In our upcoming issues we will be rolling out several changes and we need your input on one of our new features: 20 Questions. Is there someone in our community that you want to know more about? Do you think people would like to know more about you and what you are doing?
If you know someone that you want to learn more about we want to know who they are! Email us your ideas at editor@goqnotes.com.
On Friday, Jan. 20, 7-9 p.m., the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte Adult Religious Education/Spiritual Development program will be screening the documentary “Ballot Measure 9.”
Ballot Measure 9 was an anti-gay amendment proposed to Oregon voters in 1992 by the conservative group Oregon Citizen’s Alliance. This documentary goes behind the scenes of the fight to stop Measure 9. It contains portions of anti-gay videos produced by the Citizen’s Alliance as well as news clips and interviews with the people who successfully fought passage of Measure 9.
Donna Red-Wing, a grassroots gay rights activist and principle in the film will attend.
The event will be held at the church, 234 North Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211.
For more information, call 704-366-8623 or visit uuccharlotte.org.
Crowdsource time!
We’re looking for folks to chat with for a story with a VERY interesting angle!
Our 4th annual Sex Issue, “Love & Lust,” is coming up soon. With the anti-LGBT constitutional amendment on marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships around the corner, we thought we’d blow the old stereotype of gay sexuality…
Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Young (18+ teens, 20s, 30s) LGBT people who are virgins — yes, virgins — and who are waiting for the right, special someone for marriage or commitment.
- Long-term, monogamous and committed same-sex couples of any age.
- Long-term, monogamous and married same-sex couples of any age.
- LGBT people of any age who were virgins before entering a long-term, monogamous and committed or married relationship.
Desires for anonymity and confidentiality will be respected. Email us your story at editor@goqnotes.com.
Happy holidays! We hope your Christmas and Hanukkah weekend went by as smooth as ever. Folks are still celebrating Kwanzaa and New Year’s is just around the corner, but we’re back here at qnotes, ready to get down to business as the days slip by toward 2012. With holiday break over and work piling up, here’s a couple things you might have missed over the past couple days…
A civil debate?
Rev. Mark Harris, pastor of Charlotte’s First Baptist Church and president of the N.C. Baptist State Convention, told The Charlotte Observer yesterday that he wants a civil debate on the impending anti-LGBT constitutional amendment.
From the paper:
In that capacity [as president of the Baptist Convention], [Harris] is sure to be a point man in the campaign for a state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages. The amendment, on the May 8 primary ballot, would restrict the state’s recognition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. It would also place more restrictions on civil unions and domestic partnerships and make it more difficult for future legislators to rescind.
He understands the debate will be emotional on both sides.
“But I hope we can express our positions – keep the conversation to the facts and our principles – and do it in a civil way,” Harris, 45, said. ”It doesn’t mean I’m going to change someone else’s position or they’re going to change mine.
“But in America, we all ought to be able to express ourselves without things getting out of hand.”
Protect NC Families, the coalition leading opposition to the amendment responded.
From a statement:
“We agree with Mark Harris’ assertion that we should keep the Amendment conversation factual – and do it in a civil way. Nevertheless, this type of discourse is something not seen in other states, especially from an industry willing to pit people’s religion – as well as gross misinformation – against families. We must be willing to honor the very real emotions, including pain and fear, that these types of discriminatory measures naturally evoke, especially when North Carolina’s particular Amendment is not only a permanent ban on marriage equality and civil unions – relationship recognitions that a majority of North Carolinians support – but also strips basic benefits and protections from loving couples, women, and children, and causes substantial economic harms to families, business and the perception of the state as a whole. No one of faith – or otherwise – will sit back while families lose their health insurance, domestic violence victims lose their protections, and loving couples lose their ability to see each other in the hospital. We can’t and we won’t let that happen. We will make sure that the families of NC are protected from this harmful, extreme amendment.”
In the crosshairs…
Columbia, S.C.-based blogger Alvin McEwen picks up on a recent concerning graphic used in a N.C. Family Policy Council publication. In it, a straight couple is seen with crosshairs squared over them.
