QNotes, May 19, 2017

May 19-June 1 . 2017

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Get set for a summer vacay!

qnotes news & features

views. arts.

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HB2/HB142news.

Update 4 Sgro hired by HRC 5 Out Raleigh! cut short 6 News Notes: Regional Briefs 8 News Notes: U.S./World Briefs

Making sure that children’s healthcare needs are met while away demands preparation and sourcing. page 14

a&e / life&style 5 10 11 13 14 15 16 18 19

In Memoriam: Raymond Guy Lanier LGBTQ models, fashion designers Summer swimwear 2017 Local leather fashion trends Legal Eagles more Tell Trinity news & Health & Wellness features Q Events Calendar Our People: Ann Gonzales

Health & Wellness

In Memoriam

Avoiding injuries while training is a key concern when working out, as well as overtraining. page 16

Community mourns loss of friend, neighbor with love of flora. page 5

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HB2/HB142 Update

Discrimination continues Support for LGBTQ community continues with travel bans, HRC index demotions

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff Although the notorious House Bill 2 (HB2) is repealed, legal discrimination against LGBTQ North Carolinians continues.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, signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on March 30, much of HB2 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 HB 142 news.

May 2 Four LGBTQ plaintiffs filed a status update report on the former lawsuit Carcaño v. McCrory, stating that they intend to continue the lawsuit, this time focusing on HB 142 and Gov. Roy Cooper. “Although HB142 purports to ‘repeal’ HB2, in actuality HB142 perpetuates many of HB2’s harms, as well as HB2’s stigmatization of transgender individuals and those who are lesbian, gay and bisexual,” the status update report read. “By targeting all LGBT people for disfavored treatment and singling out transgender individuals for additional discrimination, HB142 violates the most basic guarantees of equal treatment and due process under the U.S. Constitution.” The plaintiffs are members of the ACLU of North Carolina.

April 28 The Alliance of Baptists held a protest against HB 142 and in support of other issues from April 28-30. On HB 142, the progressive religious organization was indignant. “It is nothing more than a bait and switch,” Myers Park Baptist Pastor Benjamin Boswell said at the opening ceremony. “It was a financial deal, made solely for economic reasons at the expense of human rights, that legitimizes the deprivation of transgender rights under the banner of bipartisanship.”

May 3 Spokesman for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reaffirmed that the state’s ban on non-essential state-funded travel to North Carolina would remain in effect. The ban began in March 2016 after the passage of HB 2 and will continue under HB 142. One consequence of New York’s ban was that the University of Albany’s men’s basketball team could not travel to compete against Duke last season. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) supported the move, with a statement by Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhoff saying, “We are grateful for Governor Cuomo’s leadership in reaffirming the state’s travel ban that makes clear just how devastating this anti-LGBTQ legislation in North Carolina truly is.”

April 31 The ACLU, Lambda Legal and the law firm of Jenner & Block argued in a North Carolina federal court that HB 142 perpetuated the harms of HB 2. “By targeting all [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] people for disfavored treatment and singling out transgender individuals for additional discrimination, [House Bill 142] violates the most basic guarantees of equal treatment and due process under the U.S. Constitution,” the group said.

May 5 The Human Rights Campaign announced that they would return $25,000 and reject another $300,000 in donations from Bank of America. The bank, as well as insurance giant Blue

Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, were demoted on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index, with the organization citing the companies’ roles in passing HB 142. “Bank of America and BCBS NC actively participated in brokering a law that will extend discrimination against countless LGBTQ people across the state of North Carolina — with particularly significant and permanent harm to transgender people,” said Deena Fidas, director of HRC’s Workplace Equality Program in a statement.

May 9 USA Today published a feature on Chris Mosier, a transgender athlete who recently competed in the Long Course Duathlon National Championships last month in Cary, N.C. Mosier won a spot on the U.S. men’s national team for the second year in a row, and will compete in Zofingen, Switzerland. Mosier said that competing in North Carolina “was a protest” against HB 142. “I think visibility is a powerful tool for social change,” Mosier told USA Today. “While (HB142) was supposed to be a repeal, it is a repacking of the same discriminatory policies. It still doesn’t protect LBGTQ people.” Mosier is active with the LGBTQ-supporting sports organization You Can Play, and helped organize a letter to the NCAA signed by 166 student-athletes protesting the sports league’s support of HB 142.

Credit Suisse, a Zurich-based bank that stalled job expansion in North Carolina due to HB 2, announced that it will re-initiate plans to add 1,200 jobs to the bank’s technology center in Raleigh, N.C. Credit Suisse is expected to reduce its overall employee count by up to 650 this year, but is still expanding its Raleigh office.

Credit Suisse Vice Chairman Wilson Ervin said at a news conference: “While we realize that the recent repeal of HB2 contains some compromises, it is an important first step that re-establishes the minimum conditions for us to expand in the state.” : :

Advocacy

Equality North Carolinas’s Sgro to resign, hired with HRC Sgro will take his post as communications director for HRC June 5

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Equality North Carolina (ENC) Executive Director Chris Sgro have announced that Sgro will leave his ENC position and begin a post as communications director for HRC on June 5. Sgro plans to use this new opportunity to continue to fight for LGBTQ rights and equality.

“Equality North Carolina has never been about me,” Sgro said in a statement. “It has been the honor of my life to work with you in this capacity, and I will always be with you in the fight for our rights.”

Sgro has been executive director of ENC for nearly four years. During his time as executive director, ENC strengthened its electoral program with focus on the 2016 gubernatorial race that unseated Gov. Pat McCrory. The organization also founded a coalition of pro-equality businesses that included over 500 voices and hired its first director of transgender policy.

In 2016, Sgro was selected by the Guilford County Democratic Party to take over as a House representative in the North Carolina legislature after the death of Rep. Ralph Johnson.

Sgro was named by the reluctant Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, who later heckled Sgro regarding the infamous House Bill 2 (HB2) debacle.

Sgro has also worked for America Votes and CARE, both progressive organizations. Sgro also served in various roles for

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Sen. Kay Hagan beginning in 2008, helping her campaign and then supporting her during her term.

Under Sgro’s leadership, ENC has worked to advance LGBTQ equality in North Carolina, both legally and in daily life. The organization has been popular in headlines fighting against HB2 as well as HB142, the “repeal” that left much of HB2 in place. ENC has been a partner organization with the HRC, and the two nonprofits will continue to work together.

“Over the last year and a half, we’ve worked side by side with Chris and Equality North Carolina to fight HB2 and attacks on LGBTQ people across the state of North Carolina,” said HRC Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing Olivia Alair Dalton. “In that time, we have all come to admire Chris as a talented com-

Chris Sgro, pictured here during his tenure in the North Carolina General Assembly, is heading to the Human Rights Campaign as its director of communications and is leaving his post as the executive director of Equality North Carolina.

Photo Credit: Marty Rouse, Human Rights Campaign

municator, strategic thinker and an inspiring leader. We are excited to have Chris joining our team to continue fighting for equality across North Carolina and every other corner of our country.”

“Chris has been an incredible asset to both Equality North Carolina and the LGBTQ community of North Carolina,” said ENC Foundation Board Chair Jeanne Kutrow and ENC Board Chair Rick McDermott.

The search for ENC’s next executive director will be a national affair. Sgro will leave his current post at the end of May. “Together, we have accomplished so much,” Sgro said.

“Equality NC has never been stronger than it is today because our community stepped up during the HB2 battle to stand with us to fight discrimination in our state. We will always stand with them.” : :

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In Memoriam

Raymond Guy Lanier Life celebration held on May 6

by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff

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aymond Guy Lanier, 64, died suddenly at his home in Raleigh, N.C. on April 30.

Mr. Lanier, a longtime resident of the Boylan Heights neighborhood, was a lover of life, his fellow mankind, all God’s creatures large and small and all types of music — especially that of cathedral classical pipe organ.

A graduate of Sandhills Community College in 1973 in Landscaping Gardening, Mr. Lanier inherited his passion for gardening from his great grandmother, Cora Stephenson, and mother, Rachel Massey. His love for the beauty of all flowers and plants was abounding, and his knowledge of flora was very expansive. He worked for many years at Fallon’s Florist and furthered his gardening knowledge from working in Fallon’s greenhouses and in floral design. He later opened his own florist shop, Raymond’s Flowers

and Gifts. He also considered all the gardens of his Boylan Heights neighborhood under his charge and focus, often taking care of numerous yards and gardens for his neighbors. A sign on his front porch proclaimed, “This isn’t a garden…It’s a botanical masterpiece!” qnotes’ publisher, Jim Yarbrough, said that Mr. Lanier would be greatly missed and that his longtime dedication and thoughtful handling of

delivering the newspaper to the Triangle area was immeasurably appreciated and valued.

