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05.28.10
NEWS
OUTSPOKENIN THEIR OWN WORDS
Atlanta police want to sweeten relation-
ship with LGBT community. Page 4

(Cover of Dec. 28 issue of The Nation, a Malawi newspaper)

First federal hate crimes conference
held in Atlanta. Page 6
Ga. Senate race pits longtime ally
against gay-friendly newcomer. Page 8
Savannah LGBT rights rally attracts
hundreds. Page 8
LGBT immigration forum focuses on
Asian Americans. Page 8
White House endorses plan to repeal
‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Page 11
Where Georgia’s congressional delega- “I will give you a scaring sentence
tion stands on DADT, ENDA. Page 11 so that the public be protected
Photo courtesy Chely.com

VOICES from people like you, so that we

“When I first moved to Nashville, I worked at Opryland and there are not tempted to emulate this
Editorial: It will take more than a breakfast to horrendous example.”
restore trust in APD’s LGBT liaison. Page 12
are a lot of gay boys running around at those themeparks. I was
afraid there was some identifiable factor in me that they could —Judge Nyakwawa Usiwa-Usiwa of Malawi, sen-
Speaking Out: Readers react to Regular
Guys, Shirt Off My Back campaign. Page 13 pick up on, that they might know that I was gay.” tencing gay couple Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge
Chimbalangato to 14 years in prison under hard
— Country singer Chely Wright, who recently came out, in a candid interview last week with labor for “gross indecency.” The couple’s public
A&E Oprah Winfrey (“Oprah” via ContactMusic.com, May 19) engagement ceremony is believed to be the first
for the nation, where homosexuality is illegal.
All-night party to create what Back- Amnesty International has deemed the couple

BY THE
street would have been. Page 15 prisoners of conscience. (BBC News, May 20)

NUMBERS
Theater: Find forbidden ‘Loot’ at “How can they get 14 years simply
OnStage Atlanta. Page 16 for loving one another? Even if they
Sports: Atlanta Bucks rugby team is are jailed for 20 years you can’t
Bingham Cub bound. Page 17 change their sexuality.”

2
Openly gay bishops in the
Books: Atlanta therapist delves into
‘lesbian bed death.’ Page 19
Episcopal Church, after Rev. — Grift Trapence, a leader of the human rights
Canon Mary Glasspool was group Centre for Development of People, in
Malawi (BBC News, May 20)
COMMUNITY consecrated May 15.

7
“Just over one year

(Photo courtesy U.S. House)

Atlanta Cotillion pits debs in race to raise Years since the Episcopal Church
money for HIV fight. Page 21
consecrated its first openly gay ago, when the Iowa
Premiere Party puts ‘festive white’ in the bishop, Rev. Gene Robinson, setting Supreme Court de-
rainbow. Page 22 off a schism in the 77 million-mem- cided to ignore Iowa
Georgia Spotlight: South Georgia Pride,
ber worldwide Anglican Communion law and grant same
Georgia Equality. Page 23 sex couples the

801
Congregations in the ability to get married in our state, I
CALENDAR Anglican Church of North
predicted that the decision, absent
Pages 24-26 America, a rival group
formed by churches opposed to the Epis- action by the state legislature to
theGAVOICE.com copal Church’s increasing gay inclusion enact a marriage license residency
requirement, would turn Iowa into

31
• Breaking news as it happens
• Calendar and daily event highlights Percent of respondents to the gay marriage Mecca.”
• Photo albums and video galleries a recent GA Voice survey
— U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa,) arguing that to pro-
• Share ‘Your News’ and ‘Your Voice’ who said they are currently tect Iowa from gay “altar shoppers,” the state should
active in a church enact a marriage license residency requirement and
facebook.com/thegavoice
twitter.com/thegavoice
amend the state constitution to stop gay marriage.
Sources: Boston Globe, Anglicanchurch.net, thegavoice.com
 4 GA Voice May 28, 2010 News
Can Atlanta police rebuild relationship with the city’s LGBT community?
Trust has eroded significantly over last few years, while some gay groups report positive interactions
By Dyana Bagby
dbagby@thegavoice.com
Senior Patrol Officer Patricia Powell, the new
LGBT liaison for the Atlanta Police Department,
has stopped in at least one gay-owned business to
introduce herself as part of her new duties.
“My initial thought [of Powell] is I’m
impressed,” said Philip Rafshoon, owner of
Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, who said
Powell dropped into his store about two weeks
ago and also attended the Pearl Cleage reading
on May 20.
Mayor Kasim Reed pledged earlier this year
that Atlanta would have at least two fulltime
LGBT police liaisons, but confusion remains
as to whether Powell’s appointment truly ful-
fills that goal.
Officer Dani Lee Harris, who has been the li-
aison for close to five years, was put on indefinite
medical leave on April 16 after she suffered gran
mal seizures months ago. No timetable has been
given for her return.
Harris has also filed a complaint with the po-
lice department’s Office of Professional Standards
and has hired an attorney. Because the complaint
is under investigation, the APD cannot comment.
Harris has declined to publicly speak about it.
Rafshoon, who served on the committee to
make recommendations to Mayor Reed about a
new police chief, was unclear if there are really
two liaisons. Reed appointed George Turner as in-
terim chief and Turner is a finalist for the post.
“I hope [Powell] can get out there — and if
another [liaison] appointment is made, they can
do the same thing,” Rafshoon said.
