Professional Documents
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The Georgia Voice - 4/16/10 Vol. 1, Issue 3
The Georgia Voice - 4/16/10 Vol. 1, Issue 3
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
POP QUIZ
Is Tyler Perry’s ‘Madea’ Atlanta’s most
BY THE NUMBERS
WITH JZ
famous drag queen? Page 14
‘Pink Peach’ brings LGBT flicks to Atlanta
6
Film Fest. Page 16 Members of Fred “God Hates Fags” “I would not be surprised if Oprah is
Theater: Joan Crawford has her say in Phelps’ family who protested gay. If she is, she is. It certainly fits.”
‘Christina Darling.’ Page 18 Drake University over a same-sex — Author Erica Jong, a friend of talk show maven
Books: Lesbian author Fiona Zedde bids marriage forum Oprah Winfrey, as quoted in Kitty Kelley’s new
book, “Oprah: A Biography.” (USA Today, April 11)
Atlanta farewell. Page 19
500
Events: Benefits offer fun while helping Protesters who turned
those with HIV. Page 21 out April 10 to counter
the Phelps clan
COMMUNITY
17
HRC Dinner honors Bravo’s Andy Cohen
and local heroes. Page 21
Photo via website
$120 million
CALENDAR iew at ence. They feel that anything that
t h e GAVO IC E .co m causes fear, should be turned
Pages 25-26
Estimated Social Security survivor benefits
away from. My brother repre-
theGAVOICE.com “I was on the debate team in school and was
sented fear for so many people,
that LGBT taxpayers are deprived of each on a trip. There were some girls in the hotel we
• Breaking news as it happens year; surviving partners lose were in and I had a pack of Oreo cookies and was but caused joy in my life.”
• Calendar and daily event highlights an average $5,700 each like, ‘hey baby, do you want a cookie?’ They said, — Actor Colin Farrell on his love for his gay
• Photo albums and video galleries ‘yeah’ so I pelted them with cookies. Later they brother, Eamon, who suffered intense bullying
Sources: Des Moines Register,
• Share ‘Your News’ and ‘Your Voice’ called my hotel room asking for ‘Oreo Boy.’’ while growing up in Ireland. (The Sun, April 12)
University of Washington study, PR Newswire
4 GA Voice April 16, 2010 News www.theGAVoice.com
Reed seeks renewed relationship with LGBT Atlantans to help change that.
Atlanta mayor hopes his actions After his administration is finalized and Atlan-
and record will mend rift from ta Pride is over in October, he hopes to convene
gay leaders to discuss the idea of putting on a gay
bruising campaign rights conference similar to Philadelphia’s Equal-
ity Forum, which the city would help sponsor.
By Laura Douglas-Brown “I want to see if it is something that leaders
lbrown@thegavoice.com in the GLBT community will both embrace and
support,” Reed said. “I don’t want anyone to feel
After more than a decade in the state legisla- like my desire to do this is political in nature.”
ture, new Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has some Reed also hopes to continue to influence the
advice for advancing LGBT rights: Don’t under- state legislature, listing “continued vigilance
estimate the value of allies and a good defense, about issues related to gay adoption” and a state
but also don’t be afraid to lose a vote on proac- statute to end employment discrimination against
tive legislation. LGBT people as priorities.
“Even during times that the governor may “That’s why I hope that over time, through
veto your items or the future seems a long way the example that I live, that the citizens in the
away, you have to keep getting votes, because GLBT community will understand that while
that is how you develop a path to winning. Keep I haven’t taken the positions around marriage
putting it up there,” Reed told the Georgia Voice equality [they would like] … I had a pretty good
in a wide-ranging interview last week. record in the Senate and House that I think con-
“If you keep your test votes, you have a base- tinues to be useful, and I am certainly willing
line of where you are on an issue that is vital to the to be an advocate on a range of issues as I have
community,” he said. “And by not pressing, you been,” he said.
lose the sharpness that is required for true change,
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says he brings a phi-
and you don’t know who your friends are.” MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com losophy of ‘full integration’ to his administration,
Responding to the Eagle raid
Reed knows of what he speaks. As a mem- There is also plenty to do here at the city lev-
while helping advance LGBT rights in the state.