Mr. Lanier is survived by his sister, Lynn Lanier Lanigan, and brother, George Worth Walker, both of Memphis, Tenn.; cousins David and Bill Massey of Burlington, N.C.; cousin Tom Massey of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; faithful friends Elizabeth and Dan Dunbar of Boylan Heights; lifelong family friend Mike White and his sister, Pat, of Durham, N.C.; long-time friends John Markey of Raleigh, N.C., and Buck Mauney of Durham, N.C.; his Aunt Mary Lanier Hornsby of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; cousin Stephanie Lanier; and many cousins.

A celebration of life and picnic for Raymond was held on May 6 at the Boylan Heights DuPont Circle Park, which he designed and created for the neighborhood’s enjoyment.

Memorials in his memory for the ongoing beautification of his beloved neighborhood may be made to the Boylan Heights Neighborhood Association, to the attention of Corny Motsinger, Treasurer, 906 West South St., Raleigh, NC 27603. : :

Pride Celebration

qnotes connect May 19-June 1, 2017 Vol 32 No 02

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Maria Dominguez, Torie Dominguez, David DuFault, Jack Kirven, Lainey Millen, Mikey Rox, Trinity

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Graphic Design by Lainey Millen Photography: Reyn Spooner Mission:

Out! Raleigh ends early due to weather damage LGBT Center of Raleigh staff ‘resilient,’ focused on the future

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff RALEIGH, N.C. — After nine months of preparation, the seventh annual Out! Raleigh festival faced an unfortunate closure due to extreme weather. High-speed winds in the early afternoon of May 6 blew down vendors’ tents and threatened injury to attendees.

Organizers decided to cancel the festival on Saturday, which was scheduled for 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at 2 p.m.

The event is organized by the LGBT Center of Raleigh and is the non-profit’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The 2016 festival drew more than 51,000 people from across the state.

James Miller, the center’s executive director, said that a rough head-count at the time of the closure measured around 30,000 attendees.

The day began with a chilly drizzle, according to Miller. By the time the festival opened, the sky had cleared and the day promised sun.

Unfortunately, extreme wind picked up in the afternoon.

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“By 1:30, vendors were having to hold onto their tents,” Miller told qnotes. “It broke my heart because when I went up on stage, it was sunny and about 67 degrees.”

The wind blew at 22 miles per hour that day, with gust speeds of 31mph, the National Weather Service reported. The Southeast Regional Climate Center noted that the average wind speed for Raleigh in May is 7.7mph.

The staff of the LGBT Center of Raleigh are “devastated” that the disaster prompted them to shut down their most vital event.

“We’ve all shed a few tears, and rightfully so,” said Miller. “It’s hard to know you’re doing the right thing when it feels so wrong.”

Nevertheless, a joint discussion among key parties led to the decision that all agreed was the most responsible choice.

“Deep South (our production company), Raleigh Police Department and the Executive Committee of the LGBT Center all huddled and discussed the issues,” Miller said.

“Safety always comes first, and we had seen some damage start to occur. Nothing is worth risking the harm of our community, so we made a joint decision to close early.”

Though the LGBTQ community of the area understood the unfortunate events, there was some concern over the economic impact of the cancelation. Supporters of

the center particularly worried that the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year fell short of its goals. The funds raised by events such as these go toward the center’s many community support programs.

“We do have insurance, but it is all based on expenses,” Miller mentioned. He added sarcastically, “that and we all know how easy it is to deal with insurance companies, right?”

Nevertheless, the LGBT Center of Raleigh has high hopes for future events and next year’s festival. Miller teasingly mentioned “surprises up our sleeve” regarding the 2018 celebration, even suggesting that the organization was considering a new location for its annual event.

“I think an interesting idea has been to move the festival to Dix Park after the renovations,” Miller said. “Who knows when it’ll be done, but ‘Pride in the Park’ always has a nice ring to it!”

On May 16, the LGBT Center of Raleigh continued its “Dine OUT” series at the Oro Restaurant in downtown Raleigh. The venue’s chefs planned a custom menu just for the event, staff said.

The organization is looking forward to future events and further service to the LGBTQ community. “What I love most about this community and this center, however, is how resilient we all are,” Miller said. “We’ll debrief, learn our lessons, and come back stronger than ever.” : :

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

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

Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2017 and may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent of the editor or publisher. Advertisers assume full responsibility — and therefore, all liability — for securing reprint permission for copyrighted text, photographs and illustrations or trademarks published in their ads. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers, cartoonists we publish is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or photographs does not indicate the subject’s sexual orientation. qnotes nor its publisher assumes liability for typographical error or omission, beyond offering to run a correction. Official editorial positions are expressed in staff editorials and editorial notations and are determined by editorial staff. The opinions of contributing writers and guest columnists do not necessarily represent the opinions of qnotes or its staff. qnotes accepts unsolicited editorial, but cannot take responsibility for its return. Editor reserves the right to accept and reject material as well as edit for clarity, brevity.

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

TOY to hold gala CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Time Out Youth Center (TOY) will hold its Platinum Gala, “Forever,” on June 2, 6:30 p.m., at Le Méridien Charlotte, 555 S. McDowell St., celebrating 26 years of service to LGBTQ youth.

Keynote speaker is Rabbi Judith Schindler and the master of ceremonies is Bobby Sisk.

Attendees will enjoy cocktails, silent auction, dinner and dancing.

The gala brings additional awareness to the center’s recently launched capital campaign.

The funds will be used to build a 10-bed homeless LGBTQ youth transitional living shelter in 2020 on its purchased property located at 3800 Monroe Rd. The new facility is currently under renovations and should be ready for occupancy in June.

Co-chairs for the events are Sara Abadi and Layton Campbell.

Sponsors are Rosedale Infectious Diseases, Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Time Out Youth Center is still seeking other community sponsors for the event.

Funds assist the organization in its service of providing support and social events for youth.

Tickets are $100 each and are available online at bit.ly/2pMyQ1d. Guests will receive two complimentary beverages.

In other news, TOY has announced that it has new grants available for regional gay-straight alliance student-led organizations in middle and high schools. The purpose of the grant is to provide funding to student groups that are working toward improving campus Rabbi Judy Schindler climate and LGBTQ visibility and inclusion in schools through advocacy and awareness events, projects and meetings. Schools in the following counties are eligible to apply: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Union, in North Carolina and York in South Carolina. More information via email to Rebby Kern, the center’s new assistant director of school outreach, at rkern@timeoutyouth.org. Kern has worked previously with Campus Pride, Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International and is the co-founder of the Intercollegiate Adventist GSA Coalition. info: timeoutyouth.org.

Charlotte Chamber welcomes Barnes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce will host Sonya Barnes on May 23, 6:30 p.m., at The Rabbit Hole, 1801 Commonwealth Ave. Barnes has over a decade of experience in both image consulting, image education and personal and fashion styling. She has done both the internal work on her personal transformation and re-branding herself both personally and professionally. Her mission is to discover the full potential of groups and individuals by providing world-class programs proven to enhance their peak appearance, behavior and communications.

RSVPs are available online at bit.ly/2qHTKTc. info: clgbtcc.org.

Fund hosts ‘happening’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund will hold its 10th Annual Happening on May 24, 11:30 a.m., at The Westin Charlotte, 601 S. College St. The fund is a collective giving and endowment initiative of the Foundation For The Carolinas.

Tickets are $40/individual and $400/table of 10.

Registration is available online. info: fftc.org/thehappening.

Breakfast honors leaders

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — MeckMin will honor three recipients of its community leaders awards on May 25, 7:30 a.m., at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E. Morehead St. Those accepting honors will be Toussaint

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Romain, a public defender with Mecklenburg County and Rose Hamid, president of Muslim Women of the Carolinas, Snydor Thompson, Jr Community Leader Award; and Levine Museum of the New South, Bridge Builder Award.

Romain was a mediator between the city and community during recent Charlotte protests who walked with protestors, gaining their trust and the city’s respect.

Hamid has been instrumental in building bridges and shattering misunderstandings and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.

The museum has been on the forefront of providing provocative programming and willingness to tackle difficult topics, sparking awareness and dialogue.

Registration for the event is $45 and available online. info: meckmin.org/event/2017-breakfast.

Run supports ASO

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolinas Care Partnership Annual 5K Run takes place on June 3, 8 a.m., at McAlpine Creek Park, 8711 Monroe Rd. Funds collected go to support those Carolinas Care’s efforts to end chronic homelessness for people living with HIV. Entrance fee is $35 and registration is available online.

