news notes:
from the Carolines, nation and world
comp/Zety/JK LaineyMillen:: lainey@goqnotes.com | David Stout:: david@goqnotes.com | O'Neale Atkinson:: oneale@goqnotes.com
Presbys ordain lesbian
DURHAM — On Feb. 18, the Rrst
Presbyterian Church, 305 East Main St, took
pioneering steps by green lighting the ordina
tion of Katie Ricks, the first open lesbian to
receive such approval in the U.S.
This was the first for the denomination
who had agreed in 2011 to allow "openly gay
individuals to serve in the ministry,” The Daily
Tar Heel reported. Gay men had already been
approved in Wisconsin.
The secret ballot vote allowed for ano
nymity for those who helped to shape the de
cision. No one had to undergo public scrutiny
for his or her decision.
Ricks was formerly with Chapel Hill's
Church of Reconciliation, where she served
as associate in ministry for 10 years. Her
ordination will be conferred in April.
—LM.
Charlotte
'Soak' it up in prayer
CHARLOTTE — On the second and fourth
Saturdays of each month, Charlotte 24-7
offers space for LGBT community members
of faith to attend its LGBT-inclusive Bridge
Initiative's SOAK at 6 p.m. at 512 E. 15th St,
in NoDa.
Enjoy coffee, music and connecting with
"a crazy-good God."
On March 6-8, they will open their doors
for prayer and meditation during the National
Week of Prayer for HIV/AIDS. 24-7 says that
"the space will be filled with global and na
HEART TO HANDS
MASSAGE
Asheville, NC
Thomas Horne | N.C. License #1739
828-231-6156
tional stories and stats and all the fuel needed
to help you get informed and dive in and
engage God in the kind of conversation that
could lead to the eventual halt, healing and
eradication of HIV AIDS in our generation."
For more information, visit
charlotte24-7.com.
— LM.
Radio show 'defines marriage'
CHARLOTTE —WFAE 90.7, a local
National Public Radio affiliate, will host
a "Public Conversations" forum on the
proposed anti-gay marriage amendment
on March 29 at McGlohon Theatre at Spirit
Square, 345 N. College St, at 7 p.m. Admission
is free, but an RSVP is encouraged.
This is part of an ongoing series on topi
cal issues. "The goal is to create comfort
able settings that encourage a stimulating
and enlightening exchange of ideas,"
WFAE said. They want "to serve
as a catalyst for community
dialogue. Participants
are encouraged to en
gage in conversation
with a cross-section of
community representa
tives, expert panelists
and with each other."
For more informa
tion, email Mark Rumsey
via email at publicconversa
tions@wfae.org orvisitwfae.org.
— LM.
Triangle
Hunks for sale!
RALEIGH—The annual Crape Myrtle
Festival's Bachelor(ette) Auction, "Going
Once, Going Twice," is slated for March 4,6
p.m., at Babylon Restaurant, 309 Dawson St.
Ten of the Triangle's finest will go to tiie
highest bidders.
Celebrity guest emcee DJ Robert will be
spinning tiie hottest tracks while models wear
ing the latest trends from Dapper St/le House
strut tiieir stuff.
A dream date package goes to each of the
highest bidders.
A $10 donation at the door goes to benefit
Crape Myrtle Festival's local charities.
At press time, male models are Frankie
Clark, Seth Castro, Kyle Dverby and Josh
Young. Female models are Brandi Duke, Jaci
Field, Kelly Spaulding and Melissa Williams.
Dne more in each category will be announced
at the event. Bios and photographs are being
posted on Facebookfor early review.
For more information, visitfacebook.com/
crapemyrtlefest or crapemyrtlefestorg.
— LM.
Photo op available
APEX — Kidd Photography Studio is work
ing on an ad campaign and is searching for
same-sex partners with families to pose for
family portraits. The are looking for all family
types and are especially interested in
, working with same-sex couples with
children or engaged couples.
^ Images may be used later for the
LGBT Center of Raleigh's website.
Appointments will be set for late
March or early April and photo sessions
will be held at local outdoor parks in
Raleigh.
Kidd is waiving its sitting fee for
those who participate. Df course,
individual or package sets will be made
P" available to those who may want to pur
chase them. All sessions will be posted
on their website.
For more information, email Jennifer Kidd
at info@kiddphotography.com or visit
kiddphotography.com.
—LM.
Sponsorships sought
RALEIGH — DutRaleigh, slated for May
5 along Fayetteville Street City Plaza, is
currently seeking event sponsors, says the
LGBT Center of Raleigh's Executive Director
James Miller.
The theme this year is "All Families
Matter." Both a main stage performance area
for entertainers, local dignitaries and speak
ers, as well as a KidsZone complete with
free activities and educational entertainment
for young children will be available. Vendor
space will-be available, too.
The 2011 event attracted over 6,000.
For sponsorship, vendor or other informa-
Copying Binding Notary Resumes
invitations Laminating Business
Cords Full Color Copies Rubber
Stamps Holy Union Announcements
much MORE!
Fast Friendly and Courteous Service
301 North Caswell Road
(Across f'om Mercy Hosc-tai. comer of 5tK St)
(704) 375-8349/FAX (704) 342-1066
tion, call 919-832-4484, email info@lgbtcen-
terofraleigh.com orvisitoutraleigh.org or
lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.
— LM.
Western
'Grease' it up for ALFA
HICKORY — ALFA will present its
"Grease" Not Your Mama's Bingo on March
10,8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.), at Jaycee
Development Center, 470 Hwy. 70 W.
Host Queenie Gabor and her BVDs (Bingo
Verifying Divas) bring their outrageous
costumes, songs, dances, fabulous prizes and
totally unconventional bingo games to the
lower Piedmont
Tickets are $20 and may be purchased in
advance at ALFA, 1120 Fairgrove Church Rd.,
828-332-1447, ext. 224 or Taste Full Beans, 29
2nd St, NW. Credit card purchases may be
taken online. Seating is limited. Early pur
chase is recommended.
For more information, visit alfainfo.org.
— LM.
Regional
Music fest slated
CDLLINS, Ga.—The Women's Music
Festival will be held April 20-22 at Roy's
Hideaway Campground, 268 Catfish Ln.
This three-day event will have Halcyon
as its headliner. Enjoy the great outdoors,
music, women and fun.
Tickets are $20. Camping fees are extra.
A gay man owns the camp and its sup
port mainly comes from men, but women are
always welcome.
Although no workshops are currently
planned, the promoters encourage those
who may wish to lead one to submit their
ideas. Additionally, vendor space is available.
Dorothy's Coral, a 4,0000 square foot
indoor club, is on the premises and will serve
as the venue for entertainment. Also on the
premises are a cafe, pool, hot tub, RV sites,
plus fishing ponds, kayaking and hiking trails.
For more information, email Dawn at
dphillip@pineland.net or call the camp
ground at 912-225-3900.
— LM.
We buy interesting & wortiiwUle
used books & Compact Discs.
Books Do Fumlsb A Room
1800 w Marknam Avenue • 286-1076
(Between 9fh & Broad) Durham
6 qn'otes March 3-16.2012