Qnotes issue, December 23, 2022

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inside this issue

feature

Bishop Tonyia Rawls retires from Sacred Souls Community Church

news life

Former EqualityNC Codirector Ed Farthing passes away at 75

Biden signs Respect for Marriage Act

Trans trustee quits Asheville school board

Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber recognizes winners of 2021-2022 Business & Community Awards at Annual Gala

Club Q shooter charged with 305 counts, including murder and hate crimes

Bishop Tonyia Rawls retires from Sacred Souls Community Church

Lawmaker behind Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law indicted for fraud, resigns

Pandemic caused disrup tions in HIV testing and prevention

Former EqualityNC Codirector Ed Farthing passes away at 75

Ed Farthing,former EqualityNC codirector passes away at 75. After serving in the position from 2003 to 2008, Farthing, a resident of Hickory and an attorney, had remained active with OutRight Youth of Catawba Valley.

PAGE 6

Charlotte LGBTQ community and spiritual leader Bishop Tonyia Rawls, 64, retires from Sacred Souls Community Church, members celebrate devotion to faith and well-being of others.

PAGE 9

Out Comic and NC native Jerrod Carmichael to host 2023 Golden Globes

Person of the Year: Jermaine Nakia Lee

Year in Review: Qnotes takes a look at 2022 For event listings, visit qnotescarolinas.com/eventscalendar.

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2022: A year In review

Political voices

As the year draws to a close and the season of holidays in many cultures approaches, we hope you’re spending time with your family, chosen or otherwise, and filling up your cup for the time ahead.

With the end of 2022 approaching, it’s only natural to reflect on the year and its events. As Equality North Carolina’s executive director, I’m already assessing where we’ve been and where we’re going in the fight for racial equity and social justice.

In that spirit, in this month’s column I’ll discuss what happened this year, both good and bad, and what that can say to us about the fight ahead.

One of the primary stories this year has been the vile attacks against the trans community on the state level, with over 400 anti-equality bills filed nationwide. This year, many states banned trans youth from participating in sports consistent with their identity. Other states banned some forms of trans medical care for youth. Many more have proposed legislation attacking care for trans kids. In Texas, the state Child Protective Services system has been investigating affirming

parents of transgender young people– a horrifying and brutal government overreach attacking transgender young people and their loving parents. The situation on the state level is dire, and although many of these laws have been delayed in courts, many others are in effect, causing tremendous harm.

Here in North Carolina, this Spring’s legislative session saw attacks from conservatives in the NC General Assembly too. Legislators advanced HB755, a dangerous copycat of Florida’s horrible ‘Don’t say gay’ bill. This bill, which sought to erase our communities from schools and force teachers to violate their students’ trust, was a powerful threat. But our communities came out in resistance, and over the summer legislative leadership said the proposal was shelved. This summer, we celebrated Pride Month. But we also saw an increasing backlash of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, resulting from Pride Month. Our Pride

events, from Asheville to Wilmington, were targeted by far-right extremists and their allies in elected office.

North Carolina tied the record with Texas this year for most attacks on drag events, at 10, according to a recent GLAAD report.

But our people and organizations stepped up to the plate in a spirit of resistance. All around the country, counterprotestors shielded drag performers and people celebrating pride from hate. Here at Equality NC, when we heard that Apex Pride was under threat of cancellation due to hate, we stepped in to protect Pride and restore Drag Queen Story Hour.

And then we had the elections. Election night had incredible highs and devastating lows. We were disappointed to see so many key races that stood to increase representation across the lines of race, class, gender and sexual orientation fail. But we’re so proud of our electoral work and the slate of pro-equality candidates

that proved victorious. And we’re so proud of y’all, who came in and pitched in to ensure that “the red wave” turned into a red ripple. 80 candidates endorsed by Equality NC PAC – an exciting 73% of all of our endorsees – won their races. And we saw strong strides for representation, with a large majority of our BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ candidates winning victory.

Through it all this year, there’s been two principal threads.

The first is the increasing visibility and aggression of our opposition. Far-right politicians and extremist leaders have stoked fear against our communities, attempting to ride the wave of backlash politics. This work, in turn, has mobilized extremist movements to target our communities. This pipeline of hate is who our opposition is, and that means that we’re up against a highly mobilized and extreme hate movement.

But the other point of commonality is this: our people have been working relentlessly to fight for justice for our communities, and we’ve been building the power we want and need. In reviewing the tape on our 2022, there’s a thread of our people triumphing over harsh conditions. Our opposition will be targeting us, but we know that we can build structures of protection and liberation. With that, we’ve already won. ::

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North Carolina LGBTQ community struggles with more threats, violence as visibility grows

Whether masked and armed far-right protestors or far-right politicians, the threats are real

Days before two Moore County power stations were shot in a targeted attack, plunging 45,000 people into a nearly a week of cold and darkness, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Terrorism Advisory System warned of a heightened danger of ideologically driven attacks against infrastructure.

“Targets of potential violence include public gatherings, faith-based institutions, the LGBTQI+ community, schools, racial and religious minorities, government facilities and personnel, U.S. critical infrastructure, the media and perceived ideological opponents,” the national bulletin read.

North Carolina’s LGBTQ community didn’t need to be told they were a target — particularly in Moore County. Shortly before the attack on the substations, there

on Jan. 6.

Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields, who was photographed embracing Rainey at a conservative political event in 2020, dismissed her as a suspect at a press conference early this week, saying he had spoken and had “a word of prayer” with her.

Rainey has made the most of the spotlight, appearing this week on the War Room podcast, hosted by former President Donald Trump’s one-time political strategist Steve Bannon. On the show, she said the drag performance belonged in a “red light district,” condemning its organizers and calling its supporters “demonic.”

drag event in Southern Pines, what we do know is that Queer people and drag artists in general are being targeted in hopes to instill fear in a marginalized community in order to silence us and our existence,” said Naomi Dix, the performer headlining the Southern Pines drag event, in a statement through Equality NC.

“This is a time for us as a community to be unified in our efforts to gain power within this continuous fight,” Dix said. “And to stick out and stand up for our safety and the safety of the entertainers who are leaders and the foundation of safe space and representation for the Queer community and its allies.”

Assembly’s Republican majority has repeatedly kept those bills from even coming to an up or down vote.

“They define it in ‘we’ vs ‘them,’” Morey said. “When an entire community of tens of thousands of people is without power in the winter due to an attack, they feel they should stand up and say there should never be this kind of domestic terrorism. But when it’s a different community, when it’s LGBTQ people who they have no affiliation with or understanding of, it becomes ‘them’ and they can be silent. But as government officials, we’re responsible for everyone’s safety.”

had been threats and protests against a drag show at the Sunrise Theater in Southern Pines on Dec. 3 — the latest in a series of incidents in which sometimes masked and armed far-right protesters have attempted to break up LGBTQ related events at public libraries, book stores and other businesses across the state.

The night the power went out, local resident Emily Grace Rainey created social media posts saying she knew why it had happened and that God was chastising the county over the drag performance.

Rainey, a former Army captain and psychological operations officer, resigned last year after an escalating series of far right protests. She later was under investigation for leading a group from North Carolina to the U.S. Capitol before the insurrection

State and federal investigators, however, have not dismissed her, or anyone else, from suspicion in the ongoing investigation. On Wednesday Gov. Roy Cooper announced a reward of up to $75,000 for information leading to an arrest or conviction in the crime.

While the motive behind the attack hasn’t yet been established, law enforcement and politicians from both major parties have publicly and repeatedly condemned it.

But this week many in the LGBTQ community, some North Carolina lawmakers and political experts, are asking why condemnations of the rising tide of hateful rhetoric and violence against the LGBTQ community has been nowhere near as clear or plentiful.

“Though we are unsure of what connection this terrorist attack had to the

Hateful rhetoric from some GOP elected officials needs to be recognized as fueling this violence, several LGBTQ elected

Threats on Several Fronts

The threat isn’t just at drag brunches and bookstore story hours. It’s also in

officials told Policy Watch this week.

“You have fiery language by top elected officials who call LGBTQ people filth, others calling drag queens child molesters,” said State Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham). “That is heard. It’s spread on social media. It seeps into the culture and it leads to attacks, to violence. I wish more officials, particularly Republican officials, would call it out when it happens, before it gets to that point.”

Morey is one of a small handful of openly LGBTQ elected officials who has for years pushed for greater protections for the community, from statewide non-discrimination laws to the outlawing of scientifically discredited and dangerous “conversion therapy” that seeks to make LGBTQ people straight. The General

state legislatures across the country — including in Raleigh.

In the last legislative session, a series of anti-LGBTQ bills were filed but never came to a vote. At that time, Democrats had the legislative numbers to sustain the vetoes with which the measures would have been met had they made it to the desk of Gov. Roy Cooper. The state was also courting LGBTQ-friendly Apple Inc., which ultimately announced its first east coast campus would be based in the state, an investment expected to total more than $1 billion and create 3,000 jobs over the next 10 years.

But the ground has since shifted.

Republicans gained seats in the latest election, making the margin by which

Former EqualityNC Co-director Ed Farthing passes away at 75

Leader in state’s fight for LGBTQ rights

Former Equality NC (ENC) co-director Ed Farthing has passed away at the age of 75 while hospitalized at Catawba Valley Medical Center.

A long time resident of Hickory, he was born July 2, 1947, in Greensboro. He was a graduate of the Grimsley High School Class of 1965, the UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate class of 1965 (with a degree in history) and UNC law school’s class of 1972.