Does APD really have
two LGBT liaisons?
At a breakfast roundtable on May 19 to intro-
duce Powell to LGBT community leaders, offi-
cials within the department and the mayor’s office
insisted there are two liaisons even though Harris
is currently out.
Attorney Dan Grossman, who represents
patrons of the Atlanta Eagle in a federal lawsuit
alleging their constitutional rights were violated
by APD officers who raided the gay bar in Sep-
tember, asked at the roundtable why Harris was
not invited.
“You are taking credit for two. Do we really
have two?” Grossman asked.
Reese McCranie, the mayor’s deputy com-
munications director, answered that the breakfast
meeting was to introduce Powell to the commu-
nity and that Harris was not invited because she is
on medical leave.
Harris, however, was angry to hear the may-
or’s office claiming two LGBT liaisons when, she
said, her superiors were keeping her from coming
back to work.
“I didn’t know about the meeting [on May 19]
and I want to say I was never relieved from work
Atlanta Police Department LGBT liaison Patricia Pow-
ell met recently with LGBT leaders at a breakfast round-
table. With her is Reese McCranie, the mayor’s deputy
communications director. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)
medically because my doctor said I can work, but
APD is not allowing me to return to work and it is
not medical,” Harris said.
Harris said Major Erika Shields, chief of staff
to the Chief of Police, and the Personnel Depart-
ment were not allowing her to return to work. The
Personnel Department falls under the supervision
of Major Debra Williams, the Corporate Services
Section Commander.
Williams was head of the Red Dog unit that
raided the gay bar the Atlanta Eagle last year
and is now a defendant in a civil suit against
the APD by several patrons of the bar who are
represented by Grossman, Lambda Legal and
the Southern Center for Human Rights. Har-
ris, who was the full-time LGBT liaison for the
APD at the time, was not informed of the raid
until after it happened.
In response to questions submitted via email,
Powell stated there are absolutely two LGBT liai-
sons working for APD.
“There are two LGBT liaisons in the APD
right now. Officer Dani Lee Harris is on a leave of
absence but we expect her to return to her duties
soon,” she said.
“To clarify, Officer Harris has filed a com-
plaint against a civilian employee of the APD, not
the entire police department. That complaint is
under investigation, so I can’t comment further,”
she said.
Eagle owner: Damage
can never be healed
Responding to questions during the commu-
nity breakfast, Powell and other city officials who
MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com
LGBT Liaison Officer Patricia Powell
Office: 404-546-4752
Cell: 404-617-3355
Email: ppowell@atlantaga.gov
attended — including McCranie, Deputy Chief
Ernest Finley and Atlanta Police Foundation Di-
rector of Programs Grant Hawkins — were not
sure what Powell’s duties would be as a second
LGBT liaison.
In her email responses this week, Powell
gave a broad description of her duties.
“As the other LGBT liaison in the department,
I have been tasked with producing a comprehen-
sive plan to engage Atlanta’s LGBT community,
including business leaders, civic groups and visit-
ing with other individuals and venues,” she said.
Powell said she would look for input and
recommendations from LGBT Atlantans to find
ways to improve relations with the APD.
While Powell is apparently making the rounds
of some gay businesses, there is one she has not
yet stopped in to visit — the Atlanta Eagle.
“It would be nice if she put out the effort,
but I don’t expect her to,” said co-owner Robby
Kelley.
Kelley’s business partner and Eagle co-owner
Richard Ramey knows police are needed, but feels
the damage done last year in the raid at his bar can
never be healed. In a March trial, charges were
dismissed against several of the Eagle defendants
arrested for license and permit violations. Others
were found not guilty.
“Sept. 10 [the day of the raid] affected us a
great deal, but we have moved on,” Ramey added.
“I just hope they [the APD] will protect us — they
put their life on the line, but I have to wonder how
fast they react when they hear something hap-
pened at the Eagle.”
www.theGAVoice.com
Our quest to interview
APD’s new LGBT liaison
• Friday, May 7: After learning about Patricia Powell’s
appointment as the new liaison after the May 6 Grady
High School protest, we requested an interview with her.
Her boss, Major Erika Shields, sent an email on May 7,
saying Powell would call on Monday or Tuesday.
• Tuesday, May 11: Powell called, but only to say that an
interview request would have to be handled through the
Public Affairs Department. A formal request for an interview
with Powell was made to Sgt. Curtis Davenport, who
responded that “we hope to accommodate your request by
week’s end.”
• Thursday, May 13: Reese McCranie, deputy director
of communications for Mayor Reed, sent an email
saying, “We’re aiming to provide an interview for you
possibly Wednesday morning [May 19] of next week.
Would that work?” Asked for an earlier time, McCranie
responded, “Due to scheduling and availability, it won’t
be sooner than Wednesday unfortunately.”
• Monday, May 17: McCranie sent an email stating,
“We’re introducing the new APD LGBT liaison to various
community leaders on Wednesday morning. Can you
please join us?” Georgia Voice agrees to attend, but
repeats the request for an interview with Powell.
• Wednesday, May 19: After the community meeting, an
interview with Powell was again requested. McCranie and
Davenport both said that the roundtable was a meeting
with the media.
• Friday, May 21: Georgia Voice emails questions to
Davenport and McCranie on May 21 and again asks for an
interview with Powell. An email to Powell herself asking for
an interview went unanswered.
