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The Georgia Voice

OUTSPOKEN IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Photo by Thibous/CC 3.0

09.14.12
FALL PREVIEW
TV: Gay is The New Normal for mainstream entertainment. Page 4 Trends: Fashion, technology and local happenings you cant miss this fall. Page 7 Music: Melissa, Madonna, Morissey and more. Page 9 Theater: So a man brings home a wolf for a one-night stand Page 10

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EDITORIAL

Editor: Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor: Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Web Manager: Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com Art Director: Bo Shell bshell@thegavoice.com Contributors: Melissa Carter, Brent Corcoran, Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Topher Payne, Matt Schafer, Steve Warren, Ryan Lee

BUSINESS

Publisher: Christina Cash ccash@thegavoice.com Associate Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com Sales Executive: Marshall Graham mgraham@thegavoice.com National Advertising: Rivendell Media, 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com

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I nd it inconceivable that one of your players, Mr. Brendon Ayanbadejo, would publicly endorse same-sex marriage I am requesting that you take the necessary action, as a National Football Franchise Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employee
Maryland General Assembly Delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr. in an Aug. 29 letter, sent on ofcial letterhead, to Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. Burns also stated that he does not know any other NFL player who supports gay marriage. (Yahoo Sports, Sept. 6)

The ght is not about samesex marriage or interracial marriage or slavery or equal rights for women. The ght is for equality for all!
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, responding via Twitter to attacks by Maryland Delegate Emmett C. Burns (Hufngton Post, Sept. 7)

Film: No gay blockbusters, but plenty of fall fare. Page 12 Books: ATL lit events include Alice Walker, David Sedaris. Page 14 Events: Season packed with Atlantas biggest LGBT events. Page 17 Sports: Softball and other options to keep you t for fall. Page 18

NEWS
Black Gay Pride brings thousands to Atlanta. Page 24 Southern Comfort Conference among largest trans gatherings. Page 27 Athens, Savannah celebrate LGBT Pride. Page 28

BOARD OF ADVISERS

Richard Eldredge, Sandy Malcolm, Lynn Pasqualetti, Robert Pullen

All material in the Georgia Voice is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Georgia Voice. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. We also do not accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by the Georgia Voice, but we do not take responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit any submission. Guidelines for freelance contributors are available upon request. A single copy of the Georgia Voice is available from authorized distribution points. Multiple copies are available from the Georgia Voice ofce only. Call for rates. If you are unable to reach a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 26-issue mailed subscription for $60 per year. Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Tim Boyd, tboyd@thegavoice.com Postmaster: Send address changes to the Georgia Voice, 1904 Monroe Drive, Suite 130, Atlanta, GA 30324. The Georgia Voice is published every other Friday by The Georgia Voice, LLC. Individual subscriptions are $60 per year for 26 issues. Postage paid at Atlanta, GA, and additional mailing ofces. The editorial positions of the Georgia Voice are expressed in editorials and in editors notes. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Georgia Voice and its staff. To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words and commentary, for web or print, should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address and phone number for verication. Email submissions to editor@thegavoice.com or mail to the address above.

P.S. Ive also been vocal as hell about the issue of gay marriage so you can take your I know of no other NFL player and shove it in your close-minded, totally lacking in empathy piehole and choke on it. Asshole.
Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe in a hilariously profane open letter to Mass. State Delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr. The Maryland delegate has since backed down from his call to silence Ayanbadejo. (Deadspin.com, Sept. 7)

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A&E
Satirical songstresses Bria & Chrissy go viral on YouTube. Page 31 Food Porn: Is Robert the biggest barrier to his own relationship success? Page 32

CALENDAR
Pages 34-37

Im a black, gay woman. I think the only way to make the GOP hate me more is if I sent them a video of me rolling around on a pile of welfare checks.
Comedian Wanda Sykes, who comes to the Classic Center in Athens, Ga., on Oct. 11, in a clip from her new two-part Logo special, NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes. The rst part aired Sept. 10; the second is slated for Nov. 5, Election Day. (Hufngton Post, Sept. 10)

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COLUMNISTS
Thats What She Said: Love, not sex, at the Democratic National Convention. Page 38 Domestically Disturbed: Topher Payne gets reasonable about choice. Page 39
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FALL

PREVIEW

ts been 14 years since NBC launched Will & Grace, heralded as the rst successful network sitcom to debut with an openly gay lead character. The title of NBCs new gay-themed sitcom sums up the progress since then in the world of entertainment, gay is now The New Normal. The show, which debuted Sept. 11 and will air at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, is about a gay couple who hires a surrogate to have a baby. Openly gay Andrew Rannells and Ellen Barkin head the cast, which also features Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leaks. The New Normal was created by openly gay Ryan Murphy of Glee fame. Its based on Murphys desire to have a child with his own partner. Rannells feels the premise echoes the real world. We are just showing what is already happening, what is out there in the world, the actor says in a recent conference call with journalists. This family we are creating could be yours, a group of unlikely folks who come together to create a family. It might seem specic but the storytelling is universal. He and the cast and crew were disappointed to learn that a Utah TV station, afliated with the Mormon Church, would not air The New Normal. Its a shame (that) came out prior to anyone seeing the show, Rannell says. I hope no one nds anything offensive about the show. Ultimately, he feels Normal is about love. And as a gay man himself, Rannell found no real challenges playing gay, even with a straight co-star. (Justin Bartha) and I had a natural chemistry when we started, he admits. NBC isnt the only mainstream network with launching a sitcom with gay leads this season. Partners premieres on Monday, Sept. 24 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS. Partners is the spawn of openly gay Max Mutchnick and childhood friend David Kohan, who brought Will and Grace to life and have known and worked with each other for years. The new show stars Michael Urie of Ugly Betty fame, with Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) as his life partner, and centers on the friendship of a gay man and a straight man in their joint workplace. It echoes the story of Mutchnick and Kohan themselves. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation tracks LGBT characters on television. Matt Kane, GLAADs associate director of entertainment media, is pleased with the fall TV slate and what he sees on the horizon in the winter and spring.

NormaL
by jim farmer
Created by openly gay Glee creator Ryan Murphy,New Normal is about a gay couple who hires a surrogate to have a baby. (Photo by Timothy White/NBC)

is the

GAY NEW
He is particularly happy to see Partners on CBS, which has notoriously been behind the curve for LGBT inclusivity compared to other networks. Its a great step in the right direction, Kane says. Go On (Already premiered; Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC) This Matthew Perry comedy about a sportscaster who goes into

graduates openly gay Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Rachel (Lea Michele) - have moved. Celebrities visiting this season include Kate Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker. GLAADs Kane is happy that the transgender character Unique, introduced in the spring, will be back. Modern Family (Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC starting Sept. 26) TVs funniest and most-honored comedy returns for its fourth season with arguably the best comic ensemble cast around, including (openly gay) Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell and Eric Stonestreet as his partner, Cameron Tucker. This season, as their tomboy daughter Lily tussles with a fellow classmate, the gay couple must contend with the students lesbian moms. The Good Wife (Sundays at 9 p.m. on CBS starting Sept. 30): Julianna Margulies drama returns for a fourth year, with one of TVs most talked about characters, the bisexual Kalinda (Emmy winner Achie Panjabi). Chicago Fire (Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC starting Oct. 10) This hour-long reghter/paramedic drama features Laura German and Monica Raymund as lesbians who are out on the job and also romantic partners. Emily Owens, M.D. (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on The CW starting Oct. 16) An African-American lesbian character in a substantial role, Kelly McCrearys Tyra, is one of the perks of this new medical drama, Kane says. The show stars Mamie Gummer, perhaps better known as Meryl Streeps daughter. American Horror Story: Asylum (Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on FX starting Oct. 17) Also from Ryan Murphy comes the second season of this scary series, set in an insane asylum this year. A lesbian couple will be in the mix. Its rumored that openly gay Zachary Quinto will return as another character and that rocker Adam Levine will make an appearance, as will openly lesbian actress Sarah Paulson. RuPauls Drag Race All Stars (Mondays at 9 p.m. on Logo starting Oct. 22) RuPaul is back with a best of set of drag contestants. Atlanta audiences watch this addictive show more than any other city in the country. Happy Endings (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC starting Oct. 23) This smart, engaging comedy series about a group of friends features openly gay Max (Adam Pally), who is one of TVs most refreshingly non-generic characters. Malibu Country (Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on ABC starting Nov. 2) Reba McEntire plays a Reba McEntire-like character who moves to California after she learns of her husbands affair and tries to return as a country star. Out actress Lily Tomlin is her pot-smoking mother.

TELEVISION
therapy after his wife dies features Julie White as a lesbian lawyer dealing with rage after her partner passes away in a preventable death. Glee (Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Fox starting Sept. 13) Now in its fourth season, the musical comedy has been moved to a new night. It will still focus on the high school shenanigans as well as New York, where its

More TV highlights

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Fall Preview

September 14, 2012

GA Voice

Fashion
Atlanta fashion guru E. Vincent Martinez, the man behind www.fashionado.net and stylemagvm.com, o ers ve ways for anyone to stay on trend:

1 Scale & proportion 2 Leather

Says Martinez: Scale and proportion are big this fall. (Pardon the pun!) Achieve this through an oversized sweater or a large chunky scarf.

All things leather are in: coats, vests, skirts, pants and accents of all kinds. (No word on harnesses, though!)

3 Fur or Faux

4 Jewel-tones

Fur, especially used as trim, will take you into winter. Wear faux fur to avoid your militant PETA neighbors!

5 Great capes
Courtesy photo

Think burgundy, wine, orange, blue and deep emerald.

If youre feeling adventurous and fashion forward, Martinez says, try a gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana brocade trimmed cape. If thats way too fashion fast lane for you, Zenga designed very handsome, very tailored ones.

FALL Trends } }
The fashion, technology and culture to keep you ahead of the curve! by Bo Shell

Two Atlanta-area gay bars host competing drag contests that run through this season, both on Wednesdays. First, LeBuzz gets into the action with Charlie Browns Drag Idol 5. Six queens and six kings battle it out in what has been dubbed the biggest and most di cult competition yet. Then, following the success of several Dragnique competitions, Jungle is back with Dragnicent. Expect weekly guest judges and contestant tips going to charities to help determine winners.

Fall is a drag!

Weve seen that 99 Daze are back at Burkharts. That usually means 99-cent vodka drinks. Even an insider says no one ever knows how long the special will last, so keep an eye out get it when you can. Classy is always on trend: Dont forget to tip on the pre-discount amount to avoid the evil eye from the usually friendly bartenders.

Drink up:

Politics: (the smartest trend)

Pundits are calling the 2012 presidential election a choice election. Know why you are making yours. When youre fussing with political adversaries, be able to explain why. Itll go a lot further than because Obama hearts gays or because Romney had a horse in the Olympics. Voting is not optional, even in the blue zone of a red state.

Lady bonus:

Style.com says lesbian chic is a force in fashion going into Spring 2013. Citing a new lesbian dating wave in NYCs fashion scene, it seems lesbian is the new black. Even Rihannas stylist says combat boots are subbing for stilettos!