He served as an attorney in Hickory from 1972 to 2003, before joining Equality NC from 2003 to 2008 as a political and LGBTQ community organizer. Farthing continued fundraising and volunteering for many local organizations throughout

He was an avid hiker for the past 15 to 20 years, completing over 450 miles of the Appalachian Trail and many sections of the Mountain to Sea trail here in Western North Carolina.

In a recently released statement the ENC offered their thoughts and fond recollections of one of North Carolina’s most revered leaders in the LGBTQ Community.

“We’re heartbroken at the news and send our thoughts to his loved ones.” The statement read. “Ed was a strong leader of Equality NC, helping build the organization to where it is today. A longtime advocate in the movement, he served ENC for four

his life, always holding fast to the belief of giving back to the community.

In addition, Farthing served on the boards of the NC Association of Defense Attorneys and the NC Legal Education fund, which helps pay law school debt for attorneys who serve as district attorneys or work for legal aid organizations. One of his more notable accomplishments for the LGBTQ community was founding and serving as president of the NC Gay and Lesbian Attorneys Association.

An active member of the Hickory Community Relations Council and the president of the Green Park neighborhood association, he was also a three-term elder at Northminster Presbyterian Church.

Farthing was known for his work with multiple LGBTQ organizations in North Carolina and helped form the Foothills Gentlemen to create connections among local gay men and Come Out, an organization designed to build connections between the local gay and lesbian communities.

At the time of his passing on Nov. 21, he had remained active in OutRight Youth of Catawba Valley, an organization providing a safe space for LBGTQ students.

Later in life, Ed discovered a love of hiking and the joy of being in the woods.

years as co-director, helming the organization during the early 2000s.”

Said Ian Palmquist, who served as codirector with Farthing:

“In our two-and-a-half years as co-directors, we took a financially fragile organization and built a foundation for growth in the years that followed, and invested deeply in becoming truly statewide, spending time reaching out in Western and Eastern NC, not just Triangle/ Triad/Charlotte as it had been before. We did a lot of events and brought on board members representing more of the state. He was always an optimist and brought a playful attitude even when we were facing some really frustrating times.

Ed Farthing is survived by his son, Brit Farthing; wife, Jenny; and their children, Kora and Karis Farthing.

Memorials may be made to OutRight Youth or ALFA.

A celebration of his life was held Saturday, Dec. 3, at Northminster Presbyterian Church. For those unable to attend the service, it can be streamed via YouTube. ::

Biden signs Respect for Marriage Act

Federal government now officially recognizes same-sex marriages

President Joe Biden officially enshrined marriage equality into federal law when he signed the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) in a ceremony held on the White House lawn Dec. 13.

Approximately 3,000 guests attended the ceremony held in 40 degree weather.

“This [bill] involved a simple proposition: Who do you love? And will you be loyal with that person you love? It’s not more complicated than that,” Biden said. “The law recognizes that everyone should have the right to answer those questions for themselves without government interference.”

Mentioning the Club Q shooting, Biden mentioned transphobic legislation, stating, “We need to challenge the hundreds of callous cynical laws introduced in the states targeting transgender children, vilifying families, and criminalizing doctors who give children the care they need. We have to protect these children so they know they’re loved, and we will stand up for them until they can speak for themselves.”

Racism, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, they’re all connected,” Biden said. “The antidote to hate is love. This law and beloved defense strike a blow against hate in all its forms. And that’s why this law matters to every single American, no matter who you are or who you love.”

“This shouldn’t be about conservative or liberal, red or blue. No, this is about realizing the promise of the Declaration of Independence, a promise rooted in sacred and secular beliefs, a promise that we’re all created equal. We’re all entitled to what Abraham Lincoln called ‘an open field and a fair chance.’”

Before Biden signed the bill into law, he mentioned the groundbreaking marriage of Mildred Delores Loving and Richard Perry Loving which helped legalize marriages between people of different races. He also recognized Edie Windsor

The crowd was treated to performances by the D.C. Gay Men’s Chorus, nonbinary singer Sam Smith, and longtime LGBTQ ally Cyndi Lauper.

Referencing the June 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning the right to a legal abortion, Vice President Kamala Harris said, “The Dobbs decision reminds us that fundamental rights are interconnected, including the right to marry who you love, the right to access contraception, and the right to make decisions about your own body.”

“Continue to protect fundamental rights,” she told the crowd. “Let us continue to stand together because that is the beauty of the coalition assembled here today who fight for equality as activists and allies and parents and neighbors and young leaders.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told the crowd that he wore the same tie that he wore to his daughter’s wedding to her wife. “One of the happiest days of my life,” Schumer said of the wedding, adding that his daughter and her spouse are now expecting a child.

“By enacting this law we are sending a message to LGBTQ Americans every-

the landmark bill.

“Know your power. Take satisfaction,” Pelosi said. “None of this would have happened without your mobilization, your advocacy, which not only expanded freedom for the LGBTQ community but for all Americans. Keep your patriotism! To each and every one of you, give yourself a pat on the back.”

“But our work isn’t done. Our work isn’t done and won’t rest until the Equality Act is passed into law,” she said, referencing a House-passed bill that would enshrine sexual orientation and gender identity into federal civil rights legislation.

Arizona state Rep. Daniel Hernandez (D), said, “As a founder and the first chair of the Arizona Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, I’m honored to join with advocates for LGBTQ Equality in DC today for the historic signing of the Respect for Marriage Act. This is the culmination of many years of work to protect the rights of many in our community. We are thankful to both senators from Arizona for their work to pass this important and historic piece of legislation.”

The House of Representatives passed the RMA last week for the second time. The bill would require the federal and state governments to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages performed by other states.

The bill originally passed the House in July and was then passed by the Senate on Nov. 29. The Senate amended the bill to add some religious protections and to state that it doesn’t legalize polygamy, so the House had to pass it again with the amendment.

Obergefell in his concurring opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the case that overturned Roe this past summer.

The RMA “is a bipartisan triumph and a testament that love will always win in the end,” said out Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) after the bill was passed. “Thanks to our actions today, married people who are building their lives together now know that the government will continue to respect and recognize their marriages.

“After the uncertainty caused by the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Congress has restored a measure of security to millions of marriages and families. They have also provided hope and dignity to millions of young people across this country who can grow up knowing that their government will recognize and respect the families they build,” Biden said shortly after the bill passed the House last week.

“On this day, Jill and I are thinking of the courageous couples and fiercely committed advocates who have fought for decades to secure nationwide marriage equality at the Supreme Court and in Congress,” Biden added. “While we are one step closer on our long journey to build a more perfect union, we must never stop fighting for full equality for LGBTQI+ Americans and all Americans.”

and Thea Spyer, a lesbian couple whose union helped overturn the federal government’s refusal to recognize legally married same-sex couples, as well as other couples who faced harassment and violence while fighting for their dignity.

where,” Schumer said. “You too deserve dignity. You too deserve equality — that’s about as an American ideal as they come.”

House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) offered a salute to those who helped pressure lawmakers into passing

The law is necessary now that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which shared part of its legal framework with Obergefell v. Hodges, the decision that legalized marriage equality in all 50 states in 2015. Justice Clarence Thomas said that the Court should “reconsider”

Those in attendance for the law’s signing included Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Reps. Jerry Nadler and Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Sen. Sharrod Brown (D-Ohio), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. Jeff Merkely (D-Ore.), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.),

This article appears courtesy of our media partner LGBTQ Nation. ::

Trans trustee quits Asheville school board

A transgender school board trustee in the progressive western mountain city of Asheville said she resigned after repeated anti-LGBTQ attacks by a minister at board meetings. She did so hoping to staunch the attacks and the hate group behind them, Peyton O’Connor explained in her Dec. 5 resignation letter she posted to Facebook.

“Y’all, I’ve made the difficult decision to resign from the Asheville City Schools Board of Education,” wrote O’Connor, the first transgender member of the board. “While I have enjoyed the experience, I was also firmly aware upon being appointed to the board of the probability

of being targeted as a transwoman at some point given the current state of LGBTQIA+ issues in our country.”

On Facebook, she added that “while the work of the board has never been easy, it really was a labor of love” for her. O’Connor detailed how a local minister named Ronald Gates had been disrupting school board meetings and accusing the board of ‘indoctrinating’ students to be LGBTQ.

During public comment at a Nov. 16 meeting, he repeatedly misgendered her and refused to refer to her appropriately, even after the board’s chair interrupted and asked him to stop, the Asheville

Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber recognizes winners of 2021-2022 Business & Community Awards at Annual Gala

The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce recognized the recipients of its 2022 Business & Community Awards at their annual gala held Dec. 13.

The program acknowledges contributions made by businesses and individuals towards building a stronger LGBT+ and allied business and professional community.

“We are thrilled that this year’s slate of honorees exemplifies the diversity within our chamber and community,” said organization President and CEO, Chad Turner. “Visibility is key to creating a more inclusive and equitable community.”

The theme of this year’s Awards Gala is THRIVE! Organizers hope that through platforms of education, empowerment and visibility, the LGBTQ community can

continue to build and thrive together.

List of 2022 Award Recipients:

• Corporate Partner of the Year: NASCAR

• Excellence in Supplier Diversity: Ally

• LGBT+ Business of the Year: The Wine Vault

• Allied Business of the Year: New Belgium Brewing Company

• Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year: CIS Patrol Services, LLC

• LGBT+ Professional of the Year: Marta Tataje

• Non-Profit of the Year: Charlotte Trans Health

• Corporate Engagement Award: Avita Pharmacy

Club Q shooter charged with 305 counts, including murder and hate crimes

Anderson Lee Aldrich has been formally charged with 305 counts in relation to allegedly killing five people and injuring 18 in the mass shooting at the LGBTQ+ bar Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Nov. 19. The charges include hate crimes and murder.

