The interview is done..

I was interview about my hopes of starting this center, you can read it here..

Meeting plan for January 2010

A second Community meeting has be setup, At this meeting we will discuss our community concern and other items of interest.

Also will discuss the ideal of creating a Pride Event for Eastern NC.. Nothing too big, something on the lines of a community family cookout day in the Park, with music and games...

Please attend if you can and please pass this event along to all your LGBT friend and allies...

Date:	Saturday, January 16, 2010
Time:	3:05pm - 4:30pm
Location:	The Tipsy Teapot
Street:	409 S Evans St
City/Town:	Greenville, NC

This event is listed on Face Book, Click here to Visit it page.

RMT PFlag Meeting

Meeting:PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 10. For meeting details, call 443-0345, e-mail pflagrm@aol.com or visit pflag.org.

Community Meeting set with pride event planning

Type:	Meetings - Club/Group Meeting
Network:	Global

Date:	Saturday, January 16, 2010
Time:	3:05pm - 4:30pm
Location:	tba

Description

This is the second community meeting, in which I hope to build a local LGBT community group in the Eastern part of NC.

I hope the ECU LGBT student group and Pitt Community College group will get on board as well.

To work together in building a Local Community Center, however before this can happen we need to form a Local group.

Also at this meeting I hope their will be an interest in organizing and creating a Local Pride Event for 2010 in the area as well.

New Pride Meeting set in Greenville

Daniel A Orton is setting up a PittCC Pride those who are interested the meeting will be at the Tipsy Teapot, Thursday, October 15th from 5pm to 7pm!!

I wish him the best at this goal

Update 10/7


Daniel Orton has created a Facebook Event page for this meeting.. Click here to visit this page

PFlag Meeting to be held

Meeting: PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will meet at 6 p.m. Sept. 29. For information, call 443-0345 or e-mail pflagrm@aol.com.

Mitchell Gold to Talk About his Book Crisis in Nashville NC

Mitchell Gold, Author/Editor, CRISIS

speaks on “Growing Up Gay in America”

Monday, October 12 – 7 p.m.

Reception to follow

Nash Arts Center, 100 East Washington Street, Nashville, NC

About the Speaker

Mitchell Gold is a successful businessman and editor of the book CRISIS: 40 Stories Revealing The Personal, Social and ReligiousTrauma of Growing Up Gay in America.This discussion is especially meaningful for educators, social workers, church leaders, elected officials and parents.

In l989, Mitchell Gold and his business partner, Bob Williams, founded a furniture company in Taylorsville, North Carolina. Today, Gold and Williams head a nationally recognized business with over 750 employees and a 700,000 sq. ft. factory with a family-friendly work environment that includes an onsite not-for-profit daycare center. Gold plays a major role in the national dialogue on gay rights. In December 2005, he established Faith In America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating people about the harm caused by the religion-based bigotry and prejudice used to justify discrimination against gay people. Gold, who served on the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Campaign for seven years, has received numerous awards. His book, CRISIS, published in 2008, is transforming minds and hearts across America.

This public event is hosted by PFLAG Rocky Mount

For more information: pflagrm@aol.com or visit www.pflag.org,

www.Crisisbook.org, www.FaithInAmerica.com

Let’s embrace acceptance, tolerance, inclusion, and understanding!

A very Disappointing Day

Many should know why, if you are one of the few who don’t, email me to find out why.

 

Let’s embrace acceptance, tolerance, inclusion, and understanding! 

 

Letter: Same-sex marriage an equal rights issue

This is from the Reflector Greenville's Newspaper

Thursday, August 27, 2009

My concern on the same-sex marriage issue is the separation of church and state. Whether a religion allows or disallows same-sex marriage in the realm of its religious authority is appropriate. However, the states' laws, including those on marriage, should be based on the rights of and fairness to all citizens without consideration for any lawmaker's religious affiliation or beliefs.

To address a comment in the Aug. 3 Public Forum about the unfairness if same-sex marriage is legalized and the fact that common-law marriage is not recognized in North Carolina, that brings up a good point.

Cohabitating heterosexual couples who have not married are making that choice. Same-sex partners don't have that same choice.

It perplexes me that many people seem obsessed with the sex lives of others who they perceive to be homosexual. I say, “It's none of your business.” Gay people are not to be pitied, rescued or cured. Homosexuality is not a disease or a choice, and sexual orientation is not a so-called “lifestyle.” Simply put, sexual orientation (homosexual or heterosexual) is just one part of who we are.

Some people may be surprised to know that gay people live what most of us would consider normal lives. What's unfair is that many must vigilantly hide their private lives for fear of job loss, discrimination, being shunned or even being physically harmed.

For those who choose to be judgmental and to quote the Bible, the Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 Public Forum letters are well stated. Bravo.

Two consenting adults who love each other and who commit to a life together should have the right to a legal marriage with all the same benefits and responsibilities of that contract. Equal rights is indeed the issue.

ANN ECKERe_SFlbWinterville

Please goto this site and leave you comments..

Some Interesting Facts

While only 3 cities in North Carolina have passed resolutions in favor of same-sex marriage, County Commissioners in at least 15 counties and one town have passed resolutions in favor of a Marriage Protection Amendment that would prohibit same-sex marriage.

 

County Commissioners in the following counties have passed Resolutions calling for the General Assembly to approve legislation submitting a proposal to the qualified voters of the State for adoption of an Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution stating:  "Marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or enforceable in this State."

