The year 2024 was eventful, to say the least. Here’s our sample of some of the outstanding headlines. For more details, visit our website to read full stories.
Covid Hospitalization in Charlotte at a Three-Year High
During the week of Dec. 30, 2023, there was an average of 124 daily COVID-19 hospitalizations in Mecklenburg County, next to a related average of 741 already hospitalized, according to data taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the point this story was reported in mid-January, this was the highest daily average of intakes since Oct. 10, 2020, where the first week of 2023 saw the next highest number already being cared for in hospitals around the county.
LGBTQ+ Population in America Grows by Over Two Million
As reported in January 2024, according to a study conducted by the Williams Institute at the University of California (UCLA), the LGBTQ+ population in the United States experienced an unprecedented increase of over two million people, with no sign of that growth slowing. As of the study’s release date, it was found that 13.9 million American adults (5.5 percent of the adult population) identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. The same study was conducted four years earlier in 2020, placing the population percentage at 4.3, and the population represented at 11.3 million. The study revealed that a majority of LGBTQ+ citizens live in the South, equating to almost 40 percent (five million) of the United States’ queer population. Of the rest of the population per the statistics, over 24 percent (3.4 million) of LGBTQ+ Americans live to the West, while 21.1 percent (2.9 million) live among the Midwest region, and 18.5 percent (2.6 million) live to the Northeast.
HB8 Forces Adult Entertainment Websites to Block Access or Require Picture IDs for State’s Residents
As reported in January 2024, the North Carolina Chamber passed new legislation requiring proof of age to access adult entertainment websites. Notable names in the industry like Pornhub and XHamster either blocked North Carolinians’ access to their domains, or began to require photo IDs, as per the policy then in place. These sites, and many others, now require visitors to verify their ages, all in an attempt to prevent children and youth under 18 from accessing the content.
Originally, House Bill 8 was to be utilized to add computer science classes to North Carolina’s high school graduation requirements, and internet porn was nowhere to be found in the initial draft. An organization known as “Vigilante Truth,” which says its primary objective is to fight sex trafficking, confirmed their support for the bill because they believe porn encourages violence against women.
The section pertaining to pornography, the Pornography Age Verification Enforcement Act (PAVE), went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Critics of PAVE have called the addition’s strict demand for personal identification a slippery slope, especially when it comes to an individual’s right to privacy. In a video statement given at the time by spokesperson Sheree Deville, which can be found when attempting to enter Pornhub or other sites choosing to block access in North Carolina, she announced that, “Until a real solution is offered, [Pornhub and other networked sites] have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in North Carolina.”
The Advocate Calls NC #2 in List of Ten States With the Worst Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws
Added as part of a list put together by The Advocate, North Carolina had secured a place as one of the “10 States That Passed the Worst Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws in 2023.” Coming in as the second worst state in the country for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation passed in 2023, North Carolina only fell behind Florida on the list.
“North Carolina, which had made progress on LGBTQ+ rights since its 2016 “bathroom bill” that led to widespread outrage, took a big step backward in 2023,” the story on the Advocate website says. “In August, legislators overrode Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of three anti-LGBTQ+ bills.”
Kim Petras Makes Musical History as First Trans Artist to Win a Grammy
In February, transgender German pop star Kim Petras made history appearing in the Jennifer Lopez Amazon original film “This Is Me Now: A Love Story.” Around that same time, Petras was celebrating the first anniversary of her Grammy win as the first ever transgender female artist to capture the coveted award. In the best pop/duo category, she won for “Unholy,” a collaboration with Sam Smith.
“‘Unholy’ was a song that was so about me and Sam,” Petras told Pink News. “Our identities and stuff like that, and I think so many people just really tried to tear that down.” After Petras and Smith’s Grammy performance of “Unholy,” the two were met with a wave of backlash from critics. Despite the unpleasant criticism, Petras and Smith were still graced with support from musical icons like Madonna.
Amber Glenn Becomes First Queer Woman to Win US Figure Skating Nationals
In a groundbreaking moment for the world of figure skating, Amber Glenn made history by becoming the first LGBTQ+ woman to claim victory in the U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Championship. As reported in QNotes in February, the event showcased a performance that not only demonstrated Glenn’s exceptional skill on the ice but also marked a significant step forward for inclusivity and representation in the sport.
