PAGE 6 ▼ Q-Notes ▼ December 9, 2000
Vol. 15, No. 15 - December 9, 2000
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Index
Articles
Britain equalizes age of consent 1
British study finds no problem with
gay military personnel 8
Columbia area HIV-infected rate
ranks fourth in US, says study 1
Creating Change Conference
brings together racial, sexual,
justice groups ’. 3
Denny’s accused of discrimination 10
Generation Q: Report looks
at issues facing GLBT elders 17
Judge rules in favor of Project
Inform against ACT-UP/SF
violence 15
Lambda Legal Fund issues World
AIDS Dav Report Card 1
Marge Adam, Kerry Lobel project
to fuse culture and community 18
Merger planned by Gay.com
and PlanetOut 11
Protest nets 100 plus arrests at
Catholic Shrine 24
Roanoke urges national financial
relief to assist shooting survivors 3
UNC students seek GLBT center 1
Features
A community divided 4
Queer as a three dollar bill 10
Columns
Between the Covers 19
Classifieds 25
Community Cards 22, 23
Curbside 26
The Drag Rag 19
ePlay 25
Editorial 6
GLAAD Alert 13
Letters to Editor 6
Money Matters 22
News Notes 5
Out and About 26
Out In The Stars .'. 20
Poll Question 9
QFYI 26
Tell Trinity 23
Advertising Deadlines
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Jan. 6 (TBDI Tues., Dec. 26
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300 Stonewall 12
American Expres.s Financial 4
B. B. Collins Fashion Design 22
Behavioral Change 24
Blue Ridge Trust 14
The Brass Rail 20
eSA Real Estate 20
Carolina Funeral & Cremation 17
Central Records 23
Central Station 4
Charleston Beach B&B 23
Charlotte Business Guild 18
Charlotte GLBT Community Ctr 21
Charlotte Realty Group 21
Cha.sers 10
Jeff Childs, Broker/Realtor 22
Club Cabaret 14
Club Myxx 4
Computing Essentials 23
The Cove 7
The Cove II 7
Crazy Jane’s 3
Connie DeVersa, Mercedes-Benz 22
Divas 24
Doug Detwiler, Psychotherapist 22
M. A. Dixon, Law Office 22
Edwin G. Farthing, Attorney 22
Fool for Love 19
Ricki Geiger, Psychotherapist 22
Genesis 'll
Georgetown Body Works 25
Good OF Days 5
Good Year Tire 23
Lisa Griffin, Family Therapist 17
Hair Club for Men and Women 8
Home For Sale 8
Home Resources 22
Independence News 16
Insomnia 8
InTouch Body Therapy 7
Innovations 26
J & W Communications 28
Notes free for you
Jemsck Clinic 9, 22
Klutts Property Management 14
Jeffrey Grant Koenig, Attorney 10
Leah’s Bookkeeping & Tax Service 22
Liaisons 11
MCC Charlotte 13
Mad Nutcracker, The 19
Markham Landscape Products 22
Menu by Melissa 23
New Life MCC 23
Newsstand International 15
Norman Russell Salon and Spa 13
Joe O’Connor, Realtor 16
Parliament Social Club 14
Parkview Video & News 14
Phat Burrito 5
Posh Pets 11
Q 15
Queen City Antiques 5
Carol Reinard, Realtor 22
Repo Records 7
Scorpio 2
Scott Lawn & Land.scaping 17
Sharon Memorial Park 19
Joan Simpson, Psychologist 22
Sir Speedy Printing 13
Sleepy Poet Antique Mall 13
Joel Smith, Hair Designs 22
Sub Station II 5
Summit Grandview Apartments 10
Scott Thompson, Hair Design 23
Thrailkill Counseling 22
Tile Impressions 23
Timberfell Lodge 16
Time Out 17
The Tradesmen Leather/Levi Club 23
Trish Works 23
Unitarian Universalist Church 14
Connie Vetter, Attorney 23
Nan Walker, Counselor 23
Vinson Washburn, Realtor 4
White Rabbit Books & Things 9, 18
editorial
Use it or lose
it...what’s the voting
thing anyway?
Do you remember the first time that you
voted? I certainly do. I can recall a winter after
noon, all bundled up in my coat and mittens,
along with a hat - and, even more so, the sensa
tion of my mother’s hand as it cradled mine as
we entered the voting precinct at the university
school located in my hometown.
I was a little small at the ripe old age of four.
