QNotes, November 16, 2018

Nov. 16-29, 2018

qnotes

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Nov. 16-29, 2018

inside this issue

Nov. 16-29, 2018 Vol 33 No 15

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contributors this issue

Joey Amato, Buff Faye, Tori Dominguez, Nikolai Mather, Lainey Millen, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Gregg Shapiro, Wes Thompson, Trinity, Rev. Debbie Warren

front page

Graphic Design by Lainey Millen Photography: sima via Adobe Stock Mission:

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

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

Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2018 and may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent of the editor or publisher. Advertisers assume full responsibility — and therefore, all liability — for securing reprint permission for copyrighted text, photographs and illustrations or trademarks published in their ads. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers, cartoonists we publish is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or photographs does not indicate the subject’s sexual orientation. qnotes nor its publisher assumes liability for typographical error or omission, beyond offering to run a correction.

Official editorial positions are expressed in staff editorials and editorial notations and are determined by editorial staff. The opinions of contributing writers and guest columnists do not necessarily represent the opinions of qnotes or its staff. qnotes accepts unsolicited editorial, but cannot take responsibility for its return. Editor reserves the right to accept and reject material as well as edit for clarity, brevity.

Interview: ‘Mapplethorpe’ Director Ondi Timoner

news 4 House of Mercy Welcomes New Prez 4 Orgs Name New Board Membe rs 4 Chamber Nets National Grant 4 News Briefs 5 Photo Projects Explore

Gender, Couples

a&e 18 19 22 23

Out in Print Molly Adele Brown Tell Trinity Dishing with Buff Faye

Our annual HIV/AIDS and World AIDS Day issue is sponsored by Amity Medical Group, Affinity Health Center, Rosedale Medical and NC AIDS Action Network.

See the stories and listings below for information on PrEP and PEP, as well as a host of resources.

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About the Sponsors PEP Information and Uses AIDS Service Organizations World AIDS Day Events HIV Testing Sites PrEP Prevention Protocols

Spiritual Reflections

Those who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS have many struggles along the way. However, life can be easier and more manageable with an adjustment in attitude and a positive outlook on the future.

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UNCC Restarts Spectrum Our People: Bernard Davis

views 18

Spiritual Reflections

events charlotteobserver.com/1166/ a local news partner of The Charlotte Observer

life, positively

26 ‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’ 26 ‘The Nutcracker’

The Music of Molly Adele Brown

Lesbian musical artist Molly Adele Brown is a hot young star to hit the scene. The talented performer uses her talents and time to also help others and spread kindness wherever she goes.

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Nov. 16-29, 2018

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BRIEFS

news

Judge makes history

Orgs name new board members

STATEWIDE — The Human Rights Campaign Charlotte (HRCC) and NC AIDS Action Network (NCAAN) have named new board members to their organizations.

Induction of HRCC’s 2019 board and directors and governors was held early this Fall.

Named to the board were: Jay Biles (a two-time gala co-chair and former governor) who is a human resources executive at Wells Fargo and Shelly Schoenfeld (a former board member, gala co-chair, among others) who is a credit review executive at Bank of America. Both have full resumes on the corporate side, as well as community service histories across a varied landscape.

Governors are: Christina Adeleke (a former gala volunteer and returning member to the board) who has previously worked for Equality North Carolina, RAIN, to name a few and is currently the communication and development coordinator with the NC AIDS Action Network/Lawyer; Joy Bowling (a former gala co-chair); Louis Kemp (a former gala corporate sponsors co-chair) who serves on Time Out Youth Center’s board; Dan Mauney (two-time gala co-chair, Federal Club chair, among others) and has been in the footwear industry for nearly 30 years; and Fidel Montoya, an entrepreneur and business development and sales executive.

Stepping down from the board is long-time HRCC board member Ann Hooper.

NCAAN appointed Ciara Zachary and Michael DeMarco to its board.

Zachary is a health program director at NC Child and was formerly a policy analyst on the Health Advocacy Project at the NC Justice Center. In addition to research and analysis, she worked with statewide partners and coalitions to protect and strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Through this work, she began working with NCAAN to fully implement the ACA by expanding Medicaid.

DeMarco is an executive prevention specialist with Gilead Sciences for North and South Carolina.

He works directly with healthcare providers on a daily basis to expand knowledge, awareness and overall usage of HIV prevention in the Carolinas. In addition to working with clinicians, DeMarco is a part of Gilead’s extensive community effort to ensure area ASOs, CBOs and statewide decision makers understand the need and benefit of broad HIV prevention efforts and how those can be implemented.

“We are so thrilled to add Ciara and Michael to the NCAAN board of directors, said NCAAN board chair Mindie Loebach. “They both bring years of experience and expertise in non-profit and healthcare issues and have demonstrated passionate advocacy for the HIV and AIDS community in North Carolina. Our organization will be stronger because of their leadership.” info: facebook.com/hrccharlotte. ncaan.org.

— Lainey Millen

Chamber nets national grant

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) recently shared in a press release that the Raleigh Business and Professional Network (RBPN) was honored with a grant in the amount of $1,000 in recognition of local excellence during the chamber’s national conference.

The grant is funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and administered by NGLCC. It is targeted toward programs that foster the development, growth, and sustainability of certified LGBT Businesses Enterprises.

“Earlier this year, we rebranded the RBPN as Raleigh’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce. As we continue to grow from a networking group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied professionals into a functioning chamber, we are thrilled to receive this grant which will enable us to offer a special event early next year,” said RBPN President Deb Hyson.

Applications were judged based upon overall chamber strength, growth in members and community presence, engagement with NGLCC and the LGBT Supplier Diversity Initiative, the strength of the program, and outlined goals and metrics.

“NGLCC local affiliate chambers are the backbone of the LGBT business equality movement,” said Chance Mitchell, NGLCC Co-Founder and CEO. “The chambers that we recognized at Conference go above and beyond to guide and develop their local LGBT business communities.” info: raleighlgbtchamber.org. nlgbtcc.org.

— Lainey Millen

House of Mercy welcomes new prez

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BELMONT, N.C. — The House of Mercy announced that Emily E. Chambers Sharpe has been chosen as its new president and CEO. Sharpe brings to the House of Mercy varied experience working to support people affected by HIV/AIDS. She has worked for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the U.S. Global AIDS coordinator, as the team lead for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in Southern Africa. Most recently she worked for the Swiss humanitarian aid organization, Medair, as a senior health and nutrition advisor, advising projects that provided community-based, primary healthcare services and therapeutic feeding for the malnourished in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Somalia.

Her first experience with HIV/AIDS was during a college volunteer mission in which she worked in a recovery home for women. There she saw people living with HIV without access to medication to keep their disease from progressing to AIDS. “It’s been my privilege to serve many vulnerable people, including those with HIV/ AIDS and those in severe crisis — such as wars or famines — through my work in global public health program management,” said Sharpe. “I’m thrilled to return to service of people living with HIV and AIDS, and to work with House of Mercy, where people are really treated with dignity and the standard of care is the highest quality. Medications for HIV have changed things for the better. But there are still many vulnerable people without means or access to quality care, and House of Mercy fills this gap in our area.”

Sharpe follows Stan Patterson who served in the position for 21 years and retired in October. info: thehouseofmercy.org.

— Lainey Millen

qnotes

Nov. 16-29, 2018

John Arrowood was elected on Nov. 6 to serve on the bench for the N.C. Appeals Court and became the first openly gay individual in North Carolina and the South to be elected to a statewide office, The Associated Press reported. The Democrat is from Charlotte, N.C. and was appointed

by Gov. Roy Cooper to fill a vacancy. info: apnews.com.

Stroupe apps to open

PFLAG Greensboro has announced that its Carter Stroupe Memorial Scholarship application season will open on Dec. 1.

Complete requirements and information will be available online at bit.ly/2DfUJQ7.

Deadline for application is March 15, 2019. info: greensboro.org.

Scots mandate inclusion

The Scottish Government has issued a mandate that all public schools are to offer LGBTQ-inclusive curriculums that share equality and history milestones by 2021. info: nbcnews.to/2Pm0JOr.

Candidate loses race

North Carolina’s Gays for Trump candidate Peter Boykin failed in his bid to be elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives on Nov. 6, the Washington Blade reported. In an email to supporters he said, “While this battle may be over I plan to continue to push my agenda and continue to run. While my next election is not for another two years, I will continue to push my activism.” info: bit.ly/2FguVpJ.

Course To cover inequalities

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will offer a course on LGBTQ health inequalities for the Spring 2019 semester. Entitled “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) health: a population perspective” (HBEH 705/HPM 707/ MHCH 707), the three-credit seminar style course is being offered in the School of Public Health, which aims to introduce students to the health outcomes faced

by LGBTQ populations, and the determinants of those outcomes, though the lens of research, policy and practice. info: unc.edu.

Campus trainings slated

Campus Pride has announced that it will offer its Stop the Hate and Safe Space Train the Trainer opportunities in Charlotte, N.C. during coming months.

Stop the Hate will be held on Dec. 10, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Dec. 11, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Safe Space will take place on Jan. 10, 2019, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Jan. 11, 2019, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Registration is available online and seating is limited. info: campuspride.org.

NCAAN names advocate awardee

Carolyn McAllaster has been selected as the recipient of the NC AIDS Action Network’s Advocate of the Year award for providing dedicated service to advance HIV treatment in her local community and across the state. info: ncaan.org.

Gentlemen raise funds

The Gentlemen’s Foundation of Atlanta, Ga. raised $19,226 at its 7th Annual Gentlemen’s Ball. Monies raised help fund scholarships. It also awarded $14,500 in scholarships. info: thegentlemensfoundation.org.

see News Briefs on 25

Photo projects explore gender, couples as their most authentic selves. We hope that people come clothing, to public restrooms, to job interviews, to family STATEWIDE — Two photographers, one from Virginia and across Discovering Gender and feel hopeful for the future. interactions, to travel plans — you carry this weight, this one a former Charlottean, have embarked upon projects that This whole venture is built on hope, actually.” anxiety, because of the way that you outwardly present focus on the LGBTQ community from two perspectives.

The two plan to visit 48 contiguous U.S. states and want and/or identify. People tend to respond to you and interact Ash Hobbs, the Virginian, is currently shooting a visual to complete the project by 2030 with a target of engaging in with you differently than they do others. It changes the way story-telling project entitled “Discovering Gender.” She has gallery showings and a book. that you move through society in so many ways. teamed up with her social media Photographer and cinematographer Catalina Kulczar, The overall experience can be very isolating, very marketing wife Jess Simmons on who now resides in New York, has been engaging in crowdmentally/emotionally damaging. Our social media the work. And, both are gender funding for her project, “Let Love Reign,” that was born in interactions had given us the indication that peonon-conforming.

Charlotte and features images of same-sex couples. ple all over the world were experiencing similar Hobbs says that the projOf those who will be featured, seven are from North things, but we had difficulty finding an outlet that ect highlights (and advocates Carolina and one from South Carolina. was addressing those issues in a relatable way. for) the “humanity of gender The nine-year journey began in 2009 with Kulczar’s There wasn’t much mainstream media represennon-conforming/transgender discomfort with the bigoted way North Carolina handled its tation, either. We wanted to help address some individuals through a combinamarriage laws, telling Cool Hunting that it was “messed up.” of that, if we could. We desired to use our online tion of photography and perIt ended in 2016. Kulczar photographed and interviewed 50 presence to effect positive change, in a way that sonal narrative.” The project’s same-sex couples from across the U.S. The book is a 208aligned with our values. Thus, after many extenmission is to “showcase gender page, hard sive discussions, Discovering non-conforming/transgender cover coffee Gender was launched.” individuals from all walks of life table variety.

Since the launch, the two in a positive, humanizing and Having have reached out to commuuplifting way.” not found a nity organizations, colleges, As of this date, there are five publisher for churches and media outlets for participants from the Raleigh/ the work, she subjects and to gauge interest.

Durham area (Chelsea, Kori, decided to Participation is fully voluntary.

Karen, Kasey and LE. They range LE, one of the subjects of the “take matters Hobbs and Simmons have a from one on active military duty ‘Discovering Gender’ project. into my own primary goal of demonstrating to one who works for the LGBT (Photo Credit: Ash Hobbs) hands and that gender non-conforming/ Center of Raleigh. crowdsource transgender people are “valid, The catalyst for pursuing this this project.” vibrant, essential parts of our larger comproject stemmed from noticing “a lot of feedback from peoHer goal ple (on Instagram) saying that we inspired them to live more munities — just like anyone else.” They was to raise also have a slew of secondary hopes, as authentically, or to be open about their gender identities, or A spread from ‘Let Love Reign.’ (Photo Credit: Catalina Kulczar) $50,000 which well. “We hope to educate people about just taught them something about gender that they didn’t will enable her the variations of gender through the know. People also messaged us a lot about the difficulties to print 500 books. She is currently in a shortfall and needs power of personal narrative. We hope to promote empowthat they were having with all things gender. Many of them financial support as the Kickstarter funding goal was unsucerment, love and acceptance. We hope to provide a safe said that our posts helped them feel less alone in the world. cessful. Only $11,917 was pledged. Anyone who is interspace for people to share their own stories without shame, We related to their struggles in profound ways.” ested in contributing should contact Kulczar at catalinakm@ or to draw strength from the stories of others. We hope to Hobbs added, “Being gender non-conforming, or gmail.com. attract positive media attention to the lives of transgender/ transgender, deeply impacts almost every aspect of your info: discoveringgender.org. facebook.com/LetLoveReignNow. gender non-conforming people without a political agenda life experience in ways that people don’t typically consider.

