June 23-July 6 . 2012
qnotes
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June 23-July 6 . 2012
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news & features
6 News Notes: Regional Briefs 7 Mural project to hit Plaza-Midwood
opinions & views
4 Editor’s Note 4 General Gayety 13 QPoll 9 Transilluminations
contributors this issue
O’Neale Atkinson, Paige Braddock, Rosendo Brown, Matt Comer, Eva Hayward, Charlene Lichtenstein, Lainey Millen, Leslie Robinson, David Stout, Trinity
front page Graphic Design by Lainey Millen Illustration Credit: Gil Croy
Photo Credit: Peter Salanki via flickr. Licensed under Creative Comons.
inside June 23-July 6, 2012 Vol 27 No 04
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a&e / life&style
5 20 Questions 10 Love is love 11 On the map 12 Tell Trinity 13 kuhl-er-fuhl language 17 Out in the Stars 18 Fabulance 18 Jane’s World 19 Q events calendar
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VIEWS editor’s note Trust me, I will see you around!
What was old is new again
by o’neale atkinson :: oneale@goqnotes.com
by matt comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
Well folks, this has been quite an experience getting to serve as editor for qnotes. Even though it has only been five months, I have really enjoyed my time here and want to thank all of you for putting up with me during my run. I am thrilled to be a part of the North Carolina LGBT community and am so excited to continue my efforts with the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte on a full-time basis. Trying to serve as both the part-time editor for qnotes and administrator for the Center has been a rewarding, albeit exhausting, experience. In this short time, I have been able to make many connections with people and groups that I know will strengthen my ability to better serve the LGBT community in Charlotte as I move forward. Having moved from South Carolina only a year ago with the intention of focusing my career toward advocating for the LGBT community, this experience has been an incredible opportunity for me. I want to thank the staff of qnotes and White Rabbit for making me immediately feel right at home and for supporting me as I learned (and still am learning) the ropes here at the paper. I also want to thank my board members at the Center for also supporting me and working with me. Over the past year they have put a lot of faith in me and I am grateful that they want me to be the person to run the Center on a full-time basis. I know with their support and with the support of the community, we can continue to increase the presence of the LGBT community in Charlotte and across the Carolinas. I would especially like to thank Matt Comer for being such an advocate for the North Carolina LGBT community. Prior to my working at qnotes, Matt was a regular at the Center and worked with our Pride committee, as well as MeckPAC and other Center events. Throughout my time here at the paper, Matt has continued to provide support and insight when I needed it. I appreciate all he has done and know that he will continue to serve the community well with his return to qnotes. And so, I return the position of editor to the more-than-capable hands of Matt Comer. I look forward to seeing qnotes, the Center and the LGBT community as a whole continue to grow as we move forward. I encourage you to send me your thoughts and ideas on how the Center can expand its impact in the Charlotte community and be a well-rounded resource for programming, activities or events. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at centeradministrator@gaycharlotte.com. : :
It was just five months ago that I wrote my last “Editor’s Note” for this newspaper. At the time, I found myself at a crossroads. I had served as editor of North Carolina’s LGBT community newspaper for nearly four-and-a-half years. A new opportunity had come my way; one I truly believed, at the time, was best for me and for the organization to which I would offer my service. In the short time since, I’ve had the utmost pleasure and distinct privilege to work with Campus Pride, the Charlotte-based, leading national non-profit organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create safer and more inclusive college and university campuses for LGBT students, faculty and staff. My time there gave me the opportunity to work with a wide and diverse variety of organizations, people and national media organizations. Yet, something was amiss. The deep, long yearning that I felt for community service and community journalism was too strong a pull. And, so, here I am, penning yet another column for you as both former and now-incoming editor of qnotes. My time away from this editor’s chair has been short, but it has been time enough to learn where I find my truest personal and professional passion. I am deeply committed to honest, objective and relevant community journalism. I hope you will welcome my second tenure as editor of your community newspaper, where I might strive to provide voice to the important issues that affect each and every person in our LGBT community. I wish current editor O’Neale Atkinson well in his future endeavors at The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. I know that he will continue the work he did at this paper in uniting our local community and bringing voice to a variety of diverse viewpoints and persons. I am humbled to return, as of June 18, to my former position as editor and follow in the footsteps of O’Neale. I look forward to continued partnerships with him and the Center in creating a stronger, more united local community. I hope you will wish O’Neale congratulations on this, his last issue as editor of qnotes. I also urge you to continue your support of important community organizations like Campus Pride, who serve our young people — the key to our community’s future growth and success. I look forward to what we can do together. As always, I am open to your comments, concerns and suggestions. This newspaper and the content in its printed and online pages are yours. I am proud to be, once more, at your service. : :
our heads in the sand and pretend it doesn’t exist. Heterosexuality is all around us. Openly straight people are in the military. Openly straight people are in the government. They’re all over Hollywood. These days they think they can do anything. But, we won’t let them. And, you know why? It’s not just because straights do icky things. Although that’s bad enough. George, can you imagine kissing a woman? Betty, can you imagine kissing a man? Yuck. And, what straight people do in bed makes me want to vomit. No, the reason we must stamp out heterosexuality is simple: It’s wrong. It’s immoral. It’s not God’s way. How do I know that? Jesus had only male disciples! If that’s not a clear message that men and women are supposed to stay apart, I don’t know what is. But, heterosexuals mock Jesus. They spit on God’s plan. They choose that abominable straight lifestyle instead. They openly and wantonly cavort with each other. They hold 4th of July parades and flaunt their seersucker shorts. They recruit! When I think of all the poor lesbian and gay children who’ve been lured onto the sinful path of straightness, I cry. I tell you, one day God will turn Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard into pillars of salt! But, he will bless Provincetown! Brothers and sisters, what can we do to aid the Lord’s work? First, we must root out the devil in our midst. Some of you
general gayety by leslie robinson qnotes contributor
Adding to the Christian splutterings
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‘Tis the season of ministerial ravings. The world has heard Pastor Sean Harris urge parents to punch effeminate sons, Pastor Charles Worley advocate putting gays in concentration camps and Pastor Curtis Knapp suggest the government kill gays. What the world hasn’t heard is an equivalent rant from the other side. Time to change that. What follows is a sermon I’ve whipped up for use by any Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) pastor. Friends, in the time allotted to me this morning I’m going to preach on an uncomfortable subject. It’s something we don’t want to think about, let alone talk about. But, I would be abandoning my duty as your spiritual shepherd if I didn’t face it head on. Heterosexuality. Oh, I see you crinkling your noses in distaste. I get it, brothers and sisters, believe you me. But, we can’t hide
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June 23-July 6 . 2012
