Charlotte
Guild hosts English
CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Business Guild will hold its monthly meeting on May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 201 S. McDowell St. Guest speaker will be Crossroads Charlotte Community Building Initiative Executive Director Dianne English (pictured). Anne Douglas Miller, licensed agent with HealthMarkets, will serve as host.
Attendees will be able to see and respond to “Crossroads Charlotte: The Movie,” a film adaptation of four Crossroads stories. It originally premiered in February and has been seen by more than 1,800. Copies of the DVD will be made available for Guild members.
Since 2005, Crossroads Charlotte provides opportunities for organizations, institutions and individuals to examine four plausible futures for the Charlotte community and then to take action to steer the community towards positive aspects of those futures. Primary funding for Crossroads Charlotte is provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Charlotte-based Foundation for the Carolinas. Program implementation is provided by Foundation for the Carolinas and the Community Building Initiative with guidance from the Crossroads Charlotte Steering Committee.
The Crossroads Charlotte scenarios were written in response to a core question: What course will Charlotte-Mecklenburg chart for all its residents over the next 10 years as we deal with issues of access, equity, inclusion and trust in the social, political, economic and cultural life of the community? What happens when a whole community chooses to make a story reality?
The goal of Crossroads Charlotte is to choose and pursue a future for Charlotte, not just arrive in one. With an emphasis on creating a community that is accessible to all, inclusive and equitable, the goal of Crossroads Charlotte is to build a trusting, vibrant and sustainable home.
Because of its participation on the Charlotte Chamber’s Diversity Advisory Cabinet, the Guild has participated in the formation of the Charlotte Chamber’s Crossroads initiative which will be announced to the community later this spring.
Cost is $15 for CBG Members; $25 for guests and non-members. Individuals making reservations who do not attend will be charged for the event. Reservations were due by noon on May 15. A $5 late fee will be assessed for those who attend without reservations.
For more information, call 704-565-5075, email businessguild@yahoo.com or visit www.charlottebusinessguild.com.
Calling all poemosexuals!
CHARLOTTE — In conjunction with Charlotte Black Gay Pride, Lip Service will hold the area’s first LGBT Pride Poetry Slam on July 18. Location is still pending.
This fierce FAM SLAM comes complete with cash prizes and cool gifts. If you want to participate, get ready to slam down $15. Only want to watch? Then $7 is your ticket.
Host for the event is L. Monique. To get a spot on the list, email theblackdymond@yahoo.com.
Pride will feature a weekend of parties, workshops, an expo and more. Host hotel is ALoft Charlotte Uptown at the EpiCenter, 210 E. Trade St.
For more information on Pride events, visit www.charlotteblackgaypride.com.
Triad
The search is on
WINSTON-SALEM — The Pastoral Search Committee at Metropolitan Community Church Winston-Salem, 4105 Patsy Dr., will be interviewing a candidate from June 4-7.
Rev. Ron LaRocque from Portland, Ore., has accepted an invitation to meet with the congregation and board. Various opportunities will be made available to interact with LaRocque during the weekend. He will deliver sermons at the 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday services.
The candidate will be accompanied by his partner.
The church has been soliciting for guardianship commitments to help sustain its financial obligations and for securing a full-time minister.
For more information, visit www.mccws.org.
Triangle
Dems say hello to Mandy
The Triangle Stonewall Democrats will welcome Mandy Carter on May 21 at the Stanford L. Warren Library, 1201 Fayetteville St., Meeting Room #1, from 6-8 p.m.
This event is presented by the Durham County Democratic Women and is free and open to the general public.
Young people and students are especially encouraged to attend.
Mandy Carter has been standing up for human rights and fighting oppression for over 40 years. She was a pioneering advocate for women’s rights and is now a leading voice in the continuing struggle for LGBT equality. Hear how this remarkable woman manages to juggle the demands of being a Democrat, woman, friend and activist — and learn how she emerged from a childhood spent in orphanages and foster care to become a national spokeswoman for millions of Americans.
For more information, email risafoster@aol.com.
Pros to party down
CARY — Join Triangle Professional Lesbians (TPL) for a Rainbow Network Party with Sayer McShane on May 22 at 10 p.m. at Bella Napoli, 201 W. Chatham St. in the Old Cary Commons for Bella’s first ever Rainbow Night.
Sayer McShane is a band from Detroit, Mich., which relocated to the Raleigh/Durham area. It is comprised of Kristin Sayer on guitar and Carolyn McShane on drums and keyboard. They have a style that has a Motown feel with blues undertones.
Everyone is welcome. This is a change of venue over going to the usual “alternative” places. Prepare for great Italian food. There is casual fine dining, a full bar, patio and room to dance. Best part is that there is no cover.
To make a reservation, visit TPL’s site at lgbtfriends.meetup.com/153. Deadline is May 22 at 3 p.m.
For more information, call 919-462-8001 or visit www.bellanapoliitalianrestaurant.com.
Western
Pride rebrands
BOONE — The mountain community’s annual Pride festival has announced a rebranding, changing its name from Boone Pride to High Country Pride. The event, which is still in planning stages, will be held June 13-14. The theme this year is “Your Rights, Our Rights, Human Rights.”
Discussions for activities have included a movie matinee, a generations DJ dance for all ages and a family picnic with live music.
Event locations and times have yet to be announced for this year’s festival, but tickets, which will be good for all events, are $10 and can be bought online at www.boonepride.org.
The group also recently announced a donation of $200 in books and DVDs for young readers with LGBT themes to the Watauga County Public Library. The library’s mission celebrates, unites and supports equality in the community.
A wine tasting benefit will be held on May 23 at Christopher’s Wine & Cheese of Blowing Rock, 110 Sunset Dr., from 5-8 p.m.
Spouses, partners, prospective members and friends are welcome to attend. Wine flights will be sold for $10 that you can use on three wine tastings of your choice from special selections. Light hors d’oeuvres will also be served.
The organization will receive a contribution from profits on all wine sold through the event. These funds, along with others raised, help make annual donations to the local public library, give student awards, produce a High Country Pride community event and continue to support local programs.
Space is limited. Call 828-414-9111 for more information and to reserve a space.
High Country Pride is a volunteer-staffed, 501(c)4 non-profit civic league.
For sponsorships, volunteer opportunities or vendor options or to make a contribution, email 209@boonepride.org.
Campus Scene
Go gayly forward to camp!
BALTIMORE, Md. — Campus Pride will host its third annual Campus Pride SummerLeadership Camp geared toward LGBT and ally student leaders from colleges and universities across the nation from July 21-26.
The five-day-long leadership camp is the only national program of its kind and will take place on the campus of Towson University in Towson, Md.
Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, will be among the keynote speakers at camp. She will also be honored with the Campus Pride Voice Action Award for LGBT youth issues during the closing banquet.
“Who better to honor and recognize Judy Shepard than Campus Pride and our LGBT and ally college student leaders,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. “The Voice Action Award recognizes Judy for her love, passion and support she has given so many the last 10 years. Judy is a shining example of how national leaders can give ‘voice and action’ to LGBT young adults — to educate and inspire.”
For over six months, Campus Pride staff and volunteers have been planning the five-day camp curriculum of skill building in leadership development, social justice and civic involvement. Maximum attendance capacity is expected again this year. Any college student 18 years old or above may attend camp. Limited number of scholarships are available until June 1.
For sponsorship opportunities, more information or to register, email info@campuspride.org or visit www.campuspride.org.
info: Announce your community event in NC News Notes.
email: editor@q-notes.com.