QNotes, August 20, 2021

Aug. 20-Sept. 2, 2021 qnotes 1

2 qnotes Aug. 20-Sept. 2, 2021

Aug. 20-Sept. 2, 2021

Vol 36 No 09

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contributors this issue

Joey Amato, Rev. Marty Bacher,

Tonya Jameson, Kendra R. Johnson,

L’Monique King, Julianna Peres,

Jesse Reidy, Julia Schwenderman,

Gregg Shapiro, Trinity

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inside this issue

feature

4 Advice for Transgender

and Non-Binary Students

10 Study of Gen Z

Shows More Youth

Identify as LGBTQ

11 College Search

Process for LGBTQ

High School Students

12 Getting Involved in

LGBTQ Student Life

13 Choosing a Major

and Career as Out

LGBTQ Students

19 Our People: Peyton-Namire

news

6 News Notes

6 Briefs

8 ‘We’ve Always Created

Our Own Resources’

a&e

16 Barbra Streisand’s

‘Release Me 2’ and Morly’s

‘Til I Start Speaking’

17 Tell Trinity

life

18 Olympic City

views

4 Resilience and

Remembrance

14 The Spiritual Journey

events

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Springs, America’s Olympic City.

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views

by Kendra R. Johnson,

Equality NC Executive Director

Contributing Writer

As we continue through the blazing heat

of the end of summer, it’s time to take

stock and reflect on recent events. This is

even more true this month because this

is Black August. Black August is a time

of resilience and remembrance of Black

resistance against racial oppression, especially

in the prison system.

Black August began in 1979 following

almost two decades of organizing and

resistance by folks like George Jackson,

James Carr, Hugo Pinell, W.L. Nolan,

Khatari Golden and others while within

the walls of the California penitentiary system.

These men took it upon themselves

to form a brotherhood that solidified a

collective consciousness surrounding

the unjust treatment of Blackness by the

American judicial system and the horrific

atrocities they experienced as Black individuals

experiencing incarceration.

We know that it’s crucial to celebrate

this important work — so let’s take this

Resilience and Remembrance

Political Voices

time to celebrate our wins in the struggle

for justice. And let’s spotlight one in particular

— Charlotte passed a nondiscrimination

ordinance.

On the evening of Monday the 9th, the

Charlotte City Council passed a nondiscrimination

ordinance, creating protections

from discrimination based on gender

identity, sexual orientation, natural hair,

veteran status and much more. It was an

incredible moment for our communities,

and it wouldn’t have been possible without

the incredibly powerful coalition in

Charlotte which has been working towards

nondiscrimination for almost 30 years,

well before I became ENC’s Executive

Director. This fight was all the more important,

given the dangerous situation for

Black trans women in the city — Charlotte

has been identified as one of the most

dangerous cities in the country for the

trans community.

The struggle began as far back as the

90s. More recently, Charlotte voted on

nondiscrimination in 2015 — but due to

some last minute changes, the ordinance

failed. In 2016, Charlotte was finally able

to pass a comprehensive NDO — but it unfortunately

became the target of backlash

at the N.C. General Assembly, resulting in

the infamous House Bill 2 and its later partial

repeal in House Bill 142. With House

Bill 142’s ban on local ordinances sunsetting

in December 2020, local advocates

and activists were poised to push through

nondiscrimination legislation on the local

level. A coalition assembled, with Equality

NC and the Campaign for Southern

Equality, the Carolinas LGTBQ Chamber

of Commerce, Charlotte Black Pride,

Charlotte Pride and Transcend Charlotte.

Our coalition worked and lobbied the

city council hard — and in the end it was

successful. Charlotte, the largest city in

North Carolina, now protects LGBTQ people

from discrimination in many walks of life.

The lesson of the Charlotte nondiscrimination

ordinance is one of the importance

of coalition building. In the face of

unpredictable and powerful opposition,

advocates fought for nondiscrimination

through thick and thin, eventually achieving

a resounding victory. Charlotte was

able to accomplish this because of all of

you — the people who wrote letters to

city council, the people who came out to

protests, the people who said that they

were ready for nondiscrimination. This

spirit of collaboration and mutual aid in

the struggle against oppression is what

Black August is all about.

And Equality NC is working to build on

this tradition of resistance this month. In

celebration of Black August, Equality North

Carolina is selling Black Resilience t-shirts

— and donating proceeds to the QTIPOC

Survival Fund, a mutual aid organization

which gives money to queer and trans

people of color in need in the Piedmont of

North Carolina. You can donate here.

We strongly encourage you to honor

the spirit of Black August this month by

taking a stand against anti-Blackness

and the carceral state in your community,

whether it’s through helping out a

bail fund, participating in a protest, or

donating to mutual aid work through the

QTIPOC Survival Fund.

We all have a role to play in the struggle

for racial and social justice — let’s join

together and make some change. : :

Advice for Transgender and Non-Binary Students

For People Starting College and Those Returning to Campus

am a Campus Pride intern and a fourthyear

student at Syracuse University. As a

I

college student, I have had the freedom

to explore my gender and sexuality while

living on my own. I did not come out as

non-binary until my junior year of college,

and it was difficult at first to navigate the

challenges of being trans on campus.

Whether you’re a first-year student or

are about to graduate, there are more resources

available to you than you realize.

You are not the first or last student going

through this, and you are not alone. Read

below for some of the best advice and resources

I’ve found in my time at Syracuse.

Campus Pride’s Trans Policy

Clearinghouse is a resource for college

and university transgender policies. The

clearinghouse is updated regularly by Dr.

Genny Beemyn, a scholar on trans issues

in higher education and the Director of

the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s

Stonewall Center.

It is important to know whether trans

and non-binary student rights are protected

on your campus. In recent years, colleges

and universities have updated their nondiscrimination

policies to include gender identity

and expression. If you attend a historically

women’s college, make sure you are aware

of your school’s trans admissions and graduation

policies if you plan on coming out or

transitioning as a matriculated student.

Trans-Inclusive School Records

and Legal Identification

At Syracuse University, students can

change their gender designation with legal

documentation, but only if it matches their


“legal sex designation.” Your legal gender

designation is provided on government

documents, like a license or passport,

which many trans individuals don’t have.

Schools like Elon University will allow

you to update your name and pronouns

on school records or through your student

portal. Although you may be unable to

update your “legal sex designation” on

your records, your preferred name and

pronouns will be available to all of your

professors on their class rosters.

If you experience bias or discrimination

in the classroom, you can use Campus

Pride’s bias and hate crime prevention

resources or go through your school’s

official channels. LGBTQ discrimination is

by Julia Schwenderman | Campus Pride Intern

It is important to ensure a college respects the needs of gender-expansive individuals.

(Photo Credit: Gender Spectrum Collection)

illegal at government-funded institutions

under Title IX. For more information about

how the law protects LGBTQ students, visit

bit.ly/3AIZxIh.

Trans-Affirming Campus

Spaces and Facilities

Today, some colleges and universities

offer gender-inclusive student housing. At

Duke University, students living in dorms

can request a gender-neutral rooming assignment

to make their on-campus living

arrangements more comfortable. Some

universities offer LGBTQ Living Learning

Communities for first-year students or

gender-inclusive student housing, like

Shore Hall at Guilford College.

Bathrooms are often a point of contention

for trans and non-binary students.

Student housing at many universities

and colleges still features community

showers or “sex separate” floors and

bathrooms. Contact your residential

housing association to locate gender

neutral bathrooms in the dorms. Check

out your school’s website to see if they

offer a map or list of other trans-inclusive

facilities on campus.

Gender-Affirming Counseling

and Healthcare Services

Finding a LGBTQ health center in

my college town helped me through my

transition and to navigate my mental

health struggles. At the University of

Connecticut and other schools, students

can receive gender-affirming health care

and counseling services.

Student health centers at some

schools offer a variety of gender health

care services like hormone therapy,

general wellness and gender-affirming

consultations. Check out your student

health care center’s pharmacy to see if

they sell trans-inclusive health and wellness

supplies, like chest binders, KT tape

and hair-removal treatments.

But, there are other resources for

finding LGBTQ-affirming therapists and

healthcare providers. Find an LGBTQ

healthcare provider using the GLMA

Provider Directory. For students of color

looking for BIPOC therapists, check out the

National Queer and Trans Therapists of

Color Network. : :


news

CLT City Council Unanimously Votes Yes On NDO

A unanimous City Council vote August 9 signifies that all Charlotte residents will now be protected from discrimination in the workplace.

The ordinance covers sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and natural hairstyles. It will also bar discrimination in

public accommodations, such as hotels and housing.

The NDO was originally proposed to apply to businesses with only 14 or fewer employees. This meant that employees at larger companies

would have been required to access protection and legal recourse on a federal level. City attorney Patrick Baker continues to advocate

for this course of action, saying that Charlotte will receive an influx of complaints from larger organizations or businesses that the city is

not equipped to handle.

Despite Baker’s somewhat less-than-logical claims, the nondiscrimination ordinance was passed without restrictions, meaning that all

employers, no matter the company or corporation size, must abide by these regulations. What the NDO does not cover includes religious

and political organizations, public restrooms, private clubs or membership-based groups.