— Lainey Millen attached to the content. We hope to inspire people to live This is especially true in rural, or conservative, areas. From

Nov. 16-29, 2018

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news

Spectrum undergoes rebirth

Formerly defunct LGBTQ+ group has first meeting of the year

BY Nikolai Mather | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

F

ollowing several years of inactivity, Spectrum at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) had its first meeting in some time on Nov. 8. The club, headed by president Aimée Fiske and vice president Jo Jeffries, is one of the few campus groups created by and for LGBTQ undergraduate students.

Spectrum’s history is somewhat murky. It was active in 2013, but in the past five years, membership gradually fizzled out. After Fiske and Jeffries met through Queer Year 1, an LGBTQ social cohort for first-year students, they considered starting a new group for graduates of the program. But as Fiske stated in an interview, “We knew that Spectrum was on the rocks…and we thought, hmm, is this moving anywhere?” They eventually decided to revive the dying organization and restart a general club for all LGBTQ undergraduates.

After a few months of organizing and editing the old constitution, Fiske and Jeffries officially launched Spectrum. The first meeting attracted about 20 LGBTQ students and allies. Though it was a remarkably casual affair, with many jokes and a lot of laughter, the president and vice president were quite serious about the club’s rebirth. When asked about their goals for the year, Fiske stated: “I want to foster a community that will not die.

I want a place where it’s easy to get to know one another and be comfortable with each other without excluding new people.” Jeffries agreed, adding: “We need a safe place for LGBTQ students at UNC Charlotte to engage in queer community and activism.”

The first meeting did not come without its hardships. Coordinating between two generations of the club — in order to get good advice, copies of key documents and access to vital accounts — was difficult. As Fiske put it, “We’re kind of starting from nothing, but we’re also kind of not, so things are a little weird.” Another challenge was dealing with the university’s bureaucracy. UNCC’s campus-wide information systems, like Banner and Canvas, don’t

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Nov. 16-29, 2018

typically permit the usage of preferred names. NinerEngage, an online platform for UNCC’s student organizations, has a field for preferred names on user profiles, but still identifies club leaders and members predominantly by their legal names.

This was a serious issue for Jeffries, who is a nonbinary student. “Banner does not reflect [our] preferred names,” they said.

“You have to use your legal name, which is not accessible to everybody.”

But overall, the president and vice president are ready to begin a new chapter of Spectrum’s history. They lead one of the many new clubs making up a rapidly growing and increasingly visible LGBTQ campus community. Pride, a club centered on queer and transgender people of color, and Transgender League Charlotte, a discussion group for transgender, nonbinary and questioning students, are two other LGBTQ campus organizations that have popped up this semester. Other existing groups, such as Queer Year 1 and Graduate Student P.R.I.D.E, are seeing expansions in membership and involvement.

Plus, with the opening date for UNCC’s LGBTQ space approaching, community ties can only get stronger.

And Fiske and Jeffries are excited to be a part of it. “I want a big community,” Fiske stated. “I want us to struggle to find a big enough room!” : :

Spectrum president Aimée Fiske (left) and vice president Jo Jeffries

Nov. 16-29, 2018

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life,

positively

Thank you to these organizations for sponsoring our Special World AIDS Day coverage.

Presenting Sponsors Rosedale Medical Founder and Medical Director, Dr. Frederick Cruickshank

Affinity Health Center

Affinity Health Center is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center. Our main site is located in Rock Hill, S.C. with satellite sites in Clover, Ft. Mill, and York. Our staff of almost 60 employees is growing to serve the needs of our community with compassion, dignity and respect. Our team of providers includes an internal medicine/infectious disease physician, two family practice physicians, three family nurse practitioners, a certified nurse midwife/women’s health nurse practitioner, on-site dentist, a mental health counselor and a contracted registered dietician. We also have clinical support staff, case managers and community health educators to provide comprehensive health services for all ages. Our recent move into a new 30,000 sq. ft. facility has allowed us to expand services including an on-site pharmacy and full-time on-site dental care.

Our beginnings as Catawba Care, an AIDS service organization, still show strong in our focus on HIV specialty care and case management services. We invest in prevention of HIV, Hepatitis C and STDs by providing one-on-one education and group presentations throughout our service area. We also provide free, confidential walk-in HIV, Hepatitis C and STD testing, in addition to PEP and PrEP navigation every Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

For over a decade, Affinity Health Center has joined with Winthrop University students to observe World AIDS Day. This admission-free event is open to the community and will be held on Monday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at DiGiorgio Center (Dina’s Place) on the campus of Winthrop University in Rock Hill. We’re honored to have Trey Greene, MSW, LCSWA of Transcend Charlotte as moderator of a discussion panel on HIV and the transgender community at this year’s World AIDS Day observance.

Transcend Charlotte is a non-profit organization out of Charlotte, N.C. created to provide services and support to transgender adults and others struggling because of their identity and/or experiences. People they support include, but are not limited to, others on the LGBTQIAP spectrum struggling with their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression; people of color; individuals facing physical or mental health challenges; and/or survivors of trauma.

Transcend Charlotte is open to discussing all aspects of identity including struggles with religion and belief, but is not affiliated with any religion or religious organization.

Transcend Charlotte seeks to “‘Rise Above’ conflict, labels and our differences in promoting connection, understanding, and empathy for ALL people.”

Greene is a transgender man and clinical social worker in private practice and through Time Out Youth. He is also cofounder and executive director of Transcend Charlotte, which serves transgender individuals in Charlotte, N.C. and the surrounding region. He received his MSW from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a focus of study on the LGBTQ community and trauma-informed care. He is passionate about working with trauma survivors in and outside of the LGBTQ population, as well as providing education about trans-related topics and sexual assault prevention and recovery.

Please join us in our observance of World AIDS Day on Dec. 3.

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Amity Medical Group

Amity Medical Group has its origins in the mission of Wesley Thompson, who envisioned a “one-stop shop” approach to healthcare. He also believed that a collaborative approach with community partners to ensure seamless care was part of the answer. Wesley approached Dr. Richard Wynn, a friend who was also looking to provide comprehensive primary care to people with complex medical conditions who have limited access to healthcare, many of whom lacked insurance or were underinsured. Together they co-founded Ballantyne Family Medicine. Thompson and Wynn partnered with Rx Clinic Pharmacy to establish an on-site pharmacy to further enhance their ability to serve all of the patients’ needs. Soon thereafter, in order to serve the uninsured HIV positive patient population through the HRSA Ryan White Program, Thompson and Wynn founded the Amity Group Foundation. These clinics successively served these patient populations until they realized they could serve more and do more if the two merged. Thus, Amity Medical Group was born.

Amity Medical Group providers include board certified family practice providers, HIV specialists, GLMA certified providers, WPATH certified transcare providers, PrEP specialists, diabetic specialists, and pharmacogenomic specialists.

Amity Medical Group is honored to be part of the Mecklenburg County Health Department PrEP pilot, as well as a research partner with the ViiV Epividian project.

Training is essential to the next generation and Amity Medical Group is a clinical site for training for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy, Wake Forest University Physician Assistant Program, Duke University Physician Assistant Program and HIV Specialty Training Program, Wingate Physician Assistant Program, Walden University Nurse Practitioner Program, and Winston Salem State Nurse Practitioner Program, multiple certified nursing assistant and medical assistant training programs, and coding and billing training programs.

In less than three years, Amity Medical Group has grown to include a physician, multiple physician assistants and nurse practitioners, clinical pharmacists and a staff of 20. Thousands of patients now receive comprehensive care at two locations in East and South Charlotte. In addition to community partnering to provide comprehensive care, Amity Medical Group has developed a generous sliding scale for patients without healthcare insurance and accepts indigent patients through its partnership with Care Ring of Mecklenburg County. With support from Novant Health and the Mecklenburg County Health Department, Amity Medical Group holds regular free mobile health screening events for people in underserved communities, particularly focusing on the immigrant and Latino families.

Amity Medical Group, in addition to its on-site pharmacy, also provides laboratory services, radiology, psychological counseling, medication management by clinical pharmacists, Medicare Annual Wellness visits and we are a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) where all your medical needs are coordinated by your primary care providers. We accept almost all medical insurances including Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Ryan White, and we have a generous sliding fee scale that helps both with office visits, labs, radiology and prescriptions at our in-house pharmacy.

Rosedale Medical

Rosedale Medical has been a leader in HIV care, treatment, and prevention in the Charlotte area for over a decade. We always acknowledge the importance of remembering World AIDS Day and relaying our message to the greater stage of a world in need of our education around this crisis. However, our dedication to our patients, the community and those infected and affected goes far beyond one day a year. For our providers and staff everyday is World AIDS Day. The last few years have seen Rosedale make many important and instrumental changes and additions to our programming. Rosedale is a proud sponsor with Walgreens, CVS and Avita; so that we can serve your pharmacy needs on site at our locations or we can arrange home delivery. These partners work directly with your providers so that you feel you have a team working for you behind the scenes. In addition, because of the unique and inventive federal programming with which we have partnered to become a pharmacy, you can help others. By simply filling your prescription with us and using your regular insurance, a portion of the proceeds that would normally go the insurance companies is allowed to be “re-invested” in clinical and supportive services for patients with no payer source.

We also have expanded clinical services at the Huntersville office to include greater access to funding and insurance options to allow us to treat any individual no matter of their fiscal situation. In addition, we have added nutritional services, mental health services, personal care advocates, research studies and access to PReP. In addition, we also offer primary care services to the LGBT community and beyond. We also have free testing at our clinical locations.

The greatest addition to our family is the new Uptown Charlotte location where we serve clinical patients throughout the week. The building also houses our new non-profit RAO (Rosedale Assistance and Opportunities). RAO offers a wide variety of services at that location to work complimentary with the best quality medical care in the region. We look forward to expanding this location and its services so that we can create a greater impact on the LGBT and HIV community in our area.

Back in 1988 when we held the first World AIDS Day, it was the first ever Global health day. While we have made great strides in HIV care and treatment, the fight is not over.

Today, education and prevention are just as important as ever. Decades into this crisis, we are seeing a whole generation growing up that were not around to remember the “crisis” as it struck in the 80s and 90s.

At Rosedale we will not stop until we have done everything we can to eradicate this disease and make sure that all people, regardless of station, are treated as individuals and not numbers. Access to quality and affordable healthcare is our continued mission. From our founder and Medical Director, Dr. Frederick Cruickshank, and all of the staff at Rosedale Medical, we want to thank you for your continued support to our mission.

life, positively

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) What it is and how it is used to combat contracting HIV

P

BY Wes Thompson, MHS, PA-C, AAHIVS, DFAAPA | Guest Contributor

EP (post-exposure prophylaxis) means taking HIV medications or antiretroviral medicines (ARV) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected. The word “prophylaxis” means to prevent or protect from an infection or disease.

PEP should be used only in situations where possible exposure to HIV has occurred within the last 72 hours. PEP is effective, but not 100 percent, so you should continue to use condoms with sex partners even while taking PEP. These strategies can protect you from being exposed to HIV again and reduce the chances of transmitting HIV to others if you become infected while you’re on PEP. Based on all the data since 1995, no one has seroconverted or become infected with HIV if PEP was started within 72 hours. PEP must be taken for 30 days.

PEP is indicated depending on the type of exposure. If you have receptive anal intercourse without a condom (bottoming and barebacking) or you are the insertive partner (topping and barebacking) with an individual of unknown HIV status or HIV positive and detectable viral load, then PEP is indicated. PEP is indicated for insertive and receptive vaginal sex with an individual of unknown HIV status or

HIV positive and detectable viral load. PEP is not indicated if the partner has an undetectable viral load. PEP is not indicated for oral sex involving the vagina, penis or anus. PEP is also not indicated for semen and vaginal secretion splashes on to skin.

PEP is not indicated for human bites.

It’s important to know that medication components of PEP are not the same as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). If you are taking PrEP and have been taking PrEP for at least seven days and you have missed no doses, then PEP is not needed if you have possibly been exposed to HIV. PEP is only for individuals who may have been exposed to HIV and have not been on PrEP for at least seven days. PEP should not be used every time you have unprotected sex or if you are frequently exposed to HIV. The right choice in this case would be PrEP. There are occasionally side effects from PEP and the most common are nausea and diarrhea which can be effectively managed during PEP. The side effects are not life threatening. PEP should be available at any medical provider office including urgent care clinics, emergency departments, and health departments. If you seek PEP and a clinic declines, please seek care elsewhere immediately and do not take “no” for an answer. The medi-

cations for PEP may vary depending on whether the source of HIV is known or unknown and if the source is HIV positive.