• Monday, May 24: Late in the day, answers to the ques-
tions sent May 21 were received in an email from Davenport
with the subject: “Answers from GLBT Liason [sic] P. Powell.”
McCranie called to say that Powell was in cadet training all
day on May 24 and May 25 and that was why she was not
available for an interview via phone or in person.
Kelley did say a couple of police officers
who work in his bar’s neighborhood on Ponce
de Leon stopped in after the Eagle raid last year
to apologize.
“They said it just felt odd because they never
had a problem with us,” he said. “Beat police of-
ficers have always been fantastic.”
Kelley also was disturbed Harris was off the
force, at least temporarily, and said she needs to
be reinstated.
“There is a huge, gaping hole in our commu-
nity” and trust with the APD and city government,
he added.
The federal lawsuit against the city and dozens
Please see POLICE, continued on Page 6
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6 GA Voice May 28, 2010 News
Dennis Shepard, father of Matthew Shepard.
(Photo by Dyana Bagby)
First federal hate crimes
conference held in Atlanta
By Dyana Bagby
dbagby@thegavoice.com
More than 300 law enforcement and community or-
ganization representatives attended the inaugural Mat-
thew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention
Act community conference at Georgia State University
on May 18.
Hosted by the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office, the
conference was designed to detail the new federal hate
crimes act signed into law by President Obama on Oct.
28, 2009. According to a registration sheet, 14 members
of the Atlanta Police Department attended, as well as
law enforcement from across the state including Clay-
ton County, Fayette County, Powder Springs, Newnan
and Union City. Atlanta Police Officer Patricia Powell, the
new LGBT liaison for the department, attended.
Atlanta was chosen to host a conference because
Georgia is one of only five states that does not have
a state hate crimes law in effect. The other states are
Arkansas, Indiana, South Carolina and Wyoming.
The 2009 law expanded the 1969 federal hate
crimes law to provide protections for sexual orienta-
tion, gender identity and expression, and disability.
Conference speaker David O’Malley served as
commander of the Laramie, Wyo., police department
in 1998 when Matthew Shepard, a gay college student,
was tortured and killed because of his sexual orienta-
tion. O’Malley told how he was once very anti-gay.
“I would say ‘faggot’ as easily as I said ‘I love you’ to
my kids,” O’Malley said.
But Shepard’s case started a journey for him, he
added, that led him not only to tolerance but to accep-
tance of those different than himself.
“We can start now to make a new ending. I’m ac-
cepting, but in our business we have to be at least toler-
ant,” he said.
Dennis Shepard, Matthew Shepard’s father, made a
rare public speaking appearance at the conference.
“It’s up to you to do your job whether you like it or
not,” he told those in law enforcement.
“As David said, there’s a difference between accep-
tance and tolerance. I know how hard it is for some of
you to accept the law; I know how hard it was for me to
accept originally Matt was gay,” he said.
“But there are people out there who are terrified
… the law is in effect and you are the leading lights in
your community.”
The conference included detailed discussion of the
law and how state and local agencies can work together
with federal agencies when an alleged hate crime oc-
curs in their jurisdiction.
New LGBT police liaison to work on ‘improving relationships’
POLICE, continued from Page 4
of members of the APD continues to move for-
ward, but the city is lagging in its responsibilities,
Grossman said.
“At the present time we are waiting on discov-
ery responses from the city attorneys.  We served
discovery requests on both the city and each of
the individual officer defendants on April 5, and
under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure the re-
sponses were due on May 5,” he said.
What happened to the
Some gay businesses, groups have LGBT Advisory Board?
‘wonderful’ relationship with APD At one time, there was an LGBT advisory
Blake’s on the Park, a gay bar in Midtown,
has a “wonderful” relationship with the APD, ac-
cording to Doug, a manager and bartender who
declined to give his last name
The bar hires off-duty APD officers to work
the door and provide security and it doesn’t
matter if they are gay or straight, Doug said.
“We have a great [relationship]. Whenever we
have issues, they always respond,” he said.
As a business owner in Midtown, Rafshoon
also said he has a good relationship with the APD.
Police officers stop in his store to say hi and shop.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” he said. “I think
the new appointment of a chief will be an oppor-
tunity for the APD to reestablish the relationship
with our community and we can work together.
Whoever it is [the next chief], things like the Eagle
cannot happen again. There is a lot of strengthen-
ing of relationships and communications between
the LGBT community and the APD that needs to
take place.”
Over the past two years the level of trust be-
tween the APD and the LGBT community has
eroded, said Atlanta City Council member Alex
Wan, who represents District 6, which includes
the Atlanta Eagle.
“Even though we have a liaison, it doesn’t feel
like a partnership and there is no accountability.
The Eagle [raid] really set us way back,” Wan,
who is gay, said at the May 19 meeting. “We’ve
got a lot of work to do.”
The community needs to participate as well,
Wan stressed, even by joining the Citizens Police
Academy to see what police officers face.
But the community needs to see the police be
proactive on LGBT issues because “the trust isn’t
there,” he said.
JP Sheffield, executive director of Atlanta
Pride, said he and his event have an ongoing posi-
tive relationship with the APD, which provides
security — at a cost of some $50,000 — for the
Class A event in Piedmont Park. Close to 100 of-
ficers work Pride each year, Sheffield said.
“They do an excellent job and integrate into
our event and are the right officers for the queer
community,” Sheffield said.
A liaison is necessary, Sheffield said, but that
person should not be the only one who knows
how to interact with the LGBT community.
