I’m afraid of crowds,” married and/or psychotic!

8. If he says, “I don’t talk about my relationships until after a few dates,” married or an FBI agent!

9. (My favorite) If he says, “I’m married but we’re not sleeping together anymore,” married and trouble!

10. L astly, if he says, “I live in the suburbs in a big house with two dogs,” married or marriage material. You’ll have to find out for yourself! info: With a Masters of Divinity, Reverend Trinity hosted “Spiritually Speaking,” a weekly radio drama performed globally, and is now minister of sponsor, WIG: Wild Inspirational Gatherings, wigministries.org. Learn more at telltrinity.com.

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life

health and wellness

by Jack Kirven :: personal trainer, qnotes contributor

Beer After Exercise: Really, brah?

Oh, yay. Another fad. And this one is just as ridiculous as most of the others. In Charlotte there are bars offering yoga classes; yoga, bootcamp, and cardio studios offering classes outside of bars; obstacle course races selling beer at the finish line; and all sorts of other nonsense that places beer into the hands of people who have just exercised (sometimes very intensely).

Here is my opinion: That’s stupid.

Proponents of drinking beer after exercise claim that beer has a whole bunch of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and “good carbs” (see my article about carbohydrates at goqnotes. com/46370). And although really dark ales and microbrewery blends have more nutrients than the highly processed light beers made by big-batch mega-corporations, they still don’t have enough of these benefits to outweigh one very simple truth: Alcohol undermines your fitness goals.

If you choose to believe that drinking a beer after exercise helps your gains, then at least be honest enough with yourself to admit that what you actually want is to spend time in a social setting undermining your workout. And that’s fine. But don’t do it thinking that beer is going to help you grow muscle, shed fat or recover more quickly.

It does exactly the opposite.

Alcohol is a diuretic. It causes you to pee. This in turn leads to dehydration, which then undermines all sorts of processes in the body. Let’s look at muscle gains, body composition, and postworkout recovery.

Alcohol inhibits the formation of new muscle fibers by blocking the process of protein synthesis, the means by which the body uses the protein in food to build and repair muscle fibers that have been torn at the cellular level by exercise. Alcohol also dampens the production of testosterone (the masculinizing

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hormone that tells the body to create and hold onto muscle mass), while also speeding up the aromatization of testosterone into estrogen. Estrogen is a feminizing hormone that tells the body to get rid of muscle and to store fat. Having higher levels of estrogen is going to prevent dem gainz, brah.

Speaking of estrogen and fat storage: If you think drinking beer after running is a great way to rehydrate and get electrolytes…well, you’re wrong. Sorry. No, I’m not: I’m not sorry. Again, alcohol causes you to lose water. Also, because alcohol causes estrogen levels to rise, it cannot help you improve your body composition. You have just reversed the very metabolic response you were hoping to achieve by doing your conditioning session.

You will store fat, not burn it, because alcohol also causes your whole-body lipid oxidation to plummet. In other words, your body will essentially cease using fat for energy.

Alcohol metabolizes to a stored energy source called acetate. Your body burns the most accessible forms of energy first.

Normally this would be the glucose in your blood and the glycogen in your muscles. Once that is depleted, your body moves on to stored fat. However, acetate is easier to burn than sugar, so your body uses it first. This means you have created a caloric buffer you then have to get through before you can use glucose, before you can use glycogen, and before you can access fat stores. By drinking alcohol, you are creating an environment where it’s even more difficult to burn enough calories to shed fat.

One final nail in this coffin: There is no such thing as low-carb alcohol. Carbohydrates and proteins both have 4 calories per gram, and fat has 9 calories per gram. Alcohol has 7 calories per gram, putting it nearly on par with fat (in terms of energy density). Vodka, contrary to urban myth, is not a low-calorie option: One ounce of it

Having a beer right after a workout or sports endeavor defeats the benefits and gains achieved.

Photo Credit: Halfpoint via Adobe Stock

has nearly 100 calories. And how many shots of it did you drink that night at the party (mixed with which juices and syrups)?

Now for recovery: Sleep is the only time your body gets to heal and grow (see my article on rest at goqnotes.com/50029).

Testosterone doesn’t work alone in rebuilding and creating muscle. Human Growth Hormone is also involved, and you produce the highest levels of this while you’re asleep. Guess what?

Alcohol suppresses that too. It does so by interrupting the natural rhythms of sleep, which then undermines the pituitary gland’s ability to release growth hormone.

Now put the beer down, and drink a glass of water. Stop making all this so complicated. Fads are fads. They are distractions.

