FAITH IN ACTION
Making space for LGBTQ+ people of varied faith communities
MOVING FORWARD
A quarter century of Pride begets a new festival home
Meet the local leaders who shaped the movement
THE CHARLOTTE PRIDE TEAM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Riley Murray (any pronouns) - President
Will Martin (he/him) - Vice President
Angel Truesdale (she/her) – Secretary
Trey Klingensmith (he/him) – Treasurer
Lee Robertson (he/him) – Director
Lupe Silva (he/him) – Director
Daniel Valdez (he/him) – Director
VOLUNTEER LEADERS
Ana Azizah (she/her) – Youth & Family
Bubba Barrera (he/him) – Operations
Ryan Beaupre (he/him) – Vendors
Quan Brown-Young (he/him) – Vendors, Interfaith
Calvin Price (he/him) – Finance
Justin Carpenter (he/him) – Volunteer Experience
Nanhao Chen (he/him) – VIP
Katie Cormier (she/her) – Operations
Tiff Crooks (she/her) – Flourish
Frankie Day (she/her) – Youth & Family
Warren DiBiase (he/him) – Volunteer Experience
Rachel Florian (she/they) – Entertainment
Krystal Harwick (she/her) – Entertainment
Greg Janiak (any pronouns) – Parade
Prasanna Jayapaul (he/him) – Operations, Vendors
De’Borah Little (she/her) – Vendors
Tessa Malayan (she/her) – Parade
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Grant Baldwin (he/him)
Hannah Fisher (she/her)
Bethany Grace Ivan (she/her)
STAFF
Meredith Thompson (she/her)Managing Director
John Walton-Tate (he/him) –Operations & Finance
Caroline Bedenbaugh (she/they) –Communications Coordinator
Kennedy Walker (he/him) – Summer Intern
De’Quan McBride (he/him) – Entertainment
Lee McDade (he/him) – Entertainment
Troy McElrath (he/him) – Interfaith, General
Cayleb Newton (he/him) – Entertainment, Operations
Desiree Perry (no pronouns) – Parade
Seth Quackenboss (he/him) – Parade
Brianna Reinhardt (she/her) – Parade
Brendan Schamu (he/him) – Flourish, Parade
Dylan Shackelford (she/her) – Flourish, Parade
Esha Shah (she/her) – Vendors
Trinda Simpson (she/her) – Volunteer Experience
Alissa Smith (she/her) – Youth & Family
Michelle Stephan (she/her) – Parade, Vendors
Joe TenHulzen (he/him) – Interfaith, Parade
Anthony Thaxton (he/they) – Operations
Vee Tirado (she/her) – Vendors
Anthony Walton-Tate (they/them) – Entertainment
Myekwon Lewis (he/him)
Bryant Morrison (he/him)
Jennifer Carbuto (she/her) Graphic designer
“The Pride movement began in protest; it did not manifest as a party or celebration, but rather as a declaration: of steadfastness, of individuality, of resistance, and of humanity.”
PRIDE’S PATH FORWARD
2025 has been a season of navigating change. Not many of us would argue that. For those of us who are Pride organizers, it feels particularly true. From changing economic and political tides to changing our festival’s home, our own team has been pushed to forge a new path, rethinking our plans, strategies, and goals. As our old, familiar ways of doing things were challenged, we were at the same time compelled to re-focus on what mattered – what we are doing, why we are doing it, and for whom we are doing it.
With hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills put forth across the country so far in 2025, including several passed or advancing in North Carolina, and division and fear growing, it can feel as though we are moving backwards. We can feel lost.
If you’re like me and aren’t gifted with a great sense of direction, driving without a map or that confident, guiding voice from your phone may be your worst fear. Even worse, of course, in a storm. The difficult and uncertain climate we’re in, though, only illuminates the need for – and purpose of – Pride.
And when those headlights come on, that road through the darkness becomes clear. We see the path and recall that the Pride movement began in protest; it did not manifest as a party or celebration, but rather as a declaration: of steadfastness, of individuality, of resistance, and of humanity. And we keep driving.
We remember that our part in this, simply put, is to exist. And Pride will always exist, as a movement, and through organizations and organizers. By existing as a movement and by naming, recognizing, and acknowledging the full diversity of our community, we create space for others to exist and to belong within that context. When everyone is welcome and celebrated for who they are, a community of unique and diverse lives and stories is made visible.
But, how visible do we want to be?
With anti-LGBTQ voices growing louder and bolder, we may sometimes ask, does it make sense to continue to produce a large, free, public event? Will it be safe? Will it be worth it? Does it matter?
Through whatever challenge each season brings, when we ultimately see our city streets flooded with eager festival guests and parade viewers, we know the answer to this question. We are reminded why we do this and that YES, it is worth it. When we hear their stories and see their smiling faces, we remember whom we are doing this for and why it matters. This drives us to recommit to being fully out, fully visible, in the heart of our city, with as many people welcomed in as possible.
NAVIGATING IN A NEW SPACE
As we moved through the questions, doubts, and challenges of this season, we simultaneously embarked on a literal move – from our festival home since 2011 along Tryon Street in Uptown to a different, more expansive venue – updating and recreating everything we had built over the last 25 years — hopefully, building on it and making it better, but – in many ways – starting over.
The challenge was immense and took all of us, not least the dedicated volunteers who work with us year-round, along with staff, board, and new supporters and partners we gained along the way. But the work of forging uncertain paths, reimagining, and creating new things paid off in the end. A totally new experience emerged, with a new vibe and a new look, distinct from the experience of the past, but with the same sense of community, pride, and celebration that we all keep coming back for.
With Perseverance and Pride,
Meredith Thompson Managing Director she/her
More small businesses and local vendors put Charlotte and the community at the center, while space to hang out enhanced the festival feel and experience. As we marked 25 years, it felt fitting to find a new home and to create a new thing. We hope you liked it!
With our new venue established, we’re eager to build on what we’ve created and learned to keep driving forward, making 2026’s festival and parade even better. Along the way, we’ll hit bumps in the road and maybe even get a little lost, but together, we won’t be stopped, not by fear, doubt, or by those who’d rather we just be quiet and give up.
Keep showing up unapologetically and we will too. We can’t wait to see you back at First Ward Park in August!
FESTIVAL & PARADE SPONSORS
VISIONARY SPONSORS
Arts & Science Council
McDonald’s
LEADERSHIP SPONSORS
Adams Beverages
Novant Health
Sidelines Sports Bar &
Billiards and Bar Argon
TD Bank
VISIBILITY SPONSORS
Ally Financial
Amity Medical Group
CVS Health
Enterprise Mobility
Truliant Federal Credit Union
USAA
EQUALITY SPONSORS
City of Charlotte
Duke Energy
Gilead Sciences
K&L Gates
PSA Airlines
Synchrony + JC Penney
U.S. Bank
EMPOWERMENT SPONSORS
Atrium Health
Cargill
Daimler Truck (DTNA)
Red Ventures
Target
Trane Technologies
Two Kings Casino
CREATIVITY SPONSORS
AAA
Ambetter Health
Ameriprise Financial
AvanceCare
Avant Pharmacy
Charlotte Black Therapy
Corning Optical Communications
Credit Karma
Crowntown Cannabis
DCLI
Electrolux
Fifth Third Bank
JMD Law
Johnny Fly
KPMG
Mecklenburg County
Government
Moore & Van Allen Law
Piedmont Airlines
Robertson & Associates
Tepper Sports
The Hartford
TTX
WellCare NC
MEDIA PARTNERS
Beasley Media Group
iHeart Radio
QNotes WBTV WDAV WFAE
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Garfinkel Immigration Law
Independent Picture House
LanguageLine Solutions
Matone Counseling & Testing (Cotswold)
The Woodshed Bar
the next generation Supporting the
Financial security that’s accessible to all: It’s the world Principal Foundation strives to create. To help empower the next generation of LGBTQIA+ students and allies on their path to higher education--and their own financial health--the Foundation supports the Charlotte Pride Scholarship Program. It’s one more way to ensure a future that’s inclusive for everyone.
principal.com/inclusion Foundation
Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. (“Principal Foundation”) is a duly recognized 501(c) (3) entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal”) operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinct, independent, charitable entity. Principal Foundation does not practice any form of investment advisory services and is not authorized to do so.
