Nov. 4-17 . 2016
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inside
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qnotes news & features
news. views. arts. 4 entertainment. Court case moves forward 4 HB2 and job loss 6 News Notes: Regional Briefs 9 News Notes: U.S./World Briefs 15 N.C. city tops HRC MEI list
Intersectionality explored! Individuality is totally founded. LGBTQ share their experiences of prejudice in the community at-large while traversing the boundaries of gender, race, sexuality, class, age, ethnicity to define one’s identity.
a&e / life&style 5 10 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 20 22 23
Intersectionality and assemblage Transgender Day of Remembrance Estrogen therapy crisis Transgender awarness in biz Holiday Gift Guide: DVDs Holiday Gift Guide: Assorted What is the ‘I’ in LGBTQI? Alphabet Soup Health & Wellness Tell Trinity Q Events Calendar Our People: Name
opinions & views
page 5
more news & features
Health & Wellness Getting a handle on proper nutrition and how to fold it into one’s life page 18
Our People Getting to know transgender Trey Greene, co-founder of Transcend Charlotte page 23
9 Guest Commentary
Nov. 4-17 . 2016
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news
HB2 Update
Discriminatory law still at the forefront Gov. Pat McCrory sets agenda to battle back against court case Job losses continue to mount up by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes contributor
HB2 court case moves forward, McCrory doubles down Governor incites criticism as election approaches
Ever since HB2 was signed into law, Attorney General Roy Cooper and North Carolina gubernatorial candidate has wanted ‘his state back’ as he stated in April 2016. The battle still ensues.
RALEIGH, N.C. — The hot topic this election year is the controversial House Bill 2 (HB2), which has drawn criticism for its open discrimination against transgender North Carolinians. The law dictates that people must use the public restroom and facilities consistent with the gender on their birth certificate, as well as preventing non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ citizens. The federal court case Carcaño v. McCrory continues to move forward despite its delayed May 2017 court date.
The plaintiffs in the case, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, and the law firm of Jenner & Block, recently filed a brief with the court. This move follows the federal judge’s September injunction to halt implementation of the law applied to the three specific plaintiffs in the case. But opponents of the legislation haven’t stopped there; the plaintiffs’ team now seeks a full injunction that protects all LGBTQ residents of North Carolina, not just the three plaintiffs.
“We hope and expect that the Fourth Circuit will expand this ruling to protect all transgender people,” said ACLU of North Carolina Legal Director Chris Brook. “Every day that H.B. 2 singles out transgender North Carolinians — whether at school, at work, or just moving through their daily lives — is another day that the transgender community is told that they are second class.” The brief filed on Oct. 19 argues that the law specifically targets transgender people, and that this is a form of sex discrimination. “H.B. 2 makes transgender North Carolinians pariahs in their own state,” said Lambda Legal National Legal Director and Eden/Rushing Chair Jon W. Davidson. “Such unequal treatment simply cannot be squared with the Fourteenth Amendment’s promise of equality under the law.” The defendant in the case, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, continues to defend his decision to sign the bill into law back in March. McCrory insists on the “common sense” nature of bathroom safety, and his legal team’s alignment of transgender people with sexual predators has drawn intense criticism. Criticism of HB2 drew national attention once again after the Oct. 18 gubernatorial debate between McCrory (up for reelection) and opponent Roy Cooper. One question regarded Caitlyn Jenner, perhaps the most famous transgender person in the world, and which public facilities she would be required to use.
“She’s going to use the men’s shower,” McCrory said, referring to public facilities at UNC-Chapel Hill. The governor distinguished between public and private sector, the latter of which he does not regulate. Jenner responded on Twitter, posting a goofy picture of the governor and writing “So I’m supposed to use the same shower as this guy?? Gross!” Jenner wasn’t the only one responding to the debate. Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin and Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro (also an N.C. Representative), each had a few choice words for the governor. “The choice has never been clearer for LGBT and all North Carolinians,” Sgro asserted. “Roy Cooper stands for equality, education, and common sense North Carolina values. Governor McCrory continues to play the blame game and double down on the discriminatory HB2.” Griffin also recognized the governor’s transference of blame on HB2: “Pat McCrory continued to blame others and avoid taking responsibility for a dangerously discriminatory law that he alone signed,” Griffin said. With election day approaching and early voting already begun, Gov. McCrory faces the potential consequences of his actions. As Carcaño v. McCrory moves forward, McCrory’s time as governor may be running out. : :
Amid rumored 730-job loss, the future of HB2 is debatable Repeal or federal ruling may prevent further harm CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Several sources recently reported the latest investment loss borne by the state of North Carolina since the advent of House Bill 2 (HB2), known to conservatives as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act. Many corporations, organizations and individuals have protested the law by canceling planned events or expansion, some even sending letters to the governor. There is some dissension as to whether the latest loss is in fact due to the discriminatory law. The loss in question is the planned expansion of a new research operations headquarters for the CoStar Group, a real estate company based in Washington, D.C. The facilities would have brought an $8.2 million initial investment, 730 long-term jobs, and a projected quarter-billion dollars in economic impact. According to the Washington Business Journal, CoStar had determined that the new facilities’ host would be one of four finalist cities: Richmond, Va., Atlanta, Ga., Kansas City, Kansas or Charlotte, N.C. Atlanta Business Chronicle reported that Charlotte and Richmond were head-to-head for the prize. CoStar’s Oct. 24 announcement that Richmond had won out sparked debate over
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the reason for the choice. North Carolina news sources quoted Cushman & Wakefield Senior Vice President David Dorsch of Charlotte, who said he had aided CoStar’s real estate research. “The primary reason they chose Richmond over Charlotte was HB2,” Dorsch said. “Their not coming here is a commentary on Gov. Pat McCrory and Mayor Jennifer Roberts.” Although Dorsch’s claim has been rebuked as “in the heat of the moment” by a coworker at Cushman & Wakefield, more than a few news sources leapt on the theory as yet another example of the fallout from HB2’s advent in North Carolina. Whatever the specific case with CoStar — which has remained tightlipped about HB2 — the law has undoubtedly had repercussions. These repercussions go beyond finances and into the very day-to-day lives of many North Carolinians. “I have heard personally about so many more violent incidents in gendered spaces towards trans individuals because the state has in effect sanctioned this behavior,” reports Trey Greene, co-founder of Transcend Charlotte. “The result is that civilians who are completely uninformed about trans issues are
eral judge were to strike down the law, it would now more vigilant about guarding bathrooms, be a more lasting effect than a simple repeal. locker rooms, etc. from use by trans individuals. “If a federal court has the trial and says It’s crazy, because we’ve always been in the that the law violates the due process and equal bathrooms with cisgender people.” protection clauses of the constitution, North From personal conflict to economic reCarolina will no longer be able to say to transpercussions, it’s clear that HB2 is a hot-button gender people which restrooms they should issue in North Carolina. Lawmakers have long use, in public buildings or anywhere else,” debated how to address the issue, with activArmijo said. : : ists pushing for a full repeal. Yet some sources claim that a repeal would be a temporary solution, and that there is more promise in the federal courts. An August decision by the Fourth Circuit court gives hope to those who want a broader, federal condemnation of the law. Judge Thomas Schroeder ruled that HB2 violated the rights of the three transgender plaintiffs of Carcaño v. McCrory, ordering a preliminary injunction in the plaintiffs’ favor. Enrique Armijo, a constitutional law professor at Elon University School of Law, told Rendering of CoStar’s new research headquarters in Richmond, Va. NC Policy Watch that if the fedCoStar via The Charlotte Observer.
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life
Expression & Identity
Intersectionality and assemblage: a real-life definition LGBTQ people share experiences of prejudice by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes contributor
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hose who follow conversations about social justice and societal prejudice have probably come across the term “intersectionality” at some point. It’s an academic term, referring to the way different types of disadvantage combine within individuals or groups. To break it down to the most common example, a black woman is both black and a woman, and therefore experiences at least two types of prejudice. For LGBTQ people, these combinations of factors are especially impactful and complex. To better understand the way intersectionality affects LGBTQ people, three from the community have shared their life experiences. The first is Zannah Breunig, a 27-year-old Master’s student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in religious studies, as well as gender, sexuality and women’s studies. Breunig isn’t a fan of the term “intersectionality.” “Within the theoretical field I do work in, it’s not really a term that people are still excited about. What makes more sense for me is the idea of assemblage,” they told qnotes. “I don’t know if there’s a part of me that is essentially a Jew and a part that is queer…The idea of [assemblage] is that there isn’t really this thing that we think of as identity. Things kind of mesh together and end up producing workable ideas.” For Breunig, the intersection or assemblage of their identity is in part informed by racial and religious factors as well as their identification as LGBTQ. “Growing up, I was always told that I was a Jew, but that was it, there wasn’t anything else to that discussion,” Breunig said. “Around the time that I started investigating what [Judaism] was about was the same time I started investigating — what if I wasn’t a cis het woman.” But the two communities Breunig identifies with have not entirely welcomed them with open arms. Even the LGBTQ community — usually thought to be inclusive and accepting — has been wrought with tension for Breunig. “There’s a lot of anti-Semitism going on right now, especially in queer activist communities,” they explained. “There’s a lot of groups that are doing pro-Palestinian liberation, and a lot of times if you’re Jewish it’s assumed you’re a Zionist…and in order to prove that you’re a ‘good’ Jew, you have to be very vocally pro-Palestine.” These tensions from the meeting of race, religion and LGBTQ identity are the very definition of intersectionality. Breunig isn’t the only one who has experienced this multifaceted disadvantage. Trez Winston, a 23-yearold black gay man from Charlotte, says he experienced racial prejudice in the dating scene. “White people would sort of try to stick to their own race,” Winston reports. “I realized how differently I was treated from a white gay man.” Winston’s race didn’t only affect his love life, of course. Having taken part in the recent protests in Charlotte sparked by the police shooting of Keith Scott, Winston felt a conflict between his race and his sexuality. “Any time there’s a black man who dies at the hands of a police officer, there’s a big group of people coming out and protesting,” he said. “But I realized there wasn’t the same treatment when it comes to anyone from the LGBT community being killed. We don’t get the same support. Black women don’t get the same support from black men. It puts me in a bind, and I start feeling very negative toward black men who aren’t able to support someone of their own race because of their sexuality or gender identity.” Winston’s point is a significant one. Trans women of color are the most likely to become victims of violence, according to the Anti-Violence Project (AVP). The organization reports that transgender people of color are six times more likely to be violently treated by the police. Winston calls attention to these numbers: “There’s this whole movement, this Black Lives Matter movement, but you can’t call yourself pro-black if you neglect black trans people,” Winston declares. Alternately, “in the LGBT community, if you can’t accept people of color, then you’re not really for us. You don’t want equality, you just want to become the oppressor.”