have confessed to me that you are, yes, straight. Calm down, everyone. We are Christians, so we shall love the sinner. It’s our duty to help these sinners get right with God. So, I’m announcing today that this MCC church will launch exstraight groups. We have plenty of former Catholic nuns to run the women’s ex-straight group and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have volunteered to facilitate the men’s group. May the spirit of the Lord be upon you all as you enter into this difficult and critical work. That’s not all that we have to tackle here on the home front. I now turn to the parents among us with a truth that must be spoken: Far too many of our beautiful children are turning straight. I know you’ve tried your best and I know evil societal forces undermine you. But, you’re obviously doing something wrong. If you want to do God’s will, you must produce gay kids. It’s that simple. Please, look at your parenting. Figure out where you’re going wrong. If your son starts to show an unhealthy interest in girls, knock him into next week. If you don’t, he could wind up in a concentration camp for straights. So, for his sake, your sake and the sake of this great nation, model God’s love by whacking him silly. Go in peace. Amen. : : info: lesarobinson@gmail.com . generalgayety.com
LIFE
20 Questions Janice Covington, Charlotte by David Stout :: david@goqnotes.com
Janice has been an out and proud trans activist for 42 of her 65 years. In the far shorter time that 20 Questions has known her — did we mention far shorter? — we have been admirers of both her involvement and her fashion sense (which, with all due respect to the woman Janice claims as her personal style icon, we believe was most heavily influenced by Mrs. Johnson of Harper Valley). She has been a guest speaker at many universities and Pride events across the country through the years and is now becoming increasingly influential in the North Carolina Democratic Party. Get crossdressed to impress, boys and girls, and then read on to learn more about this amazing LGBT advocate. Take it away, ho…er, Janice. Do you own a rolling pin? Yes, I own four of them — three to throw and one to chase with. I keep them above my built-in oven so they are handy to get at. What variety was the last piece of snail mail you sent out? I guess it was my Christmas cards because I am old-fashioned and still love to send them. To me, Christmas cards are a message of love to friends and family. I think with the internet many have lost this beautiful part of Christmas. Which one of these effeminate music superstars would have made the prettiest woman: Little Richard, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger or Prince? Hands down, Michael Jackson. His charisma and femininity radiated through in everything he did. I think he would have made a very pretty woman. What types of sports related balls are in your home right now? Only the softball signed by my team in 1997, the year we won the class AAAA National Championship in Lakeland, Fla. Do you more enjoy crossword, word search or sudoku puzzles? I very seldom play word games, to be honest, because I am writing all the time. It’s kind of like being a donut baker and eating donuts 24/7. What I do enjoy is feeding wild geese, playing with my two dogs, music and bass fishing. How do these films, which all feature a trans character, rank based on the number of times you’ve seen them: “The Crying Game,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Transamerica” “The World According To Garp”? Well, “Transamerica” is the only one of those I’ve seen and it was terrible because they
used a real woman rather than a transgender to play the main character. I was very disappointed. I do love movies that I can fall asleep to, though. LOL! Which U.S. city that you haven’t been to would you most like to visit? New Orleans. Specifically, I would love to attend Mardi Gras just one time in my life. From what I’ve seen on television, it looks so exciting and I would love to be a part of it. What is your favorite perfume and your favorite cologne? It’s my signature Chanel in both cases. When wearing it I get many compliments and attention from men. If any admirer is reading this, Chanel is the way to my heart. Do you know how to play chinese checkers? Not really, but I love chess and many other board games. Anything that I can be competitive at, I’m willing to play. Oh, if you don’t like to lose, don’t play me. LOL! How would you finish the sentence: “Pantyhose must surely have been invented by…”? I’d say “a man” because I don’t think there was much thought given for comfort. When was the last time you washed your vehicle by hand? About two weeks ago. I love to wear my onepiece bathing suit while washing my car. I imagine the neighborhood husbands get beat by their wives when they get caught peeping over the fence. LOL! Would it be more fun to have a three-way with Sam and Diane, Rebecca and Carla or Norm and Cliff? It would depend on my mood because I have an acquired taste for all. My philosophy is why just be one sided — try it all you might like it. M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces or Whoppers? I love M&M’s. Yummy! What is your most unusual source of fear or unease? I don’t really have any unusual ones. A realistic one would be two Bubbas looking at me like they wanted to beat me up. I have had this happen, but I still stand my ground. How much of a flirt are you? Big time! I love to show my femininity through my style of dress — though I sometimes forget to cross my legs. I have been reminded many times by my sisters, but they have finally given up. Janice is Janice. LOL! If you’re sitting on your couch relaxing, what beverage are you sipping on? A Rolling Rock. I’ve found with getting older that my taste has changed, but I still love Tiffany Storms and strawberry daiquiris, too. Who’s the sexiest “David” of all time? David Beckham, of course. His British accent drives me nuts. I think he is a hottie! Were you a good hula hoop-er as a youngster? Yes. I grew up in the ’50s when hula hoops first hit the block. I must say I was good at it. I did it last on stage at Triad Pride just four years ago but only got two times around before it fell to my ankles. Would you rather have a bird in your hand or have two birds in your bush? I would rather have a bird in my hand. I am getting up in my years so I’m afraid two birds might be confusing. ::
June 23-July 6 . 2012
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BRIEFS
news notes: from the carolinas, nation and world compiled by Lainey Millen :: lainey@goqnotes.com | David Stout :: david@goqnotes.com | O’Neale Atkinson :: oneale@goqnotes.com
Charlotte
Triangle
First economic impact study underway
Pride volunteers needed
CHARLOTTE — A community-wide collaborative effort has been launched to collect and measure data on LGBT businesses in the Charlotte region. The study will take place this summer and summary results will be available to the community once finalized. The collaborative effort is being gathered by the Charlotte Business Guild and the Michael Scott Mater Foundation with funding by a Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Fund Community Connections grant. It is getting support by local chambers of commerce, government officials and academic supporters. Its preliminary economic forecast data is expected to be released in September. Data from the study will be analyzed to determine the economic impact of LGBT small businesses in the region. This data does not currently exist in part because of the difficulty in identifying LGBT-owned businesses. The coalition of partnering agencies agree that this data may be difficult to obtain and ask that business owners that identify as LGBT reach out to participate in the study. “We know, nationally, there are well over an estimated 1.4 million [LGBT] business owners in the United States who employ tax-paying workers, extend benefits to those workers and pay both federal and state taxes. This is an opportunity to explore and gauge — for the first time — the economic impact of LGBT business on a local level here in Charlotte,” said Guild Board President Teresa Davis. For more information or be included in and receive the survey, email businessguild@ yahoo.com or visit charlottebusinessguild.org. — L.M.
Couples file lawsuit
RALEIGH — Equality NC needs volunteers now more than ever. Since passage of Amendment One, much work is needed to counter the damage brought about by the discriminatory legislation. Throughout the season, volunteers will staff Equality NC booths across the state in such locations as Charlotte, the Triangle, the Triad, Hickory, Asheville and Boone. They will get signatures, talk to people interested in LGBT issues and hand out stickers and information. Email Nathan Creger at nathan@equalitync.org to sign up. — L.M.
qnotes
June 23-July 6 . 2012
National/Global Possible headway with Scouts
Dems nominate trans delegate
RALEIGH — On June 16, the North Carolina Democratic Party nominated and green lighted the first openly transgender delegate to serve the state at the upcoming Democratic National Convention to be held in Charlotte in September. Charlottean Janice Covington made history as she will be among the 158 delegates to represent the Tar Heel State, the [Raleigh] News and Observer reported. She told the news organization that it was important to her community to be part of the convention. She added that the trans community had “always been left off the bus.” She also said that it showed the inclusivity of President Barak Obama. For more on Covington, read 20 Questions on page 5. — L.M.