Principal community relations supports the communities where affiliates of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392 operates. Insurance products and plan administrative services provided through Principal Life Insurance Company®, a member of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392. 2991700-072023
FOSTERING INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE
Introduced in 2019, the Charlotte Pride Job Fair has grown to include dozens of employers. It creates inclusive, accessible space for LGBTQ+ jobseekers to feel empowered and equipped to reach their career goals. Hosted at a local community college for several years running, the fair lets attendees connect with companies that understand that a diversity of talent and voices strengthens and moves everyone forward, while allowing employers to fill critical staffing needs.
Participating companies offer educational and career advancement opportunities & resources while demonstrating their commitment to inclusion. Free headshots, resume-building, and workshops equip job seekers with tools and skills they need, and on-the-spot interviews lead to direct hiring. By supporting emerging leaders on their career paths, our job fair fosters financial wellness for an underrepresented community while reinforcing our city’s status as a dynamic, vibrant place to work.
FAITH IN ACTION: Charlotte Pride Interfaith Programs
By Joe TenHulzen (he/him)
Charlotte Pride Week 2025 kicked off with the annual Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service, bringing together the local LGBTQIA+ community and its allies for a moment of reflection and celebration. For a community for whom conversations about faith are often uncomfortable, glossed over, or even ignored, this service provides an opportunity to consider how spirituality can shape the lives of LGBTQIA+ people and how we can create more inclusive spaces for open dialogue.
Each year’s service takes on a character of its own, featuring a new theme, venue, and roster of speakers. This year’s theme, “Faith in Action,” invited participants to reflect on how faith (however defined) can inspire us to take on small initiatives for change within our local communities. In today’s political climate — in which it often feels as if hard-won progress is slipping away — grassroots movements are essential. Faith can unite us in community and in conversation to imagine how to forge a better world.
“FAITH CAN UNITE US IN COMMUNITY AND IN CONVERSATION TO IMAGINE HOW TO FORGE A BETTER WORLD.”
The Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte (UUCC) graciously opened its doors for this year’s celebration. Reverend Amanda Weatherspoon of UUCC led the service with an impactful call to renew the fight for justice and inclusion. John Herrick, the congregation’s choir director, echoed this message with a choral program of songs of hope and renewal.
Rev. Dr. Val Rosenquist, Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Charlotte, spoke of her denomination’s decadeslong struggle to affirm same-sex marriages and ordination within the church, which was approved in May 2024. Rev. Rosenquist herself was involved in this journey, having defied the church’s ban in 2016 by officiating a same-sex wedding. In her address, she highlighted how she found strength among supporters
within her church and other religious leaders within the broader Charlotte community, reminding us of the power of local support networks.
Reverend Kyndra Frazier (LMSW, M. Div.), founder and CEO of Kynd Consulting Inc., a mental health agency that supports those impacted by spiritual abuse and religious trauma, spoke about how faith has guided her commitment to community care. In an intimate and deeply personal speech, she recounted how she learned to fully embrace her Christian faith as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She reflected on how faith, when reclaimed and lived authentically, can be a source of transformation, fueling the courage to overcome obstacles and the conviction to act on one’s values in the service of others.
Ayya Sudhamma Bhikkhuni, founder and head monk of Charlotte Buddhist Vihara, then invited the audience to partake in a guided meditation session. For many attendees, this was a chance to partake in a contemplative practice not often encountered in the South. It was a reminder that mindfulness, too, can be a form of faith of action.
Looking ahead to 2026, Charlotte Pride plans to expand upon its commitment to interfaith collaboration. Charlotte Pride Week will once again follow tradition and begin with the annual Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service. In addition to this yearly gathering, Charlotte Pride will sponsor seasonal interfaith meetups throughout the year for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies to come together, exchange ideas, and contribute to a shared vision for a more inclusive community.
Please contact the Charlotte Pride Interfaith Team at interfaith@charlottepride.org to learn more about its programs and events or volunteer opportunities.
MEET OUR FESTIVAL’S LONGEST-RUNNING VENDOR
GUS’ GREEK FOOD
Anyone who volunteers or works with Charlotte Pride for years recognizes this name: Gus. His positive reputation precedes him, and not just because of his delicious Greek food. All the seasoned volunteers of Charlotte Pride’s festival and parade know that as soon as his van comes to the festival zone, Charlotte Pride’s Festival has officially begun.
Gus Holevas was the very first vendor of Charlotte Pride, and he has been there since our very first few years as an organization.
In 2002, when the Pride festival was rained out, people still showed up and Holevas was there too, selling hot dogs and hamburgers. I asked Holevas what that first year as a vendor was like.
“It was rainy and cold, but I was out there selling hamburgers and selling hot dogs; there was a little lady selling ice cream, too. She paid $35 to be there, and I paid $75 to be a vendor.”
When I asked Holevas to compare this year’s Charlotte Pride Festival to his first year as a vendor, he said, “It’s like day and night.” Holevas has been a vendor through every move: from Marshall Park, to the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Charlotte, to the venue that is now the Avid Xchange music venue, to Tryon Street, and now, to First Ward Park. He has witnessed the many years where protesters seemed louder than Pride participants, and he was there for the first mass commitment ceremonies of people being married before same-sex marriage was legal.
“What has been your favorite venue?” I asked. He answered with remarks on how this year was a success: “This year had more room. I liked how the vendors were set up. I’m talking about the arts vendors, I like how you could visit them in different areas.”
For someone to be this involved for this long takes some serious dedication and some serious sacrifice. Every year, Holevas’ family takes a trip to Greece to visit family. Every year, he tells his family, “This year, I’m coming on the trip, I’m coming on the trip,” to which he shared with me, his wife, Cindy, responds: “Yeah, right.” This is because Charlotte Pride falls during the time of the Greece trip. “What keeps you coming back to Charlotte Pride’s Festival as a vendor year after year?” I asked. Holevas answered, “I have lots of good friends, lots of good friends.” Of the Charlotte Pride community, he said, they “treat me right, treat me like home.”
Holevas carries a certain rapport with some of our longest involved organizers as well. He brought up Riley Murray, this year’s Grand Marshal and Charlotte Pride Board President, who has been with Charlotte Pride for nearly as long as Holevas has. “If Riley isn’t yelling at me, nothing’s right!” He said with a chuckle. “It’s not going to be a good Pride if Riley isn’t yelling at us!” This attitude of trust and commitment is certainly the product of years of collaboration between festival operations managers and vendors. With sincerity in his voice, Holevas shared, “Everyone is working hard to put on this big, beautiful show.”
“IT TOUCHES MY HEART THAT SO MANY KINDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAPPY... [AT CHARLOTTE PRIDE]”
It begs celebration that Holevas, his wife Cindy, and his whole family have been such staples at Charlotte Pride from its very beginning. Holevas is a seasoned professional and could easily spend his time elsewhere, but he has found family and community with Charlotte Pride, and we have found that with him, too. To finish off our quick interview -- because Holevas was talking to me while setting up for another festival -- I asked him about the most heartwarming thing he has witnessed at a Charlotte Pride festival. He shared, “It touches my heart that so many kinds of people are happy. I go to festivals every day, for 45 years ... [at Charlotte Pride] maybe you see your banker, your grocer, when you see all kinds of people being happy, it makes you happy.”
While Holevas doesn’t have much online presence, you can find him at nearly every festival with food in the Charlotte region. Look for Gus’ Greek Foods.
EMERGING LEADERS:
Our Charlotte Pride Scholars
Victoria Smith, Charlotte Pride Scholarship winner, is congratulated on Charlotte Pride’s main stage
Charlotte Pride Opening CeremonyChampion of Pride Scholar, Adam Rodriguez (left), with Charlotte Pride Managing Director, Meredith Thompson (right)
For a third consecutive year, our Charlotte Pride Scholarship and Internship program was generously supported by Principal® Foundation.
The program equips local LGBTQ and ally college students with financial support for their educations at two- or four-year institutions, helping empower them to reach their goals. A total of $37,500 was awarded to 12 deserving scholars for the 2025-2026 school year. In addition, our Charlotte Pride team was fortunate to work with a paid summer intern during the busy festival-planning season, thanks to this program.
