Official Charlotte Pride Guide 2017

Different drummers Same parade.

The employees of Bank of America thank our LGBT fr for including everyone in the parade. Together, we’re m toward the day when equality goes without saying.

bankofamerica.com/inclusion

Š 2017 Bank of America Corporation | AR78RDTR | AD-06-17-0674

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riends marching

INSIDE THE GUIDE...

6 7 8 9 10 12 17 20

Welcome Letter Board & Committees Mayor's Proclamation Letter from the Mayor Letter from CRVA Charlotte Pride: Who We Are The VIP Experience Feature: Power to the People

36 40 42 48 54 57 58 80

Charlotte Pride Week Events Festival & Parade Map Festival Zone Attractions Champions of Pride Awards Parade Emcees & Grand Marshals Stage Schedule Entertainers Charlotte Pride Scholarship

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We’re proud to be a part of this community and to be a sponsor of Charlotte Pride.

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HEALTH

AND

SEX BELONG TOGETHER

Healthysexuals

LOVE SHARING

Talk about your sexual health. #NoFilter VISIT AND TALK TO A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

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WELCOME! On behalf of Charlotte Pride, we would like to welcome you to the Queen City and the seventeenth annual Charlotte Pride Festival and fifth annual Charlotte Pride Parade.

Last year, Charlotte Pride hosted more than 130,000 visitors over the course of our weekend event. We're glad you've decided to join us this year!

This year, we welcome you with open arms in a city that has certainly seen its fair share of triumph, challenge and opportunity. Over the past few years, our local and statewide LGBTQ community has seen it all — from the highlight of victory on LGBTQ-inclusive local non-discrimination protections to the blowing defeat after the passage of HB2. We know that together, united in Pride, we each work to make our city and our state a much better place for each of us.

Our events this year, as they do each year, will highlight all of the many people and organizations working diligently every day for Charlotte's LGBTQ community.

Charlotte Pride Week events leading up to the festival and parade will include a diverse variety of ways you can get more involved in the community, whether you're seeking civic involvement or arts or entertainment options. On Aug. 26-27 in the PNC Bank Festival Zone, you'll have the ability to interact with the beautifully diverse people who make up the Queen City's LGBTQ community. At the Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade on Aug. 27, you'll have moments to commemorate our history, celebrate our accomplishments and push forward for even more progress in the future. On both days, you'll be able to experience the awesome sights, sounds and music of a phenomenal line-up of entertainment at the Wells Fargo Stage.

As you visit with us for our largest event each year, we invite you to also learn more about Charlotte Pride and our programming and activities throughout the year. Our festival and parade make our year-round programming possible, and your support during this year's event means the world! Thank you for being here and we invite you to learn more at charlottepride.org/programs/.

With Pride, The Board, Staff and Volunteers of Charlotte Pride

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BOARD/STAFF/VOLUNTEERS Charlotte Pride Board of Directors Craig Hopkins Daniel Valdez Kacey Grantham Richard Grimstad Nan Bangs Abdul Green Maurice Hemphill Lee Robertson

President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Director Director Director Director

2017 Charlotte Pride Program Committees & Volunteer Teams Charlotte Latin Pride • Jaime Crespo (Chair), Brandon Pérez (Vice Chair), Donell Beatty (Secretary), Sebastian Abraham, Pablo Cordero, Sylar Tsar, Francisco Javier Vargas Guadalupe, Alberto Rodríguez, Humberto De Jesus Perez, Giselle WS, Arnol Rodríguez, Kevin Angel Charlotte Pride Pageantry • Baby Valentino Knight Addams, DJ Bonet, Jaime Crespo, Greg Fulk, Shelita Bonet Hoyle, Kassandra Hylton, Cierra Desiree Nichole-Land, Tiffany Storm, and the former Miss Charlotte Prides Reel Out Charlotte • Vincent Burris, Teresa Davis, Victoria Eves, Heather Hudson, Chelby Nettles, Quandrico Rutledge, Michelle Trent VIP & Special Events • Jay Allen Dior, James Hildreth, Robbie Howell, Ryan Kingston, Douglas Lowe, Lisa Raymaker Interfaith Service • Marsha Carter, Kate Edwards, Denise Furr, Meredith Johnson, Destiny Kirkland, John Simmons Operations & Vendors • Riley Murray, Jeff Sampson, Geo Sarra Financial Operations • Brian Beavers, Jennifer Chandler, Kim O'Grady, Quad Reeves, Michelle Trent Media & Marketing • Leslie Arreaza, Ben Coplin, Ryan Freeze, Mark de Gruchy, Frida Islas, Alondra Medina, Maria Peralta Porras, Salma Vizcaino Parade • Geo Sarra, Marshall Varner

Charlotte Pride, Inc.

PO Box 32362, Charlotte, NC 28232 charlottepride.org Charlotte Pride is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

2017 Charlotte Pride Guide. © 2017 Charlotte Pride, Inc. All rights reserved.

For reprint requests or if you’d like copies to distribute at your business or non-profit, email media@charlottepride.org. Content compilation, design, production and artwork

by Matt Comer and Ryan Freeze and Daniel Morrison.

Festival icons and rainbow background artwork provided by flaticon.com and freepik.com.

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Dear Charlotte Pride Visitors and Guests, On behalf of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) and the Charlotte community, we want to welcome you back to our great city for another year of the Charlotte Pride Parade and Festival, one of the largest Pride celebrations in the Southeast. It’s events exactly like this that showcase Charlotte’s inclusive spirit and embrace our individuality, diversity and equality. We are proud to celebrate all who visit, live, learn, work and play here.

We also hold events like Charlotte Pride in high esteem. Countless volunteers put a lot of hard work into planning the weekend’s events and we congratulate them on last year’s success of hosting a record crowd 130,000 visitors while infusing $7.2 million in economic impact into the local economy. We can’t want to see what this year brings for the thousands of attendees, organizers and guests who will be joining us Aug. 26-27.

With so much to explore in Charlotte, we hope you’ll also take some time to visit the cultural, entertainment and dining options that abound in our thriving cityscape. Please use charlottesgotalot.com as a guide to help you experience Charlotte’s cuisine and culture in between the festivities.

We look forward to showing you the southern hospitality we’ve become so well known for and hope you leave this year’s events with lasting memories made through strong bonds and treasured experiences.

