NC’s first LGBTQ women’s sports bar expected to open this year
Watching women’s sports at a bar often means asking the bartender to change one of the TVs – if the game is on at all. A new Asheville business wants to change that. Q-Hall, which bills itself as North Carolina’s first bar dedicated to women’s sports, is expected to open later this summer. The venue…
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Friends in Diversity Pride Soirée celebrates 10 years
More than 500 people gathered Tuesday evening as the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Friends in Diversity Pride Soirée, an annual event that brings together business leaders, professionals and community members while highlighting partnerships across Charlotte’s diverse business community. The event began in 2016 with one hundred people gathered…
Are Pride lights and big corp support dimming in Charlotte?
It’s Pride Season. It’s that time of year where LGBTQ+ folks remember the struggle for equality, continue to fight for diversity and celebrate their lives out loud and proud. Typically, it’s not hard to recognize Pride Season in the Queen City because the Charlotte skyline boasts the vibrant colors of the rainbow Pride flag. The…
Impact Center marks one year as LGBTQ+ hub
One year after opening its doors to the public, the Impact Center for the Carolinas is being celebrated by community leaders as both a practical resource hub and a growing symbol of LGBTQ+ resilience. The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce marked the anniversary Saturday during its “Mimosas with Meaning” celebration at the Impact Center on…
THRIVE Gala spotlights LGBTQ+ business leadership
The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual THRIVE Gala & Awards Ceremony on April 23 at The Pine in Charlotte, bringing together LGBTQ+ and allied business leaders, professionals and community members for an evening focused on visibility, recognition and economic empowerment. The THRIVE Gala highlights LGBTQ+ owned businesses and professionals across the region,…
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Pride Journey: A guide to Kalamazoo
Tucked into the heart of southwest Michigan, Kalamazoo is a vibrant town which blends creativity, culture, and community in a way that feels both refreshingly unpretentious and quietly progressive. Long known for its craft beverage scene and artistic spirit, Kalamazoo is increasingly becoming a destination for LGBTQ+ travelers seeking a welcoming Midwest escape filled with…
News
A dress code for transgender teachers is probably illegal — and definitely wrong
A Republican state lawmaker has suggested she’ll file legislation that would require “gender-appropriate professional attire for public school employees.” What happened to being the party of freedom? Rep. Erin Paré, who represents Wake County, said on social media that the legislation would “protect children from being exposed to more complex and mature gender-identity questions and…
health & wellness
LGBTQ+ youth vaping linked to bullying and oppression
A growing body of research suggests LGBTQ+ youth are not vaping at higher rates simply because of trends or individual choices – they are often coping with stress created by discrimination, rejection and social isolation. A new study published in the journal Prevention Science examined what researchers described as the “multi-level risk and protective factors”…