ber of the Georgia General Assembly, he spon- • Video interview with Mayor Kasim Reed el. Despite Atlanta’s progressive policies, Reed
(Photo by Bo Shell)
sored the House version of the hate crimes bill took office with the city embroiled in its biggest
that passed in 2000. A longtime goal of LGBT gay controversy in years.
lobbyists, the measure was the first major piece you are creating an environment where you will Still, many prominent gay leaders backed Responding to two anonymous citizen com-
of pro-gay legislation in state history to become never get there, because folks that are with you in Norwood, and Reed acknowledges that while he plaints alleging drugs and sexual activity at the
law — and the last. their hearts don’t think that they are appreciated.” won the election by the slimmest of margins, he Eagle, a gay leather bar, the Atlanta Police Depart-
To avoid a fight over including sexual orien- lost District 6 – home to Atlanta’s highest con- ment initiated a months-long undercover investi-
tation by name, the hate crimes law addressed ‘Painful’ split centration of gay voters – by a landslide. gation that culminated in a September 2009 raid.
crimes motivated by “bias or prejudice.” In 2004, Reed’s advice that LGBT Georgians need to “Despite having a record that I think was More than two dozen officers, including
it was struck down by the state Supreme Court value and support allies is partially personal: Giv- overwhelmingly stronger than any other indi- the paramilitary Red Dog unit, stormed the bar,
for being too vague, one of two major blows in a en his record in the General Assembly, he hoped vidual in the race, and having a record that is forcing patrons to lie on the floor for more than
brutal year for gay Georgians that also included gay voters would flock to his mayoral campaign. stronger than any sitting elected official in the an hour while officers searched them and ran
passage of a state constitutional amendment ban- But what constitutes being an LGBT ally in state,” he added. background checks on their identification. Sev-
ning same-sex marriage. the state legislature turned out to not be the same Months later, Reed is clearly still stung by eral patrons at the bar also said they were treated
Reed was elected to the state House in 1998, as in the Atlanta mayoral race, where all of the the rejection. During the course of a 45-minute roughly and endured anti-gay epithets in the raid,
and served two terms before running for the state other serious candidates backed gay marriage. interview, he repeatedly returned to the subject, which is now the subject of a federal lawsuit al-
Senate, where he served from 2002 until 2009, While Reed insists that he believes in “abso- stressing that he remains a strong ally on lesbian leging civil rights violations.
when he resigned to focus on his bid to move lute full legal equality” for gay couples, he sup- and gay issues, and he hopes gay residents won’t Reed, who criticized the raid as a candidate,
down a block to Atlanta City Hall. ports those rights through the separate status of judge him only by his stand on their marriage drew fire from some LGBT Atlantans last month
During those years, he was also part of a co- civil unions – not marriage. rights, which he continues to oppose. when he referred to the lawsuit as a “financial
alition of progressive legislators, mostly intown “I believe that gay and lesbian couples should “I look at my relationship with the LGBT threat” to the city. The remark was made in a
Democrats, who fought hard to defeat the mar- have every right and benefit that married couples community as an 11-year relationship, not a six much longer written statement about the raid is-
riage amendment. They also mobilized to fight have, but I do have reservations when it comes to month relationship so … I would hope that we sued to WSB-TV.
an expected ban on gay adoptions, which has marriage — that is my position today,” Reed said have a position going forward where we don’t Of the many lessons that Reed has learned
been rumored in every legislative session since in his April 7 interview with the Georgia Voice. throw our relationship away over that issue,” since becoming mayor, one is that he can’t speak
2004, but has not yet materialized into a full- “I continue to suffer the consequences that Reed said. as freely as he did on the campaign trail.
blown fight. come with it, repeatedly, and it is painful to me, And there is plenty of work to be done. The “Once you become mayor, my actions and
“If you did not have a cadre of individuals but I know that there are folks that feel that my city of Atlanta is an oasis for LGBT people in the my words take on a level of impact that you don’t
[in the legislature] who support the LGBT com- position is painful to them,” he said. state and the region, offering an inclusive non- have when you are a candidate,” Reed said last
munity … you would have a level of hostility di- The stand was enough to drive many gay discrimination policy, a domestic partner registry week, when asked about the comment. “There
rected at lesbian and gay people that would have and lesbian voters to support Reed’s two chief for city residents, and domestic partner benefits is active litigation going on with monetary dam-
had a chilling effect citywide,” Reed said. opponents in the mayoral race, City Council for city employees. ages, and I lead a city that is in pretty tough fi-
LGBT Georgians can’t take those lawmakers President Lisa Borders and City Councilmem- While a handful of smaller jurisdictions in the nancial straits.”