The aim of the initiative is to improve economic mobility for promising LGBTQ and ally leaders. To learn more about these ongoing opportunities or to view prior years’ winners, visit charlottepride.org/scholarships
ADAM RODRIGUEZ
(he/him)
Champion of Pride Scholar ($10,000)
Appalachian State University
VICTORIA SMITH
(she/they)
Legacy Scholar ($5,000)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
SOPHIA MCGREW
(she/her)
Empowerment Scholar ($2,500)
University of South Carolina
EMMA COLLARD
(she/her)
Empowerment Scholar ($2,500)
University of North Carolina at Asheville
NOAH GROOMS
(he/him)
Leadership Scholar ($1,250)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
MALLORY MASON
(they/them)
Visionary Scholar ($1,000)
College of Charleston
ATLAS HINES
(they/them)
Visionary Scholar ($1,000)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ELLA NESBIT
(she/her)
Visionary Scholar ($1,000)
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Visionary Scholars ($1,000)
Two additional recipients, who chose to remain anonymous
JAELIN GRANT
(he/him)
Leadership Scholar ($1,250)
Howard University
KENNEDY WALKER
(he/him)
Summer Internship + ($2,500) Scholarship
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Supporting our withcommunity pride
McDonald’s has been a local sponsor for the Charlotte Pride Festival, showing unwavering support for the community for over a decade.
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Daimler Truck North America is one of the largest employers in the Carolinas with six locations in the Charlotte area. Through intentionality, understanding, and empathy, and with the help of EQUAL, Daimler’s Employee Resource Group which focuses on LGBTQIA+ employees and their allies, DTNA works to cultivate a safe and authentic workspace for employees of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We actively promote the hiring of a diverse workforce and strive to retain that talent by creating inclusive policies and education. EQUAL gathers the strength of a supportive community for our LGBTQIA+ employees and their allies while championing policy change that is inclusive for everyone.
REEL OUT CHARLOTTE
Brings Queer Representation to the Big Screen
By Caroline Bedenbaugh
I love movies, but I wouldn’t call myself a student of film.
Film has always excited me, and I especially find myself craving movies with queer storylines. As a kid in high school, I wondered where I could find more LGBTQ+ stories, especially ones that featured a wider range of identities. Many nights found me staying up way too late, devouring whatever free LGBTQ+ films I could find on YouTube or in Netflix’s LGBTQ+ category.
If I thought I knew anything about film festivals at that point, it was that they were highbrow affairs, for elites living or jet-setting in places like New York City, Toronto, or France. And it certainly never occurred me – young, in-thecloset me – that a queer film festival could – or did – exist.
Then, years later, in 2023, I discovered my first queer film festival, and that changed everything.
That October, I watched nearly every showing offered at TIGLFF, the Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. Soon after, I attended the Tampa Bay Transgender Film Festival the same weekend of Transgender Day of Visibility. I found a community with similar interests, I saw films that enlightened me with new information, and I witnessed a wider variety of queer representation than I had ever seen before on the silver screen.
Fast forward to 2025 when I moved to Charlotte … A local, queer film festival was the first thing I searched for. I was happy to find that Charlotte, too, had its own LGBTQ+ film festival, Reel Out Charlotte.
The area’s only annual LGBTQ+ film festival, Reel Out Charlotte features local filmmakers’ work, as well as films from around the globe, while putting LGBTQ+ stories on the big screen, making otherwise hard-to-find, queercentered content the main event.
Film Festivals like Reel Out Charlotte create space to show what isn’t seen elsewhere: films that haven’t yet been “discovered,” independently funded films that aren’t likely to be played in major cinemas, and films with content – like the stories of LGBTQ+ people – that aren’t as readily sought-after by the mainstream public.
This year, Charlotte Pride hosted its 17th season of the Reel Out Charlotte film festival. I sat down with Lupe Silva, Board Director of Charlotte Pride and Reel Out Charlotte Shorts Coordinator, to ask him about the film festival and what it means to him.
“You’ve been involved in the film festival’s planning for several years. What’s your favorite part?” I asked.
“When the short film screening committee finally comes together to discuss the top films and make final selections,” he said. “Affectionately
referred to as the ‘duke it out’ session, this is when each of us gets to passionately defend our favorite films to collaboratively decide on the final lineup,” he explained.
This “duke-it-out” session is the culmination of months of moviewatching by many people. Every year, a few months before the Reel Out Charlotte film festival, a group of dedicated, film-loving volunteers begins watching films, dedicating hours each week to ensure that every submitted film is seen by several viewers.
When asked about the film-selection methodology, Silva called it “a really fun, engaging, and dynamic process,” adding that it “brings out everyone’s enthusiastic dedication to curating a meaningful festival experience.”
Each Reel Out Charlotte film is LGBTQ+ themed, includes LGBTQ+
main characters, or is relevant to the queer community. The screening committee chooses a range of local and international films, creating a vibrant mix of thought-provoking, funny, heartwarming, surprising, entertaining, and educational stories that reflect the LGBTQ+ community.
One of the festival’s most beloved pieces is its Shorts Night, which Silva and his team curate. On opening night, the largest auditorium of the Independent Picture House fills up with audience members. Tickets are free or pay-what-you-can. Guests enjoy a collection of genres (documentary, animation, romance, comedy, and even the occasional horror film) while a variety of identities and experiences are also represented.
The most rewarding part?
To Silva, it’s “when community members can relate to what they see
“QUEER PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR ARE OFTEN IGNORED OR MISUNDERSTOOD IN POPULAR MEDIA, AND FESTIVALS LIKE REEL OUT CHARLOTTE MAKE SURE THAT OUR STORIES GET TOLD...”
on screen and come away saying, ‘I saw myself.’ We work incredibly hard to make those moments possible.”
The Shorts Night fan favorite of 2025 was Dragfox, a stop-motion animated short from Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The film follows Sam, a young trans kid who meets a loveable singing fox – who does drag – and together, they celebrate the things they have in common and the ways they differ. Through collective laughter and shared tears, the film let the audience build community through the enjoyment of the art of film.
I asked Silva about his personal favorite film of the night.
“I was torn between Scattered, an awesomely funny but sometimes serious take on the death of a not-so-loving parent and the uplifting community of friendship, and another film – I Don’t Know If I’ll have to Say Everything Again, a touching story from Brazil about a man who must keep coming out to his mother, who is experiencing memory loss.” Navigating difficult topics with both levity and wisdom, the two films reminded us of our shared humanity, of the importance of found family, and of what acceptance looks like.
The short film Scattered that Silva mentioned had a special connection with its Charlotte audience. Guy Olivieri, a Charlotte local and member of the Reel Out Charlotte screening committee, was the writer, producer, and lead actor in the film. I talked to Olivieri to find out more about his involvement in the film, and what it was like for him as a filmmaker and actor to see Scattered on the big screen.
“In 2025, I wrote, produced, and starred in a short film called Scattered. It’s about a gay man who has to scatter the
ashes of his dead father, who rejected him for being gay. It’s also about the friends who show up (chosen family) when you need them.” Olivieri explained. “Since it was a queer film, I couldn’t wait to submit it for consideration for Reel Out Charlotte.”
I asked him, “What has sharing your film been like, and what was it like seeing yourself on the big screen here where you live?”
“Last spring, I got to see Scattered screened in Cannes during the Cannes International Film Festival, which was a pinnacle moment for my career. But I also really hoped that people in the city I live in would click with my work. Charlotte totally did, and I got to witness that for myself at Reel Out Charlotte... the biggest crowd reaction by far was at Reel Out. It’s a comedy, and the Charlotte audience screamed, laughed hard, and was totally with the film at each moment. It was a spectacular audience of real enthusiasts of queer film.”
I asked Olivieri to tell me a bit more about why queer representation in film is important, and how queer film festivals like Reel Out Charlotte help encourage queer representation. He explained, “Queer people in particular are often ignored or misunderstood in popular media, and festivals like Reel Out Charlotte make sure that our stories get told. That leads to really moving, challenging, and fun experiences for the audience. This is so valuable to me and a lot of other queer folk.”
When I asked Olivieri what his favorite part of Reel Out Charlotte was this year, he said: “Queer Festivals like Reel Out are... really safe spaces for queer nerds.
I love queer nerds; they’re the most fun people to spend time with.”
Of course, Reel Out Charlotte isn’t just about short films. This year’s feature-length films included Canadian documentary Arthur Erickson: Beaty Between the Lines, Argentine-Italian-Spanish coproduction drama Most People Die on Sundays, Argentine romantic comedy #300 Letters, American comedy Sisters, American coming ofage romance drama Sugar Beach, American documentary I’m Your Venus, Argentine-Italian meta drama Duino (now titled Before We Forget), Canadian horror-comedy The Rebrand, and American documentary Light Up.
The Reel Out Charlotte team was sweetly surprised when Director Noely Mendoza and Writer/Star Zoe Manzotti of the feature, Sugar Beach, informed them that they would be in attendance for their film’s showing. Flying all the way from California to attend, Mendoza and Manzotti attended multiple showings during the weekend, in addition to participating in a meet-and-greet following their film, Sugar Beach.