If the source is HIV positive then what they are taking, and whether they are undetectable, will guide medical decision making.

In general, the regimens recommended are Descovy or Truvada plus one medication from the integrase inhibitor class such as Isentress, Tivicay or the newer combo Biktarvy which can suffice for all three recommended medications.

It is important to note that the guidelines do vary for women of childbearing potential in that Tivicay should not be used due to possible birth defects. In addition to testing for HIV, tests will also be ordered to monitor kidney and liver functions and will be repeated at one month when PEP is stopped. Hepatitis B testing will also occur unless you have been vaccinated for hepatitis B. Women of childbearing potential will also be tested for pregnancy. After the 30 days of PEP, an additional HIV test is recommended at day 30 and three months later. If there have been no further possible HIV exposures, then no further HIV testing is indicated.

It is important to remember that if an HIV positive patient is undetectable, then the patient can not pass HIV to an intimate partner. Undetectable equals untransmittable. : :

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS DAILY:

info@ballantynefamilymedicine.com

• PrEP • LGBTrans care • HIV Care • Primary Care • Diabetes Care EAST CHARLOTTE

6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28215 Phone: (704) 208-4134 FAX: (704) 248-8068 Practice Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm Pharmacy Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm

SOUTH CHARLOTTE

16147 Lancaster Hwy Suite 140 Charlotte, NC 28277 Phone: (704) 208-4134 FAX: (704) 248-7845 Practice Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm Amity Medical Group, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that proudly serves the Charlotte community in providing medical care and linkage to community services to serve your daily needs.

Supporting Sponsor

North Carolina AIDS Action Network

The North Carolina AIDS Action Network (NCAAN) was initially birthed out of the need to end the state’s HIV Medication Assistance Program (formerly known as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program) waitlist — once the longest in the nation. As a result of NCAAN’s advocacy, North Carolina’s HIV Medication Assistance Program ended its waitlist and remains fully funded.

Since its formal incorporation in 2010, more than 30,000 people living with HIV and their allies have taken action with the organization, resulting in numerous legislative victories and tangible, real change for individuals living with HIV and AIDS in North Carolina.

In recent years, the network has coordinated coalition advocacy campaigns that modernized North Carolina’s HIV criminal law, secured a state appropriation of $1.2 million to combat viral hepatitis and blocked legislation that would have rolled back components of North Carolina’s sex education law.

GET TESTED TODAY! Nov. 16-29, 2018

qnotes

9

life, positively

AIDS service organizations and agencies

Providing a vital lifeline to increase quality of life for those affected by HIV/AIDS

T

he Carolinas has a variety of community organizations, resources and services for those living with HIV/AIDS or those seeking to get involved in HIV/ AIDS prevention, education and advocacy.

Asheville Western North Carolina AIDS Project 554 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803 828-252-7489 wncap.org.

Established in 1986.

WNCAP provides case management, prevention and education programs, outreach, HIV testing and other services throughout Western North Carolina. In addition to its main office in Asheville, the group also has offices and a presence in Bryson City and Shelby.

Charlotte

Amity Medical Group 6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28215 16147 Lancaster Hwy., Suite 140, Charlotte, NC 28277 704-208-4134 ballantynefamilymedicine.com.

Established in 2015.

Amity Medical Group provides fullservice, primary care medical treatment, as well as HIV/AIDS managed care under the direction of Dr. Richard Wynn and J. Wesley Thompson, MHS, PA, AAHIVS, DFAAPA. The practice also has an onsite pharmacy operating under the umbrella of Rx Clinic Pharmacy with Olivia Bentley, PharmD, CFts, AAHIVP as the director of clinical pharmacy services, provides free/confidential HIV testing, case management and prescribes HIV/ AIDS medications. Its offices are open to the community as a part of a collaborative effort to provide care and access to agencies and services outside its doors.

Carolinas CARE Partnership 5855 Executive Center Dr., Suite 101,

by Lainey Millen | qnotes staff writer Charlotte, NC 28212 704-531-2467 carolinascare.org.

Established in 1990 as Regional HIV/AIDS Consortium.

Carolinas CARE Partnership provides free HIV/STD testing and counseling, housing assistance, peer training, case management and other services, prevention and education.

House of Mercy P.O. Box 808 (304 McAuley Cir.), Belmont, NC 28012 704-825-4711 (administration) 704-825-3000 (residence) thehouseofmercy.org.

Established in 1991.

House of Mercy provides housing and compassionate care for persons living with AIDS. In addition to room and board, House of Mercy coordinates medical care and therapies plus a variety of supplemental services to enhance the physical, emotional and spiritual lives of its residents.

Mecklenburg County Department of Health 249 Billingsley Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211 704-336-6500 704-432-TEST (8378) bit.ly/2FpddQK. Provides testing, case management, awareness, education and other services at various locations, events and times throughout the county and year.

The PowerHouse Project 1420 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216 704-626-6680 powerhousecharlotte.org. facebook.com/ThePowerhouseProject/.

Established in 2005 under Quality Home Care Services umbrella.

The PowerHouse Project is a drop-in center and safe space for Black and Latino gay or bisexual men or men who have sex with men. The group offers a computer

lab, weekly empowerment programs and workshops, retreats for men over 25 years old, social events, monthly discussion groups for men 18-29 years old and free and confidential HIV testing, which is always available during hours of operation. The PowerHouse Project is a program of Quality Home Care Services.

Quality Home Care Services 3552 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216 704-394-8968 qhcsnc.org.

Established in 1992.

Quality Home Care Services provides a variety of services for those living with HIV including case management, HIV/ AIDS prevention programs and testing, substance abuse treatment, communitybased rehabilitation services for those with mental development disabilities and other services.

RAIN 601 E. 5th Street, Suite 470, Charlotte, NC 28202 704-372-7246 carolinarain.org.

Established in 1992.

RAIN engages the community to transform lives and promote respect and dignity for all people touched by HIV through compassionate care, education and leadership development. Services include CARE Management, Peer2Peer support and outreach, support groups for youth, faith-based training, chaplain services and caring volunteers who provide practical support to persons living with HIV and AIDS. RAIN also provides HIV awareness and prevention education programs to thousands of people each year and is the only HIV non-profit in the Charlotte metropolitan area providing direct client services. see next page u

Richard Wynn MD

• PrEP ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS DAILY: • LGBTrans care info@ballantynefamilymedicine.com • HIV Care Amity Medical Group, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit • Primary Care organization that proudly serves the Charlotte community in providing medical care and linkage • Diabetes Care to community services to serve your daily needs.

10

qnotes

Nov. 16-29, 2018

EAST CHARLOTTE

6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28215 Phone: (704) 208-4134

SOUTH CHARLOTTE

16147 Lancaster Hwy Suite 140 Charlotte, NC 28277 Phone: (704) 208-4134

Life expectancy with taking HIV meds = 71 years — National Vital Statistics Report, 2012

life, positively Rosedale Assistance & Opportunities 321 W. 11th St., Charlotte, NC 28202 704-948-8582 rosedaleid.com Established in 2017.

Rosedale Assistance & Opportunities, associated with Rosedale Medical, is a non-profit organization serving individuals with HIV/AIDS, as well as other chronic illnesses. Services include support and social programs, a food pantry, testing initiatives and more.

Rosedale Medical 103 Commerce Centre Dr., Suite 103, Huntersville, NC 28078 704-948-8582 rosedaleid.com.

Established in 2006.

Rosedale Medical is a full-service HIV/ infectious diseases clinic that offers a variety of medical services. Staff, under the direction of Dr. Frederick Cruickshank, work closely with medical case management organizations and engage in clinical trials, among other services. It houses a Walgreen’s Specialty Pharmacy to support the needs of its clients and patients.

Eastern PiCASO (Pitt County AIDS Service Organization) 3219 Landmark St. Suite 1B, Greenville NC, 27834 252-830-1660 picaso.org.

Established in 1991.

Starting as a grassroots organization focused on supporting those living with HIV/AIDS, providing buddy programs, nutritional support and healthcare advocacy, the agency changed over the years to a case-management-focused agency working with long-term client support.

Currently, the group provides HIV testing, education and advocacy and emergency funding for those living with HIV/AIDS. Triad Positive Wellness Alliance 400 E. Center St., Lexington, NC 27292 336-248-4646 704 Brooktown Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336-722-0976 positivewellnessalliance.org.

Established in 1992.

Positive Wellness Alliance is a community-based organization that provides

medical case management, financial assistance, life skills management classes, support groups and housing assistance.

It serves Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Rowan, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin Counties.

Triad Health Project 801 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27406 336-275-1654 620 W. English Rd., High Point, NC 27261 336-884-4116 triadhealthproject.com.

Established in 1986.

Triad Health Project provides case management and other client support services, HIV testing and prevention outreach, medical, social service and legal referrals, food pantry and nutritional resources and education, support groups and education, art and exercise programs.

Triangle Alliance of AIDS Services – Carolina 1637 Old Louisburg Rd., Raleigh, NC 27604 919-834-2437 aas-c.org.

Established in 1999.

Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolina provides case management, HIV/STD testing and counseling, emergency assistance for rent and utilities, transportation assistance, housing information and referrals, mental health, substance abuse and support group resources, referrals and programs.

Healing with CAARE (Case Management of AIDS and Addiction Through Resources and Education) 214 Broadway St., Durham, NC, 27701 919-683-5300 caare-inc.org.

Established in 1995.

Healing with CAARE’s mission is to provide effective prevention and case management services to at-risk persons and their families in Durham by referring health and social resources that can alleviate isolation yet foster independence; to empower the population with preventative health education, counseling, and testing by establishing and maintaining networks and utilizing resources that address the health and social needs of the community; and to provide decent housing that is affordable to low- to moderate-income people.

Coastal New Hanover Regional Medical Center 2131 S. 17th St., Wilmington, NC 28401

910-662-9300 nhrmc.org/services/hiv-aids.

Established in 1967.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center provides comprehensive care for patients of all ages and throughout each stage of HIV, from acute HIV to latency to AIDS. Satellite clinics are in Whiteville, N.C., Jacksonville, N.C. and Burgaw, N.C. Western ALFA 1120 Fairgrove Church Rd. S.E., Suite 28, Hickory, NC 28602 828-322-1447 alfainfo.org.

Established in 1987.

ALFA, formerly known as AIDS Leadership Foothills Area-Alliance, has provided supportive services to those infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. ALFA currently provides supportive and medical case management, prevention education, and outreach to a nine-county service area.

ALFA’s service area consists of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Lincoln, Watauga and Wilkes Counties.

South Carolina Affinity Health Center 455 Lakeshore Pky., Rock Hill, SC 29730 803-909-6363 affinityhealthcenter.org.

Established in 1994 as Catawba Care Coalition.

Affinity Health Center, formerly known as Catawba Health Care, provides primary care and specialist referrals, nutritional counseling, counseling and mental healthcare/ services, dental care, case management and support, HIV specialty care and HIV/STD testing. It serves York, Chester and Lancaster Counties with satellites in Clover, Fort Mill and York, S.C. is a statewide advocacy organization fighting for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, their loved ones and those at risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS in North Carolina.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS DAILY:

info@ballantynefamilymedicine.com

• PrEP • LGBTrans care • HIV Care • Primary Care • Diabetes Care

J Wesley Thompson MHS, PA-C, AAHIVS, DFAAPA

EAST CHARLOTTE

6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28215 Phone: (704) 208-4134

SOUTH CHARLOTTE

16147 Lancaster Hwy Suite 140 Charlotte, NC 28277 Phone: (704) 208-4134 Amity Medical Group, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that proudly serves the Charlotte community in providing medical care and linkage to community services to serve your daily needs.

[Ed. Note: qnotes has prepared this comprehensive list of AIDS Service Organizations for our readers. To that extent, organizations and agencies observances may have been omitted. If readers will email editor@ goqnotes.com with other listings (must have full name, address, phone number and website), qnotes will be happy to add them to the compilation. List accuracy and integrity are vital. Please report any errors or changes that need to be made.]

Life expectancy without taking HIV meds = 32 years — National Vital Statistics Report, 2012

Nov. 16-29, 2018

qnotes

11

life, positively

World AIDS Day 2018 Events

Honoring those lost and those living with HIV from the community across the Carolinas

by Lainey Millen | qnotes staff writer

P

World AIDS Day Art Walk Dec. 1 El Centro Hispano, Inc. 2000 Chapel Hill Rd., Suite 26A, Durham 12-5 p.m.