The iPhone 5

Tablet choices
Though the iPad generally dominates tablet tech headlines, this falls tech trends include a tablet war that will last through the holiday season. Rumors have run wild that a smaller iPad is coming this fall: a seven-inch model thats more easily hand-held than the current 9.7-inch iPad. But a new iPad may not be the best solution for users who dont need all the bells and whistles or the price tag offered by Apple. Amazons brand new Kindle Fire HD is more a ordable and is now available for mobile networks. Amazon aims to get your money on the back end through Amazon Prime, an annual membership service that includes free two-day shipping and a growing library of streaming media.

Your big gay wedding!

Tell the haters that legal gay marriage is happening whether they like it or not. From state-by-state approval to President Obamas support to what will likely amount to a Supreme Court battle, gay people will eventually see marriage equality. Period. Whether you wait until then or youre ready for a ceremony now, plan with falls biggest new publication: GA Voice and Equally Weds annual Atlanta Gay Weddings Guide. From proposal to honeymoon, weve got your LGBT nuptials covered. Join us at our free launch party on Oct. 4. Details on Page 36.

By the time this story hits the streets, Apple will have announced the iPhone 5. That means better technology and the ever-present trend of bitching about it: It will likely be as expensive as always and even worse, you might have to replace your chargers and cords theres probably a new Apple-specic data/energy port. The upside is iOS 6 for new and some existing product users. That means better maps, a better Siri and a feature just for shady queens who screen calls: decline an incoming call and instantly send a text or set a call back reminder. Even further, youll have a Do Not Disturb Mode that only allows approved contacts to ring.

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www.theGAVoice.com

Fall Preview

September 14, 2012

GA Voice

Melissa, Madonna, Morrissey and more

LGBT icons ll fall music schedule
By Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Rufus Wainwright, Morrissey Atlantas fall music line-up features some of the best known openly LGBT musicians, then sets gay fans swooning with a visit from the Material Girl herself, Madonna. Its technically the end of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens summer concert series, but Indigo Girls Sept. 14 show could also be considered the start of a banner fall music season. Tickets also go on sale Sept. 21 for the beloved lesbian duos Dec. 7 show with the Georgia Symphony at Cobb Energy Centre. Indigo Girls are just one of the acts to grow out of Atlantas famed acoustic music scene, which remains immensely popular with LGBT fans. The scene was rocked earlier this year by the unhappy split between famed Decatur acoustic venue Eddies Attic and founder Eddie Owen, but this seasons music line-up shows fans may actually benet. Duluths Red Clay Theatre is now home to Eddie Owen Presents, which is drawing top talents to Duluth to support the man who gave many their start, while the Attic continues to bring acoustic music to Decatur. The upshot? Fans get even more chances to see acts like lesbian blues rocker Michelle Malone (Oct. 5 record release at Red Clay, followed by Oct. 6 and Dec. 31 at the Attic); lesbian folk legend Janis Ian (Oct. 10 at Red Clay, Oct. 11 at the Attic); and lesbian alterna-grass band Roxie Watson (Sept. 15 and Dec. 15 at the Attic, Oct. 13 at Red Clay). Red Clay Theatre also brings in folk favorites Patty Grifn (Oct. 21) and Michelle Shocked (Nov. 11), while Eddies Attic hosts several other acts popular with lesbian fans, including Jennifer Knapp (Sept. 25), who made headlines in the Christian music world when she came out and began playing secular folk music.

Melissa Etheridge

Madonna

Morrissey

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 14: Indigo Girls @ Atlanta Botanical Garden Sept. 15: Roxie Watson @ Eddies Attic Sept. 15: Brad Paisley @ Aarons Amphitheatre Sept. 18: Ben Folds Five @ The Tabernacle Sept. 19: John Hiatt @ Variety Playhouse Sept. 21: Break of Reality @ Ferst Center for the Arts Sept. 21: Beth Orton @ Variety Playhouse Sept. 21-22: Foo Fighters, Joan Jett, Pearl Jam, Florence and the Machine, and more @ Music Midtown Sept. 22: New Edition @ Chastain Park Sept. 25: Jennifer Knapp @ Eddies Attic Sept. 28: Garrison Starr @ Eddies Attic

MUSIC
Oct. 21: Patty Grifn @ Red Clay Theatre Oct. 21: TAKIOPROJECT @ Ferst Center Oct. 25: Alanis Morissette @ The Tabernacle Oct. 25: Psychedlic Furs @ Variety Playhouse Oct. 29: Susanna Hoffs @ Eddies Attic

OCTOBER

Out and on tour

Fans of Atlantas heavily lesbian acoustic scene arent the only ones in for a treat this season, as a virtual whos who of out lesbian and gay performers bring their tours to the city. Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, the gay son of folk legends Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III, is touring behind his new pop-infused album Out of the Game, billed as his loosest, most accessible work yet. He plays the Tabernacle on Oct. 20. Lesbian rocker Melissa Etheridge, one of the rst out major label artists, brings her new

Oct. 3: David Byrne and St. Vincent @ Cobb Energy Oct. 3: Fiona Apple @ The Tabernacle Oct. 5: Michelle Malone record release @ Red Clay Oct. 5: Keiko Matsui @ Ferst Center for the Arts Oct. 5: Gotye @ Chastain Park Oct. 5: Miranda Lambert @ Aarons Amphitheatre Oct. 6: Journey with Pat Benatar and Loverboy@ Aarons Amphitheatre Oct. 6: Michelle Malone @ Eddies Attic Oct. 10: Janis Ian @ Red Clay Theatre Oct. 11: Janis Ian @ Eddies Attic Oct. 13: Maria Gabriella Band & God-des and She @ My Sisters Room Oct. 13: Roxie Watson @ Red Clay Theatre Oct. 13-14: Andy Bell, Amy Ray, Rita Ora, Kristine W and more @ Atlanta Pride Oct. 18: R Kelly @ the Fox Theatre Oct. 20: Rufus Wainwright @ The Tabernacle Oct. 20: John Legend @ Chastain Park album, 4th Street Feeling, to Atlanta Symphony Hall on Nov. 12. Also in November, out saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz brings his Christmas show back to the Cobb Energy Centre (Nov. 30), then openly gay former Smiths frontman Morrissey

NOVEMBER

Nov. 3: Rebecca Loebe @ Eddies Attic Nov. 7: Heart @ The Fox Theatre Nov. 8: Joshua Radin @ Buckhead Theatre Nov. 11: Michelle Shocked @ Red Clay Theatre Nov. 12: Melissa Etheridge @ Atlanta Symphony Hall Nov. 16: Antigone Rising & Jen Foster @ Eddies Attic Nov. 17: Madonna @ Philips Arena Nov. 28: Ray LaMontagne @ Cobb Energy Centre Nov. 30: Dave Koz @ Cobb Energy Centre

DECEMBER

Dec. 1: Hannah Thomas @ Eddies Attic Dec. 2: Empire Brass @ Ferst Center Dec. 3: Morrisey @ Cobb Energy Centre Dec. 7: Indigo Girls with Ga. Symphony @ Cobb Energy Dec. 15: Roxie Watson @ Eddies Attic Dec. 20: Celtic Woman @ Symphony Hall Dec. 31: Michelle Malone @ Eddies Attic hits the Cobb Energy Centre on Dec. 3. In between all of the out gay performers, fans will also have the chance to justify our love for Madonna, who brings her longawaited tour to Philips Arena on Nov. 17. Expect throngs of LGBT to come out for MDNA.

Publicity photos

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Fall Preview

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Premiere season on local stages

Wolves, Divine Sister among fall theater debuts
By Jim Farmer As memories of summer fade away, fall is now ofcially here, with some sparkling theater options, including several new shows. In its 25th anniversary year, Actors Express is presenting one of its patented world premieres gay playwright Steve Yockeys Wolves (Nov. 8 Dec. 2), directed by out lesbian Melissa Foulger. Its very gay themed, starting as a gay man brings a wolf home as a one-night stand, to the dismay of his roommate. Hell breaks loose from there. Its really about the conation of sex and fear in modern society, the overlapping mix of whats sexy and whats dangerous all wrapped up in a sort of modern fairy tale narration, Yockey says. Its Yockeys rst work at the Express since the companys Octopus. Freddie Ashley, openly gay artistic director of the Express, feels that Yockeys writing is always bold, imaginative, sexy and exciting. Virtue of The Process Theatre, openly gay Charles Buschs The Divine Sister (Oct. 26 Nov. 17) is making its Atlanta debut in October. Busch is the legendary playwright of such plays as Die, Mommie, Die!, Psycho Beach Party and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. In The Divine Sister, a Mother Superior has to juggle a schoolboy in need of a mentor, a lascivious suitor and many other calamities. The comedy stars Topher Payne GA Voices 2012 Best of Atlanta Best Actor in the title role and he says its a perfect t. I have played a lot of women, but Ive never played a nun, says Payne. The work of openly gay Del Shores, always a favorite in Atlanta, is back in a production of his Daddys Dying: Whos Got the Will (Sept.28 Oct. 20) at Onstage Atlanta. Its directed by out DeWayne Morgan.

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com

What I Learned in Paris Through Sept. 30 at the Alliance Theatre 1280 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30309 www.alliancetheatre.org Anything Goes Sept. 21 Oct.7 at the Strand Theatre 117 N. Park Square, Marietta, GA 30060 www.atlantalyrictheatre.com War Horse Sept. 25 30 at the Fox Theatre 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 www.broadwayacrossamerica.com Daddys Dying, Whos Got the Will? Sept. 28 Oct. 20 at Onstage Atlanta 2597 North Decatur Road, Decatur GA 30033 www.onstageatlanta.com Apples and Oranges Oct. 5 - 28 at the Alliance Theatre www.alliancetheatre.org

Actors Express presents the world premiere of gay playwright Steve Yockeys Wolves, about a gay man who brings a wolf home for a one-night stand. Melissa Foulger, who is lesbian, directs. (Yockey photo via Facebook; Foulger photo courtesy GCSU)

Next to Normal Oct. 17 Nov. 11 at the Alliance Theatre www.alliancetheatre.org Assassins Opens Oct. 19 at Fabrefaction Theatre 999 Brady Ave., Atlanta, Georgia 30318 www.fabrefaction.org The Divine Sister Oct. 26 Nov. 17 at Onstage Atlanta www.onstageatlanta.com Wolves Nov. 8 Dec. 2 at Actors Express 887 W. Marietta St. Atlanta, GA 30318 www.actorsexpress.com The Mountaintop Nov. 13 Dec. 16 at the Southwest Arts Center 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30331 www.truecolorstheatre.org

THEATER
Not as well-known as Shores Sordid Lives, its nonetheless a comedy with plenty of yucks and Southern characters. Also at Onstage during the holidays, for what is likely to be the companys last show at its current location before Walmart forces it and Process Theatre elsewhere, is the bound to be campy Nuncrackers The Nunsense Christmas Musical. Its directed by out Cathe Hall Payne. Long a favorite in the LGBT community, Pearl Cleage has another upcoming world premiere at the Alliance Theatre. The just-opened political and comedic What I Learned in Paris (through Sept. 30) is set in Atlanta circa 1973. Alfred Uhry of Driving Miss Daisy fame returns to the Alliance as well with his new

Apples and Oranges (Oct. 5 28), directed by Lynne Meadow of the Manhattan Theatre Club. Its about a brother and sister who grow closer, despite obvious differences in their lives. Another sure-to-please Alliance work is the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning Next to Normal (Oct. 17 Nov. 11). Off of a strong year, Fabrefactions upcoming musical Assassins (opens Oct. 19) looks at nine individuals who tried to assassinate presidents. Its music and lyrics are by openly gay Stephen Sondheim. Also look for Cole Porters classic musical Anything Goes (Sept. 21 Oct.7) this month at Atlanta Lyric Theatre Though not gay in nature, one of the major productions coming to town via the Atlanta Broadway Series is War Horse (Sept. 25-30). The Best Play Tony winner from a few seasons back tells the story of a relationship between a young man and his spirited steed during wartime, using innovative, imaginative puppetry. Another potentially big production is Katori Halls The Mountaintop (Nov. 13 Dec. 16), a play dealing with Dr. Martin Luther King and his chance encounter with a mystery lady. It

gets its rst regional staging here after a Broadway run recently with Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, with Kenny Leon directing, when Jasmine Guy helms its later this season for True Colors Theatre Company. Finally, its not been announced or is even ofcial yet, but dont be surprised if gay fave Santaland Diaries, based on gay humorist David Sedaris Holidays on Ice, comes back to the Horizon again this holiday season.

