Triangle: PFLAG fundrasing, Raleigh Center board slated

Charlotte

Batter up
CHARLOTTE — A group of women are interested in playing some ball, but are open to expanding to volleyball and/or soccer as well.

This gathering would be held either once a week or every other week depending upon participants’ schedules or desires. Time and place is left to be determined.

For those who are interested, email Lee Ann Sharpe at leeann@cestshirts.com.

Lounging at the lake
LAKE NORMAN — Escape for an afternoon of fun as QUICK hosts its Ninth Annual Day at the Lake on Aug. 9 beginning at 1 p.m.

Hang out at a member’s home while taking in some rays and totally relaxing. Swim, boat and water ski. Enjoy picnic-style food while making new friends and greeting old ones as well.

Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. During the day, chomp down on hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken or cool off with sodas, beer and water.

Cost is $15.

For more information and directions, call 704-425-3341 or email THaley6760@aol.com.

Eastern

It’s a party
AYDEN — The NC Family Annual Pool Party will be held on Aug. 16 from 2-8 p.m.

Grab bathing suits, towels, chairs and a beverage of choice to enjoy the fun-filled event. Hosts Cindy and Kat will provide meats and cheeses for wraps and sandwiches. A signup sheet will be available for those who will attend to bring the rest to accompany the meal that will be served about 5 p.m.

The party is kid friendly, so bring the little ones, too!

For directions and more information, call 252-746-3920 or 252-916-5780 or email sisterkatj@yahoo.com.

Triangle

PFLAG raising funds
TRIANGLE AREA — The Triangle Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG ) will once again publish a signature ad in .

The goal is to show that people across the Triangle support LGBT people. Furthermore, by highlighting religious groups in the area, they hope to show that people of all faiths affirm and support the LGBT community. They are extending an invitation for the community to join the effort. Last year over 300 individuals and families participated in the campaign.

Their message is simple: “We, the undersigned, affirm the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. We condemn acts of bigotry and hatred. We join PFLAG in celebrating the lives of those we love and admire; acceptance and love.family values for a lifetime.”

To send a powerful message that people of all faiths support LGBT people, signatures will be organized by religious denomination with individual congregations, followed by other organizations, businesses, and then unaffiliated individuals.

To help PFLAG fulfill its mission, they are requesting a donation of $15 per individual/family or organization and $30 per business.

Visit www.pflagtriangle.com and click on the online store to make charge card contributions.

Completed forms, available from PFLAG, are due by Aug. 15.

For more information on how to participate, email info@pflagtriangle.org.

Board established
RALEIGH — The Governance Team of Triangle Community Works (TCW) has announced that the initial Board of Trustees for the LGBT Center of Raleigh have been chosen.

Named are: Eddie Sartin, chairperson; L.J. Coward, vice chairperson; Summer Barringer, secretary; Les Geller, treasurer; Glen Medders, board development officer; and Bobby Hilburn, development officer.

The board has already begun work and the incorporation paperwork has been filed.

Nick Buchner served as the team leader. He serves as chair of TCW and will continue to assist with committee work as the effort progresses as liaison.

For those who are interested in becoming a board member, email Medders at rgmedd@gmail.com. For other issues, direct emails to tcw@tcworks.org.

Want to get involved with the Center’s future? Then email lgbtcenterofraleigh@gmail.com.

Partners added
DURHAM — Margie Sved was surprised when she recently was seen at a Duke University clinic. Upon arrival she signed in and was asked to provide some information to ensure that her record was correct in the database. The receptionist asked for marital status, to which she replied, “partnered.” She soon found out that that was not an option, so she said to just put her down as married.

She wrote to the vice chancellor for Health Affairs to express her concern that patients were not recognized as domestic partners, while employees and students were.

A Duke graduate and physician, she was elated when she got a note back from the CEO of Duke University Hospital and vice president of Duke University Health System thanking her for bringing the issue to his attention, concluding that they would look into it further.

A few weeks later, he notified her that the software was able to now support “partnered” as a marital status option, but that it would take a few months to complete the change.

Sved was recently married in California.

She encourages others to speak up when injustices or incongruent situations arise.

Imani gets new pastor
DURHAM — On July 1, Imani MCC welcomed its new pastor, Rev.Venson Phillip Mathews. He delivered his first official sermon on July 6.

Mathews is a native of Memphis, Tenn. He attended David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Tenn., and went onto receive an MA from Abilene Christian University and an MTS from Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas.

He served as HIV/AIDS chaplain at Parkland Medical Center, program director/acting executive director of AIDS Interfaith Network of North Texas, counseling center director at Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Tx., and associate pastor at MCC Washington, D.C.