They are obstacles. And they waste your time and effort. Stick to the fundamentals: Work hard, hydrate often, eat clean and sleep deeply. Be patient with the long-term process. : : 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.

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EVENTS April-May 2017 March for Science Marshall Park 800 E. 3rd St., Charlotte 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

House of Mercy’s 2017 Walk SEP APR MO for AIDS Sisters of Mercy Campus 500 Mercy Dr., Belmont 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

The House of Mercy AIDS Walk raises money each year for care for lowincome individuals living with HIV. The sisters hope to raise over $40,000 while they celebrate 26 years of service.

The first 300 participants to raise $50 or more will receive a free shirt. Free STD testing will also be available. More information and registration are available online. thehouseofmercy.org/WalkforAIDS.asp.

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 Charlotte-area events will appear on each of the three calendars at qnotes (goqnotes.com), Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce (clgbtcc.org) and Visit Gay Charlotte (visitgaycharlotte.com).

Continues through April 30 BOOM Charlotte Festival Plaza Midwood, Charlotte Times and locations vary

Driving Forward: MeckPAC SEP MAY MO Spring Fundraiser The Wadsworth Estate 400 S. Summit Ave., Charlotte 6:30-8:30 p.m.

MeckPAC will hold its annual spring fundraiser, this year called “Driving Forward,” on May 4, to raise funds for its work advoThe March for Science is a celcating for LGBTQ rights in Mecklenburg ebration of science and a call on County. “The North Carolina General lawmakers to protect the scientific The BOOM Charlotte Festival returns Assembly might be placing speed bumps community. “The mischaracterization in our way, but with your support we can with three days and nights of art, of science as a partisan issue, which keep driving forward with a single, united performance, “and the unexpected,” has given policymakers permission vision for LGBTQ equality,” organizers in the Charlotte neighborhood of Plaza to reject overwhelming evidence, is said. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and Midwood. Events will be held at the a critical and urgent matter. It is time there will be a cash bar. Single admission following venues: Petra’s, Rabbit Hole, for people who support scientific retickets cost $25. Sponsor levels include: Snug Harbor, Plaza Midwood Library, search and evidence-based policies to Gold ($500), Silver ($300) and Bronze The International House, The Light Continues through April 28 take a public stand and be counted,” SEP APR MO Factory, and The Intersection (the gravel ($100). Tickets and more information are Dining Out for Life to Raise organizers said. More information is lot across from Common Market). More available online.

HIV/AIDS Funds available online. meckpac.org/mingle17. information and tickets are available Asheville, NC, Charleston, charlottemarchforscience.com. online.

SC & Columbia, SC marchforscience.com. boomcharlotte.org.

Triad Community Be-In Rally Dining Out for Life, a national initiative SEP MAY –––––––––––––––––––– MO Asheboro, N.C. that works to support organizations that Hippie Fest Time and location TBA raise funds for HIV/AIDS work, takes Continues through April 30 Hodges Family Farm & Pumpkin Patch SEP APR MO A community be-in, focused place across the Carolinas.

In Asheville, Reverb Fest 5 3900 Rocky River Rd., Charlotte on what organizers are Western North Reverb Fest features local 11 a.m.-6 p.m. calling “ideas of personal empowerment, Carolina AIDS and regional bands, perCome dig the good vibes at the Hippie Project will hold forming across two nights at cultural and political decentralization, Fest. The event will feature hundreds ecological awareness, and social issue their fundraiser four different locations: Neighborhood of North Carolina artists and vendors, awareness,” will be held as a counteracTheatre, Lunchbox Records, Snug as well as live entertainment and food on April 27, with tion against the Ku Klux Klan’s plans to over 100 restauHarbor and The Station.

Bands include trucks. It is a family-friendly event and Of Montreal, Paint Fumes, Tape Waves, hold a rally. “Ignoring the KKK is the best is free to attend, with parking costing rants participatway to counteract the KKK, because ating. Also on April Hectorina, Blame the Youth, and The $5. More information is available tention seeking is what ‘they’ are looking 27, Charleston will Coathangers.

More information and online. for. We hope to make sure the attention hold their event at participating restautickets are available online. facebook.com/events/592546757602819. is on something else. Something bigger rants, with funds going to benefit the ticketf.ly/2mPnaci. and better, more inclusive and loving,” Ryan White Wellness Center at Roper organizers added. The time and place of St. Francis Healthcare. On April 28, the the be-in are to be announced and the event in Columbia will take place, with Facebook event will be updated when proceeds going to benefit the SC HIV/ those details have been finalized. More AIDS Council. More information is availinformation is available online. able online. facebook.com/events/1875070149372462. diningoutforlife.com.