for granted, he added. ber Mary Norwood. Georgia Equality endorsed metro Atlanta area have enacted similar policies, “When we get a judgment against us, we are
“I think the first mistake is to not embrace and Borders in the general election, then declined much of the rest of the state is a relative desert just like a private company and we have to write
treat your base well,” Reed said. “And if you be- to issue an endorsement in the runoff election when it comes to gay rights.
lieve that the work your base does is easy, then between Reed and Norwood. Reed says he is willing to use his bully pulpit Please see MAYOR on Page 6
www.theGAVoice.com April 16, 2010 GA Voice 5
6 GA Voice April 16, 2010 News www.theGAVoice.com
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www.theGAVoice.com National News April 16, 2010 GA Voice 11
Justice Stevens: a Republican who grew liberal with the times Kagan, Sears could
Retiring Supreme Court Lawrence v. Texas opinion, Kennedy “drew
heavily on Steven’s seventeen-year-old opinion” be opposed as too
justice was key vote for LGBT in Bowers v. Hardwick.
The case pitted Georgia Attorney General gay-supportive for
rights; authored dissent in Ga. Michael Bowers against Michael Hardwick, a
anti-sodomy case
gay Atlanta man who was arrested for sodomy
in his own home when police entered to serve a
Supreme Court
warrant for a minor, unrelated matter. Two possible re-
By Lisa Keen The Supreme Court upheld the Georgia law, placements for retir-
Keen News Service which banned all anal and oral sex but was pri- ing Justice John Paul
marily used against gay people. Stevens could draw
Some court observers credit U.S. Supreme Stevens vehemently opposed the decision. fire from conservative
Court Justice John Paul Stevens with having He joined the primary dissent, written by organizations for their
forged a majority of the court to overturn laws then-Justice Harry Blackmun, and then penned stands on gay issues.
banning private sexual relations between persons his own dissent, joined by Justices William President Obama’s
of the same sex — the most beneficial gay-related Brennan and Thurgood Marshall. short list of potential
decision ever rendered by the Supreme Court. In his fiery dissent, Stevens harshly criticized Retiring Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, nominees holds fewer Former Georgia
Stevens, who turns 90 on April 20, announced the majority for ignoring the plain language of who turns 90 this week, is viewed as the leader of than 10 names, accord- Supreme Court Justice
April 9 that he would retire from the high court at the Georgia law prohibiting sodomy — that it the more liberal wing of the high court. ing to ABC News. They Leah Sears.
the end of June. prohibited oral or anal sex for any couple, gay (Photo courtesy Supreme Court)
include former Geor- (Publicity photo)
In a one-paragraph letter to President Obama, or straight. gia Supreme Court
Stevens said he had concluded that “it would The sodomy law, said Stevens, was “an Centrist to liberal Chief Justice Leah Sears and U.S. Solicitor General
be in the best interests of the Court to have my unconstitutional intrusion into [Michael Hard- For most of his tenure on the court, Stevens Elena Kagan, ABC reported, along with Homeland
successor appointed and confirmed well in ad- wick’s] privacy and his right of intimate associa- was a relative moderate who leaned liberal. With Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Court of Ap-
vance of the commencement of the Court’s next tion does not depend in any way on his sexual more consistently liberal justices — Brennan, peals Judge Diane Wood, and DC Court of Appeals
term.” orientation.” Marshall, and Blackmun — on the court, Ste- Judge Merrick Garland.
