QNotes, June 15, 2018 by QnotesCarolinas

June 15-28 . 2018

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June 15-28 . 2018

inside

qnotes news & features

arts. entertainment. news. views.

4 RAIN begins new PrEP services 4 County offers free Hep A vaccine

online

Q&A with Gerald Gurss

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One Voice Chorus director to depart for role at Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus page 19

These Pride Month podcasts brush you upviews. on arts.will entertainment. news. LGBTQ history and culture goqnotes.com/60073/

6 News Notes: Regional Briefs

Activist turned council member, police officer awarded as MeckMin ‘Bridge Builders’ goqnotes.com/60084/

8 News Notes: U.S./World Briefs 12 Fighting LGBTQ poverty

more news & features …

13 Care in the LGBTQ community

SCOTUS rules in Masterpiece Cakeshop case: What does the ruling mean? goqnotes.com/60192/

14 LGBTQ Poverty Report

a&e / life&style

Pride streaming: What to watch online this June goqnotes.com/60197/

14 Health & Wellness 17 Tell Trinity 18 Q Events Calendar 19 Our People: Gerald Gurss

Charlotte Hep A outbreak

Health & Wellness

Mecklenburg County offering free vaccine page 4

A counterintuitive style of exercise page 14

A now-out SC Republican is accused of misleading voters goqnotes.com/60209/

June 15-28 . 2018

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qnotes connect June 15-28, 2018 Vol 33 No 04

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

contributors this issue Matt Comer, Torie Dominguez, Stan Kimer, Jack Kirven, Lainey Millen, Trinity

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Graphic Design by Matt Comer Photography: ajr_images via

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Mission:

The focus of QNotes is to serve the LGBTQ 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 LGBTQ 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, x201, editor@goqnotes.com Assoc. Editor: Lainey Millen, specialassignments@goqnotes.com Social Media Manager: Matt Comer, matt@goqnotes.com Copy Editor: Torie Dominguez, torie@goqnotes.com Staff Writer: Matt Comer, matt@goqnotes.com Production: Lainey Millen, x205, production@goqnotes.com Printed on recycled paper.

Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2018 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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upcoming issues: 06.29.18: Queer Arts in the QC Advertising Space Deadline: June 20 07.13.18: Kind of a Drag Advertising Space Deadline: July 4

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June 15-28 . 2018

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RAIN to expand PrEP services Group receives $100,000 grant for new case management, referrals for HIV-negative clients by Matt Comer :: qnotes staff writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New access for HIV prevention medication and case management for HIV-negative clients will be among new services offered by RAIN, a Charlotte HIV/ AIDS service organization. The new services — slated to begin in July — are supported by a grant from the United Way of Central Carolinas. The newly funded efforts will dramatically expand RAIN’s current PrEP services, says Chelsea Gulden, the organization’s vice president of operations. RAIN has had a limited service offering PrEP — or pre-exposure prophylaxis — to HIV-negative persons, but a lack of funds has prevented the group from increasing focus on prevention efforts. With PrEP, HIV-negative persons take a once-daily pill that has proven to reduce the chance of an HIV diagnosis by as much as 90 percent or more. In addition to being able to provide increased PrEP access, RAIN will also begin to offer case management services for those clients needing PrEP. Case managers will work with HIV-negative clients to ensure they are staying on their regular drug regimen and consistently following through on the four physician appointments required for PrEP patients. So far, the missing case management services has meant some clients on PrEP fall

Gay men, others urged to get free Hep A vaccine Mecklenburg County experiencing outbreak CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County health officials say the area is experiencing an outbreak of the Hepatitis A virus. They’re encouraging gay men, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men to take advantage of a free vaccine program now being offered due to the outbreak. As of June 11, the county had experienced a total of seven Hepatitis A cases. That’s higher than the usual entire-year average of five cases. Five of the seven current cases have been diagnosed among men who have sex with men.

through the cracks and eventually stop taking the preventative drug. “We see the same vulnerabilities in people who have tested positive who come in seeking case management as we see among people who are negative and have a huge need for PrEP,” Gulden says. Those challenges often include unemployment or underemployment, housing instability, food insecurity and a Photo Credit: lack of transportation — all critical issues National Institutes of Health which present challenges for a person expected to adhere to a strict drug regiThe program will be supported with a United men and doctor visit schedule. Way grant of $100,000 — $20,000 more than they “This opportunity allows us to provide initially requested — in order to offer the new support on the front end and make sure we’re and expanded services. A portion of the grant doing everything we can to stop the spread of will be set aside for the group’s existing mental HIV,” Gulden says. health services, but $60,000 of the total will be RAIN already has an intense focus on case devoted to the new prevention efforts. management and treatment for HIV-positive perRAIN will also partner with county health sons. Those services — often called “Treatment officials and an expanding network of commuas Prevention” — aims to ensure an HIV-positive nity health clinics participating in the county’s client achieves full viral suppression. HIV is PrEP pilot. County health officials also recently untransmittable to a partner if a positive client is announced a plan to continue and expand their has an undetectable HIV viral load. PrEP and other supportive services, including New clients will be identified through partnerships with clinics for the quarterly docRAIN’s existing community outreach and testtor visits necessary for a PrEP prescription. : : ing events.

Mecklenburg County’s Public Health Department is offering free Hepatitis A vaccines to at-risk groups. Individuals eligible for the free vaccine include: men who have sex with men, homeless persons, injection and non-injection drug users, and those people who have had direct contact to Hepatitis A cases. The vaccines are being offered at two locations — 249 Billingsley Rd, Charlotte NC 28211 and 2845 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216. Walk-ins and appointments are accepted at both locations, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The telephone number for appointments is 704-336-6500. The best way to prevent a Hepatitis A infection is the vaccine. Other prevention methods include regular condom use for any sexual activity, as well as proper hand washing for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap after using the bathroom, changing diapers,

and before and after preparing food or eating. Officials say the free vaccine program will continue as long as the outbreak continues. Usually, the vaccine is available through private healthcare providers, but is not free. “This is an opportunity for those who need the vaccine and are at risk to get it without cost,” a county health official said. : : — Matt Comer

Errata In our Carolinas News Notes’ Triangle section, we reported that Village Hearth Cohousing’s architect and developer for the project was McCamant & Durrett Architects. That was incorrect. The developer consultant is CoHousing Solutions. We regret the error.

June 15-28 . 2018

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

Stonewall sets run CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Stonewall Sports Charlotte has announced that it has launched its inaugural Stonewall Rainbow Run on Sept. 8, with starting and finishing line at The Shed Amphitheater at Station House, 600 E. Sugar Creek Rd. The annual event features an LGBTQ and Ally 5k walk, run and and after party focused on brining the community together while raising money for three local charities — PFLAG Charlotte, Veteran’s Bridge Home and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Animal Care and Control. The fundraiser is open to everyone from 13 and up. The 5k and after party will feature glow sticks, music, neon body paint, costumes and more. “Participants can also expect a comfortable race route through NoDa, food trucks, vendors, a beer garden, dancing and a few surprises that will be announced in the coming months,” organizers shared. Early bird registration for individuals and teams has already begun at $30 per runner and is available online at bit.ly/2Jvahnk. Price increases will occur the closer to the date the event becomes. Those who do not want to race are welcome at the after party with a contribution of $5 per person. info: stonewallrainbowrun.org.

