Charlotte Pride

[voyager12]

Some good news on the state level regarding gays. The NC House gave preliminary approval to an anti-bullying bill that specifically includes gay kids. The final vote is later today. Only seven other states have specifically included gay students for protection under anti-bullying laws, according to the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network, an advocacy group for such laws: California, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont and Washington state. If all goes according to plan Perdue will sign it and NC will join this small group. This policy seems to mirror the CMS rule.

Edited June 23, 2009 by voyager12

[InitialD]

Some good news on the state level regarding gays. The NC House gave preliminary approval to an anti-bullying bill that specifically includes gay kids. The final vote is later today. Only seven other states have specifically included gay students for protection under anti-bullying laws, according to the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network, an advocacy group for such laws: California, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont and Washington state. If all goes according to plan Perdue will sign it and NC will join this small group. This policy seems to mirror the CMS rule.

Is this the same/revised bill that was narrowly shot down last year?

[voyager12]

^ I believe so. It's also worth pointing out that this bill would be DOA if McCrory had won. And I don't think the House could override.

[voyager12]

Buck Wild, a bar on U City Blvd is now hosting gay nights every Thursday. Calling the events"Fierce". Because fierce is a patented gay word apparently

I don't think I am fierce enough to attend...and it's not my scene but I am thinking it will do well with the college crowd. Nice to see more visible options spreading out across the city.

Charlotte Black Gay Pride runs from July 16-19th details @ charlotteblackgaypride.com I had fun when I went a few years ago.

Charlotte Pride Festival @ pridecharlotte.com is July 25th. It's always blazin hot but I have had a good time every year and it's a great opportunity to restock my sticker collection.

[monsoon]

^Wow, quite a change for that area. It's been a long time since there has been anything "Gay" that far out. Maybe not since Charades (huge dance club located in a former supermarket) was located at the intersection of Eastway & The Plaza in the 80s. Well... if you don't count that bar that used to be in Rowan county. lol

[DCMetroRaleigh]

^ I believe so. It's also worth pointing out that this bill would be DOA if McCrory had won. And I don't think the House could override.

Astute observation. This bodes well for going even further next year with a state-wide anti-discrimination law and/or a hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation.

[Skyybutter]

^Wow, quite a change for that area. It's been a long time since there has been anything "Gay" that far out. Maybe not since Charades (huge dance club located in a former supermarket) was located at the intersection of Eastway & The Plaza in the 80s. Well... if you don't count that bar that used to be in Rowan county. lol

Unfortunately they are charging a 7$ cover. Im completely against cover charges. And from a business standpoint it seems like they wouldnt charge anything, at least until they got the crowd up and going.

As Voyager implied just the fact that they are calling it "Fierce" kinda counts me out. I think the last thing Charlotte needs is a drag/stand and model/makes me wanna throw-up gay environment. Dont get me wrong, I like a good show as much as the next person, but geez does every gay place in Charlotte have to revolve around drag shows Just my opinion. Anywho enough of my ranting.

As I live in Concord, I know there is a mature, professional gay crowd that would love a bar closer to us, but this isnt what I have in mind. Having said that, for anyone who does live in Cabarrus there is a place called The Wine Room which is at Afton Village (Exit 54 off 85) that is very gay friendly....

Also, for Charlotte itself Buck Wild is pretty far away from the normal areas of town that have gay bars/clubs, but lets not forget that Gastonia and Rock Hill both have gay bars.

http://www.wine-room.net/

Edited June 30, 2009 by Skyybutter

[voyager12]

On Weds 6pm @ The Levine Museum on 7th a discussion is being held regarding Rights,Race, and Religion in Charlotte's LGBT community. The forum will focus on what needs to be done to make our city more inclusive. Representatives from various community groups will be there.

The Raleigh CVB has launched an LGBT microsite linked to the main page. Information includes details on upcoming events and links to gay friendly churches and other points of interest that maybe helpful to gay visitors.

Charlotte's CVB can't even mention the "gay" word without causing a huge outcry because creating a simple info page here is just too fair and openminded for this town.

Nice that CCCP listed Black Gay Pride and Pride Charlotte on their calendar for this month. They have been good about it the last two years. Guess the campaign to stop omittting us before that has stuck.

Edited July 13, 2009 by voyager12

[monsoon]

^Eastern NC has always, in general, been more progressive than Western, NC. I would put the divide roughly through the Cape Fear river basin.