“Maybe it’s just me, but civil debates on marriage equality don’t necessarily encompass images of an assassin targeting newlyweds,” McEwen writes, alluding to those recent comments by N.C. Baptist State Convention President Mark Harris.
Visit Alvin’s pad to see the graphic and read more of his commentary…
UNC student challenges Speaker Tillis
N.C. Psychological Association opposes amendment
The North Carolina Psychological Association has come out in opposition to the proposed anti-LGBT state constitutional amendment. In a letter (read it here), the group outlines four reasons why the amendment is bad for LGBT people, LGBT-led families and the state.
At the beginning of the month, we reported on a new pro-LGBT equality ad campaign that would be hitting The Charlotte Observer‘s website this month.
We noticed this morning that the ads had finally appeared. Screenshot below, click to enlarge. Article exploring the ads here.
New results from an LGBT travel and tourism survey reveal some interesting data points for those interested in targeting the LGBT market. The top LGBT travel destinations, as you might imagine, line up with those one might already assume are popular with gay crowds. New York City came in on top. Others include Key West, Las Vegas, London, Miami, New Orleans, Palm Springs, Provincetown and San Francisco.
The survey also found that LGBT travelers are more likely to avoid travel destinations due to recent anti-LGBT violence than the presence of anti-LGBT laws.
And, perhaps, the most interesting take-away from the survey, applicable to all sorts of industries and businesses interested in attracting LGBT clientele: The survey found that 71 percent of gay men and 62 percent of lesbian women own smart phones. That’s above and beyond the average. In July, the Pew Internet & American Life project found that just 35 percent of all Americans owned such devices.
From release:
Chow Down South End -A Food Truck Festival continues in at Atherton Mill to showcase local food trucks and promote small business entrepreneurs. Food truck chefs will serve up a variety of food options from gourmet Italian, hibachi style tacos, pulled pork BBQ, hand crafted burgers, cupcakes, and more!
Participating vendors include Cupcake Delirium, Maki Taco, Outdoor Feasts, Napolitano’s, Roaming Fork, Herban Legend, Tasty-Yo and Charlotte’s newest food truck, Goody Woody’s.
Free parking in the Atherton Mill lot and you will see the food trucks set up in the lot near the Atherton Market.
Please do NOT bring a cooler of alcoholic beverages as this is not BYOB. Beer and wine will be on-sale at area restaurants. FREE admission (food vendor pricing applies). Please bring cash as not all of the food vendors accept debit/credit cards.
For more information, visit southendclt.com/2011/12/12/chow-down-south-end-this-wed-dec-14-at-atherton-mill/
A writer for Politics365.com, a politics and policy news website for communities of color, says Charlotte City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield’s election as the city’s first openly gay or lesbian elected official is a good sign for Charlotte and the South.
Matt E. Stevens writes:
In a moment possibly indicative of the “New South” observers are talking about, barriers are quietly being torn down on the Charlotte, North Carolina city council. As the city enjoys a lift of national notoriety from the arrival of the Democratic National Convention in 2012, it’s also witnessing history within its local politics.
[...]
Now that she’s been elected, Mayfield wants to bring stability to real estate values, focus on solid economic development, and keep the community safe. She described her district as one with potential for additional investment if the area is marketed properly to businesses. Her district encompasses much of west and southwest Charlotte, including Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and some major interstates in the city.
[...]
And Mayfield doesn’t just talk about her area, she lives in it. Her home of 11 years is also in her district. It seems that her dedication to the neighborhood has finally put her in one of the best positions to advocate for it.
Read Stevens’ full write-up at Politics365.com…
This weekend is a blast of Ho Ho Ho Holigay fun. Check out all the great happenings in Charlotte and elsewhere this weekend:
Dec. 9 • Charlotte
Candyland
Atlanta’s DJ Mike Pope visits Marigny for JustTwirl’s annual pajama party, one night before their annual Twirl to the World. Marigny Dance Club, 1440 S. Tryon St. 10 p.m. $5. justtwirl.com.
Dec. 9-10 • Charlotte
Drummer Boy
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte performs in their annual holiday extravaganza. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1510 E. 7th St.
8:04 p.m. $20. gmccharlotte.org.