Charlotte Gurss receives arts citation

DANBURY, Conn. — Retiring One Voice Chorus Artistic Director Gerald Gurss has received a Special Judges Citation from The American Prize in Composition, 2017-18, in the choral division (professional composer), recognizing music “Relevant, Heartfelt and Deeply Moving” for his work, “Be at My Side (Policeman’s Prayer).” Gurss was selected from applications reviewed from across the U.S. The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit competitions designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, ensembles and composers in the nation based on submitted recordings. He earned a Bachelor’s of Music from Emporia State University and a Master’s of Music from Miami University. In addition to his academic achievements, he is a conductor, teacher and composer. Choruses throughout the U.S. have performed his works and have been commissioned by Sine Nomine in Denver, Colo., the New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus, Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C., 1st Baptist Church of Wadesboro, N.C., San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus in California, the Turtle Creek Chorale in Texas and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte. In 2014 Gurss worked with homeless LGBTQ youth from the Carolinas to produce a documentary called, “HOME.” With “HOME” came the original work, “Jonathan’s Song,” based on the struggles of a one youth. Gurss has previously recognized by The American Prize as a semi-finalist in choral composition (2015) and a finalist/honorable mention recipient in choral composition (2016). He is a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in choral conducting at the University of South Carolina. Learn more about Gurss on page 19 in his abbreviated Our People interview and an extended version online at goqnotes.com/60243. info: theamericanprize.org.

Swim club interest requested

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte LGBTQ/ IGLA Swimming Club has announced that it has begun a Meet Up group to gauge interest in the development of an International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics team and Stonewall Sports league.

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June 15-28 . 2018

The organization said that the closest teams were in Atlanta, Ga. and Washington, D.C. Currently, the group has scheduled a Saturday morning lap swim on June 16, 8 a.m., at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center, 800 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. They will be using workouts from the “Workouts in a Binder” book by Nick Hansen and will be self-coaching until the group is large enough to support having a coach on deck. Center members are admitted free with drop-in fees of $5/county and $8/non-county residents. Participants must wear swimsuit, swim cap, goggles and bring a lock for the lockers. Towel service is available at the desk for those who do not want to bring their own. To join the group, visit the Meet Up member page and RSVP for the lap swim. info: meetup.com/Charlotte-LGBTQ-IGLASwimming-Club/. igla.org.

Eastern New Pride fest launched

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The first Fayetteville Pride will be held on June 22, 6-9 p.m., at Cross Creek Linear Park Fountain, 213 Green St., with hopes for it to become an annual event, The Fayetteville Observer reported. The Pride festival will include vendors, food and a DJ. It will be held in future years in June to coincide with LGBTQ Pride Month. The effort was formed about a year ago as a non-profit and seeks to serve the local LGBTQ community, as well as promoting inclusivity and diversity. Board member Emily Lenning told the Observer, “We’re really excited. It is, as far as we know, the first Pride festival we’ve had in Fayetteville.” This is not the first event the organization has held. Last fall they had a picnic attracting over 300 attendees. Its Facebook page has over 1,000 followers. Fayetteville Pride has made much progress over the last year with the start of a youth council. It also hopes to shelter other groups under its umbrella in the future. Lenning told the Observer that the ultimate goal was to open

a community center for the LGBTQ community. Although Fayetteville is a diverse community, there are not enough resources to support it. To learn more, email fayncpride@gmail.com. info: facebook.com/fayncpride.

Triad Film fest seeks sponsors

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The 5th Annual OUT at the Movies Int’l LGBT Film Fest, presented by BB&T, will be held from Oct. 4-7 at a/perture cinema, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and other local venues and is currently seeking sponsors for the event. The four days of movies include narratives, documentaries and shorts, Q&As, celebrities and parties. Screenings of up to 30 films will be offered, including the organization’s first movie, “Latter Days.” This festival also marks the 15th anniversary of the OUT at the Movies series. Sponsorship opportunities and festival passes are already available online. Sponsorship levels are: executive producer, $5,000; producer, $3,500; director, $2,500; assistant director, $1,000; cinematographer, $750; lead actor, $500; supporting actor, $250; and aficionado, $100. Festival donors are also welcomed and encouraged to give as able. In the meantime, OUT at the Movies will screen “A Million Happy Nows” on July 14, 7:30 p.m., at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, ACE Theatre Complex, 1533 S. Main St. Producer/writer/actor, Marisa Calin, and actor, Crystal Chappell, will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A followed by a reception. Veteran soap opera actress, Lainey Allen (Crystal Chappell) is finding it harder to remember her lines. She decides not to renew her contract, and moves with her partner, Eva (Jessica Leccia), to the beach. The move highlights small changes in Lainey’s personality and mild depression. When Lainey starts to forget more than can be attributed to stress, Eva insists on seeing a doctor.”A Million Happy Nows” chronicles Lainey and Eva’s changing relationship as they deal with the diagnosis of Lainey’s early-onset Alzheimer’s and the prospect of a woman’s future of dependence on the woman who was once in awe of her, became everything to her and will now look after her. Tickets are $8/advance and $9/at the door. The following day, there will be a brunch honoring the actors. More detail will be available online as the date nears. info: outatthemovieswinston.org.

Triangle Seniors host potluck

RALEIGH, N.C. — SAGE Raleigh will hold its 4th of July potluck celebration at 1:30 p.m. at Umstead Park Pavilion #2, 8801 Glenwood Ave. Organizers will provide burgers, both regular and vegetarian, hot dogs, brats, buns, condiments, beverages and accessories. Participants are asked to bring a salad, side or dessert to share. Setup begins at 1:30 p.m., with food served at 2 p.m. To RSVP for the event or for more information, email sage@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com. info: lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.

Initiative supports community orgs

RALEIGH, N.C. — Tito’s Handmade Vodka is engaged in raising funds for the LGBT Center of Raleigh and Blondes vs. Brunettes Raleigh through their two Love, Tito’s Pedal for a Purpose pedicabs rolling around the Capitol City. Tito’s, along with pedicab operators, are using the Pedal for a Purpose through August in offering safe rides individuals to their destination. Hop on the Love, Tito’s pedicab to support the initiative and Tito’s will make a contribution to the center and the Blondes vs. Brunettes organizations as a thank you for the “passionate work they do in the community,” organizers shared. Riders are encouraged to take a photo and post it to social media with the #LoveTitos hash tag. The goal is to raise $5,000 for each of the non-profit organizations to support their mission and impact they have in the community. The center provides a safe space for the LGBTQ community to gather, learn, grow and be supported through its efforts and resources. Blondes vs. Brunettes of Raleigh (also known as RivALZ) is a volunteer-driven event that engages young professionals in a friendly game of flag football games around the country. Teams are organized around age-old rivalries that inspire fundraising, awareness and action in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease. info: lgbgtcenterofraleigh.com. bvbraleigh.org. titosvodka.com/stories/pedal-purpose-raleigh.

South Carolina Dems do Pride in the Park

LITTLE RIVER, S.C. — The Myrtle BeachHorry County Democratic LGBT Committee and the Horry County Democratic Party will hold their Democratic Pride in the Park on June 16, 1 p.m., at Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens, 2250 Hwy. 179. Participants will be able to meet Democratic candidates and enjoy LGBTQsupportive friends, organizers shared. RSVP to Democratic.Pride@yahoo.com for those who wish to eat burgers and receive beverages with a $5 payment at the door. All other participants can simply show up and enjoy the afternoon while celebrating Democratic values. info: facebook.com/MBLGBTDems. horrydemocrats.org.

