Out in Music: An interview with Conor Murphy of Smidley
Conor Murphy is the kind of artist who doesn’t want to limit his artistic output to one outlet. Perhaps best known for being in the St. Louis-based band, Foxing, Murphy exercises different musical muscles with his other band Smidley. This includes exploring his dance-floor options on the album “Murphy Horse” (Royal Mountain). Pressed on “Coke…
Supporting our own
Supporting LGBTQ+ owned and LGBTQ+ affirming businesses is more than a consumer choice; it is a practical way to encourage economic opportunity, strengthen local communities and reward companies that embrace equality. LGBTQ+ owned businesses create jobs, provide essential services and contribute to local economies. Research published by the Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research…
New HRC data: LGBTQ+ people are choosing visibility ahead of 2026 midterms
Even as more than half of LGBTQ+ adults (56 percent) say the current political climate makes them less likely to be open about who they are, LGBTQ+ people continue to build visibility and support for equality, according to new HRC Foundation data released ahead of National Coming Out Day on October 11. Most (85 percent)…
SC Equality hosts black tie casino night
It’s time to get your queer James Bond on! South Carolina Equality, the Palmetto State’s oldest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, is hosting a black-tie recommended “Equality Royale” on the evening of Friday, October 9. This night of “cards, cocktails, and community” is a fundraising event with a message: “Don’t Gamble Your Rights Away.” LGBTQ+ rights are…
Local LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day rallies support for independent queer journalism
National headlines may capture the biggest stories affecting LGBTQ+ people, but much of LGBTQ+ life happens closer to home. It happens at school board meetings and city councils, at Pride celebrations and community centers, in local businesses and arts organizations. It’s found in the people building community, the organizations providing resources and the decisions being…
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features
The Midterms: Voting in the Carolinas
The midterm elections are now just weeks away and LGBTQ+ organizations have chosen their political endorsements. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) PAC and Equality North Carolina Action Fund PAC (ENC) are supporting politicians that challenge MAGA Republicans and advocate for LGBTQ+ equality. NORTH CAROLINA On September 16, HRC PAC endorsed Democratic candidate Roy Cooper for…
arts & culture
‘The Q’ explores who tells our stories for LGBTQ+ History Month
When we talk about LGBTQ+ history, it’s easy to think about the names, protests, court cases and political victories that made it into history books. But what about everything else? The photographs somebody kept for decades. The flyer from a queer bar that no longer exists. An old Pride program. A newspaper. A box of…
community
Charlotte Trans Health ‘Night Hits the Runway’ benefit a success
An enthusiastic and supportive crowd of LGBTQ+ community members and allies showed up Saturday, October 3, for “T.H.E. Night Hits the Runway,” a fundraising gala for Charlotte Trans Health (CTH). CTH Executive Director Holly Savoy told Qnotes the number of individuals in attendance was over 175 and their $100,000 fundraising goal was achieved. “It was…