“Some officers are more understanding than
others,” he said.
Atlanta Pride is different than other smaller
community organizations as well as individuals,
Sheffield acknowledged, and because of its size,
Atlanta Pride “sits in a place of privilege.”
“Even if there was nothing queer about [Pride],
our experience is going to be different. My hope is
a way for the community at large to have some of
the positive interactions we are able to have,” he
said. “But I think it’s going to be a long road for
some of that to happen.”
board that worked with the APD gay liaison.
The APD website still has a link to an applica-
tion for those interested in being on the board.
At the May 19 meeting, officials, including
Powell, did not know if such a board still existed.
Powell said this week she is looking into whether
the board is necessary.
“I will be looking at a range of options to
improve relationships between the APD and the
LGBT community. An advisory board is one
thing I’m considering. It’ll be important to have
the right composition and duties for such a board,”
she said via email.
Powell also said the APD “provides an 8-hour
block on diversity training for all new recruits.”
“With my position as one of the city’s two
LGBT liaisons, I am in the process of review-
ing and evaluating training procedures and I will
make recommendations to my command staff
based upon those findings,” Powell said. She also
said she would meet with all zone commanders
to discuss how LGBT concerns can be addressed
more comprehensively.
Zina Age is founder and CEO of Aniz Inc., a
non-profit that serves people with HIV/AIDS and
provides other health care services to disadvan-
taged people. She served on the LGBT advisory
board for six years when it was formed under the
first Atlanta Police LGBT liaison Connie Locke.
“The board kind of fell apart when [Locke] left
and we were in limbo for two years,” she said.
When Harris came on as the LGBT liaison,
the board was revived, Age said, but after Harris
came out publicly as intersex in 2008, the board
again fell apart.
“It was dismantled. We couldn’t even get it
off the ground. We were supposed to meet once
a month, but [the Atlanta Police Foundation]
was trying to take it off the liaison and leave
it up to the chairperson to organize,” Age said.
“So we didn’t have the structure, we didn’t
have the consistency.”
“It was really weird,” she said. “But I feel the
board really is needed for the police department to
be culturally competent.”
Atlanta police and trans people
One area that may merit attention is the rela-
tionship between police and transgender people.
At the May 19 meeting, trans activists Tracee
McDaniel and Cheryl Courtney-Evans said there
www.theGAVoice.com
were problems with officers profiling transgender
women as prostitutes and harassing them.
Sgt. Curtis Davenport, who is now head of
the Public Affairs department, said he arrested a
transgender prostitute because “he” was commit-
ting an illegal act. Davenport repeatedly referred
to the person as “he” until McDaniel and Court-
ney-Evans stepped in to say calling a trans woman
“he” is not culturally correct.
“A person should be identified as the gender
they present,” McDaniel explained, with Daven-
port admitting he did not know that.
Sheffield suggested there should be a training
course to deal specifically with trans issues.
Sheffield had special praise for Lt. Elder Dancy
who has worked as security coordinator for Pride
for many years. Last year, Sheffield came out as
a trans man and had to go through the process of
informing everyone he’d worked with in the past
and knew him by a female name.
“He’d always known me as female with fe-
male pronouns and I only had to communicate it
to him once and it was no problem at all,” Shef-
field said. “He handled it fantastically and ensured
others were using the proper pronoun and name.
Those experiences are the kind the rest of the
community needs to be having.”
Powell: ‘You have to prove yourself’
Powell is a senior patrol officer who joined the
APD 11 years ago after moving to Atlanta from
Evanstown, Ill.
She has served as an officer in Zones 1 and
3, the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
and worked in the Atlanta Police Training
Academy as a trainer. She also worked in the
Recruitment Unit.
Powell was in the U.S. Army for three years
and the National Guard for six years. She received
her bachelor’s of science degree in Criminal Jus-
tice from Saint Leo University in Florida.
Powell said she has been out for more than 20
years and has two sisters who are also gay.
Tracy Elliott, executive director of AID Atlan-
ta, asked at the May 19 meeting what it was like
being openly gay in the APD.
“It hasn’t been a bad experience,” Powell
said. “Number one, you’re a female and the po-
lice department is predominantly male, so you
have to prove yourself. And when you’re gay…
of course nobody says anything to my face, but
you have people who aren’t happy with it.
“But my mother taught me to treat people the
way you want to be treated,” Powell said. “And
I’m kind of like a mother-figure in the department,
especially with the recruits.”
Asked about the process of being hired as
the LGBT liaison — which apparently included
no direct input from the LGBT community —
Powell responded, “I was selected because of my
leadership qualifications and 11-year history on
the police force ...
“As an out and proud lesbian for nearly 25
years, I am especially delighted to be representing
my community at the APD,” she said.
 8 GA Voice May 28, 2010 News
State Senate candidates vie for gay votes
Longtime LGBT rights
ally faces challenger also
drawing gay support
By Laura Douglas-Brown
lbrown@thegavoice.com
In the Democratic primary for state Senate
District 39, one of the strongest LGBT allies in
the Georgia General Assembly faces a challeng-
er who is also drawing gay support.
The district, currently represented by Sen.
Vincent Fort, stretches from East Point to Buck-
head, includes much of Midtown, and is home
to one of the largest concentrations of gay voters
in the city.
An outspoken advocate for LGBT rights,
Fort was first elected to the General Assembly
in 1996, and is facing a challenger for the first
time since 1998.