I could barely see over the tables lined up there
with poll workers assisting voters with registra
tion. One of the workers gave my mother a
ballot. This was in the early 1950s and the
election’s ballot was graced with General
Dwight David Eisenhower. He was such a leg
end, with his gallant military service. He
brought a sense of balance to the aftermath of
World War II and the Korean conflict.
Anyway, I digress. Back to focus! I was very
curious about the process that was taking place
there. I can still see my mother dressed up as
her usual polished self, studying the sheet of
paper that had the candidates names on it. I
was my parents “active” child. I was always into
something. And I asked enough questions to
satisfy even the most inquisitive person. So
when I asked my mother about what she was
doing, it did not surprise her in the least. She
explained that, as an American, she was exer
cising her right to cast her vote for her favorite
candidate. You might well suspect what came
next. I left my mother’s side and went to one of
the registration tables. I looked one of the la
dies square in the eyes and asked, “I want to
vote like my Momma!”
In those days and in a small town, people
knew each other. To quench my thirst for par
ticipation, one of the workers gave me a “bal
lot” and I voted! Then they had me place my
ballot into a “special” box, reserved for young
voters. I really beamed with delight. My mother,
of course, thought that this was “so cute.” Then
we left.
Many years later, when I was an adult, I was
afforded the responsibility of voting “for real”
letter
Dear Editor:
On December 5,2000,1 will complete eight
years of public service as a [Mecklenburg]
County Commissioner. I want-to express my
deepest appreciation for all of the support I have
received from Cf Notes over the years as you have
written about my actions and my support for
the gay & lesbian community.
I am proud of the service and support I ex
tended to the gay and lesbian community. I was
proud of my actions, no matter how futile they
were, in defense of the arts and the right of each
individual to see whatever movie, show or dance
performance [they choose].
I can remember ... that when my son and I
met with the gay & lesbian community at the
MCC Church, I was informed I was the first
elected official to have done so. My only regret
is that it took me seven years to meet with the
for the first time. In the entire time that I have
had voting privileges, I have only missed, at
most, a dozen elections. I even worked for a
US House of Representatives candidate in the
early 70s.
Then, in the early 80s, I became affiliated
with the Libertarian party and ran for State
. House. Of course, I lost, but not without cap
turing around 2000 votes from a field of 12
candidates. Not bad for someone who was an
unknown and did not actively campaign. I sim
ply ran to show support for a third party. And,
many of the principles of the party were ones
that I shared.
Now, it is 2000! And, what a year. The dawn
ing of the new millennium has brought with it
an unique set of election results. Without ac
tually endorsing one candidate over another (to
avoid telling you whom I voted for - because
you’re not supposed to ask, right?), I must say
that I completely agree with Vice President A1
Gore. We live in the United States of America.
We do not live in one of those countries that
allow you to vote and not really pay attention
to the outcome. We have rights. And, we do
need to know that if we take our valuable time
to engage in the voting practice, then, by gosh,
let them count. Don’t set aside votes - unless
there is clearly a reason to do so - and deny
someone the rare privilege of being involved in
the election process. In my opinion, the Florida
state legislature was remiss in not immediately
calling itself into emergency session to handle
the issues surrounding the election. And, it
would not have taken too much to mobilize
the state to allow all voters who were on the
voting rolls for this election, the opportunity
to recast their votes in a more technologically
sound method. There are enough states around
to loan them voting machines for all of the
counties in Florida.
I was born in and grew up in Tennessee. A1
Gore, Sr., was a tremendous public servant. His
legacy can easily be seen in his son. Gore Jun
ior is a champion of rights for all people. I sure
would hate to see him be a “bridesmaid” in
stead of a “bride” because he has diligently
worked and served his whole life to earn the
vote of confidence and respect of all Americans.
Whether he eventually wins or loses this cam
paign, I must say that I admire his determina
tion and grit. His father would never have rolled
over and played dead either. T
— Lainey Millen
Associate Editor
group.
I am proud that I might have played a small
part in the Gay &c Lesbian Political Action
Committee [MeckPAC] being formed. Each of
you has played an important part in the make
up of the city council and county commission
the past two elections. It is my hope that the
community remains active and continues to
play major roles in local politics.
My plan is to continue to be active in the
community through committees and boards. I
have met with the director ofTime Out Youth
about starting a home for runaways or those
teenagers who are thrown out of their homes
because of their sexual preference [sic.].
I would like to express my thanks to all of
you for your help and support over these eight
years. I do know my political life is not over
yet. I will come and ask for your support some
time in the future.
Sincerely yours,
Lloyd Scher
Mecklenburg County Commissioner
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