The changes that are being made in professional settings, however, are life-changing all the same. Vice President of the Charlotte chapter

of the National Organization for Women (NOW) Jenny Gunn stood before the Mecklenburg County Government and told her story. As

a transgender woman, she has been the victim of job discrimination in Charlotte, often realizing that her pronouns and identity would not

be respected in the workplace. Said Gunn: “This is about freedom.”

Despite dissenting opinions from a handful of individuals who spoke in Council Chambers, the City Council was not moved by their

attempts at justifying discrimination. Instead, as each member voted in favor of the NDO, reaction from most of the crowd and council

members was upbeat and supportive.

“My adopted city of Charlotte values me, values us,” Gunn offered excitedly, “This is a happy ending.”

In celebration of the victory, the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, along with Charlotte Black Pride, LGBTQ Democrats of

Mecklenburg County, the Campaign for Southern Equality, Equality NC, Charlotte Pride, the Freedom Center and Transcend Charlotte held

“Charlotte is Ready: A Community Celebration” at The NoDa Brewing Company.

info: bit.ly/3yNvbnk

— Julianna Peres

Campus Pride’s 20th Anniversary Celebration Continues

Campus Pride is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year by commemorating the work they have done with over 1,400 colleges and

universities over the past 20 years. During that time, LGBTQ individuals aged 18 to 26 have and, going forward, will continue to reap the

benefits of Campus Prides’ programs, grants and social groups.

This year has brought with it the promise of a greater media presence and several opportunities for community growth.

“Today we remain committed to our mission in building future leaders and creating stronger communities,” says Campus Pride

Founder and Executive Director, Shane Windmeyer. “The work is never done.”

In advancing the far-reaching efforts of the organization, Campus Pride has also dedicated their Career Connect portal to the facilitation

of relationships between LGBTQ-friendly enterprises, advisors and potential employees. With funds up to $600 each allocated to current

and future students, Campus Pride has made 2021 a great year for those seeking to advance or begin their college education.

Campus Pride recognizes the difficulty that both out and closeted individuals have in finding affirming academic spaces. In response,

the organization launched the Campus Pride Map in March. This online search engine acts as a cheat sheet of sorts for LGBTQ-related

resources at each community college or state university.

Alumni and current staff and faculty (Allied and LGBTQ) at these schools are now recognized through Campus Pride’s Spotlight Series.

Since February 2021, those from universities around the country have been featured on Campus Pride’s Instagram Live.

Cultural Diversity is one of the main focuses of Campus Pride. In the interest of empowerment, education and inclusivity, Historically

Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have their policies and campaigns prominently placed to keep all Campus Pride users informed.

This includes the HBCU Clearinghouse, an online program that alerts students and faculty about upcoming projects.

The Campus Pride’s Safe Space Training institutions and their members are asked to complete workshops regarding allied, LGBTQrelated

and gender-expansive issues.

Additionally, Campus Pride’s Stop the Hate program extends to multiple racial and cultural groups, from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and

People of Color) individuals to those with disabilities, in an effort to help show how schools should create a more welcoming and tolerant

environment.

Says Windmeyer, “Our Campus Pride family is strong as we continue to grow and plan for our future.”

info: campuspride.org

— Julianna Peres

Biden Names Another LGBTQ

Community Member to His Cabinet

On August 6, President Biden nominated Scott Miller as ambassador to Switzerland and chief envoy to Liechtenstein; positions that are

headquartered in Bern, Switzerland.

Miller and his husband, Tim Gill, have donated over $390,000,000 to LGBTQ causes. Among these causes are efforts to ensure that

LGBTQ youth will no longer be forced into conversion therapy, experience harassment at school and to provide general protection from

harassment.

Currently serving as Board Member of the Gill Foundation, Miller is responsible for navigating nonprofit and inter-organizational collaboration.

The foundation is based in Denver, Colorado, interestingly enough, just about an hour away from the notoriously anti-gay

organization, Focus on the Family, in Colorado Springs. Miller and Gill have funded local elementary, middle and high schools. During

COVID-19, the pair worked with other volunteers to cook and distribute more than five million meals to those experiencing unemployment

or homelessness.

In addition to his charitable efforts, Miller previously held the title of Vice President at UBS Wealth Management. There he acted as advisor

to those seeking to enhance their portfolios or improve their finances.

“If I’m fortunate enough to be confirmed,” Miller says, “I hope to build on the work of my predecessors to strengthen the already solid relationship

we have with the Swiss and Liechtensteiners, including our dynamic trade, investment and defense partnerships.”

The position of Swiss ambassador has been open since January 2021. Before this time, a South Carolinian native, Edward Thomas

McMullen Jr., was acting United States Ambassador to Switzerland as appointed by former president, Donald Trump, and had served as

vice chair for Trump’s inaugural committee.

Another plus on the Miller list, he has funded several Democratic candidates’ campaigns in the past decade. These donations included

a $365,000 grant to President Biden during the general election. In his international endeavors, Miller has also acted as event planner for

global corporations and entrepreneurs. His interest in politics stems directly from his passion for democracy and human rights advocacy.

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Miller hopes to continue his advocacy work for the LGBTQ community in the United States, Switzerland

and Liechtenstein.

info: bit.ly/3CG92tH

— Julianna Peres


Briefs

CHARLOTTE

Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of

Commerce Facilitates “Visibility =

Empowerment” Networking Event

The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of

Commerce is hosting an evening for

Charlotte’s professional queer community

on August 24 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

in the NoDa Company Store. This social

gathering will feature live jazz music,

cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and plenty of

engaging conversation. Certified LGBTQ

Business Enterprise representatives will

be available to discuss diversification

amongst workforces, fellowships and

volunteer positions.

info: bit.ly/3fYW3t7

All-Gender Participants Welcome

to the Charlotte Pride Pageant

This annual drag competition is open

to any interested parties who value

inclusivity and fun. This family-friendly

show will take place on August 28 at the

Northwest School of Arts at 6 p.m. For

those who would prefer to attend the

performance as audience members,

tickets are on sale both online and at

the door. Winners will be determined

by the former Mx. Charlotte Pride, Mr.

Charlotte Pride and Ms. Charlotte Pride.

info: charlottepride.org/pageant

NATIONAL

Founder of the University of

Pennsylvania’s LGBT Center

Has Passed Away

Bob Schoenberg, age 76 at the time of

his passing, was witness to a violent,

homophobic beating on the University

of Pennsylvania’s campus in 1982. It was

after this event that Schoenberg decided

to create an LGBT Center, in which he

served as Director for 35 years. Holding

the title of second-oldest and largest

LGBTQ center in the United States, Penn’s

queer students emphasize the safety and

comfort that they feel at school.

info: bit.ly/3iImxB0

Transgender Woman Running

for New Orleans City Council

Mariah Moore believes that, in order for

minoritized individuals to have a say in

political decisions, they must first be represented

in the government. She hopes to

do just that, envisioning a world in which

“Black trans lives matter,” will be uttered

by a Black transgender woman in power.

With her background in the Transgender

Law Center, the trans-specific permanent

housing nonprofit, the House of Tulip,

and having engaged in the world of sex

work, Moore aims to bring her professional

and personal experiences to the

position of city council member.

info: bit.ly/3AF0e5u

INTERNATIONAL

New Zealand Residents May Do Time

for Performing Conversion Therapy

In a new bill, Justice Minister Kris Faafoi

and the New Zealand government

states that conversion therapy is a

harmful and ancient practice that has

no place in the modern world. This bill

would make it so that those performing

conversation therapy on a minor will be

sentenced to three years in prison and

those who cause harm to minors will be

sentenced to five years.

info: reut.rs/2VUOLzP

— Compiled by Julianna Peres

HRC Takes Aim at Gen Z With Program

to Create an HIV-Free Generation

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) launched the My Body, My Health campaign on June

22. Now, over a month later, the campaign has expanded with the creation of Generate.

“There is no question that the next generation of health activists will have a

powerful role to play in putting an end to the HIV epidemic and boosting positivity

around prevention and treatment measures,” says Alphonso David, president of HRC,

“Marginalized people disproportionately bear the brunt of social and economic inequities

that fuel HIV stigma and discrimination.”

The goal of Generate is to spark a conversation between one LGBTQ-identified

Black or LatinX person and another, creating a system of role models for those in danger

of contracting HIV or those living with HIV. With the collaborative efforts of Gilead

Sciences, one of California’s top bio-pharmaceutical companies, the Human Rights

Campaign has been able to study the correlation between Black, Indigenous and other

people of color and their sexual health.

Through this research, HRC found that one of the primary factors in each of these

cases is the limitation to adequate health care. Us Helping Us, an organization dedicated

to finding holistic solutions to HIV/AIDS, partnered with HRC as well, allowing interested

parties to have an in-home STD/HIV testing kit delivered to their front doorsteps.

Within the My Body, My Health campaign, the HRC has created an HBCU

(Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Sexual Health Directory. This links university

students to health care professionals and services both on and around campus.

Using a “find your school” search engine, prospective students may also see what

contraceptives, testing or telemedicine is offered in over 50 colleges.