Sponsor for the event is Ballantyne Family Medicine. info: carolinascare.org.

Takeover ready to splash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Takeover Charlotte has announced that it will host LGBTQ and ally pool dates at Uptown hotels on June 4, July 19, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10.

On June 4, head to Le Meridien, 555 S. McDowell St., from 12-4 p.m. for the return of the annual event. Included are a cash/credit bar, DJ and light food.

On July 9, 12-4 p.m., move next door to the Sheraton Hotel at 555 S. McDowell St. to continue the fun with the same amenities Attendance is free for either event.

Details on the other two events have not been announced. info: takeoverfriday.com.

Equality March comes to Queen City

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Equality March for Unity and Pride will be held in the nation’s capitol on June 11 and a sister march will be held on the same day at 12 p.m. in First Ward Park, 301 E. 7th St. The global movement is bringing its message to the epicenter of HB2 and participants will engage in showing the community its solidarity and respect for all. It is hosted by Anthony Danisi and Spread Progress NC. “We will use the Equality March - Charlotte, along with our national and sister marches, to give voice to our concerns, and to support, uplift, and bring attention to those in our communities who are targeted due to immigration status, ethnicity, religion, skin color, gender, sexual orientation, age and disability. We affirm and celebrate that we are a mix of diverse communities,” organizers said.

Marchers are asked to meet at the park, stay on the sidewalks and obey traffic and pedestrian signals while also being mindful of other pedestrian traffic.

The march route will head northwest on E. 7th St., then southwest down N. Tryon St. until reaching The Green located next to the Mint and Bechtler Museums.

To join in, visit the march Facebook page at facebook.com/events/233491553795386 to RSVP. Volunteers are also being sought. Email equalitymarchcharlotte@gmail.com to contribute time to the cause.

Donations are also being accepted through gf.me/u/cbvb2. info: equalitymarch2017.com.

Transparents of PFLAG Charlotte supports more than 25 families throughout the county.

Most recently, Nurkin was instrumental in securing and administering a 2016 charitable grant to provide educational resources to Charlotte’s medical community and to promote a better understanding of caring for transgender youth in the healthcare setting. info: pflagcharlotte.org.

PFLAG meeting slated

CONCORD, N.C. — The Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Concord/Kannapolis will meet on June 13 at 7:15 p.m., at Trinity United Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall, 38 Church St. N. On tap for the program is a screening of the National Geographic film, “Gender Revolution, A Journey with Katie Couric.” info: ckpflag@gmail.com. commachurch.com.

Satellite group begins

BELMONT, N.C. — A satellite meeting for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Gaston began on May 4 at the town’s public library. Joshua Burford, faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, was the guest speaker.

Plans are on target to have meetings in Belmont, N.C. in January, May and September and are in addition to the chapter’s regular meetings held in Gastonia, N.C. Those who reside in Belmont, Mount Holly, Cramerton, McAdenville, Lowell, Stanley, Ranlo, East Gastonia and West Charlotte in North Carolina, and in Upstate South Carolina are invited to attend either meeting. Supper followed by an educational program will occur at each meeting. info: pflaggaston@yahoo.com. facebook.com/ pg/Pflag-Gaston-76006788191.

Coastal Teens arrested for Grindr prank

SWANSBORO, N.C. — Two Swansboro High School 16-year-old high school students, Brian Joshua Anderson and Brittney Renee Luckenbaugh, were arrested by Onslow County sheriffs when it was discovered that they had tricked a gay teacher, David Laughinghouse, 51, New PFLAG prez named into sending the teens a nude photo of himself CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Parents and Friends on Grindr, Gay Star News reported. of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Charlotte has The teens posed as a 35-year-old man and named Ashley Nurkin as the organization’s engaged in catfishing the teacher. president. Her term began on May 1.

Laughinghouse was initially Nurkin has been charged suspended with pay, but returned to with the responsibility of the work after the incident. However, he continued success and growth is relegated to a remote location to of PFLAG Charlotte. She will handle his duties. provide ongoing peer support A Change.org petition is in cirfor families and allies, facilitatculation asking that the teacher not ing community engagement be isolated and be allowed to return in both the private and public to campus. Laughinghouse, who is sector and educating the gengrateful for the support being shown eral public on the importance to him, has chronicled his experiof LGBTQ equality. ence on Facebook, but is not allowed “Ashley brings a tremento discuss anything related to the dous amount of passion to her Ashley Nurkin incident, the Gay Star News added. new role, and we are delighted Photo Credit: info: gaystarnews.com. that she has accepted this chal- The Charlotte Observer lenge” said Diane Troy, PFLAG South Atlantic regional director.

Triad A long-time Charlottean and mother of two daughters, one of whom is transgender, Nurkin Film screening hits Triad has worked in conjunction with the Time Out WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — “Real Boy,” a Youth Center on several outreach programs for documentary on transition, will be shown on Charlotte’s LGBTQ children.

May 30, 7:30 p.m., at Salem College Student In 2015, Nurkin co-founded Transparents of Activities Center, Huber Theatre, 601 Church PFLAG Charlotte, an affiliate of PFLAG Charlotte St. S. that provides peer support and resources to the Presented by RiverRun International Film families of Charlotte’s transgender youth. Today, Festival Films With Class in partnership with

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ITVS’s Indie Lens Pop-Up and OUT At The Movies, the film follows the journey of transgender teen Bennett as he navigates adolescence, sobriety and the physical and emotional ramifications of his changing gender identity. Through the process, his mother Suzy makes her own transformation — traveling a difficult road toward accepting that the daughter she raised as Rachael is now her son Bennett. Filmed over the course of four years, “Real Boy” is a love story about a mother and son who rediscover connection with each other and find support from their communities, reminding us that families are not only given, but chosen.

Shaleece Haas produced and directed the film. A community discussion follows the screening. Admission is free. info: riverrunfilm.com.

Grant apps due

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Guilford Green Foundation grant application season will end on June 2 and will award granting to three recipients on June 26. The impact grants of up to $10,000 go to organizations or projects to benefit the LGBTQIA community.

Eligible applicants must have 501c3 non-profit status operating in Alamance, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph or Rockingham Counties.

Eligibility consideration is focused on all prospective grant funded projects having an LGBTQ component or that service the LGBTQ community in some capacity. Applicants must not have defaulted on a previously granted GGF Project Grant.

Applicants should focus on programming in the following three areas: youth and families, the elderly and the transgender community.

Programming can be broad-based, such as building leadership capacity and securing rights for the community; affirming and celebrating identity; ensuring safety, well-being, and dignified treatment; eliminating discrimination and bias; or meeting unmet needs. GGF is also able to provide meeting space for programs up to 25 people.

More information is available online. info: ggfnc.org.

Triangle Gaiety benefits youth

DURHAM, N.C. — iNSIDEoUT’s 11th Annual Awards Banquet and Gaiety will be held on May 27, 12 p.m., at The Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Rd. The event is held annually to acknowledge the work that Gay-Queer-Straight Alliance youth leaders do for the community and youth activists, as well as adult allies who make the organization’s programming possible.

Admission is free and open to the public. A suggested contribution of $3-$180 is welcome, but not required. Visit facebook.com/ events/413049049069386 to RSVP. Brunch will be provided by Souly Vegan Cafe, with coffee courtesy of Joe Van Gogh. info: insideout180.org.

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puppets serving as the on-stage talent and is for mature audiences. It is directed by Jesse R. Gephart.

Designs for the puppets are being fashioned

by Kevin Roberge, a local designer who has been commissioned for this project by the theatre. “A lot of thought has gone into these new puppets.

After a year of sketching and sculpting, our goal was to create a beautiful set of characters that not only looked original and artistically cohesive, but also moved in such a way that they could emote, act and tell the story better than other sets I had seen in the past. Kerry Falkanger has taken my designs to the next level with expert fabrication and attention to detail. Each character went through at least three different prototypes, being redesigned each time as we continually asked ourselves how they could be better. Watching them come to life with the amazing talent of this cast has made all the extra work worth it,” said Roberge.

Show times are 8 p.m. on June 2-3, 8-10, 15-17 and 3 p.m. on June 4, 11 and 18.

Tickets are available online at $28/adult, $24/students (through college), seniors (62 and up) and first Sunday at $15. info: raleighlittletheatre.com.

South Carolina Youth org hosts fundraiser

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A fundraiser, “Free & Whole Together,” to benefit The Carolina Youth Action Project will be held on May 20, 6 p.m., at Redux Contemporary Art Center, 1056 King St. The event is the official launch of the organization.

