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The Georgia Voice - 8/31/12 Vol.3, Issue 13
The Georgia Voice - 8/31/12 Vol.3, Issue 13
The Georgia Voice - 8/31/12 Vol.3, Issue 13
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08.31.12
NEWS
Out in the military: One year without Dont Ask, Dont Tell. Page 4 Ga. eliminates wait list for AIDS medication program. Page 9 Atlanta settles HIV police discrimination case. Page 9 Former gay bar dancer convicted of human trafcking. Page 9
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
Same-sex families are a beloved part of American television thanks to shows like Modern Family, Glee and Greys Anatomy. While audiences, critics and advertisers have all supported LGBT stories, KSL is demonstrating how deeply out of touch it is with the rest of the country.
Herndon Graddick, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, criticizing KSLs decision not to air The New Normal as sending a dangerous message to Utah. (Glaad.org, Aug. 25)
For our brand, this program feels inappropriate on several dimensions, especially during family viewing time.
Jeff Simpson, CEO of the parent company of Salt Lake City television station KSL, on why the station, which is owned by the Mormon church, will not air The New Normal. The NBC sitcom about two gay dads who have a child with a surrogate mother launches Sept. 11. (Salt Lake Tribune, Aug. 24)
COMMUNITY
Four Ga. Pride celebrations set for September. Page 15 Event spotlight: Atlanta Cotillion prepares for crowning. Page 16 Event spotlight: Business groups focus on trans education. Page 16 Business spotlight: Get ready to chill and sizzle at Mixx. Page 19
BOARD OF ADVISERS
A&E
Labor Day packed with LGBT-friendly major events. Page 29 Comedy: Margaret Chos Mother of all tours. Page 31 Film: Gay best friend key to For a Good Time, Call Page 33 Food Porn: How to have sex with a Republican. Page 35 Photos: Rainbow Days shine at Six Flags. Page 39
Ofcial photo
Ive always fought for justice and equality in America, which is why I think it is wrong to tell two people in love that they cant get married just because they are gay or lesbian.
U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) in a new video for the Human Rights Campaigns Americans for Marriage Equality project. (HRC.org, Aug. 22)
We do not believe the proposed constitutional amendment [to ban gay marriage] is in the best interests of our employees or our state economy. We value diversity. We value inclusion.
Sarah Longwell, a board member for the gay Log Cabin Republicans and a leader of Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry, in an interview as Log Cabin prepared to join in the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Aug. 27)
CALENDAR
Pages 40-43
COLUMNISTS
Thats What She Said: Melissa Carters nal frontier. Page 45 Domestically Disturbed: Topher Payne goes back to school. Page 47
n Sept. 20, the United States military will mark the one-year anniversary of the official repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell, the 1993 law that barred gays and lesbians from openly serving in the armed services. As the milestone nears, gay military members are thrilled to be able to be out, but note that inequities remain. During DADT, I did not ever hang out with other gays or even act on doing anything in fear of being caught so I waited until it was repealed to come out, said Joshua Gravett, a gay Georgia native and sergeant in the U.S. Army currently stationed in Afghanistan. Before repeal, Gravett who enlisted at age 17 planned to leave the Army. Now, he is considering completing the 20-year military career that would allow him to retire from the service at age 37. Dont Ask, Dont Tell was the law of the land for nearly two decades. Some 13,500 soldiers were discharged simply because of their sexual orientation, according to numbers from the Department of Defense. The battle for repeal was hard fought in the United States Congress and nearly didnt happen. Democrats in the Senate attempted to include repeal language into the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, but Republictan senators objected to using the usually bi-partisan NDAA as the avenue for repeal. Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Ct.) and Susan Collins (R-Me.) introduced a standalone bill called the Dont Ask, Dont Tell Act of 2010, which was passed as one of the final acts of the 111th Congress. By ending Dont Ask, Dont Tell, no longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay, President Barack Obama said at the time, fulfilling a 2008 campaign promise to work toward eliminating the discriminatory law. Following Obamas Pride parade and signature, military now the first-ever leaders were charged openly gay general with training and imin the militarys hisplementing the change tory have all hapin policy while gay pened now that solSgt. Joshua Gravett, U.S. Army, says the military groups condiers are no longer repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell convinced tinued to urge caution on forced to remain in him to re-enlist (courtesy photo) coming out during the the closet. transition. Certification was handed down July 22, 2011, Challenges for gay and after a 60-day grace period, DADT was of- service members remain Gravett, a native of Marietta, Ga., says that ficially repealed at midnight on Sept. 20, 2011. In the year since, the military has cel- despite repeal, challenges remain for gay and ebrated a number of gay firsts. The first-ever lesbian soldiers. With the military, it is still no ones busipromotion ceremony attended by a same-sex spouse, the first-ever sanctioned participation ness about your personal life so there was no of uniformed, active-duty soldiers in a Gay need to come out officially to anyone, Gravett
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told GA Voice through a recent email interview. The culture of coming out is still tough for some gay and lesbian soldiers, Gravett said. Finding a network of support half a world away from home can be challenging for those who dont know where to look. Even though the repeal has happened, not everyone is out. So finding other gays to talk to can be challenging, Gravett said. How did Gravett come out? He showed up for assignment at North Carolinas Fort Bragg wearing a Legalize Gay t-shirt. And when his fellow soldiers ask, he now tells. Everyone seems to be very supportive, Gravett said. I tend to think most people in my generation are more progressive in the way that they think. Some are curious on how long I knew and how it felt to hide it.
Repeal has opened the doors for real policy change, something Gravett hopes will lead to greater acceptance and equal rights for all LGBT people. I am hoping that one day we will see the same benefits as straight couples for gay couples. Most Americans support the military and often tend to take our side. If they see that a gay service member is willing to fight for the rights of other Americans, maybe America will support them in their rights to marry or have a family, Gravett added. Spousal benefits, on-base housing and deployment are some of the ways that the military still fails to treat gay and lesbian soldiers equally with their heterosexual counterparts, Gravett said. Please see MILITARY, continued on Page 6
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Organizations like OutServe and others continue to provide resources for gay and lesbian soldiers, both in and out of the closet. OutServe was formed during the repeal fight and quickly grew to one of the largest organizations advocating for gay and lesbian inclusion in the military. OutServe is still doing the same thing we were doing before the repeal, were still connecting and supporting thousands of LGBT military personnel, Ty Walrod, co-director of OutServe, told GA Voice in a recent phone interview. Walrod said OutServe is now comprised of some 5,000 active-duty gay and lesbian soldiers. Many joined after DADT was officially repealed. OutServe publishes a bi-monthly magazine specifically for gay and lesbian soldiers that is distributed to military bases across the world. The group also organizes the largest annual conference for out military personnel. Set for October, the OutServe International Leadership Conference will bring together hundreds of active-duty out military members. Before, when we had Dont Ask, Dont Tell, a conference like that would have been impossible, Walrod said. Increased visibility has come with out servicemembers, but Walrod acknowledged the work that needs to take place before military policies for gay and lesbian soldiers mirror those for heterosexual soldiers. Spouses dont get equal treatment. Co-location at the same base is a challenge for OutServe members. OutServe members want to have access to the same working conditions and the same benefits, rights and responsibilities as everyone else in the military. There are certain federal statutes that stand in the way of that like DOMA, Walrod said. With continued progress on LGBT equality, the military still has many firsts in the coming years. From allowing transgender soldiers to openly serve to providing spousal benefits for families of out soldiers, there is much left to advocate. But the military now has a loud, and proud, voice to continue that march.