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Fall Preview

www.theGAVoice.com

Looking for LGBT love on the big screen

No gay blockbusters, but with Out on Film, still plenty of fall fare
By Steve Warren It looks like another award season without a Milk or Brokeback Mountain or The Kids Are All Right. There are probably some LGBT characters and subplots not mentioned in advance publicity, but from what we know about the fall lm season, the pickings are pretty slim. Youll need Out on Film (details next issue) for your queer lm x, and the rest of the season you can watch TV shows like Partners and The New Normal. (If the latter maintains the level of the pilot weve got a new favorite show!) Most of the positive news involves LGBT actors, directors, writers and icons who have been working on movies to be released this season. Here are some that sound interesting: Beloved (Sept. 14, Landmark Midtown Art Cinemas) Chiara Mastroianni falls in love with a gay American (Paul Schneider) in Paris while her mother (Catherine Deneuve), long since remarried, carries on an affair with her rst husband. Its written and directed by gay Christophe Honor. Also opening today are Resident Evil: Retribution, with Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez kicking butt, and Finding Nemo (now in 3D) with Ellen DeGeneres talking shy. How to Survive a Plague (Sept. 28, Landmark Midtown Art Cinemas) I was in San Francisco for the rst decade-plus of the AIDS crisis and wasnt aware of how much my fellow activists accomplished, as detailed and shown in this documentary by David France, one of the few such lms to receive theatrical distribution. www.surviveaplague.com Pitch Perfect (Sept. 28) The rst feature by out director Jason Moore (Broadways Avenue Q) looks like Glee Goes to College, as Anna Kendrick makes the girls more competitive in a singing competition. Ester Dean plays a lesbian and Rebel Wilson gets most of the laughs as Fat Amy. www.pitchperfectmovie.com Out on Film (Oct. 4-11, Landmark Midtown Art Cinemas) 25 years old and still growing! Over 40 lm programs, including the titles youve been reading about from the big LGBT summer festivals; parties, and appearances by Miss Coco Peru, direct from Gay Days at Disneyland. www.outonlm.org The Paperboy (Oct. 12, Landmark Midtown Art Cinemas) Gay director Lee Daniels follows Precious with a thriller loaded with over-the-top, sun-baked Southern sexuality, most of it hetero. Theres Matthew McConaughey

The rst feature by out director Jason Moore, Pitch Perfect includes a lesbian character and could be seen as Glee Goes to College. (Publicity photo via Facebook)

FILM
and a scantily clad Zac Efron for the boys and Nicole Kidman as an aging sexpot for the girls. www.thepaperboy-movie.com Keep the Lights On (Oct. 19, Landmark Midtown Art Cinemas, after premiering in Out on Film) Gay writer-director Ira Sachs (The Delta) follows a documentary lmmaker (Thure Lindhardt) and a closeted lawyer (Zachary Booth) for nearly a decade as their relationship faces various challenges, including addiction. www.keepthelightsonlm.com Cloud Atlas (Oct. 26) A complex story features an all-star cast, some playing multiple ages, races and genders in the past, present and future, under a trio of writer-directors: Lana (formerly Larry) Wachowski, Tom Tykwer and Andy Wachowski. www.cloudatlasmovie.com Wreck-It Ralph (Nov. 2) Yeah, this Disneymation is mostly for kids, but with Jane Lynch, Jack McBrayer and Sarah Silverman in the voice cast (plus John C. Reilly in the title role), somebodys got to slip in a line or two for us. Lincoln (Nov. 16) Steven Spielberg directs Daniel Day-Lewis as our favorite Republican president. Even with Tony Kushner (Angels in America) writing the screenplay

the possibility of exploring the gay rumors about Lincoln is as unlikely as that of showing Eleanor Roosevelts (Olivia Williams) lesbian side in Hyde Park on Hudson (Dec. 7). The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2 (Nov. 16) Gay director Bill Condon (who also made Part 1, Dreamgirls, Kinsey and Gods and Monsters) wraps things up. In my dreams Jacob gets over Bella and realizes he really loves me, but I think the movies going to go a different way. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Dec. 14) Sir Ian McKellen dons the Gandalf beard again for the start of another Tolkien trilogy. Les Misrables (Dec. 14) If the thought of a big-screen Broadway musical isnt enough, think of Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried. www.lesmiserableslm.com The Guilt Trip and Parental Guidance (Dec. 25) Its Barbra vs. Bette in the battle of the Christmas comedies. Though their children are about the same age, La Streisand is mothering Seth Rogen on the road in The Guilt Trip while the Divine Miss Ms focus is on grandmothering when she and husband Billy Crystal are called on to be housesitters in the Atlanta-lmed Parental Guidance. Gayby (TBA) I cant imagine Jonathan Liseckis wonderful comedy not opening theatrically after debuting at Out on Film. Matthew Wilkas plays a gay man whose best friend (Jenn Harris) asks him to father her baby old school. www.gaybylm.com

14 1

GA Voice

September 14, 2012

Fall Preview

www.theGAVoice.com

Make your LGBT reading list for fall

By Gregg Shapiro Whether you prefer ction, non-ction, celebrities or even cookbooks, there are plenty of options to ll your fall LGBT reading list. Some are newly out this season, while others debuted earlier this year.

Atlanta author Elliott Mackle among writers with recent releases

More than meets the eye

On rst glance, Atlantas LGBT literary scene might appear chilly for fall. There will be no stand-alone Atlanta Queer Literary Festival this year, and the closure of Outwrite Bookstore still leaves a void for best-selling and up-and-coming LGBT authors alike. Gay store Brushstrokes joined forces with nightclub Mixx to host a few gay author readings earlier this year, but nothing is currently scheduled for fall. But lesbian-owned feminist bookstore Charis Books & More continues to offer a monthly calendar lled with writers groups, Cliterati spoken-word events on the third Thursdays, and readings from a wide variety of feminist and progressive writers. Charis staff say events they are looking forward to this fall include a kickoff to Atlanta Pride with Queer BOIS (Oct. 11); the stores 38th birthday celebration, complete with author readings, a sale, and a celebration of LGBT and civil rights activist Mandy Carter (Nov. 3); a reading by mystery/thriller writer Amanda Kyle Williams (Nov. 1); and a visit from novelist, Steampunk Queen and queer fave Cherie Priest (Nov. 29). Major writers of LGBT interest also continue to visit Atlanta through local universities, independent bookstores and groups like the Georgia Center for the Book. October, especially, packs a series of heavy hitters. Authors Alice Walker and Pearl Cleage visit Emory University for a joint discussion of creativity (Oct. 2) and best-selling mystery writer Patricia Cornwell, who is openly lesbian, reads at the Carter Center (Oct. 19). The month also features celebrated gay humorist David Sedaris at Symphony Hall (Oct. 27) and lesbian academic, art critic and all-around contrarian Camille Paglia at SCAD Atlanta (Oct. 30). In November, Charis joins the GA Center for the Book to co-host Emma Donoghue at the Decatur Public Library. (Nov. 29).

Novel thoughts

Picking up where Captain Hardings Six-Day War left off, the period gay romance Captain Harding and His Men (Lethe Press, 2012) by Atlanta author Elliott Mackle follows more of Hardings adventures and misadventures in a military setting. Arriving on bookshelves around the same time that the similarly-themed NBC sitcom The New Normal makes its debut, Michael Lowenthals The Paternity Test (University of Wisconsin Press, 2012) explores gay fatherhood and surrogate motherhood. Acclaimed gay novelist Joseph Olshan returns with the Vermont-set thriller Cloudland (Minotaur, 2012), a modern-day crime novel about a serial killer and the 19th century English novelist Wilkie Collins.

Clockwise from top left: Elliott Mackle brings Captain Harding and His Men this fall. Alice Walker speaks at Emory. Gay humorist David Sedaris plays Symphony Hall, Adele gets the bio treatment from Marc Shapiro and lesbian Patricia Cornwell reads at the Carter Center. (Photos via Facebook, Walker publicity photo, Adele book cover)

BOOKS
A different kind of coming-out tale, My Husband and My Wives: A Gay Mans Odyssey by Charles Rowan Beye (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012), is the authors personal, yet universal story of his journey of love and life through his marriages (to two different women and, ultimately, one man). Lesbian writer and activist Sarah Schulman details the dawning of her consciousness of the Palestinian liberation struggle in what is sure to be her most topical book Israel/Pales-

Many queer voices

The essay anthology Love, Christopher Street (Vantage Point, 2012), edited by Thomas Keith, is the latest installment in the Lammy Award-winning series and features contributions from Thomas Glave, Jewelle Gomez, Aaron Hamburger, Michael Musto, Charlie Vazquez, Bob Smith, Felice Picano, Fay Jacobs and Kathleen Warnock, among others. Edited by Keith Boykin, For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough (Magnus, 2012) is a response to Ntozake Shanges choreopoem For Colored Girls and includes pieces by G. Winston James, Timm T. West, Emanuel Xavier, James Earl Hardy and many more.

True stories

tine and the Queer International ( D u k e University Press, 2012). Cobra Killer (Magnus, 2012) by Andrew E. Stoner and Peter A. Conway explores the brutal slaying of gay porn kingpin Bryan Kocis at the hands of rising gay porn-stars Harlan Cuadra and his partner Joe Kerkes in January 2007. Marilyn: The Passion and the Paradox (Bloomsbury, 2012) by Lois Banner, delves into Marilyn Monroes lesbianism and her romantic dalliances with women, including acting coaches Natasha Lytess and Constance Collier. Go rolling in the deep with Adele: The Biography (St. Martins Press, 2012) by Marc Shapiro.

