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{{Infobox person
| name = Charles Winters
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Promotional photo provided by Charles Winters
| birth_name = Charles Robert Winters
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|1|26}}
| birth_place = [[Banner Elk, North Carolina]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| occupation = Online journalist, online media developer
| spouse =
| relations =
| years_active = 2006–present
| notable_works =
| known_for =
| influences =
| influenced =
| website = [http://gaysocialites.com/ GaySocialites.com], [http://queerplanet.net/ queerplanet.net]
}}

'''Charles Winters''' is an [[online journalism|online journalist]], [[radio personality|on-air personality]] and online media developer from [[East Tennessee]] who resides in [[New York City]]. Winters is a direct descendant of Admiral Sir [[William Wynter]], who was a Royal Navy Officer under [[Queen Elizabeth I]] of [[England]] and served the crown during the [[Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604)]]. Only eleven generations separate the two men.

Charles currently serves as the [[Chief Executive Officer]] for GaySocialites Media, the parent company for GaySocialites.com and queerplanet.net - the websites he owns, operates and manages.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gaysocialites.com/about-gaysocialites-com/ |title=About GaySocialites.com |publisher=GaySocialites.com |date=2011-08-12 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20110610163319/http://www.gaysocialites.com/about-gaysocialites-com/ |archivedate=2011-06-10 |df= }}</ref> He is also a Public Member of [[Manhattan Community Board 1]] serving on the Quality of Life Committee.

==Journalism prior to GaySocialites.com==
Charles Winters began working in [[broadcast journalism]] before he even completed his [[bachelor's degree]] in [[communication studies|Communications]] from the [[University of Tennessee]] in 1999.

Winters made his television news debut as a reporter in the [[Knoxville]] market (then ranked 64th) at the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[WTNZ]] during the 1998 elections. He covered a controversial race for the [[Tennessee Senate]] where [[Charlotte Burks]] successfully filled a seat previously held by her husband, [[Tommy Burks]], who was assassinated by his opponent earlier in the race.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/classics/byron_looper/index.html |title=Assassination in Middle Tennessee |publisher=TruTV}}</ref>

Winters began working as a [[news presenter|news anchor and reporter]] in January 1999 for a [[news magazine]] show, then called Insights, that aired on the local [[National Broadcast Company|NBC]] affiliate each Saturday at noon.
While attending the University of Tennessee, Winters was also a controversial figure in [[student activism|student politics]] and on-campus [[broadcasting]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://utdailybeacon.com/opinion/columns/untitled-column-by-brent-m-conklin/1998/apr/3/conflict-of-interest/ |title=Conflict of Interest |publisher=The Daily Beacon |date=1998-04-03 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120716001528/http://utdailybeacon.com/opinion/columns/untitled-column-by-brent-m-conklin/1998/apr/3/conflict-of-interest/ |archivedate=2012-07-16 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://utdailybeacon.com/opinion/letters/1998/apr/8/campus-paparazzi-needs-to-report-not-make-news/ |title=Campus Paparazzi Needs to Report Not make News |publisher=The Daily Beacon |date=1998-04-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120716025027/http://utdailybeacon.com/opinion/letters/1998/apr/8/campus-paparazzi-needs-to-report-not-make-news/ |archivedate=2012-07-16 |df= }}</ref> Winters co-founded the first student run television station <ref>{{cite news |url=http://utdailybeacon.com/news/1998/feb/6/tvc-premieres-as-student-run-channel/ |title=TVC premieres as student run channel |publisher=The Daily Beacon |date=1998-02-06 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120716164628/http://utdailybeacon.com/news/1998/feb/6/tvc-premieres-as-student-run-channel/ |archivedate=2012-07-16 |df= }}</ref> on the Knoxville campus and served on the committee that reformatted and re-branded the university's [[radio station]] from New Rock 90 to [[WUTK-FM|WUTK "The Rock"]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://utdailybeacon.com/entertainment/1999/feb/4/wutk-steps-up-with-new-image/ |title=WUTK Steps Up With New Image |publisher=The Daily Beacon |date=1999-02-04 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120715060918/http://utdailybeacon.com/entertainment/1999/feb/4/wutk-steps-up-with-new-image/ |archivedate=2012-07-15 |df= }},</ref> and he also served as the President Pro-temp/ Speaker of the [[students' union|student senate]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://utdailybeacon.com/news/1997/apr/30/sga-administration-announces-appointees/ |title=SGA administration announces appointees |newspaper=The Daily Beacon |date=1997-04-30 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120719014554/http://utdailybeacon.com/news/1997/apr/30/sga-administration-announces-appointees/ |archivedate=2012-07-19 |df= }}</ref> He went on to serve as the [[president]] of the [[Residence hall association|United Residence Halls Council]] where he unseated the incumbent in a tight run-off election.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://utdailybeacon.com/news/1998/apr/24/winters-scores-presidency-in-run-off/ |title=Winters Scores President in Run-Off |publisher=The Daily Beacon |date=1998-04-24 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120718133811/http://utdailybeacon.com/news/1998/apr/24/winters-scores-presidency-in-run-off/ |archivedate=2012-07-18 |df= }}</ref>
Upon graduation Winters worked as a news anchor and reporter for BBB Communications,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbbtv12.com/index.html |title=BBB Communications |publisher=BBB Communications |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110422133908/http://bbbtv12.com/index.html |archivedate=2011-04-22 |df= }}</ref> a small [[Cablevision]] [[television station|station]] providing [[local news]] coverage for the suburbs north and west of Knoxville, Tennessee. He also did a brief stint at [[WWKZ]] radio in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] as a [[radio promotion|promotions]] [[disc jockey|on-air personality]] before returning to Knoxville as a [[journalist|Television News Reporter]] and [[Television Producer|Producer]] at the local [[CBS]] affiliate, [[WVLT-TV]]. In 2001 he accepted a freelance position in New York City and relocated to Manhattan.