The 22-year-old Aldrich appeared in court earlier today when District Attorney Michael Allen formally presented the state’s charges. Judge Michael McHenry ordered that the arrest warrant affidavit be unsealed on Wednesday.

Allen didn’t list all of the charges but mentioned that they include “many counts of bias-motivated crimes.”

“We’re not going to tolerate actions against community members based on sexual identity,” Allen said. “Members of that community have been harassed, intimidated and abused for too long.”

He said that the number of charges shows how seriously the DA’s office is taking the case.

USA Today reports that Aldrich appeared to have recovered since their last court appearance in November, walking into the courtroom. After Aldrich reportedly opened fire at Club Q, Richard Fierro grabbed the accused perpetrator from behind and pulled the individual down. Fierro started beating Aldrich with a gun that was being used in the attack and Thomas James, another patron of Club Q, kicked Aldrich in the face over and over.

“That was hard to do, it’s not a human act,” Fierro said. “But I asked [James] to help me, and he helped me.”

While Aldrich has not yet publicly stated a motive in the crime, their neighbor said that Aldrich regularly used anti-gay slurs, has a grandfather who is a MAGA Republican lawmaker who supported the Jan. 6 insurrection, and Aldrich’s father expressed antiLGBTQ+sentiment when he learned that Aldrich allegedly killed five people.

“They started telling me about the inci-

Citizen Times reported. O’Connor said Gates “identifies himself as an ‘Ambassador’ for the Alliance Defending Freedom,” which the Southern Poverty Law Center identified as an anti-LGBTQ hate group in 2016. At press time, Gates and his church Greater Works Church did not respond to McClatchy Press requests for comment.

This article appears courtesy of our

media partner The Charlotte Observer. :: https://bit.ly/3YA2xU9

— Brooke Baitinger

6:30 p.m. The purpose behind the sold-out gala is to bring visibility to LGBT+ owned businesses and professionals throughout the Carolinas region.

With a focus on intersectionality in the LGBTQ community, the organization’s hope is to increase their non-borrowed capital, capacity and operations, the number of minority-owned LGBTQ businesses, and support the development of future LGBTQ entrepreneurs.

• Teresa L. Davis Legacy Award: Dr. Frankie Simmons

• Donaldson J. King Community Impact Award: Center 360

• Advancing Equity Award: Representative Alma Adams | Representativeelect Jeff Jackson

• Outstanding Ally Support: Becky Knight The event was hosted at the Ruth by Beau Monde, on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at

The evening featured a keynote address by Marquita Thomas, former CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Chamber of Commerce and entertainment from local LGBT+ artists Marcy Live and Ellie & Cole.

In addition to the awards ceremony and brief annual meeting, the attendees raised a toast to thirty years of service, ending the evening with cocktails and dancing. ::

https://bit.ly/3WpDbWY

dent, a shooting,” father Aaron Brink said. “And then I go on to find out it’s a gay bar. I got scared, ‘Shit, is he gay?’ And he’s not gay, so I said, phew.”

“My opinion about gays is it’s not ok,” Brink continued. “I think we should stand up against homosexuality.”

In court filings immediately after the shooting, Aldrich’s lawyer referred to the accused killer with he/him pronouns. By the Tuesday after the shooting, however,

the lawyer claimed that Aldrich identified as “non-binary” and uses they/them pronouns and wants to be addressed as Mx. Aldrich.

Aldrich is being represented by a state public defender’s office lawyer.

This article appears courtesy of our media partner LGBTQ Nation.::

https://cbsn.ws/3G5jMFB

Bishop Tonyia Rawls retires from Sacred Souls Community Church

Bishop Tonyia Rawls is legendary in Charlotte’s LGBTQ community. Beyond our city she is well known as a national faith leader and social justice activist who has focused much of her work in the southeast fighting against depression and discrimination.

Now for over two decades, Rawls has served as a Christian faith Minister for Charlotte’s LGBTQ community.

Prior to moving to Charlotte she studied at Duke University with a double major in history and sociology and Episcopal Divinity School with core competencies in liberation theology and ethics.

In 2000 she founded the Unity Fellowship Church Charlotte and was consecrated as one of the first women bish-

ops in the Los Angeles-based Unity Fellowship’s history.

In 2014 she founded the Sacred Souls Community Church, which boasts a diverse congregation of progressive Christians. The church is currently finalizing affiliation with the United Church of Christ.

In addition, she is the founder and executive director of the Freedom Center for Social Justice.

Founded in 2009, the organization provides programs that support the trans community, people of color, people of low wealth and youth and sexual minorities.

There’s much more in Rawls’

Pandemic caused disruptions in HIV testing and prevention

The nation’s ability to prevent HIV was dealt a hard blow early in the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new CDC analysis published the first week of December. A rapid rebound in services, however, is a testament to fast and local renovations that, if scaled up and sustained, could help reach national HIV prevention goals.

HIV testing and prescriptions for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) dropped substantially during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. HIV tests declined about 32 percent between the first and second quarters of the year, and PrEP prescriptions fell about six percent. Testing and PrEP prescriptions started to rebound in the second half of 2020, but they did not reach pre-pandemic levels until early 2021. The initial falloffs were likely due to disruptions to in-person clinic services

and redeployment of public health staff to respond to COVID-19.

Although HIV testing and PrEP prescriptions were disrupted with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the provision of highly effective HIV treatment remained strong. The proportion of people linked to care after they received an HIV diagnosis – and the proportion of people with HIV with a suppressed viral load – both remained stable.

To overcome serious roadblocks and maintain access to critical HIV services, communities, clinicians and healthcare systems launched or expanded an array of programs that included telehealth, selftesting and home-delivery of HIV treatment. A number of efforts by the Health Resources and Services Administration and Ryan White HIV/AIDS program

Lawmaker behind Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law indicted for fraud, resigns

The Florida state representative who authored the “Don’t Say Gay” law has been indicted on charges of trying to fraudulently obtain over $150,000 in federal pandemic relief money. He has resigned from the Florida state legislature.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Republican state Rep. Joseph Harding, 35, has been charged with six counts of wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements.

Between December and March of 2020, the DOJ says Harding allegedly defrauded the Small Business Association (SBA) by obtaining COVID-related small business loans “by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, and for the purpose of executing such scheme, caused wire communications to be transmitted in

interstate commerce.”

He has been accused of applying for these disaster relief loans with the names of “dormant business entities” and of creating fraudulent bank statements, as well as “engaging in monetary transactions with funds derived from unlawful activity.” He has also been charged with making false statements to the SBA.

Harding’s trial will take place on Jan. 11. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

In a statement, Harding said he pleaded not guilty.

“I want the public and my constituents to know that I fully repaid the loan and cooperated with investigators as requested,” he said.

Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (R) also released a statement saying that

prevented treatment interruptions.

Investment in local community innovation is vital to strengthening our nation’s HIV prevention and care systems to endure future public health emergencies. Expanding those innovations can also help achieve national goals to end the HIV epidemic.

“On Dec. 1, the world celebrated the dedication, resilience, and creativity of people with HIV and their public health and clinical allies who refused to let a new pandemic stand in the way of ending a longstanding one,” offered Jonathan Mermin, Director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention. “It is just this type of resolve that, when

history of contributions to the LGBTQ community – far too much to list here – but it’s clear she’s a woman driven by spiritual inspiration and her caring and concern for humanity.

Now in her sixties, Rawls has made the decision to retire from Sacred Souls as the church’s pastor.

This past Sunday, Dec. 18, Sacred Souls honored their longtime pastor Bishop Tonyia M. Rawls and her wife Gwendolyn Iris Woodard Rawls with a special Pastoral Retirement Service, recognizing Bishop Rawls’ 40 years of service.

The service began at 11:00 a.m. and included a presentation by special guest speaker Bishop Yvette A. Plunder, Senior Pastor at UCC in Oakland, Calif. and the presiding Bishop of the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries.

For more information, visit the website and social media for Sacred Souls Community Church in Charlotte.

https://bit.ly/3YDGADN — QNotes Staff

Harding had been removed from his committee assignments, but then Harding released another statement saying he had resigned.

“Regarding the current legal matter, I cannot comment on the details of my case,” he said. “There will be a time when I can tell my story in detail, and I will. For now, let me reassure my constituents and the taxpayers that I repaid every penny of the loan

paired with resources, will enable the nation to weather public health emergencies and prevent HIV at the same time.”::

This article appears courtesy of our media partner LGBTQ Nation.::

https://bit.ly/3VabS1W

I obtained, and I have done my best to cooperate fully with all authorities. That is all I will say for now, and I will communicate any additional details of my legal matter through my attorney.”

He added, “It has been a great honor to serve the people of this state and more specifically the people of Levy and Marion Counties. However, due to legal issues that require my complete focus, it is my opinion that now is the time to allow someone else to serve my district.”

Harding is known for introducing Florida’s infamous Don’t Say Gay law that bans elementary school teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ identities in the classroom and restricts such discussions in older grades.

The law has spurred Florida to become a breeding ground for anti-LGBTQ+ hate and discrimination, as other states have since sought to pass copycat bills.

This article appears courtesy of our media partner LGBTQ Nation.::

https://nbcnews.to/3BNdI1M

Person

Every year around this time, QNotes takes on the inspiring responsibility of selecting a Person of the Year. With so many meaningful contributions and so much talent in our community, it’s not an easy task to select one individual – yet we have. Our 2022 Person of the Year is a multi-talented and spirited community activist and artist who appears to have had his hands in so much, it’s difficult to find a worthy project he hasn’t founded, inspired or worked within.