16 1

GA Voice

September 14, 2012

www.theGAVoice.com

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Fall Preview

September 14, 2012

GA Voice

17

Fall packed with LGBT events

Atlanta Pride, plus much more to ll your community calendar
By Matt Schafer and Shannon Hames As the temperature falls from the high 90s to the low 80s, Atlantas social calendar picks up with some of the biggest LGBT events of the year. The season offers a bit of everything, from huge outdoor events like Atlanta Pride and AIDS Walk Atlanta, to smaller fundraisers, Halloween galas, and even somber occasions like Transgender Day of Remembrance and World AIDS Day. Fall is so crowded with LGBT gatherings that two garden party fundraisers will overlap with each other. Both the Health Initiative and Lambda Legal will hold garden parties in Midtown on Sept. 23. Since changing its name last year from the Atlanta Lesbian Health initiative to The Health Initiative, the groups focus has also changed. It no longer exclusively a lesbian health organization but now address the health needs of all in the LGBT community. Since we have broadened our mission to include everyone, we have had some new challenges that we knew we might face when we planned to make these changes almost two years ago. Mainly, we want to ensure that we cover the full continuum of the lives of our clients, says Jo Giraudo, board co-chair. The funds from the Garden Party, which is held at Einsteins, will go into the general fund. According to Executive Director Linda Ellis, the party is the Initiatives largest source of unrestricted funds. Much of the most important work we do like training new low-cost clinic partners or helping individuals access care thorough the Health Fund is not easily funded by grants, Ellis says. We have more folks calling each day and asking for support, she adds. What that means for us is we have to do double time in managing the Health Fund and in building partnerships with new providers, especially in areas outside of Metro Atlanta.

SEPTEMBER

Atlanta Cotillion Sept. 15 at The Foundry at Puritan Mill www.atlantacotillion.com Atlanta Arts Festival in Piedmont Park Sept. 15-16, www.atlantaartsfestival.com Southern Comfort Conference Sept. 18-23 at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, www.sccatl.org The Health Initiative Fall Garden Party Sept. 23 at Einsteins www.thehealthinitiative.org Lambda Legal Garden Party Sept. 23 at a private residence www.lambdalegal.org/events/ll-in-atlanta

OCTOBER

Out on Film Oct. 4 11 at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema www.outonlm.org Atlanta Gay Weddings Launch Party Oct. 4, www.atlantagayweddings.com

ATLANTA PRIDE WEEK www.atlantapride.org

EVENTS
port from other Pride organizations and corporate sponsors, and thats really allowed us to make this years festival bigger and more diverse. Pride again hosts popular lead-up Stride into Pride events, as well as the AIDS Vigil (Oct. 10), Commitment Ceremony (Oct. 11) and Georgia Aquarium Kick-Off Party (Oct. 12). The Oct. 14 parade will continue on its traditional route, and looks to be larger than in other years. It seems like a lot of people want to participate this year, maybe its the election, maybe its because its the second year of Dont Ask Dont Tell being repealed, but were getting a lot of applications to walk in the parade, Freedman said. The week after Atlanta Pride, LGBT Atlantans will head back to Piedmont Park to join in the annual AIDS Walk Atlanta and 5k Run, set for Oct. 21. Billy Jones, a spokesman for the AIDS Walk, says organizers have set an ambitious goal for this years event, hoping that 10,000 walkers and runners will raise $1.25 million for the eight participating organizations. Last year, the walk raised over $1 million for the second time in its history, and organizers hope increased effort by the runners and walkers

Fall is the season for LGBT Atlantas biggest event, Atlanta Pride Oct. 13-14. (Photo by Bo Shell)

Atlanta Pride AIDS Vigil Oct. 10 at St. Mark United Methodist Church www.stmarkumc.org Atlanta Pride Commitment Ceremony Oct. 11 at Altitude at W Hotel Midtown Ofcial Atlanta Pride Kickoff Party Oct. 12 at The Georgia Aquarium Atlanta Pride Festival Oct. 13-14 in Piedmont Park 2020 Leading Womens Awards Oct. 19 at the Georgia Freight Depot www.sisterlove.org AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K run Oct .21 in Piedmont Park www.aidswalkatlanta.com Jerusalem House presents Ghosts of Hollywood Oct. 26, 8 p.m. 12 a.m. at Atlanta Marriott Marquis www.jerusalemhouse.org/halloween

Fun and fundraisers

Prepare for Pride

Fall is also home to the Southeasts largest LGBT event: Atlanta Pride. This years festival, set for Oct. 13-14 in Piedmont Park, boasts an increased calendar of events and headlining artists Andy Bell of Erasure and Amy Ray of Indigo Girls fame. This year we really have expanded it to include a lot of different groups and different bars so thats really cool, Pride Chairman Glen Paul Fredeman says. Weve been getting a lot of sup-

will result in a record haul. Its really cool to see. We always get new friends and family coming on board, Jones says. Weve seen an increase in our corporate teams, and a number of our teams who have been with us for a long time really step up in their fundraising. WSB-TV news anchor Jovita Moore will serve as master of ceremonies, but other details of the event have yet to be announced. One the key points of the AIDS Walk is that all the money is used locally. What we want to continue to remind people is that the money raised at AIDS Walk Atlanta goes to AIDS Atlanta and the seven other AIDS service organizations, Jones says. If you write a check to AID Atlanta then that is going to our clients, and supports our service. After Pride and the AIDS Walk, there will be a number of events that are either new to the calendar, or have changed their focus for 2012. The new theme for Jerusalem Houses popular Halloween party is Ghosts of Hollywood, coming to the Foundry at Puritan Mill on Oct. 26. For the Kid in All of Us has added a new event series For the Foodie In All of Us, featuring top chefs, leading up to the annual Toy Party, which is scheduled for Dec. 2, though other details have not yet been announced. The National Transgender Day of Remembrance is Nov. 20, but plans for Atlantas commemoration have not yet been made public. Visit www.thegavoice.com for updates on all of these events as they approach.

NOVEMBER

For the Foodie in All of Us Nov. 4 at The Cooks Warehouse - Piedmont www.forthekid.org MEGA Family Project Family Conference Nov. 3. Location TBD, www.megafamilyproject.org Chastain Park Arts Festival Nov. 3 4, www.chastainparkartsfestival.com Transgender Day of Remembrance, Date TBD

DECEMBER

World AIDS Day Dec. 1 at various locations Toy Party Dec. 2, 2012, www.forthekid.org

18 1

GA Voice

September 14, 2012

Fall Preview

www.theGAVoice.com

As LGBT leagues get underway, Atlantas pro teams press for playoffs
By Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com

Gay fall ball, sports seasons set to kick off

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The end of summer marks the start of the annual fall sports leagues. From softball to ag football, gay and lesbian sporting leagues offer a plethora of options for those seeking competitive fun this fall. On the national stage, three of Atlantas professional teams look to shake the citys reputation of being a miserable sports town, as stated by Forbes. The Braves, Falcons and Dream are all poised for post-season action in 2012. The gay National Flag Football League of Atlanta will kick off its fall season with a day of pre-season games Sept. 16 followed by a shorter-than-normal ve-week season schedule. The Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club kicks off its fall season against the Nashville Grizzlies on Sept. 15. The boys in purple then have several matches against local teams, but the biggest event for the Bucks is the late-October HellFest Rugby Tournament in Dallas, Texas, on Oct. 27. Hotlanta Softball recently announced the cancellation of its Fall 2012 season due to low registration. Other leagues, like the Decatur Womens Sports League and Southern Softpaw League, will look to ll the void left by Hotlantas cancellation. The Decatur Womens Sports League will play at Kelly Cofer Park on Friday evenings through Oct. 26; proceeds benet The Health Initiative. The Softpaw league benets local animal nonprots and charities. Games will be played on Saturdays at the Southside Softball Complex in Atlanta beginning Sept. 15.

SPORTS
MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com
National Flag Football League of Atlanta www.nfa.com Atlanta Bucks Rugby www.atlantabucksrugby.org Decatur Womens Sports League www.decaturwomensports.com Southern Softpaw League www.southernsoftpaw.com

The ladies of the Atlanta Dream hope to repeat a WNBA nals appearance this October. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

The Atlanta Braves are in the heat of the action as the 2012 Major League Baseball season winds down. The Bravos are currently second in the National League East standings behind the Washington Nationals but are ghting for one of two wild card spots for the upcoming post-season. The Braves missed the playoffs the last two years by the slimmest of margins, but the team hopes to make a push down the stretch that would see third baseman Chipper Jones reach the postseason in his nal season before he retires. The Atlanta Falcons hope to nally win a play-

Professional teams aim for post-season

off game in the 2012/13 National Football League season under quarterback Matt Ryan. The team has put together four consecutive winning seasons for the rst time in team history and has reached the playoffs three of the last four years. The Falcons season kicked off Sept. 9 against the Kansas City Chief, winning the game handily 40-24. The Falcons will next play host to the Denver Broncos on Monday, Sept. 17. U.S. Olympian and all-star Angel McCoughtry will look to lead the women of the WNBAs Atlanta Dream to a third consecutive Womens National Basketball Association Eastern Conference title later this month. The Dream reached the nals the last two seasons but were swept each time in three games. The WNBA playoffs kick off Sept. 27 with the nals culminating sometime in mid October.

24 NEWS

Atlantas Black Gay Pride draws tens of thousands

IN THE LIFE ATLANTA, FIRST PURE HEAT COMMUNITY FEST OFFER ENTERTAINMENT, EVENTS FOR ALL

Organizers estimate 16,000-20,000 people attended the Traxx Girls and Vision Community Foundations Pure Heat Community Festival.

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com The rst Pure Heat Community Fest held during Atlantas Black Gay Pride in Piedmont Park was a huge success, with live entertainment and vendors, plus free HIV testing by several organizations. People always come to the park on Sunday [during Black Gay Pride] and we saw it as an opportunity to not only provide entertainment and also HIV testing, but also expose the community to the community on many levels, said Bishop O.C. Allen, founder and senior pastor of the Vision Church. Party promoters Traxx Girls and the non-

prot organization Vision Community Foundation organized the Sept. 2 fest as a way to raise funds for the Vision Community Foundation. While afliated with the Vision Church of Atlanta, the Vision Community Foundation is a separate non-prot entity that works to feed the homeless, help people earn their GEDs, mentor young people and offer free HIV testing. I cant believe its happened in such a profound way, Allen added. Were denitely going to do this next year. Allens husband, Rashad Burgess, works for the Centers for Disease Control & Preventions HIV/AIDS Prevention Division. He said the community spirit captured in the

inaugural Pure Heat fest was due to a lot of hard work by people who want to make their community better for all. This is the reection of the hard work of so many hundreds of volunteers and staff because they really believe in empowering communities and this is just an expression of it, Burgess said. Organizers of the fest said their security personnel estimated 16,000-20,000 people packed Piedmont Park for Pure Heat. The Atlanta Police Department, which also provided security, reported no major incidents in the park. At press time, Avian Watson, spokesperson for Traxx Girls and the Vision Community Foundation, said the fest was still in the red

as expected for a rst-year free fest but organizers were still waiting for money from the company hired to provide food and liquor. In the Life Atlanta celebrated its Sweet 16 this year and the non-prot organizer of Black Gay Pride has already started planning next years celebration. Raymond Duke, president of the ITLA board, said he estimates some 77,000 people from around the U.S. and the world come to Atlanta to celebrate Black Gay Pride. Im always excited rst and foremost that we pull it off, Duke said. This is an immense undertaking. It takes a team of people, but