AFFA welcomes author

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Alliance for Full Acceptance will present Keeping the Faith: Reconciling Religion & LGBTQ Identity on July 17, 6:30 p.m., at Circular Congregation Church, 150 Meeting St., featuring author Amber Cantora who penned “Refocusing My Family.” Cantorna is the daughter of an executive at Focus On the Family, the conservative Christian organization that has spent thousands of dollars on coordinated campaigns against the LGBTQ community. She unveils what it was like to be raised in one of the most anti-gay religious organizations still in existence today and how coming out

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Bingo goes unicorns, glitter

as gay shunned her from the family she loved and burdened her with a degree of devastation that nearly took her life. With grace and transparency, Cantorna sheds light on the harm that religious and family rejection “reeks on the human soul,” and offers to LGBTQ individuals and their religious families, a “better way to love.” The alliance will bring together a coalition of local welcoming faith communities for the event. They include Circular Congregational Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Metropolitan Community Church of Charleston, Two Rivers United Methodist Church, Unity Church of Charleston, Unitarian Church in Charleston, Unity of Charleston and Saint Bonaventure Catholic Church. A reception with refreshments follows the program. To RSVP, visit bit.ly/2JKsVXO. info: affa-sc.org.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Gay Bingo, “Rainbow, Unicorns & Glitter,” is being held on Aug. 16, 6 p.m., at Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St., and is set to have “more glitter than a Cher concert,” organizers said. The event is being held as a fundraiser for Palmetto Community Care (formerly Lowcountry AIDS Services), with Patti O’Furniture as hostess and a costume contest. “The community has really embraced this event and each year we’re striving to make it even better,” said Jason Kirk, director of development and marketing for Palmetto Community Care. “We’re improving the sound quality, the bar service and the food options. Add to that rainbows, unicorns and glitter beer, and we know this is going to be the best Gay Bingo yet.” Participants can play six games of bingo, enjoy food truck options and vie for prizes for best costumes. Winners for each game receive prize packages, including spa treatments, restaurant gift certificates, entertainment and more with prize packages valued between $300-$500. Tickets, which over the last two years have sold out, are available at $25/advance through July 31, $35/through Aug. 15 and $40/day of. VIP tickets are $60/advance and $75/day of and include a pre-event reception at 5 p.m., premium seating and a free drink ticket. Sponsorships are also available. Email Kirk

at jkirk@palmettocare.org to learn more. info: charlestongaybingo.org. palmettocare.org.

Regional Org supports control measure updates

RALEIGH, N.C. — On June 4, the North Carolina AIDS Action Network (NCAAN) delivered a presentation on the recent modernization of North Carolina’s HIV criminal law during the opening plenary at the HIV is NOT a Crime III National Training Academy in Indianapolis, Ind. The event, hosted by the Sero Project and Positive Women’s Network-USA, is the third national academy educating and training people living with HIV, stakeholders and policy leaders to mobilize state-level advocacy to end HIV-related criminalization. “The Sero Project and Positive Women’s Network-USA were so proud to celebrate the success that people living with HIV in North Carolina, the North Carolina AIDS Action Network and allies achieved in working to modernize the state’s HIV control measures,” said Tami Haught, the organizing and training coordinator at the Sero Project. “The education, advocacy and hard work that went into achieving this step will help protect people living with HIV in North Carolina from prosecutions.” “It was an immense honor to present at this significant national convening on our work in North Carolina”, said NCAAN Executive Director Lee Storrow. “With the changes made to North Carolina’s law at the start of 2018, we now have the most progressive HIV criminal law in the South and one of the most forward thinking in the country.”

news

NCAAN supports the recent updates made by the North Carolina Commission for Public Health to modernize North Carolina’s HIV Control Measures to reflect the important scientific advancements that have been made in NCAAN’s understanding of HIV transmission, prevention and treatment. Substantial changes have not been made to the state’s HIV control measures since its initial enactment in 1988, which occurred during the rise of the HIV epidemic. The driving force behind the recent rule updates comes following numerous breakthrough studies, including from the Centers for Disease Control, that recognizes that individuals living with HIV, who are engaged in HIV medical care, adherent to their clinician’s treatment plan and have been virally suppressed for at least six months cannot transmit HIV sexually. The recent updates made to the state’s HIV control measures comprise of three significant changes: those living with HIV are no longer legally required to disclose their status to sexual partners if they are in medical care, adherent to their clinician’s HIV treatment plan and have been virally suppressed for at least six months; condom usage is not legally required if the person living with HIV has been virally suppressed for at least six months, if their partner is also HIV positive or if the negative partner is on PrEP; and individuals living with HIV are allowed to donate organs for research purposes and transplantation between people living with HIV. The N.C. Commissioner for Public Health voted to modernize the state’s HIV criminal law on Nov. 8, 2017, and the new law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. info: ncaan.org.

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news notes: u.s./world

QUICK HITS —————————————————————————————— Transilient has announced that it is giving two transgender individuals the opportunity to go on its fall tour across the U.S. on a paid contract basis from Sept. 16-Oct. 30. Funding for the positions is being made available through contributions and fundraising initiatives. Transilient is seeking someone to serve in part as Basil Soper’s executive assistant among other duties and a communications assistant to work with Klie and Jonah. Pay is $1,500 with all expenses covered. Deadline for applications is June 23. FInal candidates will be chosen by July 10. More details are available online at bit.ly/2JA2WyP. info: wearetransilient.com.

compiled by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff

Campaign ad features historic same-sex kiss

‘…What’s the number one way I piss off Donald Trump and the Republicans?’ said Rich Madaleno before he kissed his same-sex husband Mark Hodge in a campaign ad spot, adding ‘Take that Trump!’ Photo Credit: screenshot from YouTube video

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new campaign ad for Maryland gubernatorial candidate Richard Madaleno, which focuses on his record of progressive accomplishments for the state, ends with him kissing his husband Mark Hodge on the front lawn of his home. According to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, it was the first political ad in American history to feature a kiss between a candidate and a same-sex spouse. The groundbreaking ad ran on the Fox News show “Fox & Friends” in the Washington area on June 7. “At a time when the White House and other anti-LGBTQ politicians are attempting to erase our visibility and rollback our rights, Rich Madaleno is boldly stating he’s proud of his family and will fight for all Marylanders if elected,” said Mayor Annise Parker, president & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “Not long ago, out LGBTQ people were unable to run for statewide offices such as governor, but voters now recognize there is an authenticity to LGBTQ leaders rarely found in today’s politicians. Rich is on-track to win the Democratic primary because of that authenticity, his deep roots in the state, and his 15 years of legislative experience. And it is great to see him share his love for Mark and the kids with voters too — especially

in a political ad airing during the president’s favorite television show.” The 30-second ad emphasized Madaleno’s work as a state senator — standing up to the Trump agenda, defending Planned Parenthood and passing a statewide assault weapons ban. It also highlights his support for addressing the challenges faced by underserved communities. “At a time when political attacks by Trump and other Republicans are fueling so much hatred and division, we need to stand up for the people we love and to continue to confront harassment and discrimination against women, African-Americans, immigrants, LGBT couples and so many more,” said Madaleno. “Having led the charge for marriage equality, achieving true equality and justice for all Marylanders will be my priority as Governor. June is LGBT Pride Month, and I couldn’t think of a better time to release this ad. I am proud of my family, proud of my record of standing up for our progressive values and proud to be unflinching in standing up against hate. Love does truly trump hate.” Madaleno is a Victory Fund-endorsed Game Changer candidate. Maryland’s primary will be June 26. The ad can be viewed at youtu. be/cc9ovvth3sY. info: victoryfund.org.