After witnessing the [[September 11 attacks|September 11th terrorist attacks]], he provided news coverage for WVLT and several [[newspaper]]s in East Tennessee.

Winters later picked up the nickname "gay socialite" for his community and social involvement mainly by volunteering for various [[charitable organization|charities]] such as LGBT advocacy groups,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nextmagazine.com/nexus/scene-heard-bachelor-auction-heats-vlada-trevor-project-benefit |title=Bachelor Auction Heats Vlada |publisher=Next Magazine |date=2009-12-06 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20110823062643/http://nextmagazine.com/nexus/scene-heard-bachelor-auction-heats-vlada-trevor-project-benefit |archivedate=2011-08-23 |df= }}</ref> animal rescues <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2008/10/miss_hobokens_pet_parade_here.html |title=Miss Hobokens Pet Parade? |publisher= NJ.com |date=2008-10-06}}</ref> and [[Political organisation|political organizations]] such as [[Hillary Clinton]]s [[United States Senate]] and [[Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2008|Presidential campaigns]], [[New York City Council]] [[Christine Quinn|Speaker Christine Quinn's]] <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.quinn09.com/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpNews&htmlID=13315&nav=news&s=quinn |title=GaySocialites.com endorses Quinn |publisher=Quinn09.com }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> bid for Mayor and [[Sean Patrick Maloney|Sean Patrick Maloney's]] attempt at New York [[attorney general]] in addition to working in Manhattan's [[nightlife]] scene hosting late night variety-style shows (in such historic venues as [[Tunnel (New York nightclub)|the Tunnel]], [[the Limelight]]/ Avalon and [[Stonewall Inn]].)

During this same time, Winters also worked as an online entertainment correspondent for queerplanet, an Australian-based media group for which he acquired the operations rights in 2011 and re-branded as queerplanet.net: powered by GaySocialites.com.

In 2006 Winters turned his nickname into a business when he co-founded GaySocialites.com, an online magazine dedicated to providing topics that appeal to [[gay men]] beyond [[LGBT]] news coverage, with [[Anthony Lago]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://gaysocialites.com/contents/the-history-of-the-gaysocialites/ |title=The History of the GaySocialites |publisher=GaySocialites.com |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315145515/http://gaysocialites.com/contents/the-history-of-the-gaysocialites/ |archivedate=2011-03-15 |df= }}</ref>

==GaySocialites.com and The GaySocialites Media Group==
From October 2005 until October 2011, Charles Winters maintained credits as the founding editor and held the top executive post with titles ranging from [[Managing Editor]] to [[Chief Executive Officer]] at GaySocialites.com.

