Aug. 29-Sept. 11 . 2014
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Aug. 29-Sept. 11 . 2014
inside
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Charlotte Pride numbers records
arts. entertainment. news. views. break
Greg Brafford on the mend
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news & features 5 School voucher program unconstitutional 6 News Notes: Regional Briefs 8 Bar owner survives robbery attempt, shooting 9 News Notes: U.S./World Briefs 10 Charlotte Pride breaks records
a&e / life&style 12 13 15 16 16 17 20 22 27
Back to School Making the grade Young, queer, homeless in the Queen City Fall adventures Jane’s World Tell Trinity Out in Print Q Events Calendar Our People: Warren Radebe
opinions & views
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4 Editor’s Note 4 Spiritual Reflections 13 QPoll
Aug. 29-Sept. 11 . 2014
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qnotes connect Aug. 29-Sept. 11, 2014 Vol 29 No 09
arts. entertainment. news. views. goqnotes.com twitter.com/qnotescarolinas facebook.com/qnotescarolinas
contributors this issue
Paige Braddock, Matt Comer, Esih Efuru, Lainey Millen, Trinity, Francisco White
front page
Graphic Design by Photography: Matt Comer ; special
thanks to model Lee Ziglar Mission:
The focus of QNotes is to serve the LGBT and straight ally communities of the Charlotte region, North Carolina and beyond, by featuring arts, entertainment, news and views content in print and online that directly enlightens, informs and engages the readers about LGBT life and social justice issues. Pride Publishing & Typesetting, Inc., dba QNotes P.O. Box 221841, Charlotte, NC 28222 ph 704.531.9988 fx 704.531.1361 Publisher: Jim Yarbrough Sales: x201 adsales@goqnotes.com Nat’l Sales: Rivendell Media, ph 212.242.6863 Editor: Matt Comer, x202 editor@goqnotes.com Production: Lainey Millen, x205 production@goqnotes.com Printed on recycled paper. Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2014 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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editor’s note by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
Community leadership should make HIV a priority You’ve heard it. You’ve condemned it. You think it’s anti-gay bigotry to say it. But, I’m going to say it again, as even former National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman has in the past: HIV is a gay disease. I didn’t stutter. I didn’t mumble. No, I’m not mistaken. Yes, I’m sober. HIV is a gay disease. No, no, no. I don’t mean that gay people are the only people who can contract the disease. Any thinking person knows that’s not the case. A quick look at the African continent quickly, overwhelmingly proves otherwise. But, what is absolutely and abundantly, fundamentally and unmistakably clear is that at least in the U.S., HIV is a gay disease. HIV impacts gay men, bisexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM) more than any other demographic in this country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says MSM are about four percent of the population. Yet, in 2010, we accounted for 78 percent of new HIV infections among males and 63 percent of all new infections. In total, we represent 52 percent of all people living with HIV. And, year over year, the infection rate is rising — from 2008 through 2010, the latest year for which figures are available, the number of new HIV infections among MSM rose by 12 percent. New research released by the CDC at the International AIDS Conference in July show that all U.S. HIV infection rates have dropped by more than a third over the past decade. Declines were seen among men, women, whites, blacks, Latinos, straight folk, drug users and almost all age groups. The only glaring exception? Gay and bisexual men. My colleague, Michigan-based journalist Todd Heywood, has been actively reporting and researching HIV/AIDS topics since 2007. He believes there is a growing crisis facing the gay community — one he thinks the LGBT community is unprepared, or worse, unwilling, to face head on. “HIV is endemic in MSM. I think we need to be clear about that,” Heywood tells me. “The epidemic broke in MSM and it has stayed
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there. It was ignored in the early ‘80s without much effective control and that resulted in allowing the disease to really become embedded in our community.” Government policies and funding priorities are largely to blame for continued increases in MSM HIV infection rates, Heywood says. But, the community and its leadership have a role to play, too — a responsibility he says leaders are shirking. “It all goes back to 1990 and Jesse Helms and his ‘No Promo Homo’ constructs for HIV funding,” Heywood says. “The reality is that the federal government is never going to tell gay men, bisexual men, MSM and trans women how to have anal sex. It’s just not going to happen.” Where the government will not and refuses to act, the community should step in, Heywood says. Currently, it’s a job we’re failing. “When I do lectures at colleges, I am still stunned that I have to teach basic anatomy to college-aged MSM,” he says. “Our community has to take it upon itself to create its own educational programs. We have to start talking about HIV and prevention and sex to our selves. We’re not doing that.” The most at-risk group for new infections remains young MSM under 30. An entire generation of young gay men, bisexual men and MSM are staring down a future in which the majority of them are HIV positive. Projections and estimates released by the CDC show that as many as 10 percent of current college-aged MSM are HIV-positive. In 30 years, at current trends, as many as half of those men will be HIV-positive. For AfricanAmerican college-aged MSM, the numbers rise staggeringly, mind-bogglingly higher; in 30 years, as many as 70 percent of them could be living with HIV. Those numbers aren’t just theory. They are playing out everyday in the lives of real people. In Atlanta, as recently reported by The Washington Post, one researcher estimates that as many as 43 percent of black MSM are already HIV positive. That number is just 13 percent for white MSM.
It might be tempting for older gay men to stereotype their younger counterparts as uncaring and irresponsible. But, recent research from the MAC AIDS Fund says the gap is less about personal responsibility and more about a simple lack of basic sex education. Their recent survey found that 33 percent of teenagers ages 12-17 did not even know HIV was a sexually transmitted disease. Nearly 90 percent said they didn’t think they were at risk for HIV. Heywood believes national community leaders have a responsibility to address HIV/ AIDS with a renewed sense of urgency. It must be a priority, he says. “I’d like to see [the Human Rights Campaign’s] Chad Griffin hold a press conference addressing HIV as a crisis in our community,” Heywood asserts. Heywood takes issue with LGBT media, too. He says we haven’t done enough to report on Truvada, other prevention methods and the rising HIV rate. In many respects, that’s true — even here at qnotes. As editor, I’ll be making sure we change that. And, ultimately, I agree with Heywood: It’s time to stop being afraid of the “HIV is a gay disease” framework. “We still too easily dismiss the far right when they say HIV is a gay disease,” Heywood says. “It is a problem in our community and we have not embraced that reality.” Heywood says the community should embrace all forms of prevention, including the use of Truvada, a daily drug the FDA cleared for use as another tool in preventing HIV infection. Some groups, like the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, have come out against the drug. Its executive director has called it a “party drug” and the group has recently launched an advertising campaign in gay media outlets discouraging Truvada’s use. But, the FDA says daily use of Truvada can drastically reduce the chances of HIV transmission. “At the end of the day, the MSM community is in the perfect position to end the HIV epidemic within a decade,” Heywood says. “The questions is will we do what we have to do to do that?” : :
spiritual reflections by Esih Efuru :: qnotes contributor
Remembering Maya: A Caged Bird Sings [Ed. Note — qnotes is proud to welcome our new, regular spirituality and faith columnist, Esih Efuru, who will contribute a new thought every other issue.]
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My one pillar of refuge as a depressed and trauma-ridden teenager was the downtown library. I’d select about six or seven books and read into the sunset. I’d skip alongside characters as they found lost love and said their goodbyes to dying grandmas. During one of my visits, I decided to depart from my daily dose of Donald Goines street novels and select a book with a rainbow on it. The back cover heralded Maya Angelou’s words so powerfully that I gave it a try.
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I opened “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and the story of Marguerite Johnson, her grandmother Annie and her brother Bailey enthralled me. The conversational style of remembrance drew me in; Marguerite and I were more alike than I knew. I didn’t break my usual record of reading the book in a few hours. The story was so rich and entertaining that I decided to read a portion each night after everyone went to sleep. I wanted to capture every word, every description of setting in pure silence, as a way to invite myself into her experience. When I got to the portion of the book about abuse, I cried tears so heavy that they felt like hammers landing on
my tiny arms. She was robbed of her innocence at the same time I was and she refused to speak for a season. I was in the midst of my own teenage storm and couldn’t cry out for the pain of it. I was relieved that someone else knew the horror I had yet to escape. Maya Angelou’s story of restoration through the gentle and loving care of her teacher, Mrs. Flowers, comforted me and gave me hope for survival. Through the gift of words and books, she was resurrected. Through her gift of prose, my young soul was given a chance to build my faith. I believed just a tiny
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Judge rules school voucher program unconstitutional Scholarship program would have provided public funds to anti-LGBT religious schools by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood rules on the North Carolina private school voucher program. Still courtesy WRAL.