Winston’s experiences as a member of the LGBTQ community and as a black man have made him very aware of social justice issues and the different levels of disadvantage and privilege. “People look at me differently because I’m black and black people look at me differently because I’m gay,” Winston explains. “There was definitely a time when I just really hated myself for being black and for being gay… But then I finally realized that I am who I am and I love who I am.” Self-love is Winston’s message and has helped him come to terms with the intersection of race and sexuality in his life experience. For some LGBTQ people, race and sexuality aren’t the end; religion and socioeconomic status can also come into play. This was the case with Laura Garcia, a 26-year-old New York native now living in Charlotte. For Garcia, her sexual orientation was only the beginning. “I feel like ‘pansexual’ is probably the safest term for it,” she said of her orientation. “Pansexual and polyamorous at the same time…I had a really weird experience at Pride this year … You think Pride, you think inclusive, a big family, but a woman was talking to me [and said] ‘oh so you like boys and you’re just trying stuff out.’… I get some of the same bi-phobic things.” Alongside this resistance from the LGBTQ community, Garcia faced similarly critical reactions from her family. “My lovely wonderful incredibly Christian grandma told me she’s going to pray for me because she’s very concerned,” laughed Garcia, unfazed. “My mother’s response was ‘I knew it was going to be you! Statistically one of my children was going to be a little bit gay and I knew it was going to be you.’” The grandmotherly reaction is one that many LGBTQ people have experienced, but it essentially comes down to a question of religious dogma. This is something that Winston, too, experienced. Winston said that upon coming out to his mother, she “was really concerned with God, saying ‘God doesn’t like this, you can go to hell for this’.” Since then, Winston has “distanced myself from religious people. I still consider myself Christian, but I haven’t been to church in about five years.” Like Winston, Garcia faced racial discrimination as well. A proud Latina who is “very, very Dominican,” Garcia often bears witness to ignorance and stereotyping. “Most people when they meet me don’t know I’m Latino, they think I’m some kind of mix,” said Garcia. “People will make these comments to me … I have to explain a lot why I don’t have an accent.” On top of the everyday racism and prejudice, Garcia remembers with a shudder the hate crime against Pulse in Orlando on Latinx night at the gay bar. As an LGBTQ Latina with friends and roots in Florida, Garcia was horrified. “I had that moment that it literally could have been someone I know,” she said. “You see the people who are like you and somebody saw fit to destroy them…They were targeted because of who they were...They could have been just like me.” Although events like the Orlando massacre and the Charlotte protests bring questions of race and sexuality to the forefront, disadvantage and hate are often subtle and insidious. Individuals’ intersecting or assembled identities make their lived experiences complex and often full of conflict. Breunig, Garcia and Winston are three real-life examples of the way different systems of prejudice come into play even within the LGBTQ community. With such complex and interconnected systems of oppression in place, finding common ground with those who are different from you is all-important. Transcend Charlotte Co-founder Trey Greene emphasizes the significance of dialogue between unlike individuals: “We may not always agree or understand each other, but I feel strongly that real progress happens when there is a group of diverse individuals who are willing to sit together, even have uncomfortable conversations, in an effort to find a path towards understanding and respect for our common humanity.” : :
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qnotes connect Nov. 4-17, 2016 Vol 31 No 14
arts. entertainment. news. views. goqnotes.com twitter.com/qnotescarolinas facebook.com/qnotescarolinas
contributors this issue
Maria Dominguez, Joney Harper, Stan Kimer, Jack Kirven, W.G. Lewis, Elaine Martin, Lainey Millen, Jesse Monteagudo, Mikey, Rox, Gregg Shapiro, Jeff Taylor, Trinity
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The focus of QNotes is to serve the LGBT and straight ally communities of the Charlotte region, North Carolina and beyond, by featuring arts, entertainment, news and views content in print and online that directly enlightens, informs and engages the readers about LGBT life and social justice issues. Pride Publishing & Typesetting, Inc., dba QNotes P.O. Box 221841, Charlotte, NC 28222 ph 704.531.9988 fx 704.531.1361 Publisher: Jim Yarbrough Sales: x201 adsales@goqnotes.com Nat’l Sales: Rivendell Media, ph 212.242.6863 Managing Editor: Jim Yarbrough, editor@goqnotes.com Assoc. Editor: Lainey Millen, specialassignments@goqnotes.com Social Media Editor: Jeff Taylor, jeff@goqnotes.com Production: Lainey Millen, x205 production@goqnotes.com Printed on recycled paper.
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news notes: carolinas compiled by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff
Teen luncheon slated CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Chapter of Jack and Jill Senior Teens will host a unity brunch on Nov. 5, 10:30 a.m., at Byron’s South End, 101 W. Worthington Ave. #110. The event, which is open to the community, has been planned by local youth as a solution to the recent unrest that occurred in Charlotte during October, where teens and adults will gather to discuss important issues. In planning this discussion, the teenagers also hope to give back to the community in other ways by raising funds for the national Jack and Jill Foundation, which invests in programs and services that create a strong foundation for all children to thrive long-term. Chandon Glenn serves as the Charlotte Chapter Senior Teens Foundation chair. “My generation is ready to be a part of the conversation about change and unity. Everyone has been affected in some way by the recent issues in our community, and social consciousness has increased for many. This event is a step in the right direction and will make a difference,” Glenn shared. Organizers encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences including children of military/police, LGBTQ individuals, immigrants, physically challenged teens, former juvenile offenders and others. All public and elected officials, law enforcement, teachers and other adults interested in positive change are strongly urged to attend. “Many elected officials, city leaders and other Senior Teens President Ashleigh Fields adults are having conversations about how to heal the Queen City,” said Senior Teens’ President Ashleigh Fields. “As young people, we will inherit the unresolved issues, so we want to be proactive now to make a difference.” The youth will participate in constructive conversations and compile their suggestions to be officially presented to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, city leaders and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, organizers said. Guest speakers include 16-year-old Chancellor Lee Adams, son of Cherica Adams and Rae Carruth (former Carolina Panther), giving his first public comments about forgiveness. Former State Sen. Malcolm Graham will also share remarks as he prepares to attend the trial of Dylann Roof, the suspect accused of killing Graham’s sister Cynthia Hurd among Charleston, S.C.’s Emanuel 9. Tickets are $52 and are available online. info: jackandjillcharlottechapter.com.
Charlotte Band hosts concert
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Pride Band will open its sixth season with a concert, “Quiet City,” on Nov. 12, 5 p.m., at Myers Park Baptist Church, Heaton Hall, 1900 Queens Rd. The program features a selection of music composed by LGBT composers such as Peter Tchaikovsky, Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber and Jennifer Higdon. The band commissioned and will premiere a work written to honor the 49 people that died in the Pulse Nightclub shootings in Orlando. Tickets are $15 and are available through band members and online. Program guide advertising is being sought. Prices are $50/quarter page, $90/half page and $150/full page. Placements come with a free ticket to any concert in which an ad is placed. Email Stephen T. Hegedus at charlotteprideband @gmail.com to learn more. info: charlotteprideband.org.
Minister receives ordination
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rev. Dawn J. Flynn, pastor of New Life MCC, 1900 The Plaza, will receive her ordination from the United American Catholic Church on Nov. 13, 7 p.m., during the regular worship service.
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Flynn had previously been a minister in the United Methodist Church but was defrocked when members of her congregation saw her driving around town dressed as a woman when they thougth that she was a man. Ordination will follow that of the United Methodist Church and Flynn will be a minister and not a priest, United American Catholic Church bishop, The Right Rev. Tom Shortell shared. As part of her re-credentialing, Flynn has been on a standby call with the Metropolitan Community Churches movement. She continues to serve the congregation at New Life and will do so in the years ahead. Once she has been ordained, she will pursue transferring her credentials to MCC, said New Life’s choirmaster Rev. Clay Ollis. In other news, the church is exploring moving its ministry to another location to focus on an underserved community. More information will be provided as the process unfolds. info: newlifemccnc.org.
Youth org hiring
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Time Out Youth Center, 2320 N. Davidson St., has announced that they have two positions open for applicants. Positions include a part-time mental health counselor and a full-time assistant director of school outreach.
The counselor, who will work 10-hours per week on contract, will provide individual and/ or group counseling, as well as crisis intervention as needed and direct referral, resource and/or education to LGBTQ youth and families having social, emotional, and/or relationship concerns at the center. Base salary is $20,000. Work schedule is flexible including evening and weekend hours. The position reports to the executive director. Closing date for applications is Nov. 11. To apply, email a cover letter and resume to gpearson@timeoutyouth.org. The full-time school outreach assistant director is primarily responsible for the implementation of outreach services in the center’s outlying school districts and supporting GSAs in the region. Salary range is $35,000-$40,000, based on experience. Work schedule includes evening and weekend hours and requires a vehicle for travel. The position reports to the director of school outreach. Closing date for applications is Nov. 18. To apply, email a cover letter and resume to trosendahl@timeoutyouth.org. Negotiable start date is Jan. 1, 2017. An internship program is available to high school, college and graduate students. To apply, send an inquiry email to rtucker@ timeoutyouth.org. Visit the center’s website for a full description of each position and the requirements necessary to be successful in their implementation.
