Charlotte
Singers, musicians, spoken word artists sought
CHARLOTTE — Pride Charlotte 2008 is looking for LGBT and supportive established acoustic-style performers (vocal, instrumental, and spoken word) to perform on the Community Stage (a second smaller stage) at its annual event on July 26 at Gateway Village in Uptown Charlotte.
They are looking for local and regional performers who are interested in the exposure of performing at the festival. Projected attendance is 8,000 to 10,000 people. A small basic sound system will be provided on this stage for acoustic acts. Compensation will not be provided for the performance; however, performers may sell CDs/merchandise at a nearby table.
To be considered, email an electronic press kit to entertainment@pridecharlotte.com.
For more information on the Pride Charlotte festival, visit www.pridecharlotte.com.
Western
Pride needs your help
BOONE — Boone Pride board members are seeking assistance in the planning and coordination of its fall event which serves the entire High Country area — Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey and Wilkes counties.
The board suggests everyone buy a ticket this year, or become a sponsor for as little as $100. The event can be expensive and the only income comes from donations.
Over 200 people turned out last year! This year will be even more packed. They will have a new club DJ who mixes live and has worked at Warehouse 29, Odyssey and Skybar, among other places. They are also trying to line up a Pride “Musicfest” of live bands, in addition to workshops and a free picnic.
Boone Pride is continuing its donation to the public libraries and awarding a scholarship to help a student in the High Country get a higher education.
Take a minute to buy a ticket on the website, or email greenlight104@hotmail.com to sponsor (private or public).
For more information or to lend a hand, visit www.boonepride.org.
Statewide
Bullying survey needs participants
STATEWIDE — Warren J. Blumenfeld, Ed.D., Robyn Johnson Cooper, Ph.D., and Carrie Kortegast, researchers from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, are conducting a research survey on the effects of face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying on LGBTQ middle school, high school and college students. The study has been approved by the Iowa State University Institutional Review Board (IRB).
The study holds that cyberbullying involves the use of communication technologies to intimidate, harass or control another individual or group of individuals. It will explore: the extent of cyberbullying compared to face-to-face bullying in the lives of LGBT youth; the communication technologies used and frequency of cyberbullying; the impact of cyberbullying on LGBT youth; and ways in which administrators and school personnel can address issues of cyberbullying.
Participants will complete an online survey which takes about 30 minutes. During the online survey one should expect to answer questions regarding use of communication technologies (i.e., internet, blogs, instant message, and text messaging); any experiences with cyberbullying and/or face-to-face bullying; and perceptions of the extent cyberbullying and face-to-face bullying happens at schools or colleges.
For those who are interested in volunteering, visit www.surveymonkey.com/
s.aspx?sm=inXcDEo9Xqgq_2f0KY9QPZew_3d_3d. Participation in this study is strictly confidential, includes no remuneration and is voluntary.
For further information about the study, contact the principle investigator Warren J. Blumenfeld, Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, 515-294-5931 or email wblumen@aistate.edu.
Lorde scholarship seeks applicants
STATEWIDE — ZAMI, Inc., an organization for lesbians of African descent based in Atlanta, Ga., is expanding its national Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund to include bisexual and transgender students of color. Last year ZAMI commemorated the 12th Anniversary of its Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund in a two-day-long celebration held on Sept. 28-29. Fourteen scholars from across the country were granted $1,000 scholarships, along with transportation and accommodations to Atlanta, for the scholarship celebratory weekend. These students were all out lesbians and gay men of color who had made significant contributions to their communities.
Established in 1995, the Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund is the brainchild of ZAMI’s former executive eirector and current board chair, Mary Anne Adams. The first two scholarships were awarded in 1997 to Wendi O’Neal of Spelman College and Akeya Works of Georgia State University. Since that time, the fund has awarded over $120,000 in scholarship monies.
The Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund is named in honor of Lorde (1934-1992), the acclaimed author and State Poet of New York who published nine volumes of poetry and five works of prose. She identified as a black lesbian, warrior poet and is internationally regarded as a significant contributor to the struggle for women’s liberation and lesbian and gay rights.
Students who will be enrolled in undergraduate, graduate or technical programs for the 2008-09 school year are eligible to apply for the scholarships. The application deadline for this year’s scholarships is Apr. 30.
Students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills, community involvement and financial need are encouraged to apply. Particular attention is paid to students who are 40 and older and are returning to school or just beginning their academic careers.