RALEIGH — A Superior Court judge on Aug. 21 ruled North Carolina’s private school voucher program unconstitutional, citing violations such as religious discrimination and the use of public taxpayer funds to support a system of private education. The new Opportunity Scholarship Program would have allowed approximately 5,500 student to receive grants up to $4,200 each year for private school tuition. According to Raleigh news station WRAL, the first $730,000 in tuition funds for more than 360 students was released on Aug. 15. Judge Robert Hobgood, however, ruled the new program unconstitutional and issued a permanent injunction prohibiting the state from dispersing any more taxpayer dollars for private and religious schools. Hobgood also ruled that the new scholarship program pushed public money to schools that can discriminate in admissions and are not
required to maintain curriculum or teacher certification standards. “Appropriating taxpayer funds to unaccountable schools does not accomplish a public purpose,” he said. “The clear legislative intent beyond a reasonable doubt is to utilize taxpayer money to fund private schools.” Hobgood continued, “It appears to this court that the General Assembly is seeking to push at-risk students from low-income families into nonpublic schools in order to avoid the cost of providing them a sound basic education in public schools as mandated in the Leandro decision.” The suit was brought by the North Carolina Association of Educators, the North Carolina School Boards Association and dozens of local school boards. The ruling means private schools, including those with anti-LGBT discriminatory, religious policies and doctrines, will no longer be able to receive state funds. One such school, Wilmington’s Myrtle Grove Christian School, voluntarily withdrew from the scholarship program after controversy surrounding its policies last fall. Myrtle Grove’s admission policies require students and parents to sign a statement agreeing not to support or participate in “sexual immorality, including homosexuality and bisexuality.” Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina has supported the voucher program. Its president, Darrell Allison, called the ruling “a temporary roadblock.” The group has appealed the ruling. “We’re going to continue to fight for a parent’s right to choose the educational setting that works best for their children – by any means necessary,” Allison said in a statement. “It is difficult to accept the idea that a certain number of children will be forced to languish in an educational setting that isn’t working for them.” : :
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Spiritual Reflections continued from page 4 bit more in God that spring. I felt that if I just held on a bit, things would turn around for me. My soul was encouraged to know that there was someone in the universe who knew what it was like to be trapped. Maya found a way out and when she rediscovered her voice, her life began. The legacy of her life’s journey is now epic. When I remember Maya, I remember courage, power, strength, love and joy. The courage she possessed in telling her story with such candor and grace revealed a power in her spirit that remained strong over decades. Her tender flight through life was laced with love and joy as she became the woman she never thought she could be because of other people’s standards. If we are persistent in our faith and courageous in our steps to share our tragic and
triumphant truths with the world, then we too can affirm that the lives we desire are upon us. We can then not only sing, but fly to freedom. : : Esih Efuru is a native of Newark, N.J., and hails from a legacy of singers, ministers and musicians. She published and performed poetry while a student at Rutgers University, and continued to write poetry and prose as she enjoyed a successful singing career in house music. Efuru answered her call to ministry in 1993 and joined the Unity Fellowship Church Movement, where she has served as a Reverend and Psalmist for over 20 years. She has published a collection of poems (Consilience), a novel (Earth) and a memoir, “Daughter: A Pre-K Memoir.” She currently teaches in Charlotte and runs an inspiration blog for PraiseCharlotte.com.
Aug. 29-Sept. 11 . 2014
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news notes: carolinas compiled by Lainey Millen & Matt Comer
Coastal Outer Banks hosts Pride fest NAGS HEAD — OBX Pridefest will take place Sept. 12-14 at various locations across the seaside destination. The festival kicks off with beach time on Sept. 12, 1 p.m., across the road from First Colony Inn, 6715 S. Croatan Hwy. Enjoy the free event while soaking up some sun. Beer and wine will be sold on the Inn’s back deck. That evening at 6 p.m., sail out on the Crystal Dawn at Pirates Cove Marina, 2000 Sailfish Dr., in Manteo with the official festival kick off party. Free open bar will be available onboard, as well as entertainment by the GoGo Boys and DJ Little Betty. This cruise is open to Pride Pass holders only. Space is limited, so make purchases early. At 10 p.m., head out to Pamlico Jack’s, 6708 S. Croatan Hwy., for a comedy club night featuring Roxy C. Moorecox. Adam Sank follows at 11 p.m. Admission is free for Pride Pass holders, $25/advance or $30/at the door. For those who want to keep the party going, enjoy a bonfire beach party and jam back at the Inn. BYOB and instruments for this fun-filled evening. Stay to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic. There is no charge to attend. On Sept. 13, 11 a.m., at the Inn, venture out to the 4th Annual Outer Banks Gay Pride Festival. Host is Jennifer Warner. Performers include Dylan Michael, Darkes Noon Zen Monkeys, Red Letter Day, Drag Surfing, G.U.T.S., High Tide OBX and Dharc Wine. Graham Outten and Warner will entertain between sets. Little Betty’s Drag Surfing Beach Party & Tea Dance at 3 p.m. will be available for those who want to get some rays at the beach across from the Inn. OBX will attempt to break a world record for the most people in drag clothing on surf boards! All are encouraged Nic Hawk to participate. Buy your clothes from the Hotline Thrift stores or similar and then donate the clothes back to them. Farmdog Surf School serves as sponsor will give short surfing lessons. Sterling Maxwell’s Drag King Showcase will crank up at 9 p.m. at Pamlico Jack’s. See performers, title holders, legends and more across a diverse representation. Stay for Roxy C. Morrecox and Jennifer Warner’s Pride & Joy Drag Show at 10:30 p.m. the stage will be packed with gender bending performers from all over the region. At midnight, get the beat on with Nick Hawk from NBC’s “The Voice.” DJ Little Betty keeps the party going with a late night DJ set and dance party of the pirate ship deck. Sashay down the beach to First Colony Inn for a Tiki Torch Beach Party at 2 a.m. Wake up to a drag brunch at Pamlico Jack’s at 12 p.m. Cost is $25 for the brunch and show. Take in some more sun at 2 p.m. back at the beach across from the Inn. The festival ends with The Jennifer Warner Show at 10 p.m. at Kelly’s Tavern, 2316 S. Croatan Hwy. Go online to get details on accommodations, Pride Pass purchase and schedules. info: obxpridefest.com. — L.M.
Charlotte Lend a chorus voice
CHARLOTTE — One Voice Chorus is gearing up for its 25th anniversary season. And, they are opening up early September rehearsals to those who are aspiring chorus singers to visit to sing along. No auditions are required. The chorus is having a rehearsal kickoff on Sept. 2 and 9, 7 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte, 234 N. Sharon Amity Rd. for its “Ghosts of Christmas Past” holiday concert. Rehearsals continue on Tuesdays throughout the concert season. info: onevoicechorus.org. — L.M.
Men’s chorus seeks participants
CHARLOTTE — The Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte is now accepting new singers for its
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upcoming season. Open rehearsals are on Sept. 8, 15 and 22, 7 p.m., at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1510 E. 7th St. Try the group out and see if it’s the right fit. There is no obligation or commitment, just a welcoming group of men who are “out to change the world” while having fun doing it. The season begins on Dec. 12 for three performances of “Sleighbells & Sunscreen” holiday show at St. Martin’s. The annual black tie event, “Forté,” will take place on March 21, 2015, and “Dancing with Dorothy” rounds out the season on May 6, both at Center Stage @ NoDa, 2315 N. Davidson St. info: 704-549-9202. auditions@gmcccharlotte.org. gmccharlotte.org. — L.M.
Roller Girls skate for charity
Aug. 29-Sept. 11 . 2014
CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Roller Girls
will participate in a double header charity bout on Sept. 6, 6 p.m., at the Grady Cole Center, 301 N. Kings Dr. The Charlotte Roller Girls All-Stars will take to the track to battle against the Atlanta Apocalypstix and the Charlotte Roller Girls B Dazzlers will go head-to-head with the Greenville Derby Dames in the last home bouts of the season. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $11/adult, $7/children 6-12 and $9/adult group of 10 or more and are available online or at The Common Market (Plaza Midwood, 2007 Commonwealth Ave. or South End, 1515 S. Tryon St.), Sleepy Poet Antique Mall (4450 South Blvd.) or 9 Round (1412 East Blvd.). info/tickets: charlotterollergirls.com. — L.M.
Gaston to host Pride event
GASTONIA — Gaston Pride will be held from Sept. 12-14 at various locations around the county. The committee has put together a full program diverse activities for the first-ever festivities for the Gaston area that celebrates pride among supporters, allies, friends and family members. On Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m., a “Love is Love’ walk will transpire from Boyd St. to Arts on Main, 212 W. Main Ave. The visual display of love and peace will utilize cut out hearts, red and/ or pink balloons and more. Supportive clergy, community members, LGBT individuals and their friends and family will be encouraged to participate. Following the walk, at 6 p.m., an opening ceremony will take place with special guests and dignitaries, along with a reception immediately after the ceremony. On Sept. 13, 10:30 a.m., at Zoe’s at 170 S. South St. #103B, enjoy coffee and discussion with Dr. Amy Sifford as she discusses “The heart of an advocate.” At noon, tour the Arts on Main facility and view local art work. Jim Kellogg will serve as facilitator at 2 p.m., Freeman’s Pub at 173 W. Main Ave., for “Prose with Pride,” where participants can share their favorite prose and literary passages. At 6 p.m., head on out to the Dutch treat celebration dinner. The location was not available at press time. Afterward, at 7 p.m. at Zoe’s, sit back and enjoy beer and hymns at Zoe’s, sponsored by Open Hearts Gathering. Stay to see a drag show at 10 p.m. On Sept. 14, 12:30 p.m., community members will assemble at Lineberger Park, 632 E Garrison Blvd., for a family picnic. The picnic shelter is located by the side entrance closest to the restrooms. Bring picnic fare and drinks for a fun-filled afternoon featuring music, games, face painting, arts and crafts and more. Gaston Pride comes to completion at 3 p.m., with an inter-faith Pride service. There is no attendance charge and the events are open to the general public. The Gaston Pride committee has already commenced its planning for next year’s event. They hope to expand the venue and include a festival and a parade. They are seeking volunteers from business, faith and youth communities to allow for more inclusiveness and representation. info: facebook.com/GastonPride. robertjohndellogg@gmail.com. 704-953-8529. — L.M.
Seniors monthly meeting nears
CHARLOTTE — The Aging Solutions Dinner for LGBT seniors will be held on Sept. 15, 7 p.m., at Flying Biscuit Cafe, 4241 Park Rd.
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The meeting will center around reports on the accomplishments of the organization over the last month. Committee progress reports will be shared. Elder participants are encouraged to bring a guest with them to the meeting. info/rsvp: clt.lgbt.elders@gmail.com. — L.M.
PFLAG welcomes guest
CONCORD — Concord/Kannapolis Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays will welcome Linda Stroupe, the organization’s regional director, at their Oct. 14 meeting at 5:30 p.m. RSVPs are requested by Sept. 8 to allow organizers to select a suitable location for the numbers who will attend. Cost will be $10-15 depending upon one’s menu selection. info/rsvp: ckpflag@gmail.com. — L.M.