• Alexander
• Ashe
• Avery
• Craven
• Dare *new as of 4-6-09
• Davidson
• Davie *new as of 4-06-09
• Gaston
• Graham
• Madison
• Moore
• Pasquotank
• Rowan
• Transylvania
• Union *new as of 4-06-09

The following towns have passed the Resolution:

• Town of Cedar Point

This is very shocking to said the least.. We need to organizes LGBT groups in every County and City, and Town..

 

We must act, We must watch our City Councils and our County Commissioners Meeting. Once this type of Resolution get placed on their Agenda We must act, We must speak out, We must let our Community Know so we can Fight this .

 

Let’s embrace acceptance, tolerance, inclusion, and understanding! 

 

RMT- PFlag Meeting

There will be another Meeting of the Local PFlag Chapter of Rocky Mount on August the 28th starting at 10 am, it will be held at the Braswell Library in Rocky Mount.


Also Mitchell Gold will be in the area in October..

This is a Picture of the display at the Local Library, with pictures of the books that they have donated to the Library.

Marriage Equality comes to Durham

From Pam's Houseblend,

I am very proud of my hometown tonight after attending the Durham (NC) City Council meeting where a resolution supporting civil marriage equality for same-sex couples was passed unanimously. Mayor Bill Bell and council members affirmed marriage equality. While NC does not allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, it is heartening to have the support of the Bull City (our state legislature has also turned away, for the sixth time, a state marriage amendment).

This is one reason why we need to set a community center or start a community group, so we can work with Greenville City Council and County Commissioners Office, to help promote LGBT Equality with in Pitt County and all other Counties in the Eastern Part of NC, even in Rocky Mount, and Wilson.

Yes, this may not directly affect the State Law Denying us the right to Marry, but it does tell our Law Makers that we have support within our Cities.

PFlag Meeting

This Month’s meeting will be held at the Braswell Memorial Library in Rocky Mount, NC

Meeting is to start at 6pm

Let’s embrace acceptance, tolerance, inclusion, and understanding! 

Fan Page Created

I have created a Fan Page so we can keep in touch after our first meeting this month.. Please stop by and become a Fan..

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eastern-NC-LGBT-Community/142132576100?ref=mf

 

Let’s embrace acceptance, tolerance, inclusion, and understanding! 

 

Pflag Meeting Plan

Meeting: PFLAG Rocky Mount (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will meet at 6 p.m. Aug. 18. For information, call 443-0345 or e-mail pflagrm@aol.com.

Local Community Bar in Greenville

Click here to Visit their Site.

here is a map for those who might need help finding them.

View Larger Map

North Carolina Gay Realtor Directory

Greenville, North Carolina
 

Kevin Lee, Realtor, Broker RE / MAX Preferred Realty Your Gay Realtor proudly serving Greenville,  New Bern,  Wilson, Rocky Mount, Goldsboro, Kinston,  and the surrounding areas I was born and raised in Eastern North Carolina.  I have been in real estate in Greenville, NC since  1998. I have an extensive working knowledge of  our market place and successfully help buyers and  sellers on a daily basis. If you are looking for and  energetic agent dedicated to customer service,  you have come to the right place. Please contact  me today! -Greenville Pitt Association of Realtors  Board of Directors -Graduate of Star Power Universities for  Buyers and Sellers   252-327-9668

Contributing Writers Wanted

Yes, we are seeking LGBT writers/blogger for this community Blog, the only requirement is that you must live east of 95, in Eastern NC, and have a blogger account.

However if you like you can email me your writing and I will posted them for you..

Send inquiries to newlgbt@gmail.com or sickntired08@gmail.com

Hope to here from you soon..

Anti Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Appears Dead

Reporter: Heather King

A resolution against same-sex marriage appears dead in Pitt County.

Eight protesters showed up at the county commissioners meeting after one commissioner proposed the resolution last month.

During a public comment period, two people spoke out against the resolution, while two others spoke in favor.

Afterward commissioner David Hammond would not talk about his proposal, but several other commissioners told WITN they probably would not bring up the matter again.

Protesters are planning to take the controversial issue of same-sex marriage to the streets of Greenville Monday morning.

The Pitt County Board of Commissioners is considering a resolution to formally oppose same-sex marriage. In response, gay rights advocates are planning to protest Monday morning's Pitt County Commissioner's meeting. However, the protest will start on the streets of Greenville. Six or seven people stated a small protest at the corner of Red Banks Rd. and Greenville Blvd. early Monday morning. Organizers expected the crowd to be larger at the 9 a.m. commissioner's meeting.

Pitt County Commissioner David Harmond is proposing the resolution. "I just wanted to be one of the people to go on record to say, that I'm asking not only our board, but the other 99 counties to oppose it whole-heartedly. I think marriage should be between a man and a woman," said Hammond to WITN in a recent interview.

Joseph Dawson, a Pitt County resident opposed to the resolution says there are more important issues the elected leaders should focus on. "There are so many other issues our state is dealing with. With our economy and financially, we should put our focuses on things that matter right now. A resolution for or against same sex marriage isn't going to help anyone if they can't hold or keep a job," Dawson said.

Make sure you read the comments, very interesting, it show what type of people we are dealing with.

Rocky Mount Pflag Meeting

There will be a meet of the Rocky Mount PFlag group this July 21, at 7:00 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Building on Church Street. This is their first meeting at this location.

Here is the Address for those who might be interested in coming.

516 North Church St
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 985-2550


View Larger Map

Blog is now on Network Blog on Facebook

This blog is now on Network Blogs, Click here to visit and to follow..

Blog Name Change

NEW LGBT is now Eastern NC LGBT Community

Pitt County Board of Commissioners Protest for Gay Rights post 2

Click here to see Pictures of the Protest

See the Reflector report here

Monday, July 13, 2009

Gay rights activists protested the Monday morning meeting of the Pitt County Board of Commissioners in response to the board's recent discussions on same-sex marriage.