“I came into the legislature with a commu-
nity-based agenda, and I still have more things
that I want to do,” Fort said. “I want to continue
to try to get good things ac-
complished and stop bad things
from happening.”
The entire state legislature
is up for election this year. Fort
and Grady High School teacher
Graham Balch will face off in the July 20 Demo-
cratic primary. With no Republican running and
if no independent candidate petitions to be on the
ballot, the primary will likely decide the race.
“I decided to run for state Senate because I
am concerned about the state of public education
in Georgia,” Balch said.
“I think there is a lot more we can do to pro-
vide our children with a great public education,
and it affects everything else we are trying to
solve — including helping our economy, solving
crime in our communities, and achieving equal-
ity,” he continued, noting that states with higher
levels of education also tend to have more pro-
gressive laws on LGBT rights.
Georgia Voice surveyed both candidates on a
wide variety of LGBT issues, from hate crimes
to gay marriage, and they gave similar answers
on most.
Both Fort and Balch said they would sponsor
a hate crimes bill that includes sexual orientation
and gender identity, a non-discrimination policy
and domestic partner benefits for state employees,
a non-discrimination law banning bias based on
sexual orientation and gender identity for private
businesses, and a law to clarify that sexual orienta-
tion should not be a factor in adoption decisions.
Both said they support full marriage rights
for same-sex couples and they would sponsor
legislation to repeal the 2004 state constitutional
amendment banning gay marriage.
“I spoke against the amendment during debate,
organized opposition on both the House and Sen-
ate side, as well as voting against it,” Fort said.
Balch said he thinks the first priority for
LGBT rights should be securing rights for same-
sex couples like hospital visitation and making
end-of-life decisions, which would be a stepping
stone to other rights for gay couples. Fort said
that depending on the political make-up of the
legislature, the first priority should be either de-
fending against anti-gay legislation or passing an
inclusive hate crimes bill.
Fort’s campaign includes an LGBT Initiative
chaired by state Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avon-
dale Estates), who was Georgia’s first openly gay
state lawmaker and is running unopposed for her
sixth term, and longtime community activist
Craig Washington.
Washington described Fort’s record as “one
of the most progressive in the country not only in
terms of gay rights.”
“Whether the issue is a hateful anti-same sex
marriage amendment, a transgender vigil or a
Black Gay Pride celebration, Fort has been there
for us time and time again. … We don’t have to
look hard or far to see where Senator Fort stands
because it is right beside us,” Washington said.
Balch said his campaign is
reaching out to all of the di-
verse citizens of the district,
but not creating specific efforts
for various communities. His
prominent LGBT supporters
include two gay politicos in East Point, former
East Point City Council member Kevin Hudson
and former City Council candidate Ken deLeon,
as well as Atlanta City Council member Alex
Wan, who donated to Balch’s campaign.
Hudson said he was concerned that some of
Fort’s “tactics and public statements have left
him with little precious little ability to work with
the other senators, both within the Fulton County
Delegation and the Senate as a whole” and he
believes Balch “will be a much more effective
voice for the GLBT+ community and all resi-
dents of the 39th district.”
Fort and his supporters say the race comes
down to experience, while Balch and his backers
believe the deciding factor should be the candi-
date’s style and effectiveness in working across
the aisle with Republicans.
“I have a record that’s not only theoretical,
but based on actions — things I have actually
done,” Fort said. “I am very proud of my record
and want to continue on that path.”
For accomplishments specifically related to
LGBT rights, Fort notes that he sponsored Geor-
gia’s first hate crimes law, which passed in 2000
but was eventually struck down by the state Su-
preme Court on the grounds that its description
of hate crimes as based on “bias or prejudice”
was unconstitutionally vague. Fort also noted
that as a member of the Senate Rules Commit-
tee, he had worked to prevent legislation to ban
gay adoptions.
Balch argued that his opponent has not been
effective in passing legislation, especially since
Republicans became the majority in the General
Assembly, and the district needs “less talk and
more action.”
“There is a difference between standing up
for an issue and solving an issue,” Balch said.
“I believe Senator Fort is great at standing up for
issues, but I think we need someone who is good
at solving issues.”
Savannah rallies for gay equality
An estimated crowd of about 400 turned out
May 22 to rally for LGBT rights at City Hall in Savan-
nah, Ga. — “the largest event of its kind ever in the
city,” according to organizers.
“There is no question in my mind that this
was indeed a turning point for Savannah’s GLBT
community,” said Kevin Clark, director of Georgia
Equality’s Savannah chapter. “The absolutely in-
credible energy and enthusiasm exhibited by this
group of people, including a large representation
of our local colleges and universities, was and is
absolutely amazing.”
The rally was part of a series of events around
Panel discussion explores LGBT immigration
The public is invited to the Phillip Rush Center
on June 9 to discuss the topic of lesbian, gay, bi-
sexual and transgender immigration with a panel of
experts ranging from attorneys to individuals who
have dealt with immigration issues. The discussion
will cover federal law as well as Georgia laws.
“These forums are intended to facilitate public
discussion on immigration from an LGBT Asian-
American point of view,” said Asha Leong, who is a
board member of the National Queer Asian Pacific
Islander Alliance, a co-sponsor of the event.
“In some ways, immigrations [within the LGBT
community] focuses on binational partners. We
want to expand that to include asylum, marriage,
family reunification,” she said.