Arriving in Charlotte at the close of the second millennium [1999], native Floridian Jermaine Nakia Lee is an unapologetic Black gay man with a purpose. And if Lee is in the mix, there’s sure to be multiple and positive purposes behind his goal.

From what we’ve learned by speaking with him and a few admirers, we think he’s capable of accomplishing just about anything he sets his mind to. Moreover, the real excitement might rest in what’s next for Lee and those he’s had the pleasure of touching through his art, philanthropy and friendship. Lee’s list of accomplishments is lengthy and demonstrates his ability to create and motivate.

• Charlotte Black Pride – Co-founder and Development Director

• POOR NO MORE – Founder & Executive Director

• State of Emergency – Co-founder & Program Director

• KUUMBA Academy – Founder & Executive Director

• Brand New Sheriff – Productions Education Director

Producer and playwright Rory D. Sheriff is Founding Artistic Director of BNS Productions. Sheriff is an ally and fellow creative who described Lee as, “an awesome guy, hardworking, driven and very active in the community. He’s our Education & Outreach Director. He’s my birthday twin and I’m glad, more than glad, I’m honored to have him be part of our team. He’s just a great mind and a great friend to have.” Looking back at one of Lee’s earlier

the year: Jermaine Nakia Lee

has provided guidance, been instrumental in raising funds to establish an emergency fund to address the needs of Black trans women and has greatly assisted in creating a network of allies to provide wrap-around services like mental and physical health practitioners, legal services, faith leaders [and more] for these women. He’s also a brilliant and creative artist. I enjoy working with Jermaine for his steadfast commitment to the community, as well as his personality. He’s got jokes, a wonderful sense of humor and a very big heart.”

Dedication and a sense of humor are surely needed in the work Lee has chosen, and it’s not always easy.

LMK: When you think about your public service work this past year, what did you find most challenging?

endeavors, Rell Lowery chimed in on what it’s like to work with Lee. Lowery, who serves as Charlotte Black Pride’s Trans Liaison and is an actor in Eden’s Garden (the first known web series to center and feature a cast of Black transgender men) has said of Lee, “Jermaine is the definition of Charlotte Black Pride. He’s made it his mission to bring class, elegance, professionalism and cultural representation to our community.” And that he has. Lee was one of the co-founders of Charlotte Black Pride many years ago and now serves as the organization’s Development Director.

As for Lee’s feelings on what he’s most proud of this year, he offered the following thoughts: “It’s so difficult for me to choose what I’m the most proud of. I was reading an article recently on the Great Resignation [the wave of mass employee resignations following the COVID-19 Pandemic] and how people are so dissatisfied with their jobs. I made a decision in 2015 that I was only going to do work that was aligned with my passions: arts, culture and community. Slowly but surely, I transformed my life to do just that. It took a lot of bravery – coming from

working jobs, with stability. I’m incredibly blessed. It’s not that I’m extraordinary, it’s just that my life is aligned with my purpose. But, if I had to choose one particular thing this year, it would be the work that I’m doing with State of Emergency.

Having more in common than last names, Reverend Sonja Lee, Founder and Director of Lionel Lee Jr. Center for Wellness elaborated on State of Emergency and J.N. Lee’s involvement. Reverend Lee [no familial relation] is a spiritual advisor, friend and collaborator.

“Jermaine is a visionary who served as the Project Director for the State of Emergency Program,” she offered.

The program had a town-hall feel and was comprised of a group of concerned cis and trans community members who routinely came together to discuss and find solutions for eliminating Black transgender discrimination and quelling the disproportionate rate of murder of Black trans women.

“He has led this project and been an inspiration to women whose lives are literally at risk,” Reverend Lee continued. “Jermaine

JNL: Oh my God. I was especially challenged with the acknowledgement of how thankless community work can be. There was a lot to do. I had to push myself a lot further – out of my comfort zone. You can’t go into it with the expectation of being appreciated. Any position of service can often be thankless. No matter how many wins you’ve created, wins for whomever you’re serving, there’s going to be loss. You’ll never be able to meet all needs. When those you’re serving react mean-spiritedly or with gross ungratefulness, for me, it really hurt. So many nights, I had to come home, care for myself, remind myself of my purpose. Whether those I serve are grateful or appreciative, is null and void.

LMK: On a lighter note, what situation, event or personal accomplishment made you smile the hardest this year?

JNL: Other than this honor? There’ve been a lot of wins. I think the one that comes to mind is Kuumba Academy. It’s an 18-month artistic and professional fellowship for artists of color. I’m the Founder and Director. It was enthusiastically funded by the Knight Foundation and Arts & Science Council of Charlotte.

LMK: Congratulations on securing funding and support. What inspired this project? What’s it all about?

JNL: Thank you. After I graduated from UNC-Charlotte, I entered a fellowship at what was then the Afro-American Cultural

Center, now the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture. That fellowship was called the Artist Roundtable Development Series. Kuumba was developed using that fellowship as a model. So, in the same spirit Kuumba Academy assists artists with grant writing, contract negotiation, budgeting and personal finances, social media strategies, vision building and self-critique. I’m really proud of this, because I’m at an age where it’s about paying it forward and giving back. In my creative collaboration with Gen Zers it was very clear that they didn’t understand the business of their art. For more mature adults that I’ve been collaborating with creatively I found that they, too, had that deficit. So, we started in August with vision building and are now on Session 4: Grant Writing. We’ve been funded for 20 fellows and have already had four who have written and been awarded their first grants.

LMK: With all that you’ve got going on, is there time for a personal life? Are you partnered?

JNL: No, I’m not seeing anyone right now. I did think I would be married to the love of my life by now. Instead, I’ve had five boyfriends in the last 10 years and entered each of those relationships thinking there was a potential for marriage.

LMK: Describe your Mr. Right, in case he’s reading this.

JNL: He’s spiritual but not religious. He’s ambitious – because that’s probably sexier to me than anything. He has a vision and is working to execute it. He’s someone who [feels] family is important. Someone who is adventurous and spontaneous.

LMK: Will Mr. Right’s adventurous and

spontaneous nature have to extend to children? Do you have any children?

JNL: I have two biological children (Josiah who just turned 15 and Jediah who is eight). I also have three bonus children [all] from my son’s mothers past relationships (Cotton, Jeramiah, and Azaiah).

LMK: What’s fatherhood been like for you?

JNL: It’s the greatest gift. At some point hopefully, a human being gets to a point where achieving for themselves is not enough. I met my sons’ mother and her partner when I had contented myself to the point that achieving had almost become stale. We arranged to be parents and co-parent. We had our kids through artificial insemination and then we charted out, as much as you can, what kind of parents we wanted to be. We knew we wanted equal co-parenting. My sons are my heart and my motivation. So, everything that I do now – is not just about me anymore.

LMK: Sounds like you’ve found an achievement that is anything but stale. How do you feel about being selected as our Person of the Year?

JNL: It really is a profound honor and I don’t say that lightly. In 2016 during President Barack Obama’s administration, I was invited to the White House for their LGBTQ Pride Reception in June of that year. It was an incredible honor. The very next year I received one of the city’s highest civic honors, the City of Charlotte MLK Medallion Award. I was the first artist and first out LGBTQ person to ever receive that award [and remain so to date]. But this is more important to me personally because this

is coming from my LGBT community. This award encompasses who I am as a creative, who I am as a Black man, who I am as a gay man and who I am as a community leader. And it’s from my peers. So, upon hearing it, I was just in tears, because I take the work that I do with community seriously. It’s my passion and it’s important to me.

LMK: Tell us something most people don’t know about you.

JNL: People don’t understand that I’m an introvert. Most people don’t believe that, but I’m a performer and a servant leader so I can pull it out and be “on” when I need to; but I’m very content being by myself, or [just with] my intimate partner or my kids and family.

I feel compelled to acknowledge that literally all my life I have heard people say to me, “I wish he’d just go sit down somewhere, he just does too much.” There was a time when I listened to that and adhered to that. I thought [and now realize], I’m getting on people’s nerves because I have the ability to focus on several things [at a time]. I’m just wired that way.

But I’m at a point now where if I’m not hearing that, [I’m thinking] something is wrong. I know now, that often, where that is really coming from is that your achievement is revealing their inadequacy. Every time they look at your life it’s a reminder of their own shortcomings, fears and insecurities. I hear that now and don’t even clap back anymore.

LMK: Are there any new projects we can look forward to for next year?

JNL: Next year I plan to produce my musical “For the Love of Harlem.” It’s been over 10 years. It’s a big show with a live jazz orchestra, a dance ensemble of at least

12 people, 10 lead and supporting actors and an elaborate period set. Rory Sheriff, the Artistic Director for Brand New Sheriff Productions (the only African American repertory theater in Charlotte) has just committed to producing it in 2023. I’m also working on an HBCU college tour of another production, “A Walk in My Shoes.” That show follows four young adults in a southern urban city who are dealing with all of the turbulence of young adulthood.

LMK: Before we let you go, can you offer any advice for budding artists or philanthropists?

