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 ^ *1111111 soil give to both 4 *111111 not give to either £■ ^ * Give to Sahraflon Army I * Give to United Way—eyclnde I donaflons to Boy Scouts " * Give to United Way wiflioot f direeOngdonaOon 1 iheQ-Pon is online at wwwji-noteacom 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

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