Archives: Print Edition 2017-03-10

One of the many interwoven questions raised by “BootyCandy” is one that all audiences must ask themselves at some point: what is the purpose of theatre? According to the protagonist, a playwright named Sutter, he seeks to make his audience “choke.”

Big Mamma’s House of Burlesque has given the Charlotte entertainment scene a spice of sex and variety for over a decade. Now in the beginning of its 11th season, the troupe is made up of acts much more unique than a simple striptease show.

Spring has come early to the Carolinas, with daffodils already in bloom and trees cascading their blossoms over streets and highways from the mountains to the coast. So now is the time to break away from being stuck inside and venture out to theatres, concerts, festivals and more. With that said, here are some idea starters to whet qnotes’ readers’ appetites.

In the world of thespians (not to be confused with lesbians), the Charlotte theatre scene is diverse and lively. No one knows this better than Martin Damien Wilkins, 37, a local stage director whose newest production, “BootyCandy,” is playing at the Mint Museum on Randolph Rd. until March 19.

The controversy surrounding House Bill 2 (HB2) sees developments every day. The anti-LGBTQ legislation, which mandates public restroom use by birth sex and nullifies local non-discrimination protections, has had received massive pushback from advocates and allies.

As a quick refresher, North Carolina’s HB2 law, passed last spring, dictated that transgender people must use the restroom corresponding to the gender on their birth certificate in public facilities, and that municipalities may not pass legislation protecting its citizens from discrimination beyond that already described at the state level. The result has been a huge departure of convention, sporting and entertainment events, as well as potential major business expansion, from the state.

Even as we recognize and honor today’s LGBTQ heroes, we should also look back and remember those women and men who made our community what it is today. Unlike today, when leading an LGBTQ community organization is often a profession, the heroes of the 1960s and 1970s were volunteer leaders of a movement.

Recent research from Harvard and Johns Hopkins links the presence of state marriage equality with reductions in suicide attempts among adolescents. The effect was particularly strong among adolescents who reported they were gay, lesbian, bisexual or unsure.

In 1992, I walked into a church. I hadn’t done that for a very long time. I have to admit that my motivation was not necessarily all that pure. I was dating a woman who went to church every Sunday evening and I needed to see what or who drew her there.

It takes a village, even for drag queens. Often we don’t see all the supporters and people behind the scenes, helping make a queen look flawless. Nor do we think about what it takes to put together a drag show: the costs involved, the planning of a special event and all the logistics.

Cathy Bessant was named chair of North Tryon Advisory Committee, Buff Faye’s 8th Annual St. Patty’s Get Lucky Party Bus is hitting the streets, Queens for A Cure Tour is coming to the Carolina, Different Roads Home has slated their Artstravaganza arts benefit, Justice Initiative is having its Evening at the Courthouse event, New Life MCC is moving to Gastonia, N.C. and UNC Charlotte made the top 25 list for affordable online colleges.

North Star LGBTQ Community Center has started a veteran’s support group and Creation Justice Network of the United Church of Christ Southern Conference will present “Creation Justice Pathways in North Carolina.”

Stan Kimer, president of Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer, and Darren Noy, CEO of Kannetic, launched a new cloud-based application and Out! Raleigh has begun its planning for the seventh annual festival which will be held on May 6.

The Southern Gerontological Society will hold its 38th annual meeting, AIDS Leadership Foothills-Area Alliance (ALFA) has announced details on its 8th Annual AIDS Walk & High Heel Dash and the 8th Annual Walk a Mile Asheville, The People’s March Against Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence, has been slated.

Upstate Pride SC and Gender Benders issued a condemnation against the Trump Administration for its reckless act of withdrawing guidance to protect transgender students and Alliance for Full Acceptance will hold an oyster roast.

The NC Speaks on Jones Street: North Carolina HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day will be held on April 25 at the North Carolina General Assembly. This date is a schedule change due to a legislative break which was previously reported.

Campus Pride has announced that it has begun offering Safe Space, a new online training course.

The U.S. Supreme Court vacated a lower court ruling and chose not to hear the case brought to it by Gavin Grimm and the City Council of the City of West Hollywood-approved an item that directs City of West Hollywood staff to take steps in prohibiting West Hollywood City Hall from doing business with entities that provide financial or other benefits to the President of the United States or his revocable trust.

News from around the globe for 03.10.17.