Less than a year after the official repeal of the militarys Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy, Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith of the United States Army Reserve became the first-ever openly gay or lesbian general. Smith, a career officer, is the director of the Army Reserve Human Capital Core Enterprise. Smith has served in Panama, Costa Rica and most recently Afghanistan. She currently lives in Washington, D.C. GA Voice asked Smith about her career, her status as a role model and the challenges that gay and lesbian soldiers continue to face in the post-DADT era. When did you first enlist? What were some of your early assignments? I was commissioned through the Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1986 at the University of Oregon. I attended college on a four-year ROTC scholarship. My first assignment was in the Republic of Panama, which was great for a new lieutenant. I love that I was exposed to a nonU.S. culture and I really learned to appreciate cultures that are different than mine, and to also be thankful for the life I had in the United States. The one-year anniversary of the DADT repeal implementation is quickly approaching. In your view, how has military culture changed in the year that gay and lesbian soldiers have been allowed to serve openly? I dont really think the military culture has changed. The Army was already resilient and diverse. Repeal simply added another layer of diversity. So far, all indications are that repeal has been overall positive. How did you manage to stay under the radar during the DADT years? Were you ever worried about being outed and disciplined or even discharged? I stayed off the map, so-to-speak, by keeping my two lives separate. I didnt talk about my home life to my military peers. I compartmentalized my two lives in my mind and in how I interacted in the world. Individuals serving under DADT were worried about being outed and it was always in the background, which is why there was so much diligence to keep the two lives separate. How long have you and your wife, Tracey Hepner, been together? Has she always been supportive of your career in the military?
Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith (right) and her wife, Tracey Hepner, celebrated at Smiths promotion ceremony. (Photos courtesy U.S. Army Reserve)
She sure looked proud in photos from your promotion ceremony. Tracey and I met in 2004 and were married in Washington, D.C., on 31 March 2012. We were married at the Jefferson Memorial. She understands that a soldier wants to serve, and she marginalized herself so that I could serve. She understood that I had to compartmentalize my life and lead two separate lives. She understood, but it didnt mean that as a civilian she had to be silent. I am so proud of Traceys participation as a partner who provided direct testimony and discussion to the Department of Defense Comprehensive Working Group, the lead Pentagon entity responsible for conducting the study that measured the impact that potentially repealing DADT would have upon military readiness. We imagined that her participation was risky to my career, but you reach a point where risk feels necessary. The DoD was very professional and kept the identities of the participants off the record. Tracey was a powerful voice to the comprehensive working group, informing understanding within the DoD about LGBT military families. What are some of the outstanding issues that gay and lesbian soldiers still face, like gaining spousal benefits and family housing? The Department of Defense is continuing to work through how to support all military families. The DoD General Counsel Jeh Johnson, who spoke at the Pentagon LGBT Pride event and was also the lead for the Comprehensive Working Group, noted in his Pentagon remarks that The repeal of DADT reveals certain inequities
between similarly situated couples in the military community. This troubles many of our leaders. On the other hand, we must comply with current law, including the defense of marriage act. I understand that the Department of Defense must comply with law, but I am comforted by Jeh Johnsons remarks. What advice do you have for gay and lesbian soldiers or people considering joining the military in the post-DADT era? My advice is to remain focused on that service to the country is a selfless act. The first concern should be to serving something larger than you. If a young person feels called to service. They should answer that call now. Are you comfortable with being identified as role model? I am growing into my role model identification. I would suggest that simply being gay isnt any sort of leader attribute, but I have come to believe that people are identifying with the personal courage and the integrity that I exhibited by having Tracey introduced as my partner at the promotion ceremony, and by having her put that star on my shoulder. In addition to my father, her parents also participated in the ceremony. It was truly a family event. Tracey and I talked in length prior to my promotion about my pending responsibilities, and we agreed that we needed to live an authentic life. We are a military family that happens to be gay, not a gay family that happens to be military. Our role as a couple is to support our soldiers and their families.
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Attorney Steve Koval said he hopes the city of Atlanta will not continue to have to spend taxpayer dollars to defend discriminatory conduct. (Photo via Facebook)
Legal as the case progressed. Throughout this litigation, the city claimed it had not discriminated against our client based on his HIV status, but this settlement shows otherwise. Lets hope the city takes the additional steps necessary to ensure it doesnt ever again have to spend taxpayer dollars to defend its discriminatory conduct. Laura Douglas-Brown
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No Dumb Questions
a lm by Melissa Regan
Uncle Bill is becoming a woman
This lighthearted and poignant documentary proles three sisters struggling to understand why and how their Uncle Bill is becoming a woman. With just weeks until Bills rst visit as Barbara, the sisters navigate the complex territories of anatomy, sexuality, personality, gender and fashion. This lm offers a fresh perspective on a complex situation.
Moving and funny. San Francisco Chronicle
DATE:
WHERE: Turner Entertainment Network 1050 Techwood Drive NW Atlanta, GA 30318 TIME: 5:00pm 6:00pm Registration and Networking 6:00pm 7:30pm Film screening and Discussion
Beer/Wine and heavy hors doeuvres will be served. There is no cost to attend.
