LGBTQ

'Trauma and ostracization': Students 'call in' Christian groups for discrimination

By Kyle Ingram

After Zach Ripberger shared his story of discrimination and homophobia on social media, dozens of other UNC students and graduates came forward to 'call in' campus ministry.  "It got to the point that every time I was doing something with Young Life, I would just look around and I knew that my full identity, my whole identity was not accepted or even affirmed in that space," Ripberger said. Ripberger said he hopes these calls do not detract people from their faith, but rather make faith communities more inclusive. 

Artists, activists commemorate Black Lives Matter movement with murals

By Alexandra Smith

“They say the eyes are the gateway to the soul, so when you see something so beautiful, it just speaks to you,” Nina Scott, an artist involved in the project, said. “I think people really cherish things that are painted. There's something about working with your hands that really speaks to people, especially when it has a message to it.”

Health tech company founded by UNC alumni brings care to N.C. transgender community

By Isabella Sherk

Plume, the first health technology company focused on offering gender-affirming care to transgender patients, has recently expanded into North Carolina — and three of its founding members are UNC alumni.

Post HB2, North Carolina may have its first transgender legislators

By Taylor Heeden

North Carolina has never had an openly transgender individual serve in the state legislature. In 2020, that could change.  Two openly transgender candidates are seeking seats in the N.C. Senate four years after the state passed House Bill 2, which could bring new perspectives and progressive change to the state.  “There’s a lot of voices not being heard in North Carolina,” Angela Bridgman of Wendell said. “Democracy is broken in North Carolina.” 

Bars became a safe place during a decade of change for the N.C. LGBTQ+ community

By Alice Bennett

Bars, like the Pinhook in Durham, have been safe places to discuss and share for the LGBTQ+ community.  

Chapel Hill ranks second statewide in LGBTQ+ equality index, falls behind national cities

By Suzannah Claire Perry

Chapel Hill has scored its highest score ever in the LGBTQ+ Equality Index, but due to limitations from HB2, it cannot meet all the needs it wants to.

'A community that's more like a family:' Trans Talk Tuesday celebrates a decade

By Elizabeth Wheless

Since 2007, the UNC LGBTQ Center has been hosting a space for non-binary people to discuss identity and feel heard: Trans Talk Tuesday.  

HRC Triangle's Queer Prom allows people to reclaim high school memories

By Rylee Parsons

HRC Triangle's Queer Prom provides everybody with a safe, inclusive and fun environment that many were not able to experience in their teenage years. 

SCOTUS to rule on workplace LGBTQ+ discrimination, but where does North Carolina stand?

By Brent Van Vliet

As the Supreme Court decides  whether federal law prohibits discrimination by employers based on sexual orientation or gender identity, this issue is left up to the states. North Carolina does not have laws protecting individuals from discrimination, but Chapel Hill and Carrboro both have policies that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Column: LGBTQ+ people are resilient as hell

By Devon Johnson

Any workplace would be lucky to have queer and trans staff members, and the Supreme Court should back this up by protecting our right to equal employment ⁠— regardless of who we are or who we love.

Honors Carolina launches new PRIDE group, creating a space to serve LGBTQ+ members

By Addison Skigen

Honors Carolina PRIDE aims to create a safe community for its LGBTQ+ students on campus. A launch party on Oct. 11 will commemorate its official unveiling. 

North Carolina leads the South in cutting funding for conversion therapy for minors

By Alice Bennett

While the state will no longer fund conversion therapy for minors, some activists are still frustrated that the practice will remain legal. 

Local group holds benefit concert to move transgender inmate to women's prison

By Meredith Radford

The House of Kanautica, an organization advocating for Kanautica Zayre-Brown, a transgender woman's, transfer to a correctional facility meant for women held a benefit concert on June 1. 

Column: Colors of pride

"What exactly is symbolized by each color of the Pride flag, the visual representation of the LGBTQ+ community?"

'You are who you are': How UNC's Dave Lohse came out, thrived in Chapel Hill

By Chapel Fowler

Intertwined with Dave Lohse's work at UNC is something larger than the sports world he operates in: his role as a trailblazer. Lohse, to his knowledge, was the first openly gay man to work in athletics communications. And he's thrived.

Carolina Blue and lavender too at the LGBTQ Center's 13th annual Lavender Graduation

By Kyra Miles

UNC will be holding its 13th annual Lavendar Graduation on May 5. The event is meant to provide an accepting space for LGBTQ+ students to celebrate their graduation.

Look back at the history of LGBTQ+ activism in North Carolina

By Alice Bennett

From the 1950s to today's LGBTQ+ activism, the gay rights movement in North Carolina has been different, unique and well worth looking back on. Like many other rights movements, the one pertaining the LGBTQ+ community has shouldered the brunt of turmoil, conflict and victories. Sharing the history and experiences of peers encourages a reflection of the past, and an eye toward the future as the struggle for equality continues. 

N.C. legislators propose new protections for LGBTQ+ residents

By Alice Bennett

Three bills were recently filed in N.C. legislature that would significantly increase protections for LGBT citizens, including banning discrimination based on sexual and identity, fully repealing H.B. 2 and banning conversion therapy.

Caba-Gay! The UNC Pauper Players are celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with a cabaret

By Maddie Anderson

"It’s about making people feel represented by what they see onstage and makes them feel connected to other people.” UNC Pauper Players and Warner Music U are hosting a cabaret to increase representation and visibility of LGBTQ+ people in theater. 

Here are all the ways the LGBTQ Pop-up Center of Carrboro supports the community

By Crystal Yu

The LGBTQ Center of Carrboro works to uplift members of the community throughout Carrboro, including Kanautica Zayre-Brown, a transgender woman being held in a men's prison.