The announcement triggered a storm of me- If the right to privacy means anything, wrote vens seemed centrist. Sears was known for her strong stands on gay
dia attention that is not likely to subside anytime Stevens, “it means that, before Georgia can pros- By 1991, after Brennan and Marshall retired, issues during her tenure on the Georgia Supreme
soon as President Obama prepares to nominate ecute its citizens for making choices about the Stevens inevitably began to appear more liberal, Court, from which she retired in June 2009. Her
his second candidate for the nation’s highest most intimate aspects of their lives, it must do relative to the increasingly conservative court. legal opinions, including voting with the majority
court. The nomination will almost certainly trig- more than assert that the choice they have made But his vote also became more consistently lib- to overturn Georgia’s sodomy law and her opposi-
ger another storm — this one on Capitol Hill, is an ‘abominable crime not fit to be named eral, and he began to take a leadership role. tion to the process by which Georgia’s constitu-
where Republicans have dug in to oppose nearly among Christians.’” He voted with the majority in Romer v. Ev- tion was amended to ban gay marriage, made her
everything the Obama administration and Dem- The Hardwick decision had not only upheld ans in 1996, agreeing that Colorado’s initiative the target of conservatives who tried unsuccess-
ocratic majority in Congress is trying to pass. laws prohibiting private sexual relations between banning any legal protection based on sexual fully to unseat her.
But the news also inspired an outpouring of people of the same gender, it had been used in a orientation was unconstitutional. Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s opposition to
praise for Stevens as one of the Supreme Court’s wide variety of arenas to justify further discrimi- And though, a year earlier, he had agreed with the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban was a key
oldest and longest-serving justices. nation based on sexual orientation. a unanimous court, in Hurley v. Irish-American issue for opponents when she was confirmed to
Gay rights groups joined in the praise. The Gay Group, that the organizers of a St. Patrick’s the Obama administration post last year, and will
Human Rights Campaign called Stevens “fair- Other gay cases Day parade in Boston had a First Amendment surface again should she be nominated to the
minded” and Lambda Legal Defense & Edu- Stevens’ position in Hardwick was not a big right to ban a contingent of gays, he wrote the high court, the Wall Street Journal reported.
cation Fund hailed him as a “true visionary” to surprise: In 1976, one year after he was appointed dissent in 2000, in Boy Scouts v. Dale, opposing As dean of the Harvard Law School, in 2005,
whom the LGBT community “owes much.” to the court by Republican President Gerald Ford, the majority’s decision that said the Boy Scouts Kagan joined an amicus brief that argued that
“He has been a strong, clear, and consistent he, Brennan and Marshall said they thought the of America had a First Amendment right to dis- law schools like Harvard should be able to bar
voice for the rights of gay people and other mi- court should hear an appeal challenging Virginia’s criminate against gay scout leaders. military recruiters, because the military does not
norities, the disabled, reproductive freedom, and law against same-sex sodomy; but a majority af- Hurley had only a “superficial similarity” follow the gay-inclusive non-discrimination policy
free speech,” said Jon Davidson, legal director at firmed the law without hearing arguments. to Boy Scouts, said Stevens. Whereas a gay the schools required of private employers who
Lambda Legal. In June 1987, Stevens was with the majority contingent could be said to convey a message wished to recruit on their campuses.
in Houston v. Ray Hill, which overturned a city when participating in a parade, the same could “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is “a profound wrong —
Opposing sodomy laws ordinance in Houston that was used to stifle pro- not be said of a single gay scout leader joining a moral injustice of the first order,” Kagan wrote
It was 2003 when the greatest chunk of LGBT tests by a gay activist, Ray Hill, against police the Boy Scouts. in an email to law school students and faculty at
Americans’ debt to Stevens was sealed. harassment of gays. “Being openly gay,” said Stevens, “commu- the time, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist and But 10 days later, Stevens joined the majority nicates a message — for example, that openness During the confirmation process for Kagan
two other justices wanted to uphold the Texas in ruling that the U.S. Olympic Committee did about one’s sexual orientation is more virtuous to become attorney general, Sen. John Cornyn
sodomy law in Lawrence v. Texas, according to not violate the First Amendment rights of Gay than concealment; that a homosexual person can (R-Texas) asked her in writing if she believed the
court historian Jeffrey Toobin. But Stevens, the Games organizers by preventing them from call- be a capable and virtuous person who should be U.S. Constitution guaranteed gay couples the
ranking justice on the other side of the issue, was ing their gay sports event the “Gay Olympics.” judged like anyone else; and that homosexuality right to marry.