Find us on:
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present:
WHEN: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 WHERE: CNN Center, 190 Marietta Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30303 TIME: 8:30 AM 12:00 PM CNN CENTER TOUR: Free CNN tours will be available after the seminar (50 person limit)
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Cleo Meyer, Agent 1447 Peachtree St NE Atlanta, GA 30309 Bus: 404-817-0960 cleo.meyer.mdhi@statefarm.com
Savannah Pride, the states second longest-running LGBT festival, will bring throngs to Forsyth Park on Sept. 8. (Photo by Chris Seely)
The crowds wont be as large, but the community spirit will be just as strong the next weekend as South Georgia Pride comes to Valdosta. The day-long event takes place Sept. 15 from noon until 7 p.m. at John W. Saunders Park, with organizers expecting about 800 attendees. South Georgia Pride brings headlining performances by folk singer Julie Schurr and hiphop performer Young Kaii, plus other entertainers, food, games and more. The festival will remain decidedly familyfriendly, organizers say. We at South Georgia Pride feel that in order to inict positive change, it is crucial that we put emphasis on the moral structures of love, tolerance, and family that truly embody the LGBT community of Valdosta, says Pride Executive Director Richard Willis. Despite Mayor John Gayles refusal to grant a proclamation for South Georgia Pride, leaders said they think support for the LGBT community is growing in Valdosta. I think that with every year by hosting this event we are making a difference, says Assistant Executive Director Raynae Williams. That it is giving Valdosta an opportunity to get to know us
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EVENT
SPOTLIGHTS
Atlanta Cotillion features men dressed as women competing to raise funds to fight HIV. (Photo by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography)
edos but only a certain percentage. This year, we arent enforcing that, Mallette says. Attire for Cotillion can pose some interesting questions, but the one most asked of Mallette is this: Why do gown seats cost $85 but
tuxedo seats cost $160? We wanted to make it cheaper for the people in drag since they spend so much to look gorgeous, he answers. In addition to the traditional cotillion components, the entertainment includes drag star Varla Jean Merman and celebrity impersonator Randy Roberts, known for portrayals of Cher, Bette Midler and others. Igarashi describes the event as huge for AID Atlanta. The money that it generates is crucial to the work that we do. The amount of money that these few individuals raise each year is typically over $100,000. When you think about how much money is being raised by such a small number of people, it says something about the commitment of these men to the cause of AID Atlanta and their passion for it, he says. Shannon Hames
that she was a lesbian with her younger siblings. When I came out as a lesbian, I had little sisters that were about the same age as the girls in the film were. My parents were insistent for years that I not tell them that I was gay. I had a sense that the girls in the film were really going to handle this news about their uncle in an open, honest way, she says. The second event the following morning, Sept. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., is a free educational seminar about workplace issues that surround transgendered employees. Chip Newton, Out & Equals co-chair, notes how important these events are to corporate America.
In No Dumb Questions, three young girls talk matter-of-factly about their Uncle Bill becoming Aunt Barbara. (Screen capture)
This training addresses serious issues that companies are grappling with such as transgender worker re-entry into the workplace after transitioning, he says. Companies need to know how to alter their culture, how to help transitioning employees, and how do we help the other employees that are surrounding the person going through the transition? Shannon Hames
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BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT
night, the owners MORE INFO say. At night and on the weekends, Mixx Atlanta 1492B Piedmont Ave. NE the theme becomes Atlanta, GA 30309 Sizzle at Mixx. www.mixxatlanta.com Jim Randig, Mixxs general manager and its first employee, says the next big event for the lounge revolves around Labor Day Weekends Black Gay Pride celebration. We have different models coming in and liquor promotions, Randig says. The smoke-free atmosphere is appealing to many of Atlantas residents, including part-time TNT basketball commentator Charles Barkley, who Randig says might just be Mixxs most famous patron so far.
Mixx plans a series of renovations and events to invite patrons to Chill at Mixx earlier in the day and Sizzle at Mixx later at night. (Courtesy photo)
He came in taping during the basketball season, Randig says. Were one of the few non-smoking bars that advertise in the city. He had a couple of drinks with his entourage. Barkley, Randig says, was a great customer and even posed with a fan for a picture.
During the year, Mixx hosts several charity events to benefit local nonprofit organizations. The next event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29, and will benefit AID Atlanta. Other upcoming events include an evening Q&A with drag performer Coco Peru as part of the 2012 Out on Film festival. Peru will join Trick director Jim Fall on Oct. 10 following a screening of the film. She will also perform her one woman show Oct. 11 at Mixx. Perus appearance is part of Mixxs new Backstage at Mixx entertainment showcase, which is billed as an intimate evening with entertainers. Other personalities to have participated in the series include funnyman Leslie Jordan and Amy and Freddy, a comedic duo from Chicago. Mixx has also become the new unofficial home for author readings since Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse closed earlier this year. In a partnership with gift/bookstore Brushstrokes, Mixx has hosted readings from Atlanta author K. Murry Johnson, dating blogger Totally Tyler and Big Meach. Future author readings and book signings are also in the works. Ryan Watkins
Varner, Fantasia, Noel, Fiona publicity photos. Events by Dyana Bagby and Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography
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Some of the highest-prole performers at this years Black Gay Pride include (left to right) Melanie Fiona, Elle Varner and Fantasia. (Publicity photos)
Traxx Atlanta and Traxx Girls scored this year with Elle Varner, whose debut album Perfectly Imperfect is now at No. 4 on Billboards R&B/Hip Hop Albums. Her song Only Wanna Give It to You is also a hit in the clubs. Varner will perform her hits Only Want to Give It to You and Rell on Friday, Aug. 31, for Traxx Atlanta at 595 North with doors opening at 10 p.m. She also performs for Traxx Girls the same night at 1789 Cheshire Bridge Road. Were very excited to get Elle Varner, said Melissa Scott, owner of Traxx Girls. Other acts lined up for Traxx Girls include Melanie Fiona and stars from the VH1 hit reality TV show Love and Hip Hop, based in Atlanta. The show just had part one of its reunion show air this week and breakout Love and Hip Hop star Joseline will judge the legendary Traxx Girls wet t-shirt contest on Saturday, Sept. 1, at Primal. Girls, its time to get wet. The annual Booze Cruise on Friday, Aug. 31, by Traxx Girls allows women to take a boat ride around Lake Lanier with an open bar while also helping raise money for breast cancer re-
times, all of its events (besides VIP treatment) are just $10. And its back to basics for the gay men who travel from such places as Japan, Puerto Rico and Venezuela to attend the largest Black Pride event in the nation strippers, porn stars, DJs and dancing. Also, underwear fashion shows where you can buy the underwear right off the model on Sunday, Sept. 2, at Dirty Ratz. We have so many beautiful black gay men from all over the world come to Atlanta, he said. Our underwear fashion show has been going on for ve years and is one of the most popular events. And while there is plenty of partying and, yes, hooking up just like any gay party event, Harris says the fellowship Black Gay Pride brings is his favorite part of being a club promoter. Were meeting other gay brothers who can sometimes help take our life to another level, he says. All club promoters acknowledged they are feeling the heat of a long-term recession and clients who cannot pay extravagant prices to see the likes of Nicki Minaj. So its back to the meat and potatoes for Black Gay Pride this year, Harris said. We sent out emails asking our customers what they wanted and they all said they wanted it to be affordable, Harris said. But be on the lookout for talent Harris said is not to be missed on Friday at Jungle, there will be the Blatino Awards with live performances by Harris favorite fag hags former Danity Kane songstress D. Woods; singer and rapper Elite Noel (younger
sister of Keyshia Cole and BET reality TV star); Paris Bennett of American Idol; and Miss Chi Chi of Too Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar fame. Friday nights festivities are hosted by Brent Star. Harris said this promises to open Black Gay Pride on a serious party note. We want to bring the focus back on the customer, Harris said. What goes on in Atlanta stays in Atlanta is the motto of this years Girls in the Night 17th annual Femme-Nomen-Non Labor Day weekend. The event is not about black women, white women or purple women, says Lisa Cox, owner of Girls in the Night. There will be plenty of options for women including a trip to strip club Magic City on Thursday, Aug. 30; and the Midnight in Paris All Black Affair on Friday, Aug. 31, at Compound featuring recording artist Rasheeda and hosted by Mimi Faust and Ariane Davis of Love and Hip Hop fame. Cox is especially thrilled to bring the Juicy to Atlanta, the famous club seen in The Real L Word. DJs and dancers from the Los Angeles Club are coming to Atlanta to bring Juicy to the ATL and transform Museum Bar into a scene from The Real L Word including stars Whitney Mixter and Sara Bettencourt. We want to make sure all women feel welcome. Thats why we say all avas. This is about lesbian pride for us, Cox says.
