Carolina Theatre ‘claps back at... bigotry’ by online critics of Pride programs
Carolina Theatre has a message for the “onslaught of hate and bigotry” over its queer-center programming: “Happy Pride, Charlotte.”
For months, the theater has been promoting its inaugural “Pride at The Carolina” programs that coincide with the the annual Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade in uptown this weekend. Events include short films, comedy and drag shows, music and dancing.
The nonprofit’s promotional ads were on social media including Facebook, where it was met with some explicitly hateful comments aimed at the LGBTQ community, Carolina Theatre spokesman Jared Misner said.
Instead of letting the comments slide, “we clapped back every time,” Misner told The Charlotte Observer Thursday.
Carolina Theatre posted a colorful “Pride edition” graphic on Instagram that said: “Your presence, your support, and your love for our queer audiences and performers — who will always be welcome at the Carolina Theatre — is the clap back of all clap backs.”
“For centuries, theaters have served as a haven and a refuge for queer people,” Misner said, “and we intend to carry on that tradition.”
DEI backlash impact on LGBTQ community
Over the past few years, diversity, equity and inclusion programs and LGBTQ+ community civil rights have come under scrutiny amid conservative activists’ backlash and policy changes.
In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed affirmative action policies in college admissions. The following year, companies like Mooresville-based Lowe’s home improvement ended its partnership with Charlotte Pride, for example.
In January, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending DEI programs in the federal workforce, and in federal contracting and spending, many private corporations were encouraged to do the same. Most Fortune 500 companies in the Charlotte region have since stopped emphasizing DEI in their annual reports.
The federal government has terminated 17 research grants at UNC Charlotte since the beginning of this year, that included four grants focused on the LGBTQ population. Recently, Atrium Health stopped providing gender-affirming medication for people 18 and younger, a move that transgender rights and other LGBTQ organizations around the region have decried.
Trump also signed an executive order in February “keeping men out of women’s sports.”
“We are in this very turbulent political time,” Misner said. “We are not backing down, and we are not being deterred.”
Pride for Pride at The Carolina
Several people applauded Carolina Theatre’s “claps back” post on Instagram:
- “America would be in a much different place if THIS was the response to bigotry from EVERYONE.”
- “The arts will be fine without bigots but would be nothing without the queer community.”
- “The energy we need in these TRYING times when they’re TRYING my patience.”
Carolina Theatre Pride events
Carolina Theatre Pride programs started Wednesday and continued on Thursday, with more events planned this weekend. This includes:
- 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15: LOLGBTQ+ Comedy Variety Show
- 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16: Legends, Divas and Stars with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Trinity K. Bonet performing. Others include NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” alum Delighted Tobehere, Gigi Monroe and Tommi Rose. The event is a fundraiser for Time Out Youth, a free, nonprofit community center providing services, support and housing for queer children and adults aged 13-24.
- 11. am. Sunday, Aug. 17: Pride Parade Viewing Party, welcomes visitors to watch the Charlotte Pride parade inside the air-conditioned lobby.
About Carolina Theatre
The 98-year-old historic theater opened as a movie theater. It had been shuttered since 1978 before reopening in March following a $90 million renovation.
Carolina Theatre is at Belk Place, 230 N. Tryon St., in uptown Charlotte.