Fund grant cycle opens
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund (CLGF) has announced that its 2017 grant cycle will open on Jan. 1, 2017. Application submission will continue until 5 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2017. An optional application information session will be held on Nov. 14, 6 p.m. at the YWCA Central Carolinas, 3420 Park Rd. Although not compulsory, the session provides applicants with key information and representatives can answer application-related questions. Guides can be downloaded from the fund’s website on that same day. CLGF will provide funding to the community through Programs, Projects and Events Grants (PPE) and Basic Operating Grants (OPS). PPE Grants award up to $5,000 to support the creation of programs, projects and events that address the vision of CLGF: to cultivate one community with the belief that all people should be treated with equal respect and dignity. The grants are open to all 501(c)(3) organizations. Basic Operating Grants provide unrestricted operating funds to build capacity of 501(c)(3) organizations whose primary objective is to provide services or benefits to the LGBT community. Stakeholders are invited to participate in the grant review process. More information will be sent in January. For more information, email David Snider at dsnider@fftc.org. Grant presentations will take place on April 3, 2017. info: fftc.org/clgf.
Clinic offers hormone therapy
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In August Planned Parenthood South Atlantic’s (PPSAT) health center in Charlotte, N.C. began offering hormone replacement therapy (HRT) services to its transgender patients, including female to male (FTM) and male to female (MTF). Now the center has made a formal announcement in order to satisfy their objective of reaching out to the community.
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The clinic is working toward meeting the needs of the community. “We are proud to add HRT to our services, in addition to our already gold-standard sexual health programs and resources,” Planned Parenthood’s Communication Associate Kate Maxcy shared. Transgender individuals make up one of the fastest-growing patient demographics for the clinic. Charlotte is among a list of five health centers that offer HRT. PPSAT gathered on Oct. 13 for its century celebration. GenderLines Founder Paige Dula expressed her surprise at finding out about the center’s HRT offering. “We work toward fulfilling our mission of providing inclusive, non-judgmental healthcare and resources to everyone who walks through our doors,” Maxcy added. info: ppsat.org.
Songwriter releases EP
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Transgender activist and songwriter Lara Americo has released an EP, entitled “She/They,” that shares her experiences as a transgender woman of color living in the South. With the passage of HB2, the Charlotte protests and other news over the past year, Americo wanted to tell her story through song about the discriminatory laws that beset the Tar Heel State. Americo played all of the instruments on the album and recorded it herself. The self-taught musician learned how to play the flute, mandolin, guitar, bass and drums. She’s played these instruments in venues along the East Coast and is hoping the release of her first album will showcase her talents and her message of equality and equity for all. Not only has Americo shared struggles musically, she has also been a voice for equality and justice. She was featured in an American Civil Liberties Union campaign, as well as one on change.org over this past summer. Music from the recording can be listened to online, in addition to pre-ordering the EP which is due for release on Nov. 17. Cost begins at $7. info: laraamerico.com.
Theatre exec steps down
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Actor’s Theatre executive director, Dan Shoemaker, has announced that he has stepped down and that a leadership team assumed his duties on Nov. 1. With the move to a new location to 2219 Freedom Dr. in the FreeMore West area being his last large project, Shoemaker turns over the reigns to Artistic Director Chip Decker, General Manager Martin Kettling and Development Director Bennett Rich. They will be guided by Board Chair Peter McGrath and Vice-Chair Karen Bernhardt. “…as I embark upon life’s next great adventure, I would just like to say ‘thank you’ for this opportunity to work and enjoy such a phenomenal creative experience in our expanding arts community. So, this is not goodbye as I merely want to say ‘I’ll see you at the theatre.’” info: atcharlotte.org.
Triad Arts series gears up
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The North Star LGBTQ Community Center, 930 Burke St., has issued a call for queer artists to be part of its “Out Spoken” LGBTQIA-focused winter arts series. The event will be held on Nov. 11 and 18 and Dec. 2 and 9 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
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News Notes continued from page 6 Applications are being accepted for studio art, spoken word, poetry, voice, music and oneact shows. Email Rayce Lamb at outreach@northstar lgbtcc.com to learn more about becoming a featured artist. In other news, the center is collecting donations for its homeless outreach initiative. Items include: socks, underwear, baby wipes/wet cloths, granola bars, deodorant, phone cards, blankets, tampons/pads, water, gloves, hand warmers and single use shampoo, toothpaste, etc. Bring items during open hours — TuesdayFriday, 5-7 p.m., and Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Email info@northstarlgbtcc.com for more information. info: northstarlgbtcc.com.
Chorus opens new season, expands
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Triad Pride Men’s Chorus has announced that its 18th season has opened. Over the past years, it has grown from a small arts group to one that has not only performed across the region, but has also battled back against bigotry and hate as represented by its presence at this year’s Greensboro Pride event. There they encountered protesters who chanted and preached hate and attempted to disrupt the celebration, the chorus’ board chair Paul Musick said. Next month, the chorus kicks off its winter concert season with performances of “Pictures of the Season.” Dates, times and locations are: Dec. 3, Congregational United Church
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of Christ, 400 W. Radiance Dr., Greensboro, 8 p.m.; Dec. 6, St. Mary’s Community Life Center, 108 W. Farriss Ave., High Point, 8 p.m.; Dec. 10, Parkland High School, 1600 Brewer Rd., Winston-Salem, 8 p.m.; and Dec. 11, Life’s Journey United Church of Christ, 2121 Edgewood Ave., Burlington, 4 p.m. Spring “Sin and Vice” concerts are slated for June 3, Greensboro, June 6, High Point, June 10, Winston-Salem, and June 12, Burlington. Tickets for the winter concerts are $15/ advance and $20/at the door (Saturdays), $10/ advance and $15/at the door (Tuesday/Sunday) and $10/student and senior, and are available online or by calling 336-589-6269. Keep up with the chorus on Facebook at facebook.com/triadpridemenschorus. A video of the chorus singing over the protesters at Greensboro Pride can be seen there. In other news, the chorus has announced that it is adding a women’s chorus to its family which will begin its performances in January. A planning meeting was held on Oct. 27 at the Greensboro Cultural Center in its efforts to recruit members for the Triad Pride Women’s Chorus. Women are encouraged to join. And those who do not want to perform, but want to support the organization, are needed as well. The chorus appreciates contributions to enable it to sustain its work. Funds go for sheet music, performance venues, insurance, staff payments for additional weekly rehearsals and more. Contributions help the chorus share its mission to “entertain, enlighten and enrich our audience, while promoting equality and social justice for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity — fostering pride, understanding, and acceptance.”
It also welcomes feedback and suggestions. Email contact@triadmenschorus.org with feedback and suggestions and visit the website to learn more. info: triadpridepenschorus.com.
Triangle Center launches focus groups
RALEIGH, N.C. — The LGBT Center of Raleigh, 324 S. Harrington St., has begun a series of focus groups that address the needs of LGBT-friendly senior housing. Participants are divided into two groups — men and women — with each individual being afforded the opportunity to share their perspectives in the information-gathering project. Sessions are limited to 12 participants and an RSVP is required. Email Les Geller at lgeller@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com to learn more or to be included. Each session will have different individual participants. The project’s focus groups began on Oct. 30 and continued on Nov. 3. More sessions will be held on Nov. 5, 13 and 14 at an undisclosed location. info: lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.
Latinx AIDS Awareness Day observed
RALEIGH, N.C. — Faith leaders, advocates and community members from across North Carolina gathered at the State Capitol on Oct. 15 to commemorate National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day. The event, hosted by the Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolinas, Latino Commission on AIDS and the NC AIDS Action Network, remembered members of the Latinx community who were lost to HIV/AIDS, but also looked to the future towards the policies needed
to address disparities in the Latinx community. The Latinx community in the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. They represent 17 percent of the population, but accounted for approximately 24 percent of HIV infections among adults and adolescents in 2014. The awareness day helps to raise HIV awareness and promote HIV testing, prevention, and education, in addition to other critical health issues such as viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. Judith Montenegro, director of community organizing at Latinos in the Deep South shared, “It’s important now more than ever to elevate these themes in our communities particularly in the Southeast of the United States, since 37 percent of Latinx diagnoses with HIV live in this region.” This year’s theme was “We’ll Defeat AIDS con Ganas.” “Con Ganas” is a Spanish phrase used in informal conversation to denote being motivated enough to act. info: ncaan.org. latinoaids.org.
Western Senior care seminar upcoming
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — “Prepare to Care for the LGBT Community” will be presented by AARP on Nov. 9, 12 p.m., at the Area Agency on Aging, Lake of Sky Regional Council, 339 New Leicester Hwy. It is sponsored by LGBT Elder Advocates. Participants will be able to learn ways to deal with challenges and be a more effective caregiver for those in the LGBTQ community who have a non-traditional family. Class time includes information on how to have vital conversations with older family members, organize important documents, assess loved one’s
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needs and locate important resources. The program is free and open to the community. Call 877-926-8300 to RSVP or register online at aarp.cvent.com/NCPrepare2careLGBT. Those who pre-register will be provided with lunch. info: aarp.org/nc.
PFLAG chapter gets grant
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — The Flat RockHendersonville Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) has been awarded a $2,000 grant from the Alliance For Full Acceptance (AFFA), headquartered in Charleston, S.C. The grant will support PFLAG’s youth enrichment program, including a new scholarship for an LGBTQ or allied student. “The Flat Rock-Hendersonville PFLAG chapter is delighted that Alliance for Full Acceptance sees that our work with LGBT students and their allies is important,” said chapter president Jerry
Miller. “This grant will give us the opportunity to increase our financial support for the work of the student groups in our schools. We greatly appreciate their confidence in our organization.” Monthly meetings are held the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Provident Baptist Church, 1201 Oakland St. in Hendersonville. info: pglag.org. pglaghendersonville@gmail.com.