Protesters gathered in reaction to Commissioner David Hammond's recent proposal to send a resolution to the N.C. Association of County Commissioners that would oppose same-sex marriage in North Carolina.

Less than 10 people gathered at the corner of Greenville Boulevard and Red Banks Road at 7 a.m. Monday before moving to the county office for the 9 a.m. board meeting.

“I think today was just the beginning,” Randy Toler, one of the protest's organizers, said.

“We had a small group mainly because of timing of the meeting. I think today was a very good beginning, and I think we can do a lot of good.”

Several people on both sides of the issue spoke during the public comment section of the meeting.

Some were holding signs in opposition to same-sex marriage.

“Constitutions are not a way to divide,” Georgia Winfrey, who supports gay rights, said.

“Respect for diversity is what had made this country strong since the beginning.”

The commissioners have taken no action on the issue.

A community LGBT Meeting has been set up at the Tipsy Teapot on Evans st, to discuss to see if there is enough interest in starting a Community LGBT Center in the area. This meeting will take place August 29 at 2pm til 3pm. so come out and voice your opinion and lean your support for a LGBT and Youth Center in the area..

Protest in Pitt Co.

Randy Allen Toler sent a message to the members of Pitt County Board of Commissioners Protest for Gay Rights.

--------------------
Subject: Protest tomorrow morning...

Alright everyone! The moment is upon us!

Tomorrow morning we will give Pitt County a dose of reality. In events like this, you never really know what to expect. Keep a cool head and please remember that we are representing our community at large...

People will stare at us, because we dare to stand and be seen - let them. People will honk and give us the finger as they drive by, on the way to drop off their 4 year olds at the Christian daycare - let them.

Tomorrow is not about us; tomorrow is about equality. Tomorrow is about telling Greenville that we want to be able to make medical decisions if our life-partners are incapacitated. Tomorrow is about telling Greenville that we want the same rights to adopt children, as the crack-mom has to give birth to them. Tomorrow is not about us - tomorrow is about all of the pre-teens growing up in Pitt county who turn to self-destruction, rather than face a life of hatred and ignorance enforced by the very same Board of Commissioners that "serves" them.

So tonight as you're making signs, rainbow flags, and witty tee-shirts, remember the old song from the musical "Ragtime"....

"Go out and tell our story, let it echo far and wide. Make them hear you"


Faithfully yours,

Randy Toler

Pitt County Board of Commissioners Protest for Gay Rights

Pitt County Board of Commissioners Protest for Gay Rights

"We believe in separation of Church and State"

Host:	Randy Allen Toler
Type:	Causes - Protest
Network:	Global

Date:	Monday, July 13, 2009
Time:	9:00am - 11:00am
Location:	City Hall
City/Town:	Greenville, NC

Phone:	2523677125
Email:	rat0917@ecu.edu

Description

On Monday, June 29th 2009 at a meeting of the Pitt County Board of Commissioners, the Rev. David Hammond (District 1 - Greenville) urged fellow Board members to adopt a resolution opposing same-sex marriage. If passed, the issue could go to voters in November. Rev. Hammond has begun vigorously drumming up anti-LGBT support and it is our duty to show the other side of the "spectrum". I will be standing outside the next Commissioners Meeting with signs (silent protest) and I need some people to be there with me. It is at 9am on Monday, July 13th. Anyone who is free for the hour that morning is welcome to come take a stand with me...my last visibility protest (Prop. 8 protest on Greenville Blvd.) was very successful a few months ago and I think this is the best time to do it again!

SVPA finially pass and will be sign by the Governor..

The School Violence Prevention Act (SVPA) passed the House 58-57. It had previously been approved by the Senate.

The SVPA mandates that all local school districts in the state adopt strong anti-bullying policies by the end of this year. The policies are to include a list of enumerated categories outlining those students who are most at-risk and vulnerable to bullying; the list includes sexual orientation and gender-identity.

Click here to read more, on Qnotes

Cross Post of the Dallas Principles

NOTE this is a cross post, These are my views alone, They are not the same as Michael’s view..

Who are the founders of these Principles,
On May 15-17, 2009 in Dallas, Texas twenty-four thinkers, activists, and donors gathered to discuss the immediate need for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender people in the United States.  Collectively they prepared The Dallas Principles. Click here to see the list for yourself.

1. Juan Ahonen-Jover, Ph.D.  - Miami Beach, FL
2. Ken Ahonen-Jover - Miami Beach, FL
3. John Bare - San Franciso, CA
4. Jarrett Tomás Barrios - Boston, MA
5. Dana Beyer, MD - Montgomery County, MD
6. Jeffrey H. Campagna - New York, NY
7. Mandy Carter - Durham, NC
8. Michael Coe - Washington, DC
9. Jimmy Creech - Raliegh, NC
10. Allison Duncan - San Francisco, CA
11. Michael Guest - Washington, DC
12. Joanne Herman - Boston, MA
13. Donald Hitchcock - Washington, DC
14. Lane Hudson - Washington, DC
15. Charles Merrill - Palm Springs, CA
16. Dixon Osburn, Washington, DC
17. Lisa Polyak, Baltimore, MD
18. Barbra Casbar Siperstein, Edison, NJ
19. Pam Spaulding - Durham, NC
20. Andy Szekeres - Denver, CO
21. Lisa Turner, Virginia Beach, VA
22. Jon Winkleman, New York, NY
23. Paul Yandura - Washington, DC

So who is the 24th person,, this person isn’t listed on the site, MMM why? So what are these very so-called important Principle, one might ask they are below,
The following eight guiding principles underlie our call to action.  In order to achieve full civil rights now, we avow:

1. Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now.  Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable.
2. We will not leave any part of our community behind.
3. Separate is never equal.
4. Religious beliefs are not a basis upon which to affirm or deny civil rights.
5. The establishment and guardianship of full civil rights is a non-partisan issue.
6. Individual involvement and grassroots action are paramount to success and must be encouraged.
7. Success is measured by the civil rights we all achieve, not by words, access or money raised.
8. Those who seek our support are expected to commit to these principles.