“Being the first openly queer women’s champion is incredible,” Glenn said following her set. “When I came out originally, I was terrified and I was scared it would affect my scores or something, but I didn’t care. It was worth it to see, over the last couple of years, the amount of young people that feel more comfortable in their environments at the rink.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Visits Charlotte, Announces Airport to Get $27M for Improvement Projects
On Feb. 16, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made an appearance at Charlotte Douglas International Airport to announce a grant the international hub would be getting. The event was the kick-off for a nationwide tour with the Biden Administration highlighting the almost $1 billion in grants being given out, with the funds going to 114 airports across 44 states and three territories, including Charlotte Douglas.
“It includes a lot of what you might call ’front of house’ improvements, things you see and feel when you get ready to fly,” Buttigieg told reporters at the preview of the announcement. “No matter what brings you to this airport, so much depends on the airport being able to meet your needs.”
South Carolina School Board Sends ‘Banned Books’ Back to Libraries
In a stand-off during March between the school board of Beaufort County and a slew of demanding parents, nearly 100 books were debated on, with the majority being returned to shelves. According to School Board Vice Chair Dick Geier, self-declared “activists” began threatening librarians and board members, calling them molesters, pedophiles and groomers. “We’ve had a parent come in and tell a librarian that, ‘You are violating a state statute by providing pornography to a minor. I’m going to the sheriff. I’m going to have you arrested,’ and storm out,” Geier recalled. “Now that’s not happened once, that’s happened multiple times at multiple schools.”
Of the books targeted by conservative parents, the majority were young adult novels with minority, gay, lesbian or transgender characters and were predominantly in high schools. Four titles are a part of the school system’s curriculum, according to the school board.
Most of the books pushed to be eliminated from the school libraries were reportedly submitted from the website booklooks.org, which groups like the ultra-conservative political organization Moms for Liberty use to their own ends, condemning practically any piece of literature dealing with LGBTQ rights, race and ethnicity, critical race theory or discrimination.
Of the books put up for debate, five have been removed until further notice: Amy Reed’s “Beautiful,” B.T. Godfried’s “Forever for a Year,” Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends with Us,” Jodi Picoult’s “19 Minutes” and Jesse Andrews’ “The Haters.”
Huntersville Native Renee Rapp Wins GLAAD Media Award
Singing sensation and Huntersville native Renée Rapp was recognized for her musical talents at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards last March, coming away from the night with the Outstanding Artist award. Rapp, who identifies as a lesbian, has elevated through a plethora of creative ventures, including her role as Regina George in the Broadway show ‘Mean Girls The Musical’ and for her role as Leighton Murray on Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls.”
“I feel very lucky to be recognized among these artists and creatives that I admire,” Rapp said during her remarks that evening. “I really love my identity, and I feel lucky that we have spaces and organizations like GLAAD that recognize us for our talent and for, of course, how hot we are — yes, the hottest people are gay, no one is surprised.”
Nearly 30 Percent of Gen Z Adults Identify as LGBTQ+
Along with the ever-increasing population of the LGBTQ+ community in the United States, a report published in QNotes during April and titled, “A political and cultural glimpse into America’s future.” Detailed in the piece published by PRRI, a nonprofit that conducts research on religion, values and public policy, nearly a third, or 28 percent, of Gen Z adults in the United States identify as LGBTQ+, a stark increase from older generations.
About 6,000 people were surveyed for the report, the control group ranging in age from ages 13 to 65 and older. PRRI overwhelmingly sampled Gen Z adults and teens for their findings.
The results of the report revealed that seven percent of Baby Boomers and 16 percent of millennials identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or “something else.” Among adults aged 18 to 25, (Gen Z) 72 percent said they identified as straight, five percent as gay or lesbian and eight percent as “something else.”
Is Drag Performer off the Hook for $100k Haul From Campus Pride?