For more information or to speak to Mathews, call 919-286-7394.

Western

Can ya lend a hand?
BOONE — Laurie Weiner, a member of NC Outings, is asking for some assistance.

She is spearheading an effort to form a group of supportive women who may from time to time be able to donate a couple of hours to help a fellow lesbian. Participants could be asked to grocery shop, cook or take someone to the doctor and more. Members would foster the idea of making sure that those who are ill or elderly get the necessary attention they so deserve. One never knows when the need for surgery or acquiring an illness might leave someone in a vulnerable position. What better way to give back to the community than to share a moment with someone in need.

For those who are interested, email Weiner at LaurieBWeiner@yahoo.com with a complete name and phone number. Be sure to include what days or time of days that you are available and/or what you†would be willing to do for someone if they needed it.

Yummy tummy and more!
BOONE/BLOWING ROCK — The Gay and Lesbian group will hold a potluck brunch on Aug. 3 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at a member’s home in Boone.

This is the first gathering for the group which brings gays and lesbians together in a social environment.

For location and more information, email LaurieBWeiner@yahoo.com.

Later on in the month on Aug. 22, join the NC Outings women as they head out to Rivergirl in Todd to float down the New River. Participants will meet at 2 p.m. at the site.

Cost for tube rentals is $10. Don’t forget to bring a dry set of clothes to change into following the river run.

Afterwards, meander over to the Todd General Store for dinner followed by an evening of Bluegrass music.

Want to go? Then email outandabout2dine@gmail.com to make reservations.

On Aug. 23 travel to the Women’s Celebration Concert and Potluck in Banner Elk at 5 p.m. Music will feature Amy Steinberg and Crys Mathews. During the evening, enjoy a bonfire and roast some marshmallows.

For location and more information, email LaurieBWeiner@yahoo.com.

Interested in camping out for the Halloween weekend? Then get gear in hand and head on over to at the Starlight Travel Lodge and Campground. Cost is $30 for tent sites and $35 for camping sites. The site boasts of 80 acres of forested vistas. Participants can enjoy a river and lake, as well as paddling a canoe or hiking mountain paths.

To reserve a spot, email starlitelodge@aol.com.

ALFA raises over $86,000
HICKORY — Aids Leadership Foothills-area Alliance (ALFA) announced a grand total of more than $86,000 raised at their 14th Annual Dining for Friends (DFF) Finale held on June 27at Market on Main. The proceeds from this event enable ALFA, the only HIV/AIDS service organization serving northwestern NC, to continue its mission of enhancing the lives of those infected and affected by and at risk for HIV/AIDS.

The Finale was a culmination of many parties that were hosted by ALFA supporters throughout the spring. Party guests made a donation to ALFA as “entry” into the party and received a free admit one ticket to the grand Finale. Hosts, guests, and the community gathered at the Finale to enjoy music entertainment by Greenhouse Jazz Ensemble, dancing, delicious hors díoeuvres prepared by John Duke and the Market on Main staff, cash bar and raffle opportunities including a fully furnished living room suite.

Eddie Beard and Larry Johnson served as the DFF honorary co-chairs for 2008. Beard is the vice president of patient services at Catawba Valley Medical Center. He is currently serving his second year as board president of ALFA and has been on the board of directors since 2002. Johnson is an attorney with Johnson Law Office. He is currently serving as ALFAís legal counsel. Both have been tremendous supporters of ALFA for many years.

Sponsors included: Red Ribbon Sponsors — Catawba Valley Medical Center, Jeffrey and Darlene Rose and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; Gold Sponsors — Sue Millholland; Silver Sponsors — ALFA Board of Directors, CT Group and Corning Cable Systems; Bronze Sponsors — F. Alice Bishopric, M.D., Ralph M. Doernberg, Robert Doernberg, Albert and Ann Gaither, The Law Offices of Lyndon R. Helton, Concept Packaging, Jerrold and Bari Tiggett. In Kind Sponsors were: Anonymous, Caldwell Appliance, Catawba Valley Medical Center, Classic Leather, Deluxe Printing, Jane Earnest, Fast Signs, fanjoy.labrenz, Greenhouse Jazz Ensemble, Market on Main, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Robert Abbey, Inc., Hal Row of WHKY 1290 AM, Julia Rush Fine Gifts and Crafts, ULTRAColor of Hickory, Vanguard Furniture and Whitfieldís Events, Flowers & Gifts.

For more information or for those interested in participating next year, call Jennifer Hart Dockey, ALFA executive director at 828-322-1447 ext. 224 or email at alfadirect@charter.net.

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