Charlotte
Windmeyer receives top award
CHARLOTTE — Because of his commitment to social justice, education development and training, Campus Pride founder and executive director, Shane L. Windmeyer, has been honored with the 2008 Voice of Inclusion Medallion from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) — College Educators International. The Voice of Inclusion Medallion recognizes an individual for their exemplary campus-based programs in the field of Higher Education and Student Affairs. In addition, the award is bestowed to recipients who have responded to an assessed need in the areas of multiculturalism and diversity through well-developed, meaningful programs and practice.
Windmeyer was nominated by student leaders and professional peers from across the country who attended the Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp, a five-day undergraduate training program for LGBT and ally student leaders. He was recognized for his initiative founding the camp as well as his groundbreaking work in 2007 launching the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index, the only national resource of its kind creating safer campus climate for LGBT people. The innovative nature of this online tool has proven in a short amount of time to be a much-needed resource for many colleges and universities advocating for change.
Also, as part of the accolades at the ACPA national conference, Windmeyer received the Elizabeth A. Greenleaf Distinguished Alumnus Award from his alma matter Indiana University, where he had received his Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration. According to the selection committee, he exhibited the sincere commitment, professional leadership and personal warmth characteristic of the distinguished mentor after whom the award is named. He is the youngest alumnus to receive the award since its inception.
For more information, visit www.campuspride.org, www.campusclimateindex.org or email info@campuspride.org. To learn more about Windmeyer, visit www.shanewindmeyer.com.
Fund accepting grant applications
CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund is now accepting grant applications from non-profit organizations in Charlotte-Mecklenburg that support the LGBT community.
Basic operating grants will be awarded to help improve the effectiveness of organizations serving the LGBT community or enhance the organization’s ability to work towards its mission. Grants will be awarded in varying levels from a total pool of $40,000.
The Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund recognizes the importance of strengthening organizations serving LGBT individuals and their families within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. The Fund awards basic operating grants to build the infrastructure of organizations serving the LGBT community. Consideration is given to applicants that are non-profits, congregations and governmental or educational institutions that advance this goal.
To download a grant application, visit www.fftc.org and click on Grants and then Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Grantmaking Fund. Or, call Ruth Scebbi at Foundation For The Carolinas at 704-973-4542 or email rscebbi@fftc.org.
Applications must be received by noon, May 6. Grant recipients will be notified July 2008.
TOY seeks speakers and more
CHARLOTTE — Time Out Youth (TOY) is in search of youth participants to tell their story to broader audiences, as well as sharpening public speaking skills as part of their new Speakers Bureau. This program brings a positive experience to all participants and the community. There is a $20 incentive every time one speaks.
In light of the additions to the Anti-Bullying Policy, Eric Frazier (a journalist at The Charlotte Observer), is trying to follow up on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Anti-Bullying Policy by getting several students who are victims of bullying to keep diaries detailing what they’re going through, both before and after the Policy was instituted. Since this will be the basis for a future story, youth need to be prepared for publicity and coming out, if they have not already done so. For more information, call Akeliah at 704-344-8335 or email astewart@timeoutyouth.org.
Eastern
Couple facing hardship
WILSON — William Gordon and Paul Bottoms, who have been life partners for 25 years, have had a rough time as of late. In fact, it has been devastating, according to The Wilson Daily Times.
Bottoms was diagnosed in February with bladder cancer and Gordon was told he had stage four lung cancer.
These floral designers, who were employed by Avenue Gardens, loved their profession and found it both rewarding and satisfying. Because of their illness, both were forced to leave their careers behind.
Since February, both of these men have been besiged with treatments, diminished energy and more.
The financial strain has been overwhelming. Bottoms, a veteran, receives his medical care from Durham’s VA Medical Center. Gordon has no health insurance and is waiting to hear from disability and Medicaid.
They both had lived paycheck to paycheck. Now that income is gone. Without credit cards, stock, bond or IRAs to cash in, their financial picture is bleak. Family members have given them pre-paid cellphone cards and assisted them in bill paying. Neighbors bring over prepared meals. This devoted couple never leave each other’s side. Gordon has difficulty in breathing and has to be transported to his medical appointments via an ambulance service. Bottoms could work a little, but cannot leave Gordon alone.