Since the beginning of 2024, when an anonymous envelope showed up at the front desk of White Rabbit Books (which shares a space with QNotes) filled to the brim with formerly confidential documents about Campus Pride (CP), QNotes continues to make it a priority to investigate the curious case of the organization’s former CEO, Shane Windmeyer, aka the drag queen Buff Faye. What once was regarded as practically a national institution with a 20-year history of support for LGBTQ+ youth by providing guidance for students seeking welcoming environments on campuses across the country, now sits collecting dust. It is hard not to pin the failure of the organization on Windmeyer, who confessed to CP’s board that he misappropriated sizable amounts of the organization’s funding for his own personal use. His confession led to a mutually agreed upon partial pay-back plan of $100,000 to CP. Despite the community outrage that followed, Windmeyer’s drag persona Buff Faye has managed to find her way back into the drag scene in Charlotte and Rock Hill venues like Dilworth Neighborhood Grille and Kounter. No word on the future of Campus Pride.
United Methodist Church Lifts Ban on LGBTQ+ Clergy, Same-Sex Marriage
For the United Methodist Church (UMC), 2024 will be remembered as a particularly historic year. On May 1, the UMC lifted its previously held ban on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage, reflecting broader societal shifts and internal debates in the church. The decision came after years of contentious debate, and the evolution of attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights in religious institutions
Libertarians Choose Gay Man for Presidential Candidate
When looking for a figure whose agenda lined up with the Libertarian Party platform, both Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. didn’t seem to fit the right tone. Reported by QNotes in June, Chase Oliver, 38, a gay man out of Atlanta and a virtually unknown figure even to the press of the bustling southern city, filled that bill. Prior to the 2024 election, Oliver had been a Democratic party member and a supporter of Barack Obama during his original run, having only parted ways for the Libertarian Party in 2010. Though Oliver was an interesting newer figure for the 2024 race, especially with his status as an openly gay candidate backed by a recognized party, the Libertarian Party managed to grasp just one percent of the vote for the election year.
New Data Finds 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ People Choose Not to Report Discrimination at Work
A new report that came out mid-June had found 44 percent of LGBTQ+ workers have had to quit their job because of discrimination and lack of acceptance. EduBirdie, an essay writing website, surveyed 2000 people who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community about their experiences with discrimination and to determine if there is actual equality in today’s workplace.
The results of the survey had found almost half of LGBTQ+ workers feel their company is bad at raising awareness of their struggles. Moreover, sexual orientation or gender identity still hinder career advancement: 44 percent of LGBTQ+ workers have quit a job because of discrimination or a lack of acceptance and 45 percent have been passed up for promotions and one in five individuals choose not to report incidents that occur at work.
Governor Cooper Hosts Pride Month Reception Honoring LGBTQ+ Pioneers
For his final Pride Month as Governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper hosted a reception at the Executive Mansion in June to honor LGBTQ+ pioneers who have been at the forefront of the fight for equal rights for decades. The governor was joined by legislators, representatives from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and other LGBTQ+ activists.
“In North Carolina, our diversity is our strength,” said Governor Cooper. “Our LGTBQ+ community makes our state stronger, and in this Pride month we lift up the early pioneers who have for decades led the charge for acceptance and equality. In the face of hateful rhetoric, legislation and even violence, we must all continue their efforts.”
Joe Davis, Co-Founder of Hearts Beat as One, Dies Unexpectedly
In a shocking turn of events during July, one of Charlotte’s well-known LGBTQ+ figures had their life cut short. Joe Davis, born Warren Joseph Davis III, passed away while vacationing in Provincetown, Massachusetts, at the age of 49, reportedly due to natural causes. While many remember him fondly as a kind soul and a community ally, his greatest legacy was the co-founding of the Hearts Beat as One Foundation, which is now known as Hearts United for Good (HUG).
The legacy that Davis helped start continues to this day with HUG. Many of the activities that HB1 kicked off, from helping the homeless and those living in tents around Mecklenburg County, to helping animals in need in the community, continues to this day.
Who Is JD Vance?
If there ever was a question that needed an answer before inauguration day 2025, it is finding out who America will be dealing with at Donald Trump’s side. From his initial position as a “never Trump” Republican to a full-on MAGA loyalist, we have seen quite a bit of JD Vance, the first millennial Vice President-elect of the United States.
