North Carolina
Q-NOTES • APRIL 22 . 2006
ews notes: nc
fo’
by Lainey Millen
Q-Notes staff
..Jrom the tarheel state
Call for HRC volunteers
CHARLOTTE — Here in the Carolinas
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) vision
and goal is to make more than just a fancy
dinner once a year.
“We want to’be a prominent partner and
player in the Charlotte area year-round cre
ating positive change,” says HRC Diversity
Co-Chair LaWana Slack Mayfield.
To achieve that goal, Mayfield and others
are looking to interested community mem
bers to volunteer with the organization.
“Our immediate volunteer opportuni
ties are in community event planning, edu
cation/awareness and political network
ing,” Mayfield adds.
Under the direction of local board lead
ership, the HRC North Carolina Steering
Committee is responsible for the presence
and local activities of HRC.
The HRC North Carolina Steering
Committee’s mission includes:
• supporting the mission and goals of HRC;
• providing funding for HRC programs and
goals
• providing local leadership and advocacy
for HRC objectiyes.
HRC is hosting a party for those inter
ested on April 30 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at
The Lesbian and Gay Community Center
located at 1401 Central Ave.
Says Mayfield: “Come out and learn
what HRC is doing in your community,
how you can be a part of the changes
made, socialize and meet new people
while catching up with old friends.”
A cash bar will be available, along with
snacks, music and drinks.
To attend, email RSVPs to diversity
works4u@aol.com.
TOY celebrates 15 years
CHARLOTTE — This month marks the
15th year that Time Out Youth (TOY) has
been providing support and advocacy to
the Charlotte region’s LGBT youth. What
began as a handful of youth meeting with
founder Tonda Taylor (pictured) in 1991,
has burgeoned into a multi-faceted
organization.
Today, TOY continues its
tradition of Monday evening
discussion groups for youth
to support and empower
each other. The reach of
Time Out Youth’s support
efforts has been extended to
Gaston County, where a dis
cussion group has been meeting twice each
month for over a year.
In addition, the organization has devel
oped a speakers bureau through which
youth share their experiences with students
and faculty members of schools and univer
sities, social service professionals and other
community organiza
tions. Putting a “face”
on the lives of LGBT
young people helps
create awareness and
highlights the unique
challenges they face.
These challenges have
resulted in other pro
grams, such as emergency housing assis
tance for youth displaced from their homes
as a result of disclosure of their sexual or
gender orientation.
TOY has recently moved into a larger
space at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to
meet the needs of a growing membership.
Late this spring, the organization expects
to open a drop-in center, providing a safe
space for LGBT youth and their straight
allies to participate in social and recre
ational activities. The drop-in center will
be staffed by trained adult volunteers
under the supervision of Youth Programs
Director Nicole Hoagland, MSW.
For more information, visit www.time
outyouth.org. To learn about ways to sup
port programming, contact Executive
Director Mette Andersen at 704-344-8335.
Dinner to benefit MAP
CHARLOTTE — It’S that time of year
again when supp>orters and contributors
gather to raise funds for Metrolina AIDS
Project (MAP) at the annual Guess Who’s
Coming To Dinner? benefit on April 29,
beginning at 7 p.m.
The Lesbian and Gay Community Center,
1401 Central Ave., is hosting a dinner party
and is inviting everyone. Bring friends and
enjoy a great meal, while having a good
time. After dinner all the guests are invited to
the Grady Cole center for deserts, refresh
ments and fun. A tax deductible donation to
see next page >
Connie J. Vetter
Attornc’y and Counsellor at Law
CJVLaw.com
704'567'5530
V'arnndt^re Building
Charlotte