Some of the North Carolina-based universities include Bennett College, Elizabeth

City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, St.

Augustine’s College, Winston-Salem State University and Shaw University. The goal

with Generate is similar: to find advocates in college campuses to spread sexual health

information to their peers.

Sign-ups for the program will continue through August 19. For those interested, go

to bit.ly/3CAaQEx.

Facilitators urge applicants to keep in mind that advocates must be between 18

and 24 years of age, have access to technology that allows virtual training for webinar

participation, be willing to share personal HIV-related stories, be of Black or LatinX

heritage and be fully vaccinated.

Each fellow will receive a $1,000 stipend but will not receive hourly wages. Only

15 individuals will be selected for Generate in 2021. To pose any questions or concerns,

contact HRC’s Associate Director of HIV and Health Equity Vanessa Castr at

vanessa.castro@hrc.org.

info: bit.ly/3iKmZ1z

— Julianna Peres

P-Town Experiences COVID-19

Delta Variant Outbreak

Provincetown, Massachusetts, a town with

3,000 year-round residents, has been a haven for

the LGBTQ community long before COVID-19 hit.

Their annual festivals and parties are dominated

by the gay male circuit scene, but have grown to

include events like Womxn of Color Weekend,

Bear Week and Carnival, all bringing in tens of

thousands of visitors. Although guests are always

welcome to this stretch of mainland, Provincetown

became concerned that they would bring more

than just their enthusiasm; they feared they would

also bring new strains of the COVID-19 virus.

The July 4 holiday weekend confirmed those

fears. Thousands of guests poured into the town, participating in the legendary parties

and activities without wearing any masks. Not long after, between July 3 and July

17, 469 Massachusetts residents were reported to have COVID-19 by the Centers for

Disease Control (CDC). Over 75 percent of these individuals were fully vaccinated and,

as per the state’s face mask restrictions, did not wear any coverings when engaging in

the fun that Provincetown had to offer.

Once the numbers broke, Provincetown natives started to speak up. Director and curator

of the AMP Gallery, Debbie Nadolney, said that she and her partner were one of the

first to demand that all patrons use face coverings and social distance whenever possible.

“Provincetown is such a little place, but obviously we’ve been a petri dish for the

country,” Nadolney explained.

Provincetown’s Manager, Alex Morse, told CNN, “What we’re taking from here is

that this Delta variant is highly transmissible, more contagious, more likely to have a

breakthrough infection, but it’s not likely you’re going to be hospitalized, and you’re

certainly not going to die.”

Despite saying that this variant is not necessarily lethal, Morse laments the 103

new cases of COVID-19 in the town, saying that the most efficient way to rid the

LGBTQ sanctuary from the virus is by getting the vaccine. With local entrepreneurs

and employees taking it upon themselves to create stricter mask and vaccine regulations,

numbers are dropping.

Hotel owner Ken Horgan shares, “if you’re planning to travel and you’re not vaccinated,

please, please don’t come to Provincetown. We really take our health seriously,

and for our local businesses to survive, we need to stay operational. And to stay

operational, we need to stay healthy.”

info: wapo.st/3COfuyE

— Julianna Peres


news

‘We’ve Always Created Our Own Resources’

Advocates Across the South Tackle Homelessness in Trans Community

by Tonya Jameson

Guest Contributor

The year 2020 will be remembered for

the COVID-19 pandemic and the long

overdue racial reckoning that followed the

murder of George Floyd. Ironically, the

pandemic that will always be associated

with the number of lives lost and the debate

over masks, lockdowns and vaccine requirements,

along with Floyd’s murder — which

sparked an international movement against

racism — were also the two catalysts that

helped LGBTQ communities address the

needs of its most marginalized members.

Yes, a deadly pandemic and yet another

murder of an unarmed Black man

by a law enforcement officer combined to

create some of the most promising solutions

in transgender homelessness.

It’s been well-reported that the shuttering

of businesses left many Americans

unable to pay rent and exacerbated

homelessness in many cities. Tent cities

like the ones in Charlotte popped up in

large cities throughout the country. Visits

to Charlotte’s uptown tent encampment

revealed what many LGBTQ advocates

already knew — a number of Black trans

women lived on the streets.

The National Center for Transgender

Equality reports that nearly one in five

transgender people has experienced

homelessness at some point in their lives.

Family rejection, discrimination and violence

have contributed to a large number

of transgender and other LGBQ-identified

youth who are homeless in the United

States. Social services and homeless shelters

often deny them shelter based on their

gender identity, according to the report.

The murders of Jaida Peterson and

Remy Fennel in Charlotte hotels this

spring brought mainstream attention

to the crisis. Yet, it was nothing new for

LGBTQ advocates. According to tracking

by the Human Rights Campaign, at least

six Black trans women died by violence in

Charlotte since 2016, making it the second

deadliest city in the nation for transgender

and gender-nonconforming people. And,

while the attention regarding the loss

of life is important, it also highlights the

tendency to only recognize trans individuals

in death. The arrest of suspects in both

murders has shoved the homelessness

among trans people out of the spotlight

locally. Instead, in Charlotte, local LGBTQ

organizations turned their attention to the

non-discrimination ordinance.

However, Black trans women are still

homeless here and face the threat of

violence daily. Housing initiatives in other

Southern cities could offer solutions, but

it’s going to take collaboration, coordination

and trust. Advocates in Memphis,

Atlanta and New Orleans have been in the

national spotlight for their efforts to tackle

homelessness among trans women.

Jesse Pratt Lopez, founder of the

Trans Housing Coalition in Atlanta, can

attest to the importance of collaboration.

She started the organization with a

friend to find long-term housing solutions

for Black and brown trans women

in the Atlanta area.


Jayme, Trans Housing Coalition (THC) Case Manager and Peer Support Specialist (right), sits outside

the apartments of one of the program participants. (Photo Credit: Trans Housing Coalition)

The Coalition has helped trans women

get long-term housing by acquiring two

properties in recent years to house Black

and brown trans women. They not only

provide housing, but also connect the

women with caseworkers and counselors

to address everything from addiction to

mental health issues. The coalition is also

working with other organizations to challenge

elected officials to prioritize the safety

of trans women and end over-policing

in Black and trans queer communities.

“It didn’t start with the intention of becoming

an organization; it really started

out of a need. It was a need that has

existed in the trans community forever,”

said Lopez, 24.

It was a need that Lopez and many

other founders of housing initiatives knew

personally, having experienced homelessness

themselves. Providing housing isn’t

cheap. Each organization that is carving a

new path to housing stability found a different

way to get seed money.

Lopez used her talent as a photographer

to launch a GoFundMe campaign.

She became close to a group of trans

women in Atlanta and began documenting

their everyday lives. The photo project

became the basis of the fund. It raised

$10,000 in late 2019. She secured temporary

housing through the winter holidays

and helped the women get necessities,

but then the pandemic hit. By April 2020,

they ran out of money while the need

grew even larger.

This is the part where George Floyd’s

death comes in.

The uprisings surrounding Floyd’s murder

sparked an outpouring of charitable

giving to non-traditional organizations

fighting for Black people or against racism.

Progressive and racial justice groups experienced

a windfall of donations, according

to a June 2020 New York Times article.

According to the article, ActBlue, the goto

site that collects online donations for

Democratic causes and campaigns, had its

busiest period since its founding in 2004.

It even surpassed the highest peaks of the

2020 presidential primary season. ActBlue

confirmed to The Times that racial justice

causes and bail funds led the way.

Lopez’s organization benefited from

the generosity. That $10,000 that she

initially raised and spent is ancient history.

Last June, Lopez’s fund raised $2 million.

This June, it hit the $3 million mark.

Jesse Pratt López, THC Founder & Current Executive Director, and Feroza Syed, Board member and

realtor with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International, sit at “Muffin’s Place,” the house THC

purchased back in March. (Photo Credit: Trans Housing Coalition)

Lopez said the lesson learned in her

journey is that the trans community cannot

wait for others to help them.

“We’ve always created our own resources,”

she said, “We’ve been taking care

of each other. We take care of each other.”

Kayla Gore, co-founder of My Sistah’s

House in Memphis, also relied on personal

talent to help raise money for her organization,

which initially started as a resource

for temporary emergency housing for

trans and gender-nonconforming people.

That was back in 2016, when the organization

was basically a shelter, meaning

Gore and co-founder Illyahnna Wattshall

let people stay in their homes. They also

provided advocacy, legal assistance, bail

funds, job placement assistance and permanent

housing.

Then the pandemic happened, and

Gore said they started seeing clients who

had never experienced homelessness

before. People who had been couch surfing

or staying with family members had

no place to go. The eviction moratorium

didn’t help them, Gore said.

Gore also had a GoFundMe donation

page to raise money for their efforts. After

Floyd’s murder she said celebrities and

others started inviting her to takeover

their Instagram pages to raise awareness

about their efforts. Donations started

pouring in, and as of June they raised

about $600,000. As a result, they started

a trust and acquired land to build tiny

houses or renovate or rebuild existing

homes. So far, Gore said they’ve built one

tiny house, and have two duplexes under

construction. They can house four people

in their emergency shelter, which is a fourbedroom

house with two bathrooms.