Wishing you many happy returns,

Tom Murray, CEO Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) 10

CHARLOTTE PRIDE: Who We Are ‘MORE THAN JUST A FESTIVAL...’ Charlotte Pride presents and collaborates on programs, projects, and activities, including the annual Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade, Trans Pride, Latin Pride, and Reel Out Charlotte, among others. Since our founding in 2000, Charlotte Pride has expanded our year-round programming and partnerships to better connect community members with our mission, vision, and values.

Our Programs Over the past few years, Charlotte Pride has led an intentional effort to undertake new programs and collaborations. These growing programs and initiatives align with our new strategic plan to provide more outreach and community activities throughout the year. Take a look below at some of the exciting initiatives we are working on. Want to get involved? Be sure to visit us online at charlottepride.org/programs/ to learn about how you can get involved in any of these program committees or other initiatives.

Charlotte Latin Pride Charlotte Latin Pride is a collaborative community project designed to build the engagement and capacity of the local Latino/a LGBTQ community and its allies. Activities include social events as well as educational and outreach initiatives in order to highlight the diversity of the LGBTQ Latino/a community. Since its beginning two years ago, Charlotte Latin Pride's committee leadership has continued to expand as the committee presents several regular activities and events throughout the year.

Reel Out Charlotte Reel Out Charlotte, formerly known as the GayCharlotte Film Festival, aims to entertain, enlighten and build valuable bridges of understanding, support, and acceptance within and between the LGBTQ and ally communities in the Charlotte region. The film festival was renamed by community vote during the 2017 event, in anticipation of the 10th annual film festival in 2018.

SEE PROGRAMS CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 >>>

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PRESENTING SPONSORS

Presenting the Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade

Presenting the PNC Bank Festival Zone

Presenting the Wells Fargo Stage

13

SPONSORS leadership sponsors

visibility sponsors

Equality sponsors

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empowerment sponsors

creativity partners

media partner

15

Happy Pride & proud to be your

VIP

EXPERIENCE

Caterer Follow & Like Us

443.235.6806 | E: info@yourcustomcatering.com | W: www.yourcustomcatering.com

Charlotte Pride VIP Experience Make the most of your time at Charlotte Pride by getting your pass to the Charlotte Pride VIP Experience. Hang out with friends in our new, indoor and air-conditioned VIP Lounge, get up close to all the awesome entertainment with a special VIP viewing area at the stage and special VIP seating for the parade! Experience Charlotte Pride like you've never have before!

Learn more at charlottepride.org/vip/

VIP LOUNGE

Sat. Aug. 26, Noon-9:30pm Sun. Aug. 27, Noon-5:30pm Charlotte Chamber S. Tryon St. & MLK Blvd.

VIP LOUNGE ENTERTAINMENT including: DJ Bryson DJ Ian DJ Pepito DJ SPK Miss Charlotte Pride Mr. & Miss Charlotte Latin Pride Wanda Lopez ...and more!

VIP LOUNGE BITES & TREATS

by Your Custom Catering & Events Western Carolina Pulled Pork Sliders Thai Chili Asian Meatballs Vegetarian Pot Stickers Pigs in a Blanket Chilled Cucumber Dill Pasta Cups Popcorn Assorted Fruits & Desserts Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding

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Charlotte Pride & Charlotte Latin Pride volunteers at Salisbury Pride in June 2017.

PROGRAMS

<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Charlotte Pride Scholarship & Youth Initiatives In 2015, Charlotte Pride provided a $1,000 to present the annual Charlotte Pride Youth Dance, in collaboration with Time Out Youth Center. We continued this financial support in 2016 and again this year. In addition to social activities, Charlotte Pride also unveiled its new Charlotte Pride Scholarship supporting LGBTQ and ally young people, especially those who have faced challenges in attending college due to financial or other hardships. Learn more about our inaugural scholarship recipients on the back cover of the Pride Guide!

Interfaith Collaborations A wide diversity of LGBTQ and ally people of faith join to celebrate Pride each year helping to kick-off Charlotte Pride Week with our annual Interfaith Service.

Arts & Culture Charlotte Pride partners on several collaborative projects highlighting the artistic and cultural diversity of the LGBTQ community. Over the past three years, Charlotte Pride has committed over $10,000 in funding and in-kind services to support local LGBTQ arts and cultural initiatives.

Learn more about Charlotte Pride programs at charlottepride.org/programs/

One world. One PepsiCo. Fabulous!

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www.pepsico.com

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

A HISTORY OF LGBTQ RESISTANCE & LIBERATION Written and Compiled by Leslie Arreaza & Maria Peralta Porras.

Edited by Matt Comer.

Featured & Cover Artwork by Daniel Morrison.

The Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade, like all Pride events celebrated today across the globe, is rooted in a long history of protest and resistance. Amidst the modern celebrations of our community's progress since the beginning of the Liberation Movement, we often forget or maybe even never have the opportunity to learn about the history of those who came before us — many who had to literally fight for their survival or for their right to simply be.

The Stonewall Riots in June 1969 are often credited with launching the modern-day LGBTQ rights movement into mainstream consciousness. Not as many know about the dramatic history of other landmark events which helped to catapult our community from the closets to the streets.

This year, Charlotte Pride tips its hat to the brave legacy of our shared Liberation Movement. At its root, our collective history is a shared human experience. Our past and present struggles and triumphs are about people — the people just like you and all of our peers who together comprise our beautifully unique and diverse community While Pride today means much to many people — for some a party, for others a protest — we believe Pride can be both, and so much more. But, in order to know where we’re going, we must know first from where we came. We must honor those who came before us and uplift those who continue to stand on the front lines of the Liberation Movement today.

In our featured content this year, Charlotte Pride honors this history and our shared, collective legacy in the past, present and future LGBTQ Liberation Movement.

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MAY 1959

Cooper Donuts Los Angeles, California

Located on Main Street in Downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row Neighborhood, the city’s “gay ghetto” of the 1950s and ‘60s, Cooper Donuts was a place that opened their doors to members of the LGBTQ community.

On a night in May 1959, the friendly donut shop would take its place in history. At the time, laws in place against crossdressing allowed officers to harass and arrest Members of the LGBTQ community, especially those who were transgender.