JNL: I think for creatives, there are certain gifts that are enviable gifts, like being an amazing athlete. Then there are things, gifts like being a mathematician – which is appreciated but not necessarily envied. Creative gifts are shiny, attractive and envied. So, I’ve always approached my art like a civic responsibility. You have a responsibility to your art, yourself and whoever is supposed to see or hear your art. If you start with those values and those virtues, [stuff] just opens up for you. Remember those values and apply them. That needs to be the heart of everything, especially when you’re not getting the outcomes you expect or your art isn’t being appreciated or funded

For philanthropists, it’s my opinion that people are professional givers because they enjoy being around the lowly [and] it makes them feel superior; or they can relate to people with less than because of their personal experience and/or giving is one of their talents. So the advice is: Check yourself and do an honest inventory to see which one it is. ::

Remembering 2022 through the pages of Qnotes

Iconic people we lost, amazing accomplishments, disappointing losses and a year full of bigotry and intolerance

Much has happened that impacted the LGBTQ community in 2022. Here’s a look back at the most significant events, some groundbreaking, others poignant, sad and comedic. They all appeared on the pages of our print edition and on our website. While this list does cover most of the year, there are a few other historic moments covered in this edition you’ll want to explore, too.

January

North Carolina Courage rehires anti-gay soccer player

The North Carolina Courage, a professional women’s soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina was founded in 2017 and is part of the National Women’s Soccer League Franchise. It maintains a sizable lesbian fan base. They’ve been welcoming to LGBTQ+ team members and fans since their inception in 2012.That’s why a number of people in the community were left scratching their heads when news broke during the last week of December that former player Jaelene Daniels had been rehired. Daniels created a stir in 2017 when she declined to wear a rainbow themed jersey for gay pride month, citing religious beliefs as justification. Fans were outraged and many simply stayed home after Daniels’ return to the team. Her triumphant return, however, as short lived. In an October 22 story from the pages of Qnotes, the headline read as follows: Jaelene Daniels cut by the Courage after her continued anti-LGBT actions. Awh, Too bad.

Betty White dead at 99

She had a professional career in radio, film, stage and screen that spanned eight decades. In late December of 2021, she was still appearing on television and social media, touting her upcoming 100th birthday and the release of a one-night only screening of “Betty White: A Celebration” on January 17 at 900 theaters around the country. Only, she didn’t make it to her 100th birthday. Likely best known for her roles in the television series “Golden Girls” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” longtime LGBTQ ally Betty White left us on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2021.

Out American Idol singer Clay Aiken announces his second bid for Congress North Carolina resident Clay Aiken hit the big time with American Idol. Although he never won first place in the

television program, he did manage to snag a recording contract and went on to have a successful singing career powered by a following of middle-aged and older women, as well as teenage girls, who often referred to themselves as “Claymates.” Aiken rode his tidal wave of success until it all came crashing down when he was outed by a gay man he had connected with on the internet. After he made the decision to own his sexual orientation, he was approached by Al Gore, who suggested he take a shot at politics. Likely because of his closet for money behavior, Aiken has never been fully embraced by the LGBTQ community. He continues to have a somewhat successful recording career and a lukewarm following. He announced his second attempt at a run for political office, but once again, he was unsuccessful.

Two North Carolina cities are among the top 10 hottest US housing markets in 2022

If you live in Charlotte, or Raleigh this came as no surprise. Both cities were included on a list released by Zillow as top contenders in the United States real estate market. Raleigh came in at three, Charlotte placed at number five.

February

Everything has its time: MCC faces closure

As reported by Qnotes in February, a group of individuals got together in Charlotte back in 1979 with a vision of forming a Metropolitan Community Church in Charlotte. It was formally granted a charter in 1981. By 1986, MCC Charlotte leased part of the third floor of the historic Varnadore Building on Independence Blvd. Within a few years, it occupied the entire seventh floor. By 1999, the church purchased a building at 1825 Eastway Drive and continued to flourish. Churchgoers describe those years that followed as some of the most exciting in its history. But by 2014, attendance had dwindled and the congregation was forced to sell the church and move into a leased property. Since this article, the church has closed its doors. Funds left behind by the church were distributed among various LGBTQ organizations and the entire contents of their food pantry was passed along to Sacred Souls Community Church. As recently as December 11, however, Saint John’s Metropolitan Community Church of Raleigh is maintaining a Facebook page in an effort to reach out to those who wish to be involved with a MCC congregation and live in the Charlotte area.

with iconic figures like Andy Warhol, Diana Vreeland, Oscar de la Renta and Michelle Obama. Beyond his work at Vogue, he was the Paris bureau chief of Women’s Wear Daily, a judge on America’s Next Top model, artistic director for Zappos and also worked for Vanity Fair, Interview and Ebony, among others. He was also the subject of a 2017 documentary, “The Gospel According to André.”

Book banning battles hit North Carolina schools

One of the more trendy rallying calls for anti-democratic conservative Republicans both in and out of office captured mainstream as locally and nationally. What was it? Old-style book bans. The call for book bans with LGBTQ contents spread like wildfire throughout the rural areas and small towns of North Carolina during February and continued throughout the year.

Single family rental companies acquiring thousands of homes

Charlotte’s place in the United States and in North Carolina as one of the top metropolitan areas to see an exploding growth in population and a constant need for housing goes beyond an exciting opportunity for buyers. As investment companies from around the globe creep into the market, they begin snatching up practically any single-family house available by outbidding the average Joe looking for a place to call home and turning most of the city into a high price rental district. Charlotte has a serious problem: now there is a lack of affordable housing.

March

Local Radio station welcomes new hosts

The radio station Hits 96.1 welcomes new personalities Miguel Fuller, an openly gay man and his co-host Holly O’Connor, an LGBTQ ally as morning drivetime hosts.

Carolina Drag entertainers take part in Miss Gay America

Vogue editor and fashion Titan Andre Leon Talley dies at 73

Out

Best known for his roles at Vogue as creative director and editor-at-large, which spanned from the 1980s to 2013, Andre Leon Harry died January 18. He was long considered one of the fashion industry’s most prominent figures. His career led him to work

Charlotte and North Carolina’s best known documented drag history of stage performers dates back to the 1960s. The region has long been a hot spot for gender-bending stage personalities, so it comes as no surprise a bevy of Carolina girls took part in Miss Gay America held in late January, at Robinson Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Among those in attendance, Shelita Bonet Hoyle (Cary), Ivy Carter (Greensboro), Aria Russo (WinstonSalem), Paris Brooks-Bonet (Raleigh) and Charlotte’s own Buff  Faye.

Number

of

individuals identifying as LGBTQ rises in US

The number of American adults who identify as LGBTQ rose to a record 7.1 percent, and younger people are at the forefront of the increase. The statistics for the estimate come from a Gallup Poll, and place the increase at double the percentage from 2012 when Gallup first explored sexual orientation and gender identity and above 2021’s poll that showed 5.6 percent of adults identifying as LGBTQ.

NC upholds domestic violence protections for LGBTQ couples

The North Carolina Supreme Court upheld a Court of Appeals decision March 11, establishing that people in same-sex dating relationships cannot be excluded from domestic violence protections. The opinion in M.E. v. T.J was issued after the defendant appealed the December 2020 Court of Appeals decision holding that it was unconstitutional to exclude LGBTQ couples from domestic violence protections. North Carolina was the last state in the nation to deny certain domestic violence protections to those in same-sex dating relationships.

Transgender women in Ukraine in trouble

As reported in Qnotes in March, Ukrainian men aged 18-60 were not being allowed to leave the country – whether they wanted to or not – because they were being detained to create a larger defense force in the effort to fight the advancing Russian invasion. While more than one million women, children and others have been allowed to cross borders to neighboring countries and beyond, transgender women like Zi Faámelu are finding themselves stuck because they still have a male designation stamp.

A religious divorce over LGBTQ inclusion

Disagreements in the United Methodist Church have been going on for years. For some, it is reminiscent of a long, messy divorce. That separation is nearing its finality with feuds over land, money and 12.7 million children (or congregants). In 2019, the second-largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. voted to keep and strengthen its ban on same-sex marriage and forbid members of the LGBTQ community from serving as clergy. For many, it was a heartbreaking decision. “I cannot be a member of a church where my son doesn’t have the same rights as I do,” said Beckie McCall.

April

Illinois professor examines intellect of Trump supporters

It turns out there’s science to support the idea that those who supported and/or continue to support Donald Trump likely possess substantially lower intellectual capacity than those who don’t. While controlling for education, gender, geography,

income, age, and more, Southern Illinois Professor of Sociology DarrenSherkat found that almost 73 percent of people who didn’t get any of the questions right would vote for Trump, compared to 35 percent of people who got all ten questions right. Other research from Sherkat explains that there is a difference between education level and “cognitive sophistication,” and it is the latter that more greatly affects our political leanings. “Low levels of cognitive sophistication may lead people to embrace simple cognitive shortcuts, like stereotypes and prejudices that were amplified by the Trump campaign.”

Dog has new home after first owners tell shelter he was gay Steve Nichols and his partner, John Winn, were sitting on their couch one weekend when they saw a news story about a North Carolina dog facing the same ignorance and bigotry they’ve encountered as an openly gay couple for 33 years. The dog, previously named Fezco, was surrendered by former owners because they thought the dog was gay. “It was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard,” Nichols said about Fezco’s previous owners. Once Fezco’s adoption paperwork was completed, the couple renamed him Oscar, after Oscar Wilde, a gay Irish poet and playwright from the early 1890s. The attention generated by Oscar’s initial abandonment led to a media frenzy and calls from around the world after going viral on the internet and social media.NBC News, TMZ, The Today Show, Good Morning America, USA Today, and a plethora of other media outlets barraged [the Charlotte] SPCA with requests to contact Nichols and Winn.

North Carolina native Ariana Debose makes history with Oscar win

There certainly were a lot of surprises on Oscar night, but none quite as exciting as Ariana DeBose’s Academy Award win for her role in “West Side Story.” DeBose, 31, made history when she became the first queer woman of color to win an Academy Award. The North Carolina native, who is of African, Cuban and Caucasian heritage, won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s remake of the classic film.