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AIDS Walk Charlotte Gateway Village Atrium 800 W. Trade St., Charlotte 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

The annual AIDS Walk Charlotte will once again raise funds to benefit the services and programs RAIN provides to HIV+ youth, adults and senior adults in Charlotte. The walk is approximately two miles long.

“Over two decades, AIDS WALK Charlotte has raised over $2 million for HIV/AIDS prevention activities and care for those infected. AIDS WALK Charlotte is a visual representation of the Charlotte region’s commitment to caring for our neighbors in need and slowing the spread of this devastating disease,” said organizers. More information is available online. aidswalkcharlotte.org.

SEP MAY MO

Community Discussion: SEP MAY MO Transgender Healthcare in Charlotte McColl Center for Art + Innovation 721 N. Tryon St., Charlotte Genderlines and the Charlotte Transgender Healthcare Group partner to present a community discussion on healthcare, mental healthcare, and surgical options available for the trans community in the Charlotte area. Panelists and more details will be added to the Facebook event when they are finalized. More information is available online. facebook.com/events/281741178916653.

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life

Our People:

Q&A with Paige Dula Genderlines founder has found her place with wife, work and advocacy

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff Genderlines was to simply fill a void that our area had for a transgender support group.

Since founding the group, we’ve been asked to participate in panels, asked to do trans 101 training and participated in advocacy for the recent non-discrimination ordinance in Charlotte. I feel the core mission of the group should always be support, but I hope we can do more education and outreach in the future.

That’s why we started the community discussion series. The first one in February on HB2 was well received and attended. I hope the upcoming discussion in May, which will be a discussion focused on trans people of color and the additional challenges they face, will be even more successful.

Finding a truly well-rounded person is rare in this world. I, myself, am consumed by work too much of the time. Paige Dula, on the other hand, seems to have her life pretty much figured out. With a day job as an analyst at Bank of America, Dula dedicates her free time to helping others in the LGBTQ community. A longtime volunteer for Time Out Youth Center, Dula saw the need for an organization focusing on adults who are TQ and often get left behind by the LGB folks. This led her to found Genderlines, an educational and advocacy organization dedicated to welcoming “members from all along the gender spectrum and from all walks of life,” the website reads.

Dula’s own experience as a queer transgender woman may not have always been easy, but along with her personal determination and intelligence, she cites her support system and coping tools as the true keys to her success. Dula shared with qnotes about what keeps her going, in her work as well as her personal journey.

What’s your personal mission in your work with the LGBTQ community?

My personal mission in my work in the LGBTQ community is to educate people about the transgender community and to advocate for our rights.

How did your time with Time Out Youth impact the trajectory of your career since?

Time Out Youth had an enormous impact on my life, both personally and professionally.

Prior to volunteering at TOY, I had little to no experience with the intersection of racial minority and the LGBTQ community. The youth, interns and other volunteers opened my eyes to how much privilege I have despite any hardships I may have experienced.

What are your aspirations in your work with Genderlines?

My initial aspiration when founding

On a personal level, what causes other than LGBTQ issues are important to you?

Outside of the LGBTQ community I like to support my wife, Jennifer, in her support of the homeless community. There are so many homeless in Charlotte and so little affordable housing and other supportive resources. We really need to do more in that area.

What are some hobbies or pastimes that you do to relax or have fun?

My hobby comes as a surprise to some, but I really enjoy building furniture. I started back in the early 2000s doing simple outdoor projects and gradually moved on to fine furniture. My most recent build is a 3-in-1 crib for my new grandson, Oliver.

Who are some of the people who keep you going even when things are hard?

When times get tough I lean heavily on my wife, Jen. She grounds me, helps me to say “no” when I’m doing too much, and is truly my best friend. I’m also blessed with two awesome friends in my life who have become like siblings to me. Jenny Yum and Rick Scot, both [of] whom I met at work, are fantastic examples of family of choice. I’m also not ashamed to say I have a fantastic therapist as well.

If you were to meditate, what would you envision as your “happy place”?

I have a very specific “happy place” I go when I meditate or do self-hypnosis. There is a little outcropping of rock at Pilot Mountain state park that overlooks the unique knob that is Pilot Mountain. It’s surrounded by rhododendron and there are always hawks circling on the thermals. That is where I go in my mind to bring peace. : :

April 21-May 4 . 2017

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