Participants will be able to enjoy karaoke, painting, do-it-yourself stations, food and beverages. Live music will be provided by Southern Femisphere, Contour, Infinitikiss, Ben Starr and Melon In. Cost is $20. Youth ages 17 and under get in free.

RSVPs are being accepted at facebook. com/events/211502229345615. info: girlsrockcharleston.org.

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

‘Avenue Q’ mounted at theatre

RALEIGH, N.C. — “Avenue Q” will be held from June 2-18 at the Raleigh Little Theatre, Cantey V. Sutton Theatre, 301 Pogue St. The musical is the first local staging in the Triangle. It employs satire and comedy with

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

Dems hires lez CEO

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jess O’Connell has been named CEO of the Democratic National Party, its committee announced.

In doing so, she becomes the first lesbian to staff the position.

O’Connell was previously executive director of Emily’s List, an organization dedicated to electing women in the U.S. In her new post she will oversee day-to-day operations and organization-wide restructuring.

This announcement is the latest transition update under the leadership of Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Tom Perez.

The DNC is focused on strengthening the organization, growing collaboration with

progressive partners, and better serving the 57 state and territory parties and Democrats abroad, leaders said.

“Jess has an impressive progressive track record and I am honored that she will lend her talents to rebuilding our party and electing Democrats,” Perez stated. “She knows that we as a party need to get back to basics. We need to organize in every zip code and better communicate our message of inclusion and opportunity. We know what happens when Democrats don’t win, because we are bearing witnesses to the chaos and harm to working families that results with Republicans at the helm. Jess’ experience as a grassroots organizer and as a leader who has helped hundreds of Democratic candidates win up and down the ballot will be particularly valuable as we gear up for critical elections in 2017, 2018, and beyond.”

“Every single day we are witnessing unprecedented activism and excitement across our nation,” said O’Connell. “I am thrilled to join the fight at the national party to make sure we translate this moment into a movement, and a movement into votes. The DNC has incredible potential and, under the leadership of Chair Perez, I’m ready to jump in and help make this organization more inclusive, effective and influential. We are poised to build a foundation

for a new Democratic Party in every state to jump-start a wave of Democratic wins from school board to Senate nationwide.”

With her lead at Emily’s List the organization saw increases in membership and fundraising from 3 million members to over 5 million, with $90 million raised last cycle. O’Connell oversaw the largest independent expenditure program in the organization’s history. Additionally, O’Connell helped elect the most diverse Congress in history — quadrupling the number of women of color elected to the U.S. Senate and over half of the new Democratic women elected to the House were women of color. At the state and local level, O’Connell built programs to elect 269 women. She traveled to nearly 20 states speaking on behalf of candidates. During this time, with the support of Emily’s List, Hillary Clinton made history as the first woman nominated for president from either party. In response to the 2016 election, O’Connell helped launch Run to Win, a national campaign that has already recruited over 12,000 women to run for office since election day.

O’Connell was previously with the Center for American Progress, serving as a senior vice president and chief of staff, and served as national field director for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. Her advocacy work began in Colorado where she served as the first woman director of the AIDS Walk. She then went on to work on congressional campaigns.

O’Connell joined the senior team for Hillary Clinton for President as the national director of operations. She has also held senior positions at the Children’s Defense Fund and ONE. She currently lives in Maryland with her wife Holly, a librarian with Montgomery County Public Schools. info: dnc.org.

Org’s center helps deal with trans docs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Center for Transgender Equality has invited the community to visit its ID Document Center which provides information on how to update identity federal documents and those in each state.

The ID Document Center is a national resource that helps to ensure transgender safety, goal pursuit and full participation in society.

Detailed information is provided on how to navigate the often-confusing and complicated process of legal name change and gender marker on official IDs and records. Instructions on how to facilitate state-specific changes are also included, such as driver’s licenses or state ID and birth certificates. Federal documents’ updates cover such items as Social Security records, passports, military records and immigration papers.

Up-to-date and accurate information is always on hand. info: transgenderequality.org.

QUICK HITS ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Transgender Lobby Day will be held in Washington, D.C. on June 8. Training is from 6-7:30 p.m. and the opening session follows.

The next day participants will gather for breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by training sessions from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Afterward, activists will engage in congressional meetings from 12-5:30 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., a rally for transgender equality will take place. Community housing and carpooling opportunities may also be available for those who need assistance. Email kmasen@transequality.org for more information and tips for building a state delegation. The lobby day is being held during the city’s Pride weekend celebration. info: transequality.org.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new preliminary viral hepatitis surveillance data showing that the number of new hepatitis C infections reported to the agency nearly tripled between 2010 and 2015, reaching a 15-year high. It estimates that about 34,000 new hepatitis C infections occurred in the U.S. in 2015. info: cdc.gov.

NBC’s “Will & Grace” will return for a 12-episode run this fall. It stars Eric McCormack as Will Truman, Debra Messing as Grace Adler, Megan Mullally as Karen Walker and Sean Hayes as Jack McFarland. Original series creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan will serve as writers, showrunners and executive producers. Director James Burrows, who helmed every episode of the show during its initial eight-year run, will direct and executive produce. info: nbc.com.

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Queerty reported that a Catholic schoolboy turned in a 127-page “Gay Marriage is Fabulous” paper instead of the assigned defense of church morals. info: queerty.com.

The Georgia Voice reported that the state’s governor signed a law that grants AIDS patients access to medical marijuana. info: thegavoice.com.

The Human Rights Campaign has named advocates to lead positions. Equality North Carolina’s Executive Director Chris Sgro was hired as communications director (see the expanded store on page 4); Alejandro Avilés, a former senior adviser at the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, as the director of outreach and engagement; and Ashland Johnson, former director of policy and campaigns at Athlete Ally, as director of public education and research. info: hrc.org.

The Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession has released its 2017 “Review on the State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession.” info: theiilp.com.

The 519 is partnering with Canada Post for an event that will highlight the struggles for marriage equality in Canada and celebrate the moment in the country’s history. In this event, as part of the Canada 150 celebrations, Canada Post is releasing a new stamp on June 1 to commemorate marriage equality in Canada. The stamp depicts a section of a rainbow flag. In other news, Counterpoint Community Orchestra

announced its third concert of the 2016/17 Season, “Love & Light: Celebrating Canada 150 with Pride” will be held on June 10. This concert will showcase the dynamics that have sustained the world’s first LGBTQ orchestra for over 30 years. Two pieces will be premiered, one focused on social action and one dedicated to the Pulse nightclub victims. info: The519.org. canadapost.ca. ccorchestra.org.

Macon, Ga.’s commission has passed an LGBTQ civil rights ordinance, The Georgia Voice reported. info: thegavoice.com.

Organizing for Action (OAF) is conducting its free six-week summer fellowship program aimed at preparing the next generation of progressive leaders. The program gives organizers of all experience levels the tools and training they need to successfully run events that bring communities together around issues like gun violence prevention, climate change, and immigration. Fellow applications are available online and are due by June 5. Webinars will run from June 28-Aug. 2. Fellows will learn from OFA staff and trainers through weekly online trainings, diving into the theory of change behind community organizing, and working side-by-side with experienced community organizers in their area. info: my.ofa.us/page/signup/2017-summerfellowship.

“Bayard & Me” was released on May 15 on Super Deluxe’s social channel and is a short documentary about civil rights leader Bayard Rustin who adopted his partner to legalize

their relationship in the era before same-sex marriage. A trailer is available for viewing at superdeluxe.com/BayardAndMe. info: youtube.com/superdeluxe.

Cynthia Germanotta, president of Born This Way Foundation which she cofounded with her daughter Lady Gaga, will be honored with the Champion Award presented by the University of Miami Health System during World OutGames Miami’s Opening Ceremonies on May 27. info: outgames.org.

GLAAD presented its media awards on May 7 and included individuals and others such as actress Debra Messing, musician Billy Porter. Awards categories spanned across talk shows, reality programs, documentaries, journalism, newspapers, magazines, digital media, recording artists, blogs, Spanish media, films, television and comic books. The Charlotte Observer won Outstanding Newspaper Article for “Permission to Hate” by Elizabeth Leland. info: glaad.org.

Transgender rights activist, recording artist and author Rizi Timane announced the call for applications for the 4th Annual Rizi Timane Transgender Surgery Scholarship. The scholarship underwrites surgery for those in need who lack the financial resources to undergo gender reassignment operations. info: rizitimane.com.