Group seeks in-kind donations
RALEIGH — Crape Myrtle Festival is currently on the hunt for in-kind donations to be
GREENSBORO — Six same-sex couples and their children are at the center of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU North Carolina Legal Foundation on June 13. The action seeks to obtain the right to obtain second parent adoptions for their children. Whether in gay or straight relationships, second parent adoptions occur when one partner in an unmarried couple adopts the other partner’s biological or adoptive child, the ACLU reports. “North Carolina’s law denies children the permanency and security of a loving home simply because their parents are lesbian or gay,” said North Carolina ACLU Executive Director Jennifer Rudinger. “This is fundamentally wrong. No parent should have to worry about what will happen to their children if something happens to their partner.” The ACLU said that some of the protections that come with a second parent adoption include: ensuring that all children in the family are covered if one partner lacks health insurance; ensuring that families will stay together and children will not be torn from the only home they’ve known if something should happen to the biological parent; ensuring that either parent will be allowed to make medical decisions or be able to be by their child’s bedside if one their children is hospitalized. Plaintiffs are: Marcie and Chantelle Fisher-Borne, Durham; Crystal Hendrix and Leigh Smith, Asheville; Lee Knight Caffery and Dana Draa, Charlotte; Shana Carignan and Megan Parker, Greensboro; Leslie Zanaglio and Terri Beck, Morrisville; and Shawn Long and Craig Johnson, Wake Forest. Previously, second parent adoptions were recognized, but in 2010, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled them illegal, FOX Carolina shared. For more information, visit aclu.org/second-parent-adoption-NC. A copy of the complaint is available online as well. — L.M.
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auctioned off at its Gala and Silent Auction on July 28. It has raised over $1,000,000 in its 32-year history. Contributions are 100 percent taxdeductible. The work that the Festival does goes to support state organizations that assist people living with HIV/AIDS and the LGBT communities through celebration and outreach. On an average, about 1,000 attend the festivities which provide entertainment and educational components. For more information, email b.buffaloe@ us.ibm.com. — L.M.
daughter and tried to prevent Bani from having any contact with their child. Chatterjee filed a petition in the New Mexico district court to establish parentage and seek custody under the New Mexico Uniform Parentage Act because she openly held out the child as her own and established a personal, financial or custodial relationship with the child. The district court dismissed Bani’s case. The New Mexico Court of Appeals ruled that New Mexico law only allows fathers, not mothers, to establish parentage based on these facts, but said Bani might be able to seek visitation as a non-legal parent. The New Mexico Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals and ruled that a woman who holds herself out as the child’s parent and has a parental relationship with the child can be a legal parent under New Mexico law. The Court also made it clear that once the non-biological parent is recognized as a parent, they have equal standing under the law to seek custody. — D.S.
Report shows trans elders’ needs
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Sources have confirmed that Boy Scouts of America officials have proposed a new policy — which could be voted on as early as 2013 — that would allow local chartering organizations to decide whether or not to accept gay youth and leaders. The proposal comes after Eagle Scout Zach Wahls (pictured with credit to GLAAD) delivered more than 275,000 signatures to the group’s National Annual Meeting calling for the reinstatement of a lesbian den leader in Ohio who was removed due to her sexual orientation, and for repeal of the ban against openly gay scouts and scout leaders. Wahls met with the BSA’s Public Relations Director, Deron Smith, and other top-ranking Boy Scout officials who asked not to be named at the May 31 national gathering. — D.S.
Court extends crucial parental rights
SANTA FE, N.M. — The New Mexico Supreme Court issued a decision June 1 extending critical protections for non-biological mothers raising children with same-sex partners. The Court held that a woman who raises a child with another woman and assumes parental and financial responsibility for the child can be a legal parent under New Mexico law, just as a male parent would be, regardless of whether she is a biological parent. Bani Chatterjee and her partner, Taya King, decided to have a child together through international adoption. Because they could not adopt jointly due to discrimination against same-sex couples, only Taya legally adopted their daughter but both co-parented her. The couple ended their relationship after nine years and Taya moved to Colorado with their
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) have released “Improving the Lives of Transgender Older Adults: Recommendations for Policy and Practice,” a new resource on the current state of transgender aging. Transgender older adults face unique challenges including overwhelming disparities in health and health care access, employment, housing and more. The report recognizes the importance of examining these factors as they directly affect the financial security, health and overall well-being of older transgender individuals. The report includes a detailed literature review, profiles of personal experiences of transgender elders around the country and more than 60 concrete recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. To download “Improving the Lives of Transgender Older Adults,” or to learn more about the issues covered in the report, visitsageusa.org or transequality.org. — D.S.
Court upholds right to assemble
STRASBOURG, France — The European Court of Human Rights ruled June 12 that Moldova violated the law when it denied LGBT activist group GENDERDOC-M the right to hold a peaceful demonstration in front of the Moldovan Parliament. The decision is important because it establishes that “public morality” is not be an objective and reasonable justification for a difference in treatment under Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In 2005, the Chisinau Municipal Council and the Mayor’s Office rejected GENDERDOCM’s application to peacefully demonstrate in front of Parliament for the adoption of laws protecting sexual minorities. The denial was later upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Justice. — D.S.
NEWS
LGBT Community Center art project to make its mark at gateway to Plaza-Midwood Local LGBT artists’ work will cover White Rabbit with a message of love, equality and peace to celebrate diversity of the LGBT-friendly Plaza-Midwood neighborhood by O’Neale Atkinson :: oneale@goqnotes.com
The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte and White Rabbit are working with local LGBT artists to create a landmark mural on Central Ave. at the forefront of Plaza-Midwood. With funding from a Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Fund Community Connections grant, the project entitled “Our Lives, Our Culture, Our Time” is scheduled to begin on June 30 following the anniversary of the historic 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. Local artist Gil Croy is responsible for the design of the mural which focuses on a message of love, equality and peace. The mural also seeks to bring visibility to the LGBT community in Charlotte. Croy will work with other local LGBT artists and volunteers to complete the project which is slated to be finished prior to the Democratic National Convention in September. “I am honored to be able to work with the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte and White Rabbit in crafting this first piece of public artwork by and for the city’s LGBT community,” said Croy. “I know my vibrant and colorful mural will proudly represent the diversity of Charlotte’s LGBT community.” Croy was featured in the March 17 issue of qnotes as was his human canvas art project. The Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund recently awarded the Center a Community Connections grant which will help to fund the continued works of Croy and the LGBT art committee at the Center. The goal of Croy and his work is to bring the LGBT community out into the public eye as well as offer local LGBT artists a means through which they can express themselves and support their community. Recently Croy and other local LGBT artists created smaller murals which are currently on display at the Center. Local artist Carlleena Person was involved with this project and has since passed away. Person’s designs can be seen throughout the city and her artistic vision and compassionate spirit are
Carlleena Person’s mural on display at The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte.