Triad HIV/AIDS conference approaches
WINSTON-SALEM — The 2014 North Carolina HIV/AIDS Advocacy Conference will be held on Sept. 6, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at Winston-Salem State University, 601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Join hundreds of fellow North Carolinians for a full-day program that is filled with educational programming, advocacy training and opportunities for networking. Hosts are the North Carolina AIDS Action Network and the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition. The Adam Foundation will serve as sponsor for the event. Break-out sessions include: Voting Rights; HIV & Incarceration; HIV Policy; Harm Reduction 101; Legislative Advocacy 101; HIV U: Campus Outreach; Faith & HIV Advocacy; Women & HIV in North Carolina; Syringe Access in North Carolina; HIV 101; Naloxone as an Engagement Tool in HIV Prevention; and more! Lunch will be provided to participants. Attendees can choose between vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal or other categories. Registration is free, but space is limited. Visit the conference website to pre-register. info: ncaan.org/2014-nc-hivaids-advocacyconference.html. — L.M.
Kickers ready for season
GREENSBORO — Stonewall KickballGreensboro has now been established in the Triad area as an LGBT and ally not-for-profit sports league. Registration for teams was completed on Aug. 23 with five teams at press time. Organizers are in the process of assigning participants to a team and working out details about practice and games for the fall season. A captains’ meeting and league-wide referee clinic was held this past week. T-shirt pickup and player meet-and-greet is slated for Sept. 3 or 4 with the first game play on Sept. 6. Games for the rest of the season will be held on Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 (playoff and championship, Nov. 1 rain date) at Joe Davis Park, 1410 19th St. Sponsors are The Guilford Green Foundation, Replacements, Ltd, 1618 Concepts, Chemistry Nightclub and Equality NC. info: stonewallkickballgreensboro.leagueapps. com. facebook.comStonewallKickballGreensboro. — L.M.
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Pride kicks off in the Triad
GREENSBORO — Greensboro Pride, previously known as Triad Pride, will be held from Sept. 10-13, Alternative Resources of the Triad announced. They serve as the event sponsor. An interfaith service will take place on Sept. 10 at a location to be announced. The following evening, during Bar Night Kick UP, stop by local bars to get in the Pride spirit. On Sept. 13, Pride in the Park will take place from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at Festival Park, 200 N. Davie St. The festival organization has teamed up with Axcess Talent to bring Greensboro Idol as one of the favorites of the Park event. Audition dates are Sept. 4, 7-9 p.m., and Sept. 11, 7-9 p.m., at the Cultural Arts Center, 200 N. Davie St. #101N. Fee is $10. The winner will receive a recording package at Axcess Talent Studios (including 10 studio hours, radio promotion, featured artist spotlight and future performance opportunities). The finale will be from 4-5 p.m. on Sept. 13 during the Festival in the Park. Performance guidelines are available on the event’s Facebook page. Entertainment host is Macaria Rage.
Triad Pride Men’s Chorus will perform. Love Lee Jackson will sing the National Anthem. Check with the event’s website and Facebook as it is available to find out more about the day’s festivities. A list of exhibitors is available online. Over 35 vendors (list available online) have signed on and sponsors include Cone Health Foundation, Yes Weekly, Novant Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC, United Guaranty/AIG, Axcess Talent and Bank of America. Alternative Resources will be collecting non-perishable food and personal care items to be given to Triad Health Project. Visit the Facebook page to learn more. info: greensboropride.org. facebook.com/ gsopride. — L.M.
Triangle HRC heads back to school
DURHAM — A HRC U! volunteer information event will be held on Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m., at Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St. Attendees will be able to learn more about how to volunteer to champion LGBT equality and meet Human Rights Campaign leaders from the Triangle. Additionally, a history of HRC will be shared, along with its programs and projects, upcoming community programs and volunteer opportunities. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. Online RSVP is requested. info: hrccarolinas.org. — L.M.
Church hosts dialogue
GARNER — The North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church will hold its unity dialogue on Sept. 16, 2 p.m., at the church’s district office at 700 Waterfield Ridge Pl. The conference will begin with a brief Communion service. Afterward, The Rev. Carol Goehring will welcome participants, as well as provide introductions, presentation of the Revised Provisional Purpose and guidelines for participation. “The purpose of The Unity Dialogue is to equip the saints to listen to, and to speak, the truth in love about difficult topics, particularly regarding the church and homosexuality,” organizers said. A list of guidelines will be read so that everyone will understand how the dialogue portion of the conference will unfold. At 2:45 p.m., Rev. Goehring will preside over The Dialogue. This includes: public reading of “A Plea for Unity in The United Methodist Church;” a look at why the plea was so strongly approved by the 2014 Session of the North Carolina Annual Conference; how to understand the plea as it related to The Baptismal Covenant and faithfulness to Christ and His church; what it would mean to believe that the church is more about covenant than choice; and looking at what one’s responsibility in the church is today. The conference will end with assignments for the next meeting which will be held on Nov. 11 at the same location. info: info@rum-nc.org. rum-nc.org. — L.M.
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Tennis tourney announced
RALEIGH — The Crape Myrtle Tennis Classic will be held Oct. 3-5 at Millbrook Exchange Park, 1905 Spring Forest Rd., and nearby Raleigh Racquet Club, 5516 Falls of Neuse Rd. Play will begin at 8 a.m. on Oct. 3. Finals will take place on Oct. 5. Hosted by the Triangle Tennis Club, this is the 11th year of match play and has had participants come from across the U.S. as well as Europe. It follows United States Tennis Association guidelines, but is superseded by the Gay & Lesbian Tennis Association rule book. Its founder is Scott Kauffman. Tournament director is Jeff Strickland. Matches are divided into divisions, including ones for ranked players, split, and age. Draw sizes and women’s draw information is
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Woodshed owner Greg Brafford survives attempted robbery, shooting Police searching for suspect by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
This is a developing story. For the most up-to-date news and an archive, visit goqnotes.com/in/greg-brafford/. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are searching for the suspect who shot longtime local bar owner Greg Brafford in an attempted robbery during the early morning hours of Aug. 21. Meanwhile, patrons and employees of Brafford’s Woodshed Lounge are sending messages of support and encouragement. The as-of-yet identified or arrested suspect who is accused of the shooting was “lying in wait,” says Brafford’s partner, Karl Miller. Miller, who has been with Brafford for 30 years, says he was inside their home of 27 years in the Sedgefield neighborhood when he began to hear shots fired outside his door. “The guy who came, he didn’t say one word. He just shot at Greg,” Miller said, speaking to qnotes from the comfort of the Woodshed Lounge a day after the incident. “He was lying in wait beside our and our neighbor’s house.” Brafford, 58, suffered at least two bullet wounds during the attempted robbery. Multiple other shots were fired, hitting the couple’s front door, with some entering the home. Police say the robbery possibly went sour because Brafford, too, was carrying a firearm. Both police and Miller say Brafford never fired his gun, but Miller thinks the robber must have seen it, gotten scared and began shooting. The incident was quick — mere seconds — Miller said. By the time he stepped outside, the suspect had already fled.
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Aug. 29-Sept. 11 . 2014
Greg Brafford suffered at least two bullet wounds during an attempted robbery on Aug. 21.
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news notes: u.s./world. Supreme Court halts Virginia marriages by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts granted a motion to stay a Fourth Circuit decision on Virginia’s anti-LGBT constitutional amendment on Aug. 18. The stay puts a hold on same-sex marriages in the commonwealth, which could have begun the next day absent Roberts’ decision. The Fourth Circuit had refused to stay its
own decision, which struck down the Virginia amendment banning recognition of same-sex marriages. The decision did not have an immediate impact on the anti-LGBT constitutional amendment in North Carolina, which is included in the Fourth Circuit along with South Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia and Maryland. Marriages are already recognized in Maryland.
News Notes
The Fourth Circuit’s decision was handed down July 28. Hours later, North Carolina Atty. Gen. Roy Cooper announced he would no longer defend the state amendment. The ruling, he said, did not immediately strike down the amendment, but set a precedent North Carolina federal courts would not be able to ignore. “Our attorneys have vigorously defended North Carolina’s marriage law, which is their job, but today our marriage law will almost surely be overturned as well,” Cooper said at the time. “Simply put, it’s time to stop making arguments we will lose and instead move forward knowing that the ultimate resolution will likely come from the U.S. Supreme Court.”
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On Aug. 18, Raleigh news station WRAL reported on Twitter an initial suspicion that North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis might intervene in the four federal cases challenging the North Carolina amendment. The station later clarified, with Tillis saying he had yet to consult with state Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger. Both men were supporters of the amendment when it went on the ballot in May 2012. Voters in that election approved it 61 percent to 39 percent. The Supreme Court has issued marriage equality stays in every request it has received — two requests from Utah — since it struck down portions of the Defense of Marriage Act last year. : :
QUICK HITS —————————————————————————————— rights bill she felt didn’t go far enough to protect transgender people or those living with HIV. It The Fayetteville, Ark., City Council passed an is the first time the Associated Press said a no LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance vote had been cast in Cuba’s 612-seat National after 3 a.m. on Aug. 18, after nearly 10 hours of Assembly, which meets only twice a year and debate. The city becomes the first to pass such has approved all other measures before it an ordinance in Arkansas. unanimously. more: bit.ly/VFbfjd more: bit.ly/1tmATFJ The East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council Twenty-seven men were arrested in an Aug. 9 rejected by an 8-4 vote an LGBT-inclusive bathhouse raid in Beirut, Lebanon, for alleged non-discrimination ordinance on Aug. 14. The crimes including “unnatural sex” and “public measure would have offered employment, indecency.” housing and other protections to individuals more: bit.ly/1oenx8V in the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge. Israeli officials have adopted new rules allowing more: bit.ly/1z2mhvC Jews to immigrate to Israel with their non-Jewish same-sex spouses, bringing treatment of Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban President LGBT couples in line with opposite-sex couples. Raul Castro and niece of Fidel Castro, broke more: bit.ly/YAM4Qx with tradition and cast a no vote on a workers’
continued from page 7 available online, along with other information about all divisions. A waiting list will be maintained if the number of entrants exceeds tournament slots. Entry fee is $95. Early bird applications are due by Aug. 29 which entitles those who qualify to enter a raffle for an fee entry. Final deadline to enter is Sept. 22. info: triangletennisclub.com/cmtc/. — L.M.