Franklin Graham says trans rights are evil and wicked Boone and parttime Charlotte resident Franklin Graham – the son of Billy Graham and one of the most famous and powerful Evangelical leaders in the country – spent the weekend on social media railing against transgender people and demanding “regime change” in the U.S. because, he said, the Biden administration’s take on trans health policies are “evil” and “wicked.”

South Carolina House passes transgender sports ban

After over eight hours of debate and filibuster, HB 4608, which bans transgender students from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity, was rushed through the South Carolina House of Representatives. Although the Bill is titled “Save Women’s Sports Act,” the South Carolina House has done everything except create an equal footing for women in sports. The bill – which passed in the House  with a vote of 82 to 48, now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Record number of LGBTQ candidates running for Charlotte City Council

For the first time in CharlotteMecklenburg history, five individuals from the LGBTQ community ran for Charlotte City council. Among them, Dante Anderson (D-District 1), Kendrick Cunningham (D-District 2), Kyle Luebke (RAt Large), Billy Maddalon, (D-District 1) and LaWanna Mayfield (D-At large).

Come election day July 26, only two winners were left standing: Dante Anderson and LaWanna Mayfield were both elected to their council positions.

NC native and comic Jared Carmichael comes out in HBO comedy special WinstonSalem native Jared Carmichael is no stranger to success: he’d already appeared in a handful of movies and mastered the art of stand-up comedy, as well as a major prime time win with the television series “The Carmichael Show” (set in Charlotte), which was wellreceived and notable for its approach to such subjects as the Black Lives Matter Movement, LGBTQ issues, gun rights and multiple aspects of politics. But Carmichael still wasn’t exactly happy because he wasn’t being honest with himself or his followers: he was a gay man living his life in the closet. That all changed with his HBO comedy special “Rothaniel,” where he he officially went public about his sexual orientation.

LGBTQ people find themselves in hot water. Among the biggest offenders? Disney.

May

Hearts Beat as One board uncovers financial irregularities

Such an odd little quandary. The founder and former director of Hearts Beat As One resigns. Turns out there may be some potential financial shenanigans going on. At first they want to talk about it. Then they don’t want to talk about. Then they just change their name altogether to Hearts United for Good. (With an acronym like HUG how can you not feel all warm and fuzzy?) And the issue, reportedly one numbering in a high five figure sum, goes away with the old name and any connection to the founder and former director. Poof!

ACLU sues NC department of Public safety from mistreatment of trans female inmate

The ACLU of North Carolina and Patterson Harkavy LLP file a complaint on behalf of Kanautica Zayre-Brown, a transgender woman incarcerated at Anson Correctional Institution who is being denied essential gender-affirming health care. As of December 2022, the case is still pending.

An update: Oscar the gay dog

Perhaps it was a slow news day or there just wasn’t going enough going on in the world, but the story of Oscar the Gay Dog exploded across media here in the United States and around the world in places like England, Japan, Ireland, Malta, India, Australia and others. Oscar was lucky enough to end up with two loving pops, John Winn and Steve Nichols – who stuck with him, even when the flurry of media attention suddenly vanished. “It’s funny – I remember at one point John looked at me and said, ‘When is all of this going to end?” Nichols recalled.

“I thought about it for a moment and said, ‘When the next big thing comes along the media can run with.’” And that did happen.

In front of millions of people around the globe on April 8, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on the Academy Awards for a perceived slight against his wife Jada PinkettSmith. Just as quickly as the attention had risen, it almost immediately disappeared, with television programs like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” offering and then rescinding invitations to Oscar and his two dads. “It just shows you what their motivation really is,” Nichols said.

LGBTQ author activist and attorney

Urvashi Vaid dies

Companies claim to be community supportive and contribute to anti-LGBTQ legislators

Companies claiming to be supportive of their LGBTQ employees, customers and community, yet make political contributions to lawmakers who harm and demonize

Mad Madison Cawthorn and pitiful Pat McCrory go out with barely a whimper Is there ever a good time to rejoice in someone else’s defeat? Probably not. At least, not too much. But when that someone is your enemy, and they’ve had their sight set on limiting or ultimately ending your civil rights, culture and your livelihood, you deserve a pass, some time to gloat a little and let out a hefty sigh of relief. The LGBTQ community and progressives across the Carolinas did just that when it became clear two particularly unpleasant far right wing politicians, former Charlotte mayor turned failed one-term governor, turned radio talk show host and wannabe senator Pat McCrory; and NC Representative/boy-child and Trump fave Madison Cawthorn had both pulled the plugs on their political campaigns. Yay!

South Carolina

governor

HB 4608

signs

A bad man does a bad thing: South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed into law HB 4608, which bans transgender students from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity. HB 4608 is a discriminatory attack on transgender students who have said themselves they play sports for the same reasons all kids do: to be part of a team, to learn discipline, and above all, to have fun with their friends.

Urvashi Vaid, a powerful longtime influential attorney and LGBTQ activist whose career spanned from the early days of the AIDS pandemic to contemporary battles over equality for the LGBTQ community died May 13 at her home, after a bout with cancer in New York. She was 63.

June

What Does Court action on abortion mean for North Carolina?

At the time of the report, SCOTUS had not yet officially overturned Roe v. Wade, although a leaked document implied the decision to reverse a woman’s right to choose was on the horizon. When the decision was finally made, North Carolina became one of the few Southern states where abortion would remain legal after six weeks.

Monkeypox rises around the world as CDC and WHO respond

In the beginning stages of a strange illness that worried many in the gay male community as a possible repeat of something similar to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic, scientists at the CDC were collaborating with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to investigate a single case of Monkeypox in a Massachusetts resident who had recently traveled to Canada. Within a matter of weeks of the first identified American case, the CDC quickly identified 24 additional cases in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia.

Within another month it had spread across the country. While it made a number of gay men quite ill, it wasn’t fatal and it turned out to be easily preventable by a smallpox vaccine.

Transcend Charlotte and Carolinas Care merge to better serve community

With spring comes change, and such was the case when Carolinas Care and Transcend Charlotte announced their merger. Carolinas Care confirmed they would be handling organizational, administrative and fundraising support and Transcend would offer expertise in gender equity and transfocused programming, while continuing to provide high quality peer support groups, case management, community education and special services like an expression space and name change workshops.

The photograph, taken by Charlotte freelance photojournalist Grant Baldwin, shows Justin Colasacco and his husband Bren Hipp kissing after Colasacco dropped to one knee and proposed in front of the crowd at the 2019 Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade. They married Oct. 4, 2020.

“Heather has Two Mommies” and “Daddy and Dada,” and make crafts for Pride Month. Fun and excitement soon turned to fear when demonstrators entered the library and intimidated those on hand for the presentation, attendees said.

Carolina Panthers hire the NFL’s first trans cheerleader

Dancer Justine Simone Lindsay, 29, recently demolished a sports world barrier, becoming the NFL’s first ever openly transgender cheerleader.“You are looking at the newest member of the Carolina Panthers TopCats,” she wrote in a celebratory Instagram post back in March announcing her membership on the team’s cheerleading squad and officially coming out publicly as trans. “This is a moment I will never forget and I cannot wait to show you all what this girl has to bring.”

Biden issues executive order to fight conversion therapy

In an effort to protect LGBTQ youth and all who could be victimized by so called “conversion therapy,” President Joe Biden signed an executive order to fight the misguided practice. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will issue rules that ban the use of federal funds for programs that offer conversion therapy which claims through potentially harmful techniques it will turn gay and bi people straight and trans and non-binary people cis.

Gaston County museum removes LGBTQ Pride photo, sparking outrage LGBTQ advocates demanded officials in Gaston County reverse their decision to remove a photo showing two men recently engaged, kissing, from a museum exhibit.

Gay bars on decline according

to study

The number of bars and clubs catering specifically to the gay male population is declining nationwide, according to a new study examining the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on LGBTQ spaces in the United States. The study’s author, Greggor Mattson, a professor of Sociology at Ohio’s Oberlin College, who also curates the Who Needs Gay Bars project on Twitter, found that between 2019 and Spring 2021, the number of gay bars in the country dropped by about 15 percent. Compared with a similar decline between 2017 and 2019, Mattson writes, this indicates a steady rate of decline in recent years. Mattson and his researchers studied historical data from the Damron Travel Guide and compared it to an online census of gay bars taken from February to May of 2021.“[Over] 36 percent of gay bar listings disappeared between 2007 and 2019,” Mattson said in an an interview with ABC News. “So more than a third of gay bars closed in a 12-year period.”

Gay Bessemer City

North Carolina native wins Pulitzer prize for literature

James Ijames (pronounced like times without the letter T) grew up in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. He’s a native of Bessemer City in Gaston County. These days, Ijames makes his home in Philadelphia and his resume reads like the driven man he is. During his career he has worked as an actor, writer and director. Currently he is a professor of theater at Villanova University just outside of Philadelphia. Perhaps his most notable achievement to date? He recently captured a Pulitzer Prize in literature for his play for his play “Fat Ham,” an updated retake on William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

July

SCOTUS overturns Roe v. Wade

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that established abortion as a constitutional right, although it will have no impact on Nort Carolina, where a woman’s right to choose is protected by the state. “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his opinion, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

Proud boys enter Wilmington library

Parents who attended an LGBTQthemed story time at a Wilmington, North Carolina public library say members of the Proud Boys protested outside and entered the building during the event to antagonize them. Around 10 parents and children gathered at the New Hanover County Public Library Pine Valley Branch to hear a reading of two LGBTQ children’s books,

Trans woman murdered in Zebulon

Sasha Rodriguez-Mason, 45, a transgender woman who was previously misidentified as a cisgender male by local authorities and media, was murdered in her home earlier this year on May 13 in the town of Zebulon, North Carolina. Within a week, two men were arrested in connection to the robbery and murder. According to a report from HRC in July, Rodriguez-Mason is the 16th trans individual to be murdered in the United States so far at that time.