Sweet 16 for In the Life Atlanta

Photo by Dyana Bagby

25 NEWS
Photo by Dyana Bagby Photo by Dyana Bagby

GA Voice/Traxx/Traxx Girls Welcome to Atlanta party

Elite Noel at WassupnATLs Aug. 31 party at Jungle

Photo by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography

Photo by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography

Photo by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography

Traxx Flashback J-Sette Competition

Pure Heat Festival

Photo by Dyana Bagby

Fantasia at WassupnATLs Sept. 1 party at The Nest

Elle Varner at Traxxs party at 595 North

U.S. Rep. John Lewis (right) at the Melia Hotel

GA Voice/Traxx/Traxx Girls Welcome to Atlanta party

Photo by Dyana Bagby

Photo by Dyana Bagby

Photo by Dyana Bagby

State of Black Gay America Summit

See all the photos in our full photo albums online at www.thegavoice.com
Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough: Coming of Age, Coming Out, and Coming Home. U.S. Rep. John Lewis stopped by the Melia Hotel where ITLA was based along with Traxx Atlanta, Traxx Girls, Xtreme Entertainment and Rockstars Production on Aug. 31 to talk with ITLA volunteers and show support for Black Gay Pride. I had been invited, and missed the past two or three years, Lewis said while greeting ITLA volunteers and staff. [Labor Day weekend] is a festive weekend in Atlanta. I think members of the [black] gay community felt the need to have a weekend and chose Labor Day weekend, he said. And they come from all across America.

usually its a small group of folks that make it happen. Theres a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and sometimes some anger and resentment, that goes into this. But my hat always is off to our volunteers... This could not happen without our wonderful volunteers, he said. Next year, Duke said he hopes ITLA will work with the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau to get ofcial data of how many people travel to Atlanta for Black Gay Pride. Duke did not hold back his disappointment that, as a non-prot and not a party promoter, he believes ITLA gets the raw end of the stick. It seems like that year after year after year. We do educational programming, a health expo culture around our lm fest, our literary cafe, he said.

But because ITLA doesnt offer nightlife, like the for-prot clubs and promoters that bring celebrities to town for huge parties, ITLA can be overlooked by visitors and community sponsors, he said. We stick mostly with cultural events so people can leave and know this is not just some big party. We want them to walk away with some education, culture. These are the things we try to provide, he added. He said the State of Black Gay of America Summit on Sept. 1 was well-received as was the ITLA Candlelight Vigil. At the summit, keynote speaker Je-Shawn Wholley of the National Black Justice Coalition urged black gay people to make sure they write their own histories.

We have to understand the difference between tokenized representation and intentional inclusion, said Wholley, an alumnae of Atlantas Spelman College. We have to determine what we want this revolution to look like for us. We cant allow the narrative be determined for us based on our collective truths and experiences. We are a community made up of groups with many variances, faces we are descendants of royalty and we hold the blueprint of this nations history on our backs. We want to own our collective power, she added. National political analyst and author Keith Boykin also attended the summit and urged people to vote in the November presidential election. His new book is For Colored Boys

Photo by Dyana Bagby

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GA Voice

September 14, 2012

www.theGAVoice.com

www.theGAVoice.com

Comfort and joy

Annual transgender conference offers resources, community
By Ryan Lee For most of life, Blake Alford was enveloped by solitude. From the ostracism experienced coming of age in the 1950s and 60s getting beaten up and kicked down the stairs at school for being queer to more than 30 years on the road driving a truck, Alford was used to feeling alone. And sharing ones own company can be particularly isolating when you are at war with yourself, when your body and your mind have dueling definitions of who you are. Being behind the wheel of a truck, you dont see very many libraries, you dont hear very much about being transgender, especially back during that time, so I didnt have any information about it, said Alford, who, at age 56, transitioned from female-to-male almost a decade ago. During Alfords transition, his therapist suggested he attend Southern Comfort, an annual transgender conference in Atlanta that this year takes place Sept. 18-23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Ashford-Dunwoody Road. The first time I walked through the door at Southern Comfort, it was honestly like I was home for the first time in my life, Alford recalled of his first conference in 2005. I was with family. I spoke with doctors and I spoke with other therapists, and you learn that you really not have been the only person on this planet that was like this, Alford said. It was just an eye-opener to find out that I was a real person, and that I was not some type of freak. Because I really thought I was alone out there, because I thought I was the only one that was going through this. The transgender gathering uplifted Alford so much that by the end of his first Southern Comfort, he asked organizers if he could volunteer the next year. I told them I wanted to make a difference, I wanted to work, said Alford, who is the chair of this years Southern Comfort. I didnt want anybody else to go through what I did and not be able to get the knowledge.

News

September 14, 2012

GA Voice

27 23

There are still segments of the community that dont have easy access to that type of information [provided in seminars], so theres always going to be a need for that, Anderson said. I honestly think the education you get just by going out and being out in public, in June and Ward Cleaver World as I call it, you get just as much and as important an education as you get from talking to a doctor. So many of the attendees write us back and tell us what a positive effect the conference has been, just really from the ability to be out and talk with people and interact with people, Anderson added. Southern Comfort has regularly planned outings to venues such as Agathas Mystery Dinner Theater and the Georgia Aquarium, but organizers have focused on bringing more entertainment opportunities to the four-day affair. This years list of social activities includes three nights of karaoke, a mechanical bull-riding rodeo Friday night, an appearance by transgender entertainer Buck Angel, and a Friday night concert by the rising Atlanta rock band The Sexual Side Effects, whose lead singer, Amber Taylor, is transgender. For all of the information and revelry Southern Comfort can provide, Alford regrets that there is still a Cinderella aspect to the weekend for some attendees. Its very upbeat and everybody has a blast, but about 11:30 or twelve oclock [Saturday night], the tone starts to change from being constantly laughing, cutting up and carrying on, to everybodys falling apart because theyve got to go home and go back to the other life, Alford said. That part is hard, its very hard.

Times are changing

Top: Buck Angel will be a special guest at this years Southern Comfort Conference. A female-tomale transsexual, Angel makes and acts in adult films and also advocates on behalf of the transgender community, especially trans men. (Photo courtesy Buck Angel/CC 3.0) Above: Attendees at Southern Comfort enjoy a range of activities, from educational seminars to gala dinners. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com

Southern Comfort Conference Sept. 18-23 Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30346 www.sccatl.org tor for Southern Comfort. In addition to helping attendees navigate the variety of issues that transgender people encounter, the conference also offers a communion with people who are of like mind and supportive, Alexander said. The social education aspect of Southern Comfort has been Christy Andersons favorite part of the conference since he began attending in 2005.

Information and entertainment

Southern Comfort itself has undergone a remarkable transition since it began in 1990 as a gathering of about a half dozen friends. This

years conference features 96 seminars on mental health and legal resources, information on surgeries and hormones, and even fashion tips. The doctors who will offer insight at Southern Comfort come from all across the United States, as well as countries such as Belgium. In the past, we were probably asking and encouraging some doctors to come and do whatever we could do to get them there, and now we turn half the people away, said Shamayim Alexander, trans health coordina-

The size and make-up of Southern Comfort attendees continues to evolve, with about 1,000 people expected to attend. Most of the crowd is male-to-female transgender people, but the number of female-to-male participants numbered 160 last year, compared to the 10 or 15 who attended during Alfords first year. Southern Comfort has also expanded its programming to included the spouses and significant others of transgender individuals, and mothers have started attending with their transgender children. Now were seeing more of the younger FTMs and MTFs coming in with their parents, and I think thats fascinating because theyve got the support of their families, Alford said. Theyre coming and theyre attending the seminars together and theyre working together to see that their children get what they need, and I think that its great. If somebody would have suggested that would have happened a hundred years ago, I mean, we would all be hung up on trees behind the barn, Alford said. But times are changing and people are beginning to realize that people are people, and they deserve rights.

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GA Voice

September 14, 2012

News

www.theGAVoice.com

Athens celebrates Pride as UGA staff demand equal benefits

University leaders to vote on domestic partner coverage
By Brian Smith Overnight temperatures in the 50s gave way to a sunny, comfortable setting for Athens Pride Picnic, held Sunday, Sept. 9 at Lake Herrick pavillion. The picnic has been held each year since 1998. Before 2011, Athens Pride was limited to a cookout in April. The full Athens Pride weekend in its current form took shape last year. For 2012, Athens Pride events ranged from a reception hosted by GLOBES, the University of Georgias LGBT faculty/staff group, to bowling, an artist showcase, nightlife parties, a church service and a commitment ceremony. One of the benefits of the Athens Pride weekend is its low cost. Nobody had to pay more than $5 for anything, UGA GLOBES chairperson Ricky Roberts said, calling the low cost pretty rare for Pride festivities. Roberts estimated that over 700 people attended Pride events this weekend. According to Rev. Dr. Renee Dubose, pastor at Our Hope Metropolitan Community Church, the worship service on Sunday morning drew 70 individuals, which she estimates to be a roughly

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com For full coverage and photo albums of these events, visit www.thegavoice.com
25 percent increase over last years service. The blessing of committed couples early Sunday afternoon drew four couples, and a reception immediately afterwards drew 15 to 20 people. Annette Hatton, who will turn 72 on Sept. 18, founded GLOBES in 1994 and continues to be active in Pride weekend. When the group first launched, meetings were held at the Tate Center in a private room with the blinds closed. People were notified of meetings and group events via distribution lists and later email. If we didnt have [the distribution lists or email], there was no way to have membership, Hatton said. There was a lot of invisibility. Meetings were kept secret so we didnt out people. The LGBT movement in Athens has historically seen support from local leaders. For the first GLOBES fundraising dinner, Hatton and her staff invited then-Mayor Doc Eldridge to attend. He was a little scared, Hatton said. Contrast that with the comment Eldridge, now Athens Area Chamber of Commerce president, made to Hatton at this years GLOBES event.

Athens Prides weekend celebration wound down with a casual picnic at Lake Herrick pavilion. (Photo by Brian Smith)

He said Thursday how much further along he sees himself from those days, Hatton said.

Looking to the future

One of the major local topics on picnic attendees minds was two upcoming votes on domestic partnership benefits for University of Georgia employees. At press time Sept. 11, the University Coun-

cils executive committee was expected to vote on the proposal Sept. 13, with a full vote of the council coming Sept. 27. The proposal has already been unanimously approved by the councils Human Resources Committee. The Board of Regents sets health benefits for all state colleges and universities and refuses to pay for domestic partner health insurance coverage. But the proposal states that UGA should pay for the health coverage with other discretionary funds or revenue in order to provide equity for all employees. If approved, benefits would take effect on Jan. 1, 2014. It is important for recruiting the right people, Johns said. The university is losing out on qualified, smart individuals by not having domestic partnership benefits. Hatton agrees, noting that other state universities already offer at least voluntary benefits like dental coverage, vision coverage, and life insurance. Georgia Tech and Georgia State have that, she said. Without people like us pushing, the university will not do anything. Another issue Roberts hopes to pursue going forward is an LGBT community center for the Athens. Its important to me because we need it, Roberts said. Thats going to be one of my number one initiatives.