El Centro Hispano exhibits reactionary works of art as the community works together to end HIV/AIDS. Appetizers will be served and an open mic for the community to express their thoughts will be available. elcentronc.org.

aying respects to those who have been lost to HIV/AIDS is one way to honor their memories. In the Carolinas, a number of agencies and organizations have arranged for this to be done in a number of ways, be it a vigil, luncheon, exhibition or others. See the list below for an event or a way to show homage for individuals whose flame burnt out too soon.

The AIDS Memorial Quilt Loss, Life & Love Nov. 26-Dec. 1 Asheville Masonic Temple 80 Broadway St., Asheville 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Western North Carolina AIDS Project and the Asheville Masonic Temple present portions of the AIDS Memorial Quilt the week leading up to World AIDS Day. Free and open to the public. wncap.org.

RAIN World Aids Day Luncheon Nov. 29 Embassy Suites 401 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Charlotte Doors open 11:30 a.m.; luncheon 12-1 p.m.

RAIN hosts a luncheon and awards ceremony. For tickets and information, including details on hosting a table, contact Joyce Brooks at 704-973-9819. carolinarain.org.

World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil Nov. 30 Freedom Fountain Monument, Jacksonville Corner of New Bridge St. and Johnson Blvd.

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of World AIDS Day by participating in the 4th Annual Candlelight Vigil. This event is hosted by the Jacksonville (NC) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. jaxncdst.org.

World AIDS Day 2018 Red Ribbon Bruch Dec. 1 Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church 2929 Princess Place Dr., Wilmington 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Red Ribbon Brunch, hosted by SEEDS of Healing, Inc., unites the community to include those affected by HIV, faith-based organizations, clinical services and social agencies with the shared concern and commitment to eliminate HIV. Attendees are asked to wear a red-bound or tied accessory such as a ribbon, tie,scarf. Keynote address will be given by Dr. Cheryl Woods Giscombe. Commentaries from local leaders, live entertainment with music, spiritual expression by Ministry in Motion of New Beginnings Christian Church and a delicious brunch will be available. Attire is dressy casual. seedsofhealinginc.org.

Live DJ Yoga to Benefit NC AIDS Action Network Dec. 1 Franklin Street Yoga Center 431 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill 4:15-5:30 p.m.

A special class is being held on World AIDS Day, and donations will be accepted for the North Carolina AIDS Action Network. DJ fifi hi-fi and Lori partner with a curated playlist and yoga sequence for participants. franklinstyoga.com.

World AIDS Day at Winthrop Dec. 3

Dina’s Place, Winthrop University 2020 Alumni Dr., 269 DiGiorgio Center, Rock Hill 7 p.m.

Join Affinity Health Center in observance of World AIDS Day. Trey Greene of Transcend Charlotte will moderate a panel discussion on HIV and the transgender community. Two special guests will honor the day with song and spoken word performances. Free admission. Cultural credit given for Winthrop students. affinityhealthcenter.org.

World AIDS Day Reception Dec. 4 House of Mercy 100 McAuley Cir., Belmont 5:30-6:30 p.m.

World AIDS Day celebration at the House of Mercy with appetizers and a tour of the residence. Mingle with residents, staff and board and view the new House of Mercy video. thehouseofmercy.org.

AIDS Leadership Foothill Area Alliance Winter Gala Dec. 9 Café Rule 242 11th Ave. NE, Hickory 6-10 p.m.

This 21th annual formal event with funds raised to benefit ALFA, a United Way agency serving nine counties in the Appalachian mountains and rural northwestern North Carolina. Details are pending. Tickets are available online at flipcause.com. alfainfo.org.

[Ed. Note: qnotes has prepared this comprehensive list of World AIDS Day events for our readers. To that extent, organizations and agencies observances may have been omitted. If readers will email editor@goqnotes. com with other listings (must have full name, address, phone number and website), qnotes will be happy to add them to the compilation. List accuracy and integrity are vital. Please report any errors or changes that need to be made.]

• PrEP • LGBTrans care • HIV Care • Primary Care • Diabetes Care ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS DAILY:

Mecklenburg County

267

info@ballantynefamilymedicine.com

Amity Medical Group, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that proudly serves the Charlotte community in providing medical care and linkage to community services to serve your daily needs.

12

qnotes

Nov. 16-29, 2018

new HIV diagnoses in 2016 EAST CHARLOTTE

6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd

SOUTH CHARLOTTE

16147 Lancaster Hwy Suite 140

— NC HIV/AIDS Surveillance System, Mecklenburg County Data

life, positively

Free HIV testing locations

Keeping up on HIV/AIDS status with regular testing key component in the fight against HIV/AIDS

by Lainey Millen | qnotes staff writer

A

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many individuals have never been tested for HIV. In addition, the CDC states that of the thousands of new HIV diagnoses every year, many are likely transmitted by those unaware that they are HIV-positive.

There are a number of free HIV testing sites across North Carolina and South Carolina. Many also offer testing for other STDs, as well as vaccines for hepatitis and HPV. Call for information on days, times and for information on all the services they offer. You can also visit gettested. cdc.gov to search for more testing sites in your area.

Charlotte Amity Medical Group 6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte 16147 Lancaster Hwy., Ste. 140, Charlotte 704-208-4134 ballantynefamilymedicine.com.

Carolinas Care Partnership 5855 Executive Dr., Ste. 101, Charlotte 704-531-2467 carolinascare.org.

CMC-Myers Park Infectious Disease Clinic 1350 S. Kings Dr. #600, Charlotte 704-446-4490 bit.ly/2Pn91Wj. Lake Norman Community Health Clinic 14230 Hunters Rd., Huntersville 704-316-6611 lnchc.org.

Mecklenburg County Health Department Southeast Campus 249 Billingsley Rd., Charlotte 704-336-6500 bit.ly/2qGKnkY. Mecklenburg County Health Department Northwest Campus 2845 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte

Growth in People Living with HIV in Mecklenburg

4,992

6,630

in 2012

in 2016

— NC Department of Health and Human Services HIV/STD Surveillance Reports 2012-2016 704-336-6500 bit.ly/2qGKnkY. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Charlotte Health Center 4822 Albemarle Rd. #103, Charlotte 704-536-7233 plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthoodsouth-atlantic.

RAIN 601 E. 5th St., Ste. 470, Charlotte 704-372-7246 carolinarain.org.

Rosedale Medical 103 Commerce Centre Dr., #103, Huntersville 704-948-8582 rosedaleid.com.

Quality Home Care Services Inc. 3552 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte 704-394-8968 qhcsnc.org.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte Student Health Center 9530 Poplar Terrace Dr., Charlotte 704-687-7400 studenthealth.uncc.edu.

Urban Ministry Center 945 N. College St., Charlotte 704-347-0278 urbanministrycenter.org.

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy 1500 E. 3rd St., Charlotte 704-526-4651 bit.ly/2zwQgVt.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS DAILY:

info@ballantynefamilymedicine.com

• PrEP • LGBTrans care • HIV Care • Primary Care • Diabetes Care EAST CHARLOTTE

6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28215 Phone: (704) 208-4134 FAX: (704) 248-8068 Practice Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm Pharmacy Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm

SOUTH CHARLOTTE

16147 Lancaster Hwy Suite 140 Charlotte, NC 28277 Phone: (704) 208-4134 FAX: (704) 248-7845 Practice Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm Amity Medical Group, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that proudly serves the Charlotte community in providing medical care and linkage to community services to serve your daily needs.

Asheville Buncombe County Department of Health 53 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville 828-250-6169 buncombecounty.org/Governing/Depts/Health.

Asheville VA Medical Center 1100 Tunnel Rd., Asheville 828-298-7911 asheville.va.gov.

Eligibility requirement: Only open to veterans.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Asheville Health Center 68 McDowell St., Asheville see HIV Testing Sites on 14

Better access to healthcare improves life expectancy for people with HIV. — National Vital Statistics Report, 2012

Nov. 16-29, 2018

qnotes

13

life, positively HIV Testing Sites continued from page13

828-252-7928 plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthoodsouth-atlantic.

Western North Carolina AIDS Project 554 Fairview Rd., Asheville 828-252-7489 wncap.org.

Carrboro University of North Carolina School of Medicine 301 Lloyd St., Carrboro 984-538-1031 unc.live/2PomrRU. Chapel Hill Piedmont Health Services Inc. 127 Kingston Dr., Chapel Hill 919-933-8494 piedmonthealth.org.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Chapel Hill Health Center 1765 Dobbins Dr., Chapel Hill 919-942-7762 plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthoodsouth-atlantic.

Orange County Health Department Southern Human Services 2501 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill 919-245-2400 orangecountync.gov/health.

Durham Healing with CAARE Inc. 214 Broadway St., Durham 919-683-5300 caare-inc.org.

Durham County Health Department 414 E. Main St., Durham 919-560-7600 dconc.gov/publichealth.

Lincoln Community Health Center 1301 Fayetteville St., Durham 919-956-4000 lincolnchc.org.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Durham Health Center 105 Newsom St., Suite 101, Durham

HIV Numbers in North Carolina People living with HIV

29,814

6th in the nation for new diagnoses in 2016 61.5% diagnosed in 2016 were age 13-34 1,404 new diagnoses in 2016 — CDC Atlas Data 919-286-2872 plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthoodsouth-atlantic.

Samaritan Health Clinic 507 E. Knox St., Durham 919-407-8223 samaritanhealthcenter.org.

Samaritan Health Clinic 3205 University Drive, Suite 107, Durham 919-407-8223 samaritanhealthcenter.org.

Triangle Empowerment Center 931 E. Main St., Ste. 1A, Durham 800-806-3558 triempowerment.org.

Fayetteville Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Fayetteville Health Center 4551 Yadkin Rd., Fayetteville 866-942-7762 plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthoodsouth-atlantic.

Fuquay Varina Hand of Hope Pregnancy Centers 607 N. Ennis St., Fuquay Varina 919-577-9050 yourchoicepregnancyclinic.com.

Greensboro Alcohol and Drug Services 301 E. Washington St., Ste. 101, Greensboro 336-333-6860, ext 250

adsyes.org/free-hiv-testing.

Guilford County Health Department 1100 E. Wendover Ave., Greensboro 336-641-3245 bit.ly/2T2TUzO. Nia Community Action Center Self Help Building 122 N. Elm St., Ste. 1000, Greensboro 336-617-7722 niacacinc.org.

Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency 1102 E. Market St., Greensboro 336-274-1507 piedmonthealthservices.org.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Greensboro Health Center 1704 Battleground Ave., Greensboro 336-373-0678 plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthoodsouth-atlantic.

Triad Health Project 801 Summit Ave., Greensboro 336-275-1654 triadhealthproject.com.

Greenville Pitt County AIDS Service Organization (PiCASO) 3219 Landmark St., Ste. 1B, Greenville 252-830-1660 picaso.org/testing. see next page u

Richard Wynn MD

• PrEP ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS DAILY: • LGBTrans care info@ballantynefamilymedicine.com • HIV Care Amity Medical Group, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit • Primary Care organization that proudly serves the Charlotte community in providing medical care and linkage • Diabetes Care to community services to serve your daily needs.

14

qnotes

Nov. 16-29, 2018

EAST CHARLOTTE

6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28215 Phone: (704) 208-4134

SOUTH CHARLOTTE

16147 Lancaster Hwy Suite 140 Charlotte, NC 28277 Phone: (704) 208-4134

HIV rates are higher in areas with more poverty.

— NC HIV/AIDS Surveillance System, Mecklenburg County Data

life, positively High Point

North Carolina relies on Ryan White

Guilford County Health Department 501 E. Green Dr., High Point 336-641-3245 bit.ly/2T2TUzO. Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency 401 Taylor St., High Point 336-886-2437 piedmonthealthservices.org.

Hillsborough Orange County Health Department Whitted Human Services Center 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough 919-732-8181 orangecountync.gov/health.

Raleigh Alliance of AIDS Services- Carolina 1637 Old Louisberg Rd., Raleigh 919-834-2437 aas-c.org.

1st Choice Pregnancy Solutions 4237 Louisburg Rd., Raleigh 919-554-8093 firstchoicenc.org.

Gateway Campus, Hargett 554 E. Hargett St., Raleigh 919-250-3950 gatewaycampus.org.

Gateway Campus, Hillsborough 1306 Hillsborough St., Raleigh 919-250-3950 gatewaycampus.org.

Gateway Campus, Idlewood 3300 Idlewood Village Dr., Raleigh 919-250-3950 gatewaycampus.org.

LGBT Center of Raleigh 324 S. Harrington St., Raleigh 919-832-4484 lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.

Urban Ministries of Wake County Open Door Clinic 1390 Capital Blvd., Raleigh 919-832-0820 urbanmin.org.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Raleigh Health Center

more than other states

6,104

Ryan White clients had no other insurance in 2015

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS DAILY:

info@ballantynefamilymedicine.com

• PrEP • LGBTrans care • HIV Care • Primary Care • Diabetes Care

— Health Resources and Services Administration, 2015 State Profiles, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, Healthcare 100 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh 919-833-7526 plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthoodsouth-atlantic.