Dec. 9-11 • Charlotte
Fine Art Show
HotWorks.org presents their fourth annual Charlotte Fine Art & Craft Show, with hand-made crafts and art pieces of all shapes, sizes and prices. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. For more information, hours and ticketing, visithotworks.org/ charlottefineartshow/.
Dec. 10 • Charlotte
Twirl to the World
JustTwirl’s annual holiday party featuring New York City’s DJ David Marc and benefiting Crisis Assistance Ministry and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots. Sponsored by Charlotte Pocket Rocket and CBM Design. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 9 p.m. $5/with new, unwrapped toy. $15/without toy. justtwirl.com.
Dec. 10 • Winston-Salem
Ever Green
Triad Pride Men’s Chorus presents an encore performance of their annual holiday show, “Ever Green,” in celebration of winter greenery, lasting youth and life and hope through music. Wait Chapel, Wake Forest University, 1834 Wake Forest Rd. 8 p.m. $10/advance. $15/door. 336-589-6267. triadpridemenschorus.org.
Dec. 10 • Durham
Ye Merry Gentlemen
The Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus presents a festive musical sleigh ride brimming with seasonal cheer, lush harmonies and holiday classics. Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Rd. 8 p.m. Free. tgmchorus.org.
Dec. 11 • Raleigh
Ye Merry Gentlemen
Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus presents a matinee performance of their holiday concert. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1725 North New Hope Rd. 3 p.m. Free. tgmchorus.org.
The women of Chi Psi Omega Fraternity,a group qnotes profiled in our Oct. 29 print edition, are partnering with NC Music Factory’s Wet Willie’s for a holiday charity toiletry drive. The toiletries, which must be new and unopened, will be used to help the fill the fraternity’s care packages to benefit clients of Crisis Assistance Ministry.
The vent takes place at Wet Willies, 900 Seaboard St., tomorrow, Dec. 10, 9 p.m. to close. Bring three toiletry items (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant, etc.) to get a special wristband. The wristband entitles you to a free Jelllo shot at entry, $2 domestics and 2-for-1 appetizers.
This morning, qnotes reported on Hartigan’s Irish Pub’s reopening on Wednesday night and the response from community members. Other local media also covered the reopening. Read the story from FOX Charlotte and the story from WCNC-TV, plus video below.
This morning, qnotes published an open letter criticizing Democratic Mecklenburg County Commissioner Harold Cogdell, Jr., for his political gamesmanship and partnerships with Republican board members, including Bill James.
Other Charlotte media have also weighed in.
The Charlotte Observer‘s Peter St. Onge wrote this morning that “Harold has sold his soul.” From the daily:
What did he get in return? We’re not sure. He’ll have plenty of cameras pointed his way in this busy upcoming year for Charlotte. But if his aim is to use that exposure to propel himself toward higher office, he’ll have to do so without the support of his party’s establishment, which believes he’s shown himself to be about Harold first, everyone else later.
He also shouldn’t expect much loyalty from Republicans, who are embracing him only for the possibility of policy support. Privately, they don’t really trust him, either.
QCityMetro, a daily online publication serving the local African-American community, also weighed in.
Harold Cogdell, Jr.
“In a county that grows increasingly black and Democratic, he errs in casting his lot with the like of Bill James, a vile politician who delights in firing off the most bilious emails attacking the African American community,” Editor Glenn Burkins writes.
Cogdell has managed to alienate his fellow Democrats and likely many constituents. As far as being a “swing vote,” he’s shown his new Republican bedfellows exactly how far he’ll go to put Mecklenburg County Harold Cogdell first. He’s also alienated three of the city’s media outlets — two of which serve communities and constituents that have been among Cogdell’s most loyal supporters.
Unless things change between now and tonight, Cogdell will likely become the next chair of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.
“He’ll get tomorrow what he’s wanted for two years,” The Observer‘s St. Onge concludes. “But it’s going to be a very lonely throne.”
A very lonely throne, indeed.
The Raleigh City Council will consider a resolution opposing an impending anti-LGBT state constitutional amendment banning recognition of marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.
Last week, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker said he was opposed to the amendment and urged the city council to vote for the proposed resolution.