greatly missed by the local LGBT art committee since her passing. In honor of her passion for the LGBT community and the arts, Croy has decided to honor her in the painting of the mural on White Rabbit. “I believe the moment we start working on this mural it will help to pull the community together” states Croy. “We, as a community, have nothing here that really pulls us together. I am hoping that this mural will help to break down the barriers within our own community and help build unity amongst LGBT people here in Charlotte. We need something that is uniquely
ours and I think this mural will bring attention to our community in a positive light.” The mural will feature silhouettes of individuals, lesbian and gay couples, colorful divas and symbols to represent the LGBT community, peace, equality and love. The palette for the mural? The whole rainbow of course! The location of the mural was selected for its significance within the local LGBT community. The mural will be painted
see Mural on 18
June 23-July 6 . 2012
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VIEWS
transilluminations by eva hayward qnotes contributor
Networking marriage equality
With the passing of Amendment 1, my Facebook feed has been flooded with reactions. Voter intimidation: One family held close as they cast their ballot while protestors yelled, “homosexual marriage endangers children!” Fear about losing insurance: An unmarried, straight couple is unsure how they will pay their medical bills. Even a glance at Facebook tells you that heterosexual and same-sex couples, transgender and queer couples and children have all been materially and emotionally affected by the vote against equality. Through Facebook we share fragments from our lives: our likes, favorite pictures, political ideals and whom we love. But, I don’t think social media is a dystopian force that intensifies our alienation. Facebook has made information sticky by allowing us to trace the sources of the news — connection, not disassociation. But, how has social media shaped our political lives? Communication theorist Marshall McLuhan famously taught us “the medium is the message.” He meant that the devices we use to get information — televisions, computers, iPhones — shape how we understand that information. The “message,” for instance, of a newscast about same-sex marriage is less about the content than the change in attitude toward gays and lesbians, because the story is brought into the home. Hunched over my computer, fingering a touchpad streaked with oily prints, I read about President Barak Obama’s support of gay marriage — Newsweek heralds him as “The First Gay President” on the May cover. The Newsweek cover troubles a Facebook friend; she reads it as conflating race and sexuality in order to mobilize racism and homophobia. Race has always been sexualized, and African-American masculinity is often challenged. I “like” her comment. The Facebook “like” is a remarkable technology through which we become part of the production and dissemination of information. That tiny English word, “like,” builds out agreeable associations: How satisfying it feels when your post is liked, a part of the friendly web of updated statuses, “likes,” “shares” and “comments.” Another post questions the concentration of political energy in support of marriage, an institution criticized by some LGBTQ communities. Attached to the post is Urvashi Vaid’s “Still Ain’t Satisfied: The Limits of Equality,” in which she concludes that marriage equality will not give gays and lesbians greater inclusion into civic life — equality is not equivalent to justice. Just as racial and gender equalities have not resolved employment injustice or discrimination, nor will marriage solve homophobia and institutional heterosexism. I share, and add, “The rights and benefits of marriage should be extended to all people, not only those who choose marriage. If rights are not afforded to all citizens, then how is marriage equality anything but a reinforcement of the regulatory power of the state to normalize the form of family?” A friend comments, “Why should we prioritize marriage equality over the urgent needs for reproductive rights, economic justice, anti-racist activism, anti-imperialism, immigration rights, environmentalism and transgender equality?”
That person attaches information from the 2009 National Transgender Discrimination Survey that finds 40 percent of transgender people in the United States do not have health insurance and experience double the rate of unemployment as the general population. Transgender people face near universal harassment on the job and nearly half of those have come up against homelessness and eviction. Why indeed should marriage equality be the prime concern of national LGB organizations? I “like” this too. Some Facebook users remind their friends that North Carolina’s Amendment 1 is about more than same-sex marriage. Sponsors of the amendment intended to strengthen the Republican stronghold in North Carolina by forcing wedges between communities. In a swing state, the ability to fracture political alliances is necessary to win. Case in point. Predominately white pro-Amendment organizations helped marshal stereotypes that AfricanAmerican communities are disproportionately homophobic, capitalizing on racial tensions. Nevertheless, Facebook blooms with videos of African-American pastors proclaiming the immorality of same-sex marriage. Frustrations mount and friends post angry reminders that North Carolina law still allows first cousins to marry and that the last time North Carolina amended its constitution on the subject of marriage was to ban interracial marriage. Across user pages, North Carolina is described as an incestuous backwater populated by Klan members, serving only to reinforce class divides, particularly rural and urban divides, while veiling the real forces behind the Amendment. The quick turnover of Facebook, its realtime involvement and the shortness of tags and messages affect our conversations about Amendment 1. We comment on issues we only have a general feel for, or sometimes re-share without reading. Time is social, as is the lack of it. The heavy flow of stories causes today’s news to hastily recede into history, archived only in our Facebook timelines. Friends describe Facebook as a “time suck.” Updated newsfeeds are so addictive that people place “Self Control” applications on their computers. Time is a nonrenewable resource or so Facebook teaches us. Connections are intensified, and interactions move faster and faster. Starved for time, we all feel we never have enough time. Time is certainly nonrenewable for transgender people without health insurance or homes, or for children in North Carolina afraid that their family is threatened. Time is running out on the 2012 presidential election. Like twigs and sticks caught in a spring current, social media rafts us together into new solidarities — holy and unholy — in the rapidly emptying channels of its newsfeed. Virtual time overtakes clock time to meet the demands of flexible accumulation — 24/7 has become our greatest export. We are now focused on equal rights for LGBT communities, but it seems to me that our next social justice movement has to be temporal justice: The right to unscheduled time, down time and creative time. As for marriage equality, it is only a matter of time. : :
June 23-July 6 . 2012
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LIFE
Love is love A look at the history of the B in our LGBT community by O’Neale Atkinson :: oneale@goqnotes.com
As we continue our celebration of LGBT Pride month, let’s take a closer look at one of the sub-groups within our community that is often ignored, misunderstood or rejected. Despite their seemingly less visible presence, the bisexual community has been a part of the gay rights movement in the United States since its early history in the 1960s and 1970s. Even though they share a long history within the LGBT community, there seems to be a visible disconnect between the B and the rest of our community. Historically, we see signs of the bi community distinguishing themselves as a sub-group of the LGBT community in American media as early as the 1970s when the “Ithaca Statement on Bisexuality” by the Quaker Committee of Friends on Bisexuality appeared in The Advocate in 1972. During this time, most media focus on the bi community remained on the club scene and on bisexual celebrities and affiliated bisexuals with heterosexual swingers despite the bi community’s active involvement with the gay rights movement. The need for bisexual specific organizations and resources grew throughout the late 1970s and 1980s as bisexual men and women were being isolated from the gay and lesbian communities, as well as the straight community after coming out. During the mid to late 1970s, organizations and resources began to spring up across the country including the San Francisco Bisexual Center, the National Bisexual Liberation Group and New York City’s Bi Forum. Bisexual organizations were influenced greatly by strong female leaders who associated a bisexual identity with feminist ideologies and can be seen in the creation of organizations like the Bisexual Women’s Network of Seattle and Boston in the 1980s. During the 1987 march on Washington for gay and lesbian rights, the first national bisexual organization was formed named The North American Bisexual Network. Despite their active history within the LGBT community, there tends to be a great deal of misunderstanding about what identifying as bisexual means to those who do not consider themselves bi. These misunderstandings, and just general misinformation about bisexuality, lead to social stigma placed upon bisexuals both from the straight and gay community. So, what exactly defines someone as a bisexual? Bisexuality refers to an individual who identifies as being attracted sexually and emotionally to both men and women. To be bisexual does not mean that you have to be equally attracted to both sexes, nor does it mean that you have to be attracted to both sexes simultaneously. Words like greedy, indecisive and hypersexual often are wrongly associated with the bisexual community. While they may be true for some members of the bi community, they can also be true for anyone regardless of sexual orientation and should not be used to generalize an entire portion of the LGBT community.
