Honoring the experiences of our LGBTQ+ Veterans
Veterans Day (proclaimed a federal holiday in 1938 by President Woodrow Wilison) began as Armistice Day on November 11, 1918, marking the end of major fighting in World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Unlike most federal floating holidays, it’s always on the 11th day of November.…
Durham LGBTQ+ Pride march honored with historical marker
A new historical marker in downtown Durham recognizes North Carolina’s first LGBTQ+ Pride march, an event that grew out of a violent 1981 attack and helped shape decades of organizing in the state. The marker, unveiled on Main Street near the Museum of Durham History on October 3, commemorates “Our Day Out,” a June 27,…
To serve or not to serve: the U.S. Navy and Marines push back on Hegseth’s ‘no trannies’ directive
From the Civil War to the Cold War, U.S. military service members have blurred gender lines. That officially ended in 1953 when then-President and former Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in World War II Europe, Dwight D. Eisenhower, issued Executive Order 10450. That order essentially banned from military service anyone who was a “criminal,…
Library logo removal sparks debate over LGBTQ+ inclusion
The small eastern North Carolina town of Farmville (population 4,512) in Pitt County is facing questions about transparency, LGBTQ+ inclusion and the role of public libraries after the town’s public library removed a multicolored logo it had used for approximately 14 years. The decision followed complaints from three residents who reportedly believed the design resembled…
Don Lemon takes aim at Nicki Minaj while she fawns over Trump
“We don’t want our children to be bombarded with sex changes, right? We don’t want that for our children. We want people to leave the children alone,” rapper Nicki Minaj recently told an audience at a Michigan political rally. She also declared, “President Trump, it is an honor to stand with you every single time,…
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features
Home for the holidays: Your guide to seasonal celebrations in Charlotte
The holiday season is almost here, and Charlotte has plenty of ways to celebrate. From drag performances and holiday concerts to dazzling light displays, theater productions and family-friendly traditions, the Queen City’s calendar is filling up with seasonal festivities. LGBTQ+ favorites Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme return with their signature holiday mischief, while the Gay Men’s…
arts & culture
Out on Film: ‘La Bola Negra’
If you’ve been following the news about acclaimed queer movie “La Bola Negra” (Netflix) since it began winning multiple awards at film festivals (including Cannes), then you might get the sense that the hype machinery is running at full speed. However, in this case, “La Bola Negra,” co-directed by queer filmmaking couple Javier Calvo and…
community
Our People: DJ Ghost
Out, loud and proud, DJ Ghost is a familiar name in the Carolinas’ LGBTQ+ community. An unapologetic advocate for equality and social justice, he’s never been one to mince words. In fact, his Facebook page boldly declares: “If you voted for Trump, don’t add me.” For years, DJ Ghost, also known as Michael Todd Calton…