Departing Mayor Charles Meeker condemned a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages in North Carolina on Saturday, days before the City Council considers the controversial issue.
Meeker derided the proposal as “discriminatory in nature, trying to put one group down and somehow (figuring) that’s going to help the rest of us. But it never helps our community when a group is put down.”
Meeker, speaking at a Unity Day forum at the Raleigh Convention Center, also urged attendees to take a don’t-get-mad-get-even approach to the proposed amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions. He counseled voting out of office in the fall of 2012 the state legislators who backed the proposal, which will be on the ballot in May.
“This kind of effort to divide our community for political purposes is just wrong,” he said.
Read the rest of The News & Observer’s coverage. The Independent Weekly also covered the news on their Citizen blog.
From release:
The Plaza Midwood Merchants Association is excited to announce the second annual Holiday Central event to be held Saturday, Dec. 3rd from 5-8 p.m.
Last year, PMMA created the first Holiday Central event and invited surrounding neighborhoods to come out to visit with Santa, take part in fun family activities and to have the opportunity to buy local from the Plaza Midwood merchants. There was a tree lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season.
Based on the great turnout from last year PMMA decided to kick it up a notch! The block of Gordon Street between Pecan and Commonwealth will be reserved for the Holiday Central event. There will be local vendors, fun family activities – such as kids face painting, ornament decorating, balloons, candy canes and more. Santa will arrive in style again in his vintage red Cadillac. Entertainment will be provided by Plaza Family Band and others. The lighting ceremony of the “art tree” will take place at 6:30.
The Plaza Midwood Merchants Association invites all to come out and enjoy this fun holiday event.
For more information, visit plazamidwood.com.
North Carolina AIDS Director Jacquelyn Clymore appears this week on NC Policy Watch’s “News & Views” radio show.
According to Progressive Pulse:
Jacquelyn Clymore, North Carolina’s AIDS director, says while the majority of today’s AIDS patients are living longer and better lives, there is a real need for more funding for treatment and research.
More than 6,200 individuals are enrolled in the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) with another 106 people on a waiting list to receive the life-saving anti-retroviral medication.
Here’s a preview of the conversation…
There’s a bit of a dust-up this week, with The Christian Post picking up on LGBT blogger Bil Browning’s traditional, holiday-time call for donors to avoid the anti-gay Salvation Army like the plague.
The Salvation Army’s anti-gay theology and positions have been known for years. Browning has, for some years in a row now, reminded his readers about the group’s bigoted track record and urged them to shift their holiday donations to more inclusive charities. qnotes wrote up a similar piece last year, focusing on the Salvation Army, a couple other national groups and a local charity known for its anti-gay behavior.
But the Salvation Army isn’t taking Browning’s chiding lightly.
From The Christian Post:
While the Salvation Army as a church does have strong theological beliefs about homosexuality, its main focus as described in its mission statement is “to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”
Hood pointed out that LGBT groups have boycotted the Christian charity nearly annually in recent years, but they have not had a significant impact on giving in previous years. He said in the past two to three years, the organization actually broke records during their red kettle drive. Last year, Salvation Army raised $142 million, which “was a 5 percent increase over the previous year.”
In the end, Hood said, it’s unfortunate that there is a boycott because it’s not the Salvation Army that will be hurt, but “it’s the people we serve,” including many from the gay community.
“If people refuse to give, it’s the poor and people in need that will suffer.”
The poor people will suffer? If gay people choose not to associate with organizations causing them harm?
Besides the fact that Hood contradicts himself (donations were up, despite LGBT boycotts), Hood’s very insistence on the possibility that the poor and needy will suffer is false. Dead false. Because, gay people actually do care. They care enough to continue their good works and direct them in more positive ways than forking over cash to groups that turn around and use it to push hate-filled, anti-gay agendas.
In fact, local LGBT people in Charlotte are taking holiday charity matters into their own hands. Several community members and the party planners at Just Twirl will embark on their third year of holiday charity fundraising on Dec. 10. Just this morning, qnotes had the opportunity to talk with organizers about their upcoming “Twirl to the World” party and fundraising goals for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots and Crisis Assistance Ministries.