against it. In 1988, he voted with a majority that said is not immoral — but it certainly does not follow “There is no federal constitutional right to
“Stevens wisely assigned [Justice Anthony] the Central Intelligence Agency’s firing of an that they necessarily send a message on behalf same-sex marriage,” Kagan said, according to
Kennedy to write the opinion” for overturning the employee because he was gay was subject to of the organizations that sponsor the activities in the Journal.
law, wrote Toobin, in his 2007 book “The Nine.” judicial review, and he voted with a unanimous which they excel,” Stevens wrote. Last year, the Christian Coalition of America
In fact, Toobin suggests, Stevens studiously court ruling that upheld the procedure used to The potential impact of the retirement will called Kagan “dangerous to America.”
chose Kennedy for the assignment as a way of fire an employee of the National Security Agen- be measured once President Obama nominates
shoring up Kennedy’s vote for those who wanted cy who acknowledged having homosexual rela- a replacement; the nominee must be confirmed — Laura Douglas-Brown
to overturn the law. And in writing the historic tions with citizens of other countries. by the Senate.
12 GA Voice April 16, 2010 Voices www.theGAVoice.com
EDITORIAL
Editor: Laura Douglas-Brown
lbrown@thegavoice.com
Deputy Editor: Dyana Bagby
Damage to city’s ing to hold the resolution indefinitely, pending
the outcome of the civil lawsuit against the city,
even though that could take years to settle.
dbagby@thegavoice.com reputation, budget Since then, they’ve already been found not
guilty, but maybe the resolution will still pass
Web Manager: Ryan Watkins
rwatkins@thegavoice.com could have been limited in three years? And only after a court of law
has found the city in the wrong will the council
SPEAKING OUT
The real problem with the
Roman Catholic Church is…
Editor’s note: These comments on Georgia
Voice articles were submitted via our
Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thega-
Re: “Catholic leader says church has ‘homo-
sexual problem’” (thegavoice.com, March 31)
voice). Want to weigh in? Follow us there or
submit comments on our website.
If the church really had a “homosexual
problem” the vestments would be more stylish LETTER
and updated.
Parents should admire
The church has a pedophilia problem, not a gay prom teen’s courage
“gay” problem. The church also has a raping
and impregnating problem – just ask the wom-
To the editors:
en of Alaska.
Thank you for the excellent article regarding
I think gays have a Catholic problem. Why Derrick Martin (“Prom King,”April 2). The sto-
are any of us still there, giving money and time ry of this young man and his boyfriend is truly
to a group that hates us? Leave, people. an inspiration to all people gay or straight.
I was saddened to read about his parent’s re-
The church says that homosexuality is not action by pushing him to leave the family home.
a sin but that homosexual acts are a sin. It also No matter what a child has done, that person is
teaches that sexual intercourse outside the always a son or daughter needing compassion,
bonds of a church marriage between a man and love and security.
a woman is a sin, and that sex inside a marriage From the raw courage Derrick expresses in
is only for procreation. Unfortunately all three the article as well as his responses to anti-gay
of these positions are totally anti-human. slurs and treatment by some members of the
The Vatican had better realize that what it Cochran community, it appears he has a strong
has is a “crisis of faith” problem that could self will and level head to make it on his own.
destruct the better part of their organization if It is truly a distressing day when parents
they don’t stop trying to pass blame and find don’t behave as parents and follow the judg-
some way to acknowledge and honestly con- ment or beliefs they may have been raised on
front their biggest threat since Constantine made without seeing the biggest picture of all and that
them the state religion of the Roman Empire. is of their son.
How many Temples of Apollo are there these
days? Nothing is guaranteed to last forever. Alan Akin, Atlanta
16 GA Voice April 16, 2010 A&E www.theGAVoice.com
‘Handsome Harry’
Sat., April 17, 7:15 p.m.
Wed., April 21, 2:25 p.m.
thinks‘Pink’
such as the National Organization for Marriage.
The church, which once faced persecution for its Illustrating the fine line between truth and fic-
belief in polygamy, pressured its adherents to do- tion, “Mother Earth” (“Tierra Madre”) and “Who
nate sacrificially. Saw Him” (“Chi L’ha Visto”), listed as narrative
Both sides get their say but the film’s sympa- films, are largely true stories of their lesbian and
thies are never in doubt. gay protagonists.