Harrington Park Press has released “LGBTQ-Inclusive Hospice & Palliative Care”

by Dr. Kimberly Acquaviva. info: harringtonparkpress.com.

May 19-June 1 . 2017

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Summer Fashion

LGBTQ designers, models light up the runway Focus on fashionistas

by Torie Dominguez :: guest contributor

F

orget taboo — the cartoonish gay man playing dress-up with straight women has become the fashion world’s most wearisome cliché. Now qnotes’ summer style issue introduces some of the real-life figures breaking ground in a rapidly diversifying industry.

E. Jaguar Beckford Founder and producer, Rainbow Fashion Week

For E. Jaguar “Jag” Beckford, design is more than art — it’s activism. Her ambitious Rainbow Fashion Week made its New York City debut in the run-up to Pride 2014, and the festival now bills itself as “the world’s first carbon-neutral fashion brand.” Speaking to The Advocate in anticipation of last year’s iteration, Jag cited such innovative productions as a pet fashion show supporting a dog waste composting law, a spectacular drag performance “shedding light on anti-trans violence,” and a celebration of sneaker design “addressing LGBTQ+ teen homelessness.”

RFW 2017 takes place June 1623 in New York.

Danielle Cooper & Sara Geffrard Menswear Bloggers

E. Jaguar Beckford Photo Credit: JagandCo.com

Designers, step aside. These days it’s the Internet, not the sketch pad and sewing machine, that can move at the speed of fashion.

Two queer style blogs, Danielle Cooper’s She’s a Gent and Sara Geffrard’s A Dapper Chick, are leaving convention in the dust — and the industry is beginning to take notice. In 2016, Cooper and Geffrard defied precedent as the first women to create original content for the Danielle Cooper & Sara Geffrard biannual Liberty Photo Credit: Facebook Fairs trade show, a hotspot for influencers, social media pros and brands eager to tap into the ever-expanding sharp-dressed-not-necessarily-man market. “I think the most surprising part for me,” Geffrard said, “was seeing the impact we made.”

Tom Ford Photo Credit: Nicolas Genin, Flickr, CC 2.0

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Tom Ford Fashion designer, filmmaker Tom Ford is, if not quite a household name, certainly getting there. Formerly an acclaimed creative director for style superpowers Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, Ford launched his own clothing line in 2005.

He had no intention of restricting his work to the catwalk, though, and he established film production company Fade to Black the same year. His first feature was 2009’s “A Single Man,” an adaptation of

May 19-June 1 . 2017

Christopher Isherwood’s powerful novel depicting a man’s debilitating grief following the death of his partner. The project earned accolades including an Oscar nod for star Colin Firth and a GLAAD Media Award Outstanding Film nomination for Ford. The combination writer/director/producer garnered similar praise for 2016 follow-up “Nocturnal Animals.” Ford married partner Richard Buckley in 2014.

Hanne Gaby Odiele Model This 29-year-old is nothing if not courageous.

She left her native Belgium to pursue a globe-trotting career in a cutthroat field, she struts in stilettos while blinded by spotlights… and in January of this year she became one of the biggest names in LGBTQ fashion when she went public with her experiences as an intersex woman.

Odiele’s decision was motivated in part by a desire to challenge societal obsession with the aesthetics of binary bodies, but even more vehement is her demand for openness and education on conditions like her own androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). She argues that, having been denied these resources, neither she nor her parents could give informed consent for the traumatic medical procedures she underwent from childhood. “I am proud to be intersex,” Odiele declares, “but very angry that these surgeries are still happening.”

Vanessa Newman & Michelle Janayea Founders, Butchbaby & Co. Sellers of maternity garb work their empire waists off to convince us we need not allow growing a human to get in the way of looking feminine.

But what if you view that prospect with a level of enthusiasm traditionally reserved for swollen ankles and cataclysmic mood swings? Well, there’s good news and bad news.

Hanne Gaby Odiele Photo Credit: Christopher Macsurak , Flickr, CC 2.0

A few years back, Michelle Janayea and Vanessa Newman took one giant leap for personkind when they launched “alternity” firm Butchbaby & Co. Aimed at genderqueer, trans, androgynous and other masculine-presenting individuals looking to expand their families through pregnancy, Butchbaby recognized that an experience as unique as Vanessa Newman & Michelle Janayea childrearing shouldn’t begin with prospective parents Photo Credit: Facebook crammed into identical floral boxes.

The bad news? Despite fantastic early press coverage, Janayea and Newman’s brilliant idea doesn’t seem to have become much more than that. The company’s website is no longer online, and it’s been crickets from its official Twitter account since February 2016. Here’s hoping Butchbaby & Co. has a sibling on the way. : :

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life

Summer Fashion

Booty and the beach: Swimwear to accentuate your assets Shake what your mama gave you in a kaleidoscope of prints and patterns prepped to get soaking wet

by Mikey Rox :: guest contributor

S

tep onto any gay beach — from Miami’s Haulover to Asbury Park’s 5th Ave. to Will Rogers Beach in Los Angeles — and you’ll bear witness to a veritable catwalk of looseygoosey board shorts, fitted trunks and skintight Speedo-like swimwear. While anything goes on the summer’s sandy shores — especially if the area is clothing optional (better pack those dark lenses!)

— this year’s styles continue last year’s thighs-thelimit trend with a twist: button-closure shorts with waist-specific sizing. Here we cultivate some of the more stimulating designs for 2017 with a smattering of tradition tossed in for good measure.

The King of the Jungles You won’t have to cast a wide net to bring all the bottoms to your beach towel in Original Penguin’s lion photo-print snaptogethers that are anything but cowardly. Mesh briefs on the inside help keep your animal in its cage. $79 originalpenguin.com.

The Royal Tenenbums While England likely doesn’t top your list of must-plan summer getaways, Craghoppers’ Northbeach shorts, photo-printed with a breezy British seascape, are fortified with SolarShield Zinc Oxide UPF 40+ protection and an anti-chlorine finish to prevent fading so you can turn up at the hotel pool on this side of the pond. $60 craghoppers.com.

The Schools Frat-tastic Chubbies continues its foray into snapshut shorts — “it’s sky’s out, thighs out” elastic waists have dominated its swim collection for the past few years — with a few new additions for summer ’17. Seven designs in all, from mono-colored to wild prints — like this salt water fish style — feature four-way stretch fabric and a zipper-close back pocket for all the important documents you’ll need to take a dip. Anything can happen these days. $70 chubbiesshorts.com.

The Polly Wanna Partys Fans of ABC’s “Shark Tank” will feel fully vested in the Caribbean-influenced parrotprint trunks from Tipsy Elves — shark Robert Herjavec made a deal in 2013 with founders Evan Mendelson and Nick Morton, providing a $100,000 investment for 10 percent of the company — but your pair will only set you back a couple-a Jacksons. $40 tipsyelves.com.

The Top-to-Bottoms Versatility best describes the multi-purpose, bold-hued floral mid-thighs from Descendant of Thieves — they’re just as legit on the beach as they are in a bar — that you’ll wish your oneway boy toy would take a cue. $89 descendantofthieves.com.

The DSLs

The Aloha-You-Doins Hawaii-based designer Reyn Spooner emphasizes “Mai iloko mai” — which translates to “That which is within matters”— in his island-inspired, above-theknee board shorts constructed with four-way stretch, a drawstring tie with Velcro closure and UPF 50 protection, available in colors like ink, smoke and seafoam. $75-$85 reynspooner.com.

Loose lips sink ships, but the all-over open-mouth print on Andrew Christian’s Kiss Me bikinis — featuring a snuggle pocket to hug your goodies just right — will have the Navy’s finest bellowing “Land Ho!” But how’d they know your name? $41 andrewchristian.com.

— Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He splits his time between homes in New York City and the Jersey Shore with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Twitter @mikeyrox.

How to choose the best sunscreen Easy as 1-2-3…

T

here’s no shortage of sunscreen options in the skin care aisle, but which are the best for your body? Bart Zoni, co-founder of Clinical Skincare Company, shares his expertise on what to look for when choosing your skin’s best defense.

1. Pay Attention to Active Ingredients We’ve been conditioned to look at the SPF on our sunscreen to determine how much protection we want or think we need, but the active ingredients in a formula are just as important, Zoni says. The vast majority of skin health professionals rely on titanium dioxide and zinc oxide

— the two mineral actives available in the U.S. — instead of chemical filters. A quick check of the drug facts on the back of your bottle will list what’s inside.

2. Double Down on the Protection When browsing sunscreen brands to put in your beach bag, two words are critical: Broad Spectrum.

“These SPF products are able to block both UVA and UVB radiation, providing you with the best protection possible,” explains Zoni.