“We never had a strategic plan,” she

said, “We were basically putting Band-Aids

on situations.”

Gore’s digital organizing background

has been critical. She’s not only been

able to secure funding, but also in-kind

services such as the architect who designs

the homes. She says she has been able

to acquire land at a reasonable rate and

skirt zoning skirmishes because she builds

in underserved communities. These are

forgotten Black communities, as she calls

them, including her childhood neighborhood,

Orange Mound, the first African

American neighborhood to be built by and

for African Americans.

“It’s full circle,” Gore said, “It wasn’t intentional.

The neighborhood is recycling itself.”

My Sistah’s House is the model that

activist Ash Williams, who recently moved

to Asheville, would like to see happen in

Charlotte. Williams recognizes the city’s

dynamics make that vision a long-term

goal, however, saying that there definitely

isn’t alignment here.

Williams, 28, and other local advocates

say they are just trying to handle each crisis

as it occurs. There hasn’t been a windfall

of cash to kick-start a housing program

like what’s happening in Memphis or

Atlanta. The murders this spring garnered

a lot of press attention and goals to raise

$10,000 to provide direct services to Black

trans women in Charlotte.

“Folks don’t need to see us holding

tens of thousands of dollars,” Williams

said, “There’s immediate needs.”

Jayme, THC Case Manager and Peer Support Specialist, consoles Zakiyah, who is a program participant,

as well as her trans “daughter.” (Photo Credit: Trans Housing Coalition)

Rev. Debra Hopkins, who was also

once homeless, runs There’s Still Hope in

Charlotte. She self-funded the transitional

housing program for homeless transgender

and gender non-binary adults. Hopkins’

program also provides money for basic necessities,

but it is also strict. Drugs and sex

work are prohibited. Other organizations

like My Sistah’s House advise against drugs

and sex and explicitly prohibit the activities

on their properties, but the women are

free to do as they like off-site.

Hopkins has a zero-tolerance policy.

Her tough love approach is meant to help

set women up to be successful and comes

with counseling support to help them over

the hurdles. She also requires clients to

find full-time employment within 90 days

of beginning the program.

These rules can be a turn off for young

trans people, Williams said.

“The goal is to try to get them from the

place that we find them in life, and we try

to help them become respected sustaining

individuals,” she said, “If we’re going to

help them to get to be self-sustaining, then

there’s rules that they have to play by.”

Program participants stay in extendedstay

hotels rather than a single house.

Hopkins said she tried housing participants

together, but many of the women

have experienced so much trauma from

living on the streets that interactions in the

house often became combative. Hopkins

was homeless for two and a half years, so

she understands their struggle.

“When you put them under the same

roof with the complexity of each individual,

it becomes violent,” said Hopkins, 65.

Jermaine Nakia Lee, founder of the

nonprofit, Poor No More, would like to see

something like New York-based Housing

Works here. It’s an HIV/AIDS organization

that provides quality housing, advocacy

and healthcare services for individuals

living with HIV/AIDS or at risk of infection.

Their financial model includes grants and

donations along with profits from its thrift

stores. Nakia-Lee is on his way with his

nonprofit, which hosts pop-ups and provides

free resources to help homeless and

low-income people in Charlotte.

There isn’t a lot of alignment among

LGBTQ organizations in Charlotte, which

is what makes the success of programs

elsewhere all the more exciting. Founders

have consistently said that they didn’t

have a plan, but they had a desire to

address a need. There is no shortage of

individuals doing their own thing to help

the homeless trans community here.

And models elsewhere show that the

collaboration will come once a visionary

lays the foundation. It’s only a matter of

time before determination, coincidence

and a dash of magic will help their efforts

coalesce into something groundbreaking.

Hopefully, a pandemic and the murder of

another Black man at the hands of police

won’t be the catalyst. : :

This story is part of qnotes’ special project

“Stories of Black LGBTQ Resilience and

Economic Mobility” which seeks to connect

responses to economic security and

upward mobility to the lives and futures

of Black LGBTQ people. It is supported

by the Solutions Journalism Network.

To learn more about solutions journalism,

visit solutionsjournalism.org.

Ricardo Hernandez, THC Case Manager, signs a lease with Zakiyah, a program participant.

(Photo Credit: Trans Housing Coalition)


life

Study of Gen Z Shows More Youth Identify as LGBTQ

Research Covers Cultures Across 27 Countries

by L’Monique King

qnotes Staff Writer

Right around the time when rapper

DaBaby was deleting his suspect apology

to the LGBTQ community for insensitive

comments about gay men and HIV/AIDS,

the Charlotte City Council was unanimously

passing a nondiscrimination ordinance

(NDO). That new legislation, which applies

to large and small businesses, provides

expanded protections for LGBTQ+ people

and those who wear natural hairstyles.

Now, as we look to the future,

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

discussions are finding their way into

our politics, offices, schools, homes

and communities. Inclusive rights and

a respect for diversity and inclusion are

what protect and make visibility possible

and a progressive world more feasible.

In fact, a recent study on the amount

of young people who do not identify as

straight or heterosexual might actually

be an indicator of the impending change

of the progress and progression DEI efforts,

like the NDO offer.

The global study was conducted in

27 countries and found that four percent

of those in Generation Z (people

born between 1997 and 2012) identify

as transgender, non-binary, gender-nonconforming

or gendefluid. Conducted by

Ipsos, a research organization, the survey

captured the opinions of a relatively urban

group of individuals with internet access.

The Ipsos survey found that respondents

in Generation Z were nearly four

times as likely than those over the age of

40 to identify as transgender, non-binary,

gender-nonconforming, genderfluid or in

another way.

“They were also the age group most

likely to identify as something other than

heterosexual,” says Nicolas Boyon, Senior

Vice President of Public Affairs at Ipsos,

“Overall, nine percent of respondents

identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual,

omnisexual or asexual.”

“For Generation Z, the figure doubles

to 18 percent. The patterns that we see

in the U.S. are definitely not unique to

the [United States],” he continues, “It’s a

global phenomenon.”

With changing social ideals and legal protections, younger generations have more freedom in

comfortably expressing their true selves. (Photo Credit: Sharon McCutcheon via Unsplash)

Worldwide, 42 percent of those surveyed

said they have a gay or lesbian relative,

friend or colleague, while 24 percent

said they know someone who is bisexual;

10 percent said they known someone

who is transgender, and nine percent said

they know someone who is non-binary,

gender-nonconforming or genderfluid.

The likelihood is higher among women

than among men in all four groups, and

there is wide national variation. In Brazil,

for example, 66 percent report having a

gay or lesbian relative, friend or colleague,

but in Japan and South Korea, the number

is only seven percent.

Closer to home, Leslie Oliver is an out

K-8 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools art

teacher who has seen more than a little of

how identity can show up in young people.

She’s been teaching for 19 years with

most of her professional career spent in

Charlotte middle school classrooms.

“10 years ago, even if students were

queer or questioning, they would never

say it aloud. I could sense it or see it, but

they would never dare acknowledge it,”

says Oliver, “They would see it in me or

other teachers, and the subject was still

touch-and-go.

“I’ve seen students beat up for just

suggesting that another student was

gay. Especially here in the south. Now

students talk about it a bit more openly

and more candidly. The bi children are

very vocal about it now. More students

ask me if I’m married and if I’m married

to a woman. They seem to care less

about what they [think they] know and

who knows [who they are] than they [did]

10 years ago.”

Though delighted and relieved by the

change, Oliver still cautioned that efforts

in inclusion and a continued shift in

atmosphere, which would make schools

in general safe spaces, need to continue.

She is grateful for how many more teachers

affirm their students’ identities today

than did in the past, but acknowledged

there is still work to be done.

“Until all students and teachers can sit

in their seats and speak candidly and exist

safely,” Oliver explains, “we still have more

work to do.”

In reflecting upon the statistics the

Ipsos study yielded, she questions their

accuracy.

“I’ve had the pleasure of teaching

trans students who are very clear as

to their identity. I’m pretty sure the

numbers are greater than that [one in

five identifying as non-heterosexual].

I’d say four of six, but because of queer

fear I’d say the statistics are probably

off. You can’t have the type of ignorance

that queer fear breeds and have

accurate numbers.”

Accurate or not, one thing is clear,

Generation X has raised children and

teens who are living in a time that affords

them more protection to to be who they

are than it afforded earlier generations.

And many of those youth don’t mind

letting the world know, either. : :


life

College Search Process for

LGBTQ High School Students

Ensuring Your School is LGBTQ-Friendly

by Julia Schwenderman | Campus Pride Intern

If you’re a high school student currently applying to

colleges and universities, there are many factors for you

to consider when picking the school that’s right for you.

For LGBTQ students, finding a LGBTQ-friendly campus is

often a part of their college decision process. According to

the HRC 2018 Youth Report, “only 27% of LGBTQ youth can

‘definitely’ be themselves in school as an LGBTQ person.”