In “Mother Earth” Aidee Gonzalez narrates
‘The Battle of Pussy Willow Creek’ and recreates her story matter-of-factly. Director
‘Pink Peach’ programming brings LGBT flicks to broad festival Sat., April 17, 2:20 p.m. Dylan Verrechia drains most of the drama from
Tues., April 20, 12:20 p.m. a gut-wrenching tale that has enough for several
The Atlanta Film Festival, which runs April ‘8: The Mormon Proposition’ seasons of a telenovela.
15-23, again includes a “Pink Peach” component, Friday, April 16, 9:20 p.m. Filmmakers in attendance (both shows): Writ- A Mexican, Aidee has two children by differ-
with six features and two short film collections of Wednesday, April 21, 7:10 p.m. er/Director/Producer Wendy Jo Cohen, Assistant ent men. One abandons her, the other marries her
special interest to LGBT viewers. to the Director Joe Braun, Actor Tim Cusack, but is shot as a drug runner. She supports herself
The massive festival drew more than 21,000 Documentaries aren’t usually tearjerkers but Casting Director/Actor Luisa Battista and her children by pole dancing. Rosalba intro-
attendees in 2009, according to organizers. Now “8: The Mormon Proposition” evokes tears of joy “The Battle of Pussy Willow Creek” is a riot duces Aidee to the pleasures of women. They live
in its 34th year, it will screen more than 160 films, in scenes of same-sex weddings in California, fol- for history buffs, not usually known for their sense together until Rosalba wants a child and goes off
ranging from documentaries to animation, and ev- lowed by tears of rage at the hateful tactics used of humor. Wendy Jo Cohen has made real docu- with the man who fathers it.
erything in between. by the Mormon church to pass Proposition 8, put- mentaries for the Discovery and History channels “Mother Earth” looks like a black-and-white
The festival opened April 15 with a gala pre- ting a ban on same-sex marriage into the Califor- so she knows the drill and could have fun with it. home movie but better.
sentation of the civil rights film “Freedom Riders,” nia constitution. The fictitious skirmish occurred simultane-
and closes April 23 with “Secret to a Happy End- Another film on the subject, “Annul Victory,” ously with the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, ‘Play in the Gray’
ing,” a documentary about the Drive-By Truck- which screened in last year’s Out on Film, was a but was expunged from history because its heroes Sat., April 17, 9:20 p.m.
ers, an Athens-based band. Director Barr Weiss- clumsy collection of home videos, mostly of ral- were considered “examples of human degenera- Mon., April 19, 2:30 p.m.
man and band members will attend the screening lies against Prop. 8. “8: The Mormon Proposition” cy.” A gay man, a former slave, a Chinese septua-
at the 14th Street Playhouse. is the real deal, a professional effort directed by genarian and a whore in men’s clothing saved the Filmmakers in attendance (both shows): Di-
On April 17, there is a special 50th anniversary Reed Cowan, that digs deeper and contains some nation’s capital. rector/Producer Kaitlin Meelia, Director of Com-
screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller real revelations. The story is told by a diverse lot of “experts,” munications Danielle Connor, Editor Ian McFar-
“Psycho” at 9 p.m. in Piedmont Park. All regular Narrated by Mormon-born, Oscar-winning most with their own agendas, including “Roger land, Director of Photography Justin Francese
screenings, including the LGBT films, take place “Milk” screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, the film McEntyre, author of ‘Prejudice and Pride: A His- It’s 11 o’clock. Do you know what gender
at the Landmark Midtown Arts Cinema. features Spencer Jones and Tyler Barrick, a Mor- tory of Gays in the Military.’” your children are?
Two of the best festival features we’ve pre- mon couple who’d been together for six years and The humor is droll and deadpan, accessible to Kaitlin Meelia’s “Play in the Gray” is a portrait
viewed are in the “Pink” section but have cross- married in San Francisco the day it became legal. all; but the more familiar you are with real docu- of the Boston-based All The Kings Men (www.
over appeal. “8” focuses on the campaign orchestrated and mentaries the more you’ll enjoy this spoof. ATKM.com), described as “a drag theatre troupe
www.theGAVoice.com A&E April 16, 2010 GA Voice 17
SPRING BREAK AT PIEDMONT BARK ma, I’d be interested to see how she turned out.