Rain doesnt dampen Savannah Prides spirit

Mayor Edna Jackson among attendees for record festival
By Chris Seely Heavy rain showers did not deter revelers from turning out in record numbers at Forsyth Park for Savannahs Pride celebration Sept.8. The rain began, and people were undeterred, they relished in it, had fun, danced, and overall it made for an even more dynamic and exciting Pride festival than I could have ever imagined, said Savannah Pride President Chris Brown. The crowds stayed, through the rain, watched the rainbow that rain brought, and stuck around through the end of the night. Early estimates based on ticket sales show that roughly 10,000 people attended this years Savannah Pride celebration, which is more than double last year, said Brown, who added that the record numbers were a testament to the amount of community support weve received not only from the LGBT community here, but from the entire Savannah community as a whole. Mayor Edna Jackson kicked off the event, which ran from noon until 10 p.m., with intermittent rain starting around 3 p.m. In her remarks, the mayor invited everyone visiting from smaller surrounding towns to move to Savannah. Savannah is very diverse and it is about working together to make Savannah a place of choice, Jackson said. We know how to treat people in this city. Pop/R&B singer-songwriter JoJo headlined despite the soggy conditions. She has an incredible spirit, and an unbelievable voice, but more importantly she felt strongly about our cause and the importance of community tolerance, acceptance and understanding, Brown said. In addition to JoJo, entertainers included She & She, Dylan, The Cusses, and Christina Foxx. In addition to Mayor Jackson, several local elected officials attended, including Alderman John Hall, Alderman Mary Osborne, Alderman Carol Bell, and School Board Member Carol Hall. of Dont Ask, Dont Tell. We wanted to honor the service and sacrifice of our LGBT brothers and sisters who are serving, or have served, in the military, said Robert Lewis, president of the Stonewall Bar Association. We know challenges still remain for them, and wanted to both celebrate with them and assure them that we remain engaged with them. Stonewall Bar Association partnered with OutServe Georgia, a chapter of OutServe, an association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. OutServe has more than 50 chapters worldwide and more than 5,000 members. The federal Defense of Marriage Act prevents partners of military personnel from receiving the same benefits as opposite-sex military spouses, said Boyd Williamson, who spoke on the stage for OutServe Georgia. For instance, a military man married to a woman would receive a $1,116 monthly stipend to live with his wife off base, Williamson said. But an actively serving gay man would not receive the stipend to live with his partner, he said. Because of DOMA, he gets zero and a barracks room hes ordered to stay in. Marsha Ipsen represented First City Network on stage as a board member. FCN is proud to say

Savannah Pride drew approximately 10,000 attendees Sept. 8, undeterred by soggy weather. (Photo by Chris Seely)

Military milestone celebrated

Representatives of the Stonewall Bar Association, a network of LGBT attorneys in Georgia, traveled to Savannah Pride for the first time and hosted an event celebrating the imminent one-year anniversary of the repeal

it is the oldest LGBT organization in Georgia. For Ipsen, Savannah Pride was a day to celebrate the citys open-armed inclusiveness. Ipsen, a transgender woman, transitioned in Savannah. Theres very little isolation here, Ipsen said. Its a dream come true. This community has welcomed me and other transgender individuals with open arms. For 19-year old Brady Burhalter, his first time at Pride exceeded his expectations. Its better than Lucky Charms, he said.

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31
A&E

Atlantas own Bria and Chrissy, Bria Kam and Chrissy Chambers, are finding fame on YouTube with their spoofs of anti-gay causes and conservative politicians. (Courtesy photo; YouTube screen capture)

Atlanta lesbian duo Bria and Chrissy are quickly making quite a name for themselves. First, it was their popular tongue-in-cheek YouTube videos poking fun at Chick-Fil-A and satirizing Mitt and Ann Romney. Then, they made a big splash at the Democratic National Convention where they landed on page 2 of the Washington Post, kissing each other while counter-protesting anti-gay demonstrators. They were also interviewed by Comedy Central for The Daily show with Jon Stewart. Their wildly popular videos have garnered over 135,000 views in three months. We sat down with Bria Kam, 25, and Chrissy Chambers, 21, to talk about their newfound success. So who is this lesbian power couple? We are Bria and Chrissy and we are a lesbian duo act promoting equality through spoof videos, Kam says. Being direct is something that comes easily for the girls, but being gay is fairly new for Chambers. The girls met 10 months ago after Chamers decided that she wanted to be with a woman. I had never dated a woman before, Chambers says. Id been watching all of these lesbian films including Loving Annabelle and decided that I wanted to fall in love with a woman. I went to Marys to find her thinking that she would just be there waiting for me. She wasnt so I left. I walked out onto the street, saw a crowd

Bria and Chrissy

Lesbian duo finds fast fame with satirical songs
by Shannon Hames
of people and Bria was in the middle of them. She walked right up to me and said, Hi. Im Bria. Youre really beautiful and we just hit it off right then, she says. Chambers is a transplant from Mississippi who came here to pursue an acting career. She explains, Atlanta is a much safer place to start than Los Angeles. Theres plenty of work here a great place to get small parts and guest appearances. If I move to New York or L.A., Ill have more credentials and it will be easier for me to get work since Ive already been working. Adds Kam excitedly, She just finished shooting a movie called Plus One. Itll be released next summer. Chambers notes that she grew up in Clinton, Miss. the heart of the Bible belt. Ive had people from back home refuse to speak to me except to tell me that theyre praying for my soul. Its different here, she says. Kam, an Atlanta native, had a more accepting experience. I came out when I was 16. Ive lived here my entire life. I had a liberal upbringBria and Chrissy www.youtube.com/user/BriaAndChrissy ing almost to the point that I had no idea that people werent open minded. When we put these videos out, some people starting leaving hateful comments about them. I was shocked. I knew it was out there in the world but I never really had to face it, she says. They seem to keep full schedules. Things are starting to snowball. Weve been doing radio shows, phone and television interviews. Weve had agent-type companies who have contacted us to represent us. We also have someone at the Huffington Post doing a story about us. He invited us to the Democratic Convention, Chambers says. Did they go? We went! We went to a gay party and did a lot of networking, Kam says. We attended the parade dressed as Mitt and Ann Romney. We made T-shirts and cards with our YouTube channel printed on them. It was so fun! But is it a career path? In the last couple of weeks, we realized

Love + politics + YouTube =

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com

that we can make money doing it, she says. Chambers quickly notes, Doing these videos has been an excellent coming together of our respective talents: me with the acting and Bria with the music. We think we will continue to progress. We have no intensions of stopping. We are reaching so many people and its a great creative outlet. One aspect that the couple seems particularly keen on is the way that fans have been reaching out to them. Bria got an e-mail that made her cry for three days, Chambers says. Yes, Kam agrees. It was so moving! This woman ran an organization for gay teens and she is working with a young girl who is a singer/songwriter and came from a very closeminded family. She wants to use our videos to give that girl hope that she can be successful and make a difference. We are thrilled. All of the success and fame can take a toll on a relationship but these girls think it has only helped. Its strengthening us that we know we are making a different together. We are fulfilled, Chambers says. The fans can tell. One of the fan favorites of the videos is their trademark kiss in each one. People like the kiss. Its cute that people look for it, Chambers says. When we dont kiss each other, people complain.

32 1

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September 14, 2012

A&E

www.theGAVoice.com

#9: Does Robert lack a husband because he hates himself?

At least there is always food to love
Robert sank into his usual chair at his therapists office. He started seeing Dr. Wilson a decade ago, soon after ending a two-year relationship. While Dr. Wilson poured himself a cup of coffee, Roberts gaze fell on one of the framed bromides that decorated the walls: To love another or to be loved by another, you must first love yourself. I really hate that saying, he blurted. Ive hated it for 10 years. Dr. Wilson smiled, looking over his reading glasses. Can you say more about that? he asked, somewhat sarcastically. After 10 years, Robert was quite therapized and the two of them often joked about the language of therapy. Its just empty, Robert said. How do you learn to love yourself? You learn to love yourself by discovering youre lovable. How do you learn that? You learn it by engaging with others. I wouldnt dispute that, Dr. Wilson responded. Is this something thats up for you right now? Robert felt annoyed. Undoubtedly his eye had indeed been drawn to the saying because of his romantic frustration. The hours before he turned 50 were ticking away and his effort to find a husband before then had so far produced dates with a relentlessly sarcastic Emory professor and a Log Cabin Republican. Does going out with a Log Cabin Republican mean I hate myself? Robert asked. Dr. Wilson, who was also a longtime gay activist, laughed. I take it the food porn club has not turned up a husband yet, he said. But are you having fun? Robert balked. I guess, he said. You know, Dr. Wilson said, you have been complaining about dating and relationships since the first day you came in here 10 years ago. Week after week, you tell me about men you meet but how nobody is good enough. Robert felt a bolt of anger zap through him. Dr. Wilson was known for being confrontational at times. It was something Robert appreciated and despised about him. So, the doctor went on, what do all of these men who never turn into partners have in common? Robert took a deep breath and began his litany of their superficiality, their poor self-esteem, their financial irresponsibility, their unkempt appearance, their political apathy, their rabid consumerism, their sexual incompatibility, their taste for McDonalds French fries. Dr. Wilson interrupted. Now, they dont all have all those characteristics. But there is one totally common element here. Then he fell silent.

Photo via Facebook

Recommended
Cruzado
368 Fifth St., Atlanta, GA 30308 404-872-0846, www.cruzadorestaurant.com More detailed Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CruzadoATL Good choices: Besides the masitas de puerco, I love the fried chicken here. Its not what youre thinking. A classic medianoche, a Cuban sandwich, makes a good lunch. The restaurant serves brunch on Sunday. Experiment. weight, I hated women in low-rise jeans because I looked pregnant with triplets in them. They laughed. It was lunchtime and the restaurant began to fill with residents and workers. A few baby strollers held infants who were adorable until they shrieked. A younger man, waiting on a takeout order, gave Robert an intense, up-and-down look. Hes checking you out, Janet whispered. The man actually planted a business card in front of Robert. Call me maybe, he said, laughing, and left. Ooooh, Janet gushed. Young, hot and assertive. Black hair and blue eyes, a body to die for. Robert shifted in his seat anxiously. Did you see that tie? he said, rolling his eyes. And I dont want to be called Daddy. And look at his card. He works in a bank, the people who have ruined our economy Janet interrupted. I think your shrink may have a point. Youre freakin intimidated. You hate turning 50 and this beautiful guy found you attractive. You know zero about him but youre already finding everything wrong with him. Whats the right word here? Superficial. Robert dug into his longtime favorite dish, masitas de puerco chunks of juicy, crispy pork much like Mexicos carnitas. He ate them with black beans and rice, and a side of fried yucca. I think our next Food Porn Supper Club meeting will be here, he said, ignoring Janet. Food, theres always food to love, Janet said, exasperated.

