news notes:
from the Carolines, nation and world
compiled by Lainey Millen:: lainey@goqnotes.com | David Stout:: david@goqnotes.com | Matt Comer:: matt@goqnotes.com
Programs need more funding
RAUEIGH — North Carolina AIDS Director Jacquelyn Clymore {pictured} said In an inter*
view on Dec. 1 witfi Chris Rtzsimon on NC Policy's-Watch's "News & Views" radio show that
although AIDS patients today are experiencing longer and better lives, more treatment and
research funding is sdil needed.
At this time last year, Clymore reported that the state's
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) would have to put
a cap on how many It could serve in 2011, thus necessitat
ing the lieed for a waiting list It now has more than 6,H)0
individuals on its roster, with 106 more still on standby. The
program dispenses anti-retroviral medication.
The University of Nortii Carolina on July 18 released
details from a landmark HIV prevention trial, the HIV
Prevention Trials Network 052 study at the 6th International
AIDS Society Conference on Pathogenesis, Treatment and
Prevention in Rome.
Clymore shared these findings stating that if those who
are HIV positive were to receive early treatment and care
and would take their medications as directed tiiat they
reduce tiieir transmission rate by 96 percent. It means that their viral load is so suppressed
tiiatthey do not transmit virus to their uninfected partners.
"This study represents tiie culmination of many years of work, and we are thrilled by its
success and by the opportunity to share these data with our colleagues and the public," said
Dr. Myron Cohen, J. Herbert Bate Distinguished Professor of Medicine at UNC and principal
investigator of the study.
"This is the best news we've seen in years since AZT came out years ago," Clymore
added. She also said that it was the most effective prevention tool and was powerful.
ADAP is funded jointly by state and federal monies and is designed to provide a resource
for low income residents. Gross Income must be at or below 300 percent of the federal pov
erty level. It is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides
other lists of resources for tiiose with HIV/AIDS, like information on the Ryan White Fund,
legal and bilingual information services, local health departments and AIDS service orga
nizations. as well as programs for those who are incarcerated. It also lists pharmaceutical
assistance programs from a variety of programs and manufacturers.
For more information, visit ncpolicywatch.com to listen to the entire interview.
— LM
Charlotte
visit salisbury-pflag.org.
— LM
Scholarships offered by PFLAG
SALISBURY — Four $1,000 scholarships
are being offered by,the Salsibury/Rowan
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays (PFLAG) for the 2012-12 academic year.
The Salisbury Post reported.
Rowan County lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender students and/or their straight
allies are eligible. Applicants may be private,
public or home-schooler seniors.
Scholarships are awarded on an annual
basis to honor four champions of L6BT equality.
They are: the Anne Stanback-Charlotte Kinlock
Scholarship; the Founder's Equality Scholarship
(which honors the chapter's founder Michael
Clawson); the Linda Ketner Community
Service Scholarship; and the Bob Page-Dale
Frederiksen Business Scholarship (which hon
ors Replacements, Ltd. of Greensboro's founder
and CEO and his life partner).
The Autumn Soiree helps to fund the
scholarships, along with other supporters.
Scholarship Advisory Committee Chair Carol
Williams-Swoope shared that students do
not have to go to a four-year school to qualify.
Community colleges or trade schools are also
included in the offering.
Deadline for application is March 14,2012.
Notification will be made by April 14,2012.
To obtain an application or for more in
formation, call Williams-Swoope at 704-212-
2215, email cwilliams138@carolina.rr.com or
James seeks re-election
CHARLOTTE — Republican Mecklenburg
County Commissioner Bill James announced
on Dec. 2 that he intends to seek a ninth term
on the board. James and other commission
ers are up for re-election in 2012.
In his announcement, James indicated
that he will support an anti-LGBT state con
stitutional amendment banning marriage, civil
unions and domestic partnerships for same-
sex couples.
"Next May's primary election will include
a Constitutional ballot amendment to limit
marriage to 'one man-one woman,"' James
said. "I fully support this and hope that you
will vote YES."
Last year, James made waves when he
compared gay people to pedophiles. The
outrage over his comments spread nationally,
leading to a petition campaign that collected
more than 20,000 signatures. Though censure
was discussed by his county commission col
leagues, they later scrapped the idea in favor
of a weak "equality resolution" for which
James himself even voted.
— M.C..
Non-profit featured in documentary
CHARLOTTE — Campus Pride, a locally-
based, national non-profit organization that
works with LGBT college and university
students, is featured in a new documentary
scheduled for release next year.
"Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement
of a Generation" features interviews from
a diverse array of young adult leaders and
established LGBT community organization
leaders, including Campus Pride's Shane
Windmeyer, current Pennsylvania State
House candidate Brian Sims, former U.S. Rep.
Gabby Giffords intern-turned-hero Daniel
Hernandez and others.
The film is scheduled for release on the
national, gay and lesbian cable network Logo
next year.
A portion of the advanced screenings
proceeds will benefit Campus Pride.
For more information about the film, visit
CampusPride.org/LegalizeGay.
— M.C.
Triangle
Center adds funding goal wish list
RALEIGH — The LGBT Center of Raleigh
has surpassed its $10,000 Fall Fundraising
Campaign goal by $75.
In addition to the $10,000 one-time dona
tion goal, the center hopes to meet a $2,500
challenge in pledges for monthly recurring
donations. At press time, the group has
raised $1,275.'
Board Treasurer Les Geller said that they
want to meet the objective by year's end. The
funds will be used to cover basic operational
costs and overhead. Salaries comes from other
resources. They had hoped to reach the pledge
challenge by Nov. 30, but that did not happen.
For more information or to make a contri
bution, visit lgbtcenterofraleigh.com and click
the "donate" button.
— M.C.&LM.
OutRaleigh event announced
RALEIGH —Volunteers and staffers with
the LGBT Center of Raleigh announced on
Dec. 1 that their annual OutRaleigh festival
will be held on May 5,2012.
Organizers say the event's date is sig
nificant, coming just three days before the
scheduled vote on an anti-LGBT state consti
tutional amendment that would ban marriage,
civil unions and domestic partnerships for
same-sex couples.
"At a time when North Carolina is in the
national spotlight, let's make America's LGBTQ
and ally communities proud, and quash
bigoted legislation with pride, fortitude, and
solidarity," the group said in a release.
The group says they will be expanding the
festival's footprint in 2012 and include more en
tertainment, children's activities and vendors.
For more information, visit outraleigh.org
or lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.
— M.C.
CMF seeks donations
RALEIGH — Crape Myrtle Festival has
announced its CMF32 Holiday Drive for 25
campaign. It hopes to raise $25,000 to provide
support for those who are living with HIV/AIDS.
Contributions can be made either online
or by mail. One time or reoccurring payment
methods are available.
Visit crapemyrtlefest.org and click over
to the donations page to pledge support or
download the sponsorship form and mail
to Crape Myrtle Fest, Inc., P.O. Box 12201,
Raleigh, NC 27605-2201.
LM.
Wolfson says legislation will tie hands
CHAPEL HILL — Executive director of the
national Freedom to Marry, Evan Wolfson
(pictured), had an opportunity to share his
views on "Why Marriage Matters" and the
impending anti-LGBT constitutional amend
ment with students at the University of North
Carolina School of Law's Center on Law and
Government, on Nov. 28.
This referendum, which will be on the bal
lot in May 2012, bans marriages, civil unions
and domestic partnerships and would "tie the
hands of future generations," he said.
The current measure will be an electoral,
not a legislative, decision. A troubling pros
pect, Wolfson said.
"Can you get the majority to vote with
the minority" Wolfson asked, adding that it
was a "tall order" and that the responsibili
ty has to be to get the
voters out that are
Regional
persuaded to vote
against the measure.
Wolfson also
spoke with NC Policy
Watch and Equality
North Carolina on Nov.
29. The subject was
"Crucial Conversation:
'What would the mar
riage discrimination amendment really mean
for North Carolina?"' Other speakers included
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Law
Professors Maxine Eichner and Holning Lau, as
well as Stuart Campbell, executive director of
Equality North Carolina.
Recent polls suggest that even though the
referendum has significant support, there is
growth among North Carolinians who express
that they are okay with legal recognition of
same-sex couples.
For more information or to view the videos,
visit goqnotes.com/13505.
— M.C.&LM.
Ski weekend on horizon
BLOWING ROCK — In its fourth season,
the Summit2012 Gay Ski Weekend will be i
held Jan. 19-22,2012. I
Tagged as a premier travel vacation and
winter event in the Southeast, it welcomes
attendees from across the region. ^
Lodging will be available in the down-
town area and at two properties closer to ^
the slopes. Visit the event website to view
room packages which include black diamond
passes, as well as costs.
Two types of passes are available for
those who wish to qnjoy the festivities, but will
not be staying at the event resorts.
For more information, call NC High Country
at 855-234-6242, option 5, email barb@gonchigh
country.com or visit ncgayskiweekend.com.
-L.M.I
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6 qnotes Dec. 10-23.2011