Asking for identification, officers would arrest those whose outward dress did not match the gender marker on their IDs. On that fateful night in May, two officers entered Cooper Donuts and began to ID those inside. They attempted to arrest and fit five people into a single squad car. A man being arrested protested saying the car was illegally packed and as the officers tried to force him in, the others were able to get out of the car.

Meanwhile, others inside the donut shop walked outside and began throwing coffee, donuts, and paper plates at the officers until the officers retreated. The officers returned with back up but the number of those protesting grew and the officers were forced to close the street for an entire day. Although small, this demonstration is widely considered the first uprising in modern LGBTQ history.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 24 >>>

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April 25, 1965

Dewey’s Lunch Counter Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dewey’s is a chain of burger restaurants based in Philadelphia, that in the 1960s had several locations throughout the city. The location on 13th Street became the hangout for members of the LGBTQ community because of its proximity to several bars and clubs.

Management at the nearby 17th Street Dewey’s location wasn’t too keen on their brand’s image being associated with the LGBTQ community. New rules were implemented specifically targeting transgender people after management accused a group of gender-variant teenagers of being disruptive.

The new policies prohibited serving people wearing “non-conforming clothing,” but employees took a liberal interpretation of the new directive, refusing service to any customer they perceived as being LGBTQ. To protest, community members joined with the Janus Society, a local gay rights group, to stage a sit-in at the restaurant.

On April 25, 1965, 150 people gathered and three teenagers and the Janus Society president were arrested when they refused to leave. The following week, a second sit in was held. Police arrived but took no action. The sitins successfully forced Dewey’s to change their policies and ensure public access for LGBTQ customers.

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April 17, 1965 & July 4, 1965-1969

The Annual Reminders

Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Frank Kameny, considered by many the founding father of the LGBTQ civil rights movement, served as an astronomer for the U.S. government until he was fired for identifying as gay. Kameny’s firing prompted his decades-long activism and advocacy career in which he helped to shepherd in a long train of pro-LGBTQ political victories. Kamany was a co-founder of the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Mattachine Society, an early gay rights organization.

Incensed by the U.S. government’s anti-LGBTQ employment policies, Kameny and the Mattachine Society organized one of the earliest public gay rights pickets and the first gay rights picket in front of the White House on April 17, 1965.

The first protest was followed soon thereafter by others, in front of the Pentagon, the United Nations and the United States Civil Service Commission. A participant of those protests, Craig Rodwell, worked with Kameny and other leaders to organize a July 4, 1965, picket at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The Mattachine chapters in Washington and New York joined Philadelphia’s Janus Society and New York’s Daughters of Bilitis chapter in the protests, which continued annually until 1969. The “Annual Reminders” were designed to remind American citizens of the struggles faced by members of the LGBTQ community despite the nation's founding promises of equality and liberty for all.

Following Stonewall, organizers of the Annual Reminders ended their Philadelphia pickets in favor of joining each year’s new Christopher Street Liberation Day marches.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 28 >>>

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August 1966

Compton's Cafeteria San Francisco, California

During the 1960’s, Compton’s Cafeteria was considered an ideal spot for drag queens, transgender women, and gay hustlers to hang out late at night.

Located in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, Compton’s Cafeteria acted as a safe haven for members of the LGBTQ community to act and to feel as their true selves.

Unfortunately, many workers inside the Cafeteria did not like this idea and would often join forces with San Francisco’s police department to arrest transgender women under the crime of female impersonation.

One pre-dawn morning in August 1966, San Francisco police tried arresting a transgender woman in the restaurant.

She fought back, an altercation grew and a riot began. The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot symbolized the uprising of the LGBTQ community as they grew tired of being harassed and mistreated in San Francisco.

Afterward, local transgender community members began to organize publicly for social and medical support services.

By 1968, the core group of organizers from the post-Compton’s movement had successfully created the National Transsexual Counseling Unit, the first peer-run transgender support and advocacy group in the world.

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January-February 1967

Black Cat Tavern Los Angeles, California

The Black Cat Tavern was a popular bar for working class members of the LGBTQ community in Los Angeles, California.

On January 1, 1967, during the New Year’s festivities, several police officers began to harass and beat bar patrons.

In one incident, a police officer used a pool stick to aggressively beat a bar patron. Several other patrons were arrested for “lewd conduct,” at the time as simple an act as one man kissing another man. Other patrons were arrested for wearing gender-nonconforming clothing.

A few weeks after the incident, a group called Personal Rights in Defense and Education (P.R.I.D.E.) along with volunteers began to plan a peaceful demonstration against police overreach and brutality.

Afraid of police reaction, organizers met with other Los Angeles minority communities, including the local Latino and African-American communities, who worked together to hold numerous protests throughout the city.

At one protest, demonstrators carried signs reading “End Illegal Entrapment” and “Police Lawlessness Must Be Stopped.”

The community organizing which resulted from the demonstrations eventually gave rise to several community initiatives and institutions, including The Advocate, which began as a local LGBTQ community newspaper in Los Angeles and over the decades grew into the nation’s foremost LGBTQ news magazine.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 30 >>>

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June 28, 1969

Stonewall Riots

Greenwich Village, New York City Until 1966 in New York City, it was illegal to serve alcohol to anyone who was known or suspected to be LGBTQ. Early demonstrations by groups like the Mattachine Society helped to change these laws, but discrimination and harassment by both private businesses and law enforcement continued for years afterward, as other laws continued to make it illegal to wear gender-nonconforming clothing or show same-gender affection.

Organized criminal groups often took advantage of LGBTQ communities by offering “safe” spaces for LGBTQ people at Mafia-run bars in the city.

Mafia bribes kept police at bay, and LGBTQ community members could experience some semblance of safety, comfort and refuge. The Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village was one such bar.

An unannounced police raid at Stonewall on June 28, 1969, resulted in what is perhaps the single-best known LGBTQ protest and series of riots in history. Stonewall was a popular hangout for the neighborhood’s most marginalized community members, including transgender people, people of color, homeless youth and sex workers. Led by transgender patrons Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major and Marsha P. Johnson, among others, Stonewall patrons and LGBTQ neighborhood residents resisted the police raid that night.

The initial riot sparked disturbances throughout the week, with thousands participating at various times throughout the days-long saga. One year later, LGBTQ people in New York City and across the nation held the very first Christopher Street Liberation Day March, the precursor to today’s annual Pride events.

