New research links higher vaping rates among LGBTQ+ youth to bullying, discrimination, family rejection and social isolation — not just trends or personal choice. Read more: buff.ly/76r4hZD #LGBTQYouth #Vaping #MentalHealth #PublicHealth #SubstanceUse #TransYouth #QueerYouth #HealthNews

Union County Pride’s annual conference returns May 28-29 with two days of LGBTQ+ advocacy, education and community-focused programming. Read more: buff.ly/OlewFZ6 #LGBTQ #LGBTQNews #NorthCarolina #UnionCounty #Pride #LGBTQAdvocacy #DigitalPrivacy #Community #TransRights #Qnotes #QnotesCarolinas

The PROTECT Kids Act has advanced to the Senate, raising concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights groups. Read more: buff.ly/XVYDgpX #LGBTQ #LGBTQNews #TransRights #TransYouth #GenderIdentity #Education #Politics #Senate #Congress #PROTECTKidsAct #HB2616

Park Circle Pride 2026 returns to North Charleston from June 2–7 with more than 40 LGBTQ+ events. Read more: buff.ly/5VB2M7A #ParkCirclePride #NorthCharleston #CharlestonSC #Pride2026 #LGBTQ #LGBTQEvents #PrideMonth

A hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius expedition cruise ship has sparked international concern after multiple infections and reported deaths connected to the rare Andes strain. Read more: buff.ly/me9LDiV #Hantavirus #HantavirusOutbreak #PublicHealth #HealthNews #MVHondius #AndesStrain

A murder case in east Charlotte has drawn attention from local immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities after police charged 23-year-old Lhis Brito-Costa with the killing of Evelin Carolina Enamorado-Cisnado, 26. Read more at buff.ly/ondM90f #EastCharlotte #CharlotteNews #NorthCarolina #LGBTQNews

Cathryn M. Oakley, creator of the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, is joining as Deputy Legal Director of Policy. Read more at buff.ly/SWNompz #LambdaLegal #CathrynOakley #LGBTQ #LGBTQNews #CivilRights #HumanRightsCampaign #MunicipalEqualityIndex #CharlotteNC #NorthCarolina

A federal judge has blocked the Department of Justice from obtaining confidential medical records tied to transgender youth receiving gender-affirming healthcare. Read more at buff.ly/rRLEz5A #TransRights #LGBTQNews #GenderAffirmingCare #TransHealthcare #DOJ #TransYouth #LGBTQ #HealthcareNews

Looking for LGBTQ+ books to read during Pride season? Read more at buff.ly/EZFzFF2 #LGBTQBooks #Pride2026 #QueerBooks #LGBTQ #BookRecommendations #QueerHistory #LesbianCulture #GayMemoir #PrideMonth #Bookstagram #ReadingList #LGBTQLiterature #Qnotes #QnotesCarolinas

Ian McKellen turns 87 after a groundbreaking career that helped shape modern film, theater and LGBTQ+ visibility. Read more: buff.ly/mUiWjV4 #IanMcKellen #LGBTQ #LGBTQHistory #GayActor #LordOfTheRings #XMen #Gandalf #Magneto #QueerVisibility #EntertainmentNews

Soft Cell’s Marc Almond is heading to Charlotte. Read more: buff.ly/YmwzZjB #MarcAlmond #SoftCell #TaintedLove #NewWave #SynthPop #LGBTQ #MusicNews #PrideMonth #QueerMusic #80sMusic

Health experts are warning about a rise in drug-resistant shigella infections in the United States, with gay and bisexual men among the groups most affected. buff.ly/Zr6ODfx #LGBTQHealth #GayHealth #BisexualMen #MensHealth #PublicHealth #CDC #Shigella #HealthNews

The Q Fitness and Wellness 5K returns to Charlotte on June 13, bringing together runners, walkers and LGBTQ+ community supporters at McAlpine Creek Park. Read more at buff.ly/gUQSpxa #CharlotteNC #LGBTQ #5K #Wellness #CharlotteEvents #QFitnessAndWellness #CharlottePride #QueensUniversity

Drag entertainer Delighted Tobehere is celebrating 25 years in drag with a national anniversary tour and Charlotte is one of the stops. Read more: buff.ly/jZGx8Ad #DelightedTobehere #DragQueen #CharlotteNC #CharlotteDrag #LGBTQ #LGBTQNews #DragShow #QueerCulture

Black voting rights advocates and lawmakers in North Carolina are warning that voter suppression and gerrymandering remain major threats across the South. Read more: buff.ly/rCbxVdV #Qnotes #NorthCarolina #VotingRights #Gerrymandering #VoterSuppression #JimCrow #CivilRights #Democracy

Charlotte Trans Health will host its T.H.E. Authentic Self Symposium, offering free health education, community resources and affirming healthcare information for transgender and gender diverse adults in Charlotte. Read more: buff.ly/kAkphiH #QnotesCarolinas #CharlotteTransHealth #CharlotteNC

Former U.S. Rep. has died at 86. Frank was one of the most prominent openly gay lawmakers in American history, serving in Congress for more than 30 years and helping pave the way for greater LGBTQ+ visibility in government. Read more: buff.ly/ezJPvlk #BarneyFrank #LGBTQHistory #LGBTQPolitics

