Archive for July 26th, 2008 Issue
Gone, but not forgotten. That’s how most North Carolinians are thinking of the late former Sen. Jesse Helms, a segregationist Democrat-turned-Republican who held his seat in the U.S. Senate for 30 years. But where the mainstream media, conservative Republicans and fundamentalist Christians have been busy whitewashing his past and glorifying [...]
The recent flap over the “South Carolina is so gay” British ad campaign has left the heads of LGBT citizens in the Carolinas spinning. What the hell happened and how’d it happen so fast? One minute, South Carolina’s going about its “Dixie”-whistling ways and the next it’s busting out with [...]
At the 40th Anniversary of the March on Washington, D.C., in 1963: Matt Foreman, Mandy Carter and Coretta Scott King. Photo credit: Mandy Carter Mandy Carter leaps onto the comparison like a cat pouncing on a cricket. “Yes, I so agree,” she says excitedly. “That was a defining moment for [...]
It’s a popular notion that, after we die, we get what we deserve. So let’s assume that’s precisely what’s happening to Jesse Helms, the longtime U.S. senator from North Carolina who expired on July 4. As I picture things, after Helms died he immediately passed into a spiritual realm. He [...]
Youth: 1921-1939 1921 — Helms is born in Monroe, N.C. 1938 — Helms graduates from high school and decides to attend Wingate Junior College. 1930 — He is forced to get a job sweeping at the local newspaper to help his family during the Great Depression. His exposure here has [...]
Note: This month’s intended column, “Alternative Realities, Part 2: Reparative Therapy” will appear next month to allow coverage of this groundbreaking event. Never has it been easier to be proud of both the Trans community and our elected leaders. On Thursday, June 26, history was made. The Congressional Subcommittee on [...]
RALEIGH — St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church is preparing for “Bakker Mania.” Since the LGBT and allied congregation announced that Jay Bakker, son of PTL Club founders Jim Bakker and the late Tammy Faye Bakker-Messner, would speak at their church on Sept. 28, the response has been so great that [...]
Originally published in the July 9 issue of The Charleston City Paper. When Bryan and Michael decided to leave California in 2005 and relocate to suburban Charleston, they didn’t realize they’d be heading back to the West Coast three years later to tie the knot. On June 14, the State [...]
CHARLOTTE — Yellow Bird Theatre, a new Charlotte theater company created with a focus on LGBT issues, will premiere its first production, “Play on Words,” on Aug. 8. Founded by Greensboro College sophomore Benjamin Brian McCarthy, who is also directing “Play on Words,” Yellow Bird is almost entirely student-run and [...]
I was greatly upset recently by a report on Yahoo! that said there has been an alarming increase in injuries associated with the practice of Yoga in the U.S. It turns out that strained muscles, slipped discs and even strokes have become far too common because of poor instruction from [...]
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A new report from the University of California-Santa Barbara’s Michael D. Palm Center, led by a team of retired senior flag and general officers from the U.S. military, has concluded that the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on openly gay service members is counterproductive and should [...]
Celebrating more than 25 years of vibrancy, fun and charitable giving, the annual Crape Myrtle Festival returned to Raleigh July 17-26. Created in 1981, the festival is the oldest AIDS-related fundraiser in the Southeast. Through its yearly events and galas, over $1 million has been raised for AIDS service organizations [...]
A recent Q-Notes article reported that Charlotte, N.C. was deemed to be one of the “top 10 Gay Ghettos.” (“Charlotte, Raleigh among top 10 ‘Gay Ghettos’”) The number of Gay folks moving to a city, living there or requesting information does make any city a Gay Ghetto. For Charlotte the [...]
Reform leader arrested again KUALA LAMPUR, Malaysia — This Southeast Asian nation is experiencing heightened political divisions and tensions resulting from a gain in power by opposition forces seeking to wrest control from the ruling parties. This past Spring, Anwar Ibrahim led the opposition People’s Justice Party to a stunning [...]
Frank Benedetti and Gary Trowbridge at their 40th anniversary re-commitment ceremony in Winston-Salem, N.C. Last month The Winston-Salem Journal ran a survey on same-gender marriage, which was opposed by 66 percent of the participants — mostly on a “religious” basis. This negative backlash is not unusual. After the U.S. Supreme [...]
Charlotte Batter up CHARLOTTE — A group of women are interested in playing some ball, but are open to expanding to volleyball and/or soccer as well. This gathering would be held either once a week or every other week depending upon participants’ schedules or desires. Time and place is [...]
Sometimes our best laid plans take an unexpected turn. Expect to spin in these new circles as we enter August and the Sun opposes Neptune and Uranus. If you are intent on following your dreams, don’t be surprised to find yourself wafted on clouds. Happy landings! LEO (07.24-08.23) Proud Lions [...]
When kids head back to school this year, there will be a special buzz in the air — the election of the 44th president of the United States. An election year is the perfect opportunity for parents and teachers to engage kids in meaningful conversations about everything from how we [...]
Welcome to ‘Scot’-land The first gay-themed film to be endorsed by a major sports league, and set to open at Outfest 2008 in Los Angeles, Calif., has been acquired for theatrical distribution by here! Films and its subsidiary Regent Releasing. “Breakfast With Scot,” a family comedy directed by Laurie Lynd, [...]
Schools settle bullying cases NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network said two recent settlements reaffirm the potential liability for schools that ignore anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. In California, the Upper Lake Union School District agreed earlier this month to implement comprehensive steps to protect students [...]
