Charlotte
Are you fearful?
CHARLOTTE — The Lesbian & Gay Community Center, 820 Hamilton St., Suite B11, is hosting a community roundtable discussion on Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
The fourth in the series, “LGBT? What are YOU Afraid of?” will focus on what issues bring fear to those who participate in this event. Of course, one can just sit back and listen. Anonymity is respected. Attendance in the past has included an ethnically-diverse group of LGBT people and straight allies.
Admission is free. Participants are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks.
Bingo update
CHARLOTTE — Shelita Hamm has announced that tickets for Drag BINGO, to be held on Nov. 21, will go on sale on Sept. 22 to the general public.
Want to get a jump on securing a spot at the fun-filled, Queen City happening? Then stop on by Tutto Mondo, 1820 South Blvd, on Sept. 21 from 5-7 p.m. for a pre-sale event.
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, cash and checks are accepted.
Can’t make it? Then visit Paper Skyscraper, 330 East Blvd. or White Rabbit, 920 Central Ave. or call the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network office at 704-372-7246, ext. 100 to grab them while they are available. As always, Drag BINGO always sells out, you don’t want to miss it.
Individual tickets are $25. Reserved tables at $400 for the front and $350 for the back sections are limited and seats 10.
For more information, visit www.gaybingocharlotte.org.
Music is in the air
CHARLOTTE — Join LGBT community members for an Out on the Town, one-night, pre-show party on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. in the Belk Mezzanine Lobby, 130 N. Tryon St., to celebrate “A Chorus Line.”
This show is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever.
Complimentary hors d’ouevres and drinks will be provided. Afterward, enjoy the performance in the Belk Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Out on the Town is an LGBT social group sponsored by The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. As part of Blumenthal’s commitment to support the LGBT community, tickets for the evening are available at a $10 discount.
To join and receive information on programs, email outonthetown@ncbpac.org.
Boykin to appear
CHARLOTTE — OUTspoken will present Keith Boykin at its annual speaker at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte on Oct. 7 at 7.m. at McKnight Hall, Cone University Center, 9201 University City Blvd.
He will speak about the intersections of race and sexuality. The public presentation, “One More River to Cross: Black and Gay in America,” focuses on the experience of African-American gays and lesbians, the oppression they face and the political and social change that could be achieved when the black and gay communities come together.
A reception and expo will follow the presentation in the Lucas room.
This program is made possible by assistance from the Chancellor’s Diversity Challenge Fund, the Wesley Mancini Foundation, the Black Student Union, the Center for Professional & Applied Ethics, Women’s & Gender Studies, Counseling Center, Multicultural Resource Center and PRIDE.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit outspoken.uncc.edu.
Triad
She’s silver!
WINSTON-SALEM — Cass Westbrook, a staple of the female impersonation community, recently celebrated her 25th anniversary showcasing her talents. A special evening of performances was held on Sept. 6 at Club Odyssey, where she serves as host of the cabaret shows and entertainment director.
This former Miss World is noted for her Bette Midler impersonation. She was recently named as the QList Best Drag Performer in the Triad and has served as host for Triad Pride.
Way to go, Cass!
It’s approaching
GREENSBORO — “Angels in America: Part One, Millennium Approaches” will be mounted at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro from Sept. 30-Oct. 4 in the Taylor Theatre, 406 Tate St.
Show times are 7 p.m. for Sept. 30, Oct. 1-3 and Oct. 6-8. A 2 p.m. matinee will be held on Oct. 4.
This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning epic social commentary on life, love and loss by Tony Kushner is directed by James Fisher.
Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for students, senior citizens and children; $9 for groups of 10 or more and UNCG Alumni Association members; and $7 for currently enrolled university students.
For more information, call 336-334-4849 or visit boxoffice.uncg.edu.
Triangle
Quite welcome
DURHAM — Join Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 3011 Academy Rd., on Oct. 3-4 as they celebrate 10 years as an open and affirming congregation.
On Oct. 3, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., listen to guest speaker, The Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, senior pastor of City of Refuge UCC in San Franciso, as well as Common Woman Chorus. There will be a display of The AIDS Quilt and the Shower of Stoles. Enjoy fellowship, food and fun. Bring the family. Help create wind chimes to hang in the woods around the church.
Oct. 4 at 10:30 a.m. join the congregation for worship.
For more information, visit www.pilgrimucc-durham.org.
Lend a hand
RALEIGH — The LGBT Center of Raleigh will host it’s Coming Out Party on Oct. 17, 5-9 p.m., at Moore Square, 200 S. Blount St. But, it can’t do it without the help of volunteers.