The coming-of-age drama follows high schooler Rosalyn (played by Manzotti) as she finds herself in a relationship with two other people, Isaac and Emma, amidst a struggle with grief and addiction. The complex, beautiful film left the audience with lots of hopes and theories as to what could happen with the characters’ stories. I was fortunate enough to connect with Director Mendoza to ask her what queer film festivals are like for feature-length directors like herself.
Mendoza has shown Sugar Beach in several film festivals. When discussing the role that queer film festivals play for her film, Mendoza said with sincerity, “Screening at queer festivals has been such a blessing because we get to connect directly with our core audience, the people we made it for.” The film has been embraced by queer and non queer audiences alike, but, as she put it “The energy at queer film festivals is truly unmatched! There’s such a sense of belonging and celebration. It feels like a space where the audience understands the film on a deeper level.”
To Mendoza, the most special part of sharing Sugar Beach with audiences has been “knowing the film is part of a larger conversation about love, identity, and coming
of age that transcends labels.”
Film Festivals provide the chance for directors like Mendoza to talk about their films directly with audience members. In meet-and-greets and talkbacks, viewers can share how the films impacted them, ask questions, and find out how to further support filmmakers’ work.
Mendoza told me about a time a viewer shared that watching Sugar Beach was the first time she felt seen. Mendoza shared, “That moment completely validated why I made the film in the first place. Giving voice to those who feel unseen has always been my mission as a filmmaker from the very beginning. That conversation gave me such a boost to keep going and make sure this film reaches as many people as possible.”
Representation on and behind the screen is everimportant. As our LGBTQ+ community watches its rights being challenged or stripped away, seeing ourselves on screen can be inspiring, uplifting, and comforting. It can remind us that we are not alone. Watching these stories in community also reminds us why, and for whom, we collectively resist to make change on and beyond the movie screen.
“THE ENERGY AT QUEER FILM FESTIVALS IS TRULY UNMATCHED!”
Volunteer
Trinda Simpson with Writer/Star Zoe Manzotti and Director Noely Mendoza of Sugar Beach
crossnore.org/bridging-families
GRAND MARSHAL
Our Charlotte Pride Parade Grand Marshals represent the best of our region’s LGBTQ leaders, servants, and community change-makers.
Having given 21 years of leadership to Charlotte Pride, Riley is long overdue for this honor. However, 2025 was the perfect year to celebrate Riley as we marked our 25th anniversary and introduced a new, larger festival venue in a park setting, reminiscent of early festivals.
Riley is a past Champion of Pride: Stonewall Award winner and is Charlotte Pride’s current board president. It is through Riley’s leadership, hard work, passion, and fierce dedication that Charlotte Pride has risen to be the leader in LGBTQ visibility in the region.
Riley Murray came to Charlotte in 2005 from Santa Barbara, California, and wasted no time getting to work with Charlotte Pride. While Riley has filled
numerous roles within Charlotte Pride over the years, she has consistently been instrumental on the logistics front, tactically working to ensure the large festival and parade’s smooth execution.
Riley has been planning and attending Pride events for many years, getting her energy and joy from watching and hearing from attendees, particularly those attending their first Pride, whether they are 13 or 70. These powerful stories and joyful energy motivate Riley to come back year after year to continue creating community and growing the festival and parade.
Outside of Charlotte Pride, Riley is a Global Logistics Manager, a parent to four, and a grandparent to 12.
OUR 2025 CHARLOTTE PRIDE PARADE GRAND MARSHAL IS OUR OWN RILEY MURRAY.
ofPride
HONORING OUR STONEWALL & LEGACY CHAMPIONS OF PRIDE
OUR CHARLOTTE PRIDE “CHAMPIONS OF PRIDE” ANNUAL AWARDS, ALONG WITH OUR CHARLOTTE PRIDE PARADE GRAND MARSHAL DESIGNATIONS, SEEK TO RECOGNIZE THOSE 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. Champions understand the importance of celebrating our past, present, and future while advancing LGBTQ rights and visibility.
Stonewall and Legacy Awards are particularly elevated, special designations given only when individuals have contributed to our community in exceptional ways.
In celebration of 25 years of Charlotte Pride, this year, we invited our Champions of Pride: Stonewall and
Legacy Award Winners from 2015 to Present to join us on our Charlotte Pride Main Stage for the festival’s opening ceremony and at the front of our Charlotte Pride Parade.
For more information on Charlotte Pride’s Champions of Pride awards and a full listing of award winners in all categories, please visit charlottepride.org/champions.
CHAMPIONS OF PRIDE: STONEWALL AWARD
The Stonewall Award is given occasionally to acknowledge truly outstanding individuals whose longstanding and dedicated service to Charlotte Pride or other Pride events and activities in Charlotte deserves special recognition.
STONEWALL AWARD WINNERS
2015 Recipients:
Dave Webb
Darryl Logsdon
Kimberly Melton
2016 Recipient: Riley Murray
2017 Recipient: Clay Smith
2018 Recipients: Richard Grimstad
Craig Hopkins
2019 Recipient: Matt Comer
2022 Recipient: Daniel Valdez
2022 Stonewall Award Winner Daniel Valdez and Meredith Thompson
LEGACY AWARD
A special award given only from time to time at the discretion of the Charlotte Pride Board of Directors, the Legacy Award honors individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding, lifelong commitment to community and service, leaving a legacy and impact over many years or decades.
LEGACY AWARD WINNERS
2016 Inaugural Recipients:
Dr. Rhett Brown
Susan Henry
In Memoriam: Blake Brockington (1996-2015)
In Memoriam: Donaldson Wells King (1942-2014)
2020-2021 Recipients:
Shann Fulton
In Memoriam: Johnny Johnson (1958-2020)
2022 Recipient: Debbie Warren
Stonewall and Legacy Award Recipients at the Opening Ceremony
Riley Murray, 2016 Stonewall Award Recipient
Johnny Johnson
Accessible Healthcare for
HOW OUR HISTORY INFORMS OUR FUTURE
By Caroline Bedenbaugh and Meredith Thompson
In 2000, some determined, energetic friends who endeavored to make Charlotte a place of welcome came together to found the nonprofit, Charlotte Pride. Their idea to start a Pride here was sparked not too long after Tony Kushner’s play, Angels in America, came to Charlotte, setting off protest and controversy.
On the one hand, Angels in America’s arrival marked a significant moment of growth for Charlotte’s arts and culture scene, with an objectively brilliant production landing here, its stunning set designed by a local, Joe Gardner of Davidson College. The play, which won Kushner multiple Tony Awards and a Pulitzer, was a big deal, and its arrival
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
It’s a warm September evening after the excitement of the recent Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade has calmed, leaving a quiet sense of satisfaction and joy with its organizers and attendees. Another safe, fun, and affirming event welcomed and entertained thousands of attendees. One of those attendees was Jeff Schmehl. I, one of the current organizers, found myself sitting across from him at a picnic table under tree cover at the lovely McGill Rose Garden in NoDa. A cool breeze is blowing, further reminding us that the hot August festival weekend has come and gone. Schmehl is one of the founders of Charlotte Pride, and as I reflect on the recent festival, I am excited to hear his stories of how he and others started it all.
He smiles and says, “I have a gift for you.” He hands me a small pin engraved with “Charlotte Pride.” A rainbow outline of Charlotte’s Uptown blazes across a gold background. I instantly recognize the emblem as the original Charlotte Pride logo – I’d come across it in
here suggested Charlotte – and our arts scene – could be, too. On the other hand, this became a troubled and shameful period for our city as the ensuing discourse over the play made it clear that not all of Charlotte was ready for boundary-pushing art or to relive and come to grips with the AIDS crisis of the eighties.
So, in the late nineties, Charlotte was on the cusp of either moving forward or backward. These few individuals started Charlotte Pride as a way of adding momentum to the forward push.
Charlotte Pride documents I’d browsed through at the University of North Carolina Charlotte archives. I thank him, grateful to receive this little piece of history from a local movement and organization that I am only just beginning to be a part of.
Schmehl explains that the pin is a “Friends of Pride” pin from the first year of the Charlotte Pride Festival in 2001. This pin would have been given to individual donors to the organization’s activities, and now I’ll get to display it proudly on lapels or bags for years to come.
Schmehl is one of several important figures in Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ history. In 2000, a group organized by John Mays was meeting weekly on Wednesday evenings, bouncing between two now closed, but once landmark, Charlotte businesses: Caribou Coffee on East Boulevard and the gay sports bar, Hartigan’s Pub, where they talked about creating revolutionary change over wings and beer.
