Panel gives couples 411
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A legal and tax preparation presentation, “What Marriage Means for LGBT Couples,” will be held on Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m., The VanLandingham Estate, 2010 The Plaza in Charlotte.
Attorneys Connie J. Vetter, Janice V. Coulter, and Lynn Bishop and CPA Walter Kearns will bring their expertise on the topics of marriage and taxes as they offer information and insights to LGBT couples who are married or are considering marrying, as well as individuals interested in learning about marriage.
“Since marriage is relatively new for same-gender couples I’m getting a lot of questions about what it really means to be married. People have questions about changing their names, becoming legal parents to their children, divorce and alimony, social security, taxes and a whole range of other questions that are new to us,” said Vetter, a longtime LGBT attorney. “Even for people who are familiar with different-sex marriage there are some differences, particularly around parenting.”
The free program will cover topics including parenting issues, premarital agreements, tax issues, social security, wills and medical directives, divorce, alimony and property division. No registration is needed.
The program is sponsored by Vetter and Charlotte Family Resource with support of The VanLandingham Estate Inn & Conference Center.
info: cjvlaw.com. 704-333-4000.
TOY gala slated
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Gala for Equality will be held on Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m., at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, McKnight Hall, 9201 University City Blvd.
The ’20s-themed event is a fundraiser for Time Out Youth Center. Guerilla Poets and The Film Club of UNC-Charlotte serve as the organizers. All proceeds will go to benefit the organization. Participants are encouraged to dress up.
During the evening, attendees will be able to enjoy a six-minute documentary film screening, poetry reading, music, drag show and coming out party.
Tickets are $10/advance, $12/at the door or through a contribution.
info: facebook.com/events/992663007444788/.
Mass set for Pride week
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Diocesan Ministry for Gay & Lesbian Catholics will hold its Mass of Celebration for the LGBT Community on Aug. 12, 7 p.m., at St. Peter Catholic Church, 507 S. Tryon St.
Frank Cancro, from Queen of the Apostles Parish in Belmont, N.C., will celebrate the mass.
A reception follows in the Biss Hall, downstairs from the sanctuary.
The celebration is free and open to the public. It is being held this year to coincide with Charlotte Pride week.
This ministry was started by the late Fr. Gene McCreesh, the late Fr. Richard Allen and Retired Bishop Emeritus William Curlin to address the needs of its LGBT members throughout the diocese. The mass was established in 1996 as part of the Diocese of Charlotte’s spiritual outreach to the gay and lesbian community.
Parking is free at The Green parking deck with presentation of a “chaser ticket” available in the church vestibule. Attendees should pick one up before leaving the sanctuary area. Otherwise, there will be a charge for parking.
info: dmfglc@gmail.com
PFLAG celebrates milestone
CONCORD, N.C. — Concord/Kannapolis PFLAG will celebrate their first anniversary at its monthly meeting on Aug. 11, 6 p.m., at Central United Methodist Church, 30 N. Union St.
Attendees will be able to view the second part of the “After Stonewall” documentary. The first part was shown during the group’s July meeting as it celebrated the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage equality. Everyone was able to enjoy the camaraderie while nibbling on a piece of a rainbow cake and cookies.
The organization will hold its annual business meeting in September where it will elect officers and board of directors members for the upcoming year. Officers serve for two years and beginning in the upcoming year, board members will follow the same protocol. Only paid members are able to vote and be elected to office.
info: ckpflag@gmail.com.
Have news or other information? Send your press releases and updates for inclusion in our News Notes: editor@goqnotes-launch2.newspackstaging.com.
Share your news with us
Does your organization or special interest group have events or great information to share with our readers? If so, be sure to send in your information to specialassignments@goqnotes-launch2.newspackstaging.com. In the upcoming months, we’ll feature one of you in our news notes section in each issue. Are you a part of a Meetup, Yahoo or Google group and do you do something that’s really newsworthy? Do you provide a service for the community or hold fundraisers for worthy causes? Do you educate the public about LGBT issues or concerns? Of course, this is only a sampling of things we are interested in. It’s the aim of these pieces to inform, enlighten and educate our readers about what we’re doing here in the Carolinas to champion LGBT rights, as well as offer resources for those who may be interested in what your group is doing.