For the graduating class of 2022, there are colleges

and universities that look to recruit LGBTQ students and

make them feel welcome on campus. Schools like Duke

University participate in LGBTQ-friendly college fairs and

offer LGBTQ scholarships. There are also schools like

Guilford College that offer themed living communities and

other social opportunities targeted at LGBTQ students.

When applying to schools, Campus Pride suggests that students

take time to think about what is most important to them

when choosing a LGBTQ-friendly campus. Which of these

qualities is most important to you at your future college or

university? The Campus Pride Ultimate Queer College Guide

lists 10 areas to consider during the college search process:

• Active LGBTQ student organization

• Out LGBTQ students on campus

• Out LGBTQ faculty and staff

• LGBTQ-Inclusive university policies

• Visible signs of pride on campus

• LGBTQ allies from the top down

• LGBTQ-inclusive housing and gender-inclusive bathrooms

• Established LGBTQ center and support services

• LGBTQ/queer studies academic program

For students of color and trans students, there may

be other considerations when choosing a LGBTQ-friendly

college or university. For more information for LGBTQ

students of color, visit the Point Foundation BIPOC

Scholarship and Campus Pride HBCU Clearinghouse. Find

information for trans and gender-nonconforming students

from Trans Student Educational Resources, Gender

Spectrum and Campus Pride’s Trans Policy Clearinghouse.

Campus Pride Index

The Campus Pride Index is an “overall indicator of institutional

commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policy, program

and practice” for college campuses across the country.

Prospective college students can view Campus Pride’s

rankings of LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities by using

the Campus Pride Index at campusprideindex.org.

Campus Pride also does an annual roundup of the

“best” and “worst” colleges and universities for LGBTQ

students. For our list of Best of the Best LGBTQ-friendly

schools, go to bit.ly/37Jri72. Also, check out our Worst of

the Worst List of institutions that use Title IX exemptions

to discriminate against LGBTQ students.

Campus pride has expanded its research to include

LGBTQ inclusion and safety in college sports. If you are

interested in playing NCAA sports in college, check out the

Campus Pride Sports Index for athletic programs rankings.

Find resources for trans athletes at transathlete.com.

LGBTQ-Friendly College Fairs

Campus Pride hosts a series of college fairs for

students and families looking to attend LGBTQ-friendly

colleges. The organization is the only in the nation that

hosts an LGBTQ-friendly college fair program in six cities

across the country.

LGBTQ Student Scholarships,

Fellowships and Grants

When looking at prospective schools, cost of admission

is a big concern for many students and families. In addition

to financial aid and merit-based scholarships, many

universities and other organizations offer scholarships,

fellowships and grants for LGBTQ students.

National LGBTQ organizations have compiled databases

for LGBTQ students to find scholarships available

to them all in one place. To find scholarships you qualify

for, visit the Campus Pride National LGBTQ Scholarship

Network and HRC Scholarship Database. There are also

minority scholarships for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian

and Pacific Islander students. The Point Foundation also

offers scholarships, mentorships and other LGBTQ student

merit programs. : :


life

Getting Involved in LGBTQ Student Life

How to Find Organizations on Your College Campus

The college experience is about more

than just the program you’re in or

the major you study. For many LGBTQ

youth, going to college is their first time

living away from home. When choosing

to attend your college or university, you

should know what resources are available

to you as a LGBTQ student. Having active

LGBTQ student groups and support services

are important factors of a LGBTQfriendly

campus.

Getting involved in LGBTQ student

life on campus allows queer and trans

youth to learn more about themselves

and others like them. Also, it opens the

door to leadership opportunities, support

systems and professional networking.

At schools like Elon University, there are

many ways for LGBTQ students to get

involved on campus.

Finding LGBTQ On-Campus

Groups and Organizations

Are you wondering what resources

and groups are available to you on your

campus? Check out the Campus Pride Map

to find LGBTQ college groups and support

services. Available resources include Pride

student groups, LGBTQ alumni groups,

LGBTQ resource centers and safe spaces.

Also, your campus’ LGBTQ-friendly ranking

in the Campus

Pride Index

features evaluations

of on-campus

resources and

student life.

Some schools

have extensive

lists of student-run

LGBTQ groups,

like the University

of Michigan.

Groups like

AHAVA, Stonewall

Democrats and

TransForm are led

by students for students. These groups

are a great way to make friends and find

your LGBTQ community on campus.

If you attend a smaller college or university,

you may be limited in your student

group options. But no matter the size of

your campus, there are other support systems

in place for LGBTQ students. LGBTQ

resource centers, like the one at Duke

University, receive campus funding and are

run by LGBTQ faculty and staff. Campus

centers educate students and faculty,

influence campus policy, host on-campus

events and help enforce disciplinary action.

If you are struggling to get involved in your

by Jullia Schwenderman | Campus Pride Intern

on-campus LGBTQ

community, resource

centers are a

great place to start.

LGBTQ

Learning

Communities

and Residence

Halls

A quintessential

part of the

first-year college

experience is living

in a residence hall.

Living in an on-campus dorm is an important

social environment for students. If

you are a student seeking LGBTQ-friendly

housing, see if your school offers genderinclusive

student housing.

Many colleges and universities offer

specialized living learning communities.

These dorms plan programming around

shared passions or identities among

residents. Your school’s living learning

communities may include LGBTQ housing

for students looking to join a community.

Schools like Guilford College and Bucknell

University host entire residence halls

exclusively for LGBTQ housing.

Seeking a Community

Elsewhere on Campus

There are many ways to find a community

on campus outside of designated

LGBTQ groups and spaces. Attend your

activities fair or talk to your peers about

other clubs that are LGBTQ inclusive.

Find out if your school has trans-inclusive

intramural sports and other resources for

transgender athletes from TransAthlete, a

database of inclusion.

Lambda 10 Project and

On-Campus Greek Life

College students can join social,

professional and multicultural Greek

organizations. Most students picture

single-sex Greek chapters when they

think of recruitment, but there are other

gender-inclusive options for LGBTQ

students who want to join. Sororities

like Gamma Rho Lambda offer a social

support system to LGBTQ college students.

LGBTQ Greek College Tour brings

information about Black LGBTQ Greek

life to campuses across the country.

If you are a member of a Greek chapter,

join the Lambda 10 Ally Network

to make all Greek life a safe space for

LGBTQ members. : :


life

Choosing a Major and Career

as Out LGBTQ Students

Finding the Right Fit for Your Future

by Jesse Reidy | Campus Pride Intern

When they arrive at a new college or university, all

students have a similar goal. Everyone wants to make

the most of their time on campus. This could mean choosing

the right major, making new friends or, often, finding a

place in a huge campus community.

For LGBTQ students, finding a community can be even

more stressful than for their cisgender, heterosexual

peers. The questions begin before one even steps foot

on campus. Can I be out safely? Will I be accepted by my

roommate? Where can I find other people like me?

Complicating things further, a student’s choice of major

can heavily influence their experience throughout college.

And, for better or for worse, some departments have

certain stereotypes. Do LGBTQ students choose certain

majors more than their straight peers?

A 2017 study out of San Francisco State University

found that, out of a sample of 11 gay male students, all

but one chose an arts or humanities major. The students

in the study acknowledged that other departments did

not have a homophobic reputation. However, the openlygay

students sought out environments they knew to be

actively accepting of queer expression.

Clearly a student’s major can shape the community

they’re a part of in college. Are LGBTQ students drawn to

certain majors for this reason?

“At the time, no,” says Jerry, a doctoral student at

George Washington University, of his experience choosing

a major as an LGBTQ undergrad student. Jerry

studied Psychology and Social Work and says his LGBTQ

identity may not have influenced his choice, but it “did

keep me there after I arrived. I was able to make friends

and create a community.”

Campus Pride, a nationwide advocacy organization for

college students, has found similar results. In a 2018 survey,

42 percent of students reported that they were pursuing

an arts- or social science-related major. For anyone

who has attended college, these results are unsurprising.

“My identity as a member of the LGBT+ community

did not necessarily influence the process of choosing my

major program, but it did pique my interest in taking as

many LGBT+ related courses as I could,” says Simone, a

recent graduate in Mass Communications from Towson

University. LGBTQ studies and history classes fall firmly

into social sciences, so it makes sense that LGBTQ students

are drawn to these areas.

At the same time, a full quarter of students did state

that their major was in STEM: science, technology, engineering

and math. While these fields may be traditionally

conservative, it makes sense that responses are varied;

after all, LGBTQ people are amazingly diverse, and that

includes our interests and career paths. But are the career

choices of queer students shifting over time?

Jerry believes so. He says, “I think we are starting to

venture out of our ‘norms’ and select career goals that are

more in-line with our passion.”

It certainly seems that way. As LGBTQ visibility increases,

the focus on representation in traditionally white,

cisgender, straight, male fields is also growing. Students

are having discussions about representation that might

not have taken place even a few short years ago.

“One moment I will remember is how one student I

talked to mentioned how prejudiced people will make jokes,

saying one day there will be a gay, trans, disabled, autistic

character and how Hollywood forces diversity, but for them,

they actually were ALL of those things,” says Luke, a senior

Communication, Media, & Rhetoric and Human Services

student at the University of Minnesota Morris.