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The State of Black Gay America Summit, set for Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Melia Hotel, aims to come up with answers rather than focus on questions, according to co-founder Darlene Hudson. The event is put on in conjunction with Xtreme Entertainment, which also promotes nightlife events. We try to bring solutions and not just highlight problems in our community, Hudson says. We will also talk about the power of the people and talk about resilience and how we deal with oppression and how it helps us nd our voice. This year, past panelist Je-Shawna C. Wholley, a Spelman alumna who has been recognized for her work on behalf of LGBT people by the Human Rights Campaign and the National Black Justice Coalition, will be the keynote speaker at the summit. Wholley is a senior fellow with the NBJC and while at Spelman she was the president of Afrekete, the LGBT student group. A special guest appearance will be made by Keith Boykin, a New York Times best selling author, BET columnist, contributor to CNBC, MSNBC and CNN, and former White House aide to President Bill Clinton. He is also editor of the anthology, For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough. The theme for this years summit is Embracing Our Collective Power to Inuence Change. It will include ve power panel discussions on the Affordable Care Act, how to fund progressive organizations and support political allies, faith, prevention and research and also resilience in the black gay communities. The summit will include a special tribute to Rudolph P. Byrd of the James Weldon Johnson
In the Life Atlanta, a nonprot dedicated to organizing Black Gay Pride events, celebrates its Sweet 16 of community involvement in 2012. We are the cultural side of Pride, says Rickie Smith, board member of ITLA. Each year, ITLA produces a lm festival, a literary cafe, a candlelight vigil to remember those who have died, a fashion show as well a marketplace for vendors to sell their crafts. All events are at the Melia Hotel unless otherwise stated. ITLA events and parties kick off on Friday, Aug. 31, at the Melia with an opening ceremony at 8 p.m. featuring lmmaker Maurice Jamal followed by the sexy and erotic SpeakFire erotic poetry readings beginning at midnight. This is truly an adult show, Smith says. There will also be a Health Expo on Saturday, Sept. 1, at the hotel with 26 vendors providing free health screenings and HIV testing, Smith says. Craig Washington of AID Atlanta says AID Atlanta programs Deeper Love and the Evolution Project, which target black gay men, will join the ITLA Health Expo to provide HIV
testing as well as pass out safer sex kits. Well also be hosting a lounge discussion at the ITLA marketplace (Friday, Aug. 31, from 6-10 p.m.) to allow for free owing discussion with attendees. This gives people a chance to discuss issues relevant to them in a way thats not so starchy, formal, Washington says. There will be plenty of time for introspection with the Literary Cafe on Sept. 1 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. featuring TimM and Chris Beckwith, author of Raw. Also on hand will be author Daniel Black of Clark University with his book A Perfect Peace. Another major event is the See Us in the Life Film Festival on Sept. 1 from 2-10 p.m. The major red carpet lm showing at 6:30 p.m. is Finding Me: Truth, a romantic drama and sequel to Finding Me that focuses on a group of tight-knit friends in Jersey City. ITLA closes out its festivities with a fashion show on Sunday, Sept. 2, from 8 p.m. to midnight. That same night, ITLA hosts the second annual White Party by Tha Bigdogs that caters to the big men of color and all of their admirers. Sundays in Piedmont Park have always been a place for black gay people to gather, have picnics and barbecues. Over Labor Day weekend, the park gets even more crowded and celebratory. This year, however, Traxx Girls and the Vision Community Foundation wanted to harness the community energy into something positive. They are organizing the rst Pure Heat Community
Festival that will include gospel singing, a hair competition, a J-Sette competition, live musical entertainment and more. Headlining the event is KeKe Wyatt, who has a gold album, Soul Sista, from 2001 and in 2010 became a spokesperson for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence after surviving an abusive relationship. People already congregate there so we wanted to bring some unity, says Melissa Scott of Traxx Girls. The fest is meant to unite the community, Scott stressed, and she hopes local politicians will attend and non-prot groups will have time on the stages to share information about their organizations. The pavilion in the park across from the pool will have House music playing all day and will be a memorial to those who have passed, including Durand Robinson, the owner of Traxx Atlanta who was shot and killed in Atlanta in 2010. His killing has not been solved. There will be HIV testing available at the pavilion as well. Darlene Hudson, organizer of the State of Black Gay America Summit, praised Traxx and Traxx Girls and other nightlife participants for organizing the festival in the park because it shows solidarity between the club scene and community organizers. You all are setting precedent, Hudson says. Washington of AID Atlanta, who will be at the fest with others providing HIV testing, added also this festival was a long time coming. Too long there has been the perception of divided camps the party kids and workshop/ activists kids, he added. But this is a social event to bring us all together. Plus, back LGBT people we need to see each other in the light and outdoors, he adds with a laugh.