Charlotte hadn’t seen a large outdoor Pride event of sorts since 1994, when North Carolina Pride was held in the city. The community that met weekly on Wednesdays was craving a dedicated celebration for LGBTQ+ Pride in Charlotte.
So Schmehl, Michaele Harlow, and John Stotler, who were part of Mays’ group, decided to do something about this. They began meeting to create Charlotte Pride – the city’s own LGBTQ+ Pride Festival.
The first thing the founders decided to complete was the articles of incorporation. Alan Rosenberg, a former President of the Gay & Lesbian Switchboard of Charlotte and founder of the bi-married men’s group, helped create and adapt the documents needed for Charlotte Pride to become an official not-for-profit organization. Thus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Charlotte Pride, Inc., was founded.
2001
CHARLOTTE’S INAUGURAL PRIDE FESTIVAL
After a year of planning, the first Charlotte Pride Festival was held on May 5th, 2001. Schmehl and the other founders secured Marshall Park for the entire day– for just $750, Schmehl told us. “Wow!” said Meredith Thompson, current Managing Director of Charlotte Pride, who sat next to me at the picnic table across from Schmehl that evening. Thompson, who now oversees planning for the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade, knows how different - and expensive - securing a festival venue is today.
Schmehl characterized the first festival as “chaotic,” but outwardly successful. Thompson and I exchanged glances in acknowledgement that we still feel that tension of what can sometimes feel like “organized chaos.”
Speaking of chaos, early on the morning of that first Charlotte Pride Festival - Schmehl recalls it being around 4 o’clock - organizers discovered that, to legally serve alcohol in the park, they had to fence in the entire park. With little time to plan, organizers pulled through, acquiring a plastic fence from a hardware store.
The event was ON! 3,000 people attended the first Charlotte Pride in 2001. RAIN kicked off the day with an AIDS walk in the morning, while the Charlotte Pride Festival ran from noon until 6 pm, with a local gay bar, Genesis, holding a dance party event that night.
The first Charlotte Pride festival had four major sponsors: Coors Light, G&L Internet Bank, ID Lubricants, and US Airways. (The current festival garners around 70 corporate sponsors.)
Only a few people, all volunteers, helped plan that original festival. The board of directors was small, and the times were different. One of the board members had to go by a fake name to remain anonymous and avoid negative attention at work. The 2001 Pride Committee consisted of: Jeff Englar, Kris Ledbetter, Jen Lichter, Jeff Schmehl, John Stotler, Shalimar Strahan, Rob Tynes, and Kevin Washburn.
WHAT FOLLOWED: FALLOUT AND FORWARD MOMENTUM
Over the next few years, Charlotte Pride grew in size and strength, unfortunately attracting more pushback. In 2003, a mass commitment event was organized by another early leader, John Quillin (now Managing Artistic Director, Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte and Women’s Chorus of Charlotte), in which couples were ceremoniously joined - in protest and defiance of the fact that same-sex marriage had not yet been legalized. The ceremony was disrespected and disrupted by a very loud motorcycle brigade. From 2001 to 2005, Charlotte Pride’s Festival was held in Uptown’s Marshall Park. But in 2004 and 2005, anti-Pride protesters were especially high in number. With no local ordinance protections from the city, the protesters infiltrated the park. It was at this time that Charlotte Pride decided to move its festival to a safer location. Jim Yarbrough, publisher of QNotes since 1989, helped connect organizers with the Lesbian & Gay Community Center of Charlotte, which had opened its first physical location in 2003. In 2006, the Center officially joined forces with the queer paper’s publisher,
Pride organizers, and other community leaders to produce the event under the Center’s umbrella. Charlotte Pride became Pride Charlotte, a project of the Lesbian & Gay Community Center of Charlotte. Pivoting again for safety reasons to private property, the event moved to Gateway Village in 2006, taking advantage of this Uptown events venue, which is partially enclosed, allowing organizers to control entry and therefore, the presence of protesters. In 2010, the festival moved to the Garden & Gun Club, a gay bar that stood where the AvidXchange Music Factory is now.
Following a decade of evolution and growth, the Charlotte Pride Festival moved to Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte in 2011 and added a parade in 2013. Also in 2013, Pride Charlotte and the Center announced that the annual Pride event would spin off as an independent organization, Charlotte Pride. Under the leadership of the then board chair, Daniel Valdez, Charlotte Pride hired its first paid staff in 2017, building on 17 long, hard years of work and leadership by tireless volunteers. The team and the community, as always, weathered the storm of rising and falling political favor, with the infamous “bathroom bill” being passed in North Carolina in March of 2016, answered by LGBTQ protections being passed in Charlotte five years later. Unfortunately, in 2025, SB516 echoed the earlier HB2, which similarly targeted transgender people, restricting bathroom use based on sex assigned at birth and taking away transgender individuals’ right to change the gender on their birth certificates and driver’s licenses.
As of 2025, Charlotte Pride, which has grown to be the leader in LGBTQ visibility in Charlotte and the Carolinas, has three full-time staff, who work alongside about a dozen teams of year-round volunteers, to execute its festival, parade, and other year-round programs. And, as you may know, the festival weekend has grown to include more than a quarter-million attendees, making it our city’s largest annual event in Uptown.
A NEW BEGINNING
This year, as the organization marked its 25th year, Charlotte Pride looked all the way back to the start, to its humble beginnings, for inspiration. In a move that paid homage to its past, the leaders who had started it
all, and the original meaning and purpose of Pride, the organization shifted from its comfortable home on Tryon and relocated the large, free public event back to its roots – that is, to a park.
After many years in the heart of Uptown, in the most visible of all places, our city’s main street, Tryon, with skyscrapers flanking them, organizers knew they needed to honor the growth and purpose of the festival with more space. With an ever-growing number of people drawn in since moving to the center of the city, the festival had simply outgrown its footprint, pushing organizers to relocate the event to First Ward Park and surrounding streets, a more expansive and festival-friendly venue.
The change was not easy for event organizers or for those who loved the tradition of a big street party in the heart of the city. In the end, the response from festival attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and 2025’s festival marked a new beginning, laying a foundation for bigger and better Pride celebrations in the future.
WHAT HASN’T CHANGED
As my conversation with Jeff Schmehl drew to a close, the sun setting and the cafe string lights at McGill Rose Garden coming on, I continued to absorb the stories of Charlotte Pride from years past.
I wondered aloud, “What was the most rewarding part of starting Charlotte Pride?”
Schmehl didn’t hesitate. “The friendships,” he said. “The satisfaction of knowing we pulled it off and completed it, and that basically everyone had a good time.” To this day, a lot of us would say that’s what keeps us going — paid and unpaid staff: not only the connections we ourselves make through doing this work, but the larger community we see being created and evolving, welcoming in new faces and striving to be more inclusive. “Knowing that we pulled [this] off” continues to bring incredible satisfaction.
Thankfully, Schmehl and the other founders of Charlotte Pride turned pushback into collaboration. Collaboration created a community. That same framework of collaboration continues to be ever-important today.
WHAT HAS CHANGED? WHAT WILL CHANGE? WHAT WON’T?
Having been a part of the first Charlotte Pride festival, Schmehl has a rare perspective on how the festival and parade weekend have evolved. Happily, he was able to attend the Charlotte Pride festival and parade this year, prompting us to ask, “What has changed since that first festival?”
“Charlotte is not the city it was in 2001,” Schmehl answered. During the time of Charlotte Pride’s origins, LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance were not always expected or experienced, he explained. Over the last decade and a half, we’ve watched Charlotte Pride’s festival weekend grow exponentially, while also seeing popular sentiment swell in support of the LGBTQ community.
But with the current legislative season seeing 616 antiLGBT bills currently being tracked by the American Civil Liberties Union, including 9 in North Carolina, the importance of Pride – the NECESSITY of it – is being brought to light. We know we have much work ahead, and that Pride must always (and WILL always) exist.
Our current social, cultural, and political climates suggest that we still have great strides to make – for our gender diverse community, for trans individuals, for queer women and people of color – and that our rights are never a given.
However, leaders like Schmehl and those who worked before him, alongside him, and those who followed in his footsteps, inspire us to keep going, their stories reminding us that it’s never easy but that the reward – a community of love and solidarity – is worth fighting for. Sometimes, impactful change that builds an inclusive community can be as simple as a few friends meeting in a coffee shop or sports bar to dream and plan.