Luke says this experience reminded him how important

positive representation of marginalized groups can

be. When LGBTQ students are able to be out in their

chosen major, they can help create a more welcoming

environment for all students.

It may appear as if LGBTQ students are choosing different

majors over time. It’s important to remember that queer

students, like all students, have incredibly diverse interests

and goals. The shift in major choice probably coincides with

larger trends. More likely, students are more comfortable

being out at school, no matter what they’re studying.

Simone describes the importance of out role models at

school. When classes, majors and schools as a whole are

more diverse, everyone benefits.

“Representation matters, and when someone who may

be apprehensive to study something because they don’t see

anyone similar to them in the field sees that person doing

exactly what they hope to do someday, it’s encouraging.”

Ultimately the choice of a major and then a career is

personal. For LGBTQ young people, the choice is often more

complicated and more challenging. This fall, the Campus Pride

Career Connect online platform launches to help college students

find their passion and future career path. The goal is to

break down barriers and connect students early with LGBTQ

and allied employees as mentors for job prep and career

readiness. Learn more at CampusPride.org/CareerConnect. : :

SPECIAL THANKS TO CAMPUS PRIDE

& SHANE WINDMEYER FOR THEIR

CONTRIBUTIONS IN THIS ISSUE


views

by Rev. Marty Bacher

Contributing Writer

The courage to grow spiritually includes the courage to

face the unknown. Our greater good often lies outside

of what is currently known, and therefore what is comfortable.

The change we seek — whether it is to create greater

prosperity, attract a new relationship or to learn a new skill

— requires us to move into the realm of discomfort and

the unknown. However, it seems our brains are hardwired

to keep us safe and to avoid discomfort. It’s ironic that we

seek change, yet we also inherently resist it.

Faith is not about having all the answers. Instead,

authentic faith allows us to enter more deeply into the

questions. There is a part of us that is deeply connected

with the Divine, even if we don’t yet recognize it. This is

called the Spiritual Self.

The egoistic self sees itself as a human being in search

of a spiritual experience, whereas the Spiritual Self sees

Itself as a spiritual being having a human experience. The

egoistic self sees itself as a noun — a person, place or thing.

It identifies itself with the physical realm: the body, the

roles we play, the positions we hold, the wealth we have or

don’t have.

Plato described the journey of the soul. He said that

before entering the body the soul knows all things. But just

before it enters an earthly existence, the body is dipped in

the River of Forgetfulness. This myth reminds us of the mystery

inherent in the spiritual journey. Our lives are about

remembering what we already know at some deep spiritual

level. The great spiritual teachers throughout the ages have

come to remind us of who and what we truly are.

The Spiritual Journey

Spiritual Reflections

Whereas the egoistic self sees itself as a noun, the

Spiritual Self sees itself as a verb, as an extension of being,

of loving and of expressing. When Moses encounters the

Divine and asks, “Who shall I say sent me?” God replies, “I

am that I am,” which more properly translated, means I

am that which causes all things to be.

The Spiritual Self identifying with the eternal and

radiant Source, recognizes the transitory nature of

things. In the Bhagavad Gita it is written: “This self is

never born nor does it ever perish; nor having come

into this existence will it again cease to be. It is birthless,

eternal, changeless, ever-same, unaffected by the usual

processes associated with time. It is not slain when the

body is killed.”

We free ourselves from mental bondage when we

learn to identify more and more with the Spiritual Self.

Three simple affirmations help us to remain in a spiritual

consciousness and navigate the journey:

1. Whatever I am grateful for, I will increase. Gratitude

recognizes the blessings the Divine has brought into our

lives and attracts greater blessings.

2. Whatever I am responsible for, I can change.

Responsibility allows us to recognize our participation in

whatever is happening in our lives and what we did to

create, promote or allow it.

3. Whatever I am compassionate toward, I can heal.

Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” As we

extend compassion, we help elevate and shift awareness

to wholeness and healing.

Gandhi taught us that “we must widen the circle of

our love until it embraces the whole village; the village

in turn must take into its fold the district; the district the

province, and so on till the scope of our love encompasses

the whole world.”

Let us move forward together on the spiritual journey

with gratitude, responsibility and compassion. : :

Rev. Marty Bacher is a speaker, consultant and ordained

New Thought minister. He has served as openly gay spiritual

leader for over 30 years.


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Couch Talks at Dudley’s Place

Getting a diagnosis of HIV, living with HIV, or being part of

someone else’s journey are all very difficult waters to navigate.

The news and the related fallout can be devastating to many.

That is why, for many reasons, having a solid circle of support

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They always go the extra mile to make a new client or a client

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of a family. The patient centered care model is something that

both Rosedale and Dudley’s Place work hard to perfect every

day so that your experience as a patient is focused on you.

Dudley’s Place offers “Couch Talks” every other week on Tuesdays

at 6:30 pm at their offices. Couch Talks are a form of a support

group, but not like all the others. When we launched the program

prior to COVID, we talked with a variety of clients and community

members to hear from them what they would want a group to

look like. Many said they simply wanted a chance to talk, share

and connect. So, that is what we are doing. The group is lead and

facilitated by staff of Dudley’s Place that are also HIV positive.

Currently the groups are limited to only HIV positive individuals

in order to protect their anonymity and to create a safe space

for sharing. Aside from sharing stories and experiences, the

groups help to connect people with others in similar situations.

Dale Pierce, Executive Director has said, “the great thing that

has come out of these groups are the connections being made.

The relationships are blossoming from a room of strangers

into a family of sorts that supports, listens and assists each

other inside and outside the confines of the setting.” Members

are saying that it has opened them up to new experiences

and perspectives. The traditional meeting settings are helpful

and needed, but we are also instituting some other options to

make it a more social experience. Plans are in the works for a

picnic this summer, painting classes, and maybe even a trip to

Carowinds, along with a Thanksgiving potluck and holiday party.

Many factors and feelings can come into play with a diagnosis.

Feeling like fear, anxiety, isolation, depression, sadness, anger, even

a fear of the future. One client, an African American heterosexual

woman that attends Couch Talks and has been positive for almost

two decades, says the group saved her. “Especially during the

pandemic, I retreated even further into myself and self-isolated

more than ever. Having HIV can be scary, it made me feel like I

wasn’t worthy of being around people, that I was somehow less

than others. The Couch Talks at Dudley’s Place changed all that.

I have a whole new support system of friends I consider family.”

If you would like to know more about Dudley’s Place, Rosedale

Health and Wellness, and Couch Talks; visit our websites at

Dudleysplace.org and Myrosedalehealth.com. You can also follow

both organizations on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


a&e

Barbra Streisand’s ‘Release Me 2’

and Morly’s ‘Til I Start Speaking’

Streisand’s Collection of Previously Unreleased Material is Now Available

by Gregg Shapiro

Contributing Writer

With the arrival of her new album,

Release Me 2 (Columbia,

available on LP, CD and MP3), the compilation

follow-up to 2012’s Release Me,

comprised of previously unreleased

material, Barbra Streisand has entered

hipster territory by including the vinyl

version. Of course, the question remains

how many of Barbra’s devoted alter

kocker fans have made the return trip to

the world of turntables (let alone downloading

and streaming music), along

with the so-called “younger generation.”

Nevertheless, Streisand and Columbia

Records, her home for nearly 63 years,

deserve kudos for making the effort.

Streisand, who has long been an

outspoken activist and voice for social

causes, opens Release Me with “Be

Aware,” a Burt Bacharach/Hal David

chestnut that was also recorded by the

late queer singer/songwriter Laura Nyro.

The song, recorded in 1971, deals with

the subjects of homeless children and

world hunger, proving that the more

things change, the more they stay the

same. Barbra Joan Streisand, her second

album of 1971, featured three Carole

King compositions — “Where You Lead,”

“Beautiful,” and “You’ve Got A Friend,”

so it’s not surprising to learn that she

recorded another King tune, “You Light

Up My Life” (no, not THAT “You Light Up

My Life”), in 1974.

A pair of duets, “Rainbow

Connection” with Kermit the Frog,

from 1979, and “I’d Want It To Be You”

with Willie Nelson, from 2014, prove

that Barbra plays well with others. Her

1971 cover of Randy Newman’s “Living

Without You” may lack the oomph of versions

by Kelly Hogan and Nilsson, but it’s

still pleasant. Arlen and Harburg’s “Right

As The Rain,” from 1962, serves as a

reminder of the spell early Streisand was

able to cast on listeners.

After releasing three EPs from 2015

to 2017, singer/songwriter and visual

artist, Morly, a.k.a. Katy Morley, returns

with her full-length debut LP, “‘Til I Start

Speaking” (Cascine), after having battled

chronic illness. The immediate impressions

one gets from these 10 songs is of their

timelessness and beauty. The borderline

retro arrangements on songs such as

“Wasted,” complete with soulful backing

vocals, “Sleeping in My Own Bed,” from

her 2017 EP of the same name, “Twaine

Harte,” “Up Above,” “Jazz Angel (Bill)” and

“Superlunar” are nothing less than exquisite.

