More than 150 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight people gathered at Ninth and Tryon streets for a sidewalk parade to mark National Coming Out Day.
The parade ended in Marshall Park with a rally. The Charlotte event coincided with the National Equality March in Washington.
Marriage equality and community building were priorities for speakers such as Macy Williams of Charlotte Coalition for Social Justice, Shelley DeLux of PFLAG Charlotte and Rev. Catherine Houchins of Metropolitan Community Church.
"I feel that Charlotte is in a position to make a real difference in the LGBT movement locally and even nationally," says Mitchell Killman, one of the Out Parade co-chairs.
In Washington, according to The Huffington Post, the event drew tens of thousands of people, rallying to demand that President Barack Obama keep his promises to end discrimination against gays
Folks of all ages and from all walks of life came to the Symphony Park at SouthPark on Oct. 11 for the 19th Annual Latin American Festival.
The aroma of foods from from Latin American countries filled the air. Festival-goers heard musical performances ranging from salsa, to merengue, to mariachi to Rock en Espanol, to joropo.
Attendance was between 18,000 and 22,000 people, says Tony Arreaza, Latin American Coalition event coordinator for the Latin American Festival. "We saw an nice percentage increase in non-Latino (American) attendees, and we are extremely pleased with this year’s festival turnout."
Crossroads Charlotte is proud to have been Presenting Sponsor for Taste of the World, which was organized by E.A.S.T. (Eastland Area Strategies Team). Taste of the World annually gives participants the chance to savor the miles of flavor in East Charlotte’s culturally diverse district.
During the event, nine buses escorted diners to an assortment of 15 restaurants in the East Charlotte area. The event quickly sold out as Charlotteans jumped at the chance to sample some delicious cuisine and mingle with friends old and new.
For those of you who were not be able to attend the event, we offer this Xchange Tastes Recipe Book and Restaurant Profile. If you were able to attend, consider this a souvenir of your night with us! Inside you’ll find profiles of the participating restaurants, as well as tasty recipes inspired by the evening. We invite you to learn more about the establishments in which you may have dined, and encourage you to try some of the international recipes as a way to continue to learn about the various cultures which make Charlotte, NC such an exciting place to be!
To download the Recipe Book and Restaurant Profile, click HERE.
They came from Matthews, South Charlotte, University City, Concord and beyond to participate in the seventh Taste of the World.
Despite tough economic times, the event organized by the Charlotte East group was sold out, with more than 100 people enjoying food from 15 restaurants, SMS Catering and desserts at the Vanlandingham Estate.
John Schriml said he and his wife often drive by East side restaurants to visit friends and often talk about eating at one of the restaurants. “We never take the time to do it, and didn’t know which places to go to,” Schriml said.
Schriml’s sentiment echoed many TOTW first-timers who say they want to try ethnic restaurants, but don’t know which ones are good.
Participants’ journey began at SMS Catering where guests mingled and were greeted by event supporters such as Charlotte City Council member Nancy Carter and sponsors such as Patricia Zoder of Crossroads Charlotte.
Each bus stopped at three international restaurants on the city's east side. Volunteer guides on each bus gave a background on each restaurant and it menu, and encouraged participants to get to know one another.
Facilitators on the two buses sponsored by Crossroads Charlotte shared its mission to build social capital in Charlotte through events such as Taste of the World.
"[Social capital] is the glue that holds us together as a community,” said Brian Foreman, a facilitator who works with Crossroads Charlotte. “So when there are difficult conversations that need to happen if you have social capital built up, we tend to trust each one another a little bit more.”
Crossroads Charlotte presents four stories based on real data about Charlotte's future and asks the community to Imagine Our Tomorrow and respond to the stories.
Crossroads Charlotte offers numerous ways for citizens to get involved in our community and help shape Charlotte's future. Act Today and make a difference.
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Piedmont Unitarian members parade through Uptown for the Out Parade on Oct. 11.
Posted: October 13th, 2009 Catalina Kulczar-Marin