To help raise funds for them, Frank Dunn will give a portion of the sale of his artwork to the couple. Dunn’s exhibit, “Now and Zen: the minds eye takes flight,” opens with a reception on May 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Arts Council of Wilson’s Main Gallery, 124 E. Nash St. It is free and open to the public. Regular hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
An editorial Illustrator by trade, Dunn’s work has been published in The New York Times, Country Living, Wall Street Journal and Barrons among others.
The openly gay Wilson artist’s new multi-disciplinary work will include a new series of sequential paintings reflecting memory, dreams and flight, photographs and mixed-media.
Dunn spent the ’70s and ’80s in Manhattan and was sensory bombarded with the influences of living there at such a diverse time. Rising through this diversity were many talented artists and musicians who sought camaraderie with each other and through their work. Contemporaries of the time were David Wojnarowicz, Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat and Nan Goldin, to name a few.
For more information, email Fjdunn@aol.com.
Triangle
Meet and greet for Neal
DURHAM — Join Host Committee members Sharon Thompson, Mike Nelson, Mandy Carter, Pam Spaulding and Barbara Wujciak as well as community allies for a meet and greet for Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senate Jim Neal on May 4 from 2-4 p.m. at The Broad Street Cafe, 1116 Broad St.
Everyone is welcome. Sign up to volunteer for the May 6 N.C. Primary Election day. Pick up yard signs and bumper stickers. Of course, campaign contributions are welcome, too!
For those who plan to attend, RSVP to JimNealforSenate@gmail.com. For those who wish, contribution checks may be made payable to Jim Neal for Senate.
On election day volunteers may work a shift or take the day off at polling places across the area. Assistance is also needed at the campaign headquarters. Interested? Then call or email Volunteer Coordinators Christian Schneider (christian_schneider@jimnealforsenate.com) and Barbara Wujciak (bwujciak@gmail.com) at 919-544-1136.
For more information or to volunteer, call the Jim Neal for U. S. Senate Campaign Office at 866-374-3462 or visit 200 Meredith Dr., Suite 102 or visit www.jimnealforsenate.com.
Concert slated
DURHAM — Common Woman Chorus will hold its Spring concert, Identity Cafe, on May 10 at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Rd., at 8 p.m.
Celebrate the differences and commonality as interpreted through the universal language of music. Tickets are $12 in advance/$15 at the door and may be purchased at White Rabbit Books (Raleigh), Quail Ridge Books & Music (Raleigh), The Regulator Bookshop (Durham) and Cameron’s at University Mall (Chapel Hill).
For more information, visit www.commonwomanchorus.net.
Statewide
She’s close!
CARRBORO/CHARLOTTE — Holly Near will be performing at the Arts Center, 300-G East Main St., on May 18 at 7 p.m., along with Emma’s Revolution.
Tickets are $30 and $29 for Friends, and may be purchased online or at the Arts Center box office.
On May 19, The Peace Army of Unity of Charlotte, 401 E. Arrowood Rd., will host a special evening of music at 7 p.m. featuring Near along with Emma’s Revolution and Charlotte’s Sotto Voce from One Voice Chorus.
Due to the limited seating in the sanctuary advance ticket purchase is recommended as the concert is expected to be a sell out.
Tickets for this event are $25 and are on sale now by calling Unity of Charlotte at 704-523-0062 or by email at nancyennis@unityofharlotte.com.
Near is a unique combination of singer-songwriter, teacher and activist. A peace activist and advocate for human and civil rights, she refuses the idea of separate causes encouraging the gay and lesbian community to have a world consciousness and end racism and sexism within the community.
Emma’s Revolution, comprised of Pat Humphries and Sandy Opatow will accompany Near as well as provide some of their own songs. The couple were in the process of moving from New York to Washington, D.C., when the events of Sept. 11 occurred. Since then, they have been traveling the globe performing their Salaam, Shalom Tour repertoire . They received the grand prize in the Folk category in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the early 2000’s.
Sotto Voce is a small ensemble within One Voice Chorus.
For more information, visit www.hollynear.com, www.emmasrevolution.com, www.artscenterlive.org or email concerts@artscenterlive.org or visit www.unityofcharlotte.org.
Campus Scene
Stop hate training slated
STATEWIDE — Stop The Hate Train The Trainer will be held at the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, Wisc., from May 28-30. Learn how to prevent and respond to bias and hate crimes on local campuses. The Stop The Hate Train 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 its kind specifically for college campuses, the “Stop The Hate” 250+ page premiere 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 and the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence.
To register, visit www.stophate.org/upcomingdates.html
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