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CONTINUES ON PAGE 33 >>>

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HEALTH

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SEX BELONG TOGETHER

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COORDINATE Get tested together.

And stay in sync.

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1987-Present

ACT UP

(AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power)

New York City, Washington, D.C., Nationwide

The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) was formed in 1987 at the Lesbian and Gay Community Center in New York City following a fiery speech by activist Larry Kramer, who had claimed that both mainstream LGBTQ community organizations and the federal government were not doing enough to respond to the AIDS Crisis.

At the forefront of ACT UP’s mission was the desire to see increased access to lifesaving medications used to treat HIV. Basing their strategy on direct, non-violent actions and civil disobedience, the group held innumerable demonstrations and protests in New York City, Washington, D.C., and across the U.S. In September 1989, seven ACT UP members entered the New York Stock Exchange and chained themselves to the balcony. After the demonstration, the price of AZT, the only successful HIV treatment available at the time, was lowered by pharmaceutical company Burroughs Wellcome from $10,000 to $6,400 for a year’s worth of treatment.

In another demonstration, ACT UP members targeted the FDA, holding a sit-in that shutdown the federal agency for a full day. In 1989, in one of the group’s largest demonstrations, some 4,500 protesters gathered inside and outside of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to protest Cardinal John Joseph O’Conner’s anti-LGBTQ stances and his positions against safer sex education. Protesters interrupted that day’s mass and held a die-in on the streets in front of the church. The “Stop the Church” action helped catapult ACT UP into mainstream awareness, along with more forceful calls for government intervention during the AIDS Crisis.

ACT UP’s direct actions are credited for the speed-up in U.S. government responses to the AIDS Crisis.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 34 >>>

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Liberation in Charlotte The LGBTQ Liberation Movement has a strong, vibrant and storied history in the Queen City. Beginning as early as the 1940s, LGBTQ people in Charlotte sought out safe spaces, places to meet and places to organize. In the early days, our gay bars were community hubs, until the post-Stonewall Liberation Movement made its way to Charlotte with a local Gay Liberation Front chapter in 1971.

In 1975, the Carolinas saw its first LGBTQ newspaper, Charlotte Free Press, and in 1976, the formation of Sinister Wisdom, a lesbian literary and arts magazine that was among the first of its kind in the South and still published today.

Charlotte's LGBTQ community saw its biggest transformation during the trials and triumphs of the 1980s. In 1981, the very first Charlotte Gay Pride Day was held. As the AIDS Crisis unfolded, our community came together and came out of the closet like never before, with the creation of a plethora of community organizations, some of which continue today. In the 1990s, we saw the formation of some of our largest local groups, like Time Out Youth Center and RAIN, among others.

In the past two decades, Charlotte has seen an explosion of LGBTQ advocacy and community organizing, including the election of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first openly LGBTQ elected official, City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield.

Compiled with the assistance of research by Joshua Burford and the Donaldson Wells King-Sue Henry-Blake Brockington LGBTQ Community Archive, Special Collections, J. Murray Atkins Library, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

But our community’s growth, just like that of our hometown, has not been without challenge. Nearly five decades after Stonewall and other uprisings against police brutality and other legal oppression, Charlotte saw its local LGBTQ community, and especially people of color and transgender people, rise up again with the same spirit and values which made our collective Liberation Movement a reality decades ago. Largely led and inspired by trans and queer people of color, the local Movement for Black Lives and, later, the Charlotte Uprising in September 2016, has brought a much-needed and renewed mainstream conversation on police relations, education, economic opportunity, affordable housing and other hardships faced by the most marginalized among us.

History has much to teach us about our past and our present. Far from being a relic of some distant past, our Liberation Movement is still alive today and shaping our present and our future, not only in the big cities and queer hubs of the East and West Coasts, but also right here in Charlotte.

— Learn more about Charlotte’s local LGBTQ history by viewing UNC-Charlotte’s special online history timeline exhibit at http://mrc.uncc.edu/lgbtq-archive

Special THANKS

to our community partner Start Talking. Stop HIV. Charlotte Pride is committed to ensuring access to health and wellness resourcs during each year's festival and parade, including free and confidential HIV testing. Visit our Know Your Status area at the festival between Levine Ave. & MLK Blvd. to learn more about preventing HIV or getting connected to treatment and support!

Charlotte Pride Week Sunday, August 13

Charlotte Latin Pride's Orgullo Expo & Latin Night Mixer/Party Expo runs from 12-5pm, with free cover.

Latin night, 9pm, Free cover before 11pm, $10 after. 18+.

AzucarLatino Charlotte

Thursday, August 17

Charlotte Pride Volunteer Night Learn more. Get involved. Volunteer!

Come out and enjoy free beer and pizza!

6:30pm, Birdsong Brewing Co.

Friday, August 18 Rainbow Art Gala Wine, amazing art and MedSpa discounts Aug.18-19, 9am-4pm. Benefiting Charlotte Pride Scholarship. 18+.

Rejuvenate Integrative Wellness Rocky Horror: Gender Bender Night That Type presents Rocky Horror Picture Show with a gender bending twist. $10. 17+ (16+ with guardian over 21).

10:30pm, AMC Concord Mills 24

18+. Sips and snacks will be served, along with Sally's presentation.

12pm, Charlotte Pride offices LGBT Second Chance Prom Enjoy a night of elegance and class! $35 single, $65 couple. 18+.

7pm, Harvey B. Gantt Center

Sunday, August 20 Time Out Youth Center Grand Opening Free tours and refreshments.

2pm, Time Out Youth Center Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service With local open and affirming faith organizations. 4pm, Temple Beth El Robert & Shane's Pride Dual Ride Flywheel Sports Charlotte is turning up the Torq and hosting two Pride Dual Rides.

1:45pm, Flywheel Sports Event repeats on Aug. 23, 8:30pm

Monday, August 21

NC Pup Invasion NC Pup Mosh & Social. Open to all! 21+.

10pm, The Woodshed Bar

LGBTQ Community Candidate Forum Pre-/post-event receptions and forum with mayoral and Charlotte Council candidates.

6pm, Charlotte Marriott City Center

Saturday, August 19

Tuesday, August 22

Pride Pure Romance Women's Event Calling all our fun girls for the Pride Pure Romance Party! Event is open only to ladies,

Community Discussion: Homelessness Presented by Genderlines 6:30pm, McColl Center for Art + Innovation

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more detailed listings online at: charlottepride.org/calendar/

Official events denoted in red.