Food Porn is a fictional series by longtime Atlanta food critic Cliff Bostock. Set in real Atlanta restaurants, it chronicles the adventures of Robert, a gay man in search of a husband or at least a good meal. Read the whole series at www.thegavoioice.com.
Robert looked around the room for another saying to change the subject, but Dr. Wilson continued. You are the common element here, he said. With few exceptions, it is you making immediate judgments about every man you come across. Robert groaned. At such moments he hated to admit that he was so blind to the self-evident, but thats why he was there. Were out of time, Dr. Wilson announced. A few minutes later, Robert was burying his anxiety in comfort food at Cruzado, with his friend Janet. The new restaurant recently took over the location occupied by Las Palmeras for 20 years. It was widely regarded as the best Cuban restaurant in the city, despite its location on Fifth Street in a residential section. The new owner, Grace Lee, preserved much of the original menu, but, with the help of consulting chef Patric Bell, has expanded it to include food from other Latin American cultures. Apparently I have low self-esteem that keeps me from getting involved at depth with other men, Robert said to Janet. I cant love another until I love myself. I hate men in flip flops because I dont love my ingrown toenails. Thats kind of a pop psychology clich, isnt it? Janet responded. But it does have a certain amount of truth to it. Before I lost

www.theGAVoice.com

September 14, 2012

GA Voice

33

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September 14, 2012

Calendar

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ADD YOUR EVENT

There are two ways to add your events to our online and print calendars. Submit your info to www.theGAVoice.com or e-mail details to editor@theGAVoice.com.

Friday, Sept. 14

Saturday, Sept. 15

Saturday, Sept. 15
After a season of raising money for AID Atlanta, the Atlanta Cotillion XI takes over the Foundry at Puritan Mill with its annual drag ball to crown this years highest fundraiser. This years theme? Le Bal en Robe Rouge. Special guests include host Randy Roberts and the legendary Varla Jean Merman. 7 - 11 p.m. at the Foundry at Puritan Mill, 916 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.atlantacotillion.org

Join the social networking ladies of Fourth Tuesday for their monthly lesbian happy hour, every second Friday. 6 - 9 p.m. at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.theheathinitiative.org, http://bit.ly/N4t58F The Indigo Girls play a sold-out show to wrap up this years Atlanta Botanical Gardens Concerts in the Garden series. 8 p.m. at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org Friday nights mean fall softball for the Decatur Womens League, with play at Kelly Cofer Park in Tucker. www.decaturwomensports.com The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Awards Dinner with recognition given to gay Business Man and Business Woman of the Year, Corporate Ally, Guardian Angel and Member of the Year. Black tie optional. Cocktails at 7 p.m., awards at 8 p.m. at the W Midtown, 188 14th St., Atlanta, GA 30361, www.atlantagaychamber.org Kai Lin Art presents Autumnal, a new exhibit featuring artists Carl A. Linstrum, Wallace DuVall, Dale Clifford, Tom Francis and Greg Noblin. 7-10 p.m. at 3096 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, www.kailinart.com Gay actors are among the cast of 1776, a musical take on the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Opens tonight and runs through Oct. 7 at Dorsey Studio Theatre, 3593 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30319. www.1776themusicalatlanta.com Special guest Lauren LaMasters joins the cast of Optical Delusion for a show of movie numbers, plus DJ Cody Nation spins dance music. 10 p.m. at Asylum, 543 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.asylumatl.com

Photo via bravotv.com

Its Pride Night at BJ Roosters, with volunteers on hand to sell Jell-o shots to raise funds for Atlantas largest LGBT event. 10 p.m. at BJ Roosters, 2345 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.atlantapride.org

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
MORE LGBT EVENTS: Visit our website for our extensive daily calendar, including nightlife schedules, sports, worship services and community organization meetings. www.thegavoice.com/calendar

Relive the days of your youth with sack races, egg tosses and other events at Atlanta Field Day to benet Jerusalem House and Camp Twin Lakes. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at West Minster Presbyterian Church PCA, 1438 Sheridan Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.atlantaeldday.org

Friday Sept. 14 - Sunday, Sept. 16

Sunday, Sept. 16
Get a hands-on cooking demonstration with Janine Falvo of Top Chef, executive chef of Atlantas Briza restaurant. Part of the For the Foodie in All of Us series, the event benets For the Kid in All of Us. Tickets are $50. 2 p.m. at the Cooks Warehouse- Decatur, 180 West Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030. www.forthekid.org

The IGNITE 2012 Queer and Trans Youth Convening provides dialogue, political education, skill shares, networking and more to LGBTQ youth of color at this three-day conference at the Georgia State Student Center. Lambda Legal also joins in with its second annual South Star: Safe Schools Convening of the South. http://ignite.sparkrj.org

The Southern Softpaw Softball League kicks off its fall season at 10 a.m. at Southside Softball Complex on Jonesboro Road in Atlanta. The league is open to all skill levels and raises funds to support animal charities. www.southernsoftpaw.com South Georgia Pride brings performances from Spikey Van Dykey, Julie Schurr and others, along with food, games and pet show to Valdosta. 12 - 6 p.m. at John W. Saunders Park. www.southgapride.org A new coming out support group for LGBT adults starts today and meets on Saturdays through Nov. 17; 4 p.m. at First MCC Community Center, 1379 Tullie Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. www.rstmcc.com

Saturday, Sept. 15

The MEGA Family Project hosts a Baby/Toddler Meet Up Group for dues-paying members in Roswell. Learn more at www.megafamily.org or email mindy@megafamilyproject.org

Photo by Dyana Bagby

The annual East Atlanta Strut means a kooky-good parade followed by revelry in the streets of Atlanta hippest neighborhood. Stop by Marys, the local gay bar, for an Atlanta Talons (Hotlanta Softball) fundraiser and beats by DJ Joey. The infamous Mary-oke takes partygoers into the night. Parade at 2 p.m., party afterwards at Marys, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, http://on.fb.me/OhRK76, http://on.fb.me/HTQVSN

www.theGAVoice.com
Photo by Dyana Bagby

Calendar

September 14, 2012

GA Voice

35

SAGE Atlanta hosts a potluck social for lesbians ages 50 and older. Bring a dish to share, plus your own plate, utensils and beverage. 6 p.m. at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.sageatl.org Lesbian-inclusive alterna-grass band Roxie Watson plays a show at Decaturs famed acoustic hotspot. 9:30 p.m. at Eddies Attic, 515-B McDonough Road, Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com Celebrate the one year anniversary of 3-Legged Cowboy nights at the Heretic with a night of country music and dancing. 9 p.m. - 3 a.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com The party peeps at Bedlam get down at Hawt Mess, another Messy. Trashy. Disaster. Perfect. Chic. Couture event. 9 p.m. at Asylum, 543 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316 Scream Club is a DJ set. Nicky Click is a live show of stoping, latex and garter belts. Kin 4 Life will blow your lady socks off. All in one night at Atlantas only lesbian bar. 10 p.m. at My Sisters Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, mysistersroom.com Re-live the glory days of gay Atlantas nightlife with the Backstreet Reunion featuring DJ Rob Reum, DJ Bill Berdeaux, and Charlie Browns Cabaret; this is also a Stride into Pride event. Show begins at 9 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com Go Man 2 Man every Saturday night at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring Street Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xcessultralounge.com

Wednesday, Sept. 19

Waiting for the Stork is a group discussion of information, ideas and support to those going through IVF, adoption, surrogacy or donor insemination. This event is for members only. 7 - 8:30 p.m. Learn more and join: www.megafamilyproject.org Every third Wednesday, Lost-n-Found Youth hosts the Big Gay Game Show, a fundraiser for their mission to help Atlantas LGBT homeless youth. Games include Family Feud, the Newlywed Game, Match Game and more. Stick around for Dragnicent at no extra charge. 7:30 - 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.lost-n-found.org

Photo via Facebook

Creating Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace is an educational seminar presented by Turner and Out & Equal for all HR, diversity and inclusion, employee resource leaders and interested parties to learn about work place issues that surround trans employees. Free CNN tours will be available after the free seminar. Registration is required. 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. at CNN Center, 190 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, http://bit.ly/inclusionworkshop

SPOTLIGHT

Friday, Sept. 21
Hosted by Jungle, the I Am Divine Foundation (named for John Waterss legendary muse) and fasionado.net to benet Pets Are Loving support, the Divine Rules Pageant is hosted by drag legend Sherry Vine with judges Fred Schneider of the B52s, Nicole Paige Brooks and Michelle Visage from RuPauls Drag Race. 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30334, www.palsatlanta.org

See a live taping of NPRs famed Wait wait Dont Tell Me! 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org Tonights Cliterati Open No-Mic features hosts Karen G. and Theresa Davis with special guest Carrie Ludzinski. 7:30 - 9 p.m. at Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Its the !Glitz! Paris is Burning edition with Ellisorous Rex at your fave gay dive bar, Marys, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

Saturday Sept. 15 Sunday, Sept. 16

Monday, Sept. 17

Photo by Dyana Bagby

Tonight begins competition in Jungles Dragnique re-boot Dragnicent. Theres $1,000 up for grabs at the end of the seven week amateur competition. The new show is presented by the Fantasy Girls team, Phoenix producing and Nicole Paige Brooks on the mic. First night judges include Phoenix, Edie Cheezburger and special guest Nina Flowers. Tonights tips benet Lost-n-Found Youth. 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Wednesday Sept. 19

Thursday, Sept. 20

The Atlanta Executive Network for LGBT professionals hosts its monthly networking event with featured speaker Leslie Williamson, a specialist in leadership, communication, team-building, career development and more. $20 Guests, free for members. 6 - 8 p.m. at Hudson Grille Midtown, 642 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.aen.org

Sunday, Sept. 23
The LGBT-centered Health Initiative hosts their annual Fall Garden Party fundraiser. The organization will honor the Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with the Healing Angel Award. New to this years line-up, a premium Host Committee ticket gains entry to a VIP reception an hour before the main event. VIP 3 - 4 p.m., general admission 4 - 8 p.m. at Einsteins, 1077 Juniper St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.thehealthinitiative.org
Photo by Eye Photography

The Festival on Ponce, part of the gay-owned and operated Foundation for Public Spaces festivals, offers local arts and crafts at Olmsted Linear Park. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Olmstead Linear Park near the intersection of Ponce De Leon and Moreland Ave., Atlanta, GA. www.festivalonponce.com

T&F Transitionz: a Project of the Feminist Outlawz is an open forum to discuss gender and facilitating dialogue and activism around social issues led by social justice minded feminists Buttonz and SJ. 7 - 9:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Join the Obama Victory Fund 2012 and the LGBT Leadership Council for a fundraiser to re-elect Barack Obama, hosted by Jeff Cleghorn at the home of Dr. Craig Fisk, DDS. 7 p.m. Tickets start at $100. For more details: http://on.fb.me/Op90tX

Friday, Sept. 21

Sunday, Sept. 16

PFLAG Atlanta hosts its monthly Third Sunday meeting at 2:45 p.m. at First MCC, 1379 Tullie Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329. Also, check the PFLAG Atlanta website for upcoming meetings this month in Macon, Johns Creek, Athens, Peachtree City and Marietta. www.pagatl.org The annual Dixie Invitational Bowling Tournament isnt until Easter weekend, but the Miss Dixie signup event includes a beer bust with all-you-can-eat nachos, hot dogs and pizza for $10. 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Hideaway, 1544 Piedmont Ave. Suite 124, Atlanta, GA 30324. www.atlantahideaway.com Queer-loving comedian Margaret Cho brings her Mother comedy tour to Atlanta. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at The Punchline, 280 Hilderbrand Drive Atlanta, GA 30328, www.punchline.com