Prez vacates post
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — SisterCare WNC has announced that its president and one of its founding members, Cindy Moors, has tendered her resignation from the board of directors due to personal reasons. “The spirit of the founding members, including Cindy, are still with us as we transform to a new stage of evolution,” the organization shared. Since its inception in 2012, its primary objective was to provide “more than socialization” to
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lesbians in its community. Focus was centered on providing “family in action” to those experiencing challenges in their daily lives. Now, four years later, it has moved toward being inclusive with the entire LGBTA community. And, with that, SisterCare found that it could no longer effectively connect individuals as it went beyond its capacity as a volunteer board. So, the board is in “the process of re-defining the ways in which we will bring ‘family in action’ to life, and how to incorporate our new model with the network of LGBTQ providers in our community,” it said. The shift will continue to provide connection’s opportunities while serving those in need. Involvement in larger scale efforts will likely occur. info: sistercarewnc.com. Have news or other information? Send your press releases and updates for inclusion in our News Notes: editor@goqnotes.com.
news notes: u.s./world compiled by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff
ABA names Stonewall Award recipients CHICAGO, Ill. — Three longstanding LGBTQ legal activists will be honored by the American Bar Association Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity with its fifth annual Stonewall Award during a ceremony on Feb. 4, 2017, at the association’s mid-year meeting in Miami, Fla. Named after the New York City Stonewall Inn police raid and riot of June 28, 1969, which was a turning point in the gay rights movement, the award recognizes lawyers who have considerably advanced LGBTQ individuals in the legal profession and successfully championed LGBTQ legal causes. The 2017 award recipients are: Kevin Cathcart, the executive director of Lambda Legal from 1992 until his retirement in 2016.
He helped change the legal landscape for LGBT people with the organization’s work on three historic Supreme Court cases: Romer v. Evans, Lawrence v. Texas and Obergefell v. Hines; Diana K. Flynn, chief of the Appellate Section of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, was instrumental in her office’s legal counsel project that laid the groundwork for the division’s application of current sex discrimination laws to prohibit discrimination based on gender non-conformity and gender identity. She also managed the division’s efforts in connection with the marriage equality cases, including Obergefell v. Hines, decided by the Supreme Court in 2015; Tonya Parker, judge of the 116th Civil District Court in Dallas County, Texas,
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received national and international media attention when, after her election in 2010, she declined to officiate weddings until every couple in Texas, including gay and lesbian couples, could get married. “The American Bar Association is pleased to recognize these three gay rights pioneers. Each has been a forceful voice for LGBT inclusion and legal progress,” said Mark Johnson Roberts, chair of the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
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guest commentary by W.G. (Bill) Lewis, Fort Lauderdale, FL :: guest contributor
Wake up and smell the coffee We in the LGBT community have come a long way and have met many goals that we have established for ourselves — marriage equality, better job opportunities, better acceptance in society to mention a few. But, and there is a big “but;” there are many more things to accomplish and we as a community must continue our fight to hold on to the rights we have earned. Gregory T. Angelo, president of Log Cabin Republicans has made the following statements: There’s no way to sugar-coat this: I’m mad as hell — and I know you are, too. The Republican Party passed the most antiLGBT Platform in the Party’s 162-year history. Opposition to marriage equality, nonsense about bathrooms, an endorsement of the debunked psychological practice of “pray the gay away” — it’s all in there. This isn’t my GOP, and I know it’s not yours either. Heck, it’s not even Donald Trump’s! When given a chance to follow the lead of our presumptive presidential nominee and reach out to the LGBT community in the wake of the awful terrorist massacre in Orlando on the gay nightclub Pulse, the Platform Committee said no.
But it gets worse. In their first term of office our next president will likely nominate three Supreme Court justices. If we ignore our civic duty of voting for a progressive candidate, like Hillary Clinton who truly supports the LGBT community, our government could easily reverse all the gains we have achieved. Electing Ms. Clinton and securing a majority of Democratic Senators will assure you of a Supreme Court that will continue to recognize our community. Ms. Clinton has her issues, but it comes down to her or Donald Trump. Speaking of Senators, Richard Burr has a history of not supporting our community. Furthermore, he will definitely not support a Supreme Court justice that will be there for us. Please vote for Deborah Ross, an individual who will support us, to get a Supreme Court justice that will support us. Boys and girls, wake up and smell the coffee; it is critical that you and your peers…vote in the upcoming presidential and congressional elections. Vote for the individuals and party that has and will continue to support you. : :
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In Memoriam
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2016 Honoring those lost by Elaine Martin :: guest contributor
The 2012 Transgender Day of Remembrance held at the Old State Capitol Building in Raleigh.
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have cried enough at Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) memorials. It is an annual memorial ceremony held on Nov. 20 for transgender people who have lost their lives to violence in the prior year. Annual TDOR
observances started in 1999, about a year after Rita Hester, a transgender woman and activist in Boston, Mass., was found murdered in her own apartment. Most major cities have TDOR memorials that occur at sundown, or later, so
that the memorial candles can burn in the darkness. There is no formal protocol for this memorial which is fitting to the diverse ways in which transgender people lead their lives. However, a benediction and “the reading of the victims’ names” is most common to all. Most often, the dreadful methods by which they lost their lives is mentioned as well. These are read by the assemblers as they progress around a circle. If you are Jewish and have visited the U.S. Holocaust Museum, or if you are black and have visited the new National Museum of African American History and Culture or a veteran at the Arlington National Cemetery — or many other museums that memorialize the persecution or loss of lives by people just like you — then you have some sense of the emotions at TDOR memorial ceremonies. At first, you just listen. The setting is somber. It’s a memorial after all. But, ever-so-slowly you begin to shiver in the dark. Your sense of the victims’ struggling in futility to survive, their hopelessness at being overwhelmed by their vicious attacker, their knowledge that they were losing their lives, wells up and overcomes you. These are your sisters, brothers and everybody in-between — all gender non-conforming people who did nothing more than live their lives
as best they could, just as you do. And, then the emotion breaks through. Your cheeks are wet, and you are sobbing. Your tummy is tight and you look around the circle and see parents, allies and families who have assembled in remembrance of the losses they have personally experienced. They are sobbing too. And, so, there is a sense of camaraderie in sharing the grief that is, at the same time, comforting and disturbing. We must experience this together. Yes, I realize that there are all kinds of victims of all types of violent crime. But, these are people just like me; victims of a crime targeted out of fear, bigotry and prejudice. These are crimes and victims known by very few that rarely are solved, leaving murders on the streets to victimize people, just like me, again. I have cried enough at TDOR memorials. : : — Elaine Martin is a transgender activist and speaker, a former board chair of Equality NC, retired banking executive and former business owner. She joined Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer as a transgender diversity consultant to provide deep expertise around organizational transgender diversity and transitioning employee coaching. She can be contacted at elaine@totalengagementconsulting.com.
Transgender Health
Estrogen shortage crisis continues, leaving transgender women hurting The Food and Drug Administration had hoped it would return to shelves in October
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ransgender and menopausal women continue to suffer from a nationwide shortage of injectible estrogen, which began in 2014 when high doses of Delestrogen began to dwindle. Transgender women require higher doses and when the 40 mg supply began to run thin, many switched to two 20 mg doses. Before long those were harder to come by as well, and most doctors were hesitant to administer four 10 mg doses. While pills and patches are available, this option is less attractive, as many transgender women report that they aren’t as effective. The patch is also cost prohibitive, and the pill has to be taken daily and can negatively affect the liver. Delestrogen-maker Par Pharmaceuticals said it lost its supplier for a main ingredient, and while the company has since gotten another source for it manufacturing the product again, the Food and Drug Administration has to sign off on the change before it can return to market, BuzzFeed News reported. “They have batches manufactured (10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg) but cannot distribute until they receive FDA approval. Once that happens, they can begin to ship immediately,” said Heather Zoumas Lubeski, a spokesperson for Par Pharmaceuticals. “The FDA recognizes this is an important drug, and is working with the drug manufacturers so that the drug may return to the market as quickly as possible, while assuring safety for patients,” Andrea Fischer, a spokeswoman for the agency, told BuzzFeed. The FDA had hoped the product might return in October, but they announced a delay, saying it would instead not be available until November. It is a situation that is leaving many transgender women feeling vulnerable. With discriminatory laws like HB2 and the blowback from nationwide efforts to push for rights, including
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the U.S. Department of Justice suing North Carolina and the Obama administration issuing a directive for public schools to honor students’ gender identities, another cause for anxiety is particularly taxing. “At Callen-Lorde, it’s just under 900 patients who are affected by this,” Anthony Vavasis, director of medicine at Callen-Lorde, told Out. “If you can imagine for those 900 people, if you’re told a medication that is a life-saving intervention — and experience the pill as a second-tier option — is no longer available, how would you feel? “We’re worried about safety implications. If you look at the history of trans medicine, hormones were readily available on the street, but you never knew what you were getting,” Vavasis adds. “Patients would report how they felt on [street] injections and it was very suspicious that it may not have been what they thought it was. We are really concerned at Callen-Lorde that patients, in the short term, out of desperation, may go back to try to find injections that they believe to be the same thing they received here and, by using those injections, would be putting themselves at risk. The trans community has faced so much marginalization, historically, that we don’t want this to become another way that happens.” “The drive and desire to be authentic, to live in the correct
Photo Credit: Eziutka via Adobe Stock
by Jeff Taylor :: qnotes staff
body, it’s so strong,” Gina Bingham, a transgender woman, told BuzzFeed. “Something like this can throw people to a bad place.” If injectible estrogen can indeed return to market, it will at least be one concern taken off the plate of the transgender community. : :
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life
Biz Beat
Transgender awareness key to acceptance in the workplace Janet Mock delivers address targeting diversity by Stan Kimer :: guest contributor
As a diversity consultant with a deep expertise in LGBTQ diversity, I have often heard of young transgender activist and media superstar Janet Mock, but had never seen her. Therefore, I was thrilled with our North Carolina Society of Human Resource Management Conference planning committee for scheduling Mock as this year’s North Carolina kickoff keynote speaker. And the timing was perfect as more transgender people are becoming visible in our workplaces and as North Carolina continues to struggle with the negative impacts of our horrific anti-trans, antigay HB2 bill. (See my recent blog on the five impacts of HB2 at goqnotes.com/47800/.) Mock’s talk and her gracious telling of her personal story truly helped raise the awareness of what transgender lives are really about. I heard so many attendees exclaim that they were very moved and learned so much from her keynote. Particularly poignant was her vulnerability in sharing her personal story, including how she totally lived as a woman in graduate school and early career before even disclosing she was transgender. Some of Mock’s key points included:
• Human resource professionals need to take the lead in embracing the differences of others, building coalitions across differences, building a culture where differences are valued … this can be a huge strategic business advantage. • In our ever-increasing, multi-cultural world, being different is becoming “the new normal.” More people are embracing their difference instead of minimizing their differences to blend in. • As a black, female, native-Hawaiian transgender millenial, Mock shared that she cannot fit into “one box” — which often happens in identifying someone’s diversity. Many people now incorporate several aspects of diversity and difference. • Transgender individuals often have very difficult lives as they are thrown out of their homes, end up unemployed and on the streets and in prison. • Issues are so often not addressed because people are afraid of differences. Instead one should ask “who is not in the room” and create a space where there can be open dialogue among a diverse set of people. • Human resource professionals should invest time in reading and learning about people living in their “other-ness.”
