• Pride Month ♦jBijij n ti j n = =t«« to ^ noted . notable . noteworthy GLBT issues l/iC Hi I I IL 3 Hi The Kometi Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure Raleigh-Durham • June 8 New Diversity Patch for New England scouts a new Q-Notes column for Transgender issues: by Angela Brightfeather CHRISTOPHER ■ COLE LadyFest South — Southern Belles Raisin’Hell! 31 Q-POLL online: www.q-notes.com When did you know you were L/G/B/T? . 5-10 years old . 11-19 years old . 20-39 years old . 40 + years old __mi VOLUME 17 . ISSUE 2 SINCE 198« WWW. ^-NOTTES.COiif June e.2002 11 A Duke diploma of a different color: lavender Celebration and ceremony honors LGBT student contributions on Duke campus by Kerry John Poynter The Duke University Center for LGBT Life and the Program in the Study of Sexualities held its sixth annual “Lavender Graduation 2002” on Duke’s West Campus. Lavender Graduation is a part of Com mencement Weekend and a cultural celebration recognizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and their allies of all races and ethnic backgrounds — acknowledging their contributions and achievements while at the university. The event included a keynote address from Duke alumna Nikki G. Appel, the presentation of certificates for students who have completed the “Program for the Study of Sexualities” and a recognition ceremony for all graduating students signed up for the event. All graduates received rainbow tassels. There were three “Most Outstanding Ally” award recipients: Emil Avanes, Bianca Briola and Pam Brown. The “Most Distinguished Activist” award was given to Tom Lavenir and Sara- Jaine Raines Appel, the keynote speaker, is a TVinity College graduate of the class of 1991 and a 1993 graduate of the Duke Law School. She is a vice president and assistant general counsel at J.P. Morgan Chase 8f Co. Prior to joining that firm, Appel was an associate at Frankfurt, Garbus, Klein & Selz, PC, an entertainment and media group, as well as Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, an internationally recognized corporate firm. She also was a summer intern at the ACLU Lesbian & Gay Rights Project. While at Duke, Appel was a member of DGLA. At Duke Law she was a founding member and executive editor of “Duke journal of Gender Law and Policy” as well as the co-chair of OutLaw. She also served on the LGBT Task Force at Duke. A North Carolina native, Appel lives in NYC’s West Village with her partner Melinda Daniels. Ms. Appel's Keynote Address: page 8 South Carolina Pride — a river ran through us Libertarian nominee, US House Districts - challenging Rep. Sue Myrick 19 Charleston Freedom Party Weekend: July 5-7 2 # Rainbow banners paraded down Main Street in Columbia, SC ... it rained, but it was our day to shine by Leah 0. Sepsenwol The rain added even more meaning to the South Carolina Pride Rally: endurance. A drought-ending downpour Divined in our honor — especially for us — keepers of Rainbows. Rainbows are born of rain. We were born of rainbows, it all fit. The colors were deep and blazing against the gray weather-darkened sky, and reflected in the rain-washed roads. The parade, and the rally program proceeded. Despite drenched locks and drooped socks the floats floated and poncho-draped people■. waded through it all, undeterred, determined, making a statement, taking a stand, and standing out. The paraders and floats and fabric banners each in a rainbow color carried together marched courageously down see RIVER on 16 Out to show you a good time: Atlanta is proud of Pride Atlanta welcomes you! Since the mid-1980s, Atlanta has seen a tremendous amount of growth. As the city has grown, so has the city’s lesbian and gay community, becoming more visible and politically active. In November 2001, Atlanta citizens elected Cathy Woolard president of the Atlanta City Council. Elected just four years earlier to the City Council, she was the first openly gay person in Georgia to serve in public office. Today, other lesbians and gay men are serving as elected leaders in the state, including a lesbian member of the .Georgia House representing a metro Atlanta district. Gays have led gentrification efforts in several of the city’s neighborhoods for the past 30 years by opening distinctive businesses and refurbishing historic homes. These neighborhoods, each possessing their own personality, distinguish Atlanta from other see ATLANTA on 21 •’L-. i; I