Qnotes Democracy: Your rights are on the docket (or Justice wears a robe, not a cape)
I wanted to be a lawyer. More specifically, I dreamed of being a judge. An intelligent, objective dispenser of justice. A superhero in a robe instead of a cape. I’d get the bad guys off the streets, protect the innocent and make sure justice was served. Simple, right? Then I married my first husband, who…
The SAVE Act isn’t about election security — it’s about who gets to vote
Since the United States’ inception, the right to vote has been described as the foundation of American democracy – a promise that every citizen has a voice to choose the leaders who shape their lives. But for many Americans, that very promise has always come with an asterisk. Women, Black Americans, immigrants, disabled voters and…
A dress code for transgender teachers is probably illegal — and definitely wrong
A Republican state lawmaker has suggested she’ll file legislation that would require “gender-appropriate professional attire for public school employees.” What happened to being the party of freedom? Rep. Erin Paré, who represents Wake County, said on social media that the legislation would “protect children from being exposed to more complex and mature gender-identity questions and…
Join the Qnotes Press Club
Your support makes our work possible. Every story we publish, every event we cover, and every community voice we uplift exists because of readers like you. Behind every headline is a story worth telling, and your membership helps keep those stories alive.
As we move into 2026, our goal is to welcome 1,000 new Press Club members by June 1 and grow the community that makes this reporting possible. Join the Press Club today and help us reach our goal.
Related Stories
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…
news
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
‘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…