Theatre to mount classics
RALEIGH — The North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre, 7713-51 Lead Mine Rd., will present “Xanadu.” A musical, “Xanadu” tells the tale of Greek muse Kira as she descends from Mt. Olympus’ heaven to Venice Beach, Calif., to inspire a struggling artist.
Tickets are $17/adult, $14/student and $14/ senior and are available online. The southern classic “Steel Magnolias” follows from Oct. 10-26. This play explores the joys and sorrows of a group of women as they traverse life’s landscape. It is directed by Tim Locklear. In 2015, the theatre will mount “The Children’s Hour” from March 13-29 and “RENT” from April 24-May 10. “The Children’s Hour” is a dramatic presentation written by Lillian Hellman that centers around two women who run a school for girls. A rumor leads to serious consequences for the women as they deal with issues of lesbianism. “RENT” is an LGBT community pop culture
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Charlotte Pride breaks record, cites 100,000 attendance Weekend festival and parade described as ‘milestone achievement’ by qnotes staff
CHARLOTTE — For the first time ever, say organizers of Charlotte Pride, the Queen City’s annual LGBT Pride festival and parade maxed out at over 100,000 attendees over the weekend. The crowds that flocked to Uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Aug. 17 came for entertainment — including headliners Sevyn Streeter and LeAnn Rimes — and fun activities from over 150 vendors. On Sunday, the Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade attracted thousands as over 100 entries and more than 20 floats marched down Tryon Street. In a press release, organizers described their growth as a “milestone achievement,” noting they’ve “experienced record year-over-year growth since moving to the streets of Uptown Charlotte in 2011.” Craig Hopkins, a Charlotte Pride co-director, attributed the event’s growth to a dedicated organizing committee and a growth in sponsorships. “[We had] a great committee that was refocused on running the festival more like a business. Learning from last year’s festival, we really paid attention to what we did in 2013 and documented these processes better for 2014,” Hopkins said. “We also had tremendous sponsor and ally support again this year. The number of sponsors increased by 25 percent this year. For anyone who’s worked to get sponsorships, that’s huge.” Entertainers draw fans Jonathan Hill, Charlotte Pride’s entertainment co-chair, told qnotes the group’s entertainment choices this year helped to encourage the event’s growth. “Each year, we get bigger and bigger and our entertainers get bigger,” Hill said. “Just like in any concert, the bigger the name, then the higher the ticket price and the larger the venue.” Hill said he was pleased with the turnout. “It exceeded all expectations I had,” he said. “I knew that LeAnn Rimes would draw a huge crowd and I knew that Sevyn Streeter would be really successful, but looking out at the crowd both days, it was bigger than I had anticipated.” Charlotte Pride’s diverse entertainment is also intentional, said Hill. Choosing high-profile, diverse entertainers is meant to appeal to a broad cross-section of the community. Rimes, for example, could attract Country fans, Dance fans and reality TV fans, he said. Hopkins agrees that Rimes and other headlining acts made a difference, attracting larger media and community interest. “I had larger Pride organizations contacting me asking how we got LeAnn,” he said.
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Time Warner Cable, whose parade marchers broke out in dance at the judges’ stand at Trade & Tryon, won Best Choreography. Festival expands This year’s festival was held on a similar footprint used since the event moved to Uptown in 2011. But, organizers expanded to Fourth St. this year — an experiment they tried in 2012. The expanded footprint, organizers said, was able to hold a record number of vendors — more than 150 businesses and non-profits, ranging from national corporations to government agenOther entertainers over the weekend included Bianca Del Rio, winner of the latest season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Alyssa Edwards from “Drag Race” season five, “Drag Race” fourth season contestant Sharon Needles and musicians Eryn Woods, Pastele and Luciana. Additionally, “American Idol” runner-up Blake Lewis kept the beat charged up with his high power performance. Local artists and performers included a variety of drag acts from The Scorpio, performer Arron Malachi, local band Miami Dice, performers and DJ Scott Weaver from Snug Harbor’s SHIPROCKED! and local teen band The Reason You Stayed. Parade thrills Organizers also said the Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade experienced significant growth. The parade was held for the first time last year, 19 years after Charlotte hosted the NC Pride March in 1994. More than 100 entries marched in the parade, with more than 20 floats. Organizers said more than 3,000 people marched in the parade. Parade emcees and judges included Roxy C. Moorecox, local retailer Dan Mauney and V101.9 FM host Chirl Girl. Together, they awarded several parade entries with awards ranging from best spirit to best design. One World Dragon Boat won Best Float Design.
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cies and non-profits like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Peace Corps. Hopkins said the festival’s growth wouldn’t have been possible without the support of community members who volunteered to help run the event through the weekend. “They always amaze me how they just jump in and work multiple shifts over the two days,” Hopkins said. “Many of them are returning for the third and fourth year. We even had one of our advisors working the information tents during the LeAnn Rimes concert because we were so short staffed and she came to see LeAnn. That inspires me.” Praise for the festival and other weekend activities was widespread on social media, though some concerns and suggestions were
lodged. Crowding concerned some, with suggestions that the festival expand its footprint or move to a different location. Some suggested more restrooms. Others complained about the presence of protesters, the number of which have declined over several years. But, crowds of people often encircled a group of protesters at one intersection over the weekend, leading to some intense verbal exchanges and a couple physical altercations. Officials with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said they were able to quickly quell the few altercations, none of which they said were serious or resulted in any arrests or infractions. Additionally, police officials reported no arrests or other infractions elsewhere during the weekend event. Presenting sponsors for the event included, according to a press release: Wells Fargo, which presented the Wells Fargo Stage where LeAnn Rimes headlined on Sunday; Time Warner Cable, which presented the Charlotte Pride VIP Experience; The Scorpio, which presented R&B artist and Saturday headliner Sevyn Streeter, as well as entertainers from “RuPaul’s Drag Race;” PNC Bank, which presented the PNC Bank Festival Zone and Bank of America, the parade’s presenting sponsor. Charlotte Pride officials said they are still tallying final numbers and figures, but said their on-site sales increased by at least 25-30 percent. Organizers, who have been billing the weekend festival and parade as a “destination event,” also garnered the support of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and hope to have more data on hotel stays and local economic impact. The group is already planning for future events. Hopkins said they’ll be looking to improve on a variety of levels, including gaining more volunteers, attracting more diversity, engaging in more community outreach and striving for a second entertainment stage. Next year’s event is slated for August 2015. Charlotte’s LGBT Pride festival and parade likely ranks as the sixth largest in the South, according to publicly available numbers from other festivals and events across the region. Founded in 2001, the event was held in Marshall Park before moving to various locations from 2006-2010. Organizers said the then one-day festival had grown to 10,000 people before moving to Uptown in 2011. That year, they said, the event attracted 27,000. In 2012, the event expanded to two days and attracted 45,000. Last year’s event, which included the first parade in nearly 20 years, attracted more than 80,000. : : more: See a full photo gallery from the event at goqnotes.com/30807/.
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Brafford shot in attempted robbery continued from page 8 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Detective David Haulsee said it might be possible the suspect knew his victim and his habits. Miller thinks that’s exactly the case, and he doesn’t think the suspect acted alone. “We think it is someone we know,” Miller said, “and there’s no way that boy did that on his own. He was no more than 16 or 17 years old.” CMPD’s official suspect description notes the suspect fled on foot, but might have later “got into the passenger side of a dark color 4 door vehicle toward Marsh Road.” The suspect is described as a “black male with shoulder length dreadlocks that is approximately 5’11, wearing a gray shirt, black shorts, and possibly a white shirt around his face.” Brafford was taken to a local hospital the morning of the shooting, where he later underwent surgery the same day. His injuries were serious, but non-life-threatening. Now, Brafford — whose right arm and right leg are in casts — will face a lengthy rehabilitation period. He was set to enter rehab as soon as Aug. 26, Miller said. Meanwhile, community members, bar patrons and employees are speaking out with messages of support and encouragement. “We’ve had several people call and come by here just to express their support,” said Timothy Lee, who’s worked as a bartender at Woodshed for eight years.
Brafford has received a teddy bar, cards and well wishes. “We’ve also gotten pledges of support, not just for right now while he’s in the hospital, but also when he gets out and is going through rehab and for his partner, Karl, to make sure he has everything he needs.” Brafford, who has owned or managed gay bars in Charlotte since 1984, has been supportive of a wide range of community organizations and its people. He was an early supporter of Metrolina AIDS Project and has supported House of Mercy and the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network, along with groups like Charlotte Pride. “Greg is one of those people — on the surface you don’t really know him,” Lee said, saying Brafford’s been “much more than just a bar owner to the community.” Lee continued, “He feeds the homeless and we do a free buffet here every Sunday. I don’t think there’s anybody that could ask him for something that he would not give them. He’s given people places to stay. He’s always been there for the community.” Lee said the outpouring of support isn’t surprising. “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he said. “We are really like a family here. All the employees and Greg and the patrons that come, we take care of each other. I’m not surprised about all the support he’s gotten. I’m moved by it and I’m she he appreciates it and so does Karl.” : :
News Notes continued from page 9 staple. It’s narrative explores the lives of a number of youth living in New York’s Lower East Side. Auditions for the two 2015 offerings will be held this January 2015. Check the website for dates and times. info: nract.org. — L.M.
