CLT: At a Glance
Quick Facts
Population (2013 estimate): 792,862/Charlotte; 990,977/County
Number of same-sex couples in Mecklenburg County (2010): 2,426
Couples per 1,000: 6.70 (based upon 2010 Census with 731,424 population)
(Statistics supplied by the U.S. Census Bureau)
Click here to view our Aug. 15 print edition and InFocus: Charlotte guide
InFocus: Charlotte — Charlotte homeowners embrace clean energy
‘Neighbors’ are getting green.
InFocus: Charlotte — Charlotte has neighborhood flair
Lots of places around the city are ones that we call home.
InFocus: Charlotte — Your (LGBT-)Friendly Neighborhood Grocer?
Rating your grocery and pharmacy with regard to their employment policies
InFocus: Charlotte — Queen City Eats & Coffee
Yummy treats and more!
InFocus: Charlotte — Brewing up some friends
Let the tap run with some of the best in breweries from right here in Charlotte.
InFocus: Charlotte — Nightlife establishments
LGBT clubs from across the Queen City.
InFocus: Charlotte — Government and politics
The 411 on everything you need to know about accessing public officials and their offices.
InFocus: Charlotte — Fun and relaxation
Entertaining options for your enjoyment!
InFocus: Charlotte — Annual Events
A list of annual LGBT and other community events.
Charlotte LGBT Community Resource Guide (PDF)
Download our one-page guide of community resources.
About our Guide Sponsors
Charlotte Business Guild
charlottebusinessguild.org
The Charlotte Business Guild is the LGBT Chamber of Commerce comprised of businesses, business owners, professionals and their strategic allies in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Presently the Guild boasts over 200 members. Our chamber holds monthly events and workshops designed to help develop and grow current member businesses, as well as support those non-members in the community who have an affinity for business. While membership is not required to attend most Guild events or workshops, the benefits of membership are great locally and nationally for members individually and as business members.
Guild Members receive:
• Discounts: to Guild events and workshops, Exclusive member-to-member discounts with national companies like Avis, Hilton Hotels, Fifth/Third Bank, Liberty Mutual, UPS and FedEx , and local companies such as Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors and Your Custom Catering LLC.
• Marketing: Free advertising with placement in the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce network directory, The Charlotte Business Guild monthly newsletter and website as well as being featured in our Membership Spotlight on all social media platforms. In addition, members receive discounts on ads with local LGBT newspaper qnotes as well as the national Gay Ad Network.
• A Network, that works: Access to a directory of all local and nationally register LGBT businesses and service providers. Monthly events that allow you to meet and network with other members on the ground. An opportunity to be our featured business at our monthly event which allows you to make a presentation about your services to our membership. 50 percent off membership to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and free membership to the national Gay and Lesbian Chamber of commerce. Placement on our mobile app and the opportunity to create push notifications to our vast network.
While the Guild and its Board of Directors exist “to facilitate economic proliferation for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and those who support equality for all,” the Guild also actively supports others outside of the business community. For example, the Young Professionals Initiative created a first-of-its-kind program connecting queer college students and recent grads with LGBT businesses owners for unique internship that provided not only invaluable real world experience in their area of interest, but also a safe environment for our LGBT young adults to learn.
For over 22 years Charlotte Business Guild has existed to establish and nurture a network of business contacts, encourage fellowship and support among business, professional and charitable pursuits and provide and promote positive role models in Charlotte’s LGBT community. If you would like to join the Guild please visit www.charlottebusinessguild.org today!
The Charlotte Business Guild is an affiliate of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce as well as diversity council member with the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. : :
Hearts Beat As One Foundation
heartsbeatone.org
The Hearts Beat As One Foundation (HB1) was started with a group of like-minded individuals who saw a need in their community to assist local charities with fundraising. We are a group of passionate fundraisers who have worked with other organizations in the past to raise funds.