Cohen hits Israel Pride scene

Photo Credits: Chris Williamson

TEL AVIV, Israel — A record-breaking quarter of a million individuals from across the globe marched in the largest Pride parade in the Middle East for Tel Aviv Pride 2018 held earlier in June. Bravo host and producer Andy Cohen was on hand as its international ambassador. Cohen shared, “Celebrating Pride in Tel Aviv is a beautiful celebration of gay rights and visibility in a region where many of the neighbors cannot live as their true selves or be who they were born to be, which makes it all the more special for this massive coming together in support of equality to be taking place in Tel Aviv.” This year’s parade marked 20 years from the city’s first Pride parade and payed tribute to the pioneering activists who played a key-role in promoting LGBTQ rights and visibility in Israel, organizers said. The parade was briefly stalled after hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted the event. The group was Tel Aviv Pride 2018 International protesting recent violent skirmishes on the Israeli/Palestinian Ambassador Andy Cohen at the Pride parade and festivities in Tel Aviv, Israel border, which have resulted in over 100 deaths. and (inset) at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel. info: bit.ly/2LUJte4. mww.com.

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news

A new analysis by the Williams Institute estimates that 21,000 uninsured LGBTQ adults, ages 18-64, could gain access to health insurance under Virginia’s recent Medicaid expansion. In May 2018, Virginia became the 33rd state to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act when the Virginia General Assembly voted to extend eligibility to households earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. info: williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu. GLAAD launched its “Amp Your Voice” LGBTQ youth voter engagement campaign, which will empower young LGBTQ individuals to speak up, speak out, register to vote and then take the issues that matter most to them to the polls on Nov. 6. info: glaad.org. A study has shown that 55 percent of Americans do not care about sexuality or gender expression when it came to working with LGBTQ co-workers. Over 1,000 across the U.S. were queried for the research by Bospar and Propeller Insights with representation breakdown resulting in: 55 percent, no preference; 31.6 percent, straight women; 31.1 percent, straight men; 9.8 percent, gay men; 8.0 percent, lesbian women; 4.7 percent, transgender men; and 4.6 percent, transgender women. Work preference research results are available online by category (gender, bit.ly/2LCoGe4; age group, bit.ly/2sJk1Qr; political affiliation, bit. ly/2HDO5Se; sexual orientation, bit.ly/2JqNKbw; ethnicity, bit.ly/2JqibhN; marital status, bit. ly/2sKm8nc; level of education, bit.ly/2LzekvB; household income, bit.ly/2JG0lqG; and children in household, bit.ly/2JFlEbM. info: bospar.com. propellerinsights.com. More than one-third of LGBTQ adults identify as having a disability, RespectAbility reported. To bring the issue to the forefront during Pride Month, celebrities and business leaders have shared their stories as a way to give a face to the stigma faced by those with disabilities. Some featured are: Anderson Cooper (dyslexia), Frida Kahlo (multiple disabilities), Josh Feldman (deafness), Eddie Ndopu (first African individual with a disability to graduate from Oxford), among others. info: respectabilityusa.org. HIV: The Long View Coalition created the “Never Alone” video series, which helps those who are newly diagnosed or living with HIV feel less isolated and better connect with their community. info: hivthelongview.com Adameve.com has announced the results from their annual sex survey, where they asked over 1,000 adults if they felt that the sex

organs one was born with determine one’s gender. While 43 percent of the respondents (36 percent of the women and 51 percent of the men) said they believed that our sex organs determine our gender, 35 percent (42 percent of women and 26 percent of the men) said they did not. Twenty-two percent of those who were polled (21 percent of the women and 23 percent of the men) said they were not sure. info: adameve.com. The UK’s Peter Tatchell Foundation issued a challenge via an advertising campaign to governments and blood services worldwide to “Screen the blood, not the sexuality.” This was done ahead of World Blood Donor Day on June 14. Currently, there is a shortage of blood supplies in blood banks across the globe and restrictions exist in over 40 countries that prevent gay and bisexual men from being blood donors. A petition is circulating calling for reform. info: screentheblood.com. petertatchellfoundation.org/screen-the-blood. The June 3 debut of Ryan Murphy’s “Pose,” set in the late 1980s New York City world of black and Latino drag competitions known as “balls,” presents an opportunity to raise awareness of the harsh lives of many transgender people of color, particularly those on the ball culture scene, who do sex work to survive. In light of the new series, a book released earlier this year, “Transgender Sex Work and Society” by LGBTQ publisher Harrington Park Press (Columbia University Press), helps to describe the lives of those sex workers portrayed in “Pose.” info: bit.ly/harshlivesbehindpose. A new report from The Reunion Project on HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day called for a national coalition of survivors of HIV to advance the needs of survivors in four key areas: research, programs, community building and advocacy. info: tpan.com/reunion-project. Fastweb has released its LGBTQ Community Scholarships & Internships resource that focuses on the needs of LGBTQ students. info: fastweb.com. The Dr. Peter Centre is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from ViiV Healthcare Canada to continue its Evening Program over the next two years. info: drpeter.org. The Georgia Voice has reported that gay men, primarily in rural areas, are avoiding HIV testing according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. info: bit.ly/2xZopQv. A transgender man who is challenging an Indiana state law that bars immigrants from obtaining a change of legal name has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a federal trial court’s decision to dismiss his case, according to a petition for certiorari filed on May 31. info: transgenderlawcenter.org. maldef.org. Transgender Law Center, Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement and Organización Latina de Trans en Texas are demanding changes by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after the death of a transgender asylum seeker who died while in ICE custody at the Cibola Correctional Facility. info: transgenderlawcenter.org.

June 15-28 . 2018

qnotes

June 15-28 . 2018

qnotes

LGBTQ Homelessness & Poverty

‘A colliding set of challenges’ in fight against LGBTQ poverty Local LGBTQ and HIV-positive communities facing affordable housing, poverty challenges

Photo Credit: ajr images via Adobe Stock

by Matt Comer :: qnotes staff writer

omelessness. Affordable housing. Economic mobility. These issues and more have been at the forefront of civic debate in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County for the past several years. And for good reason. In 2013, a national study from Harvard University and the University of California Berkeley ranked Charlotte-Mecklenburg 50th out of 50 metro areas for upward mobility. In short, if you’re born poor in Mecklenburg County, odds are you’ll die poor in Mecklenburg County. That line has become a quick talking point for politicians and bureaucrats. Easy. Short. Powerful. And it accurately reflects daily life for thousands of our neighbors. The result of that landmark study was the CharlotteMecklenburg Opportunity Task Force, and in 2017 its 19-member commission released their own report, “Leading on Opportunity.” It found a wide-ranging intersection of ills and challenges facing local residents — housing instability, unemployment and underemployment, education and more. Though the study examined several broad issues, the lack of affordable housing and homelessness in Charlotte has risen

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June 15-28 . 2018

to the top of local discussion — even becoming a primary issue in recent municipal elections. Advocates say a lack of housing creates an avalanche of resulting challenges. With no stable place to live, residents find themselves in a cycle of poverty with increased chances for food insecurity and joblessness. For people of color — primarily African-American and Latino residents — these challenges were greater. And while the “Leading on Opportunity” report didn’t examine any specific data on LGBTQ residents — data that’s often hard to come by — the report itself lends credence to the challenges social service organizations working primarily in the LGBTQ community see among their clients every day. Organizations like Time Out Youth Center (TOY) have long known that housing challenges affect LGBTQ young people. A full year before the “Leading on Opportunity” report, TOY released its own in-depth report on the housing needs of LGBTQ youth. National studies show that anywhere between 20 and 40 percent of all homeless young people identify as LGBTQ — many also identifying as people of color and, specifically, transgender or gender-nonconforming. On a local level, upwards of 75 percent of youth encountered by local service providers identified as LGBTQ. Data on LGBTQ adults is harder to come by. Local research often lacks specific data on LGBTQ adults and an annual count of people experiencing homelessness doesn’t accurately or effectively collect data on individuals’ sexual orientation or gender identity. Those data collection challenges are reflected on a national level, too. Even a landmark, national report released in May by the LGBTQ Poverty Collaborative, a coalition of nearly a dozen LGBTQ and progressive groups, contained little data on the housing needs of LGBTQ adults. While the specific data remains elusive, Debbie Warren, president and CEO of RAIN, says her organization’s daily work with clients shows a striking, unmistakable need. A whopping 98 percent of RAIN’s clients, Warren says, are facing poverty. It’s a concern Stephen Burleson, RAIN’s chaplain and care coordinator, and other case managers see on a daily basis. The question of where clients will rest their heads at night is chief among them. “The majority of our clients who come into the office every day are facing issues with housing,” Burleson says. “That’s what we hear most as case managers.” Programs exist in the city and county to assist low-income residents, but resources are often slim. Charlotte City Council has

