1171 replies to this topic

[queensguy06]

When was the last time there wasn't an extremely important election .  In all seriousness, can you elaborate, southslider?

[southslider]

^Ok, I'll be blunt.  I wouldn't blame BofA if they moved their HQ to NY, when NC may just be foolish enough to tell such companies what benefits they can or cannot offer their employees.  Now, that's a huge consequence.

And the biggest corporation within the state is hardly the only potential consequence.  Multiple companies, big and small, offer similar benefits.  Plus, much of the middle-class growth in NC is from Yankee transplants, who aren't Evangelicals or Fundamentalists.

Ultimately, money talks.  Much of the blogosphere is talking about how New York passed marriage equality, thanks to money.  Incumbents there in both parties were made aware that their campaign contributions would be boosted, if they changed their position.  Being open-minded apparently opens more check books.

[nashbill]

Your statement about money rings so true. But for a different reason. Nashville, where I live now, passed a piece of legislation that includes GLBT people from being discriminated against, if you do business with the city.  Something many cities across the country have had for years.  The state passed a law making it illegal for any city to have such a law.  Topping Nashville's law.  Tennessee has some of the most backward looking legislatures and governor in the country and won't change soon.  It seems to have no impact.  As TN offers large incentives to companies to move or build here.  So money talks in many ways.  I am disgusted with this state.

[Urbanity]

Two great pieces of news for the Charlotte LGBT community.

Pocket Rocket - The very popular monthly Atlanta LGBT nightlife guide has branched into the Queen CIty.  This speaks volumes that the larger Atlanta market sees enough development in the LGBT community here to support such a publication.  The Charlotte website is not yet launched though you can access the Atlanta one for now.  Hard copies of the Charlotte specific guide are already in many LGBT establishments here.

Visit Gay Charlotte - A brand new home-grown tourism, business visitor and resident LGBT portal for Charlotte.  It was created by Matt Comer of QNotes and some schumck whose name shall remain unstated.  It offers a very extensive directory and event calendar.

I'm thrilled that both have launched as I think the Charlotte LGBT community has grown and both sites are evident of that!

[Urbanity]

Another little reason for the LGBT community to celerbate in Charlotte.  

After many years of celebrating in Center City and never receiving any mention in City Center promotional or marketing material outside of a line in the website, they have finally given the festival (the largest Pride festival in both Carolinas which last year drew around 14,000 people) a little more public exposure.

[CLTNative]

Pride is listed on the large transit kiosk calendars as well!

Urbanity, on 06 August 2011 - 06:43 AM, said:

Another little reason for the LGBT community to celerbate in Charlotte.  

After many years of celebrating in Center City and never receiving any mention in City Center promotional or marketing material outside of a line in the website, they have finally given the festival (the largest Pride festival in both Carolinas which last year drew around 14,000 people) a little more public exposure.

289091_240695535953180_212719452084122_775415_3227546_o.jpg

Off Topic, I know. I am trying to place the brick pavers, where was this photo taken?

[Urbanity]

^^^Thanks for posting that!

CLTNative, on 06 August 2011 - 10:20 AM, said:

Off Topic, I know. I am trying to place the brick pavers, where was this photo taken?

I can't say for certain as a friend posted it on Facebook.  

[davidclt]

Did anyone attend the Pride Charlotte Festival yesterday? I did and in my opinion it was Charlotte's best Pride ever. Good crowds, good acts with good sight lines to see them. The vibe was good. One comment, I am surprised the stage across from St. Peter's Catholic at MLK didn't suspend performances on the stage for their 5:00 mass (which was IMHO rude). Otherwise, a job well done! We took the train and up and back along with other participants in the festival which was also super nice.

[nonillogical]

^ I was there, and yeah it was a great time! I'm straight and felt very welcomed with the multiple shout outs of appreciation to straight supporters in the crowd. It was the first one I'd attended mainly because of the much easier and central location. I'm sure that contributed a lot to the turnout and the high visibility did a lot for the great vibe I think.

Does anyone know what the attendance numbers were? I would guess around 5,000 people at the peak of the day, but I could be way off. I only saw about 5-8 very sad-looking protesters too, they looked completely overwhelmed!

Edited by nonillogical, 28 August 2011 - 01:27 PM.

[bchris02]

Did Roxy C. Moorecox really say Charlotte was a big pineapple?  I didn't attend pride but I heard that was said.

[Urbanity]

Just thought I chime in since there hasn't been a post here in a while.  There was a protest down Tryon Street on October 15th.  150 people.  We carried the rainbow flag and we rallied at the Square. All against the anti-gay constitutional amendment.

I was amazed and disappointed at the same time.  Amazed as I couldn't imagine this happening (150 gay people protesting at Trade and Tryon) when I arrived in 2007.  And disappointed as there were only 150 of us when LORD KNOWS that a greater crowd can be seen at a Takeover or a drag brunch *insert le sigh here*

Anywho I polled our leaders and for for it's worth as well as a pimping of my bad writing, I wrote about their non-care of the issue (minus Bill James)  http://www.markdoesc...rm-embrace.html

[southslider]

In the last round of elections, the top City-wide and County-wide vote-earners were also those endorsed by the LGBT community's local PAC.  Even the President and Governor won by margins not possible without our community.  In other words, elected officials can ignore us, but generally do so, at their peril.

