Trans faith conference slated
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Freedom Center for Social Justice will hold its Transgender Faith and Action Network 2014 Conference, “Education That Leads To Success,” from Aug. 29-31 at the Hilton Hotel, University Place, 8629 JM Keynes Dr.
The three-day event focuses on the convergence of transgender and faith issues. It is free to attendees and is open to the public. Organizers expect upward of 250 attendees.
The conference will feature live performances, receptions and parties, workshops and seminars, activism and advocacy training, awards celebrations and interfaith workshop for transgender and gender-variant people of faith and allies.
Registration and accommodations are available online and are in limited numbers.
info: tfaan.org.
Annual mass nears
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Catholic, LGBT-inclusive mass and celebration will be held on Aug. 13, 7 p.m., at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 507 S. Tryon St. Rev. Carl T. Del Giudice of Our Lady of Consulation in Charlotte will serve as the presider, with other Diocesan priests participating as well.
This event is sponsored by the Diocesan Ministry for Gay and Lesbian Catholics (DMGLC) and is open to the public. 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.
McCreesh was a champion for the homeless and a tremendous supporter of the LGBT community. He also was active with DMGLC and was often found at the bedside of many of Charlotte’s gay men and others who were dying from complications of HIV/AIDS. McCreesh Place in NoDa bears his name and legacy.
Allen was a compassionate priest and often was seen ministering to those who were marginalized and downtrodden. Prior to his death, he carried his ministry to the rural reaches of Alaska.
Curlin received backlash from Catholic conservatives when in 2001 when he celebrated mass for the Eighth Annual National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries. He only wanted to “show gays and lesbians that God loves them and that they will find their growth and his love in the church,” Knight Ridder news archives reported.
A reception will follow downstairs in Biss Hall. Parking is free in The Green parking garage adjacent to the church. Simply write “St. Peter” on the ticket and sign it.
This mass is part of the gay and lesbian ministry parish outreach. Among other events and organizations it supports are a spring retreat, an annual retreat in Maggie Valley, N.C., annual House of Mercy AIDS Walk, Time Out Youth, among others.
St. Peter’s was established in 1851 and has been staffed by the Jesuits since 1986.
The church promotes and fosters holistic spirituality that is inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and grounded in the Catholic moral and social justice tradition. It encourages pastoral care with lesbians and gays and their families. Additionally, they support human dignity and human rights of lesbians and gays and “affirm that all who are baptized are called to full participation in the life, worship and mission of the church.
info: stpeterscatholic.org/gay_lesbian_ministry. 704-332-2901.
Foundation fundraiser approaches
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An 8 in 8 fundraiser for The Adam Foundation will be held on Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.
Attendees can enjoy rafting, kayaking, zipline and more.
The event is being hosted by former foundation president Crystal Simmons.
Contributions in any denomination will be gratefully accepted.
The 8 in 8 fundraisers are coordinated by individuals and businesses who wish to help sustain the work of The Adam Foundation during the late summer. The number eight has to be incorporated somewhere within the event.
info/registration: facebook.com/events/1380253482255815/.
Theatre group to visit museum
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Blumental Performing Arts’ Out on the Town affinity group will be heading to the Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th, on Aug. 21, 5:30 p.m., to see “LGBTQ Perspectives on Equality.”
Participants will tour the exhibits and be treated to complimentary hors d’ouevres and beverages.
RSVP is available via email with the subject line “RSVP: Out on the Town at Levine Museum” and is due by Aug. 15.
Free parking after 5 p.m. is provided in 7th Street Station. Bring tickets to the museum for validation.
info/rsvp: ncbpac.org. bcarter@ncbpac.org.
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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@qnotescarolinas.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.