After showering, moisturize with Cetaphil Men’s Daily Face Lotion SPF 15 for regular protection, and up the ante

with Skin Cancer Foundation-recommended EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 for prolonged exposure.

3. Boost Your Natural Defenses Everything else we put in and on our body is fortified, so why not sunscreen? SPF plus antioxidants are the perfect combo for ultimate before and after defense.

“The sun puts a lot of stress on the skin and antioxidants help prevent and repair visible sun damage,” Zoni says. “Combining them with your SPF makes total sense.

Look for ingredients like Vitamin C, green tea extract, ubiquinone, or Vitamin E.” : :

May 19-June 1 . 2017

qnotes

11

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

from the Rx pad……

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

Opioid Addiction and Overdose The More You Know The Better

by Desiree’ Gaines, PharmD and Edana Holliday, PharmD The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that more than 16,000 people within the United States died from opioid overdose in 2013.1 Results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health demonstrate that almost 2 million Americans aged 12 or older either misused or abused opioid pain relievers in 2013.2 In 2016, additional funding was acquired to work towards decreasing the rate of deaths from opioid overdose, as well as to create programs to decrease opioid abuse. Among other healthcare professionals, pharmacists are well-equipped to play a role in reducing opioid misuse and abuse, but are often an underutilized resource.

Pharmacists have extensive knowledge of medications and an obligation to ensure that all efforts are made to prevent substance abuse in their communities by providing education, utilizing prescription drug monitoring programs, and providing patients and families with lifesaving resources.

Education is a crucial step due to the many misconceptions about drug use. Illegal drugs are commonly discussed, but many resources fail to explain the risks associated with prescription drugs, especially opioids. Many parents are unaware that teens are abusing prescription drugs and, therefore, are unsuccessful in safeguarding those medications in the home. Because opioids are commonly prescribed and readily available in most homes, it becomes increasingly important to understand the potential medication abuse that can result from easy access. Pharmacists can aid in the identification and education of individuals who

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have substance abuse issues and refer them to evaluation and treatment resources.

If you feel as though you or someone you know is battling opioid abuse, take action.

1. T alk to your pharmacist regarding proper storage and disposal of excessive, unused, and expired medications in your home to protect yourself and others.

2. B ecome familiar with local drop-boxes or a safe way to dispose of medications to further help prevent medication diversion and abuse.

3. T alk to your primary care provider about your concerns, and ask them to help you identify additional resources.

4. D iscuss life-saving opioid overdose “stoppers” with your pharmacist and primary care provider.

There are medication kits that can be provided if you are taking opioid medications.

If you or someone you know is taking opioids, you should be aware of signs that may be associated with opioid overdose.

These signs and symptoms include, but are not limited to: • Unresponsiveness • Limp body • Slow, erratic pulse, or not there at all • Choking sounds • Shallow or no breathing

• Pale, blue, or grey skin • Vomiting Lives can be saved by administering reversal medications in cases of opioid overdose. Community-based overdose prevention programs, such as Project Lazarus, focus on increasing access to naloxone for prescription opioid users.

Through this program, patients taking opioids and their family members are given education on how to use these treatment options, and they are provided with a naloxone kit for home use.

While all opioid misuse and abuse will not be eliminated overnight, there are a number of resources and strategies that can be utilized to improve patient care and public safety. If you believe that someone you know may be at risk for opioid abuse, consider seeking help from your local pharmacist.

References: 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Vital Statistics System mortality data. (2015) Available from http:// www.cdc.gov/nchs/deaths.htm.

2 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings, NSDUH Series H-46, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 13-4795. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2013.

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life

Summer Fashion

Local leather fashion retailers ‘delight’ Stores and sites for your leather needs provide adventure

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff

W

e’ve all seen “leathermen” at Pride events. They boldly display their sexuality through provocative outfits that reveal just enough to tantalize the mind.

It isn’t just men — women in leather are positively mouthwatering. And transgender or queer people in leather? They can tie me up anytime.

So where can you shop for these exciting outfits? Of course, there are online stores like Fetish Factory and Leather Werks.

However, the challenges of online shopping — knowing your size, feeling confident you can “pull off” this look — are especially problematic for these tight-fitting ensembles.

There is hope for those who prefer in-person shopping and want to break into the world of leather. Several retail locations in the Carolinas offer varying selections of fetish-wear.

Adam and Eve is best known as mostly an online store. As the company’s website reveals, an endless variety of adult products are offered in these stores, but its fetish fashion collection is especially intriguing.

Masks, cuffs and other restraints are popular purchases, but the stores’ clothing items are as provocative. One item, leather and lace elbow-length gloves, combines elegance with sexuality.

Adam and Eve also offer everything from teddies to harnesses (for all genders) to leather thongs and male chastity devices.

Another adult store, Just for Pleasure, has two Charlotte locations: 4740 Old Pineville Rd. and 8535-C Hankins Rd. The stores contain skin-tingling items like crops, canes, leashes and more. A vibrating corset strap-on harness is one item difficult to find elsewhere.

The bulldog leather harness is a favorite among the leathermen at Pride, offering subtle control of the chest and arms without excessive restraint. On the female side, a lace-up fetish dress complete with chains and choker collar may make your partner utterly irresistible.

White Rabbit at 920 Central Ave. features some fetish wear, though its primary focus is as an all-purpose LGBTQ store. The store’s leather collection is mostly in the adult toy section, but occasionally male chest harnesses and even leather briefs with attached cuffs are featured in the lingerie section.

Pricilla McCall’s is another Carolinas-born treasure with 15 locations in North Carolina, two in South Carolina and four in Virginia. Along with bondage and other kinky toys, Priscilla’s has titillating lingerie that will enliven the darkest mind.

The faux-leather bustier with buckled halter collar and a zippered front is a personal favorite, and the fishnet “dirty cop” chemise complete with leather belt will prompt vivid fantasy. For men, the “Cyclops” bares all between a studded black waist and jock-strap rear.

Finally, Earth Angel at 3728 E. Independence Blvd. in Charlotte has the best selection of corsets in town. A low-key store hidden

away in an otherwise abandoned shopping complex, only the locals and regulars know its secrets. Collars and other accessories are found behind the counter. Gorgeous high heels in every variety — and even the biggest sizes — shine in their kinky glory.

But if you’re shy of shopping for these sorts of things, countless websites offer delivery anywhere in the country, sometimes even internationally.

Leather Werks caters mostly to gay men, but serves the entire fetish community. The online store’s stock of leather suspenders, male harnesses and chain accessories is unmatched. Leather Werks also offers pants from leather-and-lace, leather-denim hybrids and even kilts.

Fetish Factory, based in Florida but operating online, has a selection of male catsuits that will turn heads at the next public event, without revealing too much. The site even offers a whole-body latex catsuit with inflatable breasts for those without. Other unique items include a priest robe, long anime sleeveless jacket and a men’s harness with claw spikes.

Whether online or in store, the leather community of the Carolinas does not lack shopping options. LGBTQ or straight and cisgender, all can enjoy the sexy and liberating feeling of a skintight black outfit. Like those bold leathermen at Pride, own your kinks and wear them proudly. : :

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life

Legal Eagles

Summer travel tips Don’t let your kids leave home without them

by David DuFault, Attorney, Sodoma Law :: guest contributor

A

h, summer; it’s almost here and is quickly becoming the focus of most students’ daydreams, and for that matter, those of their parents. Summertime also marks a season full of travel and vacationing.

While many kids vacation with their parents throughout the summer months, children are also often invited to embark on travel adventures with their extended families and their friends’ families.

Then, of course, there are instances throughout the summer when parents decide to take some time for themselves, enjoying a vacation from parenting and work responsibilities, while leaving their children in the care of other responsible adults who may or may not share familial ties.

Accidents happen Relaxation and fun are the goal of summer trips, but as many parents can attest, accidents happen.

When things go awry and emergency services are required, it is imperative your minor children have immediate access to the necessary medical care. Whether the emergency is something as routine as a playground spill resulting in a sprain or broken bone, or more extreme like an accident at the beach, parents who are away from their children should take the necessary steps to ensure timely and appropriate care can be received.

LGBTQ families need to prepare for emergencies on vacations.

Tips for such situations Consider the use of a short-term medical power of attorney, or health care consent, that designates the person with whom your child is travelling as a limited agent to provide medical consent when necessary for your child’s care.

Consider a short-term guardianship document or letter that identifies the person or persons with whom your child will be staying.

This document should clearly identify all adult individuals that may bear responsibility for your child while they are away from you.