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Left: One of the highest-prole gay guests at this years Dragon*Con is actor John Barrowman, who played Capt. Jack on Torchwood. (Publicity photo) Top Right: The Peach International Tennis Tournament is the Largest LGBT tournament int he Southeastt. Bottom right: Carioca Productions brings DJ Isaac Escalante for a spin at Jungle on Saturday, Sept. 1 (Publicity photos, tennis by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photographry)
The Decatur Book Fest is now a Labor Day weekend tradition, drawing thousands to the Atlanta suburb. As in years past, the 2012 event features a series of LGBT readings and discussions in cooperation with the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival. We work with Decatur Book Fest every year to insure LGBTQ voices are represent-
ed, says AQLF organizer Franklin Abbott, noting, They approached us about helping to make the festival queer friendly. Divining Divas: 100 Gay Men on their Muses features Michael Montlack and his newest anthology, along with several contributors, from 11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Saturday at the City Hall Stage. Identity and Self in a Shifting Landscape brings together authors Eric Sasson and Carter Sickels with moderator Elizabeth Anderson of Charis Books & More from 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. at the Decatur Conference Center Auditorium. On Sunday, A Different Sort of Family sees authors Michael Lowenthal and Kerry Reichs with moderator Franklin Abbott from 12 - 12:45 p.m. at the Decatur Library, while Hybrid Poets brings Megan Volpert and Laura Mullen and their newest work from 1: 15 - 2 p.m. at the Decatur Conference Center Auditorium. Visit www.decaturbookfestival.com and choose the AQLF track for more details. While not part of the AQLF track, gay poet Mark Doty reads on Saturday with other writers included in the Best American Poetry 2012 collection, and Deardria Nesbitt, who also reads at Charis Books & More for Black Gay Pride, speaks on Sunday at the Emerging Authors Stage. Labor Day weekend means an extra day of recovery no matter where you like to party.
While many of Atlantas dance queens will be braving wind and rain at Southern Decadence in New Orleans, our own Jungle, Heretic and Xion are planning events that might make your sinning sisters a little homesick. Friday, Aug. 31, Heretic welcomes the long weekend with local DJ Lydia Prim, who opens for international artist/DJ/producer Eddie Martinez. Saturday, Sept. 1, Jungle and Carioca Productions bring Mexicos Isaac Escalante for an Atlanta performance. Escalante, whos been a DJ since he was 16, is known for his house, tribal and electro house mixes that he spins all over South America and the world. Its become standard for the private club Xion to keep the party going after the rest of the Cheshire Bridge corridor closes their doors. Washington DCs DJ Alex Cohen returns to Atlanta for the occasion, bringing with him the beats that have caught the ear of DJs Chus & Ceballos and the legendary Tony Moran. Saturday also sees some action for the ladies at Atlantas only lesbian bar, My Sisters Room. Though loosely tied to Black Gay Pride, the bars Sin City party also offers some familiar faces from their usual line-up. Expect Vegas-style black jack, roulette and craps with hosts Jersey Moulin and Chase Daniels, DJ Pat Pat on the turntables, and performances by Brent Star, Skyler Lee and more. Usually closed on Sundays, Heretic opens its doors on Sunday, Sept. 2, for a special Labor Day party with DJ Alexander of Los Angeles. Dragon*Con by Matt Schafer; Peach Tennis Tournament by Jim Farmer; Decatur Book Fest by Laura Douglas-Brown; Nightlife by Bo Shell.
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Mother, may I?
She sounded a bit tired in the phone interview. Between guest starring on a hit TV show, planning her Mother comedy tour, singing, embracing her new passion of riding motorcycles, starring on Drop Dead Diva, traveling, writing her blog, and answering the same questions from reporters all day, Margaret Cho has a right to be a bit reserved when not on in front of an audience. But Cho is still thrilled to be nominated for an Emmy for her guest actress appearance on 30 Rock. She actually played a man well, two men to receive the Emmy nod. Its great. I really love that show. Its an honor, Cho said of the nomination. Chos parents came to the United States from South Korea due in part to the Kim Jong Il regime and the hardships he brought to the entire Korean peninsula. Chos mother loved seeing the cruel dictator get a bit of a comeuppance as he was portrayed and mocked by her daughter. It was fun getting to make fun of something they were aware of, Cho said. Plus, Cho added, no makeup was necessary to make her look like Kim Jong Il and his son. Without makeup and with the help of a fat suit, her appearance to the now dead dictator with the big square glasses was not a huge jump for Cho. The major battle was trying to figure out what he sounded like there are not many recordings of the reclusive dictator, who died last year, so Chos imagination was able to run wild. Perhaps just like the character she portrayed. Cho is well-known for not only being funny but for poking fun at serious political issues in her comedy and her work and not just crazy North Korean dictators. The Aug. 19 episode of Lifetimes Drop Dead Diva focused on the fact that gay men cannot donate sperm according to federal Food & Drug Administration guidelines. The ban has been in place since 2005 due to concerns of STDs and HIV. Bringing awareness to this and other LGBT issues is the kind of writing and that makes Cho love working on the show so much. I think we bring some things that are in the dark out into the light, Cho said of the show, now in its fourth season. This episode was a great example of what this show does. We definitely do a lot of that. But, wait, lets talk about Mother, the tour that comes to Atlantas Punchline on Sept. 16. Cho knows she has almost made an industry of mocking her mother on stage her exaggerated (or
Margaret Cho brings her Mother tour to Atlanta on Sept. 16. (Photo by Austin Young)
Nothing is sacred
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Gay best friend brings female roommates together for raunchy comedy
FILM
by Jim Farmer
In gay director Jamie Travis raunchy new comedy For a Good Time, Call two women who loathe each other initially grow to bond over, of all things, a phone sex operation. Lauren Powell (Lauren Anne Miller) and Katie Steele (Ari Graynor) have an unpleasant first meeting in college but years later, thanks to their mutual gay best friend Jesse (Justin Long), decide to room together out of financial necessity in New York. Prim Lauren finds out that Katie is a phone sex operator and, with her own professional life in limbo, decides to give it a go herself. In the film the women grow to fall in love with each other, but only as friends. Graynor, Miller (who co-wrote the film), Travis and co-writer Katie Anne Naylon were in Atlanta recently promoting the flick, which made waves at Sundance earlier this year. The filmmaking team knew going in they werent making a documentary on the industry but felt they could mine it for laughs. Miller feels the success of last years Bridesmaids has opened the door for films that show women can be as down and out dirty as men. There was sort of a gap for a little while between the 80s and more recently that there really werent just straight comedies about women about things besides finding a man, says Miller, who is married to Seth Rogen, who has a cameo in the film. A few here and there, but really Bridesmaids was the one that reawoke that genre. It is super exciting. There seems to be a new wave and hopefully it wont be even a thing anymore. Its just another comedy; you dont have to say its an R rated female comedy, Miller says. When Travis saw Bridesmaids, he remembers thinking why dont I see more movies like this? It felt so fresh and reminded me so much of the films from the 80s that I loved with Goldie Hawn and Shelley Long and Bette Midler, he says. Outrageous Fortune is a personal fave. For a Good Time, Call marks the second time Long has played gay following Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Travis worked hard not to make his character a stereotype. Justin is such a talented actor; he brought so much to it, Travis says. He was better than we could have ever imagined. He took this character and made it so alive. I believe he was interested in me and my persona and my physicality. This became evident on our very first
A mutual gay best friend brings Lauren Powell (Lauren Anne Miller) and Katie Steele (Ari Graynor) together to launch a phone sex line in For a Good Time, Call (Publicity photo via Focus Features)
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Atlantas
Out on Film is Atlantas own LGBT film festival. Were in our 25th season. Out on Film was created in 1987 to inform, entertain, educate and enrich the regional LGBT community by recognizing the creative work of LGBT artists and professionals.
