Featured Stories

Within the first few months of the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) gave a subtle wound to the American LGBTQ community. Two HHS nationwide surveys — the “National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants” and the “Annual Program Performance Report for Centers for Independent Living” — removed questions identifying respondents’ sexual orientation and gender identity.

Together for 35 years, truly through sickness and in health, Cyteria Knight, 60, and Susan Miller, 58, have seen more than their share of challenges. Knight’s stroke early this year initiated a long journey toward recovery, and even more trials with mounting medical bills and ineffectual bureaucratic “aid” programs.

This Pride month, qnotes pays homage to one figure whose life and accomplishments set a golden precedent for the capabilities of LGBTQ people everywhere. Alan Turing, renowned scientist of many trades and proud gay man, died on June 7, 1954.

The local incarnation of the national Equality March for Unity and Pride movement took place on June 11 and consisted of hundreds upon hundreds of Charlotteans supporting minority rights. Washington, D.C.’s central Equality March amassed thousands of protestors from all across the country.

Merchant and Ivory. These two legendary names emblazoned on a movie poster or trailer instantly lit fires of anticipation inside cinephiles of the 1980s and early 1990s, myself included. This label was always good news, for it heralded a new offering in the works by the master producer/director team: Ismail Merchant and James Ivory — think “A Room With A View,” “Maurice,” “Howard’s End,” “The Remains Of The Day.”

For many people, animal companionship is more than having a pet. Those with disabilities, whether physical or mental, often benefit from service and assistance animals. In the LGBTQ community, mental illness and psychiatric disability are common due to the pressures of stigma, discrimination and outright violence.

Though the motto “Adopt, Don’t Shop!” can oversimplify a complex issue, at the root it is meant to encourage potential pet owners to do their research. True, not all breeders are evil or inhumane. Yet, choosing to buy a pet has a cost, both financially and morally.

On Oct. 14, 1979, over 100,000 people (including this author) took part in the first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Since then, LGBT people and our allies marched on Washington in 1987, 1993, 2000 and 2009.

Step onto any gay beach — from Miami’s Haulover to Asbury Park’s 5th Ave. to Will Rogers Beach in Los Angeles — and you’ll bear witness to a veritable catwalk of loosey-goosey board shorts, fitted trunks and skintight Speedo-like swimwear. While anything goes on the summer’s sandy shores — especially if the area is clothing optional (better pack those dark lenses!) — this year’s styles continue last year’s thighs-the-limit trend with a twist: button-closure shorts with waist-specific sizing. Here we cultivate some of the more stimulating designs for 2017 with a smattering of tradition tossed in for good measure.

Forget taboo — the cartoonish gay man playing dress-up with straight women has become the fashion world’s most wearisome cliché. Now qnotes’ summer style issue introduces some of the real-life figures breaking ground in a rapidly diversifying industry.

We’ve all seen “leathermen” at Pride events. They boldly display their sexuality through provocative outfits that reveal just enough to tantalize the mind. It isn’t just men — women in leather are positively mouth-watering. And transgender or queer people in leather? They can tie me up anytime.

After nine months of preparation, the seventh annual Out! Raleigh festival faced an unfortunate closure due to extreme weather. High-speed winds in the early afternoon of May 6 blew down vendors’ tents and threatened injury to attendees. Organizers decided to cancel the festival on Saturday, which was scheduled for 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at 2 p.m.

Residents of the Charlotte area have seen their city change in countless ways over the past few years, and none more dramatically than the city’s real estate landscape. In particular, the Plaza Midwood area — revealed in the 2010 U.S. Census for the 28205 zip code as the area most friendly to and populated by the LGBTQ community in the Carolinas — has been the setting of what is arguably one of the most rapid and expansive real estate development trends in recent history.

The property has sat on Independence Blvd., abandoned for years. To look at it now, boarded up and graffitied, you wouldn’t think it was once considered a feat of engineering, ahead of its time, and a point of pride for the denizens of East Charlotte in North Carolina.

Harvey Milk was assassinated in 1978. He was the first openly gay elected official in California. He was only 11 months into his first term as a San Francisco supervisor when he and the mayor, George Moscone, were shot and killed by fellow supervisor Dan White.

As I took to the road with boss-man — what I call the publisher of qnotes — we were both excited to see what Tiger World had in store. On the short 40-minute drive to Rockwell, N.C. from Charlotte, N.C., we chatted enthusiastically about our admiration for big cats and our hope that this facility so close to home would treat the magnificent creatures it housed as well as they deserve.

Do you feel that every summer is all about beaches and hiking, and you want to see something new? This list may be for you. All across the Carolinas and in surrounding areas, weird and quirky places await to entertain, educate and enliven your imagination.

Although the notorious House Bill 2 (HB2) is repealed, legal discrimination against LGBTQ North Carolinians continues. Under the “compromise” legislation, House Bill 142 (HB142), signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on March 30, much of HB2 still remains.

Those who advocate for the LGBTQ community often cite the vulnerability of its youth. While it’s true that queer young people are vulnerable — with higher rates of bullying and suicide — what is not often acknowledged is the incredible strength that LGBTQ young people have.

Across the Carolinas and the world, young LGBTQ people are at the forefront of the community’s fight. Whether it’s an inner conflict to come to terms with an identity, or and outer struggle for acceptance in a trying world, LGBTQ youth represent the best of us.