Additionally, the visual component to

the LP, the 12-page lyric book, features

Morly’s artwork, which is breathtaking to

behold. Don’t hesitate to add this striking

album, which is reminiscent of early Feist,

to your record collection.

As for Streisand, if she wants to

continue her stay in the hipster haven of

Vinylville, she might consider covering a

Morly tune, such as “Sleeping in My Own

Bed,” on her next studio album.

Stranger things have happened. : :


a&e

Open Relationships vs. Cheating

Tell Trinity

Dear Trinity,

There’s no such thing as an open relationship.

A relationship is a “contract,” a “commitment,”

and if that contract is broken, there’s

no relationship. So, if my partner came home

after screwing around on me, then said, “I love

you,” I’d ram a pipe up their backside!

Commitment or Pipe, Kansas City, MO

Dear Commitment or Pipe,

Did you know, some people have “closed”

committed relationships like what you’re describing,

while others have open committed

relationships, which includes sex outside the

relationship, and that, believe it or not works

great for them? Talking to many folks in long,

long-term relationships has exposed me to

many ideas about relationships, opening

my (closed) eyes. If you have an agreement

to be monogamous, then you don’t have an

open relationship, period. But, honey, if your

partner one day does “cheat,” then hopefully

you’ll love them enough to deal with it

“openly.” Agreements change throughout a

relationship and throughout time whether

you pipe it… I mean, like it or not!

Love, Trinity

Hello Trinity,

My boyfriend loves me but wants me to

be things I’m not, like playing or watching

lots of sports. I don’t enjoy them, but I do it

by Trinity | Contributing Writer

for him. Lately, he keeps insisting that my

pleasure of people watching or shopping at

the mall is something he wants me to stop.

Will I ever get to be me?

Sincerely, I Gotta Be Me, Dallas, TX

Hello I Gotta Be Me,

Sure you will. When one becomes two,

there’s a little give and take, sometimes

even a lot. Good for you for being flexible.

And, pumpkin, if you start feeling disrespected

or being disrespectful to your own

needs, you and he may need to have a

“lets’ compromise” pow-wow!

Dearest Trinity,

I’m originally from America, but I’ve

been living in Montreal, Canada for the

past three years. The gay men here are tres

gorgeous but are lacking personality, unlike

men from the states. Help!

Montreal Men, Montreal, QC

Dearest Montreal Men,

Americans do have an open spirit

that may lack amongst some beautiful

and gay Quebecois. Why do you think

the Webster Dictionary puts “looks” and

“personality” 320 pages apart! But don’t

be discouraged by what you’ve seen so

far in the dating scene. Darling, keep

meeting people, keep kissing cheeks

and eventually you’ll find a Quebecois…

with an American joie de vie.

Love, Trinity

Hey Trinity,

I’m dating a woman who drives like a

maniac. How do I get her to drive normally

when I’m in the car without sounding like a

neurotic date?

Thanks, Driving Complaints, Cincinnati, OH

Hey Driving Complaints,

When some folks drive, they forget

they’re on a date, and not at the Daytona

500. So sweetie, besides offering to drive

(for the rest of your lives together) try

sending her:

Trinity’s Cautious Tips for Driving With a Date

1. NO tailgating. It’s guaranteed to scare your date! One car length for every 10 mph please!

2. NO road raging. Having to listen to someone yelling, being aggressive AND driving is

awful and unattractive!

3. NO speeding. It always makes someone feel like they’ve been kidnapped!

4. NO breaking the law. If you’re trying to impress a date, running lights and stop signs

definitely won’t do it!

5. NO talking on the cellphone. Not even your loving mother wants to watch you drive

and chat. Plus, you’re on a date, so TURN OFF the cellphone!

6. NO driving offensively. It makes your passengers fear for their lives!

7. However, DO drive defensively. Let others make mistakes around you without having

to reprimand them. A date is a time to act light, peaceful and forgiving!

8. DO drive patiently, like you have Lady Gaga in the car.

9. DO wear your seatbelt.

10. And lastly, DO remember, a car is a weapon that can kill you and your date, who is just

trying to get to know you… not trying to share a funeral with you! : :

With a Masters of Divinity, Reverend Trinity hosted “Spiritually Speaking” a weekly radio drama,

performed globally and is now minister of WIG: Wild Inspirational Gatherings. Sponsored

by: WIG Ministries, www.wigministries.org Gay Spirituality for the Next Generation!

Send e-mails to: Trinity@telltrinity.com

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life

by Joey Amato

Guest Contributor

Did you know that Colorado Springs is

also known as Olympic City, U.S.A.?

Neither did I. Not only is the city home

to the U.S. Olympic Training Center, but

Colorado Springs recently celebrated

the grand opening of the U.S. Olympic &

Paralympic Museum, a stunning state-ofthe-art

building showcasing the history of

the Olympic games as well as athletes that

competed. The 60,000 square-foot facility

focuses on the core values of the Olympic

and Paralympic movements: friendship,

respect and excellence, determination,

equality, inspiration, and courage. The

museum was voted “Best New Attraction”

by USA Today, and it’s easy to see why.

Visitors enter a grand lobby and take

an elevator to the top level of the building

where they can view a chronological history

of the Olympic and Paralympic torches, medals

and other items. The museum is divided

between the summer and winter games, and

the self-guided tour includes an emotional

video highlighting the greatest U.S. Olympic

triumphs as well as some struggles Team

U.S.A. has faced along the way.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic

Museum is within walking distance from

the new Kinship Landing hotel, so it is

well worth the visit. After a morning at the

museum, grab a quick bite at the hotel’s

restaurant, Home Café + Bar. I ordered the

North Park sandwich, consisting of roasted

pork, caramelized onions, banana peppers

and served with a black garlic aioli. It was a

messy, but delicious way to begin my stay

at Kinship Landing.

The hotel is meant to be a gathering

place. Many spaces in the lobby are designed

so guests can mingle and socialize

with each other. The hotel gears towards a

younger, more adventurous traveler who

is looking to make friends and create wonderful

memories along the way. This in no

way means the hotel skimps on luxury.

The bed was probably one of the most

comfortable I’ve slept on.

A brief 15 minute ride from the

property is the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo,

which was recently voted one of the best

zoos in the country. While the setting is

truly breathtaking, the zoo itself was a bit

Olympic City

Pride Journey: Colorado Springs

Joey at Pike’s Peak. (Photo Credit: Joey Amato)

challenging to navigate. There were a few

times my guest and I had to backtrack and

ask zoo staff for directions, as some of the

exhibits weren’t clearly marked. Some of

my favorite areas of the zoo included the

penguin habitat as well as the Australian

exhibit. Visitors can also purchase unique

experiences, including the chance to feed

elephants and giraffes.

For dinner, head over to Paravicini’s

Italian Bistro, an old-school Italian restaurant

located in Old Colorado City, or “OCC”

as the locals call it. The restaurant was featured

on an episode of Guy Fieri’s Diners,

Drive-ins & Dives, and I can now see

why Fieri was so in love with this place.

The chicken marsala and side of penne

Bolognese were prepared to perfection.

I wasn’t expecting a great Italian meal in

Colorado, but I sure got one.

Colorado Springs is home to two LGBTQ

bars, Club Q and ICONS. Although I didn’t

have a chance to visit Club Q, I did swing

by ICONS, which is located in the heart

of downtown. The piano bar is probably

one of the best LGBTQ bars I’ve been to in

recent memory, not only for the theme, but

also the friendliness of the staff and quality

of the cocktails. The venue opened in 2020

and features a talented group of bartenders,

who also perform throughout the

evening, singing a variety of music from old

standards to more recent hits, from icons

including Whitney Houston and Lady Gaga.

The next part of my trip focused

on wellness and nature. I began the

morning with an incredible yoga class

from Dragonfly Paddle Yoga, where we

did yoga on a paddleboard in the middle

of a lake. Get ready to engage your

core muscles for this one, or you will be

drenched before class is over. The class

meets at the boat ramp of a man-made

lake near downtown and paddles to an

alcove surrounded by lush trees with

mountains soaring in the background.

At first, I was hesitant to try to stand on

the paddleboard, but as time went on, I

gained confidence in my yoga skills (or

lack thereof) and was able to stand and

perform yoga poses on the paddleboard.

Some were more challenging than others,

but I did get a fabulous workout while

enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

After grabbing a light snack and latte

from Loyal Coffee located directly across

from Kinship Landing, head to the Cog

Railway and prepare to ascend to an elevation

of over 14,000 feet to the top of Pike’s

Peak. The entire journey takes a little over

an hour but is well worth it. The view from

Pike’s Peak is spectacular and was said to

be the inspiration for the song, “America

the Beautiful.” The original railway opened

in 1891 and was recently restored, making

it the highest in the United States and longest

cog railway in the world. Bring your

camera for this journey!

End your vacation in Colorado Springs

with a visit to the Garden of the Gods

Resort and Club. Located just 15 minutes

from downtown, the resort is positioned on

the edge of Garden of the Gods Park, and

the view is nothing short of extraordinary.

Guests can dine on the mesa while watching

the sunset over the mountains or wake

up early for some sunrise mediation.