Out on Film selects a variety of films for our LGBT audiences, including comedies, dramas, romances and documentaries. In addition, we screen multiracial and multi-cultural films.
The majority of films are shown at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta GA 30308. Additional screenings will be held at other local venues.
Tickets can be purchased at www.outonfilm.org, the Landmark theater, and online at the Landmarks website. Please visit www.outonfilm.org for more ticket information.
25
th Annual
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Ameriprise Financial is proud to be recognized with another perfect score on the Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index.
Yes. Out on Film schedules opening and closing night parties plus events before and after select films, including Q&As with filmmakers.
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. Ameriprise Financial
www.outonfilm.org has complete details about films and schedules, including trailers, special events, and volunteering.
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The Spence is the newest concept from TV Top Chef Richard Blais of Atlanta . (Photo via Facebook)
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.
Roberts starter arrived a huge, cracked cow bone with lots of roasted marrow to spread on toast. It was somewhat strangely topped with diced tuna tartare and two fried quail eggs. Some preserved lemon broke up the velvety textures and tastes. Meanwhile, Ronnie twirled uni-infused pasta on his fork and speared chunks of lobster. A man who might have been Ronnies clone appeared at the table. Ronnie jumped up to greet him. The man extended his hand to Robert. Im George, he said enthusiastically. I hope youre keeping my buddy in line. He turned to Ronnie. Will I see you at our meeting next week? he asked. Im very excited about Paul Ryan. Ill be there, Ronnie replied. Please see FOOD PORN on Page 37
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Recommended
The Spence
75 Fifth Street, Atlanta, GA 30344 404-892-9111, www.thespenceatl.com The menu changes daily, so its difficult to make specific recommendations. Generally, small plates are more interesting than entrees, but its best to stick to simple dishes. Blais can go overboard now and then, but thats the risk he takes in being a brilliant experimenter. The bone marrow is always available. If you want a cheap entre, the burger ($12) is fantastic. Go ahead and try the decadent pineapple upside down cake with foie-gras caramel. Heres a bargain: Go when the restaurant opens and you will get to share the employees meal for very little money.
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Amsterdam Walk + 500 Amsterdam Ave. + Atlanta + 404/892-8294 Ave Decatur Square + 117 East Court Square + Decatur + 404/370-3979 www.worthmorejewelers.com
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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.
PRIDE CALENDAR
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BLACK GAY
2012
Lezelegance presents the ATL Meltdown Blue Carpet Fashion Affair with special guest host Tajir. Blue carpet 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., fashion show 7 - 9 p.m. at the Funkshion Factor, 608 Interchange Drive, Atlanta, GA 30336, http://on.fb.me/NWQgPN Kick off Black Gay Pride in Style with a meet and greet with the founders of QueerBOIS.com, an Atlanta-based blog dedicated to providing visibility and information to masculine, butch, gender-queer women and transmen. 7:30 - 9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Local gal DJ Lydia Prim and guest DJ Eddie Martinez spin on Cheshire Bridge. 10 p.m. at Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www. hereticatlanta.com
The 25th annual Peach International Tennis Championships bring together tons of LGBT tennis stars for a tournament hosted by the (gay) Atlanta Team Tennis Association. Details of the four-day event: www.atta.org
Saturday, Sept. 1
Thursday, Sept. 6
Every rst Thursday is Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence fundraising night at Woofs. Tonight, theyre joined by Hotlanta Softballs Pink Cadets to raise funs for Breast Cancer awareness and prevention. 6 - 9 p.m. at Woofs, 2425 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, http:// on.fb.me/PlplgD, www.woofsatlanta.com
Itll be a long weekend with tons to do at the World Famous Drive Invasion 2012. Expect performances by a ton of local bands, camping and the classics Big Trouble in Little China, Blade Runner, and more on the big screens. Gates open at 10 a.m. at the Starlight Drive-In, 200 Moreland Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, http://on.fb.me/Nqpsf7 The State of Black Gay America Summit is the annual meeting of diverse minds, this year focusing on Embracing Our Collective Power To Inuence Change. Panelists from around the country join in discussion with an emphasis on solution-based approaches to challenges in the African-American LGBT population. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Melia Hotel, Atlanta Ballroom, 590 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.sbgasummit.org Enjoy a day of diverse acts at the One Music Fest. The lineup includes former Black Gay Pride performer Marsha Ambrosius and alt-hiphop-dance sensation Santigold. 12 p.m. at Masquerade, 695 North Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.masqueradeatlanta.com See the Georgia Bulldogs start their football season on nine at screens at the grand opening of the My Sisters Room Sports Bar and Grill. 12 - 8 p.m. at My Sisters Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave, Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com Today is the start of the college football season. Watch with friends every Saturday of the season on one of the new HD TVs upstairs at Blakes. 1 p.m. at Blakes on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesonthepark.com
Wednesday, Sept. 5
The Atlanta Rollergirls play two roller derby bouts starting at 5 p.m. at Yaarab Shrine Center, 400 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantarollergirls.com Black Gay Pride performer Fantasia plays a show with Joe, Tonny Terry and Dru Hill. 6 p.m. at Wolf Greek Amphitheater, 3025 Merk Road, Atlanta, GA 30349, www.wolfcreekamphitheater.com Celebrate Black Gay Pride with author Deardria Nesbitt, who brings Throb: The Remix, a graphic novel and A Question of Fulllment, the fourth installment in the Girls Around the Way series. 7:30 - 9 p.m. at Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com
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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
Publicity Photo
Atlantas only lesbian bar hosts a Black Gay Pride Sin City party with black jack, roulette, craps and more. 9 p.m. - 3 a.m. at My Sisters Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30317, www.mysistersroom.com
Saturday, Sept. 8
Joining Hearts DJ and Atlanta favorite DJ Roland Belmares returns for a spin at the Heretic. No cover before 11 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com
The Decatur Book Festival includes an LGBT track with several events on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, check out www.decaturbookfestival.com
Sunday, Sept. 2
The Atlanta Dream takes on the Connecticut Sun. 3 p.m. at Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.wnba.com/dream/
File photo
Tonight begins Charlie Browns Drag Idol 5. The 12 contestants will be pulled from previous seasons of LeBuzzs Drag Idol and competing requires nomination from one of the bars feature queens. Looks to be a best of the best. Every Wednesday at 10 p.m. at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, http://on.fb.me/MYbqiy