I join many others in thanking Mock for making her first trip to North Carolina during a time when our state laws are unwelcoming to and creating a hostile environment for transgender people. : :
— Stan Kimer, Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer, is a Raleigh, N.C.-based business consultant who provides corporate and organizational training on a wide range of diversity topics including transgender diversity.
Take the test Take the Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer 12-question organizational transgender awareness self-assessment at totalengagementconsulting.com/transgender-diversity-test-start. php to gauge your organization’s transgender inclusiveness.
About Janet Mock Janet Mock is the New York Times best-selling author of “Redefining Realness” and the host of “So POPular!” — a weekly MSNBC digital series about culture. One of Oprah’s “Supersoul 100,” she is a soughtafter speaker and the founder of #GirlsLikeUs, a social media project that empowers transgender women. Since 2011, she has become an influential media transgender woman and millennial leader. Janet Mock, 2016 North Carolina Society of Human Resource Management Conference Keynote Speaker
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‘Tis the season…
Holiday Gift Guide 2016 The gift of movies by Gregg Shapiro :: guest contributor
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ho doesn’t love movies? The DVD and Blu-ray titles that follow cover a broad range of subjects and genres. There are dramas (including “The Dresser”), comedies (such as the “Neighbors” sequel), and several documentaries (“Tab Hunter Confidential,” for example). In other words, there’s something for almost everyone on your holiday gift list. There are probably even movies that you might enjoy watching or owning. Popcorn and Milk Duds sold separately. For the politically minded The 2016 presidential election may be a memory by the time you read this, but politics aren’t. “All The Way” (HBO Home Entertainment) Nominated for eight Emmy Awards, the movie adaptation of Robert Schenkkan’s play stars Bryan Cranston reprising his Tony Award-winning role as President Lyndon Baines Johnson. “Confirmation” (HBO Home Entertainment) Kerry Washington was nominated for an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Anita Hill, the former Judge Clarence Thomas colleague who testified against him for sexual harassment during his nomination hearings. “House of Cards” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) The complete fourth season, chapters 40 through 52, of the popular Netflix series stars Golden Globe winners Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright as the only political couple more frightening than Karl Rove and Dick Cheney.
For the artistically inclined Art and artists have a long history of being interesting subjects for movies. “Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict” (Music Box Films/ Submarine Deluxe) From Lisa Immordino Vreeland (“Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel”) comes this celebration of the heiress who “became a central figure in the modern art movement.”
“Francophonia” (Music Box Films) Combining documentary with drama, Alexander Sokurov (“Russian Ark”) offers viewers his own “personal exploration of the profound cultural legacy” of the Nazi occupation of France during World War II. For those who like to laugh Comedy comes in all shapes and sizes and laughter is the great equalizer.
“The Dresser” (Starz) A remake of the lauded 1985 film, based on Ronald Harwood’s play, this version stars Sir Anthony Hopkins as a temperamental actor and out actor Sir Ian McKellan as the actor’s closeted gay dresser. “Kamikaze ’89” (Film Movement) The late gay filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder stars as police lieutenant Jansen in Wolf Gremm’s 1982 film adaptation of Per Wahlöö’s 1964 novel “Murder on the 31st Floor.” “Holding The Man” (Strand Releasing) Based on the memoir by Timothy Conigrave, and starring Guy Pearce, Geoffrey Rush and Anthony LaPaglia, Neil Armfield’s film follows the 15-year relationship of two gay men.
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For documentary devotees Documentaries continue to amass a growing following.
“Hockney” (Film Movement) Randall Wright’s David Hockney doc follows the artist from the height of his British Pop Art scene success to his later struggles, particularly during the AIDS era.
“Joshy” (Lionsgate) Don’t you just love Thomas Middleditch on “Silicon Valley?” If so, then you should see him as the titular Joshy, dealing with the aftermath of his canceled wedding engagement.
For gay eyes (and others) Gay films and film festivals continue to be a source of inspiration for all who see them.
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“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” (Universal) If an often shirtless Zac Efron is your idea of entertainment, then this sequel to the outrageous 2014 comedy will make a perfect gift for that special someone. For those celebrating the Festival of Lights Two Israeli titles for the eight nights of Chanukah. “Wedding Doll” (Strand Releasing) Hagit, a toilet paper factory employee with an active imagination, falls in love with the boss’ son. What could possibly go wrong?
“Princess” (Breaking Glass) Tali Shalom Ezer’s film focuses on the relationship between Adar and her stepfather and what happens when she introduces Alan, a boy who could be her twin, into the picture.
“Tab Hunter Confidential” (FilmRise/Automat) Filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz (“I Am Divine,” “Vito and Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon”) turns his lens on 1950s Hollywood heartthrob Tab Hunter, a movie and music sensation of the era (and beyond), who led a secret gay life before coming out. “What Happened, Miss Simone?” (Eagle Vision/Universal Music) The Blu-ray/CD package features Liz Garbus’ acclaimed Nina Simone doc, as well as a CD of 15 beloved Simone performances. “No Home Movie” (Icarus Films) The late, lesbian filmmaker Chantal Akerman’s personal final film examines her relationship with her Holocaust survivor mother, Natalia. “The Homestretch” (Kartemquin) Anne de Mare and Kristen Kelly’s doc introduces viewers to three homeless teens, including lesbian Kacey, who navigate the system, as well as the cold, winter streets of Chicago. For filmmaker followers Often the mere mention of a director’s name holds more sway than that of the stars. “The Sea of Trees” (A24/Lionsgate) Directed by gay filmmaker Gus Van Sant (“Milk” and “My Own Private Idaho”), this film about “love and redemption” stars Matthew McConaughey and Naomi Watts. “Knight of Cups” (Broadgreen) Directed by Terrence Malick (“Days of Heaven” and “Badlands”), “Knight of Cups” stars Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Natalie Portman. “A Hologram for the King” (Lionsgate) Directed by Tom Tykwer (“Run Lola Run”) and starring Tom Hanks, the movie is based on the novel by Dave Eggers.
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life
‘Tis the season…
Ultimate Guide to Gay Gift Giving 2016 Fun things for that special someone by Mikey Rox :: guest contributor
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acking your brain this season on what to get the Gay who has everything? Consider these handpicked holiday gift ideas perfect for LGBTQ techies, music lovers, gym bunnies, and more. 2(X)IST French Terry Flight Suit Fly coach in first-class comfort in the marshmallow-soft, destination-designed 2(X)IST French Terry Flight Suit featuring deep kangaroo pockets for your on-person essentials, a gusset backside for a moveable fit, and a drawstring hoodie to close up shop upon takeoff to avoid small talk with strangers that don’t have milehigh potential. $98. 2xist.com. Axon 7 Mobile Phone Equipped with exclusive Hi-Fi audio chips for superior sonic quality, dual SIM slots for switching back and forth between carriers (the phones are unlocked by design), and Google Daydream compatibility, ZTE’s awardwinning Axon 7 and 7 Mini are poised to light a fire under Apple and Samsung’s sales — ya know, if they weren’t already blazing that trail themselves. $299-$399. zteusa.com. Slyde Handboards Lightweight and incredibly buoyant, Slyde Handboards turn your wavechasing hobby upside-down with its bodysurfing-built wedges that lift you higher out of the water for greater hang time while offering less drag, increased speed and longer rides. Its included GoPro attachment helps preserve your aquatic badassery for years to come. $170-$200. slydehandboards.com. Cubii
Pedal your way to productivity while shedding pounds with the world’s first smart under-desk elliptical. Position Cubii beneath your workspace for a nine-to-five workout complete with tracking via a mobile app, Fitbit connectivity and social-media sharing so you can challenge your friends to a race to the finish without so much as a swivel. $347. mycubii.com.
