Archive for September 20th, 2008 Issue
 ‘I hope and pray that not one more teenager will have to live this way, the way I grew up,’ says ‘Crisis’ editor Mitchell Gold. |
If there is any uncertainty about the state of lesbian and gay youth in America, openly gay furniture magnate Mitchell Gold wants the truth to come out loud and queer: they are in trouble.
“There are teenagers all over the world today in crisis mode because they fear what will happen if others discover their sexual orientation,” he says. “They suffer debilitating depression, isolation, addiction and possibly suicidal thoughts.”
Gold’s dismay has led him to assemble and edit “Crisis” (Greenleaf Book Group Press), a new hardcover collection of essays, recollections, speeches and sermons from 40 gay and allied individuals who document — to quote the book’s subhead — “the personal, social, and religious pain and trauma of growing up gay in America.”
“I hope and pray that not one more teenager will have to live this way, the way I grew up,” says Gold, who has achieved much in life despite his painful experiences. In 1989, he established furniture company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams with his namesake business partner, also openly gay, in Taylorsville, N.C. The company now boasts more than 750 employees.
When Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 he was, as Time magazine would later observe, “the first openly gay man elected to any substantial political office in the history of the planet.” Although Milk was assassinated by Dan White, a distressed former Board [...]
This year’s NC Pride Fest and Parade in Durham promise to be the most exciting yet. Last year, festival organizers said the event broke new records, attracting larger numbers of day festival vendors and a slight bump in attendance. Because of the election season, attendance might be boosted yet again. [...]
Recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding new estimates on yearly HIV infections and transmissions should spark action in the Carolinas’ LGBT communities. As reported in this issue (see story), the CDC estimates that among the more than 56,000 new HIV infections each year, African-American [...]
Michelle Williams has been reaching out to the gay community like Barack Obama has been reaching out to the Right. The former Destiny’s Child diva has endless YouTube videos shouting out the gays, and there’s even a Michelle look-a-like contest, which will surely bring in the drag queens. She also [...]
So, you’re heading to Columbia, Raleigh and Durham for the annual North Carolina and South Carolina Pride Festivals? Do you know where to go for fun? Have any clue where to get a cold drink, kick up your feet, relax and find that Mr. or Mrs. Right (Now)? Fear not…Q-Notes [...]
After the conclusion of the Democratic Convention last month some friends of mine were bemoaning the failure of the party’s platform to call for same-sex marriage. Their response was coupled with an “I want change and want it NOW!” attitude and, sadly, a lack of willingness to listen to reason. [...]
ATLANTA — Last month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report detailing new estimated figures for new HIV infections per year. Jumping from 40,000 new infections each year to more than 56,000, the CDC also said the burden for the increase was “greatest among gay and [...]
Ed. Note: This new column will replace, in part, Q-Notes’ regular Health and Wellness column. In the coming weeks, we’ll also debut a new faith and values column. Dear EarthTalk: How can I measure—and then improve—my overall “carbon footprint?” What are the major areas of one’s daily life that one [...]
Ed. Note — After this issue went to press Q-Notes received new information that Asheville PrideFest found a new location for their event on Oct. 11. The annual festival will be held Noon-6 p.m. at Grove House (Scandals Nightclub), 11 Grove St. A more in-depth article regarding Asheville PrideFest and [...]
Del Martin died an honest woman. After five decades of living in sin, of shacking up, of living outside the bonds of marriage, she finally wed the love of her life just two months before she died. Did she have some sort of moral awakening? No, the California Supreme Court [...]
Hey Trinity, You have said that “gay men were created to teach the world how to be fabulous looking and sexuality enlightened.” Well then what about straight men? Straight Stumped, Richmond, Va. Hey Straight Stumped, Excluding metrosexuals, being sexually attracted to the opposite sex and having little-to-no interior design or [...]
The Philadelphia Equality Forum has announced its slate of 31 LGBT icons and history makers for its observance of LGBT History Month this October. Everyday from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, the Forum will profile an LGBT icon with text and video on its website, glbthistorymonth.com. The videos and other [...]
In this highly political season, the Sun enters Libra and enables us to charm our way through practically anything. Will you use these suave talents for good or for evil? Let’s see in November. VIRGO (08.24-09.23) Money issues come into focus. Queer Virgos have a clearer sense of what fiscal [...]
The first thing that struck me about the Republican National Convention in St. Paul was the stunning lack of diversity. Only the GOP is capable of making Minnesota whiter. Into this cocoon of caucasians stepped the ultra-pale John McCain and his moose-whacking VP, Sarah Palin, who together could have billed [...]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In what might come as a shock to many Queen City business folk, the Human Rights Campaign’s 2009 Corporate Equality Index contains more North Carolina companies based outside of the bustling Carolina metropolis than those on the inside.
CHARLOTTE — The anti-gay spokesperson and president of the nation’s leading radical “family values” organization will speak at the National Conference on Christian Apologetics in early November. James Dobson of the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Focus on the Family will speak at the conference Nov. 7-8, to be held at Hickory [...]
The media is abuzz with excitement about Republican Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska. McCain’s VP pick has stirred up excitement, especially for women in the GOP. But his pick has also stirred up anxiety as well as questions for many women across party lines. And who’s best to help this [...]
Sanford given ‘So Gay’ award COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Pride Movement will present Gov. Mark Sanford with a “So Gay” Award in recognition of his infamous involvement with pulling gay-targeted advertising during London’s Gay Pride festivities. The award is presented to “The Not-So-Honorable Governor Mark Sanford” and says that [...]
Gay Republicans endorse McCain MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The national organization representing LGBT Republicans announced their endorsement of John McCain on Sept. 2. Voting 12-2, the Log Cabin Republicans board of directors stamped their seal of approval on the 72-year-old Republican nominee, saying McCain had “showed courage by bucking his own [...]