For more information on our history and the history of the Pride movement in our region, please visit charlottepride. org/history.
2002
MEET YOUR 2025 CHARLOTTE PRIDE & CHARLOTTE BLACK PRIDE
DRAG COURTS
by Anthony Walton-Tate
Each year in the Queen City, some of Charlotte’s best drag performers and changemakers compete for the crown of Charlotte Pride and Charlotte Black Pride royalty. We’re proud to introduce you to this year’s pageant winners. We asked each of them the same questions so that you can get to know a little more about them. Here are the members of our 2025 courts, and a peek into what they intend to achieve during their reigns.
“MY
DRAG AS VICKI VANITY IS ABOUT BLENDING STRENGTH AND SOFTNESS, MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY, AND SHOWING THAT BEAUTY EXISTS IN EVERY FORM.”
Mx. Charlotte Pride - Vicki Vanity
Q: What does it mean to you to hold the title of Mx. Charlotte Pride?
A: For me, winning the title of Mx. Charlotte Pride wasn’t about winning a title or having a crown but about using my platform to give back to the community who has done so much for me both in and out of drag.
Q: How long have you been a drag artist?
A: I’ve only been doing drag for two years but have been around drag for the last four years, thanks to my amazing partners who own and run The Vanity House.
Q: How did you come to the art of drag? What or whom inspired you or encouraged you?
A: I call them Chris and Nic, but our community better knows them as Valley and Vanna Vanity of the Vanity House. I first attended their show at Hot Taco four years ago and absolutely fell in love with the talent [consistently on display]. Since then, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work behind the scenes with not only the entertainers I’d seen on TV shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Dragula, but also some really amazing people who have shown me what community means. As far as who inspired me, my big three are: Miss Black America Plus 2025, Dorae Saunders; Miss Universo Latina USA 2025, Kassandra Hylton; [and] lastly... the person that showed me how to DJ, get in drag, and who has guided me every step of the way, Vanna Vanity.
Q: Do you hold any other titles?
A: This was actually my very first pageant... and I gotta say, I may have been bitten by the pageant [competition] bug. Stay tuned [to see] what else Vicki may compete in in the future.
Q: What are some favorite causes or passions you hold dear?
A: Something I shared at the pageant that I hold dear and close to my heart is the [plight of the] unhoused. I was homeless at one point, so now being in a position where I can give back and help those in need (especially those in the LGBT community), [doing so] is a passion of mine.
Q: How do you intend to leverage this title to impact positive change, make the art of drag more visible, or create greater understanding of your particular artistic expression?
A: My drag as Vicki Vanity is about blending strength and softness, masculinity and femininity, and showing that beauty exists in every form. With this title, I want to use my platform to challenge traditional ideas of what drag looks like and whom it’s for. I plan to create visibility for bearded, body-positive, and Latinx drag artists while using performance to start conversations about identity, spirit, and self-expression. My art is about authenticity, and I want others to feel seen through it.
“I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT FAMILY, GOWNS... AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLES’ LIVES.”
Miss Charlotte Pride - Malayia Chanel Iman
Q: What does it mean to you to hold the title of Miss Charlotte Pride?
A: Joining this amazing legacy has been a dream of mine because I want to give back to this community that has given so much to me. It gives me a platform to reach out and help as many individuals as I can in the community.
Q: How long have you been a drag artist?
A: I have been in the art form of female impersonation for 17 years.
Q: How did you come to the art of drag? What or whom inspired you or encouraged you?
A: I actually started as a male lead and I competed in a pageant at Warehouse 29. It was the Triad Pride pageant. I received first runner-up that night and one of the judges (Fuschia Rage) told me that I should try drag and look what she started (laughs)!
Q: Do you hold any other titles?
A: Right now, I am Miss Gay North Carolina America, Miss Chemistry, and Miss Charlotte FFI Prime.
Q: What are some favorite causes or passions you hold dear?
A: Being a cancer survivor, cancer awareness is a cause of mine. And [I believe in] unity in our community, for divided we fall but united we will rise. I am very passionate about family, gowns... and making a difference in peoples’ lives.
Q: How do you intend to leverage this title to impact positive change, make the art of drag more visible, or create greater understanding of your particular artistic expression?
A: By making sure I am seen not just in the clubs on the stage but in the community. Traveling throughout Charlotte as well as outside spreading the brand of Charlotte Pride through entertainment, interviews, and collaborations. Helping out whenever and wherever I can. As well as helping out with all Pride events during my reign, as well as when I am a former.
“I WANT TO USE THIS PLATFORM TO BRING GREATER AWARENESS TO THE STRUGGLES OUR LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO FACE.”
Mr. Charlotte Pride – Charlton Alicea
Q: What does it mean to you to hold the title of Mr. Charlotte Pride?
A: Holding the title of Mr. Charlotte Pride is truly an honor and a responsibility. It represents the heart of our community — strength, visibility, and celebration of who we are. For me, it’s about being a voice and a bridge — celebrating the art, culture, and resilience of our LGBTQIA+ family while creating space for others to feel seen, valued, and uplifted. Charlotte Pride has always been about authenticity and inclusion, and I’m proud to help carry that legacy forward.
Q: How long have you been a drag artist?
A: I’ve been doing drag for close to 10 years now — a decade of self-discovery, creativity, and connection.
Q: How did you come to the art of drag? What or whom inspired you or encouraged you?
A: My journey into drag began through a mix of admiration and opportunity. I was asked to choreograph for several local performers competing in pageants, and being part of their creative process opened my eyes to the artistry and passion behind drag. What started as helping others bring their vision to life became the spark that led me to discover my own. Many friends encouraged me to explore my creativity. My mentor, LaWanda Jackson, helped me realize my full potential and taught me that our voices have power to make change and open eyes in and out of drag.
Q: Do you hold any other titles?
A: Yes, over the years, I’ve had the privilege of earning several titles that reflect different chapters of my drag journey, such as Mr. Entertainer of the Year and Mr. Renaissance, but Mr. Charlotte Pride holds a special place because it connects directly to the heart of my city and community.
Q: What are some favorite causes or passions you hold dear?
A: I’m deeply passionate about LGBTQIA+ youth empowerment, mental health awareness, and creating safe, inclusive spaces for self-expression. I also care deeply about community building through the arts — using creativity as a form of healing, unity, and education. Currently, I am on the board of Theatre Charlotte. I am also an advocate for Renaissance Kares.
Q: How do you intend to leverage this title to impact positive change, make the art of drag more visible, or create greater understanding of your particular artistic expression?
A: As Mr. Charlotte Pride, I want to use this platform to bring greater awareness to the struggles our LGBTQIA+ community continues to face — from discrimination and inequality to the need for true acceptance and representation. I believe change happens through visibility and collaboration, so I plan to work with more intention alongside our straight allies, local artists, and community
leaders to build bridges of understanding and support. Drag is more than performance — it’s storytelling, activism, and resilience — and I hope to use my voice and this title to remind people of the strength, creativity, and humanity that live within our community.
CHARLOTTE BLACK PRIDE DRAG COURT
“I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ YOUTH, AND USING CREATIVITY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND BUILD UNDERSTANDING.”
CHARLOTTE FFI JR.
Miss 2025—Porsche Dupree XL
Q: What does it mean to you to hold the title of Charlotte FFI Jr. Miss 2025?
A: Holding the title of Charlotte FFI Jr. Miss 2025 is truly an honor. It represents a chance to uplift my community, showcase my artistry, and inspire others to embrace confidence and authenticity.
Q: How long have you been a drag artist?
A: I’ve been a drag artist for five years. Throughout that time, drag has allowed me to grow creatively and personally, shaping me into the performer I am today.
Q: How did you come to the art of drag? What or whom inspired you or encouraged you?
A: I discovered the art of drag through incredible performers who inspired me to express myself in new ways. The support and encouragement from my friends and community pushed me to take that first step and fully embrace the art form.
Q: Do you hold any other titles?
A: Yes, I also hold the title of Miss Trailer Park 2025 at Chemistry Nightclub. Each title has given me a new
platform to connect with others and continue growing as an entertainer.
Q: What are some favorite causes or passions you hold dear?
A: I’m passionate about mental health awareness, supporting LGBTQ+ youth, and using creativity to bring people together and build understanding.
Q: How do you use your art to affect change or change minds?
A: I use my art to affect change through dance. Movement allows me to tell stories, share emotion, and reach people in a way that words sometimes cannot.
Q: How do you intend to leverage this title to impact positive change, make drag more visible, or create greater understanding of your art?