Here’s what we know: In his time as an Ohio Senator, Vance put forth legislation for criminalizing and banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth, as well as getting rid of affirmative action policies at the country’s universities. He has also put forth support for a 15-week abortion ban with exceptions for rape, incest and threats to the mother’s life. On the subject of children, Vance has voiced disapproval for anyone who doesn’t have kids, implying those that do deserve more voting power. Beyond the seeming smokescreen of where the Ohio senator doesn’t completely fit in with the MAGA base is his interfaith marriage with his Hindu-practicing long-time wife, Usha Vance. While there is still much we don’t know, we can likely count on learning more when he takes the second-highest seat in America.
Paris Olympics Receive Right-Wing Backlash Over Drag-Infused Opening Ceremonies
At this summer’s Olympic games in France, Christian conservatives showed proof that it is vital to get outside of one’s own bubble. In their outrage over comparing Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” to the games’ opening, critics missed the crucial cultural differences between the classic work of art and the Greek roots of mythology recreated by members of the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race France.
“[Last Supper was] not my inspiration and that should be pretty obvious,” said Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony during a press conference reported in early August. “There’s Dionysus arriving on a table. Why is he there? First and foremost because he is the god of celebration in Greek mythology and the tableau is called ‘Festivity.’ He is also the god of wine, which is also one of the jewels of France, and the father of Séquana, the goddess of the river Seine … The idea was to depict a big pagan celebration, linked to the gods of Olympus, and thus the Olympics.”
Charlotte’s Bar 316 Closes Doors
Concluding nearly a decade of controversy that included claims of racial discrimination against customers of color, purported misuse of COVID funding for small businesses, multiple citations for violations during the COVID pandemic, verbal abuse of drag performers and a pickup at the club that resulted in the death of a patron, Bar 316 ended its chapter in Charlotte’s history, closing its doors in late August. While one might think any of the above reasons would be how the problematic venue met its end, the real reason is mundane: They didn’t bother to pay their rent.
Eliazar Posada Named Executive Director of Equality NC
After serving in an interim role since the former director Kendra Johnson left Equality NC (ENC) in 2023, the organization officially announced in August that Eliazar Posada would take over as the permanent executive director. Posada has worked with Equality NC since May 2022 as its organizing director, and he still serves as a council member for the city of Carrboro. “As we embark on this new chapter in our 45th year of proudly serving North Carolina, we are confident that under Eliazar’s leadership, Equality NC will continue to thrive and make significant strides in defending and advancing the rights of queer and trans people across our state,” the organization announced in an official statement.
Revisiting the History of Scorpio
In October 2023 Scorpio closed its doors at the Freedom Drive location it had called home since 1974. In June of this year, the historic club announced it would be reopening in the South End district, joining together with the RSVP club purchased by the owners of the Scorpio name. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s Historic Preservation Society pondered designating the site for its significance in the city and the LGBTQ+ community. Property owners, however, who reportedly announced previously the land and building were to be purchased by Elevation Church, pulled a fast one and demolished the structure in late August and early September. According to all reports, business is brisk for the new location off South Boulevard at 225 Fairwood Avenue.
CMS Pushes to Add Gender Protection Policy
As of the full vote on Oct. 22, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board successfully updated its policies to include more definitive language protecting students from harassment based on gender identity and expression; and sexual orientation. The previous policy, updated last in 2016 stated the “Board of Education forbids harassment of any student by employees based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability.” CMS’s policy committee voted unanimously to add the additional protection classifications, as well as highlighting “discrimination” alongside harassment in their continuing efforts to safeguard students and employees in its schools.
