Many thanks are in order to so many fabulous people who made Campus Pride's special, preview screenings of the new documentary by Christopher Hines, "Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation," possible last week and over the weekend.

(Photo right: Community members participate in an after-film Q&A and panel discussion at Petra's, where Race to the Ballot was also present to film as they move across North Carolina in their quest to defeat the state's anti-LGBT state constitutional amendment.)

First and foremost, thank you to our sponsors, who gave generously to ensure the film could be screened at Petra's and the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. Thank you to the GayCharlotte Film Festival and Series, Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Fund, Robert Dogens, Prism Properties, Mike Hemlepp, Human Rights Campaign, Time Out Youth, Pocket Rocket Charlotte, VisitGayCharlotte.com and Takeover Friday.

A big hug, smile and thank you is also owed to Charlotte City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield, our fabulous host for the after-film Q&A and panel discussion at both screenings.

Last but not least, we want to thank all of the panelists who came out to share their thoughts, knowledge and experience, including UNC Charlotte senior Paul Willoughby, recent Winthrop University graduate Alyssa Kibiloski, MeckPAC's Scott Bishop, Carolina Trans Society's Lacy Beatty, Human Rights Campaign's Robert Dogens and Dan Mauney, Time Out Youth's Rodney Tucker, Jen Jones of Equality NC/Race to the Ballot and Campus Pride's Shane Windmeyer and Matt Comer.