FULL CIVIL RIGHTS GOALS
Being united by common principles and engaging in united action, we will achieve the following goals:

1. DIGNITY AND EQUALITY. Every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person has inherent dignity and worth, and has the right to live free of discrimination and harassment.
2. FAMILY.  Every LGBT person has the right to a family without legal barriers to immigration, civil marriage or raising children.
3. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.  Every LGBT person has the right to economic opportunity free from discrimination in employment, public housing, accommodation, public facilities, credit, and federally funded programs and activities.
4. EDUCATION. Every LGBT child and youth has the right to an education that is affirming, inclusive and free from bullying.
5. NATIONAL SECURITY.  Every LGBT person should have the opportunity to serve our country openly and equally in our military and foreign service.
6. CRIME.  Every LGBT person should enjoy life protected against bias crimes.
7. HEALTH CARE.  Every person should have access to affordable, high quality, and culturally competent health care without discrimination.

---

First off Health Care is not a real LGBT issue since over 40.6 millions of Americans don’t have health insurance.. Care is never the same at all, those whom can pay always get the best health care in this country. All Crimes are commit on some form of bias, the poor guy steal from the rich guy, is this a hate crime? Education is again not a LGBT concern, those who are Bully have the power to stop it, all they have to do is to Stand up to the Bullier. Once the Bullier see that he can no longer bully you they often will leave the person alone. If you have the strength to come out of the closet then you have the strength to stand up to protect yourself. We all have the same Economic Opportunity, we just have to apply ourselves to achieve those opportunities. No Family unit is perfect there for this one is null and void. National Security, this one is not a LGBT solely item, there are many who would love to serve their but are not allow to do so. Last but not least Dignity and Equality, Please we don’t even have these things within our own community, so how can we except the str8 to give us this things as well.
Let see what others are saying about The Dallas Principles,

NGBOLG, had this to say

Granted the "Dallas 24" have only been so for about two weeks, but when you have a bunch of self anointed demigods claiming to represent the LGBT community, establishing a set of principles and goals, and a cute little widget and logo they want you and me to add to our blogs for free, the skeptic in me says, not so fast, guys.
So far, all I've seen from this bunch is videos posted on YouTube and blogs on Huffington Post and Air America; which is okay, actually. They're getting the word out and that's a good thing.

Queer Equality Revolution had this to say,

The "idea" of full federal equality is great, BUT -
I believe we cannot "demand" anything and get what we want without wielding some kind of POWER, and the ONLY power we have is our tax dollars.

The OutQ News Blog had this to say,

There are critics of the effort– some grousing that the group was self-selected and provided no advance notice to or access by the media.
Others say the groups membership was dominated by politicos from big coastal cities, and still others express concern that the group did not have sufficient racial diversity.
But C. Dixon Osburn –one of the 24 activists— says the group was just a group of friends trying to inspire the gay movement.

Osburn: “We don’t want to be an organization. We don’t say that we speak for the movement. We see The Dallas Principles as an invitation the entire community to adopt them, to incorporate them into their personal lives, incorporate them into their volunteerism, and by doing so, hold accountable political and appointed leaders and organizations.”

For better or worst, this group might do some good, but I fear that more damage will be done then good. When you have a group of people who think they know what is best for our community with the community input first, things often go wrong, infighting starts.

CA Prop8 glass half full

Prop8 stands, and so does the 18,000 same-sex marriages, Half a victory..

Over at Pam's House Blend, There is this,

Oh boy, now the Obama administration will have to take its head out of the sand as the stakes have been raised by an outfit called the American Foundation for Equal Rights.

Two of the nation's top litigators who opposed each other in the Bush v. Gore election challenge in 2000 have joined forces to seek federal court intervention in California's gay marriage controversy.

Theodore B. Olson and David Boies have filed a U.S. District Court lawsuit on behalf of two gay men and two gay women, arguing that the California constitutional amendment eliminating the right of gay couples to marry violates the U.S. constitutional guarantee of equal protection and due process.

Now I have to wonder what would happen here in North Carolina???

The Decision on PROP 8 in CA

Wow the Time as come finally to find out one way or another.. Will our Communities in CA and across the US be ready for this Decision?

The California Supreme Court has announced that it will issue an opinion in three cases challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8 at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2009. (Strauss v. Horton, S168047; Tyler v. State of California, S168066; City and County of San Francisco v. Horton, S168078.) Tuesday at 10 a.m., the opinion will be available on the California Courts Web site at this link: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/.

Seminar Works

Info on an up coming event in Raleigh, NC

The LGBT Community Center of Raleigh
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 @ 7:00
Boylan Board Room
401 N. Boylan Avenue Raleigh, NC

Eddie Sartin will be speaking on the strategic plan for the LGBT Community Center of Raleigh, where they are currently in this plan and what the immediate future plans are over the next several months. The LGBT Community Center of Raleigh seeks to b an inclusive organization serving various LGBT organizations in Raleigh, the Triangle and Eastern North Carolina regions. In Addition the Center seeks to unite our community in a single voice to advance the rights of our community. Therefore, he will spend most of the time seeking feedback from those attending.

