Archive for December 25th, 2010 Issue
Let’s face it: Beauty pageants are a joke. Some would even argue such contests are sexist. Fortunately for us sane folks, we can indulge in “Pageant: The Musical,” a hilarious and satirical spoof on this strange, albeit popular, world of beauty pageantry. Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte will stage the show in January.
In “Rabbit Hole,” a little boy’s death tears his parents’ lives apart. Actor-turned-filmmaker John Cameron Mitchell (“Shortbus,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”) connected deeply with the material — adapted by David Lindsay-Abaire from his own Pulitzer Prize-winning play — and won over star/producer Nicole Kidman, snagging his first high-profile, Hollywood feature directing gig.
The top LGBT political and community news of the Carolinas in 2010, from HRC’s move to Raleigh and ASO funding to community leadership changes and midterm elections.
Time Out Youth executive director Steve Bentley (l-r) with youth member Loan Tran and youth services director Laurie Pitts. A native North Carolinian, Steve Bentley grew up in North Wilkesboro. It’s a small town in the state’s western Piedmont, an hour away from Boone to the West and Winston-Salem to [...]
A settlement in the Atlanta Eagle raid lawsuit will force the Atlanta Police Department to rewrite unconstitutional policies regarding arrest, search and seizure, and make other changes to protect the public from police misconduct.
Darrell Senter and Emory Helms are taking on the challenge of producing their documentary short film, “The Mirror,” by asking one simple question, “My name is (blank), hear my story.”
Pick up that fife and flute. The Charlotte Pride Band is recruiting for the first LGBT wind ensemble in the Queen City. Open to the community and its affirming ally musicians, regardless of background or experience, it welcomes all wind players and percussionists.
Thomas Landreth and Brett Kessler were among one of three recipients of SAS’s U.S. VisitSweden’s “Love is in the air” competition. They said their “I dos” with a commitment ceremony at the IceHotel in northern Sweden and a honeymoon package in Stockholm’s Hotel Skeppsholmen.
Equality North Carolina (ENC) which had set a year-end goal of $8,000, need help. They are only a quarter of the way there. In order to secure legislative and campaign initiatives, the monies are necessary.
Only real political courage will be enough to fix Charlotte’s slim and pathetic record of progress. And, while Mayor Anthony Foxx was “there” at the Lesbian & Gay Community Center forum in December, I have doubts whether or not he’ll be “there” for us when it matters the most.
In a recent editorial, Matt Comer says I supposedly compare “homosexuality to child rape” and that I “paint gay people in the same light as child rapists.” Is this true? God forbid! Dr. Michael Brown responds to Comer’s “A Prayer for Michael Brown.”
Scientists in Florida have discovered that when male white ibises eat too much mercury, they turn gay. Don’t blame an overbearing ibis mother. Blame the metal.
Overall, it was a down year for music, but I found enough bright spots to get me through with a minimum of complaints. Here’s a rundown of 10 things that kept me listening throughout 2010.
There are few things in life that you need, other than clothes and food. You need love: someone to curl up with, to re-hash the day, to warm your feet. You need strength to get through the drama. And you need to know you’re on the right path in life.
Some things just can’t be tolerated. Take, for instance, when food touches other food on your plate. Or when socks don’t match up. Or if, like, somebody, like, repeatedly uses a catch-phrase without, like, thinking.
It was a polite gathering: The Boy Scout leader and young man who is a Scout sat with Board members of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA (CHCYMCA), answering every question that we had for them about the place and presence of gay teenagers and gay Scout leaders in their Troop. Following up on my previous column about the Scouts selling popcorn at our YMCA, it was also revealed that the Scouts have been given a place to meet among one of our facilities, giving the perception that we support the Boy Scouts. The conflict is that we, at the CHCYMCA, practice full and total inclusion, while the Boy Scouts of America don’t.
Whether you decide to look hopefully forward or nostalgically backward this January is totally up to you. The main thing is to find ways to make your personal oil burn brightly through 2011. Jupiter slides into randy Aries and slowly squares volcanic Pluto as the months progress. Just don’t slip on your own grease.
A reader asks Trinity, “Sometimes my lover just doesn’t get me. It’s so frustrating. I don’t mean to expect unreasonable things from her, but how can I get my needs met without losing my mind from having to ask for every little thing I need or want? Must I always ask?”
Season’s Greetings, kiddies — hope everyone is managing to stay warm somehow! Our common interest brings us back once again as we chit-chat about contests and the queens who do them!
I’m standing in the middle of a dim hotel ballroom scanning the sights. Across the way, I notice a woman sitting cross-legged on the floor. From the pleather bag beside her she retrieves a disposable diaper, a pack of wet wipes and a shaker bottle of powder. She’s obviously preparing to change the baby lying on the carpeted floor in front of her.