Immigration issues also center on the Latino
community. The Asian-American community stands
in solidarity with the Latino community, but wants
www.theGAVoice.com
Graham Balch, a teacher, is challenging Sen. Vincent
Fort (right) in District 39. (Courtesy photos)
the country to mark the birthday of late gay activist
and politician Harvey Milk. In addition to the Savan-
nah chapter of Georgia Equality, sponsors included
First City Network, Savannah Pride and Equality
Across America.
“To continue and to build on this momentum we
are discussing a meeting with the mayor with a group
of college age participants from this rally,” Clark said.
“The meeting will be focused on informing the mayor
and Council that we expect action soon on our pro-
posal for domestic partner benefits.”
— Laura Douglas-Brown
Photos by Christopher Stanley / via Club One on Facebook
more attention paid to the challenges Asian Ameri-
cans face as well, Leong said.
“A lot of what we see are people who are perse-
cuted in their home country because they are LGBT.
Applying for asylum is not easy and we want to see
people who can’t go back home have a place here
permanently,” she said.
The event is free. Light refreshments will be
provided. Other co-sponsors include the Center
for Pan Asian Community Services, Raksha and
Asians and Friends.
— Dyana Bagby
MORE INFO
Atlanta LGBT Immigration Forum
Wednesday, June 9, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Phillip Rush Center
1530 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307
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White House endorses plan for ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal
Speaker pledges votes on
DADT, ENDA this year
By Ryan Watkins and Laura Douglas-Brown
In what national gay rights activists called
“a dramatic breakthrough,” the White House is-
sued a statement May 24 that supports Congress
repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
policy this year.
The repeal, which at press time May 25 was
expected to see votes in the U.S. House and
Senate as early as May 26-28, would be enacted
after the Pentagon completes a study on how
best to implement it.
“The White House announcement is a dra-
matic breakthrough in dismantling ‘Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell.’ The path forward crafted by the
president, Department of Defense officials, and
repeal leaders on Capitol Hill respects the on-
going work by the Pentagon on how to imple-
ment open service and allows for a vote this
week,” Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, said
in a press release.
Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a
key campaign promise from President Obama
to gay voters. DADT opponents, who want leg-
islators to pass the repeal before the end of this
Congress, were frustrated when Defense Secre-
tary Robert Gates advised Congress last month
to delay “any legislative action” until the Penta-
gon completes a study of lifting the ban.
That study is not scheduled to be finished un-
til December, leading to fears that a vote would
be put off until after the new Congress convenes
in January, when vote counts could be affected
by the November elections.
The White House responded May 24 to Sen.
Joe Lieberman’s (Ind. – Conn.) proposed amend-
ment to the 2011 Defense Authorization Act.
The amendment would repeal “Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell” now, but postpone implementa-
tion until the Pentagon review is complete and
President Obama has certified that he, the De-
fense Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff have determined that the plan
for integrating openly gay service members “is
consistent with the standards of military readi-
ness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and
recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.”
According to the letter written by Peter
Orzag, Director of the Office of Management &
Budget, the White House supports Lieberman’s
amendment because it “will allow for comple-
tion of the Comprehensive Review, [and] en-
able the Department of Defense to assess the
results of the review.”
Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Penn.) was expect-
ed to introduce the amendment later this week
in the House, while the Senate Armed Services
Committee is projected to debate similar leg-
islation on May 27. The Human Rights Cam-
paign called on constituents to lobby Sen. Sax-
News May 28, 2010 GA Voice 11
Where the Georgia delegation stands
DADT repeal ENDA
U.S. House co-sponsor co-sponsor
District 1: Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Savannah)
202-225-5831, kingston.house.gov NO NO
District 2: Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Albany)
202-225-3631, bishop.house.gov NO NO
District 3: Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Grantville)
202-225-5901, westmoreland.house.gov NO NO
District 4: Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Lithonia)
202-225-1605, hankjohnson.house.gov YES YES
District 5: Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta)
202-225-3801, johnlewis.house.gov YES YES
District 6: Rep. Tom Price (R-Roswell)
202-225-4501, tomprice.house.gov NO NO
District 7: Rep. John Linder (R-Duluth)
202-225-4272, linder.house.gov NO NO
District 8: Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Macon)
202-225-6531, house.gov/marshall NO NO
District 9: VACANT
District 10: Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens)
202-225-4101, broun.house.gov NO NO
District 11: Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta)
202-225-2931, gingrey.house.gov NO NO
District 12: Rep. John Barrow (D-Savannah)
202-225-2823, barrow.house.gov NO NO
District 13: Rep. David Scott (D-Atlanta)
202-225-2939, davidscott.house.gov NO NO
U.S. Senate
Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Moultrie)
202-224-3521, chambliss.senate.gov NO NO
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Marietta)
202-224-3643, isakson.senate.gov NO NO
Source for LGBT positions: HRC.org / Compiled by Laura Douglas-Brown
by Chambliss (R-Ga.), a member of the Armed al orientation and gender identity — and “Don’t
Services Committee. Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal will get votes this year.
“We are on the brink of historic action to both Pelosi made her comments in an hour-long
strengthen our military and respect the service of conference call with leaders of six LGBT groups.
lesbian and gay troops,” said HRC President Joe One of the activists who joined in the May
Solmonese in a May 24 press release. 17 phone briefing, Kate Kendell, executive di-
rector of the National Center for Lesbian Rights
Pelosi: ENDA will also (NCLR), said Pelosi, “in no uncertain terms,
get vote this year without any equivocation or evasion, stated sev-
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reassured rep- eral times that ENDA was her priority and that it
resentatives of several LGBT organizations May would move in this Congress — and there was
17 that the Employment Non-Discrimination no question.”