South Carolina Festival set to roll out
SPARTANBURG — Upstate Pride SC Pride 365 will be held on Sept. 13, starting at 11 a.m., at Barnet Park, 248 E. St John St. A march will take place at noon. Afterward, attendees can enjoy the festival from 1-5:30 p.m. Patti O’ Furniture will serve as host for the
day-long festivities. Musical performances will feature The Sound Committee, Andy Crawford, Joie and the Pride of Greenville Men’s Chorus. Additionally, Ms. Upstate Pride SC Lexi Thomas will come home from New York to perform. Joining her will be Rose Michaels, Cherish D’Men Dupree, Veronica La Blank and Scorpio. Attendees can get in on a raffle, entertain their children in the kids’ area, enjoy food and drink and have great fun, promoters said. Vendors will be on hand showcasing their wares. Parking is available in the E. St. John parking deck located between Liberty St. and U.S. 221. Smoking is not permitted on park property. info: upstatepridesc.org. — L.M.
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Back to School
Local college students share their campus experiences by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
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arren Radebe was 24 when he first began coming out to his friends. In his native Johannesburg, South Africa, Radebe invited one of his best friends from primary school, along with his friend’s girlfriend, to meet someone special. He introduced his friend to his boyfriend. His friend said he’d suspected it for a long time. The story sounds common to American ears, but it is complicated by a nation whose culture and history is drastically different. For Radebe, coming out meant bucking traditions generations in the making — long predating his own birth. “For me, it was comfortable to speak to my generation before I would even speak to my aunties and my grandfather,” explains Radebe, now 29, sitting in the comfort of the Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) student union lounge. In South Africa, Radebe says two systems — a western, democratized government and a more long-lasting traditional African culture — combine in unique ways to make his experience and the social lives of LGBT people there far different than the more accepting environment he’s found in the U.S. His grandfather is a medical doctor — an educated man. “But, I know he is traditional,” says Radebe. “That for him is quite strange,” he says. “He watches TV and it would be quite bizarre for him, but he knows it exists.” In South Africa, Radebe says, “liberal” and “conservative” can take on two very different meanings than those used in the U.S. “Some people are very liberal within the traditions and very conservative in the traditions,” he explains. “The liberal ones, they can at least talk about it, but still deny, and then there are those who cannot even talk about it and they still deny it.” In Charlotte, Radebe has found a different world. One which accepts him as he is, despite lingering stigma and challenges. Here, working on campus as an LGBT student organizer and with Campus Pride, a Charlotte-based non-profit working with LGBT college students, Radebe has grown in his understanding of LGBT issues and his drive to create change. “The Warren I left in South Africa is the Warren I don’t like,” he says. “My friends will tell you, I was so struggling with social life. I didn’t think about relationships. I didn’t think about sex. I was hiding.”
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adebe has been in Charlotte for three years. He’s now a junior studying political science. And, he’s making waves of progress working with SAFE (Sexuality Advocacy for Equality) Pride, JCSU’s LGBT and ally student group. He says he feels empowered and inspired — motivated to help his campus grow in safety for LGBT students. An LGBT student group has existed on JCSU’s campus for years, but Radebe says the program has suffered from a lack of organization and support. Assistance from groups like Campus Pride and more motivated students and faculty have begun to change that. Last year, the campus hosted their first ever training for faculty, organizing toward the creation of a safe zone and ally program. Stickers now appear in the campus health clinic, library, administration building and counseling center. Radebe and other students also held outreach events. Last year, they signed up more than 200 student allies — all efforts to build continuity for LGBT student support. But, Radebe’s experiences at JCSU have certainly been unique. He’s careful to point out the differences in organizing on historically black college and university (HBCU) campuses like his. Like his youth in South Africa, tradition and stigma can still rule the day. At the outreach event last year, straight ally student athletes were cautious with their support. “They came to the table and some of them were scared,” he says. “I said, ‘Take the form. Nobody is looking at you. Just go right over there and fill out the form.’ They wanted to be supportive, but they were still scared to stand next to the [rainbow] flag, because when you stand next to the flag, then you are gay.” Luckily, Radebe says the culture is slowly, but surely, beginning to change. “I think things are getting better,” he says, pointing to continued support from faculty Johnson C. Smith University student Warren Radebe, a native of South Africa, relishes the experiences he’s had in and staff, including SAFE Pride advisors from the multicultural and counseling center the U.S. and is pushing hard for inclusive change on his campus. departments. Radebe hopes to begin educational and inclusion outreach to the athletics department. Similar trainings are already scheduled for the campus’ leadership and At UNCC, a first-year program for incoming LGBT students is already in place. A safe zone career summit. And, this October, SAFE Pride will hold the first JCSU Pride event. program has been in place for years. The school even has a dedicated staff person to oversee LGBTSAFE Pride’s membership is growing, too. Three years ago, the group’s most active members related student activities. were female students. Now, Radebe says, more young gay men are becoming active. Joshua Burford is that staffer. He’s assistant director for sexual and gender diversity at the camBut, Radebe knows his campus still has a long way to go. pus Multicultural Resource Center. For many students, Burford says, coming to UNCC is the first time “We’re still struggling to unite and understand ourselves,” he says. “We haven’t found the highthey’ve ever been able to freely be out and interact with a community of people just like them. est level of activism.” “They can use their own identification words in public with no pushback,” he says. “They can use Yet, things are getting better. Last year’s safe zone faculty training “made a big impact,” he says, their actual names and pronouns.” and he’s grateful for support from groups like Campus Pride, as well as the Human Rights Campaign, He adds, with a laugh, “Sometimes that can be a little too free.” which hosted a summit of HBCU LGBT student leaders Radebe attended last year. The campus first-year program, QY1, is designed to help incoming LGBT students find the right Radebe says he’s excited for the future, knowing the campus will continue to increase in LGBT balance. The first semester is spent showing them how to find community. The program introduces support systems and more inclusive campus climates for LGBT students. them to different school and community groups and offers opportunity for involvement. The second semester is spent immersing students into their studies, exposing them to professional organizations cross town, LGBT colleges students experience a drastically different culture and climate. At and finding internships. the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNCC), students have a bevy of resources at their “I think we do a good job making sure students disposal. It’s a common disparity seen between HBCUs and predominately white institutions. see Students on 13
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Making the Grade: Ranking LGBT-Friendly Colleges Policy inclusion
High-ranking colleges
Charlotte-area colleges and universities and their non-discrimination policies. An asterisk by the school’s name indicates a strong warning about the campus’ anti-LGBT religious doctrines and affiliations. See second section, “Local Anti-LGBT Colleges” for more.
Charlotte-area schools and their rankings in the Campus Pride LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index:
SCHOOL Barber Scotia College Belmont Abbey College* Carolinas College of Health Sciences* Catawba College Central Piedmont Community College* Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary* Hood Theological Seminary Johnson & Wales University Johnson C. Smith University King’s College Livingstone College Montreat College* New Life Theological Seminary* Northeastern University Charlotte Pfeiffer University at Charlotte Queens University of Charlotte Reformed Theological Seminary-Charlotte Southern Evangelical Seminary* University of North Carolina-Charlotte Wake Forest University Winthrop University
POLICIES INCLUDE: SEXUAL ORIENTATION N N N Y N N N Y Y Y N N N Y Y Y N N Y Y Y
GENDER IDENTITY N N N N N N N Y N N N N N Y N N N N Y Y N
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See the options and vote: goqnotes.com/to/qpoll
Students share experiences continued from page 12
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hough policies and student experiences at UNCC and JCSU may differ, the passion Amabile and Radebe have are equally matched.
University of North Carolina-Charlotte 4.5 out of 5 stars Scored best (5 stars): LGBT Academic Life, LGBT Student Life, LGBT Campus Safety, LGBT Counseling & Health, LGBT Recruitment & Retention Efforts Scored worst: LGBT Policy Inclusion (3 stars), LGBT Housing & Residence Life (3 stars) Other Carolinas schools: Appalachian State University Brevard College Clemson University College of Charleston East Carolina University Elon University Fayetteville State University Francis Marion University Guilford College
5 stars 1.5 stars 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 4.5 stars 3 stars 2 stars 4 stars
N.C. State University University of North Carolina-Pembroke University of North Carolina-Greensboro University of North Carolina-Wilmington University of South Carolina-Beaufort University of South Carolina-Columbia Wake Forest University Warren Wilson College
4.5 stars 2.5 stars 4.5 stars 2.5 stars 1.5 stars 3 stars 4.5 stars 5 stars
For more details on these rankings and more visit campusprideindex.org.
Local anti-LGBT colleges
How would you describe the LGBT-friendliness of your past or current college campus experience?
are looked at as a full person — from their identity to their professional life to the community,” Burford says. Despite the resources, students can still face challenges. Matthew Amabile is president of UNCC’s Spectrum, the campus LGBT student organization. He came out at the beginning of his freshman year. While he experienced no challenges and had a supportive family, he knows other students who come to Spectrum for support. “People get scared of coming out, because our school is seen as a little bit more conservative,” he says. But, services and support systems exist to help just about anyone. “I think it’s a amazing,” he says. “It’s actually a lot more than people think it is. If anything we can take steps to make it more noticeable.”