Wake County Human Services Division of Public Health and Clinics 10 Sunnybrook Rd., Clinic A & E, Raleigh 919-250-4510 bit.ly/2JWiz4A. Wake County Human Services Millbrook Human Services Center 2809 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh 919-250-3950 bit.ly/2JWiz4A. Womens Center of Wake County Incorporated 112 Cox Ave., Raleigh 919-829-3711 wcwc.org.

Your Choice Pregnancy 1701 Jones Franklin Rd., Raleigh 919-250-3950 yourchoicepregnancyclinic.com.

Wilmington Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Wilmington Health Center 1925 Tradd Ct., Wilmington 910-762-5566 plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthoodsouth-atlantic.

Winston-Salem Forsyth County Department of Public Health 799 N. Highland Ave., Winston-Salem

336-703-3213 bit.ly/2RO7NA7.

Nia Community Action Center Incorporated 1001 S. Marshall St., Suite 238A, Winston-Salem 336-293-8408 niacacinc.org.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Winston-Salem Health Center 3000 Maplewood Ave., Suite 112, Winston-Salem 336-768-2980 plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthoodsouth-atlantic.

Positive Wellness Alliance Winston-Salem Office 1001 S. Marshall St., Suite L7, Winston-Salem 336-772-0976 positivewellnessalliance.org.

J Wesley Thompson MHS, PA-C, AAHIVS, DFAAPA

EAST CHARLOTTE

6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28215 Phone: (704) 208-4134

SOUTH CHARLOTTE

16147 Lancaster Hwy Suite 140 Charlotte, NC 28277 Phone: (704) 208-4134 Amity Medical Group, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that proudly serves the Charlotte community in providing medical care and linkage to community services to serve your daily needs.

Rock Hill, S.C. Affinity Health Center 455 Lakeshore Pky., Rock Hill 803-909-6363 affinityhealthcenter.org.

[Ed. Note: qnotes has prepared this comprehensive list of testing sites for our readers. To that extent, organizations and agencies may have been omitted. If readers will email editor@goqnotes.com with other listings (must have full name, address, phone number and website), qnotes will be happy to add them to the compilation. List accuracy and integrity are vital. Please report any errors or changes that need to be made.]

HIV medicines help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.

— National Vital Statistics Report, 2012

Nov. 16-29, 2018

qnotes

15

life, positively

PPSAT offers PrEP HIV prevention protocol

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic provides accurate information, treatment options to end dual epidemics of HIV and HIV stigma

S

Planned Parenthood Resources

afe, protected sex can help prevent the spread of HIV, right? But did you know Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (PPSAT) has been offering a highly effective, FDA-approved strategy in the fight since 2016?

PPSAT is one of a number of places in Charlotte to offer PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), available to people at high risk of contracting HIV. The protocol involves taking a single pill daily which interferes with HIV’s ability to copy itself in the body after exposure has occurred.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90 percent. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk by more than 70 percent.

The southern U.S. is still disproportionately impacted by the spread of HIV and the stigma associated with the disease.

Forty-nine percent of all HIV diagnoses occur in the South, with Mecklenburg County having the largest number of HIV cases and new diagnoses in North Carolina.

People living with HIV deserve to know the most medically accurate information about their bodies. The idea that people living with HIV are dangerous or undesirable has a profound emotional impact, fuels HIV stigma and discourages testing and treatment. Informing patients, providers and the communities we serve about the advances in HIV science can shift deeply ingrained fear of HIV and the established dogma about how to prevent it.

The CDC says one in five new HIV infections occur in people younger than 25.

“Patients are often unaware that PrEP and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) are available,” says PPSAT clinician Stephanie Limesand says. “We do educate patients who are at high risk about these services and some choose to start taking the medication.”

PEP refers to antiretroviral medicines people can take after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming in-

Photo Credit: magann via Adobe Stock fected. PEP should be used in emergency situations only and must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV. Everyone deserves a sex life that is healthy, happy and free from shame and stigma. As Planned Parenthood continues to broaden its comprehensive HIV prevention efforts, Charlotte residents can rely on Planned Parenthood for non-judgmental care, quality education and accurate information. Planned Parenthood is committed to serving communities most at risk for the dual epidemics of HIV and HIV stigma, including Black and Latina women, transgender women of color, young adults and Black and Latino gay and bisexual men.

For PPSAT, education and awareness are key. The organization is changing the dialogue about HIV across the Charlotte area. The Charlotte health center serves more than 4,000 women, men and teens annually, offering a range of services from basic gynecological and breast exams to family planning and testing/treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

More About Planned Parenthood For a century, Planned Parenthood has been one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men and young people, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood health centers provide contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and lifesaving cancer screenings to millions of people in the U.S. With a presence in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Planned Parenthood has 56 affiliates, which operate more than 600 health centers. Globally, Planned Parenthood supports local partners in 12 focus countries, reaching over 1.5 million individuals with reproductive health information and services. Women, men and young people from every community and income level view Planned Parenthood as their first-choice provider of care. For more information, visit plannedparenthood.org/ planned-parenthood-south-atlantic. : :

• PrEP • LGBTrans care • HIV Care • Primary Care • Diabetes Care ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS DAILY:

HIV rates are higher in areas with low Educational Attainment.

info@ballantynefamilymedicine.com

Amity Medical Group, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that proudly serves the Charlotte community in providing medical care and linkage to community services to serve your daily needs.

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Seasonal Affective Disorder

By Hui Yi Tee, PharmD Candidate It’s that time of the year again (two words — pumpkin spice), when the leaves turn into fifty shades of Fall and the southern climate slowly reaches tolerable temperatures. However, good things don’t last forever, and this transitional weather inches us closer to shorter days and colder nights.

Some of us might get excited over the snow and winter months; but for 5% of the population, this could result in tiredness, changes in sleep, overeating, difficulty concentrating, and losing interest in activities we usually enjoy.1 If the above symptoms represent how you feel during the winter months, you might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

As fitting as the acronym sounds, SAD is defined by symptoms that appear during late Fall or early Winter and go away upon the return of warmer weather in Spring and Summer. It is important not to dismiss these emotions as just “winter blues,” and to take a proactive approach to maintain your quality of life throughout the winter months.

The lack of sun during the Winter can reduce our ability to produce the “feel good” hormone, serotonin. Light therapy is one proposed way to reintroduce this much-needed ingredient into our lives and aid in relieving symptoms of SAD. Light therapy includes being in a room with artificial light up to 10 times the intensity of normal lighting for up to four hours a day. The great thing about light therapy is that you can continue your activities of daily life while receiving treatment.

Sunlight is also important for vitamin D production, another important ingredient for mood and energy. In fact there is a notable

trend of vitamin D deficiency and it is prevalent in areas of the world with less sunlight and in people with limited sun exposure. Vitamin D is also vital for building bones and muscles, as well as preventing other health conditions. Before you go running to the nearest tanning bed, talk to your healthcare provider about appropriate vitamin D levels and if supplementation can contribute to your health and mood.

If light therapy alone is insufficient or seems impractical, starting an antidepressant is a reasonable next step. Antidepressants can help reduce symptoms of SAD that may be impacting your quality of life. It is advised that you talk to your healthcare provider and assess the best treatment for you.

Ultimately, it is important to be proactive and take charge of your overall wellness, because we really do only live once. Stay warm, folks!

References: Darren Cotterell. “Pathogenesis and management of seasonal affective disorder.”

Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry, Volume 14, Issue 5, Version of Record online: 7 OCT 2010

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Photo Credit: RFBSIP via Adobe Stock

Nov. 16-29, 2018

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‘Whiskey When We’re Dry’ Out in Print

BY terri schlichenmeyer | CONTRIBUTING WRITER “Whiskey When We’re Dry”

by John Larison ©2018, Viking $28.00/$35.00 Canada 400 pages It was right here a minute ago.

You saw it, but now it’s gone and you have to find it. Beneath a newspaper, atop a shelf, under a blanket, wherever it is, it was just right here — and as in the new book “Whiskey When We’re Dry” by John Larison, you’d search years to have it back.

Jessilyn Harney never knew her mother.

She died in childbirth, leaving Jessilyn’s father to raise Jessilyn and her brother, Noah, who was five years older. Noah took care of Jessilyn when their father drank too much syrup. He was a good brother, making sure she was warm, dressed and protected — until the year she turned 13 and, as young men are wont to do, Noah had a fight with his father, and he rode away.

For a few years, Jessilyn did what she could to help her father run things, but he’d gotten addled in that fight, and was never the same. Sensing the truth, perhaps, he schooled her on sharp-shooting for protection, and he talked of marrying her off. Six days after he left on a solitary ride, Jessilyn found his bones scattered.

Not knowing what to do, she asked if the nearby Mormon family might take her in, and she was denied.

That was when Jessilyn went into the old wooden box that Noah left behind. She found some of his outgrown clothes — things that fit her fine — and she became Jesse.

Women on the frontier stuck out, he learned, but a baby-faced man was mostly ignored. Still, he was soft, and that cost him; he was unwise to the world, and that cost more, though guns would ultimately protect Jesse and they’d generate money in wagers with fools who thought a lad wasn’t good with a Colt.

But Jesse didn’t want money; he only wanted one thing. Noah had taken up with some outlaws, and there was a bounty on his head, dead or alive. Sharpshooting was fun, but Jesse only wanted to find Noah before the law did…

Reading “Whiskey When We’re Dry” is like opening dozens of little gifts at Christmas: each time a surprise occurs, it’s a delight — the last, no less than the first. Author John Larison does that over and over again, gifting readers with a great opening, exceptional characters, and plenty to unwrap.

Set in the years following the Civil War, in an unnamed state, this book offers a lot to fans of many genres: for sure, this is an oater, complete with hosses and outlaws. With stunninglydescribed scenery, it’s a book for adventurers. There’s a gauzily-told romance with another woman here, and small crushes on gun-slinging men.

It’s un-PC, so beware! There’s heroism

in this novel, but not where you might anticipate it.

Take this book on that last-minute vacation you’ve got. Take it to bed, and don’t expect to sleep. Take “Whiskey When We’re Dry,” take it, take it wherever you go.

If you’re in need of a sweeping epic that offers plenty of mini-shocks throughout, it’s right here. : :

Positive Living, Positive Attitude Spiritual Reflections

BY Rev. Debbie warren | Guest CONTRIBUTor

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“It means I have so much to look forward to. I have HIV, but it no Through my work at RAIN, I have the wonderful privilege of longer has me.” knowing many friends and colleagues living with or affected by If you or someone you know is struggling with their HIV diagnoHIV. Recently, I had the chance to sit down and talk with several sis, there are several organizations who want to help. Please take individuals about what that phrase “life positively” means to them. a look at the resources in this issue of qnotes. We are here for you Some common themes emerged: so that life may be lived positively. : : “It’s about having a vibrant outlook on life.”

“It means my opportunity to come from a place of service.”

Rev. Debbie Warren is founder, president and CEO of RAIN. “We as individuals can impact others by sharing our stories.”

Everyone talked about living with purpose, not letting life pass by, and being intentional about life choices: “An HIV diagnosis really prompts you to take a step back, pause and look at what you need to do.”

Several talked about self-empowerment, their own work to overcome obstacles and struggles, and how meaningful it is to personally support, empower and educate others about HIV: “Everything comes back to love: self-care, and self-love. Things like not allowing yourself to be broke all the time, or to be treated badly, but instead, looking at where you can start to grow and have stability.”

Most stressed that it’s been an ongoing process to change their way of thinking: “I coach myself every day. But I no longer look at my pill bottle and say, ‘I’m HIV positive.’ Life is not going to stop me because I’m living with HIV. You have to find your inner truth — it took me several years, but I no longer give anyone else control of my happiness. Whether someone likes me or not, it’s not going to change my HIV status.”

One individual summed up the power of living “life positively:” A positive outlook can counter an HIV diagnosis struggle. (Photo Credit: nito via Adobe Stock)

qnotes

Nov. 16-29, 2018

Molly Adele Brown

Changing the world through music and kindness

L

BY Joey Amato | Guest CONTRIBUTor

GBTQ musician Molly Adele Brown is one of the hottest young stars bursting onto the music scene. In the past few months, the talented singer/songwriter has released timely and influential music, tackling hot topics including the #MeToo movement, bullying and equality. The New York native studied theater performance at Wagner College in New York City. However, during her junior year, she began to realize that she would rather be herself on stage instead of always playing a character.

“As a songwriter, ‘Only Human’ was one of those songs that felt like it wrote itself, states Brown. “I was in a writing session with Corey Lee Barker and was explaining to him how I was an advocate for a community organization called Only Human. I told him how their main goals are to spread kindness and acceptance into our world and how I so closely related to that. During that conversation, that passion turned into lyrics and a melody.

From that point on the song just flowed.”