Act — which would ban job bias based on sexu- — Lisa Keen contributed.
12 GA Voice May 28, 2010 Voices
The Georgia Voice
1904 Monroe Dr., Suite 130
Atlanta, GA 30324
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www.thegavoice.com
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: Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames,
Shannon Jenkins, Robin Kemp, Ryan Lee, Mike Ritter,
Matt Schafer, Christopher Seely, Steve Warren, Justin Ziegler
BUSINESS
Publisher: Christina Cash
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BOARD OF ADVISERS
Richard Eldredge, Sandy Malcolm,
Lynn Pasqualetti, Robert Pullen
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VOICES OPINION & REACTION
Rainbow disconnection
It will take more than a
breakfast to restore trust in
the APD’s LGBT liaison
Editorial
By Laura Douglas-Brown
The image on this week’s cover — a cop of-
fering up rainbow doughnuts — both symbolizes
and satirizes the Atlanta Police Department’s ef-
forts to get back in the good graces of the city’s
LGBT communities.
Like most police departments, the APD has
faced tensions with LGBT residents through the
years. The appointment of a full-time LGBT liai-
son within the department in 2004 was intended to
create a direct link between the two sides.
But no matter how talented the officer as-
signed to the post, the LGBT liaison can only be
as effective as the department allows that person
to be. And by the time Atlanta police raided the
Atlanta Eagle, a gay leather bar, last September,
the department wasn’t letting its liaison, Officer
Dani Lee Harris, be effective at all.
Harris was never told of the anonymous com-
plaints that lead to the investigation, was never al-
lowed to reach out to the bar owners to resolve
the concerns, was never involved in educating
officers on how they could conduct the raid with-
out showing bias, and in fact only learned about
the raid when she was called for comment by the
LGBT press.
It was an epic fail, made only clearer when
then-Chief Richard Pennington held a press con-
ference in which he bragged about his appoint-
ment of the first LGBT liaison officer more than
five years earlier as evidence of his “great” rela-
tionship with LGBT Atlantans — while those citi-
zens planned protests that would draw hundreds.
Activists like Betty Couvertier feared a repeat
of the Eagle omission when the LGBT liaison
missed the May 6 gay rights rally at Grady High
School. Harris told the Georgia Voice she didn’t
go because she had been on medical leave since
April 16, and the police department subsequently
told us that Officer Patricia Powell had been ap-
pointed as a second LGBT liaison, fulfilling a
promise from Mayor Kasim Reed, who inherited
the Eagle debacle when he took office in January.
It’s troubling, though, that the department
took no proactive steps to inform the commu-
nity about Harris and Powell prior to questions
from the press. And reaching Powell for a sim-
ple interview has been unnecessarily difficult,
as Georgia Voice Deputy Editor Dyana Bagby
www.theGAVoice.com
©istockphoto.com/sdominick, illustration by Bo Shell
documents in our cover story.
The APD did include LGBT press in a com-
munity breakfast with Powell on May 19. Like
doughnuts, the gesture was sweet, but offered
limited sustenance.
Several seemingly simple questions from
attendees were left unanswered by the event —
including how Powell and Harris’ duties will be
integrated, whether the department really has
the promised two liaisons since Harris is
on leave, and whether the LGBT citizen
advisory board still exists.
Moving beyond breakfasts, here are
five ways the Atlanta Police Department
can work to rebuild our trust in the LGBT
liaison unit, and by extension, in the de-
partment itself:
1. Make the LGBT liaisons’ sched-
ules public. It’s not uncommon for public
officials to post their schedules online for
citizens to see. Simply posting the LGBT
liaisons’ schedules would go a long way
to answer questions about “what they do all
day.” It would enable constituents to keep the
department honest on whether it really has two
“full time” liaisons, and also allow citizens who
know about major LGBT events to reach out in
advance if they notice an event is not on either li-
aison’s schedule.
should be a board made up of diverse citizens who
2. Give the LGBT liaison officers more ex- can advise the LGBT liaisons, help keep them in-
posure, not less. In the wake of the Eagle raid, the formed on issues within Atlanta’s many LGBT
APD and mayor’s office seem to be trying to mi- communities, and funnel complaints or comments
cromanage the liaisons’ interactions with the very from citizens.
people they are supposed to be liaisons to.
Such a strategy is usually an attempt to limit 4. Involve the LGBT liaisons in all inves-
opportunities for mistakes, but it backfires and tigations dealing with gay businesses or orga-
gives the impression that the department doesn’t nizations. This doesn’t mean no LGBT group or
trust the liaison to deal directly with the commu- business should ever be investigated or raided:
nity or press without guidance from superiors or Our community, like all others, inevitably con-
other handlers. Give Powell and Harris the free- tains some bad eggs. But having the LGBT liaison
dom to do their jobs, and the community will involved in the process, and present on the scene,
likely be much happier with the results. can help insure that people are not disparaged
based on their sexual orientation, as allegedly hap-
3. Create an independent LGBT advi- pened during the Eagle raid.
sory council. Although what appears to be
an old application for the board resides on the 5. Make the LGBT liaison available to
department’s website, Powell said in response work with LGBT people who are the victims
to email questions from the Georgia Voice that or perpetrators of crimes. One of the LGBT
she “will be looking at a range of options to im- liaisons should be on call at all times and avail-
prove relationships between the APD and the able to other police officers dealing with crimes
LGBT community” and “an advisory board is involving LGBT people — regardless of whether
one thing I’m considering.” the crime was based on sexual orientation. LGBT
She is exactly right that for the board to be suc- people may fear the police, and having an LGBT
cessful, “it’ll be important to have the right com- officer present would create an image of the de-
position and duties for such a board.” The goal partment as caring and inclusive.
www.theGAVoice.com
SPEAKING OUT
In this promotion on the Regular Guys’ website, co-hosts Larry Wachs (left) and ‘Southside’ Steve
Rickman compete to see who can lose the most body fat. The loser has to ‘kiss a dude.’