Home Made Luxe There’s a subscription box for just about everything these days, including those that help you tap into your inner HGTV. Home Made Luxe offers three-, six-, and month-tomonth subscriptions in its DIY, ready-to-assemble crafts boxes, each edition of which arrives with all the required materials for a substantial (and giftable) Pinterest-inspired project, like starburst mirrors, marbled dishes and succulent terrariums. From $30. homemadeluxe.cratejoy.com.
accentuated on the bottom by a base of geometric gold. Also available in silver and bronze. $43. bedbathandbeyond.com. Nostalgia Electrics 3-in-1 Breakfast Station
Rock ‘N’ Rolla Turntable Nostalgia Electrics Retro Series 3-in-1 Breakfast Station features a four-cup coffee maker, large non-stick griddle, and multi-functioning toaster housed in a kitschy ’50s-style unit so you can whip up a full meal for your overnight randos from the convenience of your countertop. Your mama would be proud. $70. kohls.com. AmpliFi
With vinyl album sales currently at a 28-year high according to Fortune magazine, Rock N’ Rolla’s portable briefcase turntables — available in Jr., Premium and XL models — are more than a blast from the past: These mobile record players with modern features like iOS, Android and mp3 capabilities and LCD displays help set the diamond-tipped mood from Sunday brunch to your late-night boom-boom. $100-$150. myrocknrolla.com. Move It Fitness System
Whip your post-pie bod into shape — without braving the elements to hit a treadmill — with one-stopshop Move It!, a mobileconnected modular gym that provides a full fitness regimen in a storable unit. When synced with the accompanying app, the system detects and assists in 16 unique exercises accomplished with an included pushup stand, ab wheel, resistance band and jump rope. $259-$299. move-it.club. Fitz & Floyd Glass Daphne Decanter in Gold Your next cocktail party will shimmer and shine with the Fitz and Floyd Daphne 5-Piece Large Whiskey Decanter Set, each piece of which boasts soothing curves
Covet the WiFi-iest connection in all the land? Set up AmpliFi, the ’roided-out home router designed to serve multiple connected devices, deliver high-quality video streaming, eliminate dead spots and distribute all-over bandwidth for Internet faster than your first boyfriend. $199. amplifi.com. Time Slippers The undercover hi-top Time Slippers disguised as designer sneakers feature V-cut straps on the back for easy pull on, a natural wool lining up to your lower leg and yoga mat insoles for a comfortable footbed that’ll have you namaste-ing cozy all winter long. Also available in lows and mids. $99-$150. timeslippers.com. Brickell Face Care Routine While naughty boys are getting lumps in their stockings, the “Nice”-listers can rosy their cheeks with the cleansing power of charcoal in Brickell’s Daily Essential Face Care Routine II for sensitive and normal skin types. When used in tandem, the Purifying Charcoal Face Wash and Daily Essential Face Moisturizer remove impurities, dirt, oil and grime for noticeable, caressable results. $57. brickellmensproducts.com.
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news
Triad city tops HRC equality list 10 cities across the Carolinas are rated by Lainey Millen :: qnotes staff
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, in partnership with the Equality Federation, has reported that Greensboro, N.C. is in the number one spot in North Carolina for LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law and policy with a score of 80 points. The total number of cities rated numbered 506 from across the nation. In its fifth edition, the “Municipal Equality Index,” uses a rating system based upon a 100-point scale and shows that cities across the country, including in North Carolina, continue to take the lead in supporting LGBTQ people and workers, even when states and the federal government have not, HRC said. Other cities in the state include: Charlotte (73), Durham (69), Chapel Hill (68), Raleigh (59), Carrboro (57), Winston-Salem (44), Fayetteville
(23), Wilmington (21) and Cary (18). The average score for cities in North Carolina is 51, which falls below the national average of 55. “In the wake of HB2 and terrible state legislative overreach, it’s more important now than ever for strong municipal leadership to pave the way for LGBT rights,” said Chris Sgro, executive director of Equality North Carolina. “While Charlotte and other pro-LGBT leaders were attacked by the legislature, they are moving the ball forward on non-discrimination protections.”
HRC said that two special reports are also included in the 2016 index: “Power Struggles and Preemption” details efforts by anti-equality officials at the state level to pass discriminatory legislation like North Carolina’s HB2 law that strip municipalities of their ability to protect their residents and workers with nondiscrimination measures. “Inclusive and Innovative Approaches to Citywide Bullying Prevention” lays out the serious public health issue of bullying, how it disproportionately affects LGBTQ youth, and innovative ways mu-
nicipalities can protect its young people from bullying. The 2018 index will change the way it assesses anti-bullying issues, as described in the brief, HRC added. Another brief included in the index is “Transgender-Inclusive Health Benefits.” “Progress on transgender equality has been particularly noteworthy in cities across America this year, continuing a positive trend that the index has tracked,” HRC shared. “Transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits are offered to employees of 86 municipalities this year up from 66 in 2015 and five in 2012 and the growth of cities offering those benefits to their employees outpaces the growth in the number of cities rated.” To read the full report, visit HRC’s website. info: hrc.org.
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Images in the Mirror
What is the ‘I’ in LGBTQI? Taking the mystery out of sexuality by Joney Harper :: guest contributor
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n our community’s alphabet soup, I often hear, “What does the ‘I’ stand for?” I often hear answers like: “inter-gendered;” “inquisitive;” “inter-gay,” but sometimes “intersex.” So, what exactly is intersex? Well, it is more than a nicer term for Hermaphrodite. By definition, it explains a person born with sexual characteristics that are not typical of male or female. This does not mean they are born with complete sets of male and female sex organs. There are as many variations of intersex conditions as there are intersex people. I would explain all of them, but that would require me writing a book. I will talk about some of the most common. Before I go on, lets discuss chromosomes. Males are “XX” and females are ”XY.” Usually, most males and females have 46 chromosomes or 23 matched pairs. Jamie Lee Curtis has been rumored as being intersex, even though, to-date, there is no evidence of this. She supposedly has Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome or AIS. This a person who is unable to absorb male hormones. So, even though this person would have male chromosomes, they would grow up looking female. Therefore, in the case of AIS, they would have “XX” chromosomes.
There are also some other common variations, like Kliefelter Syndrome and Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. Those with Klinefelter Syndrome present with “XXY.” Men with this condition have small testes, sometimes develop breasts and have little-to-no body hair. In the case of “XXY,” they would have 47. Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome may cause the clitoris in a female to be larger or in a male, the penis and testes could be smaller. But, how common is it for intersex conditions to occur? Based on the information from the Intersex Society of North America, they can occur in as low as 1 in every 100 births. You can do further research into intersex conditions at isna.org. On a side note, intersex is now being referred to as Disorders in Sexual Development. I am torn by this, since it, again, makes people with intersex conditions seem abnormal, when intersex conditions are naturally occurring — It’s sort of like making homosexuality a mental disorder again, especially since most intersex individuals are regular people like everyone else. Back in the day (like when I was born), doctors would surgically alter children to look more male or female, often without consulting the parents or not considering the parents’ wishes. Sometimes it took more than one surgery — all
this to make them fit into a binary mold. Today, the American Medical Association suggests that doctors and parents let the child develop naturally and decide for themselves whether or not to have surgery. Here’s a little about myself. I was born in the mid-1960s. I am actually a twin who absorbed the other. I have two sets of chromosomes, XY46/XX46 — two sets 46 chromosomes each. How could this be? Believe me, I asked the same question when I was told. This is the story short of a much longer one which I can share at a later date. Oddly, we are all conceived as the same gender. During a “hormone bath,” the process triggers what gender we will be. In my case, one twin got male chromosomes and the other got female, then the absorption happened, forming me. I am not a doctor, so that is the best I can explain from what I had been told. I evidently had ambiguous genitalia. This meant, when I was born, doctors performed surgery to make me look, genital wise, more male. I evidently had a partial vaginal opening and a recessed teste. The other one was missing. They took what I think was the labia to make a scrotum, inserting polymer teste for the missing one. This means I have a perfect scrotum, because it was man-made. They released my penis, which may have been more of a large clitoris to make it more natural. My doctors are making assumptions as to what transpired, because finding records from the mid-1960s is like getting a presidential candidate’s tax returns. I digress. I was never told this had occurred. My parents did not help. Growing up, my father was hardly there, but my mother raised me more like a girl than a boy. When I was young, I just thought I was a girl. My mother taught me stereotypical stuff girls learned during the 1960s. I learned how to help her in the house. I learned how to sew, iron and brush my long hair before going to bed. She even taught me how to do my nails. During birthdays and Christmas, I would get generic toys, but Barbies from my mother on the side. I would play with other girls, because boys were “icky.” My world changed when I was seven. My mother passed away. My father took all the girl things away. Suddenly, I was in a boy’s world.