Davidson College 4.5 out of 5 stars Scored best (5 stars): LGBT Support & Institutional Commitment, LGBT Academic Life, LGBT Student Life, LGBT Campus Safety, LGBT Counseling & Health Scored worst: LGBT Housing & Residence Life (3 stars), LGBT Policy Inclusion (3.5 stars)
Amabile wants more centralized resources and safe space on UNCC’s campus. “Something we can do and something I’m fighting to do is potentially have an LGBT center on campus, because we don’t have one yet,” Amabile says. “I would like to have something specifically for us, because we are a large community.” Radebe wants to continue his outreach — specifically organizing efforts to target incoming freshmen who need support. And, as the school continues to improve, he wants JCSU campus leaders to participate in the Campus Pride LGBT-friendly Campus Climate Index, an in-depth ranking of a school’s LGBTinclusion policies and practices. And, with a vision pointed toward even greater inclusion, Radebe wants at least one gender-neutral restroom on campus. “This campus has now been declared a safe zone for LGBTQ students. We are protected,” says Radebe, quickly adding, “But it’s just a starting phase.” : :
Belmont Abbey College Belmont Abbey College is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Official school policy institutes a “Christian Sexuality Policy” recognizing marriage as the union of one man and one woman; additionally, the policy states, “Other licentious, salacious, or sexually immoral behavior, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case, may result in disciplinary action including possible dismissal from the College.” Carolinas College of Health Sciences Carolinas College of Health Sciences is a subsidiary of Carolinas HealthCare System, which has long neglected to include sexual orientation and gender identity in its corporate equal employment or other non-discrimination policies. Additionally, the medical system does not offer equal health benefits or recognition for LGBT employees’ spouses. Central Piedmont Community College Central Piedmont Community College faced controversy over alleged discrimination and harassment of a transgender student in the spring of 2014. The college has never included sexual orientation or gender identity in its non-discrimination policies and has failed to add them following allegations of discrimination on the campus. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Official campus policy states, “We renounce behaviors such as distortion of God’s Word, deception, falsehood, drunkenness, stealing, and sexual immorality such as premarital intercourse, adultery and homosexual behavior.” Montreat College Official campus policy states, “Premarital and extramarital intercourse and homosexual activity clearly violate God’s standards and therefore are considered unacceptable behavior.” New Life Theological Seminary Campus curriculum includes courses describing homosexuality as an “addiction” and “modern societal problem,” alongside divorce and physical, sexual, emotional and mental abuse. Southern Evangelical Seminary Campus policies forbid homosexuality, stating: “Since conditions of our day focus on certain issues, we take note also that the Bible not only forbids ‘drunkenness’ (Prov. 20:1 cf. 23:30–32) and homosexual acts, declaring: ‘Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God’ (1 Cor. 6:9–10; cf. Rom. 1:26–28).”
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Young, Queer and Homeless in the Queen City Q&A with A’meir by Francisco White :: guest contributor
[Ed. Note — This issue, qnotes publishes the first in several installments interviewing local LGBTQ homeless youth. Writer Francisco White interviews these young people to bring awareness and heightened attention to the challenges they face. Be sure to pick up our next several print editions for more in this series.] According to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, 20 to 40 percent of youth who are homeless nationwide identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer/ questioning (LGBTQ). A walk through Uptown Charlotte makes apparent the crisis of homelessness affecting local youth, one that reflects this nationwide trend. Unfortunately, it’s a crisis that local government and social services are seemingly ill-equipped to handle. As community leaders have sporadically discussed the issue among themselves, the voices of these young Charlotteans have not been heard. A’meir, 23, agreed to speak openly with qnotes about his experience as a homeless gay youth in the Queen City and offers some insight on the barriers to selfsufficiency. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Francisco White: Thank you for allowing us to share your story. How long have you been homeless? A’meir: I’ve been chronically homeless for five years.
In addition to not having a stable place to live, what other struggles do you face? I deal with substance abuse, some depression and anxiety, and HIV that is directly related to my substance abuse. I was an IV drug user. How do you manage living with HIV while dealing with homelessness? Despite managing my HIV well, it doesn’t come without challenges. For example, the shelter requires that you tell them about any medications you take and they hold them to distribute to you at certain times. So, you have to disclose. In a shelter, someone who discloses their HIV status is ostracized and the staff gets uncomfortable when you disclose. Tell me more about that. What’s it like to be a gay, HIV positive man in the local shelter system? I deal with staff there who are noticeably and continuously uncomfortable dealing with a gay client living with HIV. I think the stigma is that gay men in a shelter environment will be promiscuous or even spread HIV. We’re scrutinized. When we form any close relationships there, even just platonic, we’re scrutinized.
And what would you say led to your chronic homelessness? At 15, I was ostracized by my family and kicked out for being gay, with no income and not able to work. At the time, I don’t think South Carolina had any process for a minor to emancipate himself. It was a failure to launch. At an early age, street living and a criminal skill set was instilled. I used my body, shoplifted, crafted.
What’s not being done locally, for you and others facing similar circumstances? I find it hard to navigate the different organizations because of their umbrella or catch-all approach. There needs to be a more individualized approach to helping people. We have a plethora of situations and experiences, but we’re all grouped together and served that way. I just need stability. I need stability that does not stifle. I need stability that does not just tolerate me. I need genuine help, not just because it’s someone’s job or because I’m just another number on a list. : :
Since you’ve been in Charlotte, what has been your experience navigating the available services for people who are homeless? My experience has been that the majority of people in Charlotte assume if you’re young you don’t have a reason or excuse to be homeless, despite whatever you may have going on. They assume if you’re young, you’re able. And, it’s very hard to find assistance with your homelessness, especially if you’re LGBTQ.
— Francisco White has contributed to Boston Spirit Magazine and blogs at FranciscoLWhite.com. White currently resides in Charlotte where he is the EPY Peer Navigator at RAIN and serves on the board of directors for Charlotte Black Gay Pride. He was an at-large Boston City Council candidate in the 2013 race, endorsed by the state Green Party and the party’s 2012 U.S. presidential candidate Jill Stein.
we want your opinions and feedback Whether it’s letters to the editor, web comments, general suggestions, comments or ideas, qnotes staff welcomes your input. See, without you we’d really have no reason to be here. So, we delight in hearing what our readers have to say. Be sure to send in your thoughts, praises, criticisms and more to editor@goqnotes.com for general feedback or letters@goqnotes.com for letters to the editor. Thank you!
Aug. 29-Sept. 11 . 2014
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Fall adventures await in the hills Mountain hikes and high-country jaunts courtesy The Charlotte Observer
Jason Bolonski, via Flickr. Licensed CC.
Great mountain adventures We asked Joe Miller to pick his favorite mountain destinations. He is the author of “Adventure Carolinas: Your Go-To Guide for Multi-Sport Outdoor Recreation,” to be published in May (UNC Press; $45 hardcover, $20 paperback). All-around best Whitewater activities at Nantahala Outdoor Center. “NOC (noc.com) is remarkable — really a one-of-a-kind — with pretty amazing opportunities. There are whitewater kayaking classes that range from one-weekend to an intensive five-day course.” Mountain biking in Pisgah National Forest. “It’s hard to pinpoint a particular area: There are so many good places in this forest (1.usa. gov/1k7Ktts) that have a national reputation among hardcore bikers. There are hundreds of miles of mountain-bike trails. People come and spend a week here.” Backpacking in Shining Rock Wilderness. “Backpacking is a huge draw here for church groups and Scouts doing wilderness programs. You can spend a week here. There are so many places you can go in Shining Rock (bit.ly/1o6IgMG), and there’s breathtaking scenery.” Best for families Davidson River Campground. “It’s near Brevard, and a river runs through it (bit. ly/1mCzQ0E). There’s good tubing on the river — that’s popular — and lots of great day hikes. You can rent mountain bikes: there are good trails there. You’re also fairly close to some
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good whitewater opportunities. All in all, it’s a great base cam for a lot of family fun.” Nantahala Outdoor Center. “There are many family programs — not just paddling, though it’s the big thing. NOC also has mountain biking, tours, rentals and great hiking. There are family programs, including those for whitewater rafting. There are a couple of Class III rapids in that part of the Nantahala River.” Ziplines. “There are so many of them out there, and it’s a huge family thing. One I’ve heard a lot about, Navitat (navitat.com), in Asheville, is opening a new line in May.” Great mountain hikes We asked Johnny Molloy about his favorite mountain hikes. He is the author of “Hiking North Carolina’s National Forests” (UNC Press; $45 hardcover, $22 paperback). Most compelling Highlands of Roan. “It has the largest number of natural Catawba rhododendrons in the world. This is a moderate trail in Pisgah National Forest, and when you start you’re immediately in a meadow of rhodos and you walk through miles of fields interspersed with them. The trail is on a high ridge on the Appalachian Trail, on the North CarolinaTennesse border and you have unbelievably great views.” Shining Rock Wilderness. “Many have heard of this area off the Blue Ridge Parkway, but the wilderness portion is actually of lower
see Adventures on 18
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tell trinity by Trinity :: qnotes contributor :: trinity@telltrinity.com
Honey, cream isn’t just for coffee Dearest Trinity, I’m not unattractive, but I sometimes go out and never get noticed. How do I get someone to notice me? Is there a recipe? Seduction, Ottawa, ON Dearest Seduction, If iceberg lettuce can get noticed, so can you. The recipe starts by a) keeping your attitude high and b) pulling out your credit card. Hire
a trainer, purchase a few new accentuating outfits and invest in some No(#) 7 men’s skin care products by Boots. Honey, cream isn’t just for coffee anymore! Then make your friends tell you everything you’re doing wrong and start working on it immediately. Getting noticed means inner confidence, outer style and a willingness to take risks! Hey Trinity, I have to go to court, but I can barely afford a lawyer. I’m afraid if I go alone I’ll lose the trial or maybe even end up in jail. Any suggestions? Court Caught, Albany, NY Hey Caught, If you need a lawyer, you need a lawyer, period! Beg, borrow or steal. No, don’t steal, just buy a lawyer. Try Preferred Legal ( preferredlegal.com) or Legal Shield (legalshield.com). Both are affordable legal membership groups. Pumpkin, for around $150 a year your problems may be solved. (Check out my cartoon to see why having a lawyer is so important!) Dear Trinity, I’ve been living with my boyfriend for a few months, but just after I moved in, he
became uncontrollably possessive and jealous. I’ve decided to run away. Help? Trapped, Santa Fe, NM Dear Trapped, If you’ve already tried hours of therapy and taking a mini vacation from each other, then OK it’s time to plan an escape by a) saving money, b) making smart arrangements and c) finding the perfect time to flee. Go to family or friends in another city. Don’t leave credit card, telephone or Facebook trails behind, but do leave a note so you’re not reported as missing. Be clean, smart and swift, and remember, darling, Trinity had nothing to do with this! Hello Trinity, Finally, my lover and I are moving in together. Any advice? Moving In, Oklahoma City, OK Hello Moving In, First, don’t read the question above. Second, dating and loving someone is very different than living with someone and realizing they need a maid. So, baby, here are: Trinity’s Church Bell (Ringing) Tips For Couples About To Move In Together 1. Meeting someone, dating and moving in three weeks later is like buying a phony drivers license, practicing a few weeks and then starting a racing career. Take your time! 2. Two people with no money, no furniture and no supportive parents, even with a great sex
a&e
life, spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e! 3. Having some money, counseling and experience with selfish children makes living with a man a lot easier. 4. Yes you’re in love, but moving across country to find out you hate her friends, house, six cats and her snoring means you should’ve visited first! 5. L ove is blind. Love makes you blind. Love is blinding. Get the picture! Let the fog of love lift before uplifting your entire life! 6. Waiting a month to a year and until your first big fight means you’ll know a lot more about someone than you ever imagined! 7. R emember, moving in with someone means cleaning, cooking, being responsible to and taking on the emotional, mental and monetary troubles of the one you “love.” 8. If the new apartment has a spare room to call “his own” then this is worth a million fights over needing, “time alone!” 9. Staying at each other’s places and taking a long vacation together first is great practice. 10. Lastly, getting rid of some of your junk, i.e., the Liberace wardrobe, the library of Congress and the Amelda Marco shoe collection leaves more “room” to grow as a couple. P.S. And if you’re still unsure try it anyway. Taking risks is what life’s about! : : info: With a Masters of Divinity, Reverend Trinity hosted “Spiritually Speaking,” a weekly radio drama performed globally, and is now minister of sponsor, WIG: Wild Inspirational Gatherings, wigministries.org. Learn more at telltrinity.com.