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No work on Monday means you can party all night with DJ Alexander at Heretic. 10 p.m. at 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com Make your Labor Day weekend a long with a super late night (or early morning) set from DJ Alex Cohen, 3 a.m. (technically Sunday) at the members-only Xion, 2241 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, http://on.fb.me/Me5diq
Monday, Sept. 3
T&F Transitionz: a Project of the Feminist Outlawz is an open forum to discuss gender and facilitating dialogue and activism around social issues. 7 - 9:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com The Atlanta chapter of PFLAG hosts its rst Monday Support Meeting where attendees are divided into small groups led by a trained facilitator. No advice, just discussion. 7:30 - 9 p.m. at 1605 Northeast Expressway NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.pagatl.org
Wednesday, Sept. 5
Enjoy a blast from Broadways past with the classic King and I. Most performances at 8 p.m. with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org So its a little out of the way, but treat yourself to something different. The 2nd Gender Fusion Cabaret sees several of the Armorettes go way OTP for the sake of really good, bag drag. 10:30 p.m. at Fuzions, 806 North Broad St., Monroe, GA 30656, http://on.fb.me/PDeD86
The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Luncheon. 11:55 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Carpe Diem, 105 Sycamore Place, Decatur, GA 30030, www.atlantagaychamber.org The Atlanta Dream takes on the Indiana Fever. 7 p.m. at Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.wnba.com/dream/
Thursday, Sept. 6
Saturday, Sept. 8
Though not explicitly gay, were sure youll nd some well dressed family at Vagrant Magazines Fashion Night Out party. See fashion by three local designers, live music from Rahbi Raw and the Fire Squad and an art exhibition that includes local gay artist Patrick Hanson. 7 - 10 p.m. at Viewpoint, 855 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, http://on.fb.me/ PDe26i, www.vagrantmag.com The Process Theatre and Onstage Atlanta present Designing Women Live, three episodes of the classic sitcom presented by men, including GA Voices own Topher Payne, playing the heroic Southern women. 8 p.m. Thursday - Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday at OnStage Atlanta, 2617 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033, http://onstageatlanta.tix.com
The Health Initiative hosts an LGBT Weight Watchers group every Saturday morning. First weigh-in starts at 8 a.m., with a meeting at 8:30 a.m. Second weigh-in starts at 9:30 a.m., with a meeting at 10 a.m. 1530 DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.theheathinitiative.org MEGA Family hosts a Maybe Baby seminar for potential LGBT parents. Learn about the many options, costs involved, time frames to consider and how age or geography might factor into your decision. 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. at the Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.megafamilyproject.org Savannah Pride celebrates its 13th year of unity, acceptance and inclusion as JoJo, The Cusses and Atlantas fave trans rocker Amber Taylor and the Sexual Side Effects perform at the day-long festival complete with vendors and plenty of Pride to go around. 11:45 a.m. - 10 p.m. in Forsyth Park, Savannah, GA 31401, www.savpride.com
Friday, Sept. 7
Chris Isaak plays for Concerts in the Garden. 8 p.m. at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org Wassup N ATL hosts the upscale First Friday party with DJs Trouble and Angel X with MC Wild Thang on the mic. 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.wassupnatl.com The Decatur Womens Sports League starts the fall softball season with games tonight through Oct. 26. Kelly C. Cofer Park, near Chamblee Tucker Road at North Park Drive, Tucker, GA 30084 , www.decaturwomensports.com
Sunday, Sept. 9
Today is opening Day of the Hotlanta Softball fall season. Its more casual than the competitive spring season, but were sure the spectating is just as celebratory. Games through Oct. 7. 10 a.m - 2 p.m. in the Piedmont Park Active Oval Fields. www.hotlantasoftball.org
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EVENTS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 Hotlanta Softballs Atlanta Talons kick off their fall season with a Beer Bust at F.R.O.G.S. All the PBR you can drink, jell-o shots and DJ Joey make way for the Queen of the Strut, Amanda Topp. 1 - 7 p.m. at F.R.O.G.S., 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308. http://on.fb.me/Rg8ewL The Atlanta Dream takes on the Washington Mystics. 3 p.m. at Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.wnba.com/dream/ For the past several Sundays, Regina Simms has played host to a ton of local talent, culminating in tonights New Faces nal. Weekly winners return to compete for the crown. Go early to get a seat. 11:30 p.m. at Friends Neighborhood Bar, 736 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, http://on.fb.me/PHrvrt The infamous drag queens of the South, the Armorettes take over Burkharts. Remember tips are donated to their nonprot fund for various AIDS-related organizations. 8 p.m. at Burkharts, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com
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The Indigo Girls play an nta show to wrap up this years Atla Gardens Concerts in the Botanical nta Garden series. 8 p.m. at the Atla 5 Piedmont Botanical Garden, 134 Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, rg www.atlantabotanicalgarden.o
UPCOMING
Saturday, Sept. 15
OurSong gay and lesbian chorus hosts a Gospel Brunch benet with two shows for your listening pleasure. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. seatings at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.oursongatlanta.org 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 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
Monday, Sept. 10
Writing With Intent is open to writers of ction and creative non-ction; group offers motivational exercises, constructive criticism and more to keep you on track. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Tuesday, Sept. 11
The Atlanta Lesbian & Gay Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Lunch. 11:50 a.m. at Brio Tuscan Grille. 2964 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30306, www.atlantagaychamber.org The Atlanta Dream takes on the Seattle Storm. 7 p.m. at Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.wnba.com/dream/
Wednesday, Sept. 12
The Atlanta Lesbian & Gay Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Lunch. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Soho in Vinings, 300 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.atlantagaychamber.org Viva Las Vegas is the theme for this months PALS Bingo, hosted by Bubba D. Licious and Brent Star. Doors at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:30 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.palsatlanta.org Resistance is futile at Unplug with Paul P. at Heretic. The dance oor opens at 10 p.m. with no cover and hot hard music all night long. 10 p.m. at Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com, www.facebook.com/hereticatlanta
The Festival on Ponce, part of the gayowned 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
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THATS WHAT
SHE SAID
The nalArmstrong, frontier Remembering Neil
Sally Ride, and the heroism of human space ight