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I tried to adjust, but this took years. In my pre-teens, I got monthly shots, being told I was getting vitamins to help me grow, even though none of my four siblings got the same shots. Later I found out this was testosterone to help me look more like a boy my age. It didn’t help much though! I looked like a young teenage girl until I was a senior in high school. At the age of 12 it got more confusing. I had some “bumps” in my areolas. My father thought it was cancer. After being examined for a half hour by a doctor, my father and the doctor went to another office. Later I was told that it was where little boys store their sperm. It wasn’t till I had Biology 101 in high school that I learned that was impossible. My father was in denial until he finally told me the truth a month before he passed away. I found out by doctors the hard way. I have always known I was physically different, but never knew what was going on until I thought I was having a heart attack. I found out I was not, but found out I was suffering from a hormonal imbalance. After several tests, I found out I had an intersex condition. I tried to talk them out of the diagnosis, because of what I thought I knew. I’d fathered a daughter, so this couldn’t be right? They told me that was a myth, that all intersex people were sterile. I have since accepted the situation. Before I go, I want to mention North Carolina’s HB2 law. This law was obviously directed, not only toward the broader LGBT community, but heavily on the transgender one. This law impacts all gender variant people, whether they know it or not. For example, my grandparents almost look alike since they are in their 90s. So, would the bathroom police stop them and ask for a birth certificate? I personally have never been stopped from using the women’s room. My birth certificate did not have a gender on it until my father decided to change it when I was 13. Why would I want to carry my birth certificate around anyway? Enough for now. I hope I gave you some insight into the intersex world. : :
life
Jesse’s Journal
Alphabet soup The evolution of a community by Jesse Monteagudo :: guest contributor
The evolution of the way we describe ourselves took another turn recently when GLAAD recommended that media organizations add Q to the acronym LGBT. In the 10th edition of its “Media Reference Guide,” released Oct. 26, GLAAD “encouraged journalists and other media content creators to adopt the use of ‘LGBTQ’ as the preferred acronym to most inclusively describe the community. …GLAAD today also renewed its commitment to working on behalf of queer-identified people, updating its mission to include ‘queer’ in the organization’s work to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ people.” Though here the letter Q stands for “queer,” in some other places it might also stand for “questioning.” In either case, as GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis told the Advocate, “one of the biggest drivers toward adding the Q is we’re seeing more and more of the younger generation adopting the Q,” finding the terms lesbian, gay or bisexual too limiting or loaded with cultural baggage. “This is our opportunity to look forward and reclaim the word in a very visible way.” In any case, the term “gay community” should be avoided, “as it does not accurately reflect the diversity of the [LGBTQ] community.” There was a time when we considered “gay community” to be a compliment. Before Stonewall, gay men were called homosexuals — lesbians were already lesbians — when we were not called pansies, nancys, fairies, faggots, sodomites or sexual perverts, as well as queers. Early activists called ourselves homophiles, though that term did not last. After Stonewall, we continued to use the term homosexual for a while until it was eventually replaced by “gay men and women.” This did not last long, as queer women rightly demanded an end to the lesbian invisibility brought about by this all-inclusive term. “Gay men and women” became
“gay men and lesbians” and, eventually, “lesbians and gay men.” By the 1980s bisexual people came forward on their behalf and our group title became “lesbian, gay and bisexual people,” LGB or LesBiGay. By the gay 1990s our group acronym was changed again, this time reflecting transgender awareness, to GLBT or, more commonly, LGBT. (Some groups use the term LBGT, placing bisexuals after lesbians and before gay men.) LGBTQ is another step in our road to inclusion. Though LGBTQ is a step forward as far as we are concerned, it will not be the end of our efforts to expand our community’s alphabet soup. To LGBTQ we could add the letter I for Intersex, P for Pansexuals, 1S for Two-Spirit and A for Asexuals and/or Allies. That should cover everyone alive or dead except for those people who hate us. If I left anyone out, please let me know. Though this ever-expanding acronym can be cumbersome, it is the right thing to do. All of us, regardless of our sexual orientation or our gender identity, have the right to name ourselves, even when we work together. I remember the first time I was called an “LGBT person.” Though I understood where the caller, a well-meaning ally, was coming from, I do not consider myself to be an “LGBT person.” I am a gay man, though part of an LGBT or LGBTQ community. And I am also a queer man, though I came from a generation that thought queer was a dirty word. Thus I am both a G and a Q — as well as a Cuban-American, a Jew, a Lefty and a nudist. And though I am not lesbian, bisexual or transgender, I support their goals and their interests and commit myself to be a part of our inclusive LGBTQ community. Working together we will eventually achieve our unique and common rights. : :
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life
health and wellness by Jack Kirven :: personal trainer, qnotes contributor
8 Patterns of Wellness — Part 3 of 8: Nutrition In this series, I’m going to share some thoughts about the eight patterns that comprise the eight-week program that is Integre8t Wellness. With these fundamentals in place, you can expect to see enhanced results from your fitness plan. Part 1 discussed breath, and Part 2 focused on hydration. The third pattern is nutrition. Food provides the energy, macronutrients, micronutrients and building blocks required to keep you healthy and strong. Our modern world has made eating far more complicated than it needs to, and has become a point of confusion for many people. There is no mystery: Eat healthful foods in sensible quantities. Focus on meals that are fresh, colorful, unrefined and free of chemicals and hormones. The ingredient list should be short, you should be able to pronounce each component, and know what they are. Avoid eating chemistry experiments! Energy on food labels is described as “calories” (with a small “c”). This is a bit of a misnomer, because our foods contain kilocalories (1 KCAL = 1,000 Calories [with an uppercase “C”]). Those numbers start to look huge on a food label, so the standard is to use the number of “calories.” For example: 100 calories is actually 100 KCAL (or 100,000 Calories). But what really matters is that all Calories contain the same amount of energy, regardless of
which macronutrient they come from. When food or supplement products claim to “target” certain types of calories, that is simply a
trients are essential to health, each individual person has varying needs in terms of energy quantity and macronutrient ratios.
Finding proper food sources and nutrition is essential to one’s overall well being and health. Photo Credit: rosinka79 via Adobe Stock
marketing ploy. Ignore it. What they mean is that the product has more Calories from certain macronutrients as opposed to others. Macronutrients are the energy sources within foods. They are called Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats. In their natural states, all of them are essential, so eliminating one (or even worse, two!) will likely undermine your wellness goals. An example of this includes the outright lie started in the 1980s which persists to this day that fat should be avoided. To make fat-free foods palatable, something had to take the place of the removed fat. Those replacements were salt, carbohydrates in the form of refined sugars, artificial sweeteners and hydrogenated oils. This has led to an epidemic of obesity; heart disease; metabolic disorders; tooth decay; cancer; and mental, emotional and psychological illnesses, as well as the myriad of other cascading risk factors that come with these diseases. Something to consider is that although all of the macronu-
A simple macronutrient ratio that is a broad blanket statement is the 40:40:30 principle. Your needs may vary, but this is one of the common default suggestions. Let’s keep the numbers simple. If you eat a 100-calorie snack, look to see if there are 40 calories from carbohydrate, 40 calories from protein, and 30 calories from fat. On the label this will be listed as ~10 grams of carbohydrates, ~10 grams of protein and ~3 grams of fat. Scale this up or down for the total calories you intend to consume. You need carbohydrates for energy and recovery from exercise. You need protein to build muscle and repair or replace other tissues and cells in your body. You need fat to maintain your nervous system and to move fat soluble vitamins throughout your body. Each macronutrient has many other functions, but this is a good short list. Also, try to include all three macronutrients together simultaneously at each meal. All of them help to use the others more efficiently. Micronutrients are the vitamins, minerals, trace metals and other components of food that are essential to health, but which do not contain energy. They are required for processing the Calories you consume; movement; immune system maintenance; hormone production; and many other processes in your body. Be sure to eat a wide variety of all the food groups: Fruits and vegetables; whole grains and legumes; nuts and seeds; plant and fish oils, as well as natural butter; and proteins. The micronutrients in these natural foods come in the proper ratios to maximize absorption, and they compliment each other to create an ideal nutrition plan. : :
info: Jack Kirven completed the MFA in Dance at UCLA, and earned certification as a personal trainer through NASM. His wellness philosophy is founded upon integrated lifestyles as opposed to isolated workouts. Visit him at jackkirven.com and INTEGRE8Twellness.com.
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tell trinity by Trinity :: qnotes contributor :: trinity@telltrinity.com
5 easy steps for turning up the flame of your partner’s sexual appetite Dear Trinity, Maybe it’s normal over time, but sex with my partner has gone from daily and weekly to barely once a month and we’ve only been together for two years. I don’t like the direction our sex life is going. Is once every three or four weeks normal for a gay couple (late 30s) or is there a problem and what can I do? Sex Less, Detroit, MI Dear Sex Less, When you want to enhance the sexual appetite of your partner, you’ve gotta trick him into getting hungry. So after you first try, 1) periodically leaving him for a few days, then returning fresh and new, 2) taking a romantic weekend together and 3) turning your home into a love den with a romantic dinner, candles and music then try, 4) joining a gym and looking too good to turn down and, lastly, 5) allowing yourselves to have that “huge fight” so after you can have make up sex or what’s been called “The best sex we’ve ever had!” Now, pumpkin, if all those don’t add up to a fuller plate of sex in a few months, then get him drunk and on his knees… I mean get him to sit down and listen to your needs! Dearest Trinity, I’ve been going out with the same girl for three years, but she still doesn’t fulfill my expecta-
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tions of her! Am I wrong to expect her to understand me? Expecting More, St. Louis, MO Dearest Expecting More, In most relationships someone is always fulfilling one desire while unfulfilling other desires. This is normal. Now to expect someone to keep their word, to be kind, understanding and to be as honest as they can be is very normal, healthy and smart. However, honey, to expect someone to predict your thoughts, remember your needs and fulfill your desires are… for Stone Age relationships not modern ones! (We’re way past the caveman era, so take some hints from my cartoon!) Hey Trinity, I’m 32 and dating a 23 year old. My problem is not the age difference, but that he is still a virgin. Help? Virgin Trap, Winston-Salem, NC Hey Virgin Trap, Lets start by saying what you should not do. Do not force sex, over emphasize his virginity status or push your own sexual desires on this flower. Yet, what you should do is have fun, be understanding and be very accepting of the gift that lies, I mean stands before you. If you want
a&e
to get him “warmed up,” then, darling, be seductive, sweet and give it time, not two years, but be patient and wait it out a while! He may be a virgin but he’s not 12! Hello Trinity, Do you have any advice for someone who is thinking about having a threeway [sexual experience]? One Blind Mouse, Brooklyn, NY Hello One Blind Mouse, Since you already know that threeways can be wonderful as long as you’re all attracted to each other, then,sweetie, here are: Trinity’s Timely Tips For Having A Threeway 1. This is not the time to be in a hurry! 2. This is not the time to leave the windows open (if you plan on making noise). 3. This is not the time to have a single bed! 4. This is not the time to worry about stains on the sheets! 5. A nd this is not the time to have strep throat, a cold sore or poison ivy. 6. T his however, is the time to turn on the fans or air conditioning. 7. This is the time to have plenty of lubrication, contraception and hand towels. 8. This is the time to practice smart and safe sex!