[voyager12]

So it seems.... ^ When I moved here from SC, gay friends in the Chapel Hill were shocked that I would consider Charlotte since they think anything outside of The Triangle is no go territory for gays. Of course everyone's perception is different and Charlotte does have the largest gay community in the Carolinas. Our political culture is more conservative though and there is much less visibility as a result. Asheville gets a lot of national hype but outside of downtown/montford/westville which are not big areas, the overall region is virulently anti-gay. And we have already discussed the progressive influence that highly ranked universities and the RTP has on the Raleigh-Durham area.

I try not to be too negative on this thread and do make a point of posting good news. But it's just a fact that we are starkly deficient on this issue in comparison to other major metros in the Carolinas.

[queensguy06]

This is not relevant to the above posts in the very least, but I did want to bring it up for anyone that is not privy to the knowledge. I, and my sister, grew up strict Roman Catholic out of Chicago. Our views on religion differ greatly, even today. Having said that, I am going to church with her next Sunday to Myers Park Baptist after I found out that they lost their good standing with the Baptist Convention because the church decided that being gay is okay. To me, this is what Charlotte needs more of. Being in the 'Bible Belt' doesn't cut it for me anymore, after living here since late childhood and watching the changes unfold. Traveling the country has shown me, as well as probably the majority of other non-heterosexual individuals of the Charlotte area, what the potential can be. And, to be honest, I am ashamed to tell others in 'our' community that I live in Charlotte. As much as this city has progressed, as much as this region has progressed since as far back as reconstruction, why are we not further? I look at my time in Denver as a goal for Charlotte - what a great place to be! I feel like I am preaching, but I hope, I truly hope, that we as a community can create such a community here. I do have to commend those in the community doing more (Voyager, Monsoon - and a couple of you others that I know out there), but I just feel that we need so much more involvement as a whole. I am off my soap box now, I just felt I needed to get that off my chest.

[voyager12]

Very well said..thank you I think our best approach continues to be living out and honest lives. That's the most direct and disarming type of activism there is.

[Charlotte_native]

Considering all the hubub that comes with stating the word gay at a CMS environment, I found it interesting what goes on in some local private schools. My partner has a salon so he talks to and is friends with a wide variety of folks. One of them is a higher up at Wachovawells and her kids attend a private school (wish I could remember which one but I reallly can't, I think Country Day though). Anyway her straight son in middle school started a gay-straight alliance. That, combined with the school requiring students to read Obamas book Dreams from my Father over the summer created a big controversy that resulted in a special meeting with concerned parents and administrators a couple of months ago. The school didn't back down, my partners client came out with many other parents in support of her son and his organization, and in the end the Gay-Straight alliance is still there. It's too bad that some parents felt the need to try and quash the group, but it was refreshing to see the school and other parents come out in support.

[voyager12]

That is good to know ^ I have often wondered how friendly or not the private schools are here in regards to GSA's. I guess it just depends on the admin attitude and the parents.

In my first apartment here my neighbors next door on the communal front porch we shared were very friendly and I had no issues with them. The boyfriend's family however came from a very rural area of the state. When they pulled up to the house the first time and parked behind my car the parents said "they wanted to blow up the car in front of them". Then they all proceeded to walk right by me and refused to make eye contact or even answer back to my neighborly greetings. It was cold

However, as the years went by one of the sisters did start to say hi and engage in small talk with me when I was on the porch during visits. So it goes to prove that just being ourselves and showing that there is nothing to be afraid or hate does work with some people over time.

[voyager12]

I attended the forum on the GLBT community in Charlotte discussing what we can do to make our city more inclusive. We talked about the lack of visibility and gay rights ordinances on the local level compared to other cities. And the need for dialogue and involvement and......well I should have just stood up and told everyone that the UP Charlotte Coffee House has been discussing these issues for years and years But I just wanted to observe tonight, I don't have to blurt out at every meeting.

City Council member Patsy Kinsey and her challenger Owen Sutkowski were there. As well as Republican candidate Georgia Belk which was a surprise and interesting to me.

Owen Sutkowski asked a general question and moderator Tonya Jameson went over to Patsy Kinsey to ask her if she wanted to say anything. Which I thought was a sensible and respectful thing to do. She said (paraphrasing) "no but I want to talk to you about needing more votes on council to pass things". I think it was a missed opportunity on Patsy's part to make a firmer public committment to our community. But this exchange follows the only "behind the scenes" support style that I heard about from her. I was not eavesdropping, she was literally sitting right behind me.

Some transplants in the audience talked of their surprise and observation that Charlotte has the largest and most invisible GLBT community they have ever encountered and why this was so. ( Again they could consult our debate here)

Tom Warshauer who heads a city agency on development and oversees The Charlotte Gay and Lesbian Fund was a panelist tonight and has some stature as community spokesman. He said it's about time the gay community stopped settling for nice words and no action from local politicians who have taken our support for granted. Music to my ears!

