Greetings Qnotes readers,
In our latest issue of Qnotes, we take an indepth look at everything creative, artistic and entertaining about Charlotte and a number of other cities throughout the state. From art exhibits and live stage performances to concerts and clubbing, there’s something here to keep just about everyone entertained. Plus, we talk with Charlotte local and VisArt Video director Gina Stewart, who is determined to bring the city’s creative scene together through social activities and the love of art, in all its many forms.
In unpleasant but definitely need-to-know state and national news, we report on the disturbing murder of a community member. Ervianna Johnson was found dead near her home in Tabor City, North Carolina. Regrettably, early reports about Johnson misgendered her and she was not recognized as a trans woman until just recently. Local authorities have publicly announced her death as a homicide.
As everyone who lives in this country knows, life for all forward thinking individuals — and especially those in the LGBTQ+ community — becomes more disturbing with each passing day under the control of and the volatile and often bizarre actions of the current federal administration, Some days there are small victories, other days there are actions most of us would have once thought inconceivable. Although this case is far from over and has not made its way through the entire court system, it is gratifying to know that a federal judge has blocked Donald Trump’s attempt to bar all current and future trans gender individuals from serving in the United States military.
What lies ahead for us? These days our future seems very uncertain. In Qnotes Democracy we examine the war on science, DEI and the effort to implement the super-sized anti-democracy manifesto Project 2025. As I mentioned before, each new day brings something new. Sometimes a glimmer of hope, other times it’s an abhorrent setback. In this piece we learn about Stand Up for Science, and how students, teachers, scientists and medical professionals are standing up against the outrageous actions of Trump and his minions.
While the times we’re living in often couldn’t seem any darker, I received a link today from a friend via Instagram that stands as a beacon of hope. Created by members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community in France, it is emotionally moving, and reassuring that others around the globe know what we’re going through (be sure to click on the mute button at the bottom to hear the score that accompanies the images). Take heart. Know the world knows the actions occurring in this country are not reflective of the majority of our people, and our friends in historically allied nations still have our back.
If you have an opportunity to watch the link, please share your thoughts with us at editor@qnotescarolinas.com.
Sincerely,
David Aaron Moore
Senior Editor, Qnotes
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEKEND AND BEYOND
NC art exhibits: ongoing and upcoming
As 2025 unfolds, artists and allies of our community are using the power of creative expression to provide support and solidarity during times of uncertainty and political unrest. North Carolina is set to come alive with a vibrant array of arts exhibits that celebrate the richness of culture and creative diversity. As it has for […]
Music: Queer and allied artists in upcoming concerts
As the old saying goes, music is the universal language of humankind. A study released by The Harvard Gazette found that, across societies, music is associated with behaviors such as infant care, healing, dance and love (among many others, like mourning, warfare, processions, and ritual). Examining lullabies, healing songs, dance songs and love songs in […]
Theatrical Arts in North Carolina
Why is theater important?There are many reasons: It provides a platform for exploring human experience and emotions; and it offers a variety of perspectives through storytelling. It promotes empathy, critical thinking, creativity, communication skills and social awareness through diverse viewpoints. It makes you laugh, cry, get angry, and feel sad or happy. It’s one of […]
OUT ON THE TOWN
Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ party scene continues through Ultraviolet Sapphic series
By Jonathan Golian
Brianna Daniels, a Charlotte-born DJ who performs under the name “Black As The Cosmos” says Charlotte still hasn’t recovered the playfulness it had prior to COVID setting in during early 2020. Her comment brings up a lot of memories: Dance clubs and spaces have long had a lot of value […]
STATE NEWS
Trans Woman Ervianna Johnson found dead near family home
After several days of searching, a 25 year-old trans woman was found dead near her […]
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NATIONAL NEWS
Federal court blocks Trump’s transgender military ban
U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes recently issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in Talbott v. Trump, the legal challenge to Donald Trump’s executive ordered transgender military ban. Judge Reyes heard arguments on the motion for preliminary injunction in Washington, DC on Wednesday, March 12. In the ruling, Reyes noted that “thousands of transgender service members […]
COMMUNITY
Our People: Gina Stewart
It’s not often you meet a native Charlottean, but we found one. This unicorn has […]
QNOTES DEMOCRACY
Trump has politicized science. Scientists have had enough.
In the less than two months since President Donald Trump has assumed office, his administration […]
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