Onstage Atlanta
2597 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033
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As for using wire hangers, if you could see 404-245-4205
what they can do to a good dress, you can un- www.theprocesstheatre.org
derstand why I never use them!
FULL-SERVICE!
Yes. Anyone who had read my autobiogra-
Ms. Crawford, have you always had a strong phy knows I started as a dancer. I am delighted
relationship with gay men? to introduce or reintroduce dance to my fans.
I love all my gay fans. In Hollywood Billy It’s been so long since I danced. But it’s work
Haines was a true and loyal friend, and loyalty hard, Jimmy. Hard work!
³0LOHV\HDUROG is a precious thing. His partner Jimmy, they had
the best of what a marriage can be. I did not Is Bette Davis attending opening night?
experience that until later in my life. I have not heard that. It would be so kind
of her! Encountering Bette is always such a
Is it true that you dance in this show? memorable experience!
H R
R
O
CES
HE
Annual dinner honors Ebonee Bradford-Barnes and
Bravo’s Andy Cohen, local Anita Barnes were legally married March
7, 2010, in Washington, D.C. The couple was
stars Rep. Simone Bell Bravo’s Andy Cohen, the gay man behind such hits
married by Bishop Rainey Cheeks at Inter Light
Ministries. They were the 121st couple to marry
as ‘Project Runway’ and the ‘Real Housewives’
and Vandy Beth Glenn franchise, receives HRC’s National Visibility Award
at the May 1 Atlanta dinner. He is honored along-
after same-sex marriage became legal in the
District of Columbia last month.
side local residents Rep. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta)
By Dyana Bagby and Vandy Beth Glenn. (Cohen photo courtesy Celebrating a MILESTONE? Share your engage-
dbagby@thegavoice.com Bravo, file photos) ments, weddings, births, adoptions, anniversaries,
birthdays and other events! Announcements can be up
The Atlanta Human Rights Campaign gala MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com to 200 words and can include a photo. E-mail editor@
thegavoice.com with your milestone and contact info
dinner brings in star power this year with Bra- to see your name in print!
vo’s Andy Cohen. Atlanta HRC Gala Dinner & Silent Auction
Saturday, May 1, 6 p.m.
Cohen is the man behind all of “The Real Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Housewives” shows, as well as “Top Chef” and ally invested in showing just every color of the 265 Peachtree St. NE a summary judgment motion, but the judge has
“Project Runway.” He also hosts “Watch What rainbow so to speak in terms of who people are Tickets: $200 general admission not ruled on it.
Happens: Live,” Bravo’s late night, interactive, rather than what they are,” Cohen said, noting $100 clergy, students, elected officials, Also last year, Glenn traveled to Washington
weekly talk show. In essence, he is everywhere that he takes a similar approach to his own life. parents attending with children to testify before the U.S. House of Representa-
in the pop culture spotlight. “I don’t want to hit people over the head www.atlantahrcdinner.org tives Committee on Education & Labor about
For living as an openly gay celebrity and with a hammer that I’m gay. But I have a gay the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The
businessman at a television network known for point of view with a gay sensibility,” he says. that strives to do a lot fighting for our rights — legislation would prohibit discrimination on the
its gay-inclusive programming, HRC will pres- this is just another amazing thing to happen in basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
ent Cohen with the National Visibility Award at Local activists recognized the midst of so many amazing things.” While a rift still exists between some in the
its 23rd Atlanta dinner on May 1. Cohen isn’t the only star being recognized Bell says she is proud to be honored by an transgender community and HRC after the na-
The black-tie dinner at the Hyatt Regency for achievements. This year, the HRC Atlanta LGBT community group and she hopes to con- tional organization in the past agreed to support
Atlanta hotel features a silent auction, dinner Dinner Committee honors local residents Van- tinue making all communities proud with her ENDA when it did not include gender identity
and speakers. It raises funds to support HRC’s dy Beth Glenn and state Rep. Simone Bell (D- work in the legislature. and gender expression, Glenn says today every-
national work for LGBT equality. Atlanta). “Right now I have to stay focused on the one is on board with an inclusive agenda and
“I think Bravo has a great evolution in portray- Bell, the first openly lesbian African-Ameri- work that needs to be done. I’m really pleased it’s time to move forward together.