A tragic crash in Spartanburg County has left the Greenville community, Greenville Police Department and local LGBTQ+ community mourning the loss of Sgt. Ashley Munoz. Read more: buff.ly/kesrTsV #QnotesCarolinas #GreenvilleSC #LGBTQPlus #SouthCarolina #GreenvillePolice #LGBTQNews #CommunityNews

UNC Charlotte will end its gender-affirming housing program beginning in fall 2026, removing a housing option many transgender students say helped provide safety, stability and affirmation on campus. Read more: buff.ly/iie3SVW #UNCCharlotte #TransgenderStudents #LGBTQ #LGBTQNews #HigherEducation

Cher turns 80 on May 20, marking more than six decades as one of entertainment’s most enduring LGBTQ+ icons. Read more at buff.ly/0IwVQiQ #Cher #Cher80 #LGBTQ #LGBTQNews #GayIcon #PopCulture #EntertainmentNews #ChazBono #BobMackie #Moonstruck #Believe #DragCulture #QueerCulture #Qnotes

A Hendersonville church says tearing down a Pride flag will not change its support for LGBTQ+ people. “As long as y’all keep tearing it down, we’ll keep putting it back up.” Read more: buff.ly/x8W4AZB #QnotesCarolinas #LGBTQPlus #NorthCarolina #LGBTQNews #WesternNorthCarolina #LocalJournalism

In this week’s “Our People,” Lupe Silva reflects on building community in Charlotte, navigating life as a Hispanic gay man, volunteering during Pride season, and finding joy in helping both people and plants thrive. buff.ly/8XHIAWw #QnotesCarolinas #CharlotteNC #LGBTQPlus #CharlottePride

Several top Trump administration officials are facing criticism for participating in a Washington, D.C., religious rally that critics say promotes Christian nationalist ideology. Read more at buff.ly/8e5ii0W #LGBTQ #ChristianNationalism #Politics #Religion #ChurchAndState #LGBTQNews

As South Carolina’s Democratic gubernatorial primary approaches, only one candidate has publicly highlighted LGBTQ+ issues on his campaign platform. Read more at buff.ly/lnsWTJs #LGBTQ #SouthCarolina #SCPolitics #TransRights #LGBTQNews #Politics #Qnotes

House Republicans are advancing a foreign aid funding bill that LGBTQ+ advocates warn could weaponize U.S. diplomacy against transgender rights and diversity initiatives worldwide. Read more: buff.ly/7NemvBn #LGBTQ #TransRights #DEI #ForeignPolicy #HumanRights #Pride #LGBTQNews #Politics #Qnotes

A new Vatican report is being called a “long-awaited positive step” for LGBTQ+ Catholics. Read more at buff.ly/IvCCCBB #LGBTQ #Catholic #Vatican #QueerFaith #Qnotes

Pride season is almost here, and Qnotes is kicking things off with the first installment of our 2026 Pride playlist series. Read more: buff.ly/UD3LfD9 #QMusic #Pride2026 #QueerMusic #LGBTQArtists #AaronLeeTasjan #PaisleyFields #Voxtrot #QueerCountry #IndieMusic

North Carolina has honored longtime LGBTQ+ activist Ian Palmquist with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the state’s highest civilian honors. Read more: buff.ly/17LLH91 #IanPalmquist #NorthCarolina #LGBTQHistory #EqualityNC #LGBTQAdvocacy

North Carolina lawmakers may eventually let voters decide the future of marijuana access in the state. Read the full story: buff.ly/G3M46Qv #NorthCarolina #CannabisReform #MedicalMarijuana #NCPolitics #THC #Delta8 #CannabisLegalization #RaleighNC #LGBTQPolitics

WILMINGTON - The Cucalorus Film Foundation and Silver Pride Circle of the Cape Fear team up a second time. buff.ly/JKlUPKd #SilverPride #WilmingtonNC #QueerFilm #Cucalorus #Pride2026 #DragNight #LGBTQEvents #NCArts #FilmFestival #50Plus

PRIDE - From Asheville to Columbia, LGBTQ+ communities across the Carolinas are preparing for another year of Pride celebrations. buff.ly/g21tRq2 #Pride2026 #CarolinasPride #NCPRIDE #SCPRIDE #CharlottePride #RaleighPride #DurhamPride #PrideGuide #LGBTQEvents #CelebratePride

Blumenthal Arts has announced its 2026–27 Broadway season, bringing productions like “Suffs,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “The Great Gatsby” and “Some Like It Hot” to Charlotte. buff.ly/ml1HYL8 #Broadway #CharlotteNC #LGBTQTheater #BlumenthalArts

COMMUNITY - Leaders say the space has become a center for collaboration, business support and coalition-building during a difficult political climate. buff.ly/utnE19e #ImpactCenter #CarolinasLGBTQ #CharlotteCommunity #LGBTQBusiness #NonprofitHub #Resilience #QueenCity #Collaboration

