It appears that the infamous “bathroom bill” that cost North Carolina millions in business and tourist dollars is about to be repeated in the Congress. The incoming administration already has announced that transgender and gender fluid people will have a target on their back.

The culture wars seem to have a particular obsession with the MAGA folks. The Republicans included gender issues as part of their 2024 campaign strategy. Considering that only about 1.4% of Americans identify as transgender, the controversy seems way out of proportion. The public seems to support protection against hate crimes and discrimination in employment, but they are concerned about athletics, bathrooms, and women’s prisons. The real hot button issue seems to be surgery and/or hormone treatment for children under the age of 18. Unfortunately, those who wait until later have a more difficult process of transitioning after they already have established a gender identity.

Carolina Aging Alliance
Serving Older LGBTQ+ Adults

Meet-up lists 30 LGBTQ+ activities in the Triangle in October. I also know of some sports groups that aren’t listed on Meet-up. There also are other groups who do not meet monthly or the Drag brunches that are held in straight cafes. We previously have featured the LGBT Center of Raleigh that notes 25 years of service in Raleigh.

This month I’m focused on the old folks. The group provides advocacy, education and social interaction. Originally named “Gay & Gray” in 2011, the group then reformed as SAGE – Raleigh in 2012, and then SAGE - Central North Carolina in 2019, and Carolina Aging Alliance in 2022 as funding sources and staff changed. The non-profit has two chapters: The Triangle includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and the Triad includes Greensboro.

Tom Daley gets unexpected show of appreciation from diving partner Noah Williams.

More LGBTQ+ Athletes
Are Involved in Many Sports

More than 190 LGBTQ+ Athletes participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics. With a few exceptions, they got little media coverage. In addition, more than 4,000 LGBTQ+ athletes participated in the 2024 EuroGames in Vienna in July just before the Olympics. The EuroGames are held every four years in some city in Europe. Then there were the GayGames held in 2023 in Guadalajara, Mexico and Hong Kong that drew over 5,000 participants. The GayGames are held every year, and they have been held in the US five times.