NC and Mecklenburg County officials identify first cases of monkeypox

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported the first case of monkeypox virus infection in the state June 23. Mecklenburg County, home to the state’s largest city and largest concentration of LGBTQ individuals, announced Charlotte Metro’s case just four days later. By July, the number of cases in the state and county’s Gay/MSM community continued to grow at an alarming rate.

sharp wit, an even sharper tongue, a hot temper and a decided lack of patience. Underpay them, overwork them and you’ve got a recipe for disaster served up as a blend of harsh words, slapping, striking, punching, kicking, biting and rolling around on the ground, just in time for the police to show up.

NC Governor signs order to protect women’s access to reproductive Healthcare

“The Supreme Court ripped away the constitutional right to reproductive freedom that women have relied on for five decades,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “For now, it’s up to the states to determine whether women get reproductive health care, and in North Carolina they still can, thanks to my veto and enough legislative votes to sustain it. I am determined to keep it that way.”

law

The worst of the worst: Robinson vs. Cawthorn

Two guys North Carolina can always count on to be embarrassing: Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson and (now former) House Representative Madison Cawthorn. Robinson: with no previous political experience and a talent for mouthing off endlessly, he defends his continuing barrage of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric as religious freedom and is oblivious about connecting with or representing anyone he doesn’t agree with. Cawthorn: his career started a downhill spiral when he appeared with Donald Trump at the Jan. 6, 2020 “Stop The Steal” rally ahead of the US Capitol insurrection on that same day. Since questioned, he has made it clear he has no regrets about his involvement. Check out the full story on both wingnuts at the qnotescarolinas website.

He said/She said/They Said: Trans Cookiegate

Take a young cisgender twink and place him in a restaurant that specializes in cookies. Add a flashy young trans woman with a thirst for fame and a desire to get there fast. Both of them are clever with a

HB 4776, aka “The Medical Freedom Act, finally makes it to the desk of South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, who approved and signed it into law. The legislation negatively impacts the medical care of all South Carolinians, including the LGBTQ+ community by limiting access to critical services like gender-affirming care, contraceptives, HIV medications, fertility care, end of life care and mental health services, as well as allow insurance companies and employers to refuse to reimburse, pay, or contract for medically necessary services. Why? Cuz they get to use their religion as an excuse to discriminate.

LGBT Center of Raleigh appoints Patricia Corbett executive director

The LGBT Center of Raleigh appoints Patricia R. Corbett as their new executive director.

Corbett brings to the table over 20 years of professional non-profit experience and most recently served as Deputy Director of District and School Partnerships with Citizen Schools. She has led teams, organizations, and projects in and around LGBTQ+ and BIPOC movements, including Metro DC PFLAG and the Richmond Organization of Sexual Minority Youth (now known as Side by Side).

August

Long-term spouse deceased before marriage equality? You’re entitled to SSA

benefits

The headline says it all: five years after marriage equality, same-sex couples are now allowed to receive spousal benefits,

And that includes everyone, even if the relationship you shared with your long-term, cohabitating partner came to a close (because of death) prior to Marriage Equality.

Tillis says he’ll support respect for Marriage Act

A North Carolina Republican, Thom Tillis, says he supports and does eventually vote in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which officially repeals the Defense of Marriage Act and requires all states to recognize interracial and same-sex marriages.

Twitter enforces calling people groomers as anti-LGBTQ hate speech

Before another hot headed, mentally unstable billionaire decides he should take his first step into world domination through Twitter, there was original Twitter, and they cared about LGBTQ folks. Who knows where the social media app is headed now?

A beautiful resilience: EqualityNC celebrates 43rd anniversary

Equality NC holds its annual gala on Saturday, August 27 in downtown Durham. It’s the first time in three years that the organization has held an in-person event of this size because of the the COVID-19 pandemic.

Union County Pride denies Monroe Town council’s request to age restricted drag queen story hour

As anti-drag queen story hour protests reach a fevered pitch, an entire county tries to put a lid on a presentation during a local Pride celebration.

Organizers balk and move forward as planned.

NC Republicans Target Charlotte Drag Queen Event

North Carolina congressional candidate Tyler Lee said he plans to attend the Charlotte International Arts Festival Drag Queen Story Hour in a Charlotte park to “ensure the safety of any children” after referring to drag queens as pedophiles and predators. More hot air.

HRC announces Kelley Robinson as new president

The national LGBTQ organization Human Right Campaign announces its new president is Kelley Robinson, and she’s the first Black woman to lead the organization. “I’m honored and ready to lead HRC and our more than three million member-advocates as we continue working to achieve equality and liberation for all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people,” says Robinson.

October

More Republicans than Democrats died of COVID

blocs in the country, growing at a scale, scope, and speed that will fundamentally reshape the American electoral landscape, according to a new report from the Human Rights Campaign and Bowling Green State University.

Jaelene Daniels cut from North Carolina Courage

A year of homophobia can really take a bite out of your career.

Hired for a one year contract, The North Carolina Courage declined to renew for 2023. Many lesbian fans say they’ll return to the games they’ve boycotted over the past year.

fatally shot or killed by other violent means. The phrase “at least” is used because far too often their stories go unreported or reported incorrectly as the victims are misgendered.

Charlotte man shot in Club Q attack in Colorado

During the early morning hours of November 21, five people were shot dead and more than 25 had been shot or injured in some manner during a terrorist style anti-LGBTQ shooting that took place at a popular community bar known as Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Among the injured was Charlotte resident Barrett Hudson, who had only recently moved to Denver and was visiting Colorado Springs for the weekend when the attack occurred. Despite eight bullet wounds, he survives and continues to recover.

Monkeypox declines by 85 percent

Experts attribute the drop to a variety of factors. The monkeypox vaccine, with an 85 percent efficacy rate, helped slow the virus down. Gay men and others who identify as MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) reduced their partners following the rise of cases in the wake of large gatherings around Pride month in June. And, the virus, spread by close skin-to-skin contact, was self-limiting, unlike the airborne coronavirus, finding fewer places to spread as potential hosts reduced their exposure.

Equality-minded voters stop Red Wave New polling released November 17 shows the 2022 election defied pre-election predictions of a massive “red wave” in no small measure because equality-minded voters pushed back against extremism and voted to protect commonly held values and our democracy.

Charlotte Pride returns

After a three-year pandemic hiatus, Charlotte Pride shatters records on with a successful return to the city’s center city district. An estimated 275,000 people are in attendance.

Monkeypox blowout

A special two page section looks at the way the Monkeypox outbreak is impacting the state: The numbers in Mecklenburg County continue to climb, the smallpox vaccine appears to provide immunity and lab techs refuse to draw blood from patients.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans would still be alive if every eligible person had gotten vaccinated against COVID-19. Now new research strongly suggests that many more of those “excess deaths” were among people with Republican voter registrations. Why? Because they were far less inclined to be vaccinated. So far, the virus has killed more than 1 million in the United States and more than 6.5 million worldwide and a Cornell University study found that former President Donald Trump was the “single largest driver” of misinformation about the disease.

November

Remembering Dan Van Mourik A friend and community contributor leaves us. In the early1990s Dan Van Mourik served as associate editor for Qnotes. From 1992 to 2000 he would take on the dual roles of editor and graphic designer for another local gay publication known as Blue Knights, which has since ceased publication. During the final years of Blue Knights, he would also return to Qnotes, this time offering his talents as a graphic designer from 1998 to 2000. Born in 1948, he was just a few weeks away from turning 74.

Remembering Trans Murder Victims lost in 2022

September

Where the Rainbow Runs Out

Corporate sponsors donating to local Pride events are still contributing to antiLGBTQ campaigns.

est growing voting blocks in NC

LGBTQ+

According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), 2022 has already seen at least 32 transgender people

First out lesbian governor in US elected Maura Healey is elected governor in Massachusetts and immediately makes history as the first out lesbian governor to be elected in the United States.

December

North Carolina tops anti-LGBTQ

and anti-drag list from GLAAD

Disturbing news hits too close to home as we learn North Carolina and Texas tie for the top spot on a list from GLAAD, both with ten reported incidents in the current calendar year so far.

Charlotte Trans Healthcare group chosen as organization of the year

Qnotes proudly announces the Charlotte Trans Health Group is Organization of the Year. Coincidentally, it comes in the same year they’re celebrating their monumental tenth anniversary.

Special thanks to our media partners LGBTQ Nation and The Charlotte Observer. ::_

Democrats can sustain a veto just one vote. In states from Texas to Florida, culture war fervor once the province of the party’s far right wing has gone mainstream, leading elected officials to go to war with major corporations like Disney when they oppose anti-LGBTQ bills.

“There are enough conservative Democrats now that I think a number of these things could now pass here,” said state Rep. Cecil Brockman. “That’s just about the numbers.”

As one of just a few out LGBTQ state lawmakers, Brockman said he feels dispirited and torn.

“I find myself wondering, should I be at the table trying to at least make these laws a little less worse?” Brockmans said. “It seems like we always have more conservative Democrats at the table negotiating these things. Why is that?”

State legislatures across the nation are seeing an unprecedented wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation, according to Alexis Rangel, policy counsel with the National Center for Transgender Equality. Many of those bills target transgender youth, whether excluding them from school sports or restricting how they and their parents can make decisions with their doctors about gender transition.