Please RSVP with Deana @ 919-844-7993

Gay Pol. hopes to Oust Virginia Foxx

Virginia Foxx,who claim that the death of Matthew Shepard was a Hoax, hope to stop the advance of the Federal Hate Crime bill named after Matthew Shepard. She made the remark while Mrs Judy Shepard, Matthew's mother was setting in the gallery listening to the debate.

Since that remark, Ms Foxx as apologies to Mrs. Shepard, but the damage has been done, to late to unring that bell.

Now a gay Pol hopes to oust Ms Foxx from her seat in the Senate.

Matt of Q-note has done a great time writing the piece Click here to Visit Q-notes, also see the post on PFLAG had to say to Ms Foxx, as well

Virginia Foxx

This Woman, Virginia Foxx need to be ashamed of herself for calling Matthew Shepard  death a hoax while discuss the the Matthew Shepard’s Hate Crime bill in the house. While Judy Shepard was in the gallery of the House.

This woman has brought shame to North Carolina. I can only hope in 2010 that someone will unseat her in the house.

Victory! NC Senate Passes Safe Schools Bill

5/7/2009 - Yesterday afternoon the North Carolina Senate passed S.B. 526, the School Violence Prevention Act, on the second of two votes. The bill now goes to the House for consideration. The Senate's action is a huge step towards making all students, including LGBT students, safer in their schools.

The bill would require school districts to adopt strong, research-based anti-bullying policies that have a definition of bullying that clearly protects students from bullying and harassment based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity, among other categories.

"The NC Senate made history, standing up for the safety of all students, and for the first time passing legislation that includes sexual orientation and gender identity," said Ian Palmquist, Executive Director. "Although the House has passed similar legislation in the past, we must all keep working hard to get this bill to the governor's desk, as passage is far from assured."

Equality NC is a leading member of Prevent School Violence NC, a coalition of organizations working together to pass this bill and make all students safer in schools.

"We couldn't have achieved this victory without our amazing coalition partners, our incredible staff, and our dedicated volunteers and activists across North Carolina," said Palmquist.

"10 Years" - Judy Shepard Calls for Hate Crime Law

2009 ENC Day of Action

Ms Pam Spaulding took these Video of the Equality NC Day of Action This past Tuesday in Raleigh.

16th Annual Walk for AIDS

Begins: Saturday, April 04, 2009 - 09:30am
Ends: 01:00pm
by The House of Mercy
Belmont, NC - Mercy Drive, Sisters of Mercy Campus Belmont, NC  28012 (map)

Participants are encouraged to raise donations in support of their walk. Check-in at 9:30am on the Sisters of Mercy campus in Belmont and enjoy percussion by the Belmont Steel Drum Band. Honorary Walk Chairperson Maureen O'Boyle, WBTV Anchor, will greet participants and speak at 10am. The 3-mile walk through historic downtown Belmont will be followed by a picnic reception on the House of Mercy grounds featuring the jazz, funk and soul sound of Audioform. Prizes will be awarded for Best Banner and Top Fundraisers. Join us to raise AIDS awareness and funds for House of Mercy!

The Bullying Blog

From Equality NC,

Yesterday was the Press Conference to introduce the School Violence Prevention Act (House Bill 548, Senate Bill 526). Our page has been updated with some videos of speakers at the event - you should check them out! In case you haven\'t yet heard, this bill gives enumerated categories that clearly define what bullying is and who can be targeted, and this includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

A coalition of groups from across NC have come together to form Prevent School Violence North Carolina, and we have launched a new blog just for stories from bullying victims themselves: http://preventschoolviolencenc.blogspot.com/

This blog will be updated daily with a new story or video from someone who has experienced or witness bullying. Share this blog and the stories with your friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers. Personal stories like these are important and effective in communicating the realities of bullying and in gaining support for the School Violence Prevention Act.

We so appreciate your continued support of Equality NC!

http://preventschoolviolencenc.blogspot.com/

Prevent School Violence North Carolina

Source: preventschoolviolenc...

The Date has been Set for the Next NC Pride

Mark you Calendar! NC Pride 2009 is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2009, 10am - 4pm at Duke East Campus, Durham, NC.

Detailed information about all events and schedules:

All Events | Pre-Pride Events | Pride Weekend | Conferences | Day Festival | Night Festival

Detailed information about the Day Festival:

Directions, Maps, & Parking | Stage Schedule | Conferences | Accessibility 

 

NC4Marriage Rally Counter Protest

Thanks to Sick, aka James for sharing these images and attending this event.

Crape Myrtle Festival

For those whom maybe interested. Not Really Local, but just maybe in the future a local LGBT member who live in area might like to host an event.

Saturday, March 28, 7 p.m.
Home of Beth & Roger Russell
1909 Lewis Circle
Raleigh, NC 27608
(Please park on Fairview Rd, not Lewis Circle)

Equality NC is now on Twitter!

Follow us so you'll be able to receive up-to-the-minute news on events, exclusive updates from the state legislative sessions, and action alerts.

http://twitter.com/equalitync

We'll see you there.

Twitter / equalitync

Source: twitter.com

Twitter is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time

Rocky Mount SVPA Meeting

Rocky Mount Pflag and Equality NC community workshop on SVPA (School Violence Prevention Act) was held tonight at the Edgecombe Community College in Rocky Mount. I must say that I have seen bigger events for stuff animals then one I attend tonight. Yes I shock by the lack of support from the community and also that there was no one from Africa-American Community or any other minority group present at this meeting.