As soon as I arrived at the hotel, I went

for a walk around the property and was

overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the

resort and the park itself. My room featured

two queen size beds and an enormous

bathroom with a walk-in shower

and separate soaking tub. I really didn’t

spend much time there as I was too busy

enjoying the natural wonders.

After a few days spent touring the

city, I was most excited about my treatments

at STRATA Integrated Wellness and

Spa. I began my spa day with Functional

Neurology, a complex science which uses

signals from the body to reset the brain.

The alternative treatment is used to

properly align the body’s musculoskeletal

structure and restore mobility. It’s like a

combination of chiropractic and touch

therapy. Speaking of touch therapy, I had

the chance to experience a wonderful

treatment in which the therapist used

her hands to help treat aches and pains. I

wasn’t sure what to expect, but the treatment

was quite relaxing and something I

would do again. I was able to feel the heat

and energy from her hands as she ever so

slightly touched problem areas.

My favorite treatment of the day,

however, was the Royal Thai Poultice

Massage, an 80 minute experience which

combines an organic herbal poultice with

Thai stretching and aromatherapy. How’s

that for a day of pampering?

Begin the following morning with

Breathwork and Mindfulness on the mesa

led by the STRATA’s wellness coach, Kelly

Stoinski. It’s rare that I have a chance to slow

down, especially in the morning, but this

was a perfect way to end an incredible visit.

Colorado Springs is a great place for

LGBTQ travelers seeking a combination

of outdoor adventures as well as city life.

While the city itself isn’t as large as its

neighbor to the north, it is very walkable,

easy to navigate and everything you need

to experience is within a 15-20 minute

drive from the airport.

To book your Colorado Springs gaycation,

visit Orbitz.com/Pride.

Enjoy the Journey! : :


life

by L’Monique King

qnotes Staff Writer

Born in North Carolina, Peyton-Namire has lived

in Charlotte for most of his 22 years. On a balmy

Friday evening he hangs out at a playground where

a celebration of his girlfriend’s mother’s birthday is

about to begin. Children can be heard playing in the

background, a puppy frolics and the smell of sweet

barbeque sauces wafts up from a nearby grill. In

the midst of all this, a young trans man with an easy

smile makes time to talk to qnotes about what it’s

like to be him/them.

How do you identify?

When I’m out in public I’m a regular cis male. I don’t

live stealth; I just don’t choose to have my transness

out there. Because I live in a red state and I really

don’t feel safe knowing that people can just go into

a fit of rage just from me saying I’m transgender.

When I’m out as Peyton, I’m at an event or anything

that has to do with people of color or trans people,

and I let people know that I am trans. I want people

to know that there are trans people everywhere —

especially trans men of color. I see more white trans

men [in the media] when I see them at all.

Have you always known you’re trans?

No. I figured it out when I was 14. I can’t say that

I’ve always been trans. It took me a year and a

half to come to that conclusion. At the time I had

a partner that helped me, helped me pick out a

name for myself. I’ll never forget what they did for

me. Coming out to my parents was not an easy

experience. Anytime I tried to come out about anything

different or unique, it was not accepted and I

was seen as rebellious.

How’s your family accepting your trans identity now?

I can’t say that my family has fully accepted me; I don’t

even think they really know what that means. I think it’s

because we’re Black people and already at great risk for

discrimination and death. Adding me being trans on top

and transitioning into a Black male is even more frightening

for them.

Is that the most difficult part about being young,

Black and trans in the south, the risk of being taken

for a cis Black man?

Funny thing is, when I tell someone that I am transgender,

they’re always surprised. They don’t think that we exist. I

get people thinking I’m a male trying to be a woman. I tell

them that I’m female to male and most people don’t seem

to know what that means. We’re so invisible. Many are so

stealth that people don’t know we exist, they [stealth trans

men] go about as cis men while I have to prove my transness

to people.

Sounds like a bit of a burden. Is visibility part of your

activism or advocacy for LGBTQ youth? Would you

share a little with qnotes readers about what your role

in LGBTQ advocacy and activism looks like?

It looks like me going on stage and telling you about

me as a person and then me telling you that I’m trans.

I need you to see me as a person before you see me

as a trans person.

Going on stage? Can you elaborate?

I team up with Time Out Youth and do Speakers Bureaus

for colleges and organizations that would like to know how

to best support LGBT kids — the right way. If you teach the

teachers a little bit about pronouns or how to address a

child, that makes a big difference in kids coming to school.

Many are frightened, but having just one staff member, one

teacher they can talk to, helps a lot. It can even decrease

suicide rates. That’s why I want to go state to state to help

Our People: Peyton-Namire

Transgender Youth Discusses Safe Spaces and Misguided Words of DaBaby

establish programs for trans and non-binary kids, [so they]

can comfortably transition while they’re in school. I don’t

understand why schools don’t protect trans kids or trans

kids with disabilities. If I could create a safe space in every

state, I would, a safe space for LGBT kids to go.

What led you to become involved in LGBTQ youth issues?

I’ve never been the type to sit back and let something

happen. So, when it was time to speak, I’ve always been

able to speak up for myself and other people. It’s been a

long journey. My doing this, it just happened, and I took

the responsibility and ran with it. I try to speak for all

LGBT kids if I can. Those that are silent are often the ones

contemplating suicide. So, I try to create change — that’s

what I aim to do.

Do you have any trans role models, celebrity or otherwise?

Yes, there’s a person on Instagram, his name is

SteroidBeyonce, and I like him so much because he’s both

masculine and feminine. I think people get too hung up

on gender norms, what’s supposed to be for boys and

what’s supposed to be for girls. They don’t pay attention

to what their kids really like or who they really are. They

just want them to fit in. There are so many simps — I call

them simps, for simple minded people — in the world, and

there’s no need for that. You can find out anything you

want; all you have to do is Google it or YouTube it. You can

learn about trans people by hearing people tell their transition

stories. So, I just think [those who aren’t informed]

don’t want to learn. And you don’t have to want to learn,

but you will respect my pronouns.

So, what do you think about the recent drama surrounding

some homophobic and HIV-stigmatizing comments

made by rapper DaBaby?

He’s been canceled for me a while ago. He’s been doing

things like what he said during that festival; it’s not

new. Rappers that act like that are not new. I don’t understand

why it took this for him to get canceled.

There was a time when he knocked one of his

fans on stage, a girl. He should have been cancelled

long ago. His apology video was bullshit — I

put nothing past him, especially since he hangs

with Lil Boosie, who had so much mean stuff to

say about Dewayne Wade and Gabrielle Union’s

[trans] daughter.

DaBaby was raised in Charlotte, and the impact

of religion is a big thing in the south. Are you religious?

If so, how have you been able to reconcile

your identity with your religion?

I practice Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism. I know

a lot of queer people that practice and do yoga.

Through Buddhism I’ve learned how to become

one with myself to achieve Nirvana. Nirvana is

another word for enlightening, finding peace, happiness.

So, I’m okay.

Outside of the peace you find in practicing

Buddhism, is there anyone in particular in your

life that has supported you? Maybe a role model

or a mentor that you’ve learned any valuable

lessons from?

Yes, James Rice III. I met him at Time Out Youth when

I was 18. He works there. He’s helped me from the

beginning of my transition, and he introduced me to

Shaq Clarke, my Housing Administrator. She helped

me get housing and taught me a lot about budgeting

and other things.

James has been more of a father figure to me

than my actual dad, though he’s in my life but doesn’t

do nuttin’. James taught me that many of the feelings

that I have are okay. He taught me that it’s okay to be

angry. He’s always told me that he’s going to accept

me for who I am and what I come with, and that he’s

always going to love me for who I am.

Wow! It’s wonderful that you have such supportive

people like them in your life. The world is

changing. When you think about the lives of the trans

community of color 25 years from now, what do you

think things might look like?

I think everyone is gonna’ wanna’ look like trans and nonbinary

people because it’s the style, though they don’t

want the life [many trans and non-binary people live], like

a trend. I could see that. Androgynous looks are already

becoming fashionable.

What’s a typical day like in the life of Peyton-Lamire?

I go to work around 11:00 a.m. at an uptown restaurant,

my shift ends around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m., I’m a host. When

I get off, I go home, play with my dog and try to ground

myself. I put my feet in the grass and try to unwind fully

with a little bit of nature. Once I go in the house, I try to

eat something healthy, like salad with chicken, berries

and pecans, shower and meditate for as long as I feel like

I need to. Depends on the type of day. My happy place is

sleeping to thunder and rain. Being an introvert, I think

I enjoy more alone time than lots of people, so I fill time

with painting or going to a movie by myself. I’ve learned

that I don’t have to be around people to feel accepted. I

work at a job where there are a lot of people, so I really

need to use my downtime as self-care time. My company

is the best company.

What makes you smile?

Seeing others happy and knowing that I put that smile on

your face.

Any advice for trans or non-binary kids navigating the

difficult journey of living as their authentic selves?

I’d tell them, you are not crazy, you are exactly who you

say you are. Who others say you’re supposed to be is

not important. You can transition. It is possible, and

even if you don’t transition, you are valid, you are loved

and you can be you.: :



JUST

QNotes, August 20, 2021

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