For 40 years, Qnotes has documented the lives, challenges and celebrations of LGBTQ+ communities across Charlotte and the Carolinas. On Sunday, April 26, that work comes full circle as we host our 40th Anniversary Celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Scorpio, located at 225 Fairwood Avenue in Charlotte.
The event will bring together readers, community leaders, Qnotes staff, activists, partners and friends for an evening centered on connection, reflection and celebration. The night will feature DJs and performers, along with light hors d’oeuvres and a specialty cocktail, creating space for the kind of gathering that has always been at the heart of our work.
The celebration will also recognize individuals and organizations whose work continues to shape the community. Qnotes will honor the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year, the Freedom Center for Social Justice, and the 2025 Person of the Year, Dr. Holly Savoy, executive director of Charlotte Trans Health. The event will also recognize the 2026 LGBTQ+ Women of Distinction: Ann Gonzales, Chelsea Gulden, Blue Klein, Bethany McDonald, Abby Mederos, Meredith Thompson and Angel Truesdale.
Founded in 1986, Qnotes has served as a dedicated source of LGBTQ+ news in the Carolinas, covering local events, cultural milestones and policy decisions that impact daily life. Over four decades, we have also built an archive of community history that might not otherwise be preserved, documenting both moments of progress and ongoing challenges.
That role remains especially important as local newsrooms continue to shrink and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community continue to increase. Qnotes continues to focus on the stories happening in this region, connecting readers to the people, organizations and issues shaping LGBTQ+ life in Charlotte and the Carolinas.
The April 26 celebration offers a chance to reflect on that history while also looking ahead. It is both a recognition of what has been built over 40 years and a reminder that this work continues.
Tickets are available in multiple tiers. An Early Bird Special ticket is available for $4 for a limited time in honor of the 40th anniversary year. General Admission tickets will be available for $14 beginning March 23, 2026, and Week-Of Event tickets will be available for $24 beginning April 20, 2026.
As part of our anniversary year, we are also inviting readers to participate in our “$40 for 40 Years” giving campaign. Readers can also support ongoing work through the Qnotes Press Club, a membership program that helps sustain local LGBTQ+ journalism year-round.
More information about the event is available at qnotescarolinas.com/connect/. To learn more about the giving campaign or join the Press Club, visit qnotescarolinas.com/pressclub/.
As Qnotes marks 40 years, the focus remains the same: telling the stories of this community and ensuring they continue to be told.