Ever since Brown was a child, she dreamed of performing in a music video with dancers, so when the time came to record a video for “Only Human” she knew it was time to call a few friends. “I took ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop (my favorite) lessons. I was never the best dancer in the room, but I always felt a sense of freedom when I started dancing. Once I decided I wanted to release ‘Only Human’ with a music video, I had the idea to show humanity through a group of diverse dancers — no fancy set, no glittery costumes, just real people dancing together.” The video showcases each dancer’s unique style and personality and ends with the group dancing in unison. “No matter how different we may seem on the outside, we are all only human on the inside.”

Brown often finds the inspiration for her songs straight from the news and today’s political climate, which is ripe with material.

Both “Only Human” and “Me Too” are a direct response to what is happening in the world today and another song titled “Weather the Storm” came from watching the evening news. “I was trying to wrap my head around why we are involved in conflicts overseas and was thinking to myself, ‘Why are we doing this? It’s all so confusing.’ That led to the line, ‘we turn on the news and get so confused’ and the song took off from there. It makes me disappointed to even have to write these types of songs, but I find them so important especially in this day and age.”

“Me Too” took shape in a writing session with Tim Angsten and Tim Baumgartner.

Brown was ranting about the #MeToo moveMolly Adele Brown. (Photo Credit: Shanna Snow Photography) ment and the trio started talking about what it meant and how they could address it.

“The original intent was for it to be sung by LGBTQ community down here and become more open as a father to his daughter, but since we never it relates to my career. It’s refreshing to be myself and I heard from Tim McGraw or Keith Urban and we wanted to hope that rather than be excluded from opportunities this get it out there, we changed it to a mother’s point of view, will only be a positive and open more doors.” and I did the song and video.”

She and her partner Shanna moved to Nashville in Brown is an active member of Nashville’s LGBTQ music August of 2017 after making several trips to the city to colscene, and although she hasn’t been the victim of discrimilaborate with different artists and producers. “I am lucky nation because of her sexual orientation, she is conscious that Shanna was willing to make the move. It doesn’t hurt about the effects identifying as gay can have on her that her family is here as well, but I like to think that it was career. “While I have never hid my sexuality or my relationall because of me. All kidding aside, we both love it down ship, I really didn’t make it known either,” Brown mentions. here — I couldn’t be happier.”

“Being from New York, I was nervous when I first came to Since her arrival, she has had the privilege of working Nashville that I would be judged for it, after all, we are in with some LGBTQ artists and songwriters in Nashville the South. It’s only recently that I have connected with the

including Stasney Mav and Nell Maynard, two artists who are making a splash in the Nashville community. “One LGBTQ artist that I would love to create something magical with would be Brandi Carlile. She has a way of saying what needs to be said in the most poetic way. I believe if the two of us worked together we would come up with something amazing.”

Another goal of Brown’s is to be on “Ellen.” “I love what she stands for, and I want to be a guest on her show. After that, how about a Grammy nomination (or two)! And I dream that one day I will go back to New York and perform as Bonnie in a revival of Bonnie & Clyde on Broadway. Personally, I want to continue to push myself to grow as a person and as an artist. To be authentic and live my best life.”

Brown draws inspiration from a variety of musicians across many genres including Carole King and Andy Grammer as they are uniquely themselves and never try to be anything else. “Carole King was a trailblazer as a young woman in the industry years ago.

Andy Grammer chooses to write about love and happiness which I so closely relate to.”

Like those before her, Brown is out to change the world through music and storytelling. Growing up, she thought the biggest disappointment in life was not receiving a particular part in a play or if an Instagram post didn’t get enough likes. “What I realize now is how unimportant that all is. Now, I’m disappointed that I need to even write songs like ‘Only Human’ or ‘Me Too.’ I would love to be a part of the change to eliminate that disappointment.”

In addition to making music, the artist spends her time helping people from all walks of life. Giving back was something that has been part of her life even as a child. “When I was little, I ran a lemonade stand and donated the proceeds to Alex’s Lemonade Stand which supports childhood cancer.” Brown was an active member of her church youth group and did several Midnight Runs across New York City bringing food and clothing to homeless people on the streets in the middle of the night. “After those experiences, I began to always have a few extra snacks in my bag to hand out to homeless people that I ran into.”

For her Sweet Sixteen party Brown asked guests to bring children’s pajamas to donate to the Pajama Program, an organization that distributes pajamas and books to children in homeless shelters. After releasing “Me Too,” she was asked by Hope’s Door, an organization that helps free women from domestic abuse, to perform the song at their annual gala.

“I guess looking back on all of that, you can see the common thread of homelessness, which is where my passion lies. This is why I am starting a monthly cookie bake with friends to bake batches of cookies to hand out to homeless people. I already do this on my own, but I want to grow awareness and who doesn’t love baking with friends. I will call them Kindness Cookies because I really think cookies are a great way to spread kindness.”

Brown dreams and aspires to make a living from her music and to make a difference in this world. “It may seem cliché, but to me it sounds perfect!”

To view the “Only Human” video, visit youtube.com/ watch?v=6bvFRSsA9Us. : :

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Black and white in color An interview with ‘Mapplethorpe’ director Ondi Timoner

BY Gregg Shapiro | Guest CONTRIBUTor Birmingham, AL) two weeks ago, and that was for the whole film festival, not just the LGBTQ portion. We won the second place Audience Award at TriBeCa when we premiered. We have four Audience Awards now.

Audiences seem to be responding to the film, which is quite heartening. I also won Best Director at Long Beach.

GS: It must be very gratifying.

OT: We worked really hard on it. I wrote and developed it over 12 years. We had to shoot it in 19 11-hour days. It’s quite an ambitious project. To go 12 years and then have 19 days to render three decades on Super 16 and Super 8 film, and cover 135 locations in 55 scenes. I’m grateful to the whole crew, especially (cinematographer) Nancy Schreiber, my DP, and Jonah Markowitz, the incredible production designer, and of course (actors) Matt Smith, Marianne Rendón, John Benjamin Hickey, McKinley Belcher, our cast and crew. Carolyn McCormick, who played Joan Mapplethorpe, and Mark Moses, who played the father (Harry). An incredible group of talented people came together behind this film, and that’s what it takes.

Ondi Timoner (Photo Courtesy: Odin Timoner)

I

n a year when documentaries such as “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” “RBG,” “McQueen” and “Whitney” are all the rage, it’s refreshing to see a biopic such as Ondi Timoner’s “Mapplethorpe” (Interloper). British actor Matt Smith, so well-loved for his portrayal of Dr. Who in the series of the same name, fully embodies and embraces the role of the late photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

Timoner’s film follows Mapplethorpe after he drops out of Pratt Institute and embarks on his creative life in Manhattan where he meets and begins relationships with Patti Smith (Marianne Rendón) and Sam Wagstaff (John Benjamin Hickey), and ultimately leaves an indelible mark on the art world. I spoke with Timoner about “Mapplethorpe” in September 2018.

Gregg Shapiro: I’d like to begin by congratulating you on “Mapplethorpe” receiving the Audience Award for Narrative Film at The All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival (aGLIFF) in Sept. 2018. What does such an honor mean to you?

Ondi Timoner: We also won the Audience Award at QFilms (LGBTQ Film Festival) in Long Beach this past weekend.

Also, the Audience Award at Sidewalk Film Festival (in

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GS: I’m glad you mentioned Matt Smith. It’s as if he was born to play Robert Mapplethorpe.

OT: I know! It’s so funny, too, because it was my son who thought of it. Matt was Dr. Who, and later Prince Philip in “The Crown.” My son was a “Dr. Who” fan and he said I should cast Matt Smith as Robert Mapplethorpe. He just loved Matt and he thought he was the best Dr. Who. I couldn’t see that, because I’m not a “Dr. Who” fan. I couldn’t understand the connection. My son was nine at the time and I kind of poo-pooed it, as one would. And then, serendipitously, Matt’s agents called a week or two later. They asked me if I would lunch with him and consider him for the role.

Just because my son said that, I took the lunch. I was met with a man who had such mystique and tension and kind of a quiet disquietude, if you will. A gravitas that I never experienced in any of the actors, and I’d met with so many over the years. I hadn’t seen that in anybody. James Franco was cast to play the role and was attached for a couple of years. Even James didn’t have that. He had something different. James didn’t have that kind of mercurial presence in the same way. There was something a little bit lighter about James. Matt had something else and it was a lot like the character that I’d envisioned, that I’d been writing in all those drafts. I asked him to read. He would probably never read today, now that he’s attached to the new Star Wars [laughs]. Back then, this was four or five years ago, he agreed to read and his reading made my mouth fall open. I knew right then, even though none of us producers thought we could necessarily get the film financed with him in the lead at that point in his career, we believed he

was the right choice for the role. That there could be no one else; like you said, like he was born to play it. That’s what he brought every day. I think the tension of the schedule and how hardcore it was, forced us out of our comfort zones, to improvise and work together to pull off something very special and very authentic. Both of us are very much after the truth onscreen, whatever that is. As hard and as painful as it might be, as unflinching a look at Mapplethorpe as we could possibly pull. He was never scared.

GS: Mapplethorpe’s relationships with Patti Smith and Sam Wagstaff have been well-documented in Smith’s memoir “Just Kids” and in James Crump’s doc “Black White + Gray,” respectively. However, Robert’s relationship with his younger photographer brother Edward may be a new subject to some viewers. Please say something about the importance of making that a prominent element of your film.

OT: I think that Robert’s relationship to his mortality, his relationship to fame in regards to his mortality, is a real driving reason why his brother is so important. His brother becomes a photographer in his shadow; is inspired by Robert to become a photographer. There father had been a hobbyist photographer who would have them all line up for a picture and smile. This kind of photographic other, edgy photography was not something that was accepted in the household and it got Edward thrown out of the house, too.

Edward was just dying for his brother’s tutelage, mentorship and love, which his brother very reluctantly provided for him, but never really let on that he needed him as much as he did. He (Robert) became dependent on Edward.

When he becomes sick with AIDS and has a death sentence, he’s just becoming really famous. He finally accomplished everything he dreamed of, which was, “If they love my work and they worship my work, then they’re going to love me.” That’s why it’s so important that the coming of age story with Patti (Smith) is in there. As he discovers art, he discovers his sexuality and that he couldn’t turn away from men. He was fascinated with what was then considered the underbelly, that which was deemed obscene at that time. He couldn’t turn away from it, and, in fact he found it beautiful. He was determined that we should all find it beautiful. He was going to show it in its sculptural form, clean it up and put it in a studio, and make it (something like) Rodin and Michelangelo, so that we would all worship it. He finally accomplishes this, and you’re not famous unless you’re photographed by Robert Mapplethorpe, and then bam! Mid-1980s, HIV positive, and guess who’s going to live on with the name Mapplethorpe? There’s another photographer, his brother. That scene (in the movie) of the joint show is true. He does ask him to change his name. In fact, he demands that he changes his name to Maxey (their mother’s maiden name). Imagine how painful (it would be) to be told that you have to change your name. The way Matt performs that scene, it’s chilling. Edward is important in that regard. Edward coming back and being with his brother at the Whitney Retrospective and being there for his brother’s death, even though he was made to change his name, I think is very important.

GS: “Mapplethorpe,” like the FX series “Pose” and Rebecca Makkai’s novel “The Great Believers,” as well as the new documentaries about Susanne Bartsch and Studio 54, takes us back to the 1980s and the devastation of the AIDS crisis. Why do you think the subject of AIDS in the 1980s has returned to the cultural zeitgeist?

OT: I think we’re facing a massive epidemic right now, with the opioid crisis. I think we’re at another point where shame and isolation and the spreading of a disease that’s out of control has gripped this nation. I’m certainly thinking about that a lot because I’m currently in production — and taking a break to speak to you — on a film about the opioid see next page u

epidemic. It took us a long time to address (the AIDS crisis) as a nation and in that time, a lot of people needlessly died, and that’s what’s happening now with this. We are not showing compassion. We are putting shortterm profit over long-term sustainability in the health of our brothers and sisters in the world and in this country. We are only coming around now and we need to throw a lot more resources at this. People can go from being a drain on the system to being a positive asset to our society. I’ve seen it again and again. I’m filming the positive side of the recovery more so than the darkest side of it because we’ve got plenty about that.

The way that Reagan handled AIDS caused the deaths of so many people. That’s why he gets a little cameo in the movie (“Mapplethorpe”), a little shot in there as we go into the 1980s.

I couldn’t tell this story without telling the story of AIDS. I don’t know why it’s coming back like this. I don’t think it ever left. My freshman year at Yale, I took a class called The History of HIV and AIDS. That was the early 1990s. I feel like it’s always been present. I feel like, right now, LGBTQ culture and rights are at the forefront. There’s more acceptance than ever before, but there’s a long way to go. I never had been part of any LGBTQ film festival circuit because I’d never made a film that had anything to do with it before. But now that I am, I realize there’s an incredibly strong and vibrant LGBTQ film festival circuit that’s been in existence for more than 30 years. These festivals have been the lifeblood of keeping these stories and the progress going. Keeping people from killing themselves and hurting themselves because they are being rejected by society. So many of these people that are addicts, that I’m filming right now, that are recovery, have had that kind of bullying, isolation and stigmatization put on them.

