SINCE
1986
^The Carolina^ Most ConHOi^ensive Gay €t Lesl:^an Newspap^
www.q-notes.com
800 Quilt
panels in
Charlotte and
ACT-UP protests
in Raleigh
See page 3
for more Out
of the Past
coverage.
Published Every Two Weeks On Recycled Paper • Volume 16 . Number 14 • November 24, 2001 • Free
Davtd Sedans review. pg 19
partners sdli get yeur denatioiKP
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i H-10 Poll results; M 27
Charlie Daniels’ brand of bigotry not
welcome in Wilmington
by Bo Dean
October 27 was to be a day of honor and cele
bration for a hometown talent who has become
legend. Wilmington would honor Charlie
Daniels with a star on its Walk of Fame. -
Instead, twenty-seven silent, sign-bearing pro
testers flanked the Wilmington Walk of Fame
Ceremony honoring the famed singer-song-
writer and Wilmington native.
The protesters held signs demanding tolerance,
acceptance and an end to the divisive, denigrat
ing bigotry espoused by Daniels both in the
local newspaper and on his web site.
The protesters were black and white, conserva
tive and liberal gay men, lesbians and non-gays
standing steadfast in their aim to “educate —in
a peaceful and loving way— a man who used
his celebrity to lay blame for the 9-11 attack at
the feet of gays and other'groups that fall short
of his new-found fundamentalism.”
Lxxials organized the protest after a concerned
citizen contacted LGBT Wilmington news an
online news group, about Daniels’ statement in
the Wilmington newspaper, the Oyster. Daniels
said the September 11 attacks resulted from
Americans having “...shaken our fists in God's
face for far too long. We have ignored His laws,
belittled His son, taken His name in vain until
it's almost a national slang word. We have
allowed radical groups like the ACLU to all but
remove the name and reverence for God from
American society. We have murdered untold
millions of unborn children and tolerated an
immoral president in the name of a good econ
omy. We have proclaimed that
homosexuality is just another
lifestyle when the Bible clear
ly states that it is an abomina
tion to God.”
This statement was later veri
fied on Daniel’s own web site.
His comments appalled many
Wilmingtonians — Daniels
was being tributed beside
such honorable notables as
Althea Gibson and David Brinkley in the
Wilmington Walk of Fame.
“It is inappropriate for someone who speaks in
this bigoted way to be honored by the
Wilmington Walk of Fame,” said protester John
Laughter. “This is not a person who exemplifies
the best Wilmington has to offer.”
Protesters on Wilmington Walk of Famo Shame
Another member of the protest group said, “ ...
it [was] ironic Mr. Daniels professed patriotism
while clearly stating this country was corrupt
and immoral enough to warrant God’s wrath. To
me that is not patriotism nor is it congruent with
the God that I am familiar with.”
. see WILMINGTON page 06
Salvation Army in full retreat — rescinds partner benefits
by Wayne Besen ed a new policy that stripped regional divisions Dispense Red Kettle justice—
give a message, not money.
Tell all your friends
WASHINGTON —The Salvation Army
rescinded its decision to extend health benefits
to the domestic partners of its employees in a
regional division. The turnabout resulted from a
pressure campaign by anti-gay organizations,
forcing the Army to back away fi-om what only
a few weeks ago, they called “a decision made
on the basis of moral and ethical reasoning.”
“We are dismayed that the Salvation Army's
national leaders stepped back in time and
usurped the strong leadership of a local division
to include and support all families,” said HRC
Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. “We urge
the organization to return to basing its policies
on ‘moral and ethical reasoning’ instead of what
appeases anti-gay political pressure groups. If
this decision stands, the Salvation Army will
have unambiguously identified itself as an anti
gay organization.”
The Salvation Army's national leadership, led
by Commissioner Lawrence R. Moretz, institut
ed a new policy that stripped regional divisions
of the authority to make decisions on expanding
health benefits.
The new directive rescinded the group's Nov. 1
decision allowing its Western Corporation to
provide health benefits to the domestic partners
of its employees.
“The Commissioners’ Conference established a
national policy to extend health benefit access to
an employee's spouse and dependent children
only," Moretz said in the statement. “I assure
you, again, that the Salvation Army has not
changed its position on marriage and the family,
homosexuality or other position statements, nor
have we changed any of our basic doctrines or
moral positions. In rescinding the policy and
establishing a national policy on health care
benefit access to spouses and dependent chil
dren only, we must stand united in the battle that
will undoubtedly follow from those who would
now challenge our biblical and traditional posi
tion.” Moretz said.
Nancy Ceballos, president of the Cabarrus
Connection, suggested this brilliant idea in
response to the Salvation Army.
Create copies of the following message and
drop one in each Salvation Army kettle:
ACTION: RED KETTLE JUSTICE
This could have been cash, but
instead it is a note protesting
your denial of partner health
benefits to lesbian, gay, bisex
ual and transgender families.
This donation wouid have been:
$
Chiistmas—just like file Good Ol’ Days
Good or Days restaurant cele
brates Christmas in its purest
sense; sharing and caring for the
children. For the fifth year. Good
or Days restaurant in the
Arboretum Shopping Center will
open its doors on Christmas Day to
feed and fete orphaned, homeless,
disadvantaged children — making
sure each of them enjoys Christmas
dinner and Christmas joy
The children —some of whom
have never been to a restaurant—
will receive gifts from Santa, Mrs. Claus and
the elves who will just happen to be on hand
for all the festivities. The Good 01' Days
Christmas crew also hand delivers gifts and
dinners to children in area hospitals.
Last year. Good Ol’ Days served over 3,000
Christmas meals. They are planning to reach
even more children this year.
The Good Ol’ Days staff volunteers their time
coordinating the effort. They depend on the
community who always responds enthusiasti
cally — serving as cooks, wait staff, and
cleanup crew. Volunteer chauffeurs pick up
?.vv.wIIw.v1va'I
guests. Of course, everyone
has a great time interacting
with the children.
These are kids who otherwise
would not have Christmas. For
many of them, this is the first
time they have really celebrat
ed the' holiday. The looks on
the childrens’' faces mirror
those on volunteer faces — it
is impossible to decide who
gets the most out of the shar
ing. What is apparent, is that
Christmas and love abound.
The need has grown. You are needed. Good
or Days has started to collect for Christmas:
• New Clothes: ages Infant -18* New Toys:
ages Infant - 18 • Batteries • Wrapping Paper,
Scotch Tape • Gifts do not have to be wrapped
• If wrapped: mark target-age on gift.T
You can wrap, rap and pitch in—here’s how:
Drop off donations /Volunteer information:
Good Ol' Days Restaurant
3351 Pineville/Matthews Rd
Arboretum Shopping Center
Call the Christmas Line: 704-517-9911
Time Out Youth gets
the word up and out
Charlotte’s gay youth support group. Time Out
Youth is hoping billboards placed around the
city will encourage closeted, frightened,
harassed LGBT teens and young adults to reach
out for support.
The message to the rest of the city: we are out,
we are proud, we are who we are, we are here,
vital and vocal.
We are proud of your courage, your determina
tion, your example and each of you.
Billboard sites: www.timeoutyouth.org