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GOVE R N M E N T Could new board make-up endanger gay students? New Char-Meek school board members could make difference for LGBT-inclusive policies by Matt Comer . Q-Notes staff CHARLOTTE — When the Charlotte- Mecklenburg Board of Education approved an LGBT-inclusive anti-bullying policy last March, the three Republicans on the govern ing body were the ^ - only members to vote against the proposal. With the addition of anoth er Republican and an upset in the once-Democratic controlled body, future poli cy decisions on LGBT-inclusion and safety might not be as clear-cut as they were less than one year ago. After the 2008 general election, the Board of Education has been forced to appoint two new members to fill vacancies left by two Democrats whoVe moved on to sit on the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. Republican James Ross was appointed to fill the seat once held by Democrat George Dunlap. Ross is the only African-American Republican on the board. Democrat Kimberly Mitchell-Walker, sister of City Councilman James Mitchell, was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Democrat Vilma Leake. New elections for board chair and vice chair also changed the make-up of the body. Joe White, who stepped down at the end of a five-year term as chair, was replaced by Democrat Molly Griffin. Kaye McGarry, an outspoken, anti-gay Republican who pushed efforts to stop the anti-bullying policy, was elected vice chair. Griffin was one of the six board members who sup ported the anti-bullying policy. Former members Dunlap and , , ., . Leake also supported the policy. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Questions over the future of LGBT student safety will, for now, go unan swered. By phone and email, Q-Notes attempted to contact new board members Ross and Mitchell-Walker. Neither returned our messages. > New CMS Board of Education members: Kimberly Mitchell-Walker, Dist. 2 (Dem.) 704-398-2324 kimberlym.walker@cms.kl2.nc.us James L. Ross, II, Dist. 3 (Rep.) ■704-597-5529 , jamesl.ross@cms.kl2.nc.us e ems Gala week packed with events from page 13 will present “Pray Away the Gay’ a discussion on the harms and lies of the “ex-gay” industry. Before the Gala on Feb. 21, CRANE mem bers will hold a peaceful, non-violent protest in front of Central Church of God. ' This year’s HRC Gala sponsors include pre senting sponsors Wachovia and Bank of America, as well as American Express, Duke Energy, Audi, Food Lion, North Carolina Signature and Classic Graphics. National part ners include American Airlines, Citi, IBM, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, North Carolina-based Mitchell Gold -F Bob Williams, Prudential Financial, North Carolina-based Replacements, Ltd., and others. Q-Notes is a media partner. ► — See a full listing of HRC events in this issues Out & About Calendar on page 27. For more information or to buy tickets to the Gala visit www.hrccarolinas.org. Visit Q-Notes Online’s new blog at biog.q*notes.com for great, upcoming coverage of this year’s HRC events, including photos and videos. Correction In the Jan. 24 story, “Culture War (reprise),” Q-Notes mistakenly identified Rolfe Neill, former publisher and chairman of The Charlotte Observer, in a file phpto published with the story. We apologize for the mistake. Q-Notes is committed to accuracy. If you ever encounter a mistake or need to seek a correction or clarification, email editor@q-notes.com. I Rolfe Neill, then chairman and pub lisher of The Charlotte Observer, spoke in opposition to a County Board of Commissioners resolution to strip $2.5 million from the Arts & Science Council. At least 700 attended the April I, 1997, commissioners meeting. Photo Credit: Chris Radock. Vhat are you LO'/ ^ UPCOMING WED//FEBRUARX’n JAZMINE BROOKS, EMERALD & KENDRA.ALLURE SAT//FEBRUARY 14 %. VALENTINE'S DAY AT ThE CC WED //FEBRUARY 18 CANDIS COX, ARABIA KNIGHT ADDAMS & JASMIN^ JAMES 313 West Hargett St Raleigh NC. (919) 755.9599 www.cc-raleigh.com X FEBRUARY 7.2009 • QNotes
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Feb. 7, 2009, edition 1
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