We as humans need to feel connection, a

sense of belonging. With the rise of technology, we’re more and more isolated. The fact that we didn’t know how AIDS was spread isolated those people and they were quarantined in a way, is emblematic of a lot of what’s going on on a societal level today culturally. We lost 72,000 people to opioid addiction last year.

GS: We are coming up on the 30th anniversary of Robert’s passing. What do you think he would he would have thought about the movie?

OT: When I was writing the film, I actually felt Robert sitting next to me. One time, on set, I felt him, as well. I always felt his blessing about not turning it away. When I finished my director’s cut, it happened to be his birthday. It was also Sam Wagstaff’s birthday. I feel like that was a good sign.

It’s had to conjecture.

I’ve never made a film about someone who’s no longer here.

That’s why I wanted to make a scripted film.

I wanted to make a film that would bring him alive onscreen. My documentaries tend to be very unfolding, suspense-driven stories that you can follow where the serendipity of life happens. I film things over time and take people on a journey. I wasn’t able to do that with Robert because I didn’t know him personally. But I really tapped into his life. I wanted to make something for artists. I wanted to make something they could watch and be inspired to take on the impossible like he did. I see him as an impossible visionary and I wanted to honor that. In many ways, in the face of fear, he became fearless. I relate to him on that, and the isolation that one feels when they’re dedicated to their work and they have to work so hard to make something that people don’t yet understand. I tried to bring a lot of that to the screen. I think he would like it. : :

Ondi Timoner (right) on set with (left to right) Matt Smith (Robert Mapplethorpe) and Marianne Rendón (Patti Smith) during production. (Photo Courtesy: Odin Timoner)

Nov. 16-29, 2018

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Pharmaceuticals vs.

Alternative Medicines

Dearest Trinity, For seven months I’ve been dating someone who is in the military and now has to go away. I may not see her for six months, and she may even be sent to another place after that. Should I wait for her?

Unhappily yours, Waiting or Walking, Fort Wayne, IN

BY Trinity | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Dearest W.O.W., Question: Do you really have to make a decision today? Can’t you take it one day at a time, one email at a time and one deployment at a time? If you wait a while this could be an experience that transforms you, your ideas of relationships and your understanding of love!

Remember, sweetie, ending a relationship is easy; keeping one can be exciting and fun!

Kisses, Trinity

Tell Trinity

Dear Trinity, Do you really think natural foods or alternative medicines have any benefits? Isn’t all that just birdseed and seaweed?

Sincerely, Bird Health, Topeka, KS Dear Bird Health, While pharmaceuticals save lives, they also turn people into addicts, abusers, even corpses. Massage, acupuncture, urine therapy, hydrotherapy, cannabis therapy and chiropractic as well as herbal and nutritional remedies have saved many lives for millennia. Before pharmaceuticals, people also lived long, healthy lives with what are now called “alternative medicines.” Don’t wait until it’s too late to find that many things heal, not just drugs. Pumpkin, be smart, be open minded and live a healthy life!

Hugs, Trinity

Hey Looks… Bah Humbug, Yes, you should be liked for who you are, but dating is like fishing. First you have to catch a fish with your shiny, attractive hook, then later you can pull out the hook and relax more.

However, after that you still have to act like a modern man not a cave man. You see, honey, hygiene, charm and dressing well will allow your catch to want to stay hooked for a long time. (My cartoon shows you how I wow ‘em!)

Hello Looking For More, Well aren’t you just a whip-cracking newspaper editor. Darling, let’s see if these helps.

Trinity’s Alluring Tips For Standing Out (Especially In A Club)

Hey Trinity, The last guy I dated stopped dating me, saying, I didn’t use good hygiene and didn’t dress well. I’m not a “care about how I look” type of gay man. Shouldn’t I be liked for who I am, not how I look or dress?

Yours, Looks… Bah Humbug, Jacksonville, FL

qomunity

qonexions

1. LOOKING nice, smelling nice, acting nice and having nice breath promises you’ll get more than… someone without those qualities.

space starting at $22: call qnotes for details 704.531.9988

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Nov. 16-29, 2018

Hello Trinity, A while back you were asked, “How do I make myself stand out and get noticed?” You answered in one sentence. Now, I know you have more to say than that!

Sincerely, Looking For More, Baton Rouge, LA

2. If you have a good shape, sell it — never hide it. If not, ACCENTUATE what you do have!

3. Don’t wait for someone to talk to you first. TALK to anyone you like, but don’t stalk anyone you like!

4. If you’re young, ACT mature but not too righteous. If you’re old, ACT openminded but not immature. And always act like you’re having fun!

5. Before going out, do something that loosens you up like having a drink or meditating. You must put yourself “in the MOOD!” 6. TOO MUCH coffee makes one talk too fast. Too much liquor makes one talk too much. And too much eagerness makes everyone run away!

7. Charm, style, class and wit will ALWAYS make you stand out over someone with more looks or brains.

8. Wearing BLACK hides everything bad, always looks stylish, appears clean, rich and works everywhere. White is very risky.

9. I know you have a pimple or feel fat, but isn’t there something else you can talk about every time you START a conversation?

10. L astly, teeth whitening, makeup, a modern wardrobe and hairstyle, even a little plastic surgery (gasp!) will really get you NOTICED. 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, Gay Spirituality for the Next Generation! Learn more at telltrinity.com.

Send emails to: trinity@telltrinity.com.

10 favorite drag queen songs to spread holiday cheer Dishing with Buff Faye

BY Buff Faye | CONTRIBUTING WRITER | info@bufffaye.com

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus… whatever you celebrate, its that time to spread your “Holiday Cheer.” Yep, you can officially listen to Christmas music now. I wanted to share some of my all-time favorite holiday songs that are performed by drag queens this time of year. Put them on your playlist, or better yet, go out to a show with your friends and family.

1. “Santa Baby” — From the original version sung by Eartha Kitt to even pop divas like Madonna, many singers have sung this cheeky holiday classic about “trimming my Christmas tree” with extravagant gifts. This is the quintessential drag queen song to perform at Christmas in naughty fox tails and lingerie.

2. “All I Want for Christmas is You” — Nobody sings this song like Mariah Carey (well like she used to sing anyway). And, no matter what Christmas drag show you go to, I would bet money that somebody will perform this well-known ballad about welcoming your special someone home for the holiday — “make my wish come true.”

3. “Susy Snowflake” — Sung by Rosemary Clooney (George Clooney’s aunt), this song doesn’t really mention Christmas at all. Rather the song is a celebration of the winter season and was made famous with a stop-motion animation cartoon in the 1950s. I love seeing a queen perform this song — “If you want to take a sleigh ride — Whee!

The ride’s on me!”

4. “Run, Run Rudolph” — I have to say it is one of my favorites — an upbeat song about the infamous Rudolph. I particularly love the Kelly Clarkson version from her “Wrapped in Red” album.

5. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” — Truly one of the best Christmas songs spreading the spirit

of the season. I have heard so many drag queens perform this song and, of course, the Judy Garland version cannot be beat.

6. “This Christmas” — Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle and Mary J. Blige are among the great female singers that have sung this Christmas standard. It is said to be “absolutely the premiere holiday song written by an AfricanAmerican.”

7. “Winter Wonderland” — “Gone away is the bluebird, here to stay is a new bird…” Who doesn’t want to stroll and dance in a Winter Wonderland? This is actually one of my favorite songs to perform as sung by Ayeisha Woods.

8. “Sleigh Ride” — TLC 9. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” — Guaranteed to make you think twice on how you treat people during the holiday — “he’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice!” Don’t mess with Santa or when Mariah Carey belts this holiday tune.

10. “ 8 Days of Christmas” — “On the eighth day of Christmas my baby gave to me, a pair of Chloe shades and a diamond belly ring…” Yasssss, Destiny’s Child sings this holiday hit about not one day of Christmas, but eight days and a gift each day. Hmmmm… sounds like Hanukkah to me!

DRAG TIP: Don’t be afraid to perform a holiday song! You can go back to your Top 40 songs in January!

Buff Faye calls the Queen City her home and loves buying toys for kids (plus she loves to raise money for charities). Find her at your favorite bars and hotspots. And don’t forget her monthly Saturday night shows, Sunday drag brunch and regular Friday night party bus. Learn more at AllBuff.com. Follow on Twitter @BuffFaye

SHOUT OUTS: Bring the family and friends to the Thanks-Girrrrl Drag Brunch on Sunday, Nov. 18 at Dilworth Grill. The new location has an all-you-can-eat buffet and your favorite drag queens from across the Carolinas. Get your tickets online at AllBuff.com.

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news News Briefs

continued from page 4

Family groups launched

The Family Equality Council has announced that it has launched a national network of LGBTQ family groups. The network aims to empower, educate and support groups and community leaders by connecting members, offering them a platform to share challenges and successes, providing training and technical assistance, creating access to free resources, offering mentorship and providing minigrants. Currently there are nearly 40 groups established across 22 states. Membership is free with no requirements or commitments.

Members will have access to lunch and learns, quarterly meetings, downloadable resources, networking opportunities, group listing in the network directory and more. A downloadable toolkit is available to help jumpstart the group with ideas and tips. Carolinas groups that have formed are: Safe Environment for the Acceptance of Rainbow Children (S.E.A.R.C.H.) at the LGBT Center of Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C.; Parents Night OUT at the Harriet Hancock LGBT Center, Columbia, S.C.; and support from the Journal of Reproductive Justice, Greenville, S.C. Applications are available online. info: familyequality.org. lgbtcenterofraleigh.com. harriethancockcenter.org.

Womyn’s concert hits High Country

Barb Ester, Beth York and percussionist Phyllis Free will perform at a Heron House concert on Nov. 24, 7 p.m. Non-refundable seat reservations are $15-$20 and can be procured through PayPal via lgarrettxx@ gmail.com. Once payment is received, a confirmation will be sent, along with details and directions. info: heronhouseasheville.com.

final 60 days of 2018. To date, Rainbow Railroad has assisted more than 600 people escape to safe countries. info: rainbowrailroad.com. allout.org.

‘Voice’ contestant dies

Beverly McClellan, a lesbian contestant on Season 1 of “The Voice,” has died of cancer at the age of 49. She was diagnosed with endometrial cancer that spread to her bladder, colon and intestines. A GoFundMe fundraising page was established to help offset her medical bills. McClellan performed at a Human Rights Campaign Carolina gala in Charlotte, N.C. in 2012 and was featured in qnotes at goqnotes.com/14780. info: yhoo.it/2qIF84a.

Athletic curriculum launched

Athlete Ally announced the launch of Champions of Inclusion, the first free, comprehensive online curriculum for coaches on LGBTQ respect and inclusion within athletics. info: learn.athleteally.org.

Ice cream pros resist

Ben & Jerry’s launched Pecan Resist, a campaign to “lick injustice and champion those fighting to create a more just and equitable nation for us all.” To “lift up” those who are leading the resistance to the current administration’s regressive agenda, Ben & Jerry’s introduced the limited batch ice cream flavor celebrating the activists who are continuing to resist oppression, harmful environmental practices and injustice. info: benjerry.com/pecanresist.

Org rings bell

Out Leadership rang the Nasdaq stock market opening bell on Nov. 2. Out Leadership founder and principal Todd Sears was joined by members of Out Leadership’s senior leadership team, representatives from Out Leadership’s member companies include members of its Leadership Committees and other supporters.

A live webcast of the honorary opening bell ceremony, courtesy of Nasdaq, is available at livestream.com/nasdaq/live. info: outleadership.com.

Fund granting apps available

The Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund (CLGF) announced its 2019 grant cycle opening.

The organization awards grants to organizations serving the LGBTQ community in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area through three grant programs: Basic Operating, Programs, Projects and Events, and Grassroots Lane.

Grant applications and application guides for Basic Operating and Programs, Projects and Events Grants will be available online at fftcgrants.communityforce.com beginning Dec. 1, 2018 for the application guides, and Jan. 1, 2019 for the grant applications. Grassroots Lane grant applications are accepted throughout the year. Deadline for submissions is 12 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2019 for Basic and Feb. 15, 2019 for PP&E Grants. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Applicant presentations will be held in April. info: fftc.org/collective_giving.

Orgs defend rights

On Nov. 2 rights groups Rainbow Railroad and All Out joined an international chorus of human rights defenders to demand an immediate investigation into the allegations of disappearances, unlawful arrests, torture and killings of LGBTQI people in Chechnya.

Rainbow Railroad launched its #60in60 Campaign on Nov. 1 to save 60 lives in the

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events November 20 Evan + Zane: Jealousy Tour

Theatre in the Park 107 Pullen Rd., Raleigh 7 p.m.