After launching GaySocialites.com in October 2006 as a source to provide information, gossip and listings about New York nightclubs, Winters led the website to first earn credibility among colleagues and competitors with coverage of the death of [[Anna Nicole Smith]] in early 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cliqz.com/entertainment/c/55043.html |title=Anna Nicole Smith's estated denied any inheritance from late-husband's billions |publisher= Cliqz.com |date=2010-03-19}}</ref>

In December 2010, Winters established himself as the [[sole proprietor]] of the [[website]] and all entities of the GaySocialites [[brand]].

GaySocialites.com acquired queerplanet.net in June 2011 to form a larger organization called the GaySocialites Media, which also went by the name, Charles Winters Information Management<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nextmagazine.com/nexus/gossip-roundup-katy-perry-rockbar-cops-eagle-and-more |title=GOSSIP ROUNDUP: Katy Perry at Rockbar, Cops at The Eagle AND MORE! |publisher= Next Magazine| date=2011-06-30}}</ref> during the first quarter of 2012. Soon after the acquisition, queerplanet.net's format was changed to cover "abnormal news and odd information." In 2012, queerplanet.net re-entered the gay market as a news aggregator gathering news from a variety of LGBT outlets granting easy access to those searching the web for topics relating to the gay community.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://queerplanet.net/about-us |title=About Us |publisher=gaysocialites.com |date=2011-10-26 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126100204/http://queerplanet.net/about-us/ |archivedate=2012-01-26 |df= }}</ref>

Within a month, Charles Winters Information Management began development on two new web products. CouponAngel.us targeted those interested in the coupon craze. His sister, Donna Winters, was appointed Vice-President and Editor-in-Chief.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://charleswinters.info/?page_id=21 |title=About Us |publisher=charleswinters.info |date=2011-11-01 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330170313/http://charleswinters.info/?page_id=21 |archivedate=2012-03-30 |df= }}</ref>

As the GaySocialites.com celebrated its sixth anniversary, Winters announced he would be moving into a new role as CEO and Editorial Director for all websites operated by one umbrella organization, GaySocialites Media Group. At the same time, he appointed [[Thomas Bistritz]] as the new Editor-in-Chief and the first person to hold the top position at the website other than Winters himself.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nextmagazine.com/nexus/gossip-roundup-g-lounge-teases-changes-demanda-dahling-takes-over-gay-socialites |title=Demanda Dahling Takes Over Gay Socialites |publisher= NextMagazine.com |date=2011-10-26}}</ref>

In 2012, Winters launched GaySocialites.com's first video entity called "The Popularity Contest". It is a weekly count down show that recaps the most popular topics on GaySocialites.com each week. The pilot episode was titled, "Weekends with Winters" and he served as the program's initial host.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/gaysocialites |title=GaySocialites YouTube Channel |publisher= YouTube.com |date=2012-05-21}}</ref> In September 2013, he announced the debut of the GaySocialites.com Times Square Studios where he and others will produce a new series of online digital media programming.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gaysocialites.com/2013/08/07/introducing-the-all-new-gaysocialites-com-times-square-studios-video-63196/ |title=Introducing the all new GaySocialites.com Times Square Studios [video] |publisher= GaySocialites.com |date=2013-08-07}}</ref> In late November, GaySocialites.com announced that it would be producing a new online talk show called "The Buzz" set to debut in mid-December with a panel of co-host including Winters and others.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gaysocialites.com/2013/11/14/gaysocialites-com-introduces-the-buzz-a-new-online-talk-show-55311/ |title=GaySocialites.com introduces ‘The Buzz’, a new online talk show |publisher= GaySocialites.com |date=2013-11-14}}</ref> The Buzz by GaySocialites.com aired just a few episodes before taking an indefinite production hiatus.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gaysocialites.com/category/the-buzz/ |title=The Buzz - GaySocialites.com |publisher= GaySocialites.com |date=2014-01-31}}</ref>