Immigration Explained! The Guild’s very own “out” Immigration Law Judge Barry Pettinato on: President Obama’s New Deportion Policy Its effect on your business/job search DOMA/LGBT asylum update Tuesday, July 17, 2012 Venue/Reservations: www.charlottebusinessguild.org
www.charlottebusinessguild.org
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Some of these misunderstandings can arise from the fact that no one can be recognized as being bisexual unless they outright identify as bi. Bisexual individuals, when viewed with their current partner, could be perceived as simply either straight or gay if they do not state that they are bisexual. This makes understanding who is bi at-a-glance much more difficult and therefore can make identifying the bi community a challenge. This perception has allowed for members of the bi community to remain invisible if they choose, shifting between identifying as either straight or gay as they enter into relationships. This inability to identify members of the bi community is further made evident by the lack of statistical data we have about bisexuality. A report from the National Center for Health Statistics in 2002 reported that only 1.8 percent of men and 2.8 percent women age 18-44 identified as being bisexual.
Other studies indicate a range of percentages higher and lower than these numbers, but the data varies just as much as does each study’s definition of the word bisexual. Also, as with the rest of the gay community, statistics are only able to reflect based on the number of people who openly identify as LGBT and can not accurately take into account individuals who are closeted, unsure or questioning. According to a recent report from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a report in the Journal of Bisexuality indicates that stereotypes placed upon the bisexual community can negatively impact the mental, physical and sexual health of an individual. This causes some individuals to mirror their identified sexual orientation based on their most recent or current partner’s sex. In their article, GLAAD challenges media sources to be more inclusive of the bisexual community and to more accurately reflect the voice of bisexuals within the LGBT community. Much like the development of the transgender community, the internet has served as an invaluable resource for members of the bisexual community to communicate with one another across the world and has developed a thorough online bisexual community. In 1990 The North American Bisexual Network became Bi-Net, a non-profit organization which created a way for establishing a cohesive bi community across the country. Their website remains one of the most thorough resources for bisexual individuals to find local bi organizations and communities. While online resources like Bi-Net, Facebook and message boards offer a virtual way for the bisexual community to link up with one another across the world, there is a small physical presence of the bisexual community, especially in North Carolina. When looking for local state resources there are little to no physical groups which can be easily found to participate in and join. Even LGBT community centers in North Carolina seem to lack groups or programming that specifically target the bi community. For example, The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte hosts a male support group, a lesbian social organization and two transgender support groups but currently has no active bisexual organization or group which utilizes their resources. The Center has attempted to develop a group for the bi community twice in the past year, but has been unsuccessful in their attempts to solidify a meeting or event. By understanding how all of the LGBT community fits together through our beliefs, our history and our individual experiences, we can better unify as a true community. Each of the subgroups which make up our community, when working together and visible, make us stronger and allow us to more effectively work toward the goal of ending discrimination based on who we love. : :
on the map nightlife Sunday
Barbeque & Bloody Marys, Bar at 316 free BBQ from 3-6 p.m. The Sunday Social Spades/Card Games & House Muzik, Nickel Bar from 5 p.m.-Midnight House Cast Show, The Scorpio with DJ 4Real. 11:30 p.m. Woodshed Sundays, The Woodshed free dinner buffet served at 6:30 p.m. karaoke, 9 p.m.
Monday
Movie Night, Bar at 316 starts at 9 p.m. Monday Madness, Chasers pool tournament at 11:30 p.m. $25 cash prize and $25 bar tab. Boxing & Monday Night Football, Sidelines Free Pool, The Woodshed all day.
Tuesday
Karaoke with Metro Mike, Bar at 316 starts at 9 p.m. Pool Tournament, Central Station Twisted Trivia, Chasers with Tiffany Storm & Brooklyn Dior. Showtime at 12:30 a.m. Trivia Tuesdays, Marigny hosted by Roxxy C. Moorecox 7 p.m.
Midwood Madness, Petra’s half-price bottles of wine Karaoke, The Woodshed starts at 9 p.m.
Underwear Night, The Woodshed
Friday
Game Night, Bar at 316 Team Trivia and Line Dancing, Hartigan’s starts at 8 p.m. Karaoke, Petra’s hosted by Rachel Houdek. 9 p.m. Wicked and Wild Wednesdays, The Scorpio featuring Tiffany Storm with DJ 4Real. 11 p.m. Pool Tournament, The Woodshed starts at 10:30 p.m.
House DJ and Dancing, Bar at 316 Free HIV Testing, Connections the 4th Friday of every month. 8-10 p.m. A-List Fridays, Marigny hosted by SugaWalls Entertainment. 10 p.m. Feel Good Fridays Dance Night, Nickel Bar from 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Live Performances, Petra’s Roxy’s Rainbow Review, The Rainbow In starts at 11p.m. Life’s a Drag, The Scorpio with Tiffany Storm. 11:30 p.m.
Thursday
Saturday
Wednesday
Thursday Night House Party, Bar at 316 Pool Tournament, Central Station Rockin’ Well Thursdays, Chasers with Valerie Rockwell. Show starts at 12:30 a.m. Free HIV Testing, Connections the 2nd Thursday of every month. 8-10 p.m. Karaoke Night, Hartigan’s hosted by Roxxy C. Moorecox. 9 p.m. Team Boystown, Marigny starts at 10 p.m. $10 cover after 11 p.m. Drink-n-drown. SpeakEasy Thursday Open Mic Night, Nickel Bar from 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Karaoke Night, The Rainbow In free for members. $5 guests. $6 under 21.
House DJ and Dancing, Bar at 316 The Angela Lopez Show, Chasers show starts at 12:30 a.m. Live DJ, Hartigan’s Krewe Saturdays, Marigny Sexy Saturdays Special Events, Nickel Bar from 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Live Performances, Petra’s Urban Variety Show, The Scorpio with Elaine Davis. Midnight showtime.
Congregations MCC Charlotte Worship service every Sunday, 10:45 a.m.
Bible study every Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 p.m. New Life MCC Worship service every Sunday, 7 p.m. Monthly covered dish dinner and coffeehouse-style worship service on the first Sunday of every month, 6 p.m. Unity Fellowship Church of Charlotte Worship service every Sunday, 10:45 a.m. Bible 101: second and fourth Sunday of every month, 9 a.m. Wednesday night Bible study and discussion, 7 p.m.