Wednesday, August 23 Annual Mass of Celebration for the LGBT Community 7pm, St. Peter Catholic Church THE JAM: CLT Divas Live Dance fitness class with a diva-packed playlist and the most fun you'll ever have working out. $5-12 per person. Proceeds benefit RAIN. 7pm, Sugar Creek Brewing Company The Gays of Sunshine Comedy Hour Mimi Benfield, Kia Comedy, and Jenn Snyder! $10. 21+.

7:30pm, The Evening Muse Orgullo Pride Week Latino Party Benefits Charlotte Latin Pride $5 members, $10 guests. 21+.

9pm, Bar Argon

Thursday, August 24 Level Seven Pride Party Free before 10:30pm, $10 after, $15 VIP. 25+ 10pm, Level Seven Bar, Rock Hill, SC

Friday, August 25 Takeover Friday 7-11pm, Le Meridien Pride Barn Dance Dance lessons and more! $8.

6pm, Bar Argon

August 18-27, 2017 Saturday, August 26 Charlotte Pride Festival PNC Bank Festival Zone Noon-10 pm, S. Tryon St.

Haute & Bothered: Drag & Men's Swimwear Show Hosted by Keke Wyatt A fashionable day party showcasing the art of drag and the hottest trends in swimwear.

Celebrity appearances, red carpet, cocktails.

A Charlotte Pride partner event.

3-6pm, Hilton Center City, 222 E. Third St. Tickets: pacpublicrelations.com AFTER PARTIES: Official After Party with Alexis & Shangela 10pm, Chasers Charlotte NoDa Yellow Brick TWIRL Pride Party 10pm, Flight Beer and Music Hall Wonder Woman 10pm, Dilworth Neighborhood Grille Pride Celebration Show 10pm, Hattie's Tap & Tavern

Sunday, August 27 Charlotte Pride Festival PNC Bank Festival Zone Noon-6 pm, S. Tryon St.

Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade 1-3 pm, N. Tryon St.

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FREEDOM TO DREAM. FREEDOM TO BELIEVE. FREEDOM TO BE YOU.

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INSPIRING INCLUSION We are proud to be a sponsor of Charlotte Pride. Visit us at thehartford.com/diversity 16-0504 © July 2016 The Hartford. All rights reserved.

Serving communities. Changing lives.

What matters to you matters to us.

At EY, we’re proud to support the LGBTQ community and Charlotte Pride. It is one of the ways we are helping make our community a better place to work and live for everyone. A better and brighter future starts with all of us.

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Festival & Parade Map

The Freedom Center for Social Justice has partnered with Charlotte Pride to ensure event patrons have safe and equal access to restroom facilities. Info can be located online at yesyoucangohere.com or below.

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PARTICIPATING UPTOWN ESTABLISHMENTS: • Brixx Wood Fired Pizza • Omni Charlotte Hotel • Coco and the Director • Ruth's Chris Steak House • Amélie's French Bakery & Café • French Quarter Restaurant • Mimosa Grill • Halcyon Flavors From the Earth • The Westin • • Energy Cafe • NASCAR Hall of Fame •

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PNC Bank Festival Zone Attractions Family Zone Hosted by PFLAG Charlotte 4th & Tryon Sts. This family-friendly zone will include games, crafts, dress up and a place for families to be together and have fun. It is intended for children under 11 who are accompanied by an adult.

Campus Pride LGBT-Friendly College Fair Levine Avenue of the Arts Learn more about LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities across the region and nation.

Saturday, Aug. 26, 1-4pm. Learn more at campuspride.org.

Know Your Status & Learn More In partnership with Start Talking. Stop HIV. Tryon St., between MLK & Levine Various HIV/AIDS service organizations and educational groups will be present for HIV awareness, prevention and treatment. Free HIV testing by Carolinas Care Partnership.

Food Court Tryon St., between 3rd & 4th Sts. Charlotte Pride brings back its expanded and more friendly food court this year, with abundant seating and more food options.

Karaoke Bar & Community Stage Trade & Tryon Sts. Grab a drink and party to the sounds of karaoke and other community entertainment. Sit back and listen in or grab the mic and be a star! Karaoke and other performances will be offered throughout the weekend festival.

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CHAMPIONS OF PRIDE Awards The Charlotte Pride Board of Directors is pleased to announce our fifth annual Charlotte Pride Champions of Pride Award recipients, honoring those in our local community whose work and dedication exemplify the spirit of Pride. Our Champions endeavor to empower and unite LGBTQ and allied people through their leadership, service and support.

THE HON. Al Austin

Harvey Milk Award

Alvin "Al" Austin was recently appointed as the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Outreach Director for the North Carolina Department of Transportation by the Deputy Chief Secretary.

He is a former member of Charlotte City Council representing District 2 covering Uptown, north and northwest Charlotte. Former Councilmember Austin is recognized this year for his outspoken leadership on behalf of the LGBTQ community during Charlotte's debates on public accommodations and non-discrimination ordinances, as well as his steadfast support of the ordinances during debates on HB2 and its replacement bill in the legislature.

The Hon. LaWana Mayfield

Harvey Milk Award

LaWana Mayfield is currently seeking her third term representing District 3 on Charlotte City Council. Since 2011, when she was elected as the city's first openly LGBTQ public official, she has made affordable housing, job creation and public safety her priority.

In 2014, she was awarded the David Bohnett LGBT Leadership Fellowship and completed the Harvard Kennedy School of Government program. Councilmember Mayfield is recognized this year for her outspoken leadership on behalf of the LGBTQ community during Charlotte's debates on public accommodations and nondiscrimination ordinances, as well as her steadfast support of the ordinances during debates on HB2 and its replacement bill in the legislature.

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Diane Troy

Outstanding Ally Award

Vinnie Holt

Young Catalyst Award

Rebby Kern

Young Catalyst Award

Call Diane Troy a PFLAG Mom and watch her face light up with pride. Her heartfelt message of hope and acceptance to families with LGBTQ loved ones defines her work as a mentor and community volunteer. Diane is recognized for her outstanding community work on behalf of LGBTQ youth and families. She is the former president of PFLAG Charlotte and currently serves on their board while also volunteering as PFLAG National South Atlantic Regional Director.