The final consensus was to focus our efforts on being more out and visible across the community on issues directly pertaining to GLBT Charlotteans and beyond, which is only logical since it helps other groups see us beyond our sexuality. And therefore build more coalitions.

[monsoon]

..... I think it was a missed opportunity on Patsy's part to make a firmer public committment to our community. But this exchange follows the only "behind the scenes" support style that I heard about from her. I was not eavesdropping, she was literally sitting right behind me......

At least she was honest about it. Unfortunately this has been the attitude of the Democrats in this city since I moved here. They are happy to come to Gay and Lesbian events, but only to stump for votes. Once they get elected, with our help, they won't do a damn thing for the community. My first experience with this was with Harvey Gantt who probably holds the record in the state for Gay event attendance and who never did anything for them.

It's not all their fault however. Gays and Lesbians, aside from being invisible, don't hold their elected officials responsible for the stands they take. How many G&L people, including some who post here, have continued to support Pat McCrory despite his very vocal support of policies and political positions that are as anti-Gay as they come?

[southslider]

Kinsey's excuse of not having the votes on Council is tired and lame. For one, it implies the Democratic majority is split between white women and black men, the latter allegedly being less open to gay issues. However, a similar makeup on the County Commission hasn't stopped Jennifer Roberts from showing some leadership, especially given Bill James. In contrast, City Council has more Moderate Republicans, like Peacock. So again, the votes are there, just not the leadership.

The only somewhat decent excuse was McCrory and his veto. But now that he will soon be out of the picture, Kinsey needs to stop pretending there aren't enough votes. She just doesn't seem willing to assume any risk, despite her district being the most liberal in all of Charlotte.

[voyager12]

As a corollary to the lack of visibility there was also talk last night about why we don't have more out members of the various public boards in town. Our organizations are still marginalized by the lack of interaction with the broader community. One example mentioned was the struggle to get The United Way to fund non-profit gay organizations like Time Out Youth. A lot of walls still need to be broken down. One speaker said Charlotte has too many GLBT citizens who are "discreetly" gay and that is not enough to make the changes needed. I don't think that has to mean having rainbow flags everywhere and a "gayborhood" but we all could speak out more. To me a "gay friendly" town does include out representation on elected bodies and equity in local housing and employment. We can't claim any of that while most of our smaller metro neighbors in the Carolinas can. And I don't think we will ever get there if we don't make our presence known more strongly.

[kewlaidkiddd]

I actually enjoy living in Charlotte as a gay man. Maybe it is because there isn't so much "in your face" here when it comes to the gay community standing out. Everyone just sort of blends in with everyone else. Sure I have some of the same wishes that a lot of the gay community has, benefits, rewriting of the whole marriage concept(note I do not say gay marriage), but I like that (and this is solely in my experience) that I know and am friends with a great mix of people, not gay, not straight, not goth, not business professional, but just a nice harmonious mix. I'm not going to be the first person to scream for gay rights this or that because honestly the rights that we should have are all inclusive, and to ask for one is to ask for all.

I continue to go to events like Pride and to gay bars, but I guess my approach is different as with Pride, its a like minded festival with good food, or with bars its cheaper drinks and atmosphere - not necessarily gay, but just comfortable because I know people or I enjoy the pool tables or the music - which is something we do lack in this city is a good place to go hear good dance music without being on a weeknight or Sunday or without it being in an uncomfortable Jock and Jill bar.

Maybe I'm a little off the topic here, but all in all I am one who enjoys being gay in the Charlotte area. I'm sure there are more here that just don't feel the need to speak out because other than the issues that are on the more larger scale, we have what we need to sustain our lives and live comfortably.

[voyager12]

Tomorrow, the Community Center is hosting The Transgender Living Experience From 7 to 9pm. Presented by the Charlotte Gender Alliance it will cover transistion issues,community outreach,religion and history. I am going to attend. If there is a hierarchy of discrimination in our alphabet family the transgender component faces the most blowback. I like to think of myself as progressive and knowledgeable, but I am still learning more about their daily struggle. This meeting should be enlightening.

There is a second Community Roundtable on the 23rd @ 6:30pm. I was unable to make it to the first session. Planning on attending this week. I assume it must have gone well if they holding another meeting so soon.