==Work as a life coach==
Charles Winters is also a practicing life coach and self-help columnist offering clients assistance with [[goal]] setting, properly utilizing affirmations and preparing their personal operations plan using a [[workbook]] and scheduling system that he personally devised.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://antitwink.com/charles-on...-dont-stress-just-dance.html |title=Charles On... Don't Stress Just Dance |publisher=Antitwink.com |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313122641/http://antitwink.com/charles-on...-dont-stress-just-dance.html |archivedate=2011-03-13 |df= }}</ref>

Between 2003 and 2004, Winters studied Life Coaching with Fairchild-Brown in [[London]] where he was taught the working of the [[subconscious]] mind, affirmations, personal questioning and goal setting.

==Acting credits==
In 2001 Charles Winters made his acting debut as an extra on [[Saturday Night Live]] appearing in four episodes in the Fall 2001 season. In 2004, Winters studied acting, movement and diction at the [[American Academy of Dramatic Arts]] in New York. His credits include a starring role as "Charles" the vacuum cleaner salesperson in "Walk on the Wild Side",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyEcBUqSZ8c |title=Short "Walk On The Wild Side" by Stéphane Sednaoui (2005) |publisher=YouTube.com |date=2011-03-09}}</ref> a short film directed by [[Stephane Sednaoui]] based on the [[Lou Reed]] song. He also appeared in a syndicated automobile sales commercial as car owner giving their testimonial. Winters also worked as a still model appearing in stock photography currently available online.

==Community involvement and philanthropies==
In October 2013, Winters was appointed as a Public Member of [[Manhattan Community Board 1]]. He serves on the Quality of Life Committee.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.facebook.com/thecharleswinters/posts/10151916537729596 |title=I just got the word! |publisher= Facebook.com | date=2013-10-04}}</ref> He is also active in various animal rights groups including the Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animals and New York City's [[Center for Animal Care and Control]]. In 2014, he began volunteering with [[Habitat for Humanity]] helping launch the first Habitat ReStore in New York City.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://twitter.com/CharlesWinters/status/464922920448716801 |title=Hey everyone in the NYC area: |publisher= Twitter.com | date=2014-05-09}}</ref>

==Controversies and conflicts==
Winters' has also made headlines for his controversial coverage igniting feuds with a variety of high-profile personalities including Village Voice gossip columnist, [[Michael Musto]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-02-11/columns/new-pool-party-brings-out-the-cuties |title=New Pool Party Brings Out the Cuties |publisher= The Village Voice | date=2009-02-11}}</ref> and [[singer]] Lily Allen.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://popdirt.com/lily-allen-angry-with-negative-new-york-press/61678/ |title=Lily Allen Angry with Negative New York Press |date=2007-06-14}}</ref>

He has also had several public disputes with [[Kim Zolciak]] of [[Bravo (US TV channel)|Bravo]]'s ''[[Real Housewives of Atlanta]]''. In September 2009, gossip columnists reported that Winters was being paid to escort Zolciak around Manhattan to help create a buzz for her debut single, "Tardy for the Party".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.hkhellskitchen.com/?p=754 |title=Charles Winters & the GaySocialites to intro ‘housewives’ Kim Zolciak to NYC gays |date=2009-09-15 }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Then later that month, Winters reported that Zolciak's former publicist claimed she was homophobic and racist.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.zimbio.com/BravoTV/articles/CThhyfdFB1Y/RHOA+Kim+Zolciak+homophobic+racist |title=Is RHOA's Kim Zolciak a homophobic racist? |publisher= Zimbo.com| date=2009-09-23}}</ref> Then in December 2009, Winters broke news that Zolciak was in a lesbian relationship with celebrity DJ Tracy Young after he says he caught the two women on a date at a Manhattan gay club before a performance by Zolciak which Winters highly criticized.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.zimbio.com/BravoTV/articles/2h5heItwxEL/Kim+Zolciak+dating+another+woman|title=Is RHOA's Kim Zolciak dating another woman? |publisher= Zimbo.com| date=2009-12-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://therealoc2nyc2atl.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html|title=Another Day Another Performance|date=2009-12-31|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831002221/http://therealoc2nyc2atl.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html|archivedate=2011-08-31|df=}}</ref> In October 2010, all three parties (Winters, Zolciak and Young) were booked as a part of the "OUTinAC" weekend (a gay gathering in [[Atlantic City]]) and organizers scurried to keep Winters and Zolciak separated after news broke that weekend that she was pregnant.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://boards.bravotv.com/index.php?showtopic=177263&st=740 |title=Hot Mama's Day |date=2010-11-02 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723031224/http://boards.bravotv.com/index.php?showtopic=177263&st=740 |archivedate=2011-07-23 |df= }}</ref>