Vinnie Holt is a 15-year-old queer trans person of color from Charlotte. He is passionate about rights for all humans, no matter who they are, who they love, and where they come from. He is an artist and musician, and is passionate about the intersectionalities of activism and art. Being a queer youth, he strives to advocate for rights and representation of LGBTQ+ young people. Vinnie is recognized this year for his brave advocacy at his school and in the wider community. He recently appeared in the VICE documentary "Youth Interrupted."

Rebby Kern currently serves as the Assistant Director of School Outreach at Time Out Youth Center in Charlotte. Rebby works directly with students, school personnel, administrators and district-level administrators to provide youth leadership programs and best practices and policies for more inclusive schools for LGBTQ youth. Rebby previously worked at the Victory Fund & Institute and Campus Pride. Rebby is recognized for their outstanding service for LGBTQ young people and the broader LGBTQ community.

Our 2017 Champions of Pride will be honored on stage on Sunday, Aug. 27.

Read our Champions' extended biographies and learn more about their community service online at charlottepride.org/champions/.

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PrEP Program l Case Management Youth Services l ACA Enrollment Support Groups l Counseling

HIV Education l Latino Services 704-372-7246 - carolinarain.org

STAGE & PARADE ASL INTERPRETATION SPONSORED BY:

Charlotte

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MORE FEATURES & INFO ONLINE! Get expanded features and the most up-to-date information on our on our website at... charlottepride.org

BONDS BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY. A strong community creates a bond between us all. It fosters friendship, respect, and well-being.

And most importantly, we accomplish more together. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the 2017 Charlotte Pride Parade & Festival.

Fifth Third Bank. Member FDIC.

Bank of AMericA Charlotte Pride Parade Sunday, Aug. 27, 1-3pm N. Tryon St. The Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade will kick off at 1pm from 9th and N. Tryon Sts. Thousands of marchers will continue down Uptownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main street to Trade St., where marching contingents and floats will be welcomed into Independence Square at Trade & Tryon Sts. by our panel of parade emcees and judges. Parade line-up and staging areas are from 9th to 11th Sts.

emcees & Judges:

Delighted Tobehere Hailing from the Carolinas, Delighted Tobehere has been named one of America's funniest drag queens. Delighted combines celebrity illusion, vocal impressions, live vocals, lip sync, comedy, intelligence, and quick wit to wow audiences from corporate functions to pride festivals.

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Malachi Malachi is a national recording artist and popular gender-bending drag entertainer, well known for his provocative outfits, wild dance moves, risquĂŠ and humorous remakes of popular hit songs and music videos. Malachi returns to Charlotte Pride after moving recently to Atlanta.

Sheri Lynch Award-winning radio bradcaster Sheri Lynch has been recognized by the Alliance for Women in Media and named one of the Most Influential Women in American radio every year since 2010. She is the author of two best-selling books and holds a Master's degree in social work.

Parade Grand Marshals Monica Helms

Longtime transgender activist Monica Helms is honored this year as Grand Marshal of the 2017 Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade. Helms' long career in activism has included a wide variety of lobbying and other community work. She is perhaps best known as the creator of the Transgender Pride Flag, which was first flown at the Phoenix, Arizona, Pride Parade in 2000.

In 2003, Helms founded the Transgender American Veterans Association. Helms is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where she served from 1970-1978. During her time in the Navy, Helms served on two submarines, the USS Francis Scott Key and USS Flasher. Helms' courageous advocacy on behalf of all LGBTQ people, but specifically for transgender community members serves as a model for community dedication and service.

Senator Jeff Jackson

North Carolina State Senator Jeff Jackson is honored this year as Grand Marshal of the 2017 Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade. Senator Jackson has been an outspoken ally to the local LGBTQ community.

Since joining the North Carolina General Assembly, Senator Jackson has led with passion in defending LGBTQ equality in Charlotte and across the state.

He was a steadfast opponent of HB2 and ferociously defended the City of Charlotte's LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances when the legislature debated the bill's supposed compromises and repeal. Senator Jackson has also taken a lead on issues affecting all citizens, such as fair redistricting and updates to the state's outdated, unfair sex offense laws. Senator Jackson's work has been an inspiration to many.

Read more about our emcees, grand marshals and other special parade guests at charlottepride.org/parade/.

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Wells Fargo Stage schedule Saturday, August 26

12:30 PM 1:00 PM 1:40 PM 2:55 PM 3:10 PM 3:30 PM 4:00 PM

• • • • • • •

5:00 PM • 5:20 PM • 5:35 PM • 6:00 PM • 7:30 PM • 8:00 PM • 8:45 PM • 9:15 PM •

Opening Ceremony & National Anthem Youth Entertainment The Miss & Mr. Prides of Charlotte Buff Faye Kassandra Hylton Blame The Youth Chasers Drag Review, featuring: Shangela & Alexis Michelle Sandra Valls Charlotte Pride is accessible!

Matteo Lane Charlotte Pride Sam Jay is proud to be one of the LOS 5 only Uptown Keke Wyatt festivals to consistently provide accessible opportunities for our Deborah Cox entire community over several Cazwell years. Charlotte Pride strives to DJ Bryson provide an accessible experience

Sunday, August 27 12:30PM 2:15 PM 2:30 PM 3:00 PM

• • • •

for all our attendees and participants. Accessible restrooms, VIP Lounge and stage viewing area will be provided. Sign language interpreters will be available at the stage and at the parade emcee stand. Interpreters provided

by Fluent Language Solutions.

DJ Ian Miss Day of the Dead Brenda Guzman The Girls of RuPaul's Drag Race, featuring: Kennedy Davenport, Cynthia Lee Fontaine & Eureka, hosted by Delighted Tobehere 5:00 PM • Charlotte Pride Scholarships, Champions of Pride Awards & Parade Awards

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Headliner: Deborah Cox

SATURDAY AUG. 26, 8PM

Deborah Cox possesses one of the most powerful and versatile contemporary voices of our time. The Grammy Award nominated, multi-platinum R&B/Pop recording artist and actress is currently blowing the roof off theatres starring in the Rachel Maron role originally played by Whitney Houston in the new musical “The Bodyguard.”