committed to increasing the stock of affordable housing. Recent proposals will seek to have $50 million approved for the city’s affordable housing efforts. But critics have said local leaders have not focused on those with the highest need, primarily people and families and the lowest end of the economic spectrum. Burleson says the problem is exacerbated by a wide range of intersecting concerns. “Whether it’s education, housing, employment, utility companies — any systems in place all require fees and deposits,” Burleson says. “These are small ways to keep people in poverty. When they add up, they are enormous barriers for our clients.” That’s especially true for members of the community who find themselves without traditional support systems, including LGBTQ young people, people of color and HIV-positive people, Burleson says. “They already find themselves at a disadvantage — no support systems, no resources,” he says. Even if low-income people are working, Burleson adds, they’re often working for minimum wage — not nearly enough to provide for basic needs in a city where rent has been rapidly on the incline. In March, the average rent in Charlotte increased to nearly $1,150 a month, nearly six percent more than the year before. In 2013, the year the Harvard/Berkeley study was released, average Charlotte rents were just $842 — indicating an increase of 36 percent in just five years. The cumulative effect of housing instability, food insecurity and underemployment can be catastrophic, Warren and Burleson say. These “colliding set of challenges,” Burleson says, results in increased mental health challenges, greater risks for sexual assault, increased participation in survival sex work and poorer health outcomes, including increased risks for HIV transmission and other sexually transmitted infections. “We see the emotional and mental toll that these things take on a person who is just trying to survive, just trying to get their next meal, their next place to sleep,” Burleson says. “The mental health aspect of it cannot be understated.” The combination of poor mental health and poor physical health can also result in fatal consequences, Warren warns. “Lacking adequate food and a low body mass index predicts a higher mortality rate for HIV-positive people over and above medication adherence,” she says. Burleson and Warren says it’s important for government agencies and leaders to take action on solutions which can alleviate issues of poverty, housing and health for low-income LGBTQ and HIV-positive people. Warren believes local agencies and coalitions are “on the right track.” They’ve been working together to collect more detailed data, especially on LGBTQ young people, which can be used to apply for grants and other funding mechanisms for housing and other services. Warren also points to recent moves by local health department officials to increase HIV Treatment as Prevention efforts and access to PrEP, a once-daily drug regimen for HIV-negative people that can reduce their chances of contracting HIV. Warren and Burleson are still hopeful for opportunities to expand Medicaid — an option North Carolina lawmakers chose not to take. If it had been expanded, a greater number of low-income LGBTQ people and people living with HIV would have immediately had access to more consistent, quality health care. There’s no magic solution to the issues of poverty, and any or all of the proposals currently being considered by government agencies could alleviate the challenges faced by LGBTQ and HIV-positive low-income people. “There are tons of creative options to lessen the financial burdens on our clients,” Burleson says. “Being able to get to where you need to get, being able to have a place to lay your head down at night, and to be fed and to have shelter — these are rights that people should have.” : :

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life

LGBTQ Homelessness & Poverty

Caring for the LGBTQ community Inclusive churches and outreach programs by Torie Dominguez :: qnotes staff writer

hile the Charlotte area may not, at first glance, seem to present an abundance of outreach programs targeted at the queer community, a closer look reveals that the city is home to more than a few organizations committed to assisting LGBTQ individuals in the fight against poverty and homelessness. Among these are a number of religious groups, including congregations under the umbrella of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) — a denomination established in 1968 with the explicit aim of LGBTQ inclusivity. MCC Charlotte, located at 7121Orr Rd. just a few miles northeast of NoDa, maintains a partnership with the downtown Urban Ministry Center while offering its own food pantry for families in need. The pantry operates each Thursday, with the church reporting that its members’ donations are able to feed an average of 10-12 families every week. A sister congregation, New Life MCC, relocated from its longtime Plaza Midwood location in spring 2017. Explaining its decision on its website, New Life writes that shortly before the move it had “identified the need to provide support to the underserved LGBTQ community in Gaston County.” It continues its philanthropic work today from its new home in Gastonia. Both MCC Charlotte and Sacred Souls Community Church, a member of the United Church of Christ led by prominent civil rights activist Bishop Tonyia M. Rawls, have also partnered with Belmont, N.C. AIDS care home House of Mercy. The family-style residential facility is a ministry of the Catholic Sisters of Mercy and addresses the epidemic of homelessness among persons living with HIV and AIDS. Groups of MCCC congregants regularly

youth in the area identify as LGBTQ. Hearts Beat as One identifies travel to share a meal with House of Mercy residents, celebrating financial hardship as a major factor preventing at-risk populations, this fellowship with members of a population too often relegated including transgender women of to the margins of society, allowed color, from accessing pre-expoto fall into destitution as a result sure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent of their illness and the stigma that the transmission of HIV. accompanies the diagnosis. Meanwhile, Stonewall Secular organizations, too, play Sports Charlotte, an affiliate of an essential role in these endeavors. the original Stonewall Sports The Hearts Beat as One Foundation in Washington, D.C., considers specializes in fundraising and philanthropy and community acpublic awareness campaigns for a tivism every bit as fundamental to variety of causes in Charlotte and the its identity as kickball or bowling. Carolinas. Along with animal rescue Inspired in part by the success and what it terms “emerging needs” — vital issues affecting the local Members of Hearts Beat as One Foundation and Stonewall of Stonewall Sports Raleigh, community that are addressed as Sports after an April “Meet Up and Serve” event giving much of whose proceeds have they arise — the organization places bagged lunches to homeless neighbors. gone to benefit that city’s LGBT particular emphasis on combating Photo Credit: Hearts Beat as One Foundation via Facebook community center, the founders of Stonewall Charlotte told qnotes the spread of HIV and reducing as far back as May 2016 that since its inception less than two homelessness in the Charlotte area. It cites statistics published years earlier its fundraising efforts had pulled in over $40,000 for by the city itself, which released its 2017 Charlotte-Mecklenburg other local non-profit organizations. Point-In-Time Count in April of last year. The report, compiled by It’s clear that, whether the activists themselves take the form researchers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Urban of Catholic nuns (in or out of traditional garb) or jersey-clad adult Institute, revealed that of the approximately 1,500 Charlotteans livdodgeball enthusiasts, efforts to combat poverty and homelessing without a home, one-tenth have been classed as homeless for ness and to better the lives of LGBTQ individuals in the Charlotte a period of at least a year. An assessment by Time Out Youth Center area are not in short supply. : : concluded that, as of September 2016, up to 75 percent of homeless

Report:

LGBTQ people face heightened poverty rates Housing instability, food insecurity cited in landmark report from national collaboration by Matt Comer :: qnotes staff writer

landmark report from a wide-ranging national coalition says LGBTQ people face heightened rates and indicators of economic disparity. “Intersecting Injustice: A National Call to Action, Addressing LGBTQ Poverty and Economic Justice for All” was released in May by the LGBTQ Poverty Collaborative. The national coalition began their study in 2013 with a series of community meetings and focus groups. The years-long study found several high indicators for economic inequity for LGBTQ people, including food insecurity and housing instability, low-wage earning potential and higher unemployment and underemployment rates. Those challenges, study authors say, are exacerbated for marginalized communities facing several intersecting social injustices. “Transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary Black and Brown people are disproportionately affected by high rates of homelessness, trauma, criminalization, under-employment, and incarceration, which are inextricably linked to chronic poverty and reinforced by statesanctioned violence,” the report notes. The Collaborative says their report shows a need to prioritize economic justice issues within the larger LGBTQ movement. “In a 2016 study, one in four LGBTQ people — approximately 2.2 million people — did not have enough money to feed themselves or their families during some period in the last year,” Tyrone Hanley, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Policy Counsel and one of the report’s authors, said in a statement. “As we work to advance equality

for the LGBTQ community, poverty must be a central issue in that fight.” Hanley said the report shines “light on the gravity of this issue for our community, which is particularly critical as we work to counter the cruelty of [the Trump] administration’s policies and a House farm bill through which even higher numbers of Americans would go hungry.” The Collaborative’s initial intent was to study wide-ranging economic justice issues for LGBTQ people. Their goal was to “make a case to a friendly federal administration that LGBTQ economic justice must be prioritized.” But, then, Donald Trump was elected president. “As a result,” the study’s introduction reads, “this report was refocused and reimagined as a response to our current historical moment, in which the federal government is controlled by a deeply hostile administration.” Study authors have accused the Trump Administration of “actively seeking to dismantle programs and policies that took years to build — programs and policies that have tangibly benefited LGBTQ communities, communities of color, low-income communities, and those who exist at the intersection of these communities.” Melissa Boteach, senior vice president of Center for American Progress’ Poverty to Prosperity Program, said recent administration actions represent “shameful attacks on LGBT Americans” and that recent actions “will exacerbate poverty in America.”

The study’s findings reveal a harsh reality on life for LGBTQ people — flying in the face of past surveys that tout the community’s supposed wealth, disposable income and purchasing power. Poverty rates are dramatically higher for minorities when compared to the average white American. For black Americans, the poverty rate is nearly three times that of whites. LGBTQ people living at several intersections of injustice fare the worst — the average black transgender person, for example, earns less than $10,000 per year. The Collaborative’s report includes several key recommendations and suggestions across a variety of policy areas, including employment and labor policy, social services and benefits, housing and homelessness, schools and education, health, hunger and issues surrounding the criminalization of poverty, among others. “Our community knows what poverty looks like,” said Meghan Maury, policy director at the National LGBTQ Task Force and one of the report’s authors. “This report gives a voice to the creative solutions queer and trans people have built to address systemic oppression. From policy solutions that would change our tax code to cooperative solutions to housing access, we had the chance to hear from LGBTQ people living in poverty about how they are already working to create change in their lives.” The full report can be read online at social justicesexuality.com/intersecting_injustice/. The LGBTQ Poverty Collaborative includes members from the Center for American Progress (CAP), Family Equality Council, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), the National LGBTQ Task Force, the Social Justice Sexuality Project at the City University of New York (CUNY Graduate Center), The Vaid Group, Trans Women of Color Collective (TWOCC), Whitman-Walker Health (WWH) and the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. : :

June 15-28 . 2018

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health and wellness by Jack Kirven :: personal trainer, qnotes contributor

Eccentric Strength and Negative Training A counterintuitive style of exercise to increase strength

here are a variety of efforts that we use in our daily lives to accomplish all the tasks we perform. In exercise those tasks get really specific, in order to train for very particular goals. For the purposes of this article, the two I will focus on are called concentric and eccentric effort. Concentric Effort When people think about flexing their muscles, the most overwhelmingly popular image is to lift an arm, bend at the elbow, and make a big biceps pump. You have just envisioned concentric effort. When a muscle gets shorter while under tension it has performed a concentric effort. Other examples include standing up from the bottom of a squat. Pressing a barbell from the bottom of the range of motion to the top is also concentric effort. Often this is the portion of an exercise people focus on. It’s very common to see people perform biceps curls such that they lift the weight to bend their elbows slowly, and then perform little or no resistance as the hands fall down to straighten the elbows. If you think only about a muscle man flexing his biceps, then this would make logical sense. However, muscles are not at their strongest during concentric effort. Yes, it is obviously important to practice working against gravity, but muscles are actually far stronger when they perform eccentric effort. Eccentric Effort The opposite of a muscle getting shorter under tension is getting longer under tension. Coming back to the biceps curl as the most familiar example, the eccentric phase of the repetition is lowering the weight down to straighten the elbow. Bringing more focus

qnotes

June 15-28 . 2018

to this action puts the muscle under more tension, and is excellent for increasing strength. Muscles are stronger when they resist gravity than when they exert to overcome it. Try it as an experiment: Lift a weight you feel is heavy, but then slowly return to your beginning position. You will almost certainly feel that the weight seems less challenging. Perhaps this is counterintuitive? If you would like to increase your one repetition maximum effort (1RM), the best way to do this is to focus on eccentric effort. By increasing the time under tension that is created by performing eccentric effort, muscles experience more damage at the cellular level. This forces more recovery and results in more creation of new muscle fibers. With more muscle mass comes higher 1RM, allowing for greater volume of work. That is the definition of muscle and strength gains. Examples of Eccentric Effort So, how can you unlock this method of growth? Focus on negative reps. What does that mean? Perform slower reps, and focus on moving toward gravity. The tempo of your reps refers to how long it takes to perform each of them. There is a format for specifying tempo notation. It includes Eccentric:Pause:Concentric:Pause, and it looks something like this for negative reps: 4:2:1:1. It might also look something like 3:0:1:0. How do you read that? Let’s assume you’re still doing biceps curls. Begin the rep at the top, not the bottom, so that your arms are bent and the weight is in front of your shoulders. In the first example, lower the weight for four seconds. Don’t straighten your arms all the way at the bottom (keep a tiny bit of bend in your elbows, so that you don’t lose the tension).

life

Exercise goals can be met with specific targeted methods to achieve the results desired. Photo Credit: djile via Adobe Stock

Hold that tension at the bottom for two seconds, then lift the weight back up toward your shoulders in one second. At the top, squeeze harder for one second. Repeat. In the second example you would lower the weight for three seconds, immediately lift for one second, then immediately begin lowering the weight again. Repeat for however many reps it takes to be genuinely exhausted at 8-12 repetitions. Ultimately you want to be under tension for 45-60 seconds, so perform however many reps at your chosen tempo until you reach exhaustion within that time. The slower you move, the heavier the weight will seem. To apply this to other exercises, look at which direction of movement causes a muscle to get longer. For chest presses, start at the top and resist slowly as the weight moves towards you. Push more quickly away from yourself. For rows, start at the top, resist as the weight moves toward the floor, then pull more quickly to bring the weight back toward you. For squats and deadlifts, start at the top and move slowly as your knees bend. Straighten the knees more quickly. Same with an overhead a shoulder press: Start at the top, resist as you lower the weight toward your shoulders, press it back up with a quicker movement. For lat pulldowns, start at the bottom, resist as your arms straighten overhead, then pull quickly as you bring the bar back down toward your chest. : : 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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by Rx Clinic Pharmacy, a comprehensive onsite service of Ballantyne Family Medicine

Eye Care: Eye See It! By Wade Kennedy, Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate Eye care is a commonly missed health practice that many individuals neglect across the globe. Lack of proper checks and treatment of conditions related to the eyes can lead to worsening vision and eye function. Changes for the worse can occur due to both diseases and natural growth and aging of an individual. Common diseases that affect the eyes include glaucoma, pink eye, cataracts, and damage to the nerve that connects the eye to the brain. Eye exams don’t just check for impairments, they also help alleviate or improve vision through corrective lenses, whether by glasses or contacts. The primary goal of most eye examinations is to determine if there is any vision impairment. Once this value is known, specific lenses can be made to correct any poor vision issues. The great news about this is that often, once an individual’s vision reaches a stable point, it will not change much anymore. This does not mean that yearly exams should not still occur for everyone. A yearly exam will ensure vision has not changed suddenly and that corrective lenses, especially contacts, have not damaged the outer eye. Damage from contacts can be such a large concern that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a Contact Lens Health Week to educate people and improve health in all corrective lens wearers. Education at such events includes proper cleaning and maintenance of contacts, usage, and recommended eye exams.