ing gay people … gay people are not on Bravo can to serve in a state legislature, will receive the the community is behind me and I wouldn’t be “I think the past should stay in the past. It’s
because they’re gay but because they are talented Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award not only for here without the help of so many people. I just time for us all to join hands and move forward,”
or interesting,” Cohen said in a recent conference her historic achievement but also for her years hope I can continue to make our communities she said.
call with several Atlanta media outlets. working on a broad range of policy and legis- proud,” she says. She hopes that the award and her ongoing
“If you look at our shows over the past four lative issues. They include workplace equality, Being a state representative is “hard, de- battle with the General Assembly will help oth-
or five years, the roster of gay is high. We’re access to affordable healthcare, fighting HIV/ manding work,” she adds, “but I’m loving it.” ers understand the discrimination transgender
proud of that. And HRC and Bravo being like- AIDS stigma and discrimination, safe schools Glenn will receive the Leon Allen and Win- people face.
minded — we are. HRC’s mission is America for all children, youth empowerment, LGBT ston Johnson Community Service Award for her “I’m very honored and very humbled and
being a place where all gay men and lesbians rights, and women’s issues. courage in suing the Georgia General Assembly grateful to my heroic attorneys because no one
and transgender people are full members of “Probably in the moment of the evening it after she was fired from her job as a legislative would have heard of my case without them,”
American society. Bravo portrays that world will all rush down on me — this is definitely editor when she told her boss she intended to she says.
without editorialization and without fanfare,” a great honor,” Bell says during a brief break transition to female. “I hope this raises awareness that transgen-
he says. from working under the Gold Dome. Glenn is represented by Lambda Legal in der people get treated like this all the time and
As a network, Bravo has “always been re- “HRC is one of our national organizations the federal lawsuit. Last year her attorneys filed it needs to stop.”
22 GA Voice April 16, 2010 www.theGAVoice.com
2 0 1 0 AT L A N TA H U M A N R I G H T S C A M P A I G N
GALA DINNER & AUCTION
LOCAL SPONSORS N AT I O N A L S P O N S O R S
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24 GA Voice April 16, 2010 Community www.theGAVoice.com
Families trust Sunrise as their new Atlanta Women’s All About Business
Networking. (Photo courtesy Facebook)
Courtesy PBS
Friday, April 16- xx Girls present their An
Traxx Atlanta and b
into the wee hours at Clu
Friday, April 23 Vivica A. Fox. Party lasts
Courtesy AGMC
theme “Luxury Midtown in the Sky,” featuring high- takes to the internet every Monday night from 8-10
via Mixon Myspace
AIDS Vaccine 200 Party & Silent Auction raises rise condos. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. p.m. Listen in at www.exceptionalradio.com; for
funds for the upcoming 200-mile bike ride, which on Sunday. www.midtowntowntourofhomes.com more information, visit www.meakproductions.com
benefits the Emory Vaccine Center. Includes DJ
Todd Skelton and food by Keith Hand of Bridge Sunday, April 18 Tuesday, April 20
Catering. 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. at Urban Body Studios, Forget “Dancing with the Stars.” The first annual LGBT activist Betty Couvertier hosts “Alterna-
Sunday, April 18 730 Ponce de Leon Place, Atlanta, GA , 30306, Southern Pride Dance EXPO is set for noon to 4 tive Perspectives” every Tuesday at 7 p.m. on
www.actioncycling.org p.m. at the Academy Ballroom, 800 Miami Circle, WRFG, 89.3 FM. www.wrfg.org
Lesbian singer-songwriter Renee Mixon Atlanta, GA 30324, southernpridedancesport.com
heats up the patio at Cowtippers. 3 p.m. –
7 p.m. at 1600 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA
The 21st annual Boybutante Ball has the theme
of “Fairy Tails” and raises funds for AIDS Athens. Noni’s Deli kicks off its Sunsets on the Patio with CONTINUED
30324, www.reneemixon.com 9 p.m. at the 40 Watt Club, 285 W. Washington St.,
Athens, GA 30601, www.boybutante.org
DJ Vicki Powell. 5 p.m. to midnight at Noni’s, 357
Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312. www.nonisdeli.com ON PAGE 26
26 GA Voice April 16, 2010 Calendar www.theGAVoice.com
EVENTS UPCOMING
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