SAGE Atlanta, for LGBT elders, hosts chair yoga every Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.sageatl.org The Third Friday Film Series presents Tree of Life. $1-$10 sliding scale donations. Doors at 7 p.m., movie at 7:30 p.m. at First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta, 470 Candler Park Dr., NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, http://on.fb.me/Il753W

Tuesday, Sept. 18

Turner and Out & Equal present No Dumb Questions, a documentary about three sisters struggling to understand why their Uncle Bill is becoming a woman. Beer/wine and heave hors doeuvres will be served. There is no cost to attend. 5 - 6 p.m. registration and networking, 6 - 7:30 p.m. lm screening and discussion at Turner Entertainment Network, 1050 Techwood Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, http://bit.ly/nodumbquestionspanel On Tuesdays, the new NBC gay-themed sitcom The New Normal screens at 9:30 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Saturday, Sept. 22

ZAMI NOBLA, the National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging, hosts a free one-day conference to discuss breast health, education, self-exams and strategies for mental-well being for black lesbians 35 and older. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Marriott Courtyard Decatur, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, www.zami.org

Tuesday, Sept. 25
Jennifer Knapp made headlines when she came out as a lesbian after success in the Christian music scene; she now brings her folk tunes to Eddies Attic, 515-B McDonough Road, Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

36 1

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September 14, 2012

www.theGAVoice.com

EVENTS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 Join old friends at the 2012 Sports Page Reunion, where regulars at the old bar meet to remember the glory days of Atlantas old gay sports bar. 1 - 8 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com Celebrate the rst anniversary of the repeal of Dont Ask Dont Tell with a fundraiser for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network presented by the Law Firm of Kitchens New Cleghorn and sponsored by the Law Firm of Koehler and Riddick. Suggested donation $100, $150/couple. 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at the home of Jeff Cleghorn, Esq. For more information: http://on.fb.me/ReCDec DJ Alyson Calagna spins to end the evening at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

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September 14, 2012

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a to vi Pho

Facebook

. 29 Saturday, Septeling

The beefy men of the trav nta for Bearracuda party stop in Atla p at the Heretic. DJ Hi another rom 9 p.m. Sean makes his Atlanta debut. 9 Cheshire - 3 a.m. at the Heretic, 206 Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.bearracuda.com

UPCOMING
Friday, Sept. 28
Hey, man, Atlanta Pride volunteers will be there to collect your groovy donations at 70s & 80s night at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Sunday, Sept. 23

Join the Armorettes for Red Ribbon Day: A Festival of Giving, as the camp drag charity troupe pushes to hit the $2 million fundraising mark. Includes midway games, a dunk tank, a cake walk, and more. 2 p.m. 11 p.m. at Burkharts, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com Lambda Legal hosts their annual cocktail reception fundraiser. Hosted at the home of supporter Harry Harkins, celebrate the gay legal groups achievements and discuss the challenges faced in Georgia and across the country. $40 ticket, $500+ sponsors. 4 - 6 p.m. at a private residents. Contact Lambda Legals Mitch Mathias for more information: 212-809-8585, ext. 288, mmathias@lambdalegal.org or visit www.lamdalegal.org/atlanta

Saturday, Sept. 30

The rst annual Ansley Fall Festival includes food, shopping, entertainment, local artists, an antique car show, and more. 1-7 p.m. www.ansleyatlanta.com

Tuesday, Oct. 4

Starting tonight, Blakes hosts speed dating from 8-10 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Blakes on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309. www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Tuesday, Sept. 25

Join GA Voice and Equally Wed Magazine as we celebrate our new publication, Atlanta Gay Weddings. Admission, cocktails and hors doeuvres are complimentary, so come learn about this groundbreaking annual gay wedding/reception/honeymoon guide. 6 - 10 p.m. at Opera, 1150 Crescent Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/O2p0zY

Thursday, Sept. 27

Tuesday, Sept. 25 Sunday, Sept. 30

Apres Diem Feeds the Soul by donating 20 percent of tonights recepits to A.R.C.A., the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta. Apres Diem, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.apresdiem.com Fort Worth City Councilmember Joel Burns, who drew national media attention when his story of surviving bullying went viral, comes to Atlanta to support Breaking Through, a documentary about openly LGBT elected ofcials by local lmmaker Cindy Abel. Tonights event is set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. at a private home in Midtown. The suggested minimum donation is $100. There is also a private dinner with Burns set for the night before. For locations and other details on the events, email cabel@atlantismoon.com Tonight is the start of the new 18-and-up College Night at My Sisters Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

Maybe you saw the Oscar-winning lm, or youre familiar with the ingenious puppetry behind the live show. War Horse is the imaginative drama that brings viewers on an emotional journey that charges through the battle elds of history. Most shows at 8 p.m. with matinees on the weekend at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org

Wednesday, Sept. 26

Charlie Brown hosts Drag Idol 5 every Wednesday at 10 p.m. at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, http://on.fb.me/MYbqiy

38

GA Voice

September 14, 2012

Columnists

www.theGAVoice.com

THATS WHAT

SHE SAID
Reframing the gay rights debate for straight voters

Love (not sex) at the DNC

Melissa Carter is also a writer for Hufngton Post. She broke ground as the rst out lesbian radio personality on a major station in Atlanta and was one of the few out morning show personalities in the country. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter

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My friend had the opportunity to attend the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte earlier this month, and I asked her to be my guest columnist and give some insight into what impacted her about the trip. These are her words: What has the Democratic Party done for us that we have never been able to do for ourselves? During the three days of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, nearly every major speech openly celebrated love, no matter whether that love comes in the form of two guys, two girls or a guy and a girl. One after another, speakers walked up to the podium and found a way to remind gay voters that they are loved, accepted and needed by the Democratic Party. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel described President Obama as someone who believes that who you love should not keep you from serving the country you love. Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado, who is openly gay, noted that in America no person is prevented from serving the country they love because of who they love. Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin said Obama was focused on protecting all of us, whether you were born on a reservation or in another country and whether you love a man or a woman. All of this acknowledgement and celebration came without a politician mentioning sex or even the word gay. During Obamas rst term, the Democratic Party has done something for us that we could never do for ourselves. Specically, they learned how to tell our stories to straight people in a way that makes straight people care. Democratic leaders know that issues of sexual freedom and freedom from discrimination based on who you have sex with will never gain widespread support from the straight community. So instead, Democrats have changed the con-

versation for us. By presenting gay issues as issues of love rather than sex, they have changed the imagery. By showing our lives as lives with families instead of simply small pockets of communities, they have made us relatable. Small town America can fairly easily understand and digest the innate human right of two people to love each other. But small town America has never been able to rally behind two peoples innate human right to have sex together. Do both rights exist? Of course. But only the right to love is marketable to the masses. Through the years, social conservatives were happy for every gay issue to repeatedly mention sex. By keeping the focus of our relationships on sex, the straight community would never become a sympathetic ear. But now that we are talking about love, that conversation is garnering a different response from the straight community. Told from the mouths of Democratic politicians, our causes champion the right to hold the hand of a dying partner in a hospital or the right to outwardly embrace your partner when you return from deployment without fear. So, these days, the imagery has started changing and when the imagery changes, the opinions change. The highlight of the Democratic Convention for many was Zach Wahls, who told the world he was a sixth generation Iowan, an Eagle Scout and the proud son of two moms. He reminded the audience of all the ways his family was just like everyone else. But more than what he said, Zach showed the world a different image of our challenges and struggles. He showed the world an image of a loving son who is proud of his family but has to ght the ignorance and prejudices of those who would diminish his familys relationship. Standing at the podium, Zach was the embodiment of the kind of son that only love can make. And how can anyone not love that?

www.theGAVoice.com

Columnists

September 14, 2012

GA Voice

39

DOMESTICALLY
Choice of reason
Hi. Im another white guy who thinks he has the right to talk about lady parts.
The ofce park where I spend my days is across the street from the Feminist Womens Health Clinic, or as the protestors standing in our parking lot call it, Abortionland. Theyre usually there on Wednesdays and Fridays, so if youre planning on getting a pap smear or somethin over there, you might want to schedule around those days. The loudest is a woman caring a sign which reads, I REGRET MY ABORTION. I call her Irma for short. I have learned so much about Irmas personal narrative on walks to and from my car. Let me assure you: She really, really regrets her abortion. She thinks about it every day of her life. The child she did not have would be 37 by now. Mathematically, that means she has been screaming about her regret since Gerald Ford was in the Oval Ofce. I am reminded of Christina Crawford, the adopted daughter of Joan Crawford. Shes in her seventies now, on tour with her one-woman show, Surviving Mommie Dearest: From Tears to Triumph. Someone should really teach Ms. Crawford the meaning of the word triumph. Spending 70 years working out your maternal issues, especially when your mother has been dead for nearly half of those years, is not a triumph. It is pathetic and sad. Which brings us back to Irma. Irma is lled with regret because, as she screeches to anyone within earshot, she was not able to conceive again after her abortion. Irma had a choice, and with the benet of hindsight she now wishes she had made a different choice. Her solution is to take that choice away from others. By Irmas logic, anyone who ever got sick from too many shots of tequila should have alcohol banned, in order to protect others from the bitter regret of a Jose Cuervo hangover. Im sure Irma would say she is attempting to spare other women the pain she has experienced. I do not believe this is the case. I think Irmas most fervent desire is for everyone around her to feel as bad as she does.

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Topher Payne is an Atlanta-based playwright, and the author of the book Necessary Luxuries: Notes on a Semi-Fabulous Life. Find out more at topherpayne.com

I do not have the reproductive organs required for an unplanned pregnancy, but that certainly doesnt stop other unqualied white men from weighing in on the matter, so what the heck, Ill give it a go. Lets clarify the terminology. The opposite of Pro-Choice is not Pro-Life. Everyone is ProLife. No sane individual celebrates the need to terminate a pregnancy, or the process of doing so. My nephews were unplanned pregnancies who were given up for adoption, and what made that experience so remarkable was seeing that it was the birth mothers choice. There was no law forcing her to have a baby. She was mentally and emotionally prepared to give that amazing gift to a waiting family. I believe that a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy should have every option made available, and then she will make a private, personal choice. People who oppose that scenario are not Pro-Life, theyre Anti-Choice. Anti-Choice activists, like those who oppose marriage equality, think that by making their personal value system the law of the land, people will give up and do as they are told. But doing so would be denying what makes us great as a country, and as a species. We believe in the right to choose our religion, our careers, our side items with Wendys value meals, and what our families will look like. Mine is two guys and a dog. My sisters is a straight couple, two kids, and entirely too many animals. Christina Crawfords is one attentionstarved lady and the ghost of a movie star. Each has its own kind of beauty, because while we may not choose our inclinations or desires, we do choose the life we build. Irma has made it abundantly clear she regrets the loss she experienced 37 years ago, but I wonder if shes reected on everything shes lost in the decades hence by refusing to set down her sign and make the choice to pursue happiness.

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