The CDC especially recommends annual eye examinations for people with diabetes, Photo Credit: auremar via Adobe Stock glaucoma, or nerve diseases. Three main eye exams are done for these patients at an annual eye examination. The exams include blowing a jet of air at open eyes to check the pressure in the eye, which is increased in glaucoma. Another examination causes the pupil to expand to take pictures of the interior and back of the eye. These pictures allow the eye doctor to check the blood supply from arteries and connection of nerves to the eye, which enables vision. The final typical exam checks the vision itself and then structure of the eye and function by the eye doctor or opthamologist. Viruses, bacteria, or fungi can cause common infections of the eye. These microbes may reach the eye and cause a variety of symptoms, depending upon the culprit. One of the most common infections of the eye is pink eye. This disease can be viral or bacterial in origin and treatment depends upon the type. Bacterial pink of the special medium and form of eye drops, in addition to eye or any bacterial eye infection can be treated reduced stability and shelf-life of these over-the-counter products. with antibiotic eye drops, if severe. Viral pink eye can be treated When issues arise, visit a general practitioner or eye doctor for with antiviral medications, if needed, and both types typically get suspected eye infections, regardless of origin. The risk of infection better after 3-5 days and cured within two weeks. can be reduced with proper hygiene and avoidance of rubbing or There are no over-the-counter products to treat infections of touching of the eyes or the area around them. the eye directly, but some offer relief of symptoms. This is because

June 15-28 . 2018

qnotes

June 15-28 . 2018

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

Dealing with ‘the silent treatment’ Dearest Trinity, My partner often shows displeasure with me by closing off all communication for a few days with the “silent treatment.” But then I feel horrible and abused. Any help would be appreciated! Closed Off, San Diego, CA Dearest Closed Off, Don’t you just hate that? It’s so unclear, and wastes so much time. Let’s try this, honey. When you’re both getting along, suggest a game for the times when “we’re” not getting along. In this game, “I give three words describing how I feel, and you do the same.” This way your partner gets to practice letting it out, and you get to wonder…if being single wouldn’t be easier! Dear Trinity, My four-year relationship needs a sex overhaul, or we won’t make it to year five. I am thinking of an open relationship. What do you think? Open Season, Raleigh, NC Dear Open Season, I think it’s smart to try anything and everything to make a relationship work sexually before throwing in the hand towel. But, darling, just like relationships need rules, so do open

relationships, like: no falling in love, no unsafe sex, no bringing someone home and no sleeping out all night. Otherwise you could end up in very dangerous water (beds). (Take a look at my “adventurous” cartoon, and consider what it might look like if you were to become engaged in a more open relationship. Just make sure that everyone is on the same page, or at least, meet at the table to go over ground rules, sweetie!) Hey Girl, I met someone Friday night and spent the weekend with him. Three days later he wants me to meet his friends and family. It’s so fast. Should I say, “Wait a while?” Hurry Date, Albany, NY Hey Hurry Date, Meeting “the friends and family” of someone you just met is absolutely fast and sometimes a sign that he or she may lose interest equally as fast. However, pumpkin, some people know what they want right away, and if you feel good about this person, then what the hell, why not meet your future relatives or ex-relatives early? But ask to be introduced as a friend to make things lighter. Remember, dating’s a “game” you play, even if the rules don’t always make sense!

a&e

Hello Trinity, After two years, my girlfriend dumped me to go back to school. Now I can’t get over her and everything we had. Any suggestions on getting her out of my mind? Losing My Mind, New York, NY Hello Losing My Mind, Before you get suicidal, sweetie, mix yourself a martini (or power smoothie) and start reading: Trinity’s Sane Tips For What It’s Time To Stop Doing After You’ve Just Broken Up 1. It’s time to stop watching home videos of the two of “us” and start “washing that (wo)man right out of your head!” 2. It’s time to stop daydreaming about what you could have done differently and start thinking about what you will do differently now that you’re free. 3. I t’s time to stop calling her friends to see if she’s still single and start making new friends who will keep you dating! 4. I t’s time to stop thinking about revenge and start thinking about Saturday night rendezvous. 5. I t’s time to stop accidentally passing by his workplace and start purposely passing by new places with new people to meet. 6. It’s time to stop cooking the same meals she loved and start trying new recipes for you and your new dates. 7. It’s time to stop looking the way he always liked you to look and start your new life with

a fabulous makeover (seriously)! 8. It’s time to stop playing her voice messages just to hear her voice one more time. For God’s sake, erase those messages already! 9. It’s time to stop listening to “our” favorite songs and start listening to upbeat songs like, “I Will Survive,” “I’m A Survivor” and “No More Drama!” 10. And, lastly, it’s time to stop living with him, paying his bills and feeding his dog and start moving out as soon as possible, please! 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.

June 15-28 . 2018

qnotes

EVENTS

Submit your event to our calendar! Email calendar@goqnotes.com with complete information. All submissions must include date, event name, location, address, city, time, a short description of the event including costs and an email and web address for the submitting organization.

June-July 2018 Continues through June 16 Match Game ‘one hit WONDER’ 701 N. Tryon St., Charlotte 8 p.m. One Voice Chorus celebrates all your favorite one-hit wonders in this year’s quirky, high-energy summer show at the Charlotte Ballet theater. Ticket prices range from $30 general admission to $500 for a six-person VIP table complete with bottle service. onevoicechorus.com/events. –––––––––––––––––––– Continues through June 23 ‘The 39 Steps’ Hadley Theater at Queens University 2132 Radcliffe Ave., Charlotte Times vary Actors’ Theatre of Charlotte returns to the stage this Tony Award-winning comedic take on Hitchcock’s classic 1935 film adaptation, with a pop-up pub at each Friday performance. The official June 6 opening follows halfprice previews June 1 and 2. Regular ticket prices $25-$44. atcharlotte.org.

SEP JUN MO

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‘Six Characters in Search SEP JUN MO of a Play’ Theatre Charlotte 501 Queens Rd., Charlotte 7-10 p.m. Del Shores, acclaimed writer-director of “Sordid Lives” and “Southern Baptist Sissies,” stages a one-nightonly performance of his new one-man show. The event will benefit Stonewall Sports Charlotte. General admission tickets start at $25. bit.ly/sixcharacters.

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‘Six Characters in Search SEP JUN MO of a Play’ Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance 1047 W. Northwest Blvd., Winston-Salem 2 p.m. Del Shores, acclaimed writer-director of “Sordid Lives” and “Southern Baptist Sissies,” stages a one-show-only performance of his new one-man show. Proceeds from the event will support the purchase of new audio equipment for the theatre. General admission tickets start at $25. wstheatrealliance.org.

