For the third year in a row, qnotes went directly to the people for their votes on their favorite and best coffee shops, restaurants, nightclubs and bars, popular leaders and elected officials and non-profit organizations. Through June, July and August, hundreds cast their ballots for their best of the best in LGBT Carolina. We’re pleased to announce this year’s QList winners, chosen by LGBT and straight ally North Carolinians as the best among their class.
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Statewide
Best LGBT Non-Profit Organization
LGBT Center of RaleighBest AIDS Service Organization
Regional AIDS Interfaith NetworkGroup with Most Effective Grassroots Advocacy
Equality North Carolina
James Miller
Best LGBT Youth Leader (under 30)
Best LGBT Leader (Male)
Hired last November, Miller has quickly proven his ability as a natural leader for the LGBT Center of Raleigh and the LGBT community in the Triangle. A North Carolina native, Miller worked at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in Boston before taking his position with the center. His non-profit management experience and knowledge of the LGBT community have helped to shape the LGBT Center of Raleigh into a dynamic and growing community organization.
Jen Jones
Best LGBT Leader (Female)
The communications director of Equality North Carolina, Jones is a proven leader. Before and during the campaign on Amendment One, Jones served as the voice for Equality North Carolina and the state’s LGBT community, in addition to her own advocacy work including a cross-state run to raise awareness and funds to fight the amendment.
The Hon. LaWana Mayfield
City Council, Charlotte, N.C.
Best LGBT Politician/Elected Official
Elected to the Charlotte City Council in 2011, Mayfield became the city’s first ever openly LGBT elected official. The moment was historic, as an openly lesbian community leader with experience in a wide range of advocacy and education projects benefitting communities across the city took her seat behind the dias. Mayfield has distinguished herself as an able leader on economic matters, social justice issues and LGBT equality.Best Pride Celebration in North Carolina
Pride CharlotteBest LGBT Club/Bar for Men
Marigny Dance ClubBest LGBT Club/Bar for Women
Hartigan’s Irish PubClub/Bar with Best Drink Value
CO2Club/Bar with Hottest Bar Staff
Marigny Dance ClubClub/Bar with Best Drag Show
The ScorpioClub/Bar with Best Entertainment Variety
The ScorpioBest Drag Performer in North Carolina
Angela Lopez
Charlotte
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Restaurant
Lupie’s
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Fine Dining
300 East
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Late-night Dining
The Penguin Drive-In
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Deli
Common Market
LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Restaurant with Best Desserts
The Landmark
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Cheap Eat (under $15)
Hartigan’s Irish Pub
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Soul Food
Mert’s Heart and Soul
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Mexican Restaurant
3 Amigos
LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Restaurant with Best Brunch
SOUL Gastrolounge
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Retail Store
Paper Skyscraper
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Adult-Oriented Store
White Rabbit
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Coffee Shop
Central Coffee Co.
Best Local Non-Profit Organization
Time Out Youth
Best LGBT-Affirming Faith Institution
Unity Fellowship Church of Charlotte
Best Local Drag Performer
Buff Faye
The Hon. Anthony Foxx
Mayor, Charlotte, N.C.
Best LGBT-Friendly Politician/Elected Official
As Charlotte’s first Democratic mayor in 22 years, Foxx’s election to the city’s highest executive office in 2009 marked the beginning of a new era for LGBT inclusion in the city. Unlike his predecessor, Foxx has never turned a cold shoulder to the city’s LGBT citizens and residents. Foxx has quickly earned loyalty from the city’s LGBT community.
Raleigh & Triangle
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Restaurant
The BurroughBest LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Late-Night Dining
The BurroughBest LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Deli
Remedy DinerLGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Restaurant with Best Desserts
PieBirdBest LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Cheap Eat (under $15)
The BurroughBest LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Soul Food
Beasley’s Chicken + HoneyBest LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Mexican Restaurant
JibarraLGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Restaurant with Best Brunch
Tir Na Nog Irish Pub & RestaurantBest LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Retail Store
The Green MonkeyBest LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Adult-Oriented Store
Our PlaceBest LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Coffee Shop
Benelux CafeBest Local Non-Profit Organization
LGBT Center of RaleighBest LGBT-Affirming Faith Institution
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of RaleighBest Local Drag Performer
Mary K Mart
The Hon. Brad Miller
U.S. House of Representatives
North Carolina
Best LGBT-Friendly Politician/Elected Official
As one of North Carolina’s leading progressive voices, Miller has earned his strips during two decades of service. He served in the state House (1992-1994) and Senate (1996-2002) before his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2003. Miller became a leading voice on matters of LGBT equality.
Triad
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Restaurant
6th and Vine
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Deli
First Carolina Deli
LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Restaurant with Best Desserts
Maxie B’s
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Soul Food
Sweet Potatoes
LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Restaurant with Best Brunch
Breakfast of Course!
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Adult-Oriented Store
Annabelle’s
Best LGBT-Friendly, Locally-Owned Coffee Shop
Caffe Prada
Best Local Non-Profit Organization
AIDS Care Service
Best LGBT-Affirming Faith Institution
Green St. United Methodist Church
Best Local Drag Performer
Paisley Parque
The Hon. Dan Besse
City Council, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Best LGBT-Friendly Politician/Elected Official
A member of the Winston-Salem City Council since 2001, Besse has become a leading progressive voice on matters of LGBT inclusion, environmental conservation, in addition to past legal and other work for organizations providing services to low-income families and on healthcare issues.