Black H/£
Month
north
& south
Carolina
Q-Notes
JUNE 86
JUNEOl ■
OUT IN THE PAST • see page 3
1992
• Casino Night shut down
• Gays, police have sit down
• SC Go\/s Medicaid cuts struck down
VOLUME . ISSUE 19
SINCE 198«
"We aneall bed
tnpetherina
Miglajorment
cfo0tUTg, boiotd
together uum
tnexofkible
netuvth e^muhe-
bhtg. Whatever
affectfiime'&ectly
affecU lu!
‘‘The Prayer of Jabez” author _
is opposed to gays 3
Exclusive Q-Notes Irtterview 04
Abigail Live! at Velocity 2-15 ^ *
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FEBRUARY 2.2002
Traveling photographic exhibit
by blackaids.org
TVventy years ago this year, the US
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention reported the first cases of
what we know now as AIDS. In the two
decades since, a staggering 155,000
Black lives have been lost to the disease.
African American AIDS Policy and
Training Institute launched the “Heroes
in the Struggle” — a photographic tribute
to twenty African Americans who have
made outstanding contributions to the
fight against HIV/AIDS. The honorees
reflect the diverse commitment by
African Americans: Celebrities, athletes,
politicians, doctors, people living with
HIV/AIDS and community advocates.
The exhibit will travel to Black muse
ums, historically Black colleges and uni
versities around the country.
“Heroes in the Struggle”was designed to:
• Embed the idea HIV/AIDS is an issue in
Blabk communities.
• Show the great contributions of Black
people in combatting HIV/AIDS, and
thereby help reduce the stigma.
• Challenge all African American institu
tions and individuals to get involved;
• Generate discussions in Black communi
ties about HIV testing and treatment;
• Provide critical support for HIV preven
tion efforts
Blacks are dying globally from AIDS; the
statistics are staggering. Help now.
Honored heroes fighting AIDS
Paris Barclay
producer and
Emmy Award winning
television and film
director who’s credits
include NYPD Blue,
The West Wing and
ER who has not only
confronted HIV/AIDS in
his work but also donated
his talents through fundraising and activism;
He is Honorary Chair of Project Angel Food
in Los, Angeles California, which has deliv
ered almost 3 million meals to people living
with HIV/AIDS.
Archbishop Cart Bean
... founder of Minority
AIDS Project in Los Angeles,
California and the Unity
Fellowship Church move
ment.
George
Bellinger, Jr.
... New York
City-based AIDS
activist who has
led efforts to
provide services for and advocate on the
behalf of gay men of colon
Mary J. Blige
... R&B singer
and songwriter who
has used her celebri
ty to raise millions of
dollars for AIDS
organizations.
Hydeia Broadbent
... a i6-year-old AIDS
activist who tested posi
tive for HIV at age 3. She
tours the US speaking to
African American church
es about the epidemic.
as mayor of San
Francisco and speaker of
the California
assembly, has
shown model lead
ership in fighting
HIV/AIDS.
Mayor
Willie
Brown,^
Jr.
Dr. Helene Gayle
... Director of US;
Centers for Disease
Control’s HIV/STD/TB
bureau has pushed the
government in targeting i
black communities for prevention and treat
ment initiatives.
see HEROES on 10
Vermont sends out valentines all year long
By Clifford Klein & Kelly Last
Ed. Note: The fofovv^.Tg is a canpilation of a
QNales Letter to the Editor" as weil as tDateria!
taken from ihecouple's 'ihrmont Union ceremony.
Happy Valentines Day!
I read with great interest your article in
QrNotes’ January 19,2002 issue, “Isn’t mar
riage suppose to be happy and gay?”.
I fully agree with you
— it is time for soci-
■ ety to let us share
some of their “wed-
^ ded bliss.”
My lover and I
went to Vermont on
November 5, 2001 and
were legally united in
civil union in
Bennington,
Vermont.
“We have gath-
erecj together to
celebrate with
these tivo people
the civil union in which they are now to be
united. Such a union is a natural relationship
recognized by mankind from time immemo
rial, and consecrated by the people in all
ages who bought its beauty to flower. It Is
not to be entered upon unadvisedly or light
ly, but with deliberation and reverence. ”
Before I get too far along here, I want to
say perhaps we hit it lucky with the great
reception of most people we met there.
“Cliff will you have this man to be your part
ner, to live together in the estate of union?
Will you love him, comfort him, honor and
keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking
all others, so long as you both shall live?”
When we approached the Town Clerk of
Vermont, we were treated with the utmost
respect. And I honestly hadn’t expected
anything less, but it was certainly more than
we had anticipated. We were treated like
any other couple applying for a “marriage”
license. It bothered me a little when a cou
ple of workers in the office did kind of a dou
ble take. But the smiles did flow from their
faces.
We filled out our application, provided
proof of North Carolina residency. Since we
had out drivers licenses, we didn’t need the
birth certificates we also brought.
sroVERMONTo/r t/