Community The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte Promoting the diversity, acceptance and visibility of the LGBT community through programming and events. gaycharlotte.com White Rabbit North Carolina’s LGBT everything store. Complete line of Pride merchandise, plus books, magazines, DVDs, T-shirts, underwear and more. info: Don’t see your bar listed here? Submit your regularly scheduled events to editor@goqnotes.com
June 23-July 6 . 2012
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A&E
tell trinity by trinity qnotes contributor
Born free until my ex calls
Dear Trinity, After a year of being tied down in a relationship, I’m now free. But, when I told my ex I was going on vacation to let loose and experience endless sexual encounters, he told me that I was shallow and inconsistent. Is he right? Wild But Guilty, Madison, WI Dear Wild But Guilty, What do you get when you take a shallow, inconsistent gorilla, who wants immediate gratification and a vacation full of used contraceptives? You get a wild zoo animal that becomes a star attraction. Seriously, sweetie, if you’re having deep feelings for being wild, then go for it, carefully. If it’s your reaction to some unfulfilled relationship stuff, then take notice to that! Be free. Don’t worry what your ex thinks. And, save me a seat at your petting zoo. Hi there Miss Trinity, Once in a while you talk about threesome relationships. Aren’t people who live in threesome relationships inevitably avoiding their own problems with monogamy and or twosome relationships? Threesome Troubles, Savannah, GA Hi there Threesome Troubles, If someone enters into a threesome, longterm relationship are they avoiding a “regular” relationship? Of course. Though, not any different than someone who gets into a twosome relationship to avoid being single. Life, in its richest form, is not supposed to be easily understood. I’m always learning about threesomes. So, yes, darling, threesome relationships are crazy. Now would you please go find me a normal one! (Let’s see how to manage this threesome business when you take a look at my cartoon.)
town is, “the worst thing you can do besides microwaving live animals.” This is such a confusing question, honey, that I must quote Cher in Moonstruck: “Snap out of it,” accompanied by a slap in the face to help you wake up faster. Hello Trinity, Recently, I went to a party. The next day I found out that I drank too much and made a fool of myself. I have no more friends! Help! Party Girl, New Orleans, LA Hello Party Girl, I often ask myself this same question. Inevitably, pumpkin, I do suppose there is a proper and improper way to behave at a party. So, here are: Trinity’s Smart Tips For Attending A Party 1. A lways bring at least a box of cookies. Don’t arrive empty handed, ever! 2. Y ou’re going to a party not to bed. Look nice or casual, but respectable, like you spent a little time getting ready. 3. I know your fabulous and a snob, but making people feel bad and beneath you is something you should do at your own parties. Stay home! 4. Y ou’re not at a funeral or football rally. You’re at a party, so act alive, but not to the point of being a cheerleader! 5. W hen you’ve had too much to drink, shut up and go for a walk! Please! 6. I f you’re out to get your sexual needs met, you need not let everyone you meet know this fact! 7. W hen I’m nervous, I pick up a food platter and start serving. Within minutes I know everyone. 8. I f you’re the type who must comment negatively on everyone’s outfit, personality or new boyfriend then you must be beaten to a pulp, period! 9. D rinking too much and driving is like drinking too much and driving! Dah! 10. T he difference between group therapy and a party is that in therapy you tell everyone your problems and expect them to help you and at a party you tell everyone your problems and expect them to leave you. : : — With a Masters of Divinity, Reverend Trinity hosted “Spiritually Speaking” a weekly radio drama performed globally and is now minister of WIG: Wild Inspirational Gatherings.
Dearest Trinity, I’m very interested in dating my close friend’s new girlfriend. They just met a month ago and now my friend is away for three months. Is this wrong? While You Were Away, Dallas, TX Dearest While You Were Away, According to the book, “Back Stabbing, Conniving, No Good Friends from the Underworld,” asking a close friend’s new girlfriend on a date while your friend is out of
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info: www.telltrinity.com . Trinity@telltrinity.com Sponsored by: WIG Ministries Gay Spirituality for the Next Generation! www.wigministries.org daily news, blog posts and lgbt community event listings Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter: goqnotes.com/subs
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LIFE
kuhl-er-fuhl • lang-gwij A look at words and phrases used to identify groups and subgroups of our diverse community by O’Neale Atkinson :: oneale@goqnotes.com
dictionary we have made for ourselves. Sure many of these terms are extremely broad and overgeneralize, but they are fun and creative uses of language that we have adopted into our culture over time. Below is a far from exhaustive list of some of the terms the LGBT community has adopted over the years starting with more basic generally accepted terms and going deeper into some more colorful and creative terms that we have coined to identify subgroups within our diverse community.
LGBT Identifications: Lesbian — A female individual who has a sexual and emotional desire for those of the same sex. One of the oldest and most common words used for female homosexuals. * The word is derived from the Greek Isle of Lesbos, home to the ancient Greek lesbian poet Sappho. Gay — A male individual who has a sexual and emotional desire for those of the same sex. One of the oldest and most common
words for male homosexuals. * In 16th century England, gay was used to refer to a male actor in a female costume. Bisexual — An individual who identifies as being attracted sexually and emotionally to both men and women. The individual does not necessarily have to be attracted equally to both sexes. Transgender — An individual whose gender
see kul-er-ful on 14
“I don’t like to be labeled” is a phrase many of us have said at one point or another. While we may not like labels to be applied to us, for the most part, we all use labels to make associations or assumptions frequently in our lives, whether intentionally or just informally. Labels can absolutely be used to stigmatize or generalize an individual or a population, but it is all in the intention and usage of the word or phrase. When looking at any culture or group, the language used to communicate generalized and universally-understood ideas can be unique when going from group to group. Certain words can be used to infer meaning only known to members of a group, so that other people outside of the group will not be aware of the discussion being had. In earlier decades, the LGBT community used words and phrases to identify one another in such a way that those not a part of the community would not be able to understand. As our community has developed and expanded, so too has our vocabulary and what a
qpoll If you just had to label yourself, which term best suits you? See the options and vote: goqnotes.com/to/qpoll
June 23-July 6 . 2012
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kuhl-er-fuhl continued from page 13
identity differs from their assigned sex at birth. Transgender is not a sexual orientation, individuals who identify as transgender could have any possible sexual orientation. * To understand the concept of transgender, one must be able to differentiate between biological sex and gender identity. Sub-groups: Bear — A sub-group of gay men that are typically hairier and stouter than other men. * There are many variations of bears. Younger bears are referred to as cubs, while a skinny bear is referred to as an otter. Drag King — A woman who, gen-
erally for public entertainment, dresses in men’s clothes and adopts a stereotypically masculine demeanor while on stage. Drag
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kings typically dance and lip sync to songs like their queen counterparts.
Drag Queen — A man who, generally for public entertainment, dresses in women’s clothes and adopts stereotypical feminine attributes while on stage. Most drag queens dance and lip sync to songs. *According to Noxeema Jackson in “To Wong Foo,”When a straight man puts on a dress and gets his sexual kicks, he is a transvestite. When a man is a woman trapped in a man’s body and has a little operation he is a transsexual. When a gay man has way too much fashion sense for one gender he is a drag queen.” Gender Queer — A newer classification;
gender queer individuals play with the norms of gender roles and even outright reject the concept of gender completely. * There are gender neutral terms that can be used to replace commonly used gender specific pronouns. For example, Ze can be used to replace both “he” and “she” while Zir to replace the possessive “his” and “her”. Also the word “they” can be used to express both he or she. Lipstick Lesbian — A lesbian who prefers to dress and wear make-up in a way that is conventionally more feminine than other lesbians. * The term chapstick lesbian was popularized after an episode of the TV show “Ellen” in the 1990s to describe a lesbian that is a little more gender neutral than a lipstick lesbian. When asked by her parents if she was a lipstick lesbian, Ellen replied that she was more of a chapstick lesbian.