Some of the electeds may even be unconcerned due to the Amendment being decided at the primary.  But as apathetic as the general electorate is already expected to remain a year from now, pols would be foolish to further disenchant any core supporters.

I think back to how the Massachussetts' court decision tipped the vote against Kerry, especially in Ohio, due to its Amendment.  It's pretty clear that when our community is targeted, everyone ultimately suffers.

[Urbanity]

Charlotte has elected it's first openly gay politician.

http://goqnotes.com/...openly-gay-pol/

[Urbanity]

I'm doing a little self-promotion here (forewarned) but also giving the city some major props that may surprise some.

A site I co-founded Visit Gay Charlotte has passed the 2000 event listings mark in only six months of existence.   We just enrolled and bought a membership in the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association as we have noticed regular and continuous visits from other countries (and yes I took in consideration spam sites from Russia!)

I know a part of it is the DNC coming here, but frankly I think Charlotte is getting a better reputation as a viable (though not yet preferred) LGBT destination.

Anyway I'll link the article I wrote in regards to the IGLTA membership which has some statistics about our site if any are interested.  But I think the thing to remember is that when I first arrived here in 2007 the general response people gave me when I asked about the gay community was "what gay community" and for us to be thriving so well in just six months says a lot about this city!

http://visitgaycharl...d-iglta-member/

Edited by Urbanity, 15 February 2012 - 08:26 PM.

[southslider]

^That website is nice.  Visibility is important.  And Charlotte needs outspoken visibility.

It still irks me that Charlotte has seen no leadership but deafening silence among its City Council, Chamber, and corporations (BofA, Lowe's) regarding Amendment One.  Maybe our community has historically been too quietly polite in the past.

At some point, we need to stop quietly moving to the back of the bus.

[Urbanity]

^^^ Thanks.  Also it might be worth noting that Passport magazine which is an LGBT travel publication is currently working on an article about Charlotte.  

Re: Amendment One - Yes I agree wholeheartedly.  Durham, Asheville and Chapel Hill (and I think some other smaller municipalities() all publicly issued statements against the amendment.  I reached out personally to the Mayor, City Council, County Commissioners and Chamber of Commerce.  With the exception of Bill James who gave a quite long response no one else really would respond.

I wrote about it here:  http://www.markdoesc...rm-embrace.html

[southslider]

^Great blog post.  I especially like this:

Quote

The one thing that Charlotte has and will always posses is the drive, instinct and ability to reach past its limitations when it comes to status and recognition.  The one thing it has never possessed and I doubt ever will is the heart and soul to be considered a city of the world.  I know this because only those with a heart and soul can speak out against the ruthless push to relegate its own citizens as second class...

However, when it comes to status and recognition, that's where the DNC is a huge opportunity.  Only trouble is the May vote comes before the September convention.  But believe me, if Amendment One passes, this fair city's reputation will be greatly tarnished.

Edited by southslider, 21 February 2012 - 08:48 AM.

[Urbanity]

^^^Thanks!

[ah59396]

I heard on NPR this morning that WFAE had a feature at 9am on Charlotte's blossoming LGBT community.  Did anyone get a chance to hear it?  I'm at work and don't have radio access.  Either way, appears to be some great exposure.

[Urbanity]

Last night was the HRC Carolinas Gala which is the largest HRC gala in the nation outside of the Washington D.C. national event.

There were over 1500 in attendance and it took place in the Crown Ballroom of the NASCAR/Convention Center. Side-note: I can tell you that I now understand the sales pitch of the NASCAR HOF after being in the space btw - it offers a huge expansion for the Convention Center from the Ballroom to private reception area and breakout space.  

The Gala returned to Charlotte after two years in Raleigh which ironically offered a bigger convention center space for the event but saw a two year decrease in attendance from the Charlotte hosting.  I believe last year they had just under a 1,000 versus our 1,500 this year.

In attendance as keynote speaker was Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and award recipient Don Lemon, CNN anchor as well as NC Senator Kay Hagan and NC Gov candidate Walter Dalton.

I think the thing that moved the crowd the most though in a sense was something very important and symbolic of how far Charlotte has come.  Mayor Anthony Foxx made a taped opening (along with several city council members and county Board members)  welcoming the gala to Charlotte and talking about how much Charlotte wants everyone to feel welcomed.  The taped message was then followed by the Mayor in person addressing the crowd - the importance of this was noted because the last time the Gala was in Charlotte, Mayor McCrory not only did not attend, but refused to issue a welcome letter to the gala - one of the reasons that many felt Charlotte lost the event for a few years.  A clear example of how an personal prejudice on the part of a city leader can cause a loss of money to the city!

Edited by Urbanity, 26 February 2012 - 08:07 AM.