A: I intend to use this title to highlight the power and beauty of drag as an art form. My goal is to promote inclusion, inspire self-expression, and create spaces where all performers feel seen and valued.
Miss Charlotte Black Pride Ivy Chanel Iman Davidson
Ivy Chanel Iman Davidson’s message is one of unity and community. “It’s time for our community to stand together as one, not separated... I want to stand for the community, not just myself... Yes, I represent Charlotte Black Pride, but I care for everyone. Pride should unite us as one.”
During her reign as Miss Charlotte Black Pride, Ivy Chanel Iman Davidson “want[s] people to feel welcome, have a good time, and know it’s okay to stand out and be proud of who they are.”
Her message to the local LGBTQ+ community?
To “stop being afraid, step out, and be yourself.”
“IT’S TIME FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO STAND TOGETHER AS ONE, NOT SEPARATED.”
Mr. Charlotte Black Pride – Psych Starr Valentino
Q: What does it mean to you to hold the title of Mr. Charlotte Black Pride?
A: Holding the title of Mr. Charlotte Black Pride means no matter what I put my mind to, I can achieve.
Q: How long have you been a drag artist?
A: I have been doing [the] art form of drag for 12 years.
Q: How did you come to the art of drag? What or whom inspired you or encouraged you?
A: As a teenager, I used to travel to Louisville, Kentucky, from Lexington, Kentucky, just to live my truth. I found an all-acceptance bar called Connections. There I [saw the] male entertainment of Darian Valentino. I fell in love with how he uses music to create a story.
Q: Do you hold any other titles?
A: I hold several titles, but the current one is Mr. Pecan State At Large.
Q: What are some favorite causes or passions you hold dear?
A: God is always first in my life. My family [whom] I cherish. My chosen family, who make me strong.
Q: How do you use your art to affect change or change minds?
A: I use my art to show others that you can use any talent you have to inspire others. Each title that I have been blessed to capture or have captured. I use that platform to help feed the community and provide our community with school supplies.
“I USE MY ART TO SHOW OTHERS THAT YOU CAN USE ANY TALENT YOU HAVE TO INSPIRE OTHERS.”
Miss Charlotte Black Pride Lady – Justine Lindsay
Quotes for the following spotlight on Justine Lindsay were sourced from the article “Charlotte Pride and Charlotte Black Pride’s 2025 Courts step into the spotlight,” by Liz Schob, found at Qnotescarolinas.com. “I decided to take a chance on myself, embracing my identity with the affirmation: I am here, I am queer, and my voice matters,” Justine Lindsay said about her embarkment into pageantry.
Justine Lindsay is a Charlotte native, an activist, a professional dancer, and a three-time NFL Cheerleader for the Carolina Panthers. She was also the first openly trans woman to cheer for the NFL. Concluding her career as a cheerleader for the Carolina Panthers, she is now focusing on her pageantry and activist work. Since taking the title of Miss Charlotte Black Pride Lady, she has accepted the position of Trans Liaison on the Charlotte Black Pride Board of Directors.
In an Instagram post sharing the news of her win to the title of Miss Charlotte Black Pride Lady, she wrote, “As I reign this year, I will remember who I am, where I came from, what the goal and my purpose is through and through.”
When asked about what her new role as Miss Charlotte Black Pride Lady represents for her and her community, she shared, “We represent the curiosity and passion for the arts...Through our roles, we aim to inspire and empower the next generation to embrace their identities and express their creativity.”
“I DECIDED TO TAKE A CHANCE ON MYSELF, EMBRACING MY IDENTITY WITH THE AFFIRMATION: I AM HERE, I AM QUEER, AND MY VOICE MATTERS.”
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
ADVOCACY
ACLU of North Carolina acluofnorthcarolina.org
Campaign for Southern Equality southernequality.org
Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce clgbtcc.org
Equality North Carolina equalitync.org
Freedom Center for Social Justice fcsj.org
Human Rights Campaign North Carolina northcarolina.hrc.org
Legal Aid of North Carolina legalaidnc.org
LGBTQ Democrats of Mecklenburg County lgbtqdemocrats.org/mecklenburg
Log Cabin Republicans of North Carolina lcrnc.org
North Carolina AIDS Action Network ncaan.org
ART
Arts & Science Council of Charlotte artsandscience.org
Carolina Theatre thecarolina.com
Charlotte Pride Band charlotteprideband.org
Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte gmccharlotte.org
Independent Picture House independentpicturehouse.org
One Voice Chorus onevoicechorus.com
Three Bone Theatre threebonetheatre.com
VisArt Video visartvideo.org
HEALTH & HIV CARE
Affinity Health Center
Locations in Rock Hill, Clover, and York 877-647-6363 | affinityhealthcenter.org
Amity Medical Group
Locations in East and South Charlotte 704-208-4134 | amitymed.org
Anuvia Prevention & Recovery Center
100 Billingsley Rd. Charlotte, NC 28211 704-376-7447 | anuvia.org
Carolinas Care Partnership
5855 Executive Center Dr. Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28212 704-531-2467 | carolinascare.org
Charlotte Trans Health charlottetranshealth.org
Dudley’s Place
103 Commerce Centre Dr. Suite 103, Huntersville, NC 28078 704-977-2972 | dudleysplace.org
House of Mercy
100 McAuley Cir. Belmont, NC 28012 704-825-4711 | thehouseofmercy.org
Mecklenburg County Health Department
249 Billingsley Rd. Charlotte, NC 28211 704-336-6500 | health.mecknc.gov
Mecklenburg County Health Department – HIV/STI Services 704-336-6500 health.mecknc.gov/hiv-sti
Mecklenburg County – Tobacco Prevention and Control – Quitline NC 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) Español: 1-855-Déjelo-Ya (1-855-335-3569) quitlinenc.dph.ncdhhs.gov
Planned Parenthood Charlotte Health Center
700 S. Torrence St. Charlotte, NC 28204 704-536-7233
PowerHouse 2.0
3552 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte, NC 28216 980-999-5295 facebook.com/ThePowerhouseProject
Quality Comprehensive Health Center 3607 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte, NC 28216 704-394-8968 | qchealth.net
Queen City Harm Reduction 811 Eastway Dr. Charlotte, NC 28205 980-395-2199 | qcne.org
RAIN
601 E. 5th St. Suite 470 Charlotte, NC 28202 704-372-7246 | carolinarain.org
RAO Community Health 321 W. 11th St. Charlotte, NC 28202 704-237-8793 | raoassist.org
Rosedale Health and Wellness
103 Commerce Centre Dr. Suite 103 Huntersville, NC 28078 704-948-8582 | myrosedalehealth.com
INTERFAITH
Advent Lutheran Church ELCA Lutheran 8840 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28213 704-650-3225 | adventlu.org
Caldwell Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church (USA) 1609 East Fifth St. Charlotte, NC, 28204 704-334-0825 | caldwellpresby.org
Christ Church Charlotte
Episcopal 1412 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28207 704-333-0378 | christchurchcharlotte.org
Davidson College Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church (USA) 100 North Main Street Davidson, North Carolina 28036 704-892-5641 | dcpc.org
Dilworth United Methodist Church
United Methodist 605 East Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203 704-333-4173 | dilworthchurch.org
First United Methodist Church
United Methodist
501 N. Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202 704-333-9081 | charlottefirst.org
Havurat Tikvah
Jewish, Reconstructionist 2821 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 980-225-5330 | havurattikvah.org
Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
501 Hawthorne Lane Charlotte, NC 28204
704-332-8131 | hlumc.org
Holy Covenant UCC
United Church of Christ
3501 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28269 704-599-9810 | holycovenantucc.org
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 1900 The Plaza Charlotte, NC 28205 704-377-5439 | htlccharlotte.org
Inclusion Community