NATIONAL - Founder of CNN and Turner Classic Movies and previously married to Jane Fonda, Turner also once owned a Charlotte television station. buff.ly/p9a4f31 #TedTurner #CNN #LGBTQAlly #HB2 #JaneFonda #MediaPioneer #Obituary #LGBTQHistory #Charlotte #QueerAllies

ARTS & CULTURE - When Dylan Mulvaney makes waves, it could be a tsunami. buff.ly/1cj3I0x #DylanMulvaney #SixTheMusical #BroadwayDebut #TransJoy #PaperDoll #BudLight #LGBTQTheater #TranneBoleyn #QueerStars #NYC

ARTS & CULTURE - The visitor center is located inside the Stonewall Inn. buff.ly/1wWbtdx #StonewallVisitorCenter #Stonewall57 #LGBTQHistory #GreenwichVillage #NYC #MarshaPJohnson #SylviaRivera #QueerSpace #VisitStonewall #LGBTQTravel

NATIONAL - Radiant Mobile wants to help you with your “spiritual problem”. buff.ly/EBxn4n6 #RadiantMobile #LGBTQRights #ContentFilter #DigitalAccess #FaithBased #NetNeutrality #TechPolicy #QueerHealth #Censorship #DigitalRights

BOOKS - Title explores experiences of six friends and a dog. buff.ly/Ke4h6Xy #WelcomingSchools #BookOfTheMonth #LGBTQKids #InclusiveEducation #LesleaNewman #ChildrensBooks #ICanBeMe #EmpathyBuilding #LGBTQReads #JoyfulStories #HRC

NEWS - Republican primary candidate for SC Governor Nancy Mace says she supports Trump, but he’s not returning the sentiment. buff.ly/jVIseLq #NancyMace #SCPolitics #LGBTQRights #GovernorRace #AntiTrans #TrumpEndorsement #SouthCarolina #Election2026 #PoliticalFlipFlop #Qnotes

CHARLOTTE - Revelation comes just six months after re-election to latest term. buff.ly/qqHqiMV #ViLyles #CharlotteMayor #NCPolitics #CityCouncil #CharlotteNews #LeadershipChange #QueenCity #LocalPolitics #Succession #CLT

QNOTES DEMOCRACY - Why two incumbent Mecklenburg County Democrats lost their primaries. buff.ly/nggezwb #NCPolitics #PartySwitch #LGBTQRights #Mecklenburg #NCGeneralAssembly #VetoProof #DemocraticParty #Unaffiliated #NCVoters #Accountability

REGIONAL - Legislation expected to be signed by Tennessee governor. buff.ly/ly3lrub #RileyGainesAct #TransRights #Tennessee #PrisonReform #GenderAffirmingCare #TEqualityProject #AntiTransLegislation #NCNeighbors #Surveillance #HumanRights

ARTS & CULTURE - Gay author talks about music that defined the LGBTQ community for over 30 years buff.ly/Ne6cZil #MightyReal #LGBTQMusic #QueerHistory #Disco #Punk #BarryWalters #MusicReview #LGBTQBooks #Sylvester #EltonJohn

NEWS - Senate Bill 827, the “Hate Crimes Prevention Act,” would establish a statewide database to track statistics on hate crimes and increase the punishment for them. buff.ly/xyGyMLo #AAPI #NCPolitics #AAPIHeritage #CurriculumMatters #HateCrimes #NCAAT #AsianAmerican #AdvocacyDay

NEWS - Jonathan Ross was never charged or convicted. buff.ly/Zo1zmJB #ReneeGood #ICEAccountability #PoliceBrutality #LGBTQRights #ACLU #AOC #FederalAccountability #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForRenee #EndImpunity

NEWS - Massachusetts Representative was a frequent visitor to the Carolinas. buff.ly/CnJMPIy #BarneyFrank #LGBTQHistory #Congress #HospiceCare #LGBTQPioneer #PoliticalLegacy #DoddFrank #StonewallDemocrats #QueerLeadership #LGBTQAdvocacy

POLITICS - NC General Assembly accuses Cooper of releasing 3,500 incarcerated people early. buff.ly/xLz50XY #NCSenate #NCPolitics #RoyCooper #Election2026 #PrisonReleases #COVIDPolicy #VoterSuppression #NCGA #Midterms #PoliticalAccountability

EVENTS - The anniversary event honored community legacy while marking transition to a digital-first future. buff.ly/sJaQwQU #Qnotes #40Years #QnotesDay #CharlotteNC #LGBTQMedia #JimYarbrough #CommunityCelebration #DigitalFirst #PressClub #LGBTQJournalism

NEWS - Tennessee resolution declares June as a month to celebrate mainstream heterosexual culture? buff.ly/r5f3XvA #NuclearFamilyMonth #Tennessee #PrideMonth #LGBTQRights #AntiLGBTQ #FamilyValues #NCPolitics #SoutheastNews #Equality #LegislativeAttack

QNOTES - A letter from the publisher. buff.ly/igAQZZG #Qnotes #40Years #DigitalTransition #LGBTQMedia #CharlotteNews #PressClub #JimYarbrough #FutureOfNews #CommunityMedia #LGBTQVoices