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Salisbury Pride Festival E. Fisher S.t & S. Lee St., Salisbury 11 a.m.-5 p.m. This free, family-friendly event is Salisbury’s largest festival, with more than 4,000 attendees every year. Come on out to the city’s historic downtown district and enjoy a variety of local artists, performers, vendors and more. salisburypride.com. –––––––––––––––––––– Salisbury Pride Festival After-Party The Fish Bowl 127 E. Innes St., Salisbury 7 p.m. Cierra Nichole and Patti O’Furniture host the official Pride After-Party at the one-of-a-kind Fish Bowl bar. The event features an opening set by Unisex at 7 p.m. followed by the main show at 8:30. DJ Bear Tracks and The Massingill Sisters will also perform. Admission is free. salisburypride.com/official-afterparty-6-23-18.

Carolina Voices ‘Creative A SEP JUN MO Capella’ Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Carolina Voices’ 18-member ensemble Impromptu delivers a collection of original material and unconventional arrangements of familiar songs to close out its 2017-2018 season. Tickets start at $15. carolinavoices.org.

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Biltmore Estate Canine Adventure Tour Biltmore Estate, Asheville 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Happy Tails Canine Adventure Tours invites guests to enjoy the stunning scenery of one of North Carolina’s most beloved landmarks, complete with seasonal local menus, wine tastings and guided tours — all with their furry companions along. Outdoor supervision for dogs will be provided while humans explore the interior of the estate’s historic buildings. Current veterinary records are required. Tickets $249. bit.ly/biltmorecanine.

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June 15-28 . 2018

Continues through July 1 SEP JUN MO ‘Bright Star’ Blumenthal Performing Arts Center 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte Times vary Nominated for five Tony awards and winner of the 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Score, the innovative bluegrass-inspired musical is set in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains in the 1920s and 1940s. Tickets start at $25. blumenthalarts.org. –––––––––––––––––––– Pride in Business Expo & Career Fair Hilton Embassy Suites 401 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Charlotte 2-7 p.m. The Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce invites you to expand your professional network at their annual expo, sponsored in part by Charlotte Pride and showcasing more than 75 businesses and non-profit organizations. clgbtcc.org. –––––––––––––––––––– Lesbian Speed Dating Arcana Bar & Lounge 331 W. Main St., Durham 7:30-10 p.m. Triangle-area matchmaking and dating coaching service Authentic Connections hosts its first lesbian speed dating event. The event is limited to 20 participants. Tickets are $30 and available online. bit.ly/authenticlesbian.

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‘Cleaning Out the Closet’ Olio’s 245 W. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia 7 p.m.

Presented by Black Star Theater Company and with all proceeds to benefit PFLAG, “Cleaning Out the Closet” showcases “a collection of coming out stories mixed with music and dance.” Local LGBTQ community leaders will also be present as special guests to share their stories. Tickets are $10. bit.ly/cleaningout. Indigo Girls SEP JUL MO The Fillmore 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., Charlotte 8 p.m. The iconic rock duo visit one of Charlotte’s premier music venues, supported by opening act The War and Treaty. Tickets start at $32. Standing room only. livenation.com/artists/41545/indigo-girls.

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life

Our People:

Q&A with Gerald Gurss Artistic Director, Composer by Torie Dominguez :: qnotes staff writer “Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”

ttributed to Albert Einstein, that quote serves as the email signature of outgoing One Voice Chorus (OVC) artistic director Gerald Gurss — a man who clearly strives to be one of the few. Gurss, born and raised in ultra-conservative small-town Kansas, has traveled the U.S. bringing the power of music, and LGBTQ community activism, to a number of perhaps surprising locales. Having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in voice in his home state, he went on to earn a master’s degree from Ohio’s Miami University, again studying voice, with an emphasis on choral music. In addition to vocal performance, Gurss embraced his talents for both composition and education. He’s led a music program at Leavenworth Catholic Schools and written for choruses from New Jersey to California, all the while growing more confident in his identity, his values and his unique humanity. Now, as he prepares to depart the Queen City, Gurss reflects on what’s made him who he is, and what he’ll pursue in this next stage of his life and career. When did you discover your passion for music? I was in middle school. I only sang in the choir because my friends were in it, but I really wanted to play the sax. I thought Lisa Simpson was so cool (I mean, she is though, right?). Was there ever a time when you considered a different path? Music is a tough career — one which few people have the honor of doing full-time. When I was in elementary school, I wanted to be a veterinarian for the Topeka Zoo. What’s been the most rewarding or memorable part of your tenure with One Voice Chorus? Getting to create beauty in the lives of people. Every so often, I get those private Facebook messages thanking me for bringing music back into people’s lives […] and I realize that we all have so much power to be heroes. If you had the chance, is there anything you would do differently?

I would have learned to love myself at an earlier age. There’s a huge difference between ego and truly knowing how valuable you are as a unique, worthy, human being. What do you enjoy most about living in Charlotte? Besides the amazing group of friends I’m lucky to call my family, I’d have to say it’s a tie between the amazing breweries and the geographic placement between the beach and the mountains. How did you come to combine music with involvement in the LGBTQ community? In my junior year of college, I lived in Emporia, Kansas. My neighbor sang in the Heartland Men’s Chorus in Kansas City (a good two-hour drive away). I started riding with him up to sing with that group every Tuesday. At a time when I was battling religious brainwashing (thank you, Southern Baptist Church), that chorus became more of a mental health refuge than an arts organization. During that time, I knew I wanted to be able to give that back to the world. Do you consider yourself an activist? Yes, but rather than grabbing the picket sign and marching, I change hearts and minds one song at a time.

Do you have any creative outlets or hobbies outside of music? I love to read poetry. I can spend hours in a bookstore reading poetry books. I also love my gym time. Do you remember the first time you ever performed? Oh, wow. Yes. It was first grade — some ridiculous kids’ musical about a farm. My friend Kelly and I were pigs. As an artist, you’ve doubtless faced judgment, positive or negative, on work that felt deeply personal to you. How do you handle that feedback? The hardest part of being an artist is facing criticism. The best thing you can do is believe in yourself, yet evaluate yourself. Also, surround yourself with positive people who will both pull you off the ground, but also let you know when you’re in the wrong. You have extensive experience as a composer as well as a performer and educator. Are you working on any new pieces right now? I am. ‘m working on two new works. One is a Lady Gaga mash-up for a show choir in West

Virginia, and the other is a larger work for TTBB chorus, piano and string quartet, which commemorates World AIDS Day. What do you hope to see from One Voice Chorus now that you’re moving on? I know OVC will continue to bring positive change to the Carolinas through the lens of artistic excellence. Some of the best people in Charlotte sing in that chorus, and their power in song will continue to be a force in Charlotte and the larger LGBTQ chorus community. And finally, what’s next for you? I will be moving to the Twin Cities area to take on the role of artistic director for the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. : :

If you could have an extra three hours every day, what would you do with the time? I would love to volunteer at the Humane Society or another no-kill shelter. I’d probably still be in bed by 8:30 or 9 p.m., and still get up around 4 or 5 a.m. When there’s a project or task you’re dreading, do you put it off or tackle it right away? I usually tackle it right away, but make small, manageable goals. When I was a kid, […] on long car trips, we’d get to listen to Christian adventure stories. I remember one of the songs talking about this very topic, and I still sing the lyrics to this day when faced with a large task that I’d rather avoid: “Little by little, step by step. By the yard it’s hard, by the inch, what a cinch! Never stare at the stairs, just step up the steps! little by little, inch by inch…it’s a cinch!”

June 15-28 . 2018

qnotes

June 15-28 . 2018