Pride seeks nominees
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Pride 2014 is searching for nominees for its annual Champions of Pride Awards.
Champions are those whose work and dedication exemplify the spirit of Pride, as well as endeavor to empower and unite LGBTQ and allied people through their leadership, service and support, organizers said. Additionally, Champions understand the importance of celebrating the past, present and future while advancing LGBTQ rights and visibility.
The four award categories are: the Harvey Milk Award recognizes an individual or couple with exceptional leadership and service to the community; the Outstanding Ally Award recognizes a straight ally individual or couple who have stalwartly supported the community; the Young Catalyst Award is given to an individual or couple who are young adult leaders under the age of 30 who has contributed significantly to the community; the Legacy Award may be presented from time-to-time by the committee honoring an individual or couple with a lifelong commitment of outstanding leadership and service.
Nominations end on June 27. Forms are available online.
In other news, the organization is still accepting applications for inclusion in the Pride Parade which will be held on Aug. 17. Participants are encouraged to build a float or showcase an antique auto or motorcycle. Visit the website to learn more.
And, for those who seek a little adventure, join other community members at the 4th Annual Charlotte Pride Splash Day on July 12 at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. Enjoy outdoor activities, good food, drinks and fellowship. For those who buy an AllSport Pass, $5 will be contributed to support Charlotte Pride. More information and ticket purchase is available online. RSVP to facebook.com/events/880944281919862/.
info: charlottepride.org/champions. charlottepride.org/parade. charlottepride.org/splashday.
— Lainey Millen
Museum to mount LGBTQ exhibit
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Levine Museum of the New South will open its “LGBTQ, Perspective on Equality” on July 25 at 200 E. 7th St.
Four exhibits grace the museum’s gallery as each explores LGBTQ history and other topics across national, regional, local and personal perspectives.
“Out of the Shadows: Gay America from Kinsey to Stonewall” is a traveling presentation that has been chronicled by the Stonewall Library & Archives in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. It traces the impact on American society of a new sexual openness that began to emerge after World War II.
“Pauli Murray: Imp, Crusader, Dude, Priest” tells the story of a southern activist who championed human rights throughout her life as an attorney, poet, author and first African-American, female Episcopal priest. Murray, who was born in Baltimore, Md., was raised by her grandparents and aunt in Durham, N.C., after she was orphaned at a young age. In her senior years, upon becoming a priest, she celebrated communion at Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill, N.C., the same church where her grandmother had been baptized while a slave.
“Publicly Identified: Coming Out Activist in the Queen City” illustrates through a timeline the area’s LGBT history from materials in the Charlotte LGBTQ Community Archive, which is being curated by the University of North Carolina-Charlotte’s J. Murrey Atkins Special Collections. Through this project, the directors and staff hope to amass, preserve and protect a comprehensive history of LGBT Charlotte.
The new archive, headed by historian and UNCC staffer Josh Burford, captured community members’ responses to several questions related to the local community and its history on July 12 and will be published on the archive’s new website.
“Minding the Ts and Qs: Gender Identity” explores how area artists interpret gender identity through visual cues and use of space.
info: museumofthenewsouth.org. facebook.com/CharlottelgbtqArchive.
— Lainey Millen & Matt Comer
Youth group names new board
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Time Out Youth Center, 2320 N. Davidson St., has announced its new leadership and board of directors for 2014-15. They took office on June 18.
The board consists of up to 20 members, four of which are held by youth. Adults commit to three years of service to the agency and youth to one year.
The following were selected after a six-month nomination, interview and approval process: Steve Wilson, chair; Michael Condel, vice chair; Stacy Crickenberger, secretary; Tommy Truman, treasurer; Samantha Burroughs-Thomas; John Layton Campbell III; Brandon Cole; Erin Goldstein; Malone Lockaby; Ian McCanless; Richard Huggins; James Minton; JR Joaquin; and Barry Pettinato. Youth board members are: Adara Linares-Aponte; Kayla Fierson; Brandon Perez; and Scout Rosen.
Rotating off were: Jeremy Carter; Josh Lemke; Nathan Gedney; Dean Hill; Michael Holmes; Brandon McAllian; and Lisa Swayne Proud.
“We were excited to have such a qualified group of candidates for board membership,” stated Steven Wilson, incoming chair of the board of directors. “Our center is so important to the community and having a solid board of directors is key to meeting the needs of our youth.”
Wilson added, “Developing youth leadership is a core focus of our agency. Youth board members serve a one year term and have full voting rights. For our agency to stay relevant to our clients, youth voice has to be held at the highest level in leadership of the organization.”
info: timeoutyouth.org.
— Lainey Millen
Trans group begun
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sacred Souls Community Church, 2127 Eastway Dr., has started a transgender support group.
Dedicated to providing support to transgender community members, it also welcomes gender-variant individuals, as well as straight allies. The secular group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. for one hour in the church’s lounge.
Organizer Bree Catlin shares that the environment provides a safe zone that is part support group and part social in nature.
The church was founded by Bishop Tonyia Rawls. It holds worship services on Sundays at 11 a.m.
info: BCatlin@gmail.com.
— Lainey Millen
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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.