There’s plenty of fabulous New Year’s Eve parties happening across the Queen City tomorrow, and some across the state. Check out these spots to get your New Year’s groove on.

LaWana Mayfield’s election to the Charlotte City Council this fall was unusual in that she knocked off a long-serving incumbent. It was historic in that she became the city’s first openly gay council member.

Bells will ring, candles will be lighted and champagne will be toasted and plenty of folks will wish they could forget many of the days gone by this year. Yes, the economy still sucks. Yes, politicians still have no answers. Yes, Congress is still deadlocked. But, don’t be fooled: Lots of good things happened this year, too.

LGBT advocates and grassroots activists knew they were up for a challenge the moment election results started rolling in November 2010’s midterm elections. Control of the state legislature had been returned to Republican hands for the first time in over a century. It was time for the longtime minority to have its way on Jones St. and Republican leadership wasted no time getting to their decades-long pent-up agenda.

For her persistent commitment, intelligence, zeal and passion for this city’s LGBT community, its equality and the welfare of the city at large, qnotes is proud to name LGBT activist and civic leader Roberta Dunn our 2011 Person of the Year.

A brutal early morning fight and stabbing at Uptown’s Hartigan’s Irish Pub in early December left one woman dead, another jailed on murder charges and a community left scrambling for answers.

Across the Carolinas, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals constantly search for options for support and socializing. Some enjoy the bar scene, while others would prefer gathering together to do social action projects. But, the one consistent theme that they all share is a need for connecting with like-minded people. [...]

Memories are monumental in shaping history. And, just as a journal holds your thoughts, memories and interests from years past, online searches can mark the people, places and events that mattered most in a given year. So, what mattered most in 2011?

Despite this year’s litany of successes, our community experienced loss. No year-end wrap up would be complete without pausing in remembrance of those friends, family and loved ones who passed this year.

Help us choose 2011’s Cover of the Year. We’ll run the poll online through Jan. 1 and feature our reader’s selection in our Jan. 7 print edition.

I give Jane Schmidt a world of credit. The Iowa high school student held her own in an exchange with Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann. At Schmidt’s age, shaking a candidate’s hand was enough to make me forget my name.

Petty Officer 2nd class Jase Daniels (pictured), discharged from the U.S. Navy in April 2005 and again in March 2007 under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” has been reinstated and returned to active duty. He was sworn in on Dec. 12.

Working Films has joined the battle against the North Carolina anti-gay amendment on the ballot on May 8, 2012, with its addition of Reel Equality.

The Coalition to Protect NC Families’ Campaign Manager Jeremy Kennedy is asking supporters to contribute monies toward its efforts to defeat the anti-gay marriage amendment which will appear on the ballot on May 8, 2012.

The Guilford Green Foundation has launched its first-ever Leadership Awards, designed to recognize the courage and generosity of selfless “unsung heroes” from the LGBT and straight ally communities.