9. This is the time to practice unselfishness, attentiveness and multi-tasking! 10. A nd lastly, this is the time to make sure your roommates are passed out, the dogs are fed and walked and there is background music to drown out the noise…I mean set the tone. 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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by increasing access to care and by preventing the spread of infectious disease. Need a flu shot? No appointment is necessary! The Rx Quick Care Clinic is offering safe, fast and easy immunizations for the flu and other preventative care services.
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EVENTS November 2016 Stonewall Sports Charity Drag Show Scorpio 2301 Freedom Dr., Charlotte 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Join Stonewall Sports, MC Aaron Malachi, DJ Little Beauty and drag king and queens for a night of fun for a good cause: raising money for Time Out Youth. The door charge goes to Time Out Youth for anyone arriving before 10 p.m. and the tips collected by the drag kings and queens will as well. There is a $5 cover charge at the door. More information is available online. bit.ly/2dDxlwc.
SEP NOV MO
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Safe Schools NC 2016 SEP NOV MO LGBTQ+ Conference for Educators Smith Middle School 9201 Seawell School Rd., Chapel Hill 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. A conference to help ensure more safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ students by Safe Schools NC open to teachers, school administrators, nurses, guidance counselors, and all other school faculty. After the passage of HB2 this conference is especially vital. To attend, register at bit.ly/2dYChRT. More information is available online. bit.ly/2dGDBDG.
Submit your event to our calendar!
You can submit your event to our comprehensive community calendar presented by qnotes, the Charlotte LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and Visit Gay Charlotte. Submit your event at goqnotes.com/eventsubmit/ and get a three-for-one entry. All Charlotte-area events will appear on each of the three calendars at qnotes (goqnotes.com), Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce (clgbtcc.org) and Visit Gay Charlotte (visitgaycharlotte.com).
Gay Bingo Grady Cole Center 310 N. Kings Dr., Charlotte 6:30 p.m. The second year back after a hiatus, Gay Bingo returns with a “Star Wars” theme and host drag queen Barbara Burning Bush. Bingo Verifying Divas, or BVDs, will walk the room, song and dance will carry on throughout the night and money will be raised for RAIN, so they can continue their work for HIV/AIDS services. The event is best enjoyed by adults, or older children with parental approval. General admission tickets cost $35. More information and tickets are available online. gaybingocharlotte.org.
SEP NOV MO
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INSIDEoUT’s Adult Ally SEP NOV MO Appreciation Brunch 111 W. Parrish St, Durham 12 p.m. Allies of LGBTQ youth in North Carolina will be celebrated at this annual brunch, which will also double as a fundraiser for the youth led programming the group engages in throughout the year. Those initiatives include weekly events like Queer Prom, camping trips, leadership training, campaigns and educational workshops. Brunch will feature vegetarian-friendly food, a queer youth art auction, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including a teachers’ drink special, and local live music by Makin’ Ends Meet and Magnolia Still. Food will be provided by Elmo’s, The Bagel Bar, The Durham Coop Market and Joe Van Gogh. Admission is free but contributions are welcome. More information is available online. insideout180.org.
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Stevie Nicks Spectrum Center Charlotte 333 E. Trade St., Charlotte Rainbow Readings: LGBTQ SEP NOV MO 7 p.m. Storytime Stevie Nicks will perform Glenwood Branch Library songs from her illustrious career, span1901 W. Florida St., ning from her time with Fleetwood Mac Greensboro as well as a 3:30 p.m. successful All are welcome for an afternoon of solo career. LGBTQ specific lit- Nicks is tourerature for school ing in support of her 2014 aged children as well as a craft. The album “24 Karat Gold: event will also be a time of togetherness and community. Songs from the Vault.” Tickets and more information are available online. More information is available online. stevienicksofficial.com. queerpoccollective.com.
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To see more upcoming events, visit goqnotes.com/calendar/
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Charlotte Pride Band Fall SEP NOV MO Concert, ‘Quiet City’ Myers Park Baptist Church, Heaton Hall 1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte 5 p.m. The Charlotte Pride band’s fall concert features a selection of music written by LGBTQ composers like Peter Tchaikovsky, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber and Jennifer Higdon. The band commissioned and will premiere a work written to honor the 49 people that died in the Pulse Nightclub shootings in Orlando. Tickets are $13. More information and tickets are available online. charlotteprideband.org. –––––––––––––––––––– Different Roads Home: 7th Annual Evening of Hope and Inspiration McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m. Join Different Roads Home as they present their 7th Annual Evening of Hope and Inspiration, helping to raise funds for the HIV/AIDS services work they do year round. The night’s entertainment will include a conversation with “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Giudice, country musician and Humanitarian of the Year Award recipient Louise Mandrell and pop duo Jason and deMarco. Tickets range from $30-$150. More information and tickets are available online. differentroadshome.org.
Dolly Parton: ‘Plain & Simple’ Tour Spectrum Center Charlotte 333 E. Trade St., Charlotte 7:30-10 p.m. Country music legend Dolly Parton comes through Charlotte on her “Plain and Simple” Tour. The eight-time Grammy Award winner will perform her hits, as well as songs off her new double album “Plain & Simple.” Ticket prices vary. More information and tickets are available online. dollyparton.com.
SEP NOV MO
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Charlotte Transgender Day SEP NOV MO of Remembrance Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center 600 E 4th St., Charlotte 7-10 p.m. A gathering to honor the lives and memories of those lost this year to anti-transgender violence for Transgender Day of Remembrance. This year has already seen a record number of transgender people murdered. Vigils will be held across the country to remember those lost, and those held in North Carolina will have the added significance of the community continuing to suffer under the weight of the anti-LGBT bill HB2.
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Our People:
Q&A with Trey Greene Get to know the co-founder and executive director of Transcend Charlotte by Maria Dominguez :: qnotes contributor
In a time and place like post-HB2 North Carolina, it is especially critical for people and organizations to come together to support transgender identifying individuals. Transcend Charlotte, co-founded by 33-year-old Trey Greene, does just that. Greene, a transgender man from the “famously conservative” town of Wilkesboro, N.C., was the catalyst for his family to begin to consider new perspectives and start to evolve. Greene wants all marginalized people to have an understanding and accepting support system, which was a big motivation for founding Transcend Charlotte. The organization is multifaceted, providing services from twice-monthly support groups to the TransCloset, which offers clothes for transitioning individuals. Transcend isn’t just for transgender people, but anyone who feels marginalized or has suffered trauma. Counseling appointments are available with Greene himself, who is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist specializing in transgender individuals and trauma survivors. What are your goals for Transcend Charlotte? My goal for Transcend Charlotte is that we have the most inclusive, diverse organization possible where we can welcome and serve anyone struggling with issues related to gender norms, identity or expression. My passion is that we create a safe space for people to connect regardless of their identity, experiences or beliefs. For me personally, I found when reaching out to LGBT organizations in the past that it was especially hard to feel connected even when I lived in cities where they existed. There were either only services for LGB people or for trans females or I felt too socially awkward or anxious to connect, or it was too intimidating to go at all. There’s a lot of intersecting issues that keep so many trans people in hiding and feeling isolated. With Transcend Charlotte, I want to fight against that and find ways to help people feel that they are loved and supported. … I want people involved in our organization to understand [trauma] and be able to recognize it and provide the support that people need. … That’s also why my current goal is to have therapy services available at low-cost to individuals in the community who cannot otherwise afford care. … One of my goals is that we have Transcend Charlotte guided by trans people of color, that the majority of our leadership reflect people who most understand what those needs are in groups most impacted by injustice.
Do you have any hobbies that help you relax? I’m a pretty big nerd and 100 percent an introvert. It’s taxing for me to do so many public things, so when I do get free time, I’m mostly hiding out at home with my partner, Scarlett, in front of the TV or computer. I love playing video games everything from Dark Souls to The Sims. I like to get sucked into another world with my hobbies, so it’s usually a game or binge watching “Walking Dead”, “Game of Thrones” or “American Horror Story.” I also read on occasion, but not as much as I should. …I like camping and hiking, but only if it’s cool outside. When it’s hot, I only go outside for swimming. I think HRT has made me super sensitive to heat. What’s your favorite place to go in Charlotte to get out of the house? My back porch? Haha. That’s a hard question because I’m such a homebody. When I go out, it’s usually just to somewhere like Outback or Olive Garden. I’m a pretty simple guy. I would like to go to local arcades or pool halls more, but Scarlett and my friends all seem to suck at games. Describe your “happy place.” My happy place is usually at home, but really anywhere with Scarlett. She’s the love of my life, and she’s really changed everything for me. I’ve historically been in bad relationships, and it’s so life-changing to be with someone who respects, loves and even takes care of you when you need it. I’m also a pretty spiritual guy, and really simple things bring me the most joy. The power was out the other day, and I just really enjoyed the quiet and candlelight and being able to slow down for a little bit. It’s hard when there’s so much responsibility with Transcend Charlotte especially to find time for that anymore, but when I find it, I really honor that time. What political cause is most dear to you personally? I’m a big proponent of most all the liberal social justice issues. As a social worker, you really learn the deeper levels of bias in our society against minorities, especially people of color. Of course, fighting for transgender rights and protections is at the top of the list, but that’s the obvious answer. I personally am passionate about not only breaking our idea of a gender binary, but having society see how those separations have brought harm to everyone. I do a lot of work advocating for survivors of sexual assault and educating about rape culture. … I strongly believe we need to evolve and start talking more about [sexual assault] survivors of all genders. How would you describe your ideal vacation? My ideal vacation would be just me and Scarlett doing what we did a few weeks ago, which was take a tent up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, spend time away from all electronics and distractions and just connect with each other and nature. I like spending one-on-one time with people I love and doing simple things. I’m not a flashy guy in any way. I just love finding moments to enjoy peace and quiet and connection, and that’s what I want to create opportunities for people who don’t have that. : :
Nov. 4-17 . 2016
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Nov. 4-17 . 2016