[hokiehigh]

The Observer has the Pride Festival link in the Events section. I was sort of surprised. Hopefully the turnout will be good. However, some of the comments below the link are mean spirited. It sort of baffles me why these people click on the link to begin with:)

[voyager12]

Every now and then I will engage in a back and forth with some of the anti-gay posters on the O site but it gets old. Fast. I tend to get riled up and sometimes it's just not worth it.

I still think Pride events are needed, especially in the more conservative regions of the country. A large segment of our LGBT population in Charlotte is closeted from family and employers. And those that are able to attend this weekend can have one day where they feel comfortable being honest with themselves and others.

I have no issue with the opposing side protesting us. They have just as much right to do so as I have with my anti-war, pro-gay, pro-choice, pro-union sign waving actions ( gosh I am a sign waving junkie ) However, in years passed they have crossed line to harassment. Two years ago I witnessed a "christian" following around a couple with their child screaming hellfire and damnation directed to the adults and the kid. Luckily, there is a well-honed volunteer Peace Keeping force that separated them. And the Charlotte Roller Derby Girls also run good inteference. I guess this is where Gateway Village being private property is a big bonus for our side. We have had out of control fundies escorted out before. As much as I would like for our Pride to be visible and back in public Marshall Park we would just be bumrushed again by the Concord crew and it would ruin the experience. One day I hope we will be able to get back there in the our "town square" in peace like other cities. After all this year's theme is "Out is In" and while GV is a very nice venue it's very "in" and not visible. It will be a great time nonetheless.

This year Michael Brown is supposedly leading a concurrent march of "thousands" that will have "intercessionary teams" to save all of us heathens. He claims there will be no bullhorn Fred Phelps style verbal assaults. We shall see. If I get approached I will just tell them they should also be picketing Red Lobster.

Edited July 20, 2009 by voyager12

[hokiehigh]

Ugh. It irks me that people have to spend so much energy to make others feel uncomfortable. Hopefully it is peaceful and not "in your face". I wonder if other Southern cities such as Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, etc... have the same amount of protests. I know Chicago has them but they protesters are a relatively small group of people. Tell them to go protest divorce proceedings along with your shellfish reference:)

[voyager12]

Other more liberal cities also have protests during their Pride events. And the numbers that protests ours have ebbed and flowed over the years. I tend to think ours are more persistent because there is a fundamentalist Christian infrastructure deeply rooted in the region. Other cities get occasional visits during Pride. We have groups based nearby. So it does not take much time or money to make their presence known.

Matt Comer has investigated the strong connections that Michael Brown has with The Call and BattleCry which are two of the most conservative and anti-gay evangelical movements in the country. The head of The First Baptist Church in Uptown whose name escapes at the moment is also deeply involved with these groups.

While there are about a dozen gay friendly Baptist churches in Charlotte they are more than dwarfed by the network anti-gay conservative churches in the suburbs. And these congregations provide a steady stream of members to join Operation Save America in Concord and Michael Brown's Coalition of Conscience...whatever that is supposed to mean

[voyager12]

Well, I would have to say that everything went quite well today. Had a good time. Just went for an hour in the AM before it got even hotter. Got some rainbow schwag but not as much as last year. Was in Asheville last weekend and hit all my favorite haunts downtown and stocked up then. The O said about 10k participated. Our opponents mustered 500. While it was clearly a marked increase on their side it was less of a nuisance than two or three screaming preachers of years past. Today they had their prayer vigil across the street and did their own thing and there were no altercations or arrests. I did not notice anyone suddenly screaming OMG I am straight and running across to join them. But maybe I missed it....and Michael Brown also said his event of thousands would end the gay rights movement nationwide. Is it over? Did I miss the announcement

Trying for a more mellow approach from now on. While anger is an integral part of all social justice movements I need to channel mine productively. By continuing to be involved in ways to make a tangible difference. Just being angry constantly is self-defeating. If I had been approached just would have responded that we all need to pray for one another right?

Saw a sample MECKPAC survey for incumbents. They added a question to get answers to reasons behind the years of inaction after the support we have given them. And why we should support them in the future if we get nothing in return? And they listed all the towns and counties in NC that have city level protections. Not all are considered liberal bastions either. I have been asking them these questions for years Maybe the implied threat of withholding donations willl work.

Personally, Anthony Foxx is too moderate for me. But I am to the left of most Democrats in Charlotte anyway. It's a moderate town either way you slice it.

Still, I think we have a much better shot at advancing our local gay equity goals with him setting the tone as opposed to Lassiter. Partisans like myself from the left and the right don't like to admit it at times, but politics is often about compromise and this town is incrementalist to a fault.

I also think Foxx is more open to pushing for more progressive development and green policy than Lassiter who comes straight from the McCrory School.

Sorry for the extended blab