Since beginning her career as a background singer for Celine Dion, Deborah has recorded six award winning and critically acclaimed albums and has written for and been recorded on numerous soundtracks. As with Whitney Houston, Deborah’s first recording contract was with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Clive Davis and that self-titled debut album went platinum, earning her an American Music Award nomination. She later collaborated with Houston to record the duet “Same Script Different Day” for Whitney’s greatest hits CD. From her second CD, One Wish, came the double platinum “Nobody’s Supposed to be Here” – which held the record for the longest running #1 R & B single. After 14 weeks at the top of the charts, Deborah earned a Billboard Music Award nomination for R&B Single of the Year, an NAACP Image Award nomination, A Soul Train Award, A Lady of Soul Award and 3 Juno Awards including a Best Female Vocalist Juno nomination.

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The Canadian born star has an impressive list of #1 Billboard hit records, including twelve #1 songs on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Los 5

SATURDAY, AUG. 26, 6PM

Fresh off a massive year where they were named the winner of the MACY’s iHeartRadio Rising Star competition, LOS 5’s stock has continued to rise into greater success into 2017 and beyond. LOS 5’s newest 80’s-inspired pop single “Satisfaction” was released to radio on May 5, 2017. The band is also gearing up to release their Spanish EP Somos Meet Los 5 later this year which will include the single “Acapulco.” In early 2017, LOS 5 was honored to perform at the Tianguis Turistico Mexico conference for an audience including the President of Mexico along with international delegates from 88 additional countries. Performances at music festivals in 2016 helped the band’s single “Kings & Queens” get a trending position on US Top-40 radio and established the song as a listener favorite on Radio Disney. LOS 5 is based in Los Angeles, comprised of lead singer Juan Pablo Casillas (Aguascalientes, Mexico), rap vocalist Matt Rey (Buenos Aires, Argentina), lead guitarist Ismael Cano, Jr (Querétaro, Mexico), bass guitarist Hector Rodriguez (Monterrey, Mexico) & drummer Tomas Slemenson (São Paulo, Brazil).

MORE FEATURES & INFO ONLINE! Get expanded features and more information on our entertainers online.

You can also find the most up-to-date news and information about the festival and parade online, including late-breaking announcements.

charlottepride.org 59

Wells Fargo Stage Emcees Read more about our emcees and entertainers at: charlottepride.org/entertainment/

Delighted Tobehere

Malachi

Hailing from the Carolinas, Delighted Tobehere has been named one of America's funniest drag queens and made her television debut on NBC's America's Got Talent Delighted combines celebrity illusion, vocal impressions, live vocals, lip sync, comedy, intelligence, and quick wit to wow audiences from corporate functions to pride festivals.

Malachi is a national recording artist and popular gender-bending drag entertainer, well known for his provocative outfits, wild dance moves, risqué and humorous remakes of popular hit songs and music videos. Malachi returns to Charlotte Pride after moving recently to Atlanta.

Big Mamma D Patti O'Furniture Burlesque Matriarch Big Mamma D is the producer of local burlesque shows and schools, and an established costume designer. She is the founder of The Great Southern Exposure Burlesque and Variety Pageant and can also be found in the book “It’s All That Glitters."

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Patti O’Furniture's mix of professionalism and quick wit have earned her a spot as one of the most sought-after entertainers and emcees in the Carolinas. She hosts weekly shows at Dudley’s on Ann in Charleston, SC as well as the longest running drag show in Columbia, SC at PT’s 1109, and also co-hosts the BIG FUN Drag Show on Saturday nights at The Bar at 316.

AT&T Guaranteed donation of $25,000 to GLAAD and maximum donation not to exceed $50,000. Promotion ends July 31, 2017. More details available at att.com/liveproud.

KeKe Wyatt

SATURDAY, AUG. 26, 7:30PM

Keke Wyatt is a hit R&B singer, songwriter and actress who garnered national attention in 2001 for her successful collaboration with fellow R&B singer Avant.

In 2002, her rendition of "Nothing in This World" led to a nomination for the Best New R&B/Soul/Rap Artist award at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. After a number of charting collaborations and solo releases, in 2012 she starred as a cast member in TV One's R&B Divas: Atlanta, which featured the lives of five 1990s chart-topping R&B singers. Keke has released four studio albums including Soul Sista (2001), Who Knew?

(2010), Unbelievable (2011), and her latest and recent release, Rated Love (2016). All of these albums charted prominently on Billboard, as did her first and only EP release, Ke'Ke' (2014). Keke has also released a number of charting singles, with her lead single "Sexy Song," from the album Rated Love, peaking at number 29 on the Adult R&B Songs chart. After getting involved with a number of non-profits, Keke has served as a spokesperson for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In February 2017 on Valentine's Day, Keke released her "Covers Album" and just released her new country single called "Summertime" that is available right now every where.

Cazwell

SATURDAY, AUG. 26, 8:45PM

From becoming a YouTube sensation after a million people viewed the ridiculously popular and oft-imitated "Ice Cream Truck" music video in a single week, to producing a steady flow of singles and videos that capture his engaging charisma, self-effacing humor and personality, Cazwell has earned credibility on and off the floor with a slew of anthemic and danceable electro-hip hop tracks. This not-so-random white dude gathers an impressive and illustrious list of collaborators include Richie Beretta (Major Lazer, Jillionaire), Justin de Nobrega (Die Antwoord), Nicky da B (Diplo), Peaches, Jesse Novak (M.I.A., Santigold), Big Dipper, RedTop (BeyoncĂŠ, Goldfrapp), Manila Luzon, DJ Fresh Direct and others to make for a ridiculously fun mix of electrified club music and old school hip hop. He tours the world every year playing to enthusiastic crowds and festivals, has had over 11 million combined video views on Vevo/You Tube and has managed over 1 Million download / streams of his independently-released music. Learn more at www.cazwell.com.

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The Girls of RuPaul's Drag Race PERFORMING SUNDAY, AUG. 27, 3PM, HOSTED BY DELIGHTED TOBEHERE

Kennedy Davenport

Kennedy Davenport placed in the Top 5 of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 7. She is from Dallas, Texas and attended the BFA Dance program at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. Kennedy has won several pageant crowns and is known for being a polished, professional queen, who is well-renowned for her incredible dance numbers and lip synching skills. Kennedy is a high energy entertainer that loves the art of female impersonation and who believes in good entertainment!