Very small group, I would have to guess two members of the Pflag group, three from Equality NC, and there were 13 others. While the meeting only last about an hour I must say it was informative. While some of the stories that Ms Rebecca Mann touch on was very moving. She explains in detail the postcard campaign and it's objective. This is as follow, "We're collecting postcards filled out by NC residents to drop off at your Legislator's Office, Lawmakers do respond to seeing thier constituents supporting this bill?"


The Following is bill as supporter of this bill. Equality NC, Action for Children NC, ACLU-NC, Alliance of Disability Advocates, American Association of University Women of NC, The Arc of NC, Covenant with NC's Children, NAACP-NC Conference of Branches, National Association of Social Workers, State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior League of NC, NC Association of Educators, NC Council of Churches, NC Foster and Adoptive Parents' Association, NC Justice Center, NC National Organization for Women, NC Women Untied, Planned Parenthood of Central NC, El Pueblo, and Say So, Inc. If you need more info please contact Rebecca at Rebecca@equalitync.org or Seth at seth@equalitync.org for more information.


It was suggest that more need to happen on the home front, that this issue really need to start with the parents of the children. That when children are young they don't see color or race or sexuality, they only see another child.


The truth is that Hate starts at home; it either is taught or implies that it is ok. This is where it must start if not then we will ever have any type of equality.


I can only hope that there will be more LGBT Community Events in the Nash, Edgecombe area.

Upcoming Event - Pflag meeting @ Edgecombe College

Don't forget about this Event..

PFLAG Rocky Mount hosts Equality North Carolina for a community discussion on the School Violence Prevention Act
What

* Community Meeting
* Educational Program

When Feb 24, 2009
from 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm
Where Rocky Mount

Join the discussion on bullying and harassment in North Carolina's schools and find out what you can do to end it! This meeting, hosted by PFLAG Rocky Mount, will focus on the School Violence Prevention Act (also known as the "Anti-Bullying Bill") and on how a diverse coalition of organizations and individuals are working together to make sure all children are safe at school.

Equality NC's Community Organizer, Rebecca Mann, will get the ball rolling with a discussion on bullying and harassment in North Carolina's schools, including the School Violence Prevention Act's history and current status. Equality NC interns Greer Cook and Wes Nemenz will also be on hand to collect stories from participants about school bullying to present to state legislators.

File Folder

I have created a file folder where I will place files and documents of interest to the LGBT Community. If you have a file that you feel that is of interest you can send me the file and I will upload it to the folder for all to access it.

Event of Interest

Event: Equality NC Day of Action!
What: Rally
Host: Equality North Carolina
Start Time: Tuesday, March 24 at 9:00am
End Time: Tuesday, March 24 at 3:00pm
Where: North Carolina Museum of History

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=50397057439&aref=3939638

Marrriage

Marriage

Written by Phillip Rhodes
Wednesday, 11 June 2008

I hold that marriage is a purely private contractual arrangement between consenting adults. Further I hold that one of the (few) valid purposes of government is to enforce contracts. As such, I believe government should be involved in marriage only to the extent that government is involved in enforcing any other contract.


I accept no valid role for governments to regulate, sanction, certify or restrict marriage. I do not believe that consenting adults need permission from anyone, least of all the State government, to enter into contracts including marriage agreements.

I reject all calls for the State to restrict marriage to certain classes of residents, or to constrain the number, sex, religion, race, or any other characteristics of the participants in a marriage agreement. As an important corollary however, I also reject any authority on the part of the State to force any other individual or entity to accept the validity of someone else's marriage agreement. I also hold that the state should confer no special privileges, no impose any penalties, on anyone due to their martial status or lack thereof.

In short: gay marriage, straight marriage, monogamy, polygamy, whatever... the State simply has no business meddling in these affairs.

What is Marriage

Marriage is a social, spiritual, or legal union of individuals. 

Since Marriage is also a Social union, then Marriage should be for all.

Since NC will be in it's own battle for Marriage this Year, its time to Move Marriage for a Religious institution to a Social Institution, where Marriage is open to all.

However the Religious Right will not see it this way. That is there right, however I say this, if they still claim that they are defending traditional marriage, yet they aren't doing anything to lower the divorce rate, to stop those who get marry as a publicity stunt. So in fact all they want is to teach hate and intolerance.

The NC4Marriage wants to write hate and intolerance and discrimination into our state Constitution, so activist Judges can't over rule the state law on marriage. They are afraid of those Citizens of NC who have gotten marriage in other states where they can legally get marriage coming back to NC and try to force a judge to recognize their union.

While we know no matter what we will said, they will counter that with a lie or some claim that they need to protect the children.

I say this If we can not marry then they should not be allow to divorce at all, no matter what. Lets force them to take those vows to heart, or in this case to the death. The only way to end your marriage it to die...

From the Bigot Tami Fitzgerald,

I am writing to invite you to participate in one of the greatest opportunities but also one of the greatest challenges confronting families and churches in North Carolina. What is at stake? Your freedom to talk about and encourage the type of family life that God designed. Your freedom to teach your children the Biblical meaning of marriage.

Ok that would mean that men are the head of the house, that he can sell his daughter into slavery if he wishes. But we all know that those who use the bible to preach their hatred only choose bits and pieces of the bible. Also its a shame that they have their children to help win their bigotry. They claim what they are doing is in the name of God, and for the children, but in truth its for their own pretty selves

The use of Leviticus to judge and condemn anyone today is ludicrous and absurd in the light of the total content of the book. To call the content of the Book of Leviticus the "word of God" and try to enforce any part of it today is without support in the teachings of Jesus and in the letters of Paul.

