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Carolines, nation, world.
compiled by Lainey Milien | Matt Comer
Charlotte
Amendment One and the law
presentation slated
CHARLOTTE — On Aug. 1, Connie Vetter,
an attorney and member of the North Carolina
State Bar and Mecklenburg County Bar, will
present "Amendment One, DOMA, and Gay
Law 101; Everything you should and need
to know" at the LGBT Community Center of
Charlotte, 2508 N. Davidson, at 6:30 p.m.
Vetter will share what impact Amendment
One has had and how the state's law affects
LGBT individuals and couples, in addition to
ways to protect oneself. Also, with the June
26 repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act 3
discussion will ensue to go over the signifi
cance of the Supreme Court decision both on
the national and state levels.
With a focus primarily on the needs of
LGBT individuals, as well as couples, Vetter
is an experienced mediator. She previously
has served on the boards of the Center, NC
GALA Institute for Equal Rights, North Carolina
Gay & Lesbian Attorneys, Mecklenburg
Gay & Lesbian Political Action Committee,
Equality NC, Time Out Youth and OutCharlotte.
In 2004 she was appointed to the Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee
by the Charlotte City Council.
Vetter has received numerous awards and
honors throughout her career. Her passion for
educating people on legal issues continues as
she shares her expertise with the community
and beyond,
info: gaycharlotte.com,
— LM
LGBT endorsers prepare for campaigns
CHARLOTTE — Community members
with the Mecklenburg LGBT Political Action
Committee (MeckPAC) are preparing for this
year's local election season. As campaign
filing got underway at the beginning of July,
the group announced a significant expansion
in their endorsement process.
MeckPAC, founded in 1998, has long
endorsed in Charlotte Council and Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Schools races. Forthe firsttime
this year, they will also review mayoral can
didates in Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville,
Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville.
"Our steering committee knows there are
LGBT citizens and MeckPAC supporters in
these towns and we want to provide an easy
way for them to evaluate the LGBT inclusive
ness of those running for office there," the
group said in a release. "If successful, we
foresee a time when we can expand our
reach to also include the town councils and
commissions."
The highest-profile local race this year
will be that for Charlotte's mayor. Announced
candidates include; Patrick Cannon, James
Mitchell and Edwin Peacock.
The filing period for this year's local elec
tions opened July 5 for candidates running
for Charlotte City Council, the Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Board of Education and the
town commissions and mayoral offices of
Mecklenburg County suburbs. Filing ended on
July 19.
The group says it will send candidate
questionnaires to all who file for the elected
offices on the ballot this year. The deadline for
candidate responses is July 26.
Read a longer version of this story at
goqnotes.com/23857/ and stay tuned to quotes
for more news as this year's local election
season progresses.
— M.C.
Pride Band forms marching contingent
CHARLOTTE^The Charlotte Pride Band
has announced it is forming their new Charlotte
Pride Marching Band. The news comes justin
time for this year's Charlotte Pride, which will
include the first local Pride parade in Charlotte
since NC Pride visited in 1994.
"Charlotte Pride is commemorating the
first Pride parade in 19 years with a marching
band," the group said. "Not just any oT band,
though — one that's composed primarily of
LGBT musicians of all ability levels who want
to have a fun, visible (and audible) celebra
tion of Pride."
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Pageant sees first lesbian contestant
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Miss South Carolina 2013 pageant, a part of the Miss American
Organization, has "come out" literallythis year with its first openly lesbian contestant in the
system's history.
Analouisa Valencia, a 20-year-old from Spartanburg and titled as Miss Lyman, decided
that it was time to be open about her sexual orientation during the pageant's run this season.
Hiding who she was, Valencia said, made her
less comfortable and confident competing for
last year's Miss South Carolina.
"Coming out this year in the pageant world
has made me become a lot more confident
and comfortable with who I am and inspired so
many people to make their dreams come true,
no matter who you are or where you come
from," she said.
Her mission was to inspire people and,
make things better for everyone.
"I wasn't going to compete this year, but
God put me on a mission and I accepted fully.
I promised I would do my best to inspire and
make change happen for LGBT, minorities,
underprivileged and special needs [people],"
Valencia continued.
The trailblazer's Facebook post stated that
she did not make it into the finals and felt she
inspired others.
As far as her knowing about her sexual
orientation, she said she knew most of
her life. "I loved Barbie. I thought she was
incredibly beautiful. As time progressed and i
female classmates."
When asked aboutwhetherornotthe fallout of her disclosure had come with a price,
considering that pageant systems are quite political, she said, "It hasn't come with a price
that I can tell. All I have received is positive feedback, encouraging words, prayers and
endless support. That has made me so humble." She added that the other contestants wel
comed her with open arms, even though she feared they would not.
In Canada, a transgender contestant, Jenna Talackova, competed in the Miss Universe
Canada in 2012. She had originally been disqualified from the event, but with pressure
mounting from activist organizations and the community, she was allowed to compete. She
placed in the top 12 and tied for Miss Congeniality.
Inspired by her, Valencia said she looked up to her for taking a stance and that
Talackova was proud of herself and exhibited strength during the process. "I have had to
have all those qualities, as well," she commented when asked if she thought she'd have
similar challenges.
Her Talent presentation was a vocal rendition of "Footprints in the Sand" by Leona Lewis.
She told The Associated Press that she "became interested in pageants in 2000, when
she joined a mentoring program for young girls called Palmetto Princesses and met Miss
Spartanburg. The tiara got her hooked. She has been competing ever since."
Her platform centers around Special Olympics. She said she was a fan and that she had
worked with it since she was eight and began coaching when she was 14.
Valencia is biracial and bilingual. Her father is of Hispanic decent and her mother is
African-American. She has two brothers. A former gymnast, she crossed over to singing
when an injury sidelined her career.
— LM
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6 qnotes July 19-Aug. 1.2013