Cynthia Lee Fontaine

Cynthia Lee Fontaine is a Puerto Rican-American drag performer. She started doing drag in 2006 in Puerto Rico before moving to Texas. She is one of 12 contestants to compete on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Cynthia was sent home on episode 3 "Ruco's Empire" after losing a lip sync of 'Mesmerized' by Faith Evans to Robbie Turner. Cynthia returned to the competition on the second episode of Season 9 as the "fourteenth queen" of the season, and finished in the Top 10.

Eureka O'Hara

Eureka is originally from Johnson City, Tennessee. She is one of the 14 queens who competed on the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Standing 6â&#x20AC;&#x2122;4 (and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s without heels, ya'll) Eureka represents for all the big girls as the PLUS SIZE DRAG SUPER MODEL OF THE WORLD! With her live action, plus size, fun-loving, Barbie-style, high energy, nothing-but-smiles spirit, working or simply being in the company of Eureka is a roller coaster of uplifting confidence and discovery of self joy.

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Blame the youth

SATURDAY, AUG. 26, 3:30PM

Blame the Youth is a Charlotte-based band includes the talents of a lead vocalist/guitarist Phoebe, lead guitarist Alexa, drummer Kynadi, and bassist/ backing vocals Amber. In their music, they talk about the norm and the taboo, and they explore them in ways that will intrigue your ears and make you crave more.

They are inspired by Erykah Badu, Haitus Kaiyote, The Contortionist, Animals as Leaders, James Blake, and a host of other artists. The band describes themselves as â&#x20AC;&#x153;an eclectic mix of alternative and soulful sounds with a little rock and jazz." Honestly the best way to find a description their music is to experience it. They recently released their first single, Earworm, via Bandcamp and Soundcloud and are currently working on an EP.

@roadtohire

Pride LOL: The Comedy Hour PERFORMING SATURDAY, AUG. 26, 5PM

Sandra Valls

Sandra Valls is a comic, actor, singer, writer, and badass.

She is a funny, high energy, smart, sexy, outspoken Latina, best known for her powerful, electric, stand up comedy performances in Showtime’s, THE LATIN DIVAS OF COMEDY and PRIDE: LGBT COMEDY SLAM!, hosted by Bruce Vilanch. She has a unique mix of physical comedy and ridiculously brilliant story telling The Los Angeles Times calls Sandra “Talented and Hilarious” as well as voted one of the Top 33 Bad Ass Comics with Latin Roots.

Matteo Lane

Matteo Lane is a New York City-based comedian originally from Chicago. He in the new Comedy Central series THE COMEDY JAM, and recently performed on Comedy Central's LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS and ADAM DEVINE’S HOUSE PARTY. He can be seen on MTV’s GIRL CODE and MTV2’s GUY CODE, and the IFC holiday special AT JOE’S PUB alongside Tony Hale and the Dap Kings. Matteo is also currently developing an IFC digital series that he will both write and star in.

Sam Jay

This Boston native, LA-based African American lesbian is creating a buzz in the comedy scene with her new, refreshing perspective. Sam Jay is featured on season 3 of Comedy Central’s “The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail.” In 2015, she was named to the Comedy Central Comics to Watch list in which she was invited to perform at the renown New York Comedy Festival. Her fresh, unique and warm approach makes Sam Jay a comedian worth seeing.

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Proud Sponsor of Charlotte Pride

Chasers Drag Review PERFORMING SATURDAY, AUG. 26, 4PM

Saturday's Chasers Drag Review presented in collaboration with:

Alexis Michelle

Alexis Michelle was a contestant on the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, finishing in the Top 5. Alexis, the original Subway Fish, is a native New Yorker who has yet to do jury duty. A theatrical gal at heart, she is New York Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premiere theatre queen, and you can find her singing, lip-syncing and shaking her Raymour & Flanigan memory foam ass all over the world after finishing Top 5 on Season 9 of RuPaul's Drag Race!

Shangela

Shangela was a contestant on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race and finished in the Top 5. Shangela is a comedian and reality TV personality who also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 2. She was the first contestant eliminated in season two, and returned as a surprise contestant in the third season.

Shangela has had several TV appearances, a one woman show in Las Vegas & continues to perform across the globe.

charlotte pride SATURDAY, AUGUST 26TH DOORS 6PM

Shangela

Top 5 - RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3

ofďŹ cial after party

Alexis Michelle Top 5 - RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9

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3217 THE PLAZA

BLUMENTHAL PE

SEPT. 26-OCT. 1 BELK THEATER

OCT. 3-8 BELK THEATER

OCT. 17-22 BELK THEATE

What is Out on the Town Blumenthal Performing Ar the Town members enjoy FREE mixers befo

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704.372.1000 â&#x20AC;¢ Bl

ERFORMING ARTS

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Apocalyptica – Plays Metallica By Four Cellos Tour Sept. 8 • McGlohon Theater

UB40 Legends Ali, Astro & Mickey Sept. 15 • Knight Theater

John Prine with Special Guest Dan Auerbach Sept. 16 • Belk Theater

The Simon & Garfunkel Story Oct. 1 • Knight Theater

On Your Feet!

Oct. 31-Nov. 5 • Ovens Auditorium

NOV. 24-26 BELK THEATER

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles Feb. 25, 2018 • Belk Theater

n? An LGBT social group sponsored by rts. No dues! No officers! Just fun! Out on y special ticket discount offers as well as ore or after select performances.

re info or to join, please visit

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Miss Charlotte Pride 2017 Many congratulations to

Aurora Carlisle

and many heartfelt thanks Miss Charlotte Pride 2016

Shelita Bonet Hoyle

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HOPE IN ACTION

Congruatulations to the inaugural recipients of the

charlotte pride scholarship Charlotte Pride gives back to the community, directly as the result of the generosity of our sponsors, donors, supporters, festival vendors, and event attendees. As part of the many ways we give back each year, Charlotte Pride launched its new Charlotte Pride Scholarship this spring, benefiting LGBTQ and ally young people from the Charlotte area.

Ivasun Carter Appalachian State University Diana Lokshin NC State University Lizbeth Medina Queens University of Charlotte Daniel Morrison Marymount Manhattan College Jacqueline Sandoval UNC Greensboro Anneliese Schaefer UNC Greensboro

Learn more about the Charlotte Pride Scholarship online at charlottepride.org/scholarship/ Become a donor and supporter today! charlottepride.org/donate/