Pansexual — An individual who is attracted to people regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. * Some people prefer the word pansexual as opposed to bisexual as “bi” refers to people liking two sexes (male and female) and does not include the wider array of sexual orientations and gender identities. Twink — Used to describe an attractive boyish male. Typically twinks are younger, but can also just appear younger. Twinks are typically slender and lightly hairy to hairless. * More muscular men who meet the description of a twink are referred to as twunks (twink + hunk). Sexual Terminology & Fetishes B&D — Bondage and discipline. Sexual excitement related to binding or being bound
by handcuffs, leather, rope, etc. A milder form of S & M which involves one partner being at least constrained. Bareback — The practice of having anal sex without using a barrier method such as a condom. Bottom — The partner during sex who prefers to be the recipient of pleasure or penetration and takes on the more passive sexual role. Alternatively referred to as a catcher since they are on the receiving end. Dom — Dominant. Someone who enjoys dominating another person, typically used in a BD/SM scenario. Frequently used interchangeably with top, but not necessarily an accurate substitution Pillow Queen — Typically, a lesbian who
likes to be on the receiving end of pleasure during sex and is less focused on reciprocation. Stone Butch, meet your match!
S&M — Sadism and masochism. The sadist derives their pleasure from inflicting pain or humiliation while the masochist enjoys having pain inflicted upon them or being humiliated.
S&M partners set and define mutually agreed upon limits. Stone Butch — A lesbian who gets pleasure from being on the giving end of sex and is not interested in receiving pleasure from their partner during sex. Sub — Submissive. The opposite of dominant, a person that sexually submits or is passive to their partner. Typically used in a BD/SM scenario. Top — The partner during sex who prefers to be the giver of pleasure or penetration and takes on the more active sexual role. Alternatively referred to as a pitcher since they are on the giving end. Slang Boi — For gay men, a boi is a gay man who is boyish or young in appearance or identity. For lesbians, a boi is a woman who is biologically female, but has a boyish appearance or presentation. Breeders — A slang term used for heterosexual individuals, typically those who have
children or glorify the idea of having a family. Chasers — Most frequently used in the bear community; chasers are typically outsiders who are attracted to and admire bears. Chasers do not necessarily have to be bears themselves. * The term can be used with other subgroups besides bears. Chicken — A gay or lesbian youth, typically inexperienced or new to the community. Chicken Hawk — An older gay or lesbian individual who is attracted to and seeks out significantly younger partners. Fag Hag — A straight (typically) woman who prefers the social company of gay men. * An alternative term for a fag hag is a fruit fly. While the term sounds a little less crass than fag hag, it still isn’t the most appealing imagery.
Fag Stag — A straight male who hangs out with and enjoys the company of gay men. Gayby — An infant being raised by parents who identify as lesbian or gay. Hasbian — An individual who identified as a lesbian, but now exclusively dates men. LUG — Lesbian Until Graduation. Term used to describe a woman who identifies as a lesbian during her high school or college years, but ultimately marries a man. Winkte — Term used among the Lakota people to distinguish those who are “twin spirits,� typically indicating that they are gay, lesbian or identify as both genders. * The winkte are not marginalized in Lakota culture, but rather are treated as spiritual leaders or with reverence. Yestergay — An individual who identified as gay, but now exclusively dates women. : : Images: Rosendo Brown. Check out “Fabulance� on page 18 for more.
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June 23-July 6 . 2012
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A&E
out in the stars by charlene lichtenstein qnotes contributor
June 23 - July 6
Saturn, the planet of whips and chains, finally redirects after a four-month retrograde. You find that some things will now fall nicely into place while new challenges may bubble to the fore. Choose your punishment from a glorious array of possibilities you bad, bad thing! CANCER (06.22-07.23) Gay Crabs begin to feel that relatives don’t understand them. Unspoken, problematic issues suddenly are shouted out. So be it. Expect to grapple with what you want vs. what is expected of you. It feels like one thing after another, but it will be an excellent time to clear the debris and dump the garbage. Think of how nice your personal space will look when you are done. LEO (07.24-08.23) Can’t think of the right thing to say? Think that your opinions are not worth the breath? You may think that it is best to keep your pearls of wisdom to yourself for a while. But, this will be a mistake. Proud Lions are apt to feel that they do not quite measure up, but you will soon find that not only do you measure up admirably, you are quite a ruler. VIRGO (08.24-09.12) Queer Virgins can regain their considerable charisma, but, unfortunately, may begin to feel that they don’t have enough dough to grease their wheel. If it is not one thing it is another! The next few months will teach you the upside of examining the bottom line. You may become very well endowed after all…or find a benefactor who can help you feather your nest. LIBRA (09.24-10.23) Prepare for a chance to really show the world what you can do, proud Libra. This new phase of your life may find you chaffing at the bit to try some new stuff, but I recommend that you do your homework before you strut it around for others to view. Once you are learned and wise, you will succeed beyond your wildest dreams. How wild can you get? SCORPIO (10.24-11.22) Queer Scorps may feel some low-level stress at this time. Where is it coming from? Hard to tell. The secret of success in this stressful period is to work on improving your karma by volunteering for a worthy gay cause. Your efforts may not be fully recognized by mere mortals, but there are a few gods and goddesses up there taking notes and paying attention. SAGITTARIUS (11.23-12.22) Gay Archers begin to take stock of certain friendships. Do you really know who is in your close-confidence circle? The clouds of deception part and a bit of sunlight peeks through. There may be a few bugs who need to be dispatched. Avoid feeling too lonely and out of sorts by joining new clubs, seeking new associations and making new brilliant connections. CAPRICORN (12.23-01.20) While professional accolades tended to rain down from above, expect a bit of a drought as even your strongest corporate efforts seem a bit dry. Pink Caps should use the time to review their accomplishments, consolidate and therefore strengthen their power base and hone their skills. Hard work catapults you up. Lazy things warm the couch. AQUARIUS (01.21-02.19) There will be the temptation to stay close to home. As your attitude puts a crimp in any travel plans. Favorite places seem off limits, travel has its stresses and strains. But, this is no time to play it safe, Aqueerius. You may feel a little constrained, but you know that it is time to hoist your flag and wave it in faraway lands. Spread the word… among other things. PISCES (02.20-03.20) Guppies are not often the most sensual of folks and now you may feel a bit more like a damp dishrag than hot patoot. Your best moves are when you decide to leave and explore other stimuli. However, all is not lost; this is a great time to do a little self reflection and hone those dull edges into something sharp and
snappy. Hey watch where you point that thing! ARIES (03.21-04.20) Relationships may go through a period of increased stress, but also some much needed review. Proud Aries need to reassess what they want and do not want in a partnership. Those Rams on the hoof may go through several versions of the same song and dance before they learn to tango. Find your personal beat. Before you know it, you will have your pick of the dance floor. TAURUS (04.21-05.21) Queer Bulls will never work harder with less payoff than now. But, before you resign yourself to resignation, think about how much you can learn during this informative period. This is the time to keep your pencils sharp and your erasers handy. Put in a little sweat equity, and before you know it, you will be on top of the heap. Uh, which heap is that? GEMINI (05.22-06.21) Creativity will be more perspiration than inspiration at this time, but sweat is needed to get the little details done. Pink Twins may want to soar with the eagles but will have to content themselves with riding the subway with the rest of us. Never fear, you will have quite a few laughs along the way. That is if you do not take yourself too seriously. Ahem. : : © 2012 Madam Lichtenstein, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Entertainment. info: Visit www.TheStarryEye.com for e-greetings, horoscopes and Pride jewelry. My book “HerScopes: A Guide To Astrology For Lesbians” from Simon & Schuster is available at bookstores and major booksites.