Jesus in Mark 7:18-23 chided his disciples for their lack of spiritual understanding. Jesus and his disciples had been condemned by the religious leaders because they did not wash and eat according to the Law. Jesus said, "Are you too so uncomprehending? Don't you see that whatever goes into your mouth from the outside cannot defile you; because it does not go into your heart, but into your stomach, and is eliminated? (Thus Jesus declared all foods clean."). And Jesus added, "That which proceeds from within you, out of your heart, defiles you. Evil thoughts, abusive sex acts, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting, wickedness, deceit, not caring, envy, slander, arrogance and foolishness: all of these evil things proceed from within and defile you."

Paul also rejected the absolute commands of Leviticus in Colossians 2:8-23, where he said, "If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 'Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!' (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using) in accordance with human commandments and teachings? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against human indulgence." (2:20-23). Paul declared in 2:14 that Jesus has "canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us which was hostile to us; and Jesus has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."

If Paul had intended to condemn homosexuals as the worst of all sinners, he certainly had the language skills to do a clearer job of it than emerges from Romans 1:26-27. The fact is that Paul nowhere condemned or mentioned romantic love and sexual relations between people of the same sex who love each other. Paul never commented on sexual orientation. As in the rest of the Bible, Paul nowhere even hinted that Lesbians and Gay men can or should change their sexual orientation.

So let show these bigots by starting to protest out in front of theirs churches, boycott all their bake sales, dinner drives and yard sales.

Below is a short of those who we need to start protesting:

NC4Marriage Endorsers
Statewide and Policy Organizations:

• Christian Action League
• The Civitas Institute
• The North Carolina Association of Christian Schools
• The North Carolina Family Policy Council
• Return America

National Organizations:

• Concerned Women for America
• Family Research Council
• Family Research Council Action

Denominational Leaders:

• The Board of Directors of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
• The Council on Christian Life and Public Affairs of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
• The Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh
• The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Seminaries:

• Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Danny Aiken, President
• Southern Evangelical Seminary, Dr. Alex McFarland, President
• Daniel R. Heimbach, Professor of Christian Ethics,Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Individual Churches:

• Calvary Baptist Church—Winston-Salem, Pastor Steve Hardy, Missions Pastor
• Faith Free Will Baptist Church--Goldsboro, Dr. Dann Patrick, Senior Pastor
• First Baptist Church—Rocky Mount. Pastor Bill Grisham, Senior Pastor
• Lakeview Baptist Church--Hickory, Ben Rowe, Senior Pastor
• Solid Rock Ministry International—Raleigh, Bishop L. Foday Farrar, Senior Pastor

NC is Now in the Marriage Battle

Over at Pams and Matts blogs they have post

I knew it wouldn’t be long. North Carolina’s the only Southern state without an anti-gay, anti-family constitutional amendment on marriage. We’re a sitting duck; a big glaring hole in the religious right’s sea of hate and control… Just as in the image to the right, from the NC4Marriage website (PDF).

Those of us here in the newly Blue state of North Carolina knew all too well that when marriage amendments passed passed in California, Arizona and Florida that the fundies would start poking around to see where they could find fertile ground to stoke the fires of bigotry.

As the last state in the South without a marriage amendment, North Carolina is a prime target for rally the battle cry of anti-gay religious forces and scare a General Assembly full of legislators who don't want to discuss the issue. For five years the Dems have killed the bill in committee. If it were to make it to a floor vote it would pass because even many of the Dems haven't the spine to publicly oppose the amendment -- they were happy to see it die without debate. If the civil right of Tar Heel same-sex couples to marry were on the ballot it would likely pass.

North Carolina is the only state in the southern United States that has not protected marriage in its State Constitution, thus making us a target for same-sex "marriage." Without a provision in our State Constitution defining marriage as the union between only a man and a woman, any court in our State could redefine marriage by legalizing the union of same-sex couples.

We must protect marriage by convincing our legislators to pass a Marriage Protection Amendment bill that will allow the people of North Carolina to vote on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of only a man and a woman. But we need your help!

I have post an protest event on face book, It as a typo but for some reason I can change it, One of there network churches is have a huge event on 15 of this month, Yes I know its short notice but let show them that we will fight this in our own state as well. So visit and pass this event alone to everyone you know.Lets make this the first Protest against NC4Marriage http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?eid=49706839646

On Sunday February 15, the largest Marriage Renewal in the history of Eastern North Carolina will take place in Rocky Mount at Englewood Baptist Church. The congregation, relatives and friends will witness as 193 couples, representing a combined total of 4,407 years of marriage, renew their wedding vows.

Let show them that we entitle to have the same rights as every other American has.

Lets not forget to add this to our list of things to do

NC4Marriage plans to bus in thousands for that event on March 3. These folks are organized, well-funded and now that the national anti-gay organizations have time on their hands (since the Batphone to the White House has been disconnected), they will no doubt be able to outspend and outgun pro-LGBT forces here. It will be interesting to see what happens, since I know many people here organized and donated to help fight amendments in other states. Will it be left to Tar Heels to fight this one alone since we're not one of the Big Blue states? My hope is that I don't have to answer this question if we can get our Dems in the GA to kill this bill again.

Equality NC, speaker Rebecca Mann

This is who will be speaking at the focused on the School Violence Prevention Act at the Edgecombe community college. Lets make this event a memorable one. Lets so support for our LGBT Youths.

To Rebecca, women’s rights are just common sense, but an abortion rights debate in seventh grade taught her that not everyone agrees. “I’m still waiting for logic to win,” she says. A self-proclaimed habitual volunteer, Rebecca is the state president of NOW and a member of North Carolina Women United and the Guilford Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, in addition to her paying job as a community organizer for Equality North Carolina, which works to foster equal respect. Her short-term goals include working to elect quality officials, helping pass legislation that respects the rights of all people, achieving pay equity and increasing access to childcare and health care. Sounds daunting, but educating ourselves and others is a big step in the right direction. “I certainly don’t think you have to be a woman to be a feminist; you just have to be pushing for women’s rights, for human rights.”