Raleigh native, “Westworld” star, musician and unapologetic queer feminist Evan Rachel Wood joins singer-songwriter and bandmate Zane Carney for an intimate performance to raise funds for the historic arts venue. General admission tickets $45 and available for purchase online. Cabaret table reserved seating $95 per person and can be purchased through the box office at -919-831-6058. Table seats 4. theatreinthepark.com.

November 22-December 24 Charlotte Christmas Village / Christkindlmarkt

7th St. & N. Tryon St., Charlotte 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday Uptown’s Old World Europe -inspired seasonal market moves to a new home from its former site in Romare Bearden Park. Traditional German and Austrian food and drink will be available, along with special children’s programming, a variety of entertainment on the performing arts stage, and free visits with Kris Kringle. No charge for admission. Open until 5 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day. Closed Mondays except Christmas Eve, when hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. cltchristmasvillage.com.

November 23-January 6 Holidays at the Garden

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont

5-9 p.m.

An abundance of light displays including a musical topiary, quaint building installments and model train displays, live concerts, shopping, an activity-filled children’s discovery trail, photos with Santa and more can be found nightly at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden throughout the holiday season.

Holidays at the Garden admission $14.95/adults, $13.95/seniors 60+ and $8.95/children when tickets are purchased online; prices are higher at the gate. dsbg.org/events/garden-events/ public-garden-events/holidays-atthe-garden.

November 23 Zoso: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin

The Fillmore 820 Hamilton St., Charlotte 8 p.m.

Zoso, by critics’ accounts as well as the band’s own, goes all out in its quest to embody “the ultimate Led Zeppelin experience.” Dramatic lighting and elaborate stage effects ensure showmanship never falls by the wayside — and where authenticity’s concerned, this acclaimed foursome even rocks period-appropriate vintage instruments. Doors open 7p.m. General admission $12.

Standing room only. livenation.com/artists/44767/zoso zosoontour.com.

November 23-24 ‘Home Alone: Movie in Concert’

Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m.

In the first of three features in the Charlotte Symphony’s upcoming “Movies in Concert” series, the slapstick mayhem of 1990s-kid holiday favorite “Home Alone” is screened above the orchestra as musicians deliver a live performance of John Williams’ original score. Tickets $28-$126. “Movies in Concert” series three-event subscriptions available starting at $99.

December 7-23: ‘The Nutcracker’

Clara meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and witnesses the war between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King in this iconic holiday piece. Tickets $25-$125. Charlotte Ballet will also stage a modified sensory-friendly performance 1p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. For more information, or to purchase tickets at $15 per person, contact 704-348-5752. Charlotte Ballet, Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday with added 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 21, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. charlotteballet.org/nutcracker.

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November 2018-January 2019 Submit your events: editor@goqnotes.com

charlottesymphony.org/ moviesinconcert.

November 29-December 8 ‘Fallen Angels’

Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. FridaySaturday (plus matinee 2 p.m. Dec. 8), 3 p.m. Sunday The Actors’ Gym bring to life Noel Coward’s classic comedy about a suave former lover who reenters the lives of two best friends.

Tickets $20. bit.ly/2B0mESO.

November 29 An Evening with President Bill Clinton and James Patterson

Knight Theatre at Levine Center for the Arts 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte 7 p.m.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation, in partnership with Park Road Books, welcomes President Bill Clinton and author James Patterson to Charlotte to discuss their recent best-selling novel, “The President Is Missing.” Tickets $50-$125. foundation.cmlibrary.org/patterson.

November 29 Livingston Taylor

Neighborhood Theatre 511 E. 36th St., Charlotte 8 p.m.

Multitalented son of a multitalented family, Livingston “Liv” Taylor has achieved icon status thanks to half a century’s soulful and eclectic work. The guitarist, singer, songwriter and popular Berklee College of Music professor brings his signature style to NoDa’s restored Neighborhood Theatre for one night only. Doors open 7 p.m.

General admission $30, reserved seating $35. $3 surcharge at the door for patrons 18-21. Under 18 admitted with parent. ID required. bit.ly/2B0Q6rT.

December 1 A Golden Christmas

Reed Gold Mine 9621 Reed Mine Rd., Midland 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Reed Gold Mine’s Christmas celebration includes a guided candlelight tour to allow patrons to experience how 19th-century miners would have marked the holiday. The day will also feature demonstrations, local crafts, refreshments and more, as well as the chance to shop for quilts, lace, traditional toys, and other goods created by local artisans. Tickets $3/adults and children 3 and older.

Kids 2 and under admitted free. bit.ly/2PUs7CJ.

December 1 Charlotte Latin Pride Expo

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 1900 The Plaza, Charlotte 12-4 p.m.

December 4-9: ‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’

The beloved 1980s flick following Ralphie Parker’s quest for the air rifle of his dreams, brought to the stage in a Tony-nominated musical by the creators of Dear Evan Hansen and La La Land. Tickets $24-$94.50. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 Independence Blvd., Charlotte. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. bit.ly/2JYBhcb.

This year’s expo by Charlotte Latin Pride — Orgullo, to hispanophones — boasts performances by Miss and Mr. Latin Pride 2018, live music, food and dancing, as well as a cooperative endeavor “collaborating with Mexican Photographer Nelson Morales to bring you an interactive visual of the lives of LGBTQ individuals here in the Queen City.” The event will also incorporate a community resource fair and free HIV testing in recognition of World AIDS Day. bit.ly/latinprideexpo. charlottepride.org/latin.

December 1 Harvey B. Gantt Center Jazzy Holiday Benefit Gala

Charlotte Convention Center, Crown Ballroom 501 S. College St., Charlotte 6 p.m.

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture closes out 2018 with its annual blacktie benefit and awards gala, this year paying tribute to Northwest School of the Arts, retired educator Dorothy Counts and actress Karyn Parsons. Individual tickets are $350 and include admission, 4-course dinner, dessert, artistic performances, live music and dancing. bit.ly/2AZgJxl.

December 3 106.5 The End’s Festivus ft. Bastille The Fillmore 820 Hamilton St., Charlotte 8 p.m.

A special lineup sponsored by one of the top rock stations on the FM band, featuring Glorious Sons and Meg Myers along with headline hitmakers Bastille. General admission $39.50. Standing room only. bit.ly/festivuscharlotte.

December 5, 12, 19 and 26 Pearl and the Charlotte Holding Company

Snug Harbor 1228 Gordon St., Charlotte 9 p.m.

Janis Joplin tribute artist Travis

“Pearl” Laughlin and local backing band the Charlotte Holding Company take up residence on the Snug stage for the month of December, working their way chronologically through the 1960s legend’s four studio albums, including the posthumously-released “Pearl.” $5 cover charge. Ages 21+. info: 917-805-7601.

December 7-9 ‘Clara’s Trip: A Cirque and Dance Nutcracker Story’

Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m.

Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Clara LeBlanc trips at a holiday party. She finds herself in the hospital that night, friends, family and get-well gifts dancing in her head as she dreams. Tickets $35-$50. bit.ly/clarastrip.

December 7-16 ‘A Christmas Carol’

Theatre Charlotte 501 Queens Rd., Charlotte 8 p.m. premiere Friday, Dec. 7; thereafter, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday Theatre Charlotte’s 12th annual presentation of the beloved Charles Dickens adaptation. Rated G. Tickets $28. bit.ly/2PQ1Aqd.

December 8 Tosco Music Holiday Party

McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m.

This special seasonal edition of the Charlotte staple Tosco Music Parties will feature group singalongs and over a dozen local and regional artists performing songs of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Tickets $15.50-$34.50. 10 percent discount for students and groups of 10 or more. Call 704-348-5752 for further information on group pricing. bit.ly/2z7C4mJ.

life

REGULAR EVENTS

Our People: Bernard Davis

Charlotte LGBT Chamber

Regular business meetings, social events and other activities throughout the year. Days and times vary. info: clgbtcc.org.

PFLAG Concord/Kannapolis

Meets for monthly group support meetings, second Tuesday of each month, 7-9 p.m., Trinity United Church of Christ, 38 Church St. N., Concord. info: bit.ly/1pCFVBq.

PFLAG Gaston

Meets for monthly support meetings, third Thursday of each month, 7 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 258 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. info: pflaggaston.org.

Prime Timers

Monthly meeting including dinner, speaker, games and more for gay men ages 21 and up, 5-7 p.m., Park Road Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 3900 Park Rd., Charlotte. info: primetimersww.com/charlotte/.

Stonewall Sports

Regular team sports, meet-up, social and service events throughout the year. Days and times vary. info: stonewallcharlotte.leagueapps.com.

Trans Youth Group

Time Out Youth Center hosts weekly discussion groups for transgender youth ages 13-20 each Thursday, 4:306 p.m., 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte. info: timeoutyouth.org.

Transcend Charlotte

Hosts twice monthly support groups for partners, friends and family of transgender and gender non-conforming adults ages 18 and older, second and fourth Sundays of each month, 6-7 p.m., Time Out Youth Center, 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte.

Prior to each meeting an anxiety support group is offered 5-6 p.m. info: transcendcharlotte.org.

UPDATES/ADDITIONS?

Do you have a regular and reoccurring community event you’d like listed? A listing to update? Email us at editor@ goqnotes.com.

Health Administrator

R

BY Torie Dominguez |qnotes staff WRITER

osedale Medical, formerly known as Rosedale Infectious Diseases, has grown under the guidance of its founder and Medical Director Dr. Frederick A. Cruickshank into a regional leader in HIV/AIDS care. Now, with the opening of its Uptown Charlotte location, Rosedale has taken a major step towards broadening access to treatment for those living with HIV as well as the greater Queen City community at large. In recognition of World AIDS Day and to accompany its annual Life, Positively special issue, qnotes takes the opportunity to speak with Health Administrator Bernard Davis about the provider’s mission, the services it offers, and Davis’ own observations of the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Did you grow up in the Charlotte area? If not, how long have you lived here?

I did not grow up in Charlotte. I relocated to Charlotte in 2010 for work, and I was in the area for two years. I then relocated to Philadelphia, Pa. in 2012 to begin working on my Ph.D. I then returned to Charlotte in 2014. This time I have been here four years.

When did you join the staff at Rosedale? What does your job there entail?

I joined the staff at Rosedale Medical in 2014. Currently my role as the Health Administrator causes me to oversee the operations of the Charlotte location, but also oversee the growth of the organization. I am responsible for the development of the annual budget, contract negotiations and managing the managerial staff.

When you were a child, what did you see yourself pursuing as an adult? Have you always wanted to be in the medical field?

As a child I wanted to be a physician. Yes, I have always wanted to be in the medical field.

What led you to the decision to work with HIV/AIDS care in particular?

I was working as a lab tech, and one of my best friends was diagnosed HIV positive. I was aware of [HIV], but I didn’t know much about it, and I had an opportunity to interview for a position with the NC DHHS Communicable Disease Branch as a [Disease Intervention Specialist], and I was excited for the opportunity, and it led me into the HIV world.

What’s the toughest part of your job?

The toughest part of my job is juggling everything.

What aspect of your work do you find most rewarding?

The most rewarding part of my job is when I get to see my team and the patients/clients receive what they need.

What’s come as a surprise to you since getting into your present career?

What comes as a surprise is how our country has fallen asleep

regarding HIV. Though it is considered a chronic illness, it is still necessary to be educated about the signs, symptoms and effects.

Have you observed any trends in the occurrence of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, or the experience of living with these conditions, in the Charlotte area?

The trends that I have observed in our area related to HIV and other STIs is how they continue to be elevated.

In your experience, what are the greatest obstacles to treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS? Lack of access to care, stigma and fear.

What do you believe is the most vital change that needs to occur in order to improve quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS? Education, access to care, acceptance and unity among those of us (organizations) who provide services/care for people living with HIV. As qnotes reported back in September, Rosedale recently celebrated the opening of its new Uptown Charlotte clinic. How will this enhance the services Rosedale provides through its original Huntersville location?

This will provide patients with an opportunity to access the same level of care as they have received in our Huntersville location, but it will help to alleviate the transportation challenge of those individuals who are unable to travel to Huntersville. Also, the Charlotte location houses the non-profit arm RAO: Rosedale Assistance and Opportunities, where services such as housing, food and toiletry pantry, support group, as well as PrEP navigation services are available.

What do you feel is the most prevalent misconception about HIV/AIDS? What steps can we take to correct that?

“It will not happen to me.” The step we can take to correct this is education.

What advice would you give to a person who has just learned that they have HIV? I would recommend they take a deep breath and relax. Then get into medical care with an HIV medical provider that makes you feel comfortable, and [that] you trust.

And finally, what would you like to see as the next step — for Rosedale Medical, for yourself, or both?

Our next steps are to continue offering HIV and internal medical care. We plan to develop more programs/services to meet the needs of patients and the Charlotte community. : :

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