His personal life has even been the topic of various gossip columns <ref>{{cite news |url=http://antitwink.com/jane-says.-.-out-with-the-old.html |title=Out with the old |publisher=AntiTwink.com |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426073511/http://antitwink.com/jane-says.-.-out-with-the-old.html |archivedate=2011-04-26 |df= }}</ref> leading to a [[parody|spoof]] promotional campaign for GaySocialites.com featuring all negative [[reviews]] about his reporting and personal life.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=116550149586&aid=99679#!/photo.php?fbid=444559484586&set=a.119462659586.99679.116550149586&theater |title=GaySocialites.com Timeline Photos |publisher=Facebook |date=2010-09-19 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
Winters has also been recognized by multiple organizations, including Glammy nominations for Best Writer in 2008,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boyshout.com/events/2008glammyawards/ |title=2008 Glammy Awards |publisher=BoyShout.com |date=2008-12-14 }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 2009,<ref>{{ cite news |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2009/11/screw_the_oscar.php |title=Screw the Oscars! Bring on the Glammy's |publisher=The Village Voice |date=2009-11-02}}</ref> 2010,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://glammyawards.com/ |title=2010 Glammy Awards |publisher=GlammyAwards.com}}</ref> and 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fierth.com/2011/10/2011-nyc-glammy-awards-nominees-announced/ |title=2011 NYC GLAMMY AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED |publisher=Fierth.com}}</ref> He was also nominated for the same award after the Glammys became known as the Glam Awards in 2012<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gaysocialites.com/2012/09/21/2012-glam-award-nominees-announced-full-list-97452/ |title=
2012 Glam Award nominees announced – Full List |publisher=GaySocialites.com}}</ref> and 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gaysocialites.com/2013/09/18/2013-glam-nominees-45155/ |title=
2013 Glam Nominees |publisher=GaySocialites.com}}</ref> He also won an HX Award in 2007<ref>{{cite news | url=http://sandbox.hx.com/wp-content/issues/NYC-Issue-916.pdf | title=HX Award Winners | publisher=HX magazine }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> with other nightclub promoters for their production of a weekly nightclub party called Hot Mess. In 2014, Winters was nominated by Odyssey Magazine as the Best Blogger/ Writer of the Year.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.gaysocialites.com/2014/11/11/2014-odyssey-award-nominees-voting-process-27917/ |title=Odyssey award nominees voting process |publisher=GaySocialites.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://gaysocialites.com/ GaySocialites.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110917195329/http://www.charleswinters.info/ Charles Winters Information Management]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111129235737/http://www.couponangel.us/ Coupon Angel]
* [http://queerplanet.net/ queerplanet.net: powered by GaySocialites.com]
* {{YouTube|u=GaySocialites|GaySocialites.com}}
*{{Facebook user|TheCharlesWinters|Charles Winters}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Winters, Charles R}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American infotainers]]
[[Category:American online journalists]]
[[Category:American reporters and correspondents]]
[[Category:American talk radio hosts]]
[[Category:Gay writers]]
[[Category:LGBT rights activists from the United States]]
[[Category:LGBT writers from the United States]]
[[Category:Life coaches]]
[[Category:People from Tennessee]]
[[Category:University of Tennessee alumni]]
[[Category:LGBT broadcasters from the United States]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]

Charles Winters (journalist) - Revision history

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