My home ofce is dedicated to space. The walls are covered with images of the space shuttle, former astronauts, and science ction characters of a future some hope to experience. But as NASA excitedly gives updates on the movements of the Curiosity Rover on Mars, I cant help but wonder if Neil Armstrong and Sally Ride would be equally impressed with the space agencys remote controls. We lost these national heroes within about a month of one another, and I doubt they envisioned that at the time of their death Americas vast exploration of space would rely solely on a robot. A test pilot and member of other space missions, Armstrong is best known for the historic footprint he placed on the moon on July 21, 1969. Before he made that one small step for man, he had less than a minute worth of fuel remaining in the lunar module when he landed it on the moon. Having kept his cool on two previous occasions in his career that almost took his life, Armstrong proved to be someone who excelled under extreme pressure. Upon leaving the moon, Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin left a patch to commemorate NASA astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts who had died in pursuit of space. While working on her doctorate in physics in 1978, Sally Ride responded to an ad in the Stanford University student paper encouraging men, and for the rst time women, to apply for the NASA astronaut corps. Some 8,000 other people applied, but by the next year Ride was an astronaut candidate. In 1983, she ew aboard the space shuttle Challenger at age 32, which is still an American record. By coming out in her obituary, Ride became the rst known LGBT astronaut. Dont get me wrong: I like robots. I was fascinated when rovers on Mars began to successfully communicate with Earth, and saddened when NASA announced last year that they had permanently lost contact with Spirit. And I understand the desire to save lives by letting machinery do the dirty work.
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
But that also limits our chances as a society to have heroes like Armstrong and Ride who, knowing they could easily lose their lives, stepped into their respective ships and blasted into the sky. The proof is in the ratings. Earlier this month, Curiosity landed on Mars while 3.2 million people watched. Comparatively, when Armstrong touched down on the moon 43 years ago, it was watched by 600 million people. These numbers prove that as intriguing as exploration is, we are truly inspired by those faced with incredible danger who show courage and self-sacrice for the greater good. Its hard to do that sitting in front of a monitor some 33 million miles away from your robotic camera on Mars. According to USA Today, when the Obama administration canceled NASAs plans to return to the moon, Armstrong was so dismayed that, in the nal years of his life, he gave up his cherished privacy to voice frequent and loud criticism of the decision. The state of NASAs human-spaceexploration plans, he told Congress last fall, is lamentable, embarrassing and unacceptable. Of the many pictures that decorate my ofce walls, there is only one dedicated to a machine. Im not sure how to categorize my 3rd Grade Super Scientist Award, but the rest highlight people. Some are actors from Star Trek, Babylon 5, and Star Wars. Others have worked on art or animation of space. One of my favorites is a Louis Vuitton ad, with Sally Ride, Buzz Aldrin, and Jim Lovell sitting on the hood of a car staring up at a full moon. The tagline reads, Some journeys change mankind forever. As we honor the lives of Neil Armstrong and Sally Ride, may we always remember that the full beauty of any journey is only known to the one who takes it.
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DOMESTICALLY
Back to school
Shopping in the Girls section. Please dont call security.
Im working as a teaching artist at a high school this fall, costuming a production of The Women. Im spending my evenings and weekends putting together 1930s ensembles for 25 adolescent girls. Roughly half of them are a size zero. Its alarming. Their skirts look like they were made for Cabbage Patch dolls. I said so. None of them knew what a Cabbage Patch doll was. If youre a large adult male who loves having to defend your actions to complete strangers, I suggest spending your free time browsing the Girls section at various discount clothing stores. You will be provided with the opportunity to explain yourself repeatedly, while holding tiny little blouses in your fumbling hands. Your explanation about a high school play may be greeted with an arched eyebrow if you, like me, do not look like the sort of person who would ever be allowed any responsibility of any kind, especially around minors. In my case, it isnt because I look dangerous. Its because I look mildly befuddled at all times, and tend to get shaky when challenged. Im the sort of person youd think twice before handing something fragile, like a vase, or a souf, or a childs education. I got the gig from my friend Shelly, who used to bring me in to work on shows at the public school where she was teaching. Then she got a job at a fancy private school, and was kind enough to bring me along, like how Andy Richter made the move when Conan went from NBC to TBS. But because this is a fancy private school, the hiring practices are much more involved. I cant just be the random guy in paint-splattered pants wandering the halls. This school insisted I assume the role of an actual staff member. Filling out the paperwork made me realize Im only marginally t to live in society. Regarding the criminal background check: Okay, you should know I changed my name when my husband and I got married, and the IRS and Social Security ofce found that really confusing, so sometimes it looks like Ive only been alive for the last three years. Regarding the credit check: Heres the
DISTURBED
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
thing. Im a writer. And Ive had cancer. So, um, I dont pass credit checks. For anything. I once got rejected for a membership at a video store because of my credit. Regarding my education: I really, really meant to nish high school. But, you know how things just keep getting moved down the priority list? I do have an honorary diploma from an arts school in California. Regarding the Staff Online Reputation Policy: You should probably know that I professionally impersonate Dixie Carter, so if the kids Google me thats gonna come up. I remember being 12 years old and realizing I had already engaged in enough odd behavior to take me out of the running for president of the United States. Even if I turned it around and handled myself perfectly from that point forward, Id already delivered a book report on Not Without My Daughter while wearing a burka, and Id never make it through the primaries with that story following me. When I was 14, I gave up any thought of becoming a Methodist minister when I discovered how much I liked kissing other boys although, fun side note, the boy I liked kissing became a gay Episcopal priest and I abandoned my dream of being a teacher at 16 when I just couldnt stand another day of high school. That, incidentally, was why I wanted to be a teacher. I hoped to be the sort of teacher who compelled kids like me not to quit school. But amazingly, despite my being a total HR nightmare, the fancy private school added me to their staff. And now Im working with young people. Its not teaching in the traditional sense, but thats tting because I dont do traditional very well. I take a tremendous amount of pride in having lunch in the faculty dining room. And I smile real big when I explain to the saleslady, No, really. Im a teacher. Do you have this in a size zero?