If you are the party who is leaving town, similar documents should be prepared and left with the responsible adult who will care for your child while you are away.

If someone else’s minor child will be in your care, either as an invited guest or while their parents are away, be sure you have received similar documents from the parent or guardian of your guests.

If possible, advise your primary medical providers — pediatricians, dentists, etc. — so they are aware that third parties may be in contact with them in the event of an emergency.

The medical providers might even have forms they’ll want you to use.

Extra caution for unmarried LGBTQ couples Even in the post-marriage equality era, there are challenges of which LGBTQ families need to be aware — especially for those co-parents who are not married. LGBTQ-rights related laws regarding family and anti-discrimination still vary by state, and may impact your ability to access your child should a vacation mishap result in a hospital stay. The last thing you need in that situation is to

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rush to your child’s side, only to be met with resistance from a medical institution — especially in a state other than the one you call home.

Knowing which rights are protected at the federal level is important, especially for those families in which the parents are not married; for example, federal law requires “hospitals participating in Medicaid and Medicare to have written policies and procedures regarding patients’ visitation rights. Hospitals must: (1) inform each patient of his or her right to receive visitors whom he or she designates, including a domestic partner, (2) do not restrict or limit visitation rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity, among other factors and (3) ensure that all visitors have full and equal visitation rights,

Photo Credit: oneinchpunch via Adobe Stock

consistent with a patient’s wishes. State laws governing medical decision-making are often based on biological and marital relationships, and so in the case of unmarried co-parents, do not protect LGBTQ people and their families.”1 By preparing advanced healthcare directives and other documents, unmarried LGBTQ parents can ensure access to their children — by designated caregivers, and even by themselves in another state.

Safe, happy travels!

As parents, the primary thing to remember is that you have the opportunity to address these situations before an emergency occurs.

And, while you can hope that your children will never face such circumstances, or if they do, be forced to wait until parental consent can be provided, you can also be proactive in preparing for these situations.

As you plan for upcoming family trips, children’s summer travel, and your own vacations, be sure to consider short-term guardianship and health care consents. Don’t leave home — or let your kids leave home — without them! : : — David T. DuFault is an estate planning and business attorney at Sodoma Law, P.C. in Charlotte, N.C. DuFault holds a Juris Doctor from Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, a Masters in Accountancy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Belk College of Business, and a Masters of Laws from The University of Alabama School of Law. 1 Human Rights Campaign, Hospital Visitation Guide for LGBTQ Families

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tell trinity

am being scammed?

Scam Jam, Toledo, OH

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

Hello Scam Jam, It’s hard to believe that someone you love would take advantage of you, but guess what…it happens a lot. Besides talking to the police, here are:

Could a fetish destroy your relationship?

Hey Trinity, My partner is getting into the “fetish scene.”

Should I be scared for our relationship or myself?

Fetish Inquiries, Nashville, TN

will be will be! Sweetie, you must learn to stay in the moment and appreciate what you have around you today. Now shut up and be happy!

(My cartoon shows you how to handle trouble and how not to miss out on the good stuff!)

Hey Fetish Inquiries, On one hand (cuff), some fetishes are mild and almost more about fashion than sex, but on the other hand some “fetishes” can become so intense that one is unable to have sex without their fetish or “fetish toys,” and these toys can even replace a sexual partner, which is where you come in (or go out). So, darling, don’t try and stop this new-found fetish just yet, but keep a close tie — I mean eye — on it. Also go out with your partner rather than letting this fetish explorer roam without you. And keep me posted!

Dearest Trinity, I’m dating a guy who doesn’t want to be tied down even though we’ve already been dating for four months. He says he’ll only date me if he can “have his freedom for now.” I’m feeling caged in. Help!

Promiscu-Mess, Charlotte, NC

Dear Trinity, I‘ve been with the same beautiful girl for almost a year now. But she is constantly getting hit on. I worry that she could find better, get bored and/or lose interest in me. I also worry that this won’t last. What can I do?

Worried Sick, Annapolis, MD Dear Worried Sick, You’re worrying yourself and me sick! Stop the negative tape recorder in your head! What

Dearest Promiscu-Mess, Open relationships have to be a mutual decision between two animals. However, if you can stand having one for a little bit, then why not let him keep his untamed fantasies for a while longer? He, like many zoo mammals — I mean men — feels trapped by relationships. Darling, if by month six he still hasn’t found “freedom” with you, who want monogamy, then it may be time to set this animal free!

Hello Trinity, I fell in love and let this person move in. But recent stories and situations are not making sense. I think I am being taken advantage of emotionally and financially. How do I know if I

Trinity’s Trusty Tips For Knowing If You Are (PBS) Probably Being Scammed 1. When a stranger, a friend or even a relative says “trust me with your money,” you’re PBS! 2. When you’re paying or taking responsibility for the drug, gambling or alcohol habits of anyone, even someone you “love,” you’re PBS. 3. When you’re dealing with someone whose stories (or lies) continually “don’t add up,” you’re PBS. 4. W hen you buy electronics from someone selling them out of their car or on the street, you’re PBS! 5. W hen you’re involved with someone whom all your trusted friends call “a thief and a hustler,” you’re PBS. 6. W hen someone you don’t know says “give me the cash first, and I’ll come back with the goods in 10 minutes,” you’re PBS. 7. When you take someone’s check while the banks are closed and/or give merchandise before a check clears, then you’re setting yourself up for PBS! 8. When you buy something big, like land

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or bonds, but have not had an “outside” lawyer and/or banker do the research first, then you’re PBS! 9. When you don’t read the restaurant check, especially for an included tip, it’s possible that you’re PBS! 10. Lastly, when someone you “love” moves in, leaving you financially responsible for them, and things also start disappearing, you’re PBS! 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

Overtraining: A risk factor for injury

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ecently I have found that I’m doing too much exercise. I got all excited about getting involved with a team sport, and I practiced days in a row leading up to a game.

Because of ego, I ignored some red flags.

The inevitable happened: My performance suffered, and I felt drained soreness. Then, as if that weren’t already enough, a couple days I did two full workouts in one day.

Working the same muscles on back-to-back days It becomes crystal clear why properly warming up and cooling down is essential, if you happen to train the exact same movements on back-to-back days, especially if you haven’t incrementally progressed to the days’ intensity. As I threw the ball, I first got better and better… then ego took over when I started getting diminishing returns, and I kept going, trying to force myself to get better again. I did that three days in a row, and then played a game.

I ended up having to put my arms in cold water, and I could barely use my grip strength for the game itself. I felt like I had inflamed an old case of medial epicondylitis (Golfer’s elbow), and my shoulders were on fire. And if that isn’t enough, the day after the game was my pull up session for the week.

Doing two workouts in a day I am definitely not an advocate of multiple workouts in a day. If you have worked out to true exhaustion, your central nervous system needs as much rest as your muscles and connective tissues.

Doing this occasionally might not undermine your progress; however, habitually taking your body to the limit multiple times in a day is a risk factor for injury.

The reason I did two workouts that day was peer pressure, oddly enough.

I’d already done an intense upper body workout that morning (after that game I just mentioned), not realizing I would get lassoed into a lower body workout two hours later. I never really got to do the lower body workout to full intensity, because I hadn’t eaten after the upper body series (hush... I know). So, I went into the lower body session hungry and tired, which increases the risk of using poor form and/ or overstraining.

To make it worse, I couldn’t eat after the second workout either, because I was at work and had to to train others. This is not ideal at all. If any good came from all this, it was that I was ravenous later, ate fully and then slept very deeply. However,

Overtraining can result in injuries to backs, arms, neck and shoulders, among others. It can also diminish the return-on-investment in time spent in the gym, on the track or elsewhere.

Photo Credit: photominus21 via Adobe Stock

those days altogether created a perfect storm for undermining my results by pushing my body just shy of its ability to recover. Any more of these abuses, and I’m pretty sure I would have gotten injured. A close call.

Lesson remembered: Find your limits, test them gradually, grow incrementally, and only then do you level up. : : 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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May 19-June 1 . 2017

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EVENTS May-June 2017 ‘80s to the Max’ Myers Park Baptist Church, Heaton Hall 1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte 5 p.m.

The Charlotte Pride Band will take audience members back to the 1980s with this performance featuring favorite pop hits from the decade from radio, film and stage. Hear performances of songs from the likes of Queen, Toto, John Williams, Stephen Sondheim, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Bon Jovi, and more. Tickets cost $15. More information and tickets are available online. charlotteprideband.org.

–––––––––––––––––––– Continues through May 21 Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus Presents ‘How Can I Keep from Singing?’

Various locations 3 p.m.

The Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus will give two performances of their spring production of “How Can I Keep from Singing?”

One will take place at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh, N.C. on May 20 at 3 p.m. and the other one at Calvary United Methodist Church, 204 E. Trinity Ave. in Durham, N.C. on May 21 at 3 p.m. The music will feature everything from “the glitz and glamour of George Gershwin to patriotic songs and rousing spirituals.” Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the show. Tickets and more information are available online. tgmchorus.org.

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Submit your event to our calendar!

You can submit your event to our comprehensive community calendar presented by qnotes, the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Visit Gay Charlotte. Submit your event at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/ and get a three-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).

Defend Freedom Rally SEP MAY MO Marshall Park 800 E. 3rd St., Charlotte 1-3 p.m.

A rally to call for a special prosecutor to be appointed to investigate all possible ties between Russia and the Trump campaign and administration, after the firing of FBI Director James Comey. The event is hosted by the group Indivisible Charlotte. More information is available online. facebook.com/CharlotteIndivisible.

Boo Reefa, with Lara SEP MAY MO Americo, Nicholas Holman, and LeAnna Eden and the Garden Of The Milestone 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd., Charlotte 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show Boo Reefa, from Athens, take the stage with local favorites Lara Americo, Nicholas Holman and LeAnna Eden and the Garden Of. Tickets cost $5 in advance, $7 the day of the show, with a $2 surcharge for anyone under 21. Tickets are available at ticketfly.com/event/1448374.

More information is available online. themilestone.club.

Continues on May 24 ‘Dear Harvey — Stories of Harvey Milk’ Play Readings Various locations & times Celebrate the life of political activist and politician Harvey Milk with readings from the play “Dear Harvey — Stories of Harvey Milk.” There will be readings on May 22 at Levine Museum of the New South, at 12 p.m., at Theatre Charlotte, at 7:30 p.m., and at NoDa Brewing Company, also at 7:30 p.m. On May 24, there will be a reading at Levine Jewish Community Center, at 7:30 p.m.

The reading at the Levine Museum of the New South costs $8, and the others are free with donations accepted.

More information and tickets are available online. greenhaircreative.org.

North Carolina Entertainer of the Year XVI Legends Nightclub 330 W. Hargett St., Raleigh Times vary The North Carolina Entertainer of the Year will be crowned in three pageants, held on three different nights. Friday will see the crowning of the NC EOY King, followed by the NC EOY Femme on Saturday and the NC EOY Fi on Sunday.

There are over $5,000 in total cash and prizes up for grabs, along with bragging rights. More information and tickets are available online. northcarolinaeoy.com.

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Continues through June 3 SEP JUN MO Charlotte Ballet: Inspired Works Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m.

Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux presents his final performance of his Charlotte Ballet tenure. He presents a collection of his inspiring works throughout the years, including George Balanchine’s “Rubies,” Mark Godden’s “Angels in the Architecture,” Sasha Janes’ “Lascia la Spina, Cogli la Rosa,” Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Quentin Talley’s “Transformation,” and Jiri Kylian’s “Sechs Tänze.” Ticket prices range from $25-$85. Tickets and more information are available online. blumenthalarts.org.

–––––––––––––––––––– Continues through June 25 Charlotte Squawks 13: Charlotte, We Have a Problem Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte Times vary The news, both local and national, sports, pop culture and life in the Queen City get a sendup in what creators call a cross between “Saturday Night Live” and a Broadway show. The creative team of Mike Collins and Brian Kahn, and a team of the area’s most talented performers, will have no shortage of material to draw from this year. Ticket prices vary and start at $24.50. Tickets and more information are available online. blumenthalarts.org.

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Carolinas CARE 5K Run McAlpine Parkway 8711 Monroe Rd., Charlotte 8-10 a.m.

Run for a good cause to raise funds for the work Carolinas CARE Partnership does for those living with HIV/AIDS. Everyone who registers will get a free t-shirt and everyone who finishes will get a medal. Early registration before May 15 is $30 and afterward goes up to $35. Registration is available online at bit.ly/2okGgaw. facebook.com/events/624596291059029.

–––––––––––––––––––– Vintage Charlotte Summer Market Camp North End 1776 Statesville Ave., Charlotte 10 a.m-5 p.m.

Over 80 local and regional vendors will be on hand at the 6th annual Vintage Charlotte Summer Market, offering vintage and handmade items.

Not Just Coffee and Birdsong Brewing Co. will be on hand to provide beverages and Bleu Barn Bistro, The Dumpling Lady and King of Pops will supply the food. There will also be live music and an art installation. $7 early bird tickets are available for entry at 10 a.m. Starting at 11 a.m., tickets will drop down to $2.

Parking is free. More information is available online. facebook.com/events/170407950139231.

Submit your event at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/

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life

Our People:

Q&A with Ann Gonzales Entrepreneur speaks on heritage and the importance of community

by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes staff

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usiness owner and community innovator Ann Gonzales has had quite a career in her short 33 years of life. Motivated by her creative instinct, a business-oriented mindset, and her cultural identity as an Asian-American lesbian, Gonzales has a lot of irons in the fire and has seen great success. Now co-owner of the Charlotte-based creative design agency Create-ster, Gonzales uses her free time to do digital marketing and event planning for Filipino American Spirit and the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC), among other projects.

Dedicated to serving her communities with all the skills in her arsenal, Gonzales is a manifestation of determination and accomplishment.

far, it’s been a good, interesting journey. I’ve learned that the Asian communities’ focus seems to be more about educating others about the Asian culture, and less business-centric. However, I know CAACC is looking to do more when it comes to Asian businesses and entrepreneurs.

Why did you choose to co-found Create-ster?

At the beginning half of 2011, my business partner, Alyssa Kibiloski, and I left our jobs from Corporate America to work for an entrepreneur who formed a start-up PR firm. Unfortunately, the PR firm ended up not making it financially.

From there, Alyssa and I decided we needed to combine forces and start our own creative marketing agency. Alyssa focused on the graphic design half of Create-ster and I focused on the website development half.

Who have been some of your major influences, either personally or professionally?

Teresa Davis will always be one of my major influences. She was the one who got me more involved in the LGBTQ community.

Through her, I was part of the Charlotte Film Festival, the Charlotte Business Guild, the Charlotte LGBT Community Center and very briefly with Charlotte Pride … I am deeply moved and inspired by Rocio Gonzalez from the Charlotte Latin Chamber of Commerce and Nimish Bhatt, John Chen and Dr. Nini Bautista from the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce. All four of these leaders have been working in the community for years and years to create opportunities for the Latin, Asian and refugees of Charlotte.

Would you describe yourself as more creative, more business-minded, or both?

I would say I’m 40/60 when it comes to being creative or business-minded. I used to love creative writing, drawing, painting and creating pieces of art out of clay. I did a lot of fine art throughout high school.

However, as of late, I’ve morphed into becoming more business-focused. I do less creative production work and primarily work with clients one-on-one on their marketing strategies, manage our production team at Create-ster and do business development and administration.

How have your ethnic heritage and your LGBTQ identity influenced your professional life?

Being LGBTQ and Asian, I’ve looked for professional opportunities to be involved within those two focus groups … It’s opened my eyes to better understand the disparities that we, as LGBTQ and Asian Americans, face from not only a local and national level, but from a corporate level to a small business/entrepreneur level.

Now that I’ve retired from the Charlotte LGBT Chamber, I’ve moved to focus on being part of the Charlotte Asian community … Thus

How did you first become inspired to pursue graphic design and technology?

I was always into art and writing. I wrote and illustrated my own stories when I was around 8 or 10. When I was 15-16 my parents bought a computer and I met a friend who built her own website. I was so amazed that she was able to build her own website that I started to build my own.

From there, I taught myself how to use graphic design programs and learned how to code in HTML and CSS.

What do you do to have fun or relax?

I love being outdoors, gardening, cooking and spending time with my family. I also love checking out new restaurants and attending the many awesome festivals we have in Charlotte!

Politically, are there any particular causes that are important to you?

I’ve started a Charlotte LGBTQ Asians Facebook Group in hope to find more LGBTQ Asians within our community. It’s been a very, very slow process. Thus far, I’ve only met about 8 LGBTQ Asians within our community since 1998! … The Asian community is slow to adopt non-traditional norms. On the flip side, those [I’ve spoken to] about being LGBTQ, they’ve been very welcoming and supportive. I’ve even had parents speak to me about their children being LGBTQ. So we’ll see! I’m hoping to see a change in the next couple of years where I’m not one of the only few LGBTQ Asians who attend LGBTQ functions. : :

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