QnotesCarolinas

06/19/2026

Pride Month is in full swing, and Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ community has plenty happening this weekend.

This week’s picks:

• My Strongest Suit brings the Women’s Chorus of Charlotte to the stage for an uplifting concert celebrating confidence, courage and self-expression.

• The ASC Street Art and Identity Workshop combines a mural walk with a hands-on community art experience focused on storytelling, identity and collective creativity.

• EuroSummer Drag Brunch at Catalú features fierce performances from The Vanity House, plus the music of European pop artists in a high-energy Pride celebration.

These are just three of the many LGBTQ+ events happening across the Carolinas this month.

Read our full Summer in Full Color guide at qnotescarolinas.com (link in bio)

Which event are you checking out this weekend?

06/19/2026

A hostile environment isn't just harmful to LGBTQ+ people. It can be bad for business, too.

A new LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index shows support for LGBTQ+ inclusion continues to decline in many states, including South Carolina, which ranked among the lowest in the nation. North Carolina ranked 27th.

Researchers found that many workers, especially younger generations, consider LGBTQ+ protections and inclusive workplace policies when deciding where to live and work. Businesses that fail to create welcoming environments risk losing talent, customers and economic opportunities.

The report argues that LGBTQ+ inclusion is more than a social issue. It's increasingly a business and economic development issue as well.

Read the full story: https://buff.ly/Es9KWKJ

This story is brought to you by Dudley's Place and White Rabbit

A new report finds the LGBTQ business climate continues to decline, creating challenges for employers seeking to attract and retain talent.

06/18/2026

A legal challenge led by U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty resulted in the removal of Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center.

Beatty argued that the Kennedy Center board exceeded its authority when it voted to rename the institution in late 2025, contending that only Congress has the power to change the name of the federally chartered arts center.

A federal judge agreed, ruling that the Kennedy Center must retain its designation as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.

Beatty, a longtime LGBTQ+ ally and member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, said the case was about preserving the rule of law and the institution's historic mission.

Read the full story: https://buff.ly/QfenXi8

This story is brought to you by Dudley's Place and White Rabbit

A legal challenge led by Rep. Joyce Beatty resulted in Donald Trump's name being removed from the Kennedy Center and its official materials.

06/18/2026

A new South Carolina law is changing how transgender students navigate college campuses.

The Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act requires students, faculty and staff at public schools and universities to use bathrooms based on s*x assigned at birth or seek out single-user facilities.

Advocates argue the law creates additional barriers for transgender students, while supporters say it is intended to protect privacy in shared spaces.

Read the story: https://buff.ly/HONSavc

This story is brought to you by Dudley's Place and White Rabbit

South Carolina's transgender bathroom law is creating new challenges for college students seeking accessible restroom facilities on campus.

06/17/2026

A small North Carolina town has officially rejected Pride Month.

Leaders in Ronda, a Wilkes County town of about 400 residents, unanimously approved a proclamation declaring June "Faith, Family and Freedom Month" in response to Gov. Josh Stein's recognition of Pride Month.

Supporters described the measure as a reflection of community values, while critics argued it uses faith as a political tool to marginalize LGBTQ+ people and erase their visibility.

Read more: https://buff.ly/x4LCsy1

This story is brought to you by Dudley's Place and White Rabbit

Ronda town leaders approved a proclamation rejecting Pride Month and declaring June "Faith, Family and Freedom Month" instead.

06/16/2026

This past weekend, Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ community came together for a morning of fitness, connection and Pride at the annual Q Fitness & Wellness 5K.

Hosted by Q Fitness & Wellness, the event brought together runners, walkers, volunteers, community organizations and supporters from across the Charlotte region. Participants celebrated wellness, community and belonging while also supporting Lance’s Legacy, a nonprofit honoring the life of Lance Sotelo through scholarships and support for young athletes.

Qnotes was there to capture the sights, sounds and stories from the event.

For more LGBTQ+ news and community coverage across the Carolinas, visit qnotescarolinas.com

06/16/2026

Looking for a way to celebrate Juneteenth in the Charlotte region?

Communities across Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Gaston counties are hosting festivals, performances, educational programs, art events and community celebrations honoring Black freedom, history and culture.

Whether you're looking to learn, reflect, celebrate or connect with your community, there are plenty of opportunities to commemorate Juneteenth throughout the week.

Read the guide: https://buff.ly/iVHefDC

This story is brought to you by Dudley's Place and White Rabbit

From festivals and performances to educational programs, here are Juneteenth celebrations happening across Charlotte and the surrounding region.

06/16/2026

For Amanda Weatherspoon, self-love isn't a destination. It's a lifelong practice.

She serves as the first Black q***r minister at the Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte and is dedicated to creating spaces where people feel seen, valued and loved.

In our latest Our People profile, Weatherspoon discusses faith beyond Christianity, building community through One Voice Chorus, finding joy in everyday life and why loving yourself is a radical act.

"Love is a radical act. And loving yourself is revolutionary."

Read the full interview: https://buff.ly/z4gA8aD

This story is brought to you by Dudley's Place and White Rabbit

Meet Amanda Weatherspoon, a q***r minister whose work in Charlotte is centered on spirituality, community and radical self-love.

06/15/2026

Who will be Charlotte's next mayor?

More than 110 people have applied to replace Mayor Vi Lyles, who will step down June 30 before the end of her fifth term.

The applicant pool includes familiar political figures such as former Mayor Jennifer Roberts, Mayor Pro Tem James Mitchell, state Sen. Caleb Theodros, former Mecklenburg County Commission Chair Harold Cogdell Jr., and longtime civic leader Mike Evans.

City Council is expected to interview eligible candidates before voting on an interim mayor June 22.

Read the full story: https://buff.ly/vw3he4S

This story is brought to you by Dudley's Place and White Rabbit

More than 110 people applied to become Charlotte's interim mayor after Vi Lyles announced her resignation. Here's who could be selected.

06/15/2026

Two of the nation's top election forecasters now rate former Gov. Roy Cooper as the favorite to win the seat, potentially making him the first Democrat to represent North Carolina in the U.S. Senate in more than a decade.

Analysts point to Cooper's statewide name recognition and Whatley's lower profile with voters as key factors behind the shift.

Read the full story: https://buff.ly/zXEdA9p

This story is brought to you by Dudley's Place and White Rabbit

New election forecasts move North Carolina's Senate race out of toss-up territory, citing Roy Cooper's lead over Republican Michael Whatley.