If  you need more info, email Rebecca by clicking here.

Thanks to

Thanks Sick n Tired for post about the upcoming Anti-Bully event that will be held in Rocky Mount, this upcoming month on the 24th.

Hope to see many from our community there.

Rocky Mount PFlag info

Chapter Name:PFLAG Rocky Mount
Mailing Address:P.O. Box 4024
City: Rocky Mount
State: NC
Zip: 27803
Phone Number: (252) 210-2433
E-mail: pflagrm@aol.com
External URL:

Rocky Mount PFlag to host "Anti-Bullying Bill"

Please join Equality North Carolina and PFLAG Rocky Mount on Tuesday, February 24th at 7pm in the auditorium of Edgecombe Community College (225 Tarboro Street in Rocky Mount) for a meeting focused on the School Violence Prevention Act (also known as the "Anti-Bullying Bill") and on how a diverse coalition of organizations and individuals are working together to make sure all children are safe at school.

Equality NC's Community Organizer, Rebecca Mann, will get the ball rolling with a discussion on bullying and harassment in North Carolina's schools, including action steps for what you can do to end it! Equality NC interns Greer Cook and Wes Nemenz will also be on hand to collect stories from participants about school bullying to present to state legislators.

Please plan to be with us for this special presentation in Rocky Mount, and RSVP to let us know that you'll be there!

Could Prop. 8 happen here?

This just in from Ian Palmquist,

Could Prop. 8 happen here?

It's day one of the legislative session and already Rep. Paul Stam spoke on the floor of the House of the need to pass an anti-LGBT, anti-marriage state constitutional amendment.

Please take a moment to let your legislators know you oppose this bill and ask them to fight it every step of the way.
http://eqfed.org/campaign/amendment09

Since the passage of California's Prop. 8 and similar measures in every other southern state, the right wing has literally drawn a target on North Carolina.

Equality NC's success at stopping this amendment the past five years has been noticed, and the right is organizing like never before.

Please, take action now. Click this link to send a message to your legislators:
http://eqfed.org/campaign/amendment09

With your help, we can make sure North Carolina never has a Prop. 8 experience.

For Equality,
Ian

---

Here the your elected bigot that is trying to pass this amendment.

here is his info, also he was a facebook account

Office:	613 Legislative Office Building
Phone:	919-733-2962
Email:	Paul.Stam@ncleg.net
Legislative Mailing Address:	NC House of Representatives 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 613 Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
Terms in House:	5 (0 in Senate)
District:	37
Counties Represented:	Wake
Occupation:	Attorney
Address:	P. O. Box 1600, Apex, NC 27502
Phone:	919-362-8873
Military Experience:	US Marine Corps, 1968-70
Personal Website:	N/A
No Gifts List*:	Yes

So if you feel the need to voice your opinion please do so, but please be courteous and polite. Since we know that Lawyers are nothing more then a sub-human class.

Also if you like to help fight this please visit, NC Equality site for more info.

Lets work together to fight this before this pass here in North Carolina.

DOMA Protest

DOMA Protest

Marriage should be every American's Right!

Event Info

Host:	Angie and Nykole
Type:	Causes - Protest
Network:	Global

Time and Place

Date:	Saturday, January 10, 2009
Time:	1:30pm - 4:30pm
Location:	The grass in front of Chili's
Street:	Corner of Evans and Greenville Blvd
City/Town:	Greenville, NC
	View Map Google MapQuest Microsoft Yahoo

Contact Info

Phone:	2527466338
Email:	girlmarine21@aol.com

Description

DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act), is unconstitutional and states that marriage is only between one woman and one man. That clearly leaves the GLBT community on the sidelines. President-elect Obama addressed equality in a letter on his website.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/alexokrent/gGggJS

We are organizing a peaceful Protest inconjunction with the National Protest, just like we did for Prop 8. We didn't have the turn out we would have hoped for in November, but now is the time to stand up for equality in this nation.

Out Impact Friday

Our first confirmed date of 2009 is Jan. 23, 2009 for Out Impact Friday, and will be at The Soapbox in Wilmington, NC!

Confirmed bands:

ilyAIMY (duo from Baltimore, MD - ilyAIMY.com)

Someone’s Sister
(trio from Greenville, NC - someonessister.com)

Andy Moore (from Richmond, VA - http://www.andymooremusic.com/)

Special bellydancing and drumming performance by Katilyn between sets!

Age: 18+

Door:
$5.00 to get in, partial proceeds will benefit American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation’s Marcia Polimer Abrams Fund for Canine Behavior Studies.

**First 100 attendees will receive a special VIP gift bag!**


All financial sponsorship contributions for this showcase, 10% goes to American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation’s Marcia Polimer Abrams Fund for Canine Behavior Studies. We are still accepting sponsorships!

**To become a sponsor, e-mail us at sales@outimpact.com with how you can be involved!**

For more details: http://www.outimpact.com/events
http://www.outimpact.com

Event Info

Host:	Out Impact
Type:	Music/Arts - Concert
Network:	Global

Time and Place

Start Time:	Friday, January 23, 2009 at 9:00pm
End Time:	Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 1:00am
Location:	Soapbox
Street:	255 N. Front St
City/Town:	Wilmington, NC
	View Map Google MapQuest Microsoft Yahoo

Contact Info

Phone:	9105384309
Email:	bambi.weavil@outimpact.com