“The state legislative seasons in the last few years have seen so many bills targeting LGBTQ people, particularly trans people and trans youth that we’ve had to split our attention between local governments, state governments and school

boards,” Rangel said. “It’s an attack on all fronts and it’s very well coordinated.”

Bills have also moved into new areas — one example being a new conservative vogue for trying to prevent transgender women from benefiting from government programs aimed at assisting womenowned businesses.

“They’re really targeting any stability transgender people have or can find,” Rangel said.

In some areas corporate support has been essential, Rangel said, as in the massive corporate backlash to HB2 in North Carolina that helped lead to its partial repeal. But every state and every community is different.

“It really depends on what each state or each community is facing,” Rangel said. “That support is always good to see, but it’s not always enough.”

Both Brockman and Morey said they hope Democrats will hang together and make protecting LGBTQ people a priority. They also hope that a corporate America that increasingly courts the LGBTQ community and condemns homophobia and transphobia will stand with them. But that’s far from certain.

“I certainly hope that will be the case,” Morey said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

New Visibility, New Threats

For much of America, if not the world, a drag performance has ceased to be shocking or threatening. Reality TV drag competitions regularly put up huge viewer numbers, spawn international spin-offs and win Emmy awards. Drag stars make appearances on

massively popular network TV shows and launch their own successful brands.

But the recent wave of threats to drag events is a case study in the way in which mainstream acceptance of marginalized groups and their culture is often met with violent backlash.

“Drag used to be something that happened within the LGBTQ community,” said Dr. Rebecca Kreitzer, an associate professor of Public Policy at UNC-Chapel Hill whose research includes gender and sexuality politics. “As it’s become more mainstream, as you see it in more mainstream spaces and there is more acceptance of it, people who are threatened by it and strongly oppose it — who increasingly hold the minority opinion — oppose it more loudly and violently.”

Polls continue to show increasing support for LGBTQ people — and an increasing number of people who identify as LGBTQ, especially among younger generations.

Those invested in maintaining heterosexuality as the status quo and rigidly enforcing traditional gender roles and norms see the transgressive gender play of drag as a major threat, Kreitzer said.

Casting both transgender people and drag performers as a threat to children fits into a long tradition of conservative moral panics that cast minority groups and changes to culture as harmful to vulnerable youth.

“It’s not an accident that so many of this wave of bills targets trans youth,” Kreitzer said. “And it’s not an accident that you see some of these people calling drag queens ‘groomers’ — which most people understand to mean child molesters. The messaging is that anything that is outside

of the status quo, the gender norms that they want to preserve, is so dangerous that it amounts to child molestation.”

That same rhetoric was used decades ago to warn that out gay teachers were threats to children, Kreitzer said. But as more of the public came to personally know gay and lesbian people in their own lives — the result of a movement among LGBTQ people to come out and be known publicly — that rhetoric receded.

“But there are still a lot of people who don’t know a transgender person,” Kreitzer said. “So the messaging has changed from gay men being a threat, being potential child molesters, to transgender people and drag queens now being the threat.”

That’s not where mainstream culture or public opinion is, Kreitzer said, as evidenced by the sea of rainbow packaging and LGBTQ-affirming advertisements from the world’s largest corporations each year during Pride month. But as the culture changes, the loudest voices of opposition become more fierce. In today’s Republican party, Kreitzer said, that’s come to mean once fringe opinions dominating the conversation and rhetoric that would have been disqualifying from top elected officials.

“I do believe that rhetoric, the mainstreaming of that rhetoric, can lead to violence as we’re seeing now,” Kreitzer said. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing examples of it every day.”

This story appears courtesy of our media partner NC Policy Watch.::

New staff join the team at Charlotte Pride

In Charlotte Pride’s column last month, we reviewed many of our organization’s awesome events in 2022. It was a year full of returns and firsts for the organization. As we close out 2022, we celebrate a year of transition. Early in 2022, longtime staffer Jerry Yelton departed and was succeeded by our current programs and development manager Meredith Thompson. This fall, staffer Matt Comer announced he, too, would transition away for new career opportunities. Charlotte Pride is so proud to welcome our new communications manager, Liz Schob, who writes below to say hello in her new role here.

Hey, Y’all.

I’m sitting in the Charlotte Pride offices on a rainy December morning full of gratitude. I’m grateful for Charlotte Pride for hiring me as the new communications manager. I’m grateful for my found family here in Charlotte, who have loved me, celebrated my successes, and held me when I was struggling. I’m grateful for Matt Comer, who has welcomed me into the fold with open arms. He set the bar high with his work at Charlotte Pride and I don’t take that lightly. I am in awe of his legacy as a servant leader and I feel privileged to build upon his work.

Like Matt, I’ve always had a heart for service. Growing up in Fayetteville, my family instilled in me the importance of doing your part to make the world a better place. I took that with me as I started my professional career and I’m so glad that life brought me to Charlotte to continue that work. Since moving here, the community has embraced me as one of their own and I’m proud to call myself an LGBTQ+ Charlottean.

They say home is where the heart is and my heart now lives in the Queen City. I first moved here to attend graduate school and immediately fell in love with the Charlotte. After moving away post graduation, I knew I needed to find my way back and, when my job at the local affiliate of a national reproductive health nonprofit offered me a transfer to their Charlotte office, I jumped at the chance. After moving back, I worked on

building a strong LGBTQ+ inclusive adolescent health education program and started living more authentically as a queer woman. The Charlotte LGBTQ+ community gave me a safe place to land when I needed it and helped me thrive.

One of the things I love most about this city is the fact that there are so many opportunities to get involved in the community. I found an LGBTQ+ affirming interfaith church that quickly became a second home. Wedgewood Community Church was one of the first places that made me feel welcome and embraced me as my authentic self. I became involved in the church’s food pantry, which grew leaps and bounds during the pandemic, Now, Wedgewood partners with Hearts United for Good, which also does vital work in the community to run the weekly zero-barrier food pantry. It’s been a privilege being involved with both organizations. Since leaving my job at the reproductive health nonprofit over the summer, my business partner and I founded Affirming Connections, a community-based education consulting firm that provides inclusive education and resources to support LGBTQ+ youth and families related to sexual and reproductive health. Additionally, AC provides support to professionals seeking to create more affirming and inclusive environments for their clients and staff.

As this year comes to a close and a new one begins, I can’t help but anticipate what the future holds. My first Pride festival was fourteen years ago and the next Pride festival I’ll attend will be one I get to be actively involved in planning. I am so excited to join the staff at Charlotte Pride as communications manager and help bring cornerstone events like Reel Out Charlotte and the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade to the community. The world has changed so drastically since my first Pride, and with the current political climate and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community increasing, events like this are necessary now more than ever.

I look forward to being of service to the Charlotte LGBTQ+ community and beyond and pushing the needle ever forward.

Let’s get to work! ::

Out

native

Out comedian Jerrod Carmichael is set to host the upcoming Golden Globe Awards in 2023.

A native of Winston-Salem, he got his first shot at the big time in the film “Neighbors” in 2014, with even greater success following a few years later in the semi-biographical NBC sitcom “The Carmichael Show” (set in Charlotte).

QNotes reported on Carmichael coming out earlier this year.

This will be the first Golden Globes Awards in two years. Last year’s event was canceled after the HFPA was criticized for not having any Black members.

The ceremony will take place Jan. 10 in Los Angeles.

In a press release, Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) president Helen Hoehne said they are “so excited to have Jerrod Carmichael host the historic 80th Golden Globe Awards. His comedic talents have entertained and thrilled audiences while providing thought-provoking moments that are so important in the times we live. Jerrod is the special kind of talent this show calls for to kick off the awards season.”

The show’s executive producer Jesse Collins called Carmichael “a phenomenal talent with a fresh perspective and excellent comedic style” and said “we’re all thrilled to have him host this year’s show.”

Carmichael made waves this year for coming out to his live audience in his comedy special, Rothaniel.

He told them how he had resisted coming out for his entire life.

“At many points, I thought I’d rather die than confront the truth of that, to actually say it to people. Because I know it changes some people’s perceptions of me. I can’t control that.”

He also acknowledged that he feels “freer,” despite his coming out affecting his

relationships with his religious mother.

When he hosted Saturday Night Live earlier this year, only a few days after the special was released, he spoke about the experience of coming out publicly.

The crowd cheered when he brought up coming out, to which he replied that

excitement was a “nice and expected response” to someone being gay in New York.

“Honestly, if you’re gay in New York, you get to host Saturday Night Live –this is the gayest thing you could possibly do,” he joked. “I came out right onto the stage. We’re basically in an Andy Warhol fever dream right now.”

He also joked that being gay in New York means “you can ride the bus for free, and people just give you pizza.”

Over the summer, Carmichael also skewered Dave Chappelle over his refusal to apologize for repeated antitrans jokes.

“Look, I get it. Everybody’s got to create a bogeyman to sell tickets. But it’s not true,” Carmichael told GQ. “Who’s getting canceled for what they’ve said? What does that mean, that people are mad on Twitter? Everybody’s fine. These grown men are fine. I think, a lot of times, people who offer nothing truthful or meaningful about themselves then complain about society at large and create this bogeyman.”

“It’s like, listen, that’s the most urgent thing in your life? God bless you. I’m tired of hearing it. Chappelle, do you know what comes up when you Google your name, bro? That’s the legacy? Your legacy is a bunch of opinions on trans shit? It’s an odd hill to die on.”

This article appears courtesy of our media partner LGBTQ Nation. Additional material applicable to Qnotes readership supplied by Qnotes staff. ::