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Adventures await continued from page 16 height and goes through rugged back country where nature is on display. And it’s nature at its overpowering finest, with enormous trees, big waterfalls and big streams. The trails are less maintained, so you have a challenging hike at the same time.” Glen Falls. “This is a nice little moderate hike along a stream called Overflow Creek, near Highlands. The creek is almost one continuous waterfall and on the hike you see so many different faces of it.” Best for families Jackrabbit Mountain loop trail. “This is near a campground on Lake Chatuge, in the Nantahala National Forest near the Georgia border. It’s a nice two-mile loop that goes by an old home site and along the lake. It has something to offer in every season.” Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. “Here you have a pretty easy two-mile loop trail; you can go as far as you want. Kilmer is notable for its collection of huge trees; a walk in this forest primeval makes you glad North Carolina’s national forests are preserved.” Max Patch. “This is a nice loop trail near Hot Springs with an open meadow you can drive to for enjoying 360-degree mountain views. It’s fun to pick blackberries there in the summer.” : : — Compiled by John Bordsen. Reprinted with permission. qnotes is a member of The Charlotte Observer’s Charlotte News Alliance.
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Ask Dr. C…HIV and healthcare advice
Helping to keep you in the know with up-to-date information by Frederick Cruickshank ~ Medical Director
After many successful installments of “Ask Dr. C” in the past, Rosedale wants to bring back this opportunity to offer our readers’ information about infectious disease from basic questions to in-depth explanations. The questions have provided us a forum to debunk myths and remove stigma from those living with HIV and AIDS. In addition, we would like to address any of your concerns about sexual health. It is important to educate yourself, get tested, and protect yourself! Send your questions to info@rosedaleid.com. Dr. C looks forward to responding to as many emails as possible. Do men go through menopause like women? — George from Huntersville This is a good question, George. Many
of my male patients are concerned about how aging will affect their sexual health. Menopause is a term used to describe the end of a woman’s fertility. Female menopause is characterized by changes in hormone production. The male testes, unlike the woman’s ovaries, do not lose the ability to make hormones. A healthy male may be able to make sperm well into his 80s or longer. However, subtle changes in the function of the testes may occur as early as 45-50 years of age, and more dramatically after the age of 70. Because men do not go through a distinct male menopause period, some doctors refer to this as androgen (testosterone) deficiency in the aging male (ADAM). Men typically experience a decline in testosterone production due to aging, but it can also be related to some diseases like diabetes. Whether waning function of the testicles contributes to such symptoms as fatigue, weakness, depression, decreased sexual desire, or impotence remains uncertain. If testosterone levels are low, replacing that hormone may help relieve them. If you are interested in learning more about your testosterone levels and your personal need for hormone replacement therapy please
don’t hesitate to contact our office at 704948-8582 to schedule an appointment. My doctor suggested that I have a circumcision. I didn’t know that this procedure could be done on adult males. What are the risks and benefits? — Danny from Charlotte Danny, I am glad you asked this question because not many men know that adult circumcision is an option. It is true that adult circumcision is much less common than infant circumcision. The most common reasons that a doctor would suggest adult circumcision are the following: if the foreskin is retracted and cannot return to its normal position, if the foreskin is too tight and cannot retract from the head, or of the patient experiences recurrent inflammation and/or infection. Patients may also want to undergo adult circumcision for social, cultural, personal, or religious reasons. Benefits of this procedure include the treatment of an existing medical condition. In addition, some studies have suggested that circumcision can reduce the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. There are risks involved just like
any other surgical procedure. The patient can experience bleeding or infection after the procedure. Other risks include severe bruising, poor cosmetic result, and a change in sensation during sex. I would encourage you to engage in dialogue with your doctor to express all of your concerns. If you would like further information please feel comfortable contacting the staff at Rosedale ID at 704-948-8582. Always remember that this is an advice column based on your questions and the best possible knowledge out there. We need your questions to help educate the community, so email them to info@rosedaleid. com and be sure to include a first name and location. All respondents will remain anonymous. We will try to do our best to answer, educate and inform from your responses to this column. Don’t forget to visit our website at rosedaleid.com and friend us on Facebook for community and clinical updates. — Sponsored Content —
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out in print by Terri Schlichenmeyer :: qnotes contributor
’Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East’ “Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East” by Benjamin Law, foreword by Aaron Allbright c.2014, Cleis Press $16.95/$20.95 Canada 283 pages Throwing a dart at a board. That’s one way to decide where you’ll go on vacation. You could also call a travel agent, hop in a car or head to the back yard. No matter what you do with those precious weeks of vacay, you’ll definitely use them. So, how about a whirlwind tour of the Far East and its bedrooms, hotels and furtive parks? Sounds good? Well, before you book that trip, you might want to read “Gaysia” by Benjamin Law first. It stands to reason: if most of the planet’s population lives in Asia, then the Far East is the gayest place in the world. Benjamin Law suspected that and, as an ethnically Asian gay Australian, he was geographically in a good
location to prove it. He decided he’d find his “fellow Gaysians: the Homolaysians, Bi-Mese, Laosbians and Shangdykes.” But first, he’d go to Bali. There, he found a “relaxing island getaway” that happily embraced gay men; where clothing was optional, even discouraged, at many resorts; and “moneyboys” were willing to do anything for a fee. Sessions of “jiggyjiggy,” says Law, were a “creative” way out of poverty for (sometimes straight) boys and young men, but since the rate of condom use was low, the rate of HIV was high. In Thailand, which has a “long history of transexualism,” Law attended a beauty pageant for “ladyboys.” Acceptance for these beautiful girls was evident nearly everywhere — but with no legal recognition, they had few rights as women. Gay Chinese men are pressured by their families to marry and many of them enter mutually-beneficial agreements with lesbians under the same pressure, Law discovered. Others marry straight women, but keep mum. In Japan, “drag queens and camp gays” are accepted, but lesbians are all but hidden. Harmful myths about contracting (or not contracting) HIV are common in Myanmar ; so common that “roughly 240,000 people” live with it and four out of five “die waiting for medication.” And in India, Law found an antiquated anti-gay law; a counselor who fought against it; the world’s only openly gay royal; and a (rumored-to-be-closeted) yoga instructor who claimed to cure homosexuality… I was somewhat taken aback when I first started this book: with a brief introduction and little-to-no fanfare otherwise, author Benjamin Law jumps feet-first into his travelogue, profanely and bluntly. Fortunately for readers, his humor and sense of the absurd smooth the abruptness of what he finds. That helps a lot and before long, you’ll be well immersed in “Gaysia” and the open (and closed) atmospheres that Law uncovers. That’s not to say, though, that this is a completely rompish book. Yes, Law has unusual adventures here, but in between the funny asides and sharp perceptions, he offers serious observations to show that Asia may be halfway around the world, but it’s closer than we think. This book is explicit and profanity-laden, but it’s also funny and charming and worthy of being tucked in your carryon this summer. Take “Gaysia” with you on vacation and you certainly won’t be bored. : :
hey! what’s happening? We want your news and event notices today. Be sure to send them to editor@ goqnotes.com. Thank you!
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C A L E N DA R AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2014 To see more upcoming events, visit goqnotes.com/calendar/ Submit your event at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/
Continues through Aug. 31 Transgender Faith and Action Network Conference Hilton Charlotte University Place, 8629 JM Keynes Dr., Charlotte A conference for trans community, friends and allies. Dynamic inclusion of networking, faith, workshops and updated information regarding health/ wellness, legal protections and more. Visit website for more information on workshops, sponsorship and registration. fcsj.org
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Male Model Search SEP SEP BRIEF 1426 S. Tryon St., Charlotte By appointment Have you got the look? Hot body? Handsome? Look great in his underwear? Hairy? Smooth? Swimmers body? Ripped? The BRIEF Underwear Fashion Show returns to Charlotte on Saturday, Nov. 1 in its full glory. And, BRIEF is looking for models! BRIEF! A Fete for Fashion is a tasteful, but charged, men’s underwear, swimwear and loungewear fashion show. The proceeds from this year’s event will again benefit Time Out Youth and Human Rights Campaign. Call now to schedule your interview/appointment at 704-376-6612. They will be setting up interviews in 15 minute intervals. Email photos immediately to danmauney@ gmail.com. The casting call will be held at a closed setting. 21 and up only.