At press time, party coordinators need the following positions to be filled in order to have a successful event: security, ticket sales, wine servers, beer servers, set-up, take-down and silent auction. Of course, more assistance is needed in other areas as well.
Entry is at no charge. Beer, wine and food may be purchased. Plus, free live music, DJ and other entertainment will be available.
The Center is looking for 1,000 to donate $100 each to become Founders of the Center. Contributors will be recognized by a permanent display at the site of the future facility.
To volunteer, email AllanFeinstein@Raleigh
LGBTCenter.com. For more information about the Center, visit www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.
Campus Scene
Survey continues
STATEWIDE — Safe Schools NC has announced the continuation of its statewide survey of youth concerning their school experiences relating to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.
This organization is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a safe and supportive school environment for North Carolina’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning students and their allies. This comprehensive web-based questionnaire covers school experiences and support systems of LGBT middle and high school students. Although national surveys have been conducted on these topics, few studies have focused on North Carolina.
Locating participants for the study has been difficult due to restrictions of school-based research concerning sexuality, the invisibility of the LGBT population and the lack of statewide organizations and networks serving this population.
The survey is available online. To participate, visit www.surveymk.com/LGBTQyouthsurvey. Participants who complete the survey have an opportunity to enter a drawing for a $100
gift card.
“We strongly encourage LGBTIQ youth and adults working with this population to spread the word about this survey,” said research coordinator Will Hall. “We hope that these findings will contribute to a better understanding of the school experiences of LGBTIQ youth and will advance more effective educational policies, programs, and services for this population.
Safe Schools NC’s research committee will continue to gather surveys through December 2009 and hopes to announce the results in 2010.
For more information, email Will Hall, research coordinator, at safeschoolsnc@gmail.com or Kathy Staley, board president, at staleykl1971@yahoo.com or visit www.safeschoolsnc.com.
Training date set
CHARLOTTE — Stop the Hate Train the Trainer program for campus bias and hate crime prevention will be held at an extended weekend workshop from Dec. 3-5 at the Cone University Center at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
The program will run from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
College campuses are the third most common location for hate crimes to occur in the U.S., says Shane Windmeyer, event coordinator. Training student leaders, faculty and administrators to fight bias and hate crimes on campus is not only cost-effective, but also provides an ongoing, real commitment to curb bias and violence. Stop the Hate and the Train the Trainer program can do that for one’s campus.
The Trainer program supports colleges and universities in preventing and combating bias and hate crimes on campus, as well as fostering the development of community. The program allows top administrators, student affairs professionals, faculty and students to learn new innovative tools to take action on hate crimes and bias-motivated violence issues on his/her campus. The only resource of it’s kind specifically for college campuses, the “Stop The Hate” 250+ page training manual and three-day, 18-20 hour Train The Trainer program was developed in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, Association of College Unions International, Campus Pride, The Southern Poverty Law Center, Wilbron Institute, Matthew Shepard Foundation, Napa Valley College Criminal Justice Training Center and the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence.
Cost is $395 on or before Nov. 3 and $495 afterward.
For more information or to register, visit www.stophate.org.
Statewide
New board members announced
RALEIGH — Equality NC (ENC) and Equality NC Foundation have named four new members to its boards. Included are Mike Clawson (ENC Foundation), Kara Larson (ENC Foundation), Elaine Martin (ENC) and Kelvin Sanborne (ENC and ENC Foundation) to their new roles in the organizational governance.
Clawson works as operating room supply chain coordinator and serves on the Diversity Council at Rowan Regional Medical Center. He also founded the Salisbury/Rowan chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends.
Larson currently serves as director of marketing and public relations for Carolina Performing Arts at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She was recently the San Francisco Opera’s staff liaison to the Pride committee, coordinating annual performances on the Pride main stage.
Martin serves as a member of the ENC Transgender Policy Task Force. She held numerous positions with The Southern Comfort Conference (SCC) in programming and as a board member.
Sanborn is a member of the ENC Transgender Policy Task Force. He is a founding member of the GE Aviation GLBTA Alliance.
Equality NC, Equality NC Foundation and Equality NC PAC are governed by volunteer boards of directors made up of individuals from across the state.
Equality NC Board of Directors is chaired by Hunter Corn, Raleigh.
Equality NC Foundation Board of Directors is chaired by Addison Ore, Greensboro.
Equality NC PAC Board of Directors is chaired by Colleen Kochanek, Raleigh.
For more information on ENC and a list of other board members, visit ww.equalitync.org.