June 23-July 6 . 2012
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Mural to grace Plaza-Midwood gateway continued from page 7
around White Rabbit at 920 public and visible piece Central Ave. White Rabbit of LGBT-themed artis the only LGBT-specific work has been needed bookstore in the state and in Charlotte for a long is also home to qnotes, the time and its fruition Charlotte-based LGBT comnow marks tremendous munity newspaper of North growth for our local Carolina. Central Ave. also LGBT community.” serves as the main thorThe LGBT oughfare in Plaza-Midwood, Community Center an area of Charlotte known of Charlotte is workfor its LGBT-inclusive and ing with both Croy -friendly atmosphere and its and White Rabbit to high concentration of LGBT complete the project. residents and small business Individuals interested owners. in volunteering to assist “White Rabbit has long with the mural or in called Plaza-Midwood home donating to help with A snipit of the Gil Croy mural. and we are proud we can the completion of the work with Gil and the LGBT Community Center project can coordinate their involvement in creating a highly visible icon for Charlotte’s through the Center. Currently, the Center is community,” said Jim Yarbrough, co-owner asking that donations be made to help cover of White Rabbit and publisher of qnotes. “A some of the materials needed to complete
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the project. According to staff at the Center, projects like this mural help to bring the LGBT community out into the public and are especially necessary following the Amendment One vote in May. “This mural project helps to fulfill the Center’s mission of promoting diversity, acceptance and visibility of the LGBT community,” said John Stotler, chair of the Center’s board of directors. “As Charlotte grows as a city, so does its LGBT community. The Center is here to serve and to bring visibility to our
community’s strength and diversity.” In order to complete the project, Croy will need the help of other artists and volunteers, as well as additional supplies. The Center is accepting donations marked for the art committee to assist with the purchasing of supplies required to complete the mural. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the completion of the mural or wish to make a donation, contact The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte at 704-333-0144 or by email to info@gaycharlotte.com. : :
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events qnotes goqnotes.com/qguide/events
Queen’s Fab Fest June 27-30 Charlotte
The Queen City Theatre Company will present the first annual Queen’s Fab Fest, a week-long series of five events raising funds and awareness for Campus Pride, the Charlotte-based leading national educational organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students. VIP priority reserved tickets and general admission tickets are available and are on sale now for as low as $15. A special bundle package for all five performances is available for $100; patrons who purchase the package get reserved seating. Attendees at the events will have the chance to enter into a drawing for a pair of premium tickets to Madonna’s Charlotte concert in November. All events start at 8 p.m. Duke Energy Theatre, 345 N. College St. queencitytheatre.com June 27: There Comes a Time — Miss Coco Peru is Back! June 28: Outisde the BOXX — An Evening with Pandora Boxx With special opening act Trixie Zenyon June 29: Twisted Broadway — A Broadway Cabaret by After-Party and Drag Show at Hartigan’s Irish Cedar St. June 30: The Wizard of Oz — Buff Faye’s First Sing-A-Long. Win over $500 in prizes best costume!
arts. entertainment. news. views. June 23 • Charlotte “Falsettos” — A musical by William Finn Queen City Theatre Company brings a night of music and theater to the McGlohon Theatre for two nights only with “Falsettos,” a musical comedy about life, love, sex and loss. The characters renegotiate the definitions of family and what it means to care for and about someone. The story revolves around Marvin, his ex-wife Trina, his psychiatrist Mendel, his son Jason and his gay lover Whizzer Brown. We also meet Marvin’s lesbian neighbors, Dr. Charlotte, an internist and Cordelia, a kosher caterer. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Book and Best Original Score, and with an extraordinary cast of local artists, this is a theatrical event that you will not want to miss! Any donations and proceeds from this event is part of the Queen’s Fab Fest and benefit Campus Pride for LGBT Youth. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. queencitytheatre.com. June 23 • Salisbury Salisbury Pride Salisbury’s LGBT community is back again with their second local Pride festival! Entertainers include Roxy C. Moorecox, Jamie Monroe, Amy Broome, The Ashley Jo Farmer Band, Charlotte Pride Band, Nadirah Dance Company and more. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 110 S. Lee St. salisburypride.com.
June 24 • Winston-Salem Tea Dance Join Out at the Movies Winson-Salem for their ongoing tea dance with music by DJ Clash. Drink specials. No cover. 10 percent of the proceeds benefits Equality Winston-Salem. 5-9 p.m. Encore Lounge, 411 W. 4th St. 336-919-0902. outatthemovieswinston.org. June 30 • Charlotte Stonewall Celebration in Plaza-Midwood Join The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte for their 2nd Annual Stonewall Celebration. This year the event has moved into PlazaMidwood and is teaming up with Petra’s Piano Bar and The Penguin. Live music and a screening of the documentary “Remembering Stonewall” are just a few things to look forward to. Free event with food and drink specials provided by Petra’s and The Penguin. 3-8 p.m. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. gaycharlotte.com. July 8 • Winston-Salem Tea Dance Join Out at the Movies Winson-Salem for their
we want your who/what/where
followed Pub, 601 S. Annual for
Pandora Boxx
Coco Peru
ongoing tea dance with music by DJ Clash. Drink specials. No cover. 10 percent of the proceeds benefits Equality Winston-Salem. 5-9 p.m. Encore Lounge, 411 W. 4th St. 336-919-0902. outatthemovieswinston.org. July 12 • Charleston, S.C. Charleston Pride Festival This port destination is “lighting the path to progress” with their 2012 Pride celebration. Film festivals, parades, pageants, parties and more are on the list for this year’s festivities. The annual Pride parade will be on July 14 and will start on Durant Ave. and end on Virginia Ave. charlestonpridefestival.org. July 19-22 • Charlotte Charlotte Black Gay Pride Charlotte Black Gay Pride is back again this year with a full lineup of events across the Queen City. Currently, they are still lining up their entertainment and events. If you would like to be a part of this year’s entertainers there is still plenty of time to get involved. charlotteblackgaypride.com.
Submitting an event for inclusion in our calendar has never been easier: visit goqnotes.com/qguide/events/submit
June 23-July 6 . 2012
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