Help After Hurricane Helene Impacts Many in the LGBTQ+ Community
On the evening of Sept. 27, Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina as a tropical storm, dumping more than 15 inches of rain. Meteorologists described it as a catastrophic, once-in 1,000 year storm. Homes and businesses were destroyed and damaged beyond repair, some literally washed away. Approximately 50 lives were lost in Buncombe County (home to Asheville) and other surrounding counties and many individuals remain unaccounted for. In October and November, QNotes reported at length the following month of October about efforts from Charlotte and Asheville area residents who were impacted by the storm and others who continue to work towards rebuilding, including West Asheville’s venue The Odd, which survived the storm, and was among the first LGBTQ+ businesses to offer help to the surrounding community. Charlotte resident Scott Lindsley and his partner Joey Hewell helped out in the impacted regions by using their non-profit Good Company to gather supplies to haul westward and determine what other goods locals were in need of. Charlotte residents Scott Lindsley and Joey Hewell helped out in the impacted regions by using their non-profit Good Company to gather supplies to haul westward and determine what other goods locals were in need of. In follow up stories, QNotes reported on the Charlotte LGBT+ Chamber’s efforts, as well as other non-profits who continue to help with recovery.
Jennifer Ruppe Departs Guilford Green Foundation
As reported by QNotes in November, The Guilford Green Foundation and LGBTQ Center (GGF) bid farewell to Jennifer Ruppe, the former Executive Director of the organization. As for her future, Ruppe is going on to serve as the next president and CEO of North Carolina for Community and Justice (NCCJ).
In the wake of her departure from GGF, Ruppe leaves behind an impressive list of accomplishments during the time she spent there. The organization saw a doubling of their annual revenue stream, allowing them the opportunity to utilize the funding increase to provide more for the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
New Group Trans United CLT Kicks Off With Name Change Clinic
While still a relatively new organization in Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ community, Trans United CLT (TUCLT) hit the ground running after forming in mid-July with both inclusive events and well-needed initiatives. Profiled by QNotes in December, the group’s website declares TUCLT is “Charlotte’s only non-profit exclusively for the transgender community, run only by members of the transgender community.” The organization hosted a Name Change Clinic on Oct. 27, in partnership with Tabbris, Charlotte Gaymers Network (CGN), the Pauli Murray LGBTQ BAR Association and Cadawaller Wickersham Taft LLP. Additional events and programming are slated for the future.
LGBTQ+ Crisis Hotlines Spike After Trump Captures White House
Following the results of the 2024 election, and continuing today, the Rainbow Youth Project, a national LGBTQ+ crisis help center, which typically receives slightly under 3,700 calls a month, surpasses that number by currently unknown numbers. At the center of the calls, prompting the understandable panic, are many of the policies revealed in the months before the election and those covered in Project 2025, written by the extremist right-wing organization Heritage Foundation. Many remain fearful its contents will be enacted with the start of the second Trump presidency.
Will Trump Bar Trans Military Members Again?
According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), reports emerged in November that Donald Trump plans to issue an Executive Order that would reinstate and expand upon his first administration’s ban on transgender military service members. In a story carried by QNotes in December, the United States military continues to fall short of its recruitment targets, the discriminatory ban, as reported, could terminate the employment of an estimated 15,000 people, deeming them “unfit to serve”– despite the fact that they meet every qualification. The United States military is the largest employer of transgender people in the country.
Hearts United For Good Named QNotes 2024 Organization of the Year
For 2024’s Organization of the year, QNotes announced its excitement by celebrating the work of Hearts United For Good (HUG) for its annual selection. HUG has had a very busy year of work in the Charlotte community along with areas beyond the city’s borders. Two major programs HUG has managed this year are the Homeless Outreach and the Animal Welfare programs. The successes of the first allowed many of the homeless population in the Charlotte area to receive over 2,300 snack bags and over 1,000 canned or covered meals. For other daily needs, HUG gave out over 150 pairs of shoes or work boots, as well as more than 300 hygiene kits and sleeping materials, such as blankets and sleeping bags.
Kasey King, Beloved and Once Frequent Performer on the Charlotte Drag Scene, Dies at 68
Legacy drag artist Kasey King passed away in late November at the age of 68. A native of Landis, N.C., she grew up in China Grove before moving to Charlotte, where she made her home in the Dilworth neighborhood. The performer made a name for herself in the Charlotte drag and female impersonation scene throughout the later decades of the 20th century becoming a regular performer at such clubs as Oleens and Scorpio, while also making occasional guest appearances throughout the southeast in LGBTQ clubs of the day. Drag performer and friend Brittany Gwynne had these words to share: “She was one of the first ladies of color to grace the Scorpio stage, and she succeeded like no other.”
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