See, the Salvation Army’s anti-gay policies, theologies, doctrines and positions do more than just cause gay people to flee from the group’s many other good works. The policies blind even the Army’s staffers and members, causing them to see LGBT people as the sick, callous monsters their theology paints us out to be. It’s all a shame, really, when so much good work could be done by setting aside old prejudices.
A preview of our Dec. 10 print edition’s story on Just Twirl’s “Twirl to the World” and holiday charity work is forthcoming. We’re happy to be able to share the story of good work being done for the benefit of all people. One day, I hope the Salvation Army will learn what the Christmas spirit is truly about and finally embrace one of the Gospel’s most important messages and lessons: Peace and goodwill toward all.
Actor Josh Charles, one of People‘s Sexiest Men Alive and star of CBS’ “The Good Wife,” is the latest in a string of high-profile leaders and celebrities to join the Human Rights Campaign’s Americans for Marriage Equality.
His 30-second message is currently gracing the front page of the campaign’s website at hrc.org/americansformarriageequality.
You can view the spot below.
In addition to Charles, other leaders joining the campaign have included Katori Hall, John Leguizama, Julian Bond, Mo’Nique and Cory Booker.
The LGBT Center of Raleigh says today that it’s neared its $10,000 Fall Fundraising Campaign goal. The campaign ends today and they’re seeking the extra $500 they need to put them over the top.
In addition to the $10,000 one-time donation goal, the center hopes to meet a $2,500 challenge in pledges for monthly recurring donations. Currently, the group has raised $1,275.
The group’s fall fundraiser comes on the heel’s of its successful October awards dinner. In addition, the center opened the Triangle’s only LGBT lending library last month. The collection houses over 1,000 books.
Learn more about the campaign at lgbtcenterofraleigh.com/site/fall-fundraising-campaign-2011.html
The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP, spoke out ferociously against the Republican-led North Carolina legislature’s special session this week. In an official statement shared by NC Policy Watch’s Progressive Pulse Blog, Barber called the legislature’s agenda items racist, classist and regressivist.
Barber writes:
The General Assembly is required by law to follow the North Carolina Constitution which states in Article 1, Section 2 “all political power is vested in and derived from the people…and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.” They should be upholding Article 1, Section 19 of the North Carolina Constitution, which ensures “no person shall be denied equal protection of the laws; nor shall any person be subjected to discrimination by the State because of race, color, religion, or national origin.” The Constitution calls us to a higher place where a “divide and conquer” strategy has no place.
Despite the noble call of our Constitution there is a strange spirit in the halls of the North Carolina General Assembly. The NC General Assembly reconvened last night with two major agenda items: to repeal the Racial Justice Act and pass a Voter Photo ID law that, if accomplished, would have a disparate impact on African Americans, the elderly and other minorities.
These efforts point to an extremist agenda that can be called nothing less than Legislative Racism, Classism and Regression rather than an agenda of Legislative Progress and Prosperity for all North Carolinians.
What’s Barber most upset about? Among the many topics: Repeal of the Racial Justice Act, a voter ID bill, redistricting, primary and secondary education budget cuts, the anti-LGBT constitutional amendment, pre-K education cuts, withholding of federal unemployment benefits and higher education budget cuts.
All this from a legislature that said its top priority was jobs? The proof is in the pudding.
Read Barber’s full statement at pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2011/11/29/racism-and-classism/.
Evan Wolfson, executive director of the national Freedom to Marry, spoke to students at the University of North Carolina School of Law on Monday. In a video released by the statewide Equality North Carolina, Wolfson tells the students that the impending anti-LGBT constitutional amendment banning marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships will tie the hands of future generations.
After the law school speaking engagement, Durham-based blogger Pam Spaulding had the opportunity to sit down with Wolfson. She taped her interview.
See the law school and Wolfson interview videos below.
Wolfson is scheduled to speak again today at a conversation hosted by Raleigh’s NC Policy Watch and Equality North Carolina. Other speakers include University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Law Professors Maxine Eichner and Holning Lau, as well as Stuart Campbell, executive director of Equality North Carolina.