United Methodist 21209 Catawba Ave. Cornelius, NC 28021 inclusioncommunity.org
Light of Christ United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church 9106 Bryant Farms Road Charlotte, NC 28277 980-355-0637 | locumc.org
Missiongathering Christian Church
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 420 E. 15th St. Charlotte, NC 28206
704-412-4028
M2M Charlotte
Presbyterian Church (USA) 3601 Central Avenue Charlotte, NC 28205
m2mcharlotte.org
Park Road Baptist Church
Alliance of Baptists
3900 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28209 704-523-5717 | parkroadbaptist.org
Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church
Unitarian Universalist 9704 Mallard Creek Road Charlotte, NC 28262, and 1620 Brenner Ave Salisbury, NC 28144
704-510-0008 | puuc.org
Sacred Souls United Church of Christ 2127 Eastway Drive Charlotte, NC 28205 980-301-5836 | sacredsoulsucc.org
Sanctuary Counseling Group – Main Office 2129 E 7th St Charlotte, NC 28204 704-375-5354 sanctuarycounselinggroup.org
Sardis Baptist Church
Alliance of Baptists, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
5811 Sardis Rd. Charlotte, NC 28270 704-362-0811 sardisbaptistcharlotte.org
SouthPark Christian Church
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
6650 Park South Dr Charlotte, NC 28210 (704) 554-1066 | southparkchristian.org
St. John’s Baptist Church
Alliance of Baptists, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
300 Hawthorne Ln. Charlotte, NC 28204 704-333-5428 | stjohnsbaptistchurch.org
St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church
Baptist
1600 Norris Avenue Charlotte, NC 28206
704-375-9650 | stlukeclt.churchtrac.com
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church 1510 E. 7th Street Charlotte, NC 28204
704-376-8441 | stmclt.org
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church 115 West 7th St. Charlotte, NC 28202
704-332-7746 | st-peters.org
Temple Beth El
Judaism
5101 Providence Rd Charlotte, NC 28226 704-366-1948 | templebethel.org
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church (USA) 3115 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28211
704-366-3554 | trinitypreschurch.org
Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte
Unitarian Universalism
234 N. Sharon Amity Rd. Charlotte, NC 28211
704-366-8623 | uuccharlotte.org
Watershed Charlotte
Non-denominational 2101 Shenandoah Avenue Charlotte, NC 28205
704-644-0919 | watershedcharlotte.com
Wedgewood Community Church Interfaith PO Box 18912 Charlotte, NC 28218 704-641-0454 | wedgewoodcharlotte.org
LGBTQ+ NIGHTLIFE
Bar Argon
4544 South Blvd Charlotte, NC 28209 704-525-7787 | barargon.com
Chasers Charlotte Noda
3217 The Plaza Charlotte, NC 28205 980-402-3297 | chaserscharlotte.com
The Scorpio 225 Fairwood Ave Charlotte, NC 28203 704-837-2536 | thescorpio.com
Sidelines Sports Bar and Billiards 4544 South Blvd Charlotte, NC 28209 704-525-2608 | thesidelinesbar.com
The Woodshed Bar 3935 Queen City Dr Charlotte, NC 28208 704-394-1712 | thewoodshedbar.com
ONLINE & PRINT MEDIA
Axios Charlotte axios.com/local/charlotte
Charlotte Magazine charlottemagazine.com
Charlotte Observer charlotteobserver.com
Charlotte Post thecharlottepost.com
CLTure clture.org
Hola News holanews.com
La Noticia lanoticia.com
Norsan Media norsanmedia.com
QCityMetro qcitymetro.com
Q Notes Carolinas qnotescarolinas.com
Queen City Nerve qcnerve.com
Que Pasa Mi Gente quepasamedia.com
Scalawag Magazine scalawagmagazine.org
PRIDE IN THE CAROLINAS
Charlotte Pride is a member of the International Association of Pride Organizers (InterPride) and the U.S. Association of Prides (USAP). We are proud to support and highlight our sibling Prides across the Carolinas.
Alamance Pride Burlington, NC alamancepride.org
Apex Pride Apex, NC
facebook.com/ApexNCPride
Belmont Pride Bar Crawl & Community Day Belmont, NC
Blue Ridge Pride Asheville, NC blueridgepride.org
Boone Pride Boone, NC facebook.com/boonencpride
Catawba Valley Pride Hickory, NC catawbavalleypride.org
Charleston Pride Charleston, SC charlestonpride.org
Charlotte Black Pride Charlotte, NC charlotteblackpride.org
Charlotte Pride Charlotte, NC charlottepride.org
Chatham Pride Pittsboro, NC chathampride.org
ENC Pride Kinston, NC
Fayetteville Black Pride Fayetteville, NC facebook.com/ fayettevilleblackpride
Fayetteville Pride Fayetteville, NC fayettevillepride.org
Fuquay-Varina Pride Fuquay-Varina, NC fv-pride.org
Grand Strand Pride Myrtle Beach, SC grandstrandpride.com
Greensboro Pride Greensboro, NC greensboropride.org
Greenville-Pitt County Pride Greenville, NC
Hendersonville Pride Hendersonville, NC hendersonvillepride.org
Huntersville Pride Huntersville, NC
Lexington Pride Lexington, NC facebook.com/Lexington NCPride
LGBTQ Center of Cape Fear Coast Wilmington, NC lgbtqcapefear.org
Lowcountry Pride Group Beaufort County, SC lowcountrypride.org
Mooresville Pride Mooresville, NC
Mt Holly Pride Mt Holly, NC facebook.com/mthollyncpride
MY Pride
Mitchell & Yancey counties, NC mypridenc.org
New Bern Pride New Bern, NC newbernpride.com
Outer Banks PrideFest Manteo, NC obxpridefest.com
Out! Raleigh Raleigh, NC outraleigh.org
Park Circle Pride Charleston, SC parkcirclepride.com
PBO Pride Pittsboro, NC pbopride.org
Port City Pride Wilmington, NC facebook.com/ PortCityPrideBlockParty
Pride Durham Durham, NC pridedurhamnc.org Pridefest Greenville, SC pridefestcollab.org
Pride in the Pee Dee Florence, SC peedeeequality.org
Pride of Holly Springs Holly Springs, NC prideofhollysprings.com
Pride on Main Haywood, NC haywoodncprideonmain.org
Pride Winston-Salem Winston-Salem, NC pridews.org
Rock Hill Pride Rock Hill, SC cdmercantile.com/rock-hillpride
Salisbury Pride Salisbury, NC salisburypride.com
Sandhills Pride Pinehurst, NC sandhillspride.org
Shelby Pride Shelby, NC
Small Town Pride Chapel Hill & Carrboro
South Carolina Black Pride Columbia, SC facebook.com/southcarolina. blackpride
South Carolina Pride Columbia, SC scpride.org
Statesville Pride Alliance Statesville, NC statesvillepridealliance.com
Sylva Pride Sylva, NC facebook.com/SylvaNCPride
Union County Pride Union County, NC unioncountypride.org
Upstate Pride SC Spartanburg, SC Upstatepridesc.org
Wake Forest Pride Wake Forest, NC wakeforestpride.org
Wilkes True Colors Wilkesboro, NC facebook.com/ WilkesTrueColors
Wilson Pride Wilson, NC Wilsonpridenc.com
SOCIAL SUPPORT RESOURCES
Carolina Bear Lodge carolinabearlodge.club
Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce clgbtcc.org
Charlotte Black Pride charlotteblackpride.org
Charlotte Gaymers Network charlottegaymersnetwork.com
Charlotte Pride charlottepride.org
Charlotte Tradesman charlottetradesmen.org
Crisis Assistance Ministry 500-A Spratt St. Charlotte, NC 28206 704-371-3001 | crisisassistance.org
Feed The Movement facebook.com/ feedthemovementclt
Hearts United for Good hugclt.org
Pauli Murray LGBTQ+ Bar Association lgbtqbarnc.com
The Plus Collective thepluscollective.org
Poor No More facebook.com/ PoorNoMoreCharlotte
Prime Timers of Charlotte chapters.theprimetimersww. com/charlotte
Roof Above roofabove.org
Southern Country Charlotte southerncountrycharlotte.com
Twirl to the World Foundation twirltotheworld.org
Charlotte
SPORTS
Carolina Piedmont Softball Association carolinapiedmontsoftball.org
Charlotte Front Runners facebook.com/ CharlotteFrontRunners
Charlotte Pride FC @charlottepridefc
Charlotte Rainbowlers charlotterainbowlers.com
Charlotte Roller Derby cltrd.org
Charlotte Royals Rugby charlotteroyalsrugby.com
Hare Bandits harebandits.org
Stonewall Sports stonewallcharlotte.org
YOUTH & FAMILY
Central Piedmont Pride Alliance cpcc.edu/student-experience
Davidson College Center for Diversity & Inclusion davidson.edu/offices-andservices/center-studentdiversity-and-inclusion
Gender Education Network gendereducationnetwork.org
PFLAG Charlotte pflagcharlotte.org
PFLAG Concord/Kannapolis pflag.org/chapter/concordkannapolis
Queens University of Charlotte Office of Diversity, & Community queens.edu/dei/the-officeof-diversity-inclusioncommunity-engagement-dice
Time Out Youth Center timeoutyouth.org
Pride
2025