The selection process begins with the application and may require a face-to-face or telephone interview with selected finalists. This year’s financial support will range from $1,000 to $3,000 and is made possible by donations from the LGBT community, as well as straight allies. Since its inception, all scholarships have been named after members of the lesbian and gay community. This year, awards will also be named for bisexual and transgender individuals as well as allies.
For more information or to obtain an application, email zami@zami.org or visit www.zami. org.
Strummers alert!
STATEWIDE — The Carolinas LGBT music community is invited by Robert Urban to join Gay Guitarists Worldwide, an international Yahoo! networking group.
The group is for electric and acoustic guitarists, bassists and players of all similar stringed instruments. LGBT-friendly musicians and fans are also welcome.
It is not limited to guitarists. All kinds of players, from students to pros, are welcome. Find musicians, gigs, jams, tour accommodations, private instruction, recording and performance tips. Make new musical friends. Share/discuss guitar techniques, amps, effects, guitar models, etc. Check out all the cool guitar music-related information in the links, files and photo sections. Homepage photos rotate to feature a different LGBT player each month.
Urban is an award-winning artist, producer, activist and more. He was named Outmusician of the Year in 2006 by Outmusic. He was a 2007 Stonewall Society Pride-in-the-Arts award nominee in two different award categories: Lifetime Achievement in Music Award and Production/Producer of the Year. To learn more about him, visit www.myspace.com/roberturban, www.myspace.com/areyoubee, or www.roberturban.com.
For more information, visit groups.yahoo.com/group/gayguitarists.
Wanna quit?
STATEWIDE — Researchers at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) are looking for LGBT smokers to take part in a free internet-based smoking treatment program, iQuit.
This program, developed by faculty from UCSF with consultants from the LGBT community, seeks to compare the effectiveness of four smoking treatments: mail-based, self-help; internet-based smoking; phone counseling; and internet plus phone counseling.
All participants are randomly assigned to one of the four treatments listed above by researchers. Participants will be asked about their current smoking patterns and readiness to quit, along with personal characteristics, such as age, gender, ethnicity, etc., and mood and emotional status.
All information is confidential.
In exchange for completion of this survey, participants will gain access to educational materials on smoking cessation. These materials have been shown to be effective in helping smokers quit when they are offered in printed form and as part of a counseling program. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of these materials over the internet, participants will be contacted via email on three-, six- and 12-month intervals.
For more information, visit iquit.medschool.ucsf.edu.
Campus Scene
Wanna go to camp?
STATEWIDE — The Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp is now accepting applications for its July 19-24 event for LGBT and ally college students.
Camp will take place at the Glen Complex, Towson University, 8000 York Rd., Towson, Md.
The five-day camp experience works to develop stronger undergraduate student leaders and safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. Participants have the opportunity to learn valuable campus organizing skills, coalition building and strategies for creating change at colleges and universities.
This year, Campus Pride received two local grants, one from the Wesley Mancini Foundation and another from the Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Fund, to send up to seven LGBT or ally college students to the summer camp. The scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate students currently attending colleges/universities in the Charlotte, N.C. area (including neighboring counties/municipalities). Youth selected for the scholarships will also serve after camp on the Charlotte Youth Action Network to bring youth “voice and action” to the local LGBT and ally community. Other limited scholarships are also available until end of May with a first priority consideration on Apr. 20. Any remaining scholarships will be considered on a rolling-basis monthly thereafter.
“It is wonderful that the Wesley Mancini Foundation and the Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Fund have made it possible to fund area North Carolina youth to go to ‘gay camp,’” said Shane Widmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. “Camp is all about investing in the future – our LGBT and ally youth. As a community, we need to do more than throw money at politicians. We should be preparing future leaders for equality.”
Students will learn developmental skills in leadership and personal growth experience inclusive of gender identity/expression and sexual orientation. They will have access to a premiere faculty and national leaders in social justice, human rights and civil rights advocacy. Participants will also receive helpful resources and innovative tools from national organizations.
Camp is never complete without having some fun, enjoying entertainment and fostering lasting relationships.
Early bird registration at $595 is due by June 15. There is limited capacity, so apply soon. After that date the cost goes to $695.
Registration includes five nights of suite-style lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, as well as all educational program materials and entertainment.
Visit www.campuspride.org to register, to see a list of faculty, to find out about the regulations for attendees, as well as other pertinent data.
For more information, email info@campuspride.org.
info: Announce your community event in NC News Notes.
email: editor@q-notes.com or fax 704-531-1361.