H I STORY M A K ;E R S
Into the pages of history
Carolinians leaving their mark on
the region and nation
by Matt Comer . Q-Notes staff
One of the most difficult challenges fac
ing the LGBT community is the disconnect
that arises from our inability to pass down
our history and honor from those who’ve
come before us. Because our history is
ignored by society, many of our legendary
leaders get lost in the mix. Q-Notes is taking
the time this Pride Month to profile LGBT
and straight ally North and South
Carolinians who have made a difference in
our two states and the nation.
From politicians to authors, activists to
bloggers and community leaders to philan
thropists, the Carohnas have played a greater
role in LGBT history, leadership and commu
nity than many might realize.
The following list is nowhere near exhaus
tive; many worthy individuals have been left
out due to space constraints. We apologize in
advance for the omissions, but rest assured
that our thanks and gratitude are extended to
all of the visionaries from the Carolinas who
have advanced the LGBT movement.
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Julia Boseman (Wilmington, NC),
politician
Julia Boseman is North Carolina’s first and
only openly gay or lesbian member of the
North Carolina General Assembly. Sen.
Boseman was elected to her second term in
office in the 2006 elections and faces re-elec
tion this year. Her ability to reach across the
dividing lines of both party and sexual orien
tation gave her the honor of being named one
of the most effective freshman legislators ever
in the N.C. Senate.
Mandy Carter (Durham, NC), activist
A lifelong activist for the rights and liber
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ties of all people, Mandy Carter is most
famous for her work in founding SONG
(Southerners on New Ground) in 1993, as well
as her work with the (unfortunately unsuc
cessful) campaign to unseat Sen. Jesse Helms
in the early 1990s. SONG’s mission is to help
build allies across the South, bridging the gaps
between various races, cultures, genders and
sexual identities. Carter was a founding mem
ber of NC Pride PAC, now known as Equality
North Carolina. In recent years she was nomi
nated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
see Carolinians on 18
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14 JUNE 28.2008‘Q-NOTES