So why start a new foundation? What makes us different? Our differences are exactly what make us unique. Like a human heart, which is made up of four chambers (atria and ventricles), muscular walls, all working as one. HB1 consists of both women and men, from all walks of life, white collar, blue collar, straight, gay, degreed and street pedigreed, all sharing the same passion to work together as one, so the Queen City thrives.
Since our inception in April of 2014, we have been credited with donating over $12,000 to local charities. With the generous support of our community, we were able to help charitable organizations like Safe Alliance, RAIN, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Campus Pride and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, just to name a few. Our goal is to help local charities, and those who benefit from them, with new and exciting events as well as grow funding for projects such as the roll out of Dolly Parton Imagination Library program for children’s literacy in Mecklenburg County.
We are also excited to launch an Individual Giving/Membership Campaign where individuals can donate one-time to HB1, or on a monthly basis. Our goal is to raise $25,000 with memberships and individual gifts by the end of the year. These funds will allow us to continue assisting organizations in need. We’ve created membership levels with benefits that increase the benefit to the donor past their funds benefiting their community. If members choose to participate, they will help guide the path of the organization as we craft the future of HB1 as well as help choose projects and organizations for HB1 Foundation to apply focus and resources. HB1 is also fully transparent and will openly share project plans and financial records as requested by our Members.
Mark your calendar for some upcoming, exciting events involving Hearts Beat as One:
Aug. 23, 2014 – Walk a Mile in Her Shoes benefiting Safe Alliance
Aug. 23, 2014 – Sing for the Cure benefiting Susan G. Komen Foundation
Fall 2014 – Dolly Parton Imagination Library program for Children’s Literacy
Oct. 4, 2014 – Amazing Race Bar Crawl benefiting RAIN
Nov. 21, 2014 – HB1 Foundation Package Auction Benefit at Charlotte City Club
April 18, 2015 – White Ties and Tiaras – Hearts Beat AS One Foundation Ball
When all our hearts beat as one, people…everyone…thrive.
Hearts Beat As One Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. A portion, if not all, of your tangible donations may be tax deductible. Please consult your financial advisor for more information. : :
The Bar at 316
thebarat316.com
Opened in August 1989 as Liaisons, The Bar at 316 is one of the oldest, continuously-operating LGBT bars in the city. Under its current ownership and name since 2009, the bar has undergone remodeling and a transformation into a modern-day lounge that caters to every stripe of the community — with a diversity of activities and events planned throughout the week.
The Bar at 316 is one of only a handful of LGBT bars open seven days a week, and each night the bar offers drink specials, fun times and friends. Every Sunday and Tuesday, The Bar at 316’s popular karaoke nights pull in the crowds. On Saturdays, the Big Fun comedy Drag Hour with Patti O’Furniture and Buff Faye keep the party going. On Thursdays, the bar goes retro, with hits from the ‘80s, ‘90s and early 2000s. On Fridays, a house DJ rocks it out.
Customers can enjoy two bars — upstairs where all the karaoke, drag and other parties keep things rolling or downstairs in a more relaxed lounge environment. On both floors, patrons can step outside to the balcony and enjoy the breeze as they have drinks with friends and family.
The bar — situated in an historic two-story Dilworth home — is the right mix of classic and contemporary. Its surrounding neighborhoods, Dilworth and South End, are historic and charming environments filled with a variety of restaurants, retail outlets and more.
The Bar at 316 is the perfect location for special events, fundraisers and meet-and-greets. The bar regularly sponsors and supports a variety of non-profits, including the Human Rights Campaign, Hearts Beat as One Foundation and Charlotte Pride. Just this year, The Bar at 316 has hosted after parties for the Human Rights Campaign and the Hearts Beat as One Foundation, including a special meet-and-greet with comedian Leslie Jordan. In August, The Bar at 316 will host, for the second year in a row, internationally famed underwear designer Andrew Christian and his models for Charlotte Pride after parties.
The Bar at 316 is a place to come with your friends and have a drink in a non-smoking, home-inspired environment. Our goal is to create intimate conversation areas to meet with friends as well as provide a relaxed neighborhood bar to have great drinks and listen to good music. : :