Q-Notes ▼ May 12, 2001 T PAGE 9
Billie Rose remembered with laughter, tears and heartfelt song
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by Lainey Millen
Q-Notes Staff
lor those lucky enough to have had the rare
pleasure of knowing her, she was reckoned a cham
pion in many rights. But, most recently, she was a
warrior in her three and a half-year battle with
cancer, which all too quickly took her life, but
not her legacy. ■
A native Charlottean, Billie Stickle Rose was a
driving force throughout her 52-year life. She was
vivacious, extided bountiful energy and was not
one to accept “no” easily. She was relentless in her
causes, be they womens issues or those centered
around civil liberties. She took the forefront in
politics, running for a spot on the Charlotte City
Council in the 1970s. Rose was invariably in
volved in many arenas (both politically and so
cially) that often proved unpopular in mainstream
society Early on, she was one of the most active
members of the local chapter of the National Or
ganization for Women.
She served as a security guard at Queens Col
lege in the 1980s. Despite her small stature, stu
dents who knew her always felt safe — protected
not by her size, but by her grit.
Rose will be remembered even more for her
contributions to theGLBT community. In 1981,
along with long-time activist Don King, she was
instrumental in bringing Charlotte its first-ever
Gay/Lesbian Political Caucus. This group was
comprised of individuals who were ready to go
head-to-head with anyone who opposed the rights
of GLBT people. The group spoke to many orga
nizations and endorsed various political candidates
over the years. The pair also launched Queen City
Quordinators {Q-Notes was originally its news
letter for reporting local events, as well as com
munity initiatives.) and the Metrolina Commu
nity Service Project, which engaged in fundraising
for the Gay & Lesbian Switchboard of Charlotte,
the Gay/Lesbian Political Caucus and other com
munity groups. Rose and King also opened a
GLBT bookstore and gift shop on East Boule
vard called Friends of Dorothy.
An avid bowler for the better part of her life.
Rose was also involved in the early years of Queen
City Rollers. She was the president for five years
and served as a delegate to the regional league.
One of her biggest investments was her tre
mendous involvement in One Voice Chorus,
where she served in various capacities including
fund raising, ticket sales and, most recently, as a
performer.
But these were only small portions of her
gentle, yet, giant spirit. She was previously mar
ried for 10 years and not self-identified as lesbian
until age 31. She and her life-partner were fea
tured in a multi-part series on GLBT lifestyle in
the Charlotte Observer both in word and pictori-
ally in in the early 80s, challenging the conserva
tive Charlotte landscape. Her short sojourn within
GLBT culture was generous and filled with pas
sion. Her sense of volunteerism ran so deep that
she was recently awarded the Don King Com
munity Service Award, as well as the One Voice
Chorus Service Award.
She was a staunch animal lover, often rescuing
and finding homes for each one of them. Mostly,
she possessed a persistent determination to do
things right, and to do the right things.
On Saturday, April 28, over 70 friends, family
and admirers joined Samis Rose, her life partner
of 22 years and with whom she shared a jewelry
making business, in remembering her with song
and soul. In a moving, though often humorous
commemoration, those who were present spoke
honestly and respectfully of the person who had
touched a community’s heart. Held at.Park Road
Park in Charlotte, the gathering began with a short
time of mingling and mixing, of leafing through
the many albums that featured photographs of
“the two Roses,” along with scenes from an over
seas trip and clippings from several newspapers
depicting their lives together. Friends brought
flowers, photos and other personal mementos to
add to the day’s remembrance. In late afternoon,
a program interlaced meaningful music with
memories of friends and family. One Voice Cho
rus presented two of Billie’s favorite songs — Soon
in theMorninghy David Maddux and Ubi Caritas
by Maurice Durufle — as a tribute to her count
less hours of service to the organization. Those
who loved her spoke of her life and shared stories
of her passion. As a final tribute to her, Samis
played Gabriel’s while those gathered to re
member Billie, joined hands in a circle and lis
tened to the soft, yet moving song. At the end
everyone — hands still joined — lifted their arms
upward as a jubilant shout crescendoed.
The shared memories stirred chords of rec
ognition:
"My parents and I were sick and Billie called to
see what she could do. You know she was a vegetar
ian, but she came and cooked meat for us. While she
was here someone else came and brought food. When
/ asked how he knew about the situation, I was told
that Billie called and said there was a “food emer
gency" and friends brought over food to sustain us.
She was always reaching out. ”
— Sandra Bailey
“When I learned that her master
craftswomanship had brought out her business
acumen...is it any wonder I hired her at my btcsi-
ness? Within a few weeks, she was explaining to me
the ins and outs of the company and how things
needed to be improved. ”
— Rick Haffner
“She was the first woman at Dignity. During
hostile moments while representing the Caucus, she
would command an opportunity for clarity. She had
great strength. ”
— Don King
“She was a right-on lesbian. ”
— Concetta Caliendo
“I was herfirst gay male pet. She was closer than
a sister and wiser than a parent. ”
— Jerry Brett
“She had a positive impact on the GLBT com
munity. She had an uncanny wisdom on where to
go and what to do. ”
— Mike
“Billy taught me many things. Perhaps the most
important was not to settle for less than I wanted. If
it was not cooked right, send it back... If it was not
the diagnosis you wanted, live life, take risks and
take trips anyway. Live all the time. And never, never
accept second best. ”
— John Quillen
Bette Midler might have had her in mind
when she sang, “Just remember, in the winter,
far beneath the bitter snow, lies the seed that,
with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes the
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