NORTH CAROLINA
Arrington at robpray7@bellsouth.net or call
him at Unity Fellowship Church at
704-567-5007.
MCC to hold vigil and viewing
WINSTON-SALEM — On Aug. 12 at 11
a.m., MCC of Winston-Salem, 4105 Patsey Dr.,
will host an all-day prayer vigil for those
whose lives have been touched by HIV/AIDS.
On display will be a Quilt panel from the
Names Project that represents local residents.
That evening at 9 p.m., a candlelight
prayer service of remembrance and hope for
those who lost their fight with HIV/AIDS will
be held.
During special services on Aug. 13, both at
11 a.m. and 6 p.m., a commemoration of
those affected with HIV/AIDS will take place.
This will be the official start date for the for
mation of the HIV/AIDS Support Group of
MCC-Winston-Salem.
For more information, call 336-784-8009.
Center to hold film festival
CHARLOTTE — On Aug. 5, The Lesbian
and Gay Community Center, 1401-B
Central Ave., will hold a mini-LGBT film
festival as a prelude to the upcoming
PRIDE Charlotte festivities. They will show
a gay classic and a new release — a double
feature of campy fun.
“Imagine Me 8c You” will be shown at 5
p.m. This is a 2006 comedy about a girl who
falls in love with an unexpected guest (a
woman) on her wedding day.
A camp classic, “Mommie Dearest,” will be
shown at 7 p.m. This version will feature
humorous commentary by John Waters as well
as a featurette about making the film.
Snacks and beverages will be provided by
The Center. A donation of $2 per film is
requested.
On another note, the Center is looking for
some talented, dedicated and creative people
to join its Board of Trustees. Board members
provide leadership, set strategic direction,
develop donor relationships and serve on
committees. For those who share a passion to
build a stronger, visible, and effective LGBT
community in Charlotte, contact the Center
for more information about how one can help
turn that passion into a new reality at
704-333-0144 or email
executivedirector@gaycharlotte.com.
AIDS drug program strengthened
RALEIGH — The recent passage of the
state budget included a provision that will
double the eligibility level for the AIDS Drug
Assistance Program (ADAP), allowing this
state program to provide more low-income
North Carolinians with life-saving HIV/AIDS
medicines.
North Carolina previously had the worst
eligibility level of any U.S. state or territory.
Only those citizens who earned less than
$12,250 per year could qualify for state
assistance in purchasing treatments that can
cost from $12,000 to $20,000 a year. This
left low-income, HIV-positive North
Carolinians in an untenable situation, forced
to choose between food, rent and the medi
cine they need to stay healthy. A provision in
the budget increases eligibility to $24,500
brings the state closer to the national stan
dard. North Carolina is one of the most
highly affected states by the disease — with
over 14,000 total cases, more than all but 12
states and Washington D.C. — yet it has
lagged behind in the effort to fund research
and medicine.
ENC worked closely with legislators and
other advocates, including the North Carolina
AIDS Action Network, to secure this impor
tant victory.
Legislators who fought for this change
included Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford),
Rep. Thomas Wright (D-New Hanover), Sen.
Larry Shaw (D-Cumberland) and Sen. Bill
Purcell (D-Scotland).
Chorus to hold auditions
DURHAM — The Triangle Gay Men’s
Chorus (TGMC), who will begin its 2006-
2007 season in August, has issued an invita
tion to interested male singers of all vocal
parts, to join them for open auditions each
Tuesday evening in August, beginning at
6:30 p.m.
The last date for new members to join the
fall season will be Aug. 29.
Auditions do not require prepared selec
tions and are for vocal placement only. No
prior choral experience is necessary.
Auditions and chorus rehearsals are held
at the Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St.
Now in its 11th year, TGMC has
peformed in venues from San Jose, Calif., to
Montreal, Quebec, as well as all over North
Carolina.
The first appearance for the upcoming sea
son will be a concert during North Carolina
Pride Weekend 2006.
Formed in January 1995, TGMC is a mem
ber of the Gay and Lesbian Association of
Choruses (GALA).
For more information, go to www.
tgmchorus.org or email info@tgmchorus.org.
Southern forum held
DURHAM — The first Southern regional
Social Forum for peace and justice activists
was held in Durham June 16-18. The gather
ing brought together workers, immigrants,
Katrina survivors, youth, women and LGBT
people from throughout the Southeastern U.S,
according to a June 20 report in Workers
World.
The Forum, which took place at North
Carolina Central University, brought together
many leading grassroots organizations.
On June 18 a panel discussed the opportu
nities and tasks presented by the upcoming
U.S. Social Forum to be held in Atlanta in
2007.
For more information, go to
www.ussocialforum.org. I
info: Announce your community event in NC News Notes,
email: editor@q-notes.com or fax 704-531-1361.
JULY 29.2006 ‘Q-NOTES 9