Stonewall Kickball SEP SEP The Bar at 316 316 Rensselaer Ave., Charlotte 7-10 p.m. Come by and welcome Stonewall Kickball to Charlotte. Joined as a member? Pick up your T-shirt! Want to learn more or join? Come by for more info. Drink specials and social time! facebook.com/stonewallkickballcharlotte
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Continues through Sept. 14 Gaston Pride Weekend Various locations. Various times.
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Greensboro Pride SEP SEP Festival Park 200 N. Davie St., Greensboro 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Filled with business and non-profit vendors, take a stroll through the park and watch Pride entertainment. greensboropride.org
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HER Yoga: Om for Equality Flex at SHU 1426 S. Tryon St., Charlotte 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Join the Human Rights Campaign for its inaugural HER HRC Yoga event: Om for Equality! Enjoy a morning of yoga (10-11:15 a.m.) and stay for an afternoon of music, beer and food — or just join HRC for the party! Groove with favorite DJ Little Betty and enjoy the fares of some of our favorite local breweries and food trucks! Men are welcomed to attend! General admission for yoga and after party is $12 in advance or $15 at the door. After party admission is $5. Tickets and more: action.hrc.org/site/Calendar?id=120641&view=Detail
SC Pride SEP SEP Main Street Downtown Columbia Noon-10 p.m. The 25th annual SC Pride Festival and Parade, featuring Deborah Cox. scpride.org
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Submit your event to our calendar! qnotes
NC Pride Duke East Campus, Durham, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Upstate Pride SEP SEP Barnet Park 248 E. Saint John St., Spartanburg 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The annual Upstate Pride SC March and Festival. upstatepridesc.org
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Campus Pride Fundraiser The Bar at 316 316 Rennselaer Ave., Charlotte 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Colt Calendar Man Seth Fornea & Jared Leblanc come to Bar 316. Big fun just got huge with Buff Faye & Patti O’Furniture on Saturday nights! Plus special guest drag entertainer Roxy C. Moorecox!! Fundraiser benefits Campus Pride.
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Out Greensboro Pride Lindley Park 2903 Spring Garden St., Greensboro 3-7 p.m. After Greensboro Pride, join over 1,400 people at the annual Out Greensboro 2014 Festival, presented by Triad Health Project. Family friendly. Free admission. 21+ to drink. outgreensboro.org
HRC Table Captain Party SEP SEP The Bar at 316 The LGBT and straight ally community 316 Rensselaer Ave., in Gaston County celebrates its very Charlotte first Gaston Pride, with a mixture of 6-8 p.m. local events and activities throughout Learn more about becomthe weekend. Events include a “Love is ing a table captain for the Love” walk in Downtown Gastonia, an 2015 HRC North Carolina opening ceremony with featured speak- Gala. Drink specials, live entertainment, ers, educational panels and discussions, prizes, food and great information. a Pride dinner, picnic and interfaith worship service, among others. facebook.com/gastonpride
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Catawba Valley Pride SEP SEP Stanford Park 1451 8th Street Dr. NE, Hickory Noon-6 p.m. Fifth annual Catawba Valley Pride with family picnic, entertainment, vendors and more. catawbavalleypride.org
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Celebrating 30 years, NC Pride returns with its annual festival and parade. The NC Pride 5K Run begins at 8:30 a.m. prior to the day’s activities. ncpride.org
Recurring Charlotte Events: PRISM Young Adults: Weekly discussion held each Monday, 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. For young adults ages 18-25. LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. lgbtcharlotte.org. Men’s Yoga: Weekly yoga sessions for men hosted by certified instructor. Each Monday, 7:30-8:30 p.m. LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. Time Out Youth Center: Weekly support and discussion groups, Tuesday-Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monthly group for youth ages 11-14. timeoutyouth.org. MeckPAC: Monthly meeting of local LGBT political action committee. First Tuesdays of each month, 6:30-8 p.m. LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. StillOut Photography: Local LGBT photography club. Meets monthly on fourth Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. facebook.com/StillOutPhotography. Friends Indeed: Men’s depression support group. Every other Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m. LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. Weekly HIV & Syphilis Testing: Hosted at the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte each Wednesday, 5-7 p.m. HIV Support Group: Open support group for men and women who are HIV-positive. Hosted second Wednesdays of each month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Different Roads Home. differentroadshome.org. LGBTQ Adult Education and Discussion Group: Weekly on Thursdays, a safe place for LGBTQ adults to meet and discuss important issues and topics. Hosted at LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. Each Thursday, 6-8 p.m. Men of all Cultures Together: Local chapter of National Association of Black and White Men Together. Every other Thursday, 6:30 p.m. LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. PFLAG Charlotte: Monthly support group meeting. Second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m., Time Out Youth Center. pflagcharlotte.org. Tradesmen: Monthly social meeting first Saturday of each month. 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. The Woodshed Lounge. charlottetradesmen.org. Have a recurring weekly or monthly event, social, support or discussion group? Let us know. Submit your event at our online calendar at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/.
You can submit your event to our comprehensive community calendar presented by qnotes, the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte and Visit Gay Charlotte. Submit your event at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/ and get a three-for-one entry. All Charlotte-area events will appear on each of the three calendars at qnotes (goqnotes. com), the LGBT Center (lgbtcharlotte.org) and Visit Gay Charlotte (visitgaycharlotte.com).
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OUR PEOPLE:
Q&A with Warren Radebe Johnson C. Smith University student leader by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com In his mid-twenties, Warren Radebe moved from his native Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend Johnson C. Smith University. He’d come out as gay to friends at home before moving to Charlotte, but found a community here unlike he had at home. Now 29, he’s a junior at JCSU and a student leader there. He’s helped to organize the campus LGBT student organization and worked with Campus Pride, the Charlottebased non-profit working toward safer college campuses for LGBT students. Warren is interviewed in our back-to-school cover story. Flip to page 12 to learn more about his work. Here, though, let’s take a moment to learn a bit more about Warren. Matt Comer: What is your favorite part or event of the year? What were your initial perceptions of new events and experiences when you moved here? Warren Radebe: My favorite season of the year has to be the CIAA, it is packed with college sports excitement and for me getting closer to understand the game and the excitement of the city Charlotte since it hosted the CIAA. Moreover, my school, Johnson C Smith University “shines” all through the season with fabulous young sports men and women competing for the pride of the Golden Bull. I must say I love it and will continue supporting the program and most of all my school. At first it was a strange culture to adapt into since I am a soccer game fan; as it is usual in South Africa and in the rest of the eastern part of the world compared to the western part of the world “America,” after all I had to make friends who could interpret to me the season, and what they meant for them and can mean for me. Still I was excited to move into the United States and I am open as I was to learn, exchange and practice the culture locally and nationally and I believe in that manner I survive easily adapting as a student for opportunities, entertainment and personal growth. What is your favorite neighborhood in Charlotte? There is no place better than West Trade St. and Uptown. I mean, Uptown is filled with many activities I have not seen before in South Africa. I love when they block Tryon St. and make it a colorful exhibition center with different types of food and promotions to try, and yes I do take some at home and enjoy watching a movie. West Trade St. is rich with history and I am proud to dwell within a precinct important in Charlotte around the Johnson C Smith campus community and Mosaic Village not long opened, as it is positioned on the West Trade St., and a walking distance to uptown. What is your favorite genre of music? Why? What is so special or cool about it? Jazz is the most chilling and exciting music, made for people that understand music and
likely want to mature. Jazz helps to me to think especially when I study, or write thick assignments/papers, and it has been my preferred music even when I am chilling with my friends, though we will rep up the day with a little bit of African House music that has been my young boy dance music. Jazz is cool when you spent time with a special one, family and charting. In most cases, I find myself tuning to music when me and my friends in political science major will prepare to debate and become a little bit grownup and the environment has to set the standard; Jazz will do it for us. On a night of fun, would you prefer: (a) going out to a bar with friends, (b) staying in and watching a movie or (c) video games? Let me start here, at first I was a room prisoner; I would stay in my room and fear to go out and try to justify that I had a lot of work to do for my courses. Now, I am a new perspective person about going out, I have tried going out it great and I meet new people necessary for the LGBTQA work I do in Charlotte. Yes, I would prefer going out to a bar with my friends, but be responsible and remember I am a student. What is a quote or message you find meaningful or inspiring? Matt, a quote that has moved me beyond a measure, and fearless in life to contribute change in this world, has been Dr. Mahatma Gandhi. He said “Be the change you want to see in the world” and it represents every political, lifestyle and attitude we as human beings, but cherish in order to see a better world. These are the principles that have shaped my social and political beliefs on my journey to becoming a leader, and LGBTQA leader especially in the world. As I continue my work, Shane Windmeyer, the founder and director of Campus Pride is a close example to me, and inspires me and is a living testimony to this quote of a change I claim to see around me, and it starts with me. Do you have a nickname? Who gave it to you? Does it have any special meaning? My nickname has been the “President.” Well, I tried to ignore it since I was young, but it seemed as I grew up I understood why my friends at school at lower grade, and high school until now at college and sometimes in my work experience they called me “Mr. President,” because I have carried myself fearless to lead, help people in my community and where ever I go I have been a representative to social change, and in the manner I speak, greet and network. I am composed with a stature that some time scares me — “Am I destined to be a president?” Hence, I do political science. When I look and my increasing credentials I have traced that all I have been doing has been the cause of helping people, initiating programs that better my community, and so everyone I knew mentored me to who I am today. I thank all who have been the greatest character artist of me. They all must continue doing this to me, and other,s and the world will be a better place : :.
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