Hey, Regular Guys: It’s not
punishment to kiss a guy
Re: “Kissing dudes and ‘The Regular
Guys’” (Blog by Bo Shell, GA Voice art di-
rector, May 19)
They are a bunch of homophobes with
their own latent tendencies. I cannot believe
they are still on the air.
They are still on the air because they are
funny. This country is becoming a very un-
funny place to be. Everyone is so sensitive.
Lighten up, folks.
Wow. A lesbian in support of homophobic
jokes delivered by a homophobe.
Lighten up? Seriously? What if the loser
was forced to kiss a black person? Would that
be funny? I like to think that I’ve got a pretty
good sense of humor about the whole PC thing,
but that is just blatant homophobia.
I vote with my dial and never listen to 100.5
because of the Regular Guys and their ho-
mophobic comments. While I don’t really think
that this incident is by the far the worst of their
actions, it is a mild irritant, but if they weren’t
homophobic it could have been funny.
Keep the shirt on your back
to rally against homophobia?
Re: “Gallery: Shirt Off My Back rallies on
International Day Against Homophobia” and
“Why a clothing donation campaign is taking
a stand against homophobia” (May 17 and
May 18, thegavoice.com)
A wonderful cause, but seeing LGBT activists
in various states of undress, again, is tiresome.
Can we not make an impact with our clothes
on at some point? It’s not about being obscene.
Voices May 28, 2010 GA Voice 13
Editor’s note: These comments on Georgia
Voice articles were submitted via our
Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thega-
voice). Want to weigh in? Follow us there or
submit comments on our website.
It’s about continuing to alienate those whose
eyes we want to open.
The campaign has nothing to do with being
naked or offensive. It derived from the concept
of people taking their shirt off their back and
giving it to someone in need.
Not to denigrate this fine effort, but if you
really wanted to impact the public this should
be “Nudists against Homophobia” — then you
would make national news and CNN every 15
minutes. (Grin)
Like the speakers said afterwards at Virginia-
Highland Church, every little effort made is a
step in the right direction to show that we don’t
want special rights, we just want equality. I fear
no one and wish no one to fear me; everyone is
my friend.
Waste of time to call Chambliss
about ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
Re: “HRC to Sen. Saxby Chambliss: Vote to
end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’” (thegavoice.com,
May 24)
Yeah, well, HRC will make him change his
mind: LOL. I called Chambliss’ office today. I
was hung up on by the time I asked Chambliss
to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t … click.
I called and told them: I just wanted to let
you know that I am a gay Columbus, Ga., resi-
dent. I was all set to join the Navy Nuclear Pro-
gram. I decided not to do this because one of
the core values of the military is honesty.
I’m sorry but contacting Chambliss on this
issue is a total waste of time.
 16
2 GA Voice May 28, 2010 A&E
THEATER by JIM FARMER
Forbidden ‘Loot’
In gay playwright Joe Orton’s
farce, two thieves are willing to try
anything — including each other
Topher Payne was looking forward to taking a
vacation after his recent play “Christina Darling,”
but when he learned that auditions for “Loot”
were coming up, he knew a vacation could wait.
“Loot” opens June 4 at Onstage Atlanta.
Written by gay playwright Joe Orton,
“Loot” debuted back in 1965, where it was met
with some hostility from those not expecting
its satirical tone. The play is a farce about two
young men, Hal and Dennis, who are thieves.
After robbing a bank next to a funeral parlor,
they have to hide the money — and wind up
stashing it in the coffin of Hal’s recently de-
ceased mother.
The satire pokes fun at the Catholic Church as
well as the local police. It’s directed by Barbara
Cole Uterhardt and stars Payne as Dennis.
In many versions of “Loot,” the relationship
between Hal and Dennis is toned down some-
what, but not here.
“One of my frustrations is that there are some
conscious attempts to downplay the relationship
between Dennis and Hal, removing that element,”
Payne says. “But with that element, it makes more
sense. For Hal and Dennis, anything that sounds
fun or forbidden, they will try — like robbing
banks or having sex with each other. I think they
definitely have some impulse control issues. At
the least they are blatantly bisexual.”
Payne considers Orton well ahead of his time.
“He was openly gay and his plays created
controversy,” he says. “He created such deviant
characters and because of that his plays are a lot
of fun. ‘Loot’ is my fave. I think it’s his tightest
script. The stakes keep getting raised higher.”
Starring in “Christina Darling” and “Loot” are
like night and day, Payne admits.
“‘Christina Darling’ was like running in a
marathon every night,” he says of the play where
he had to dress up as Joan Crawford every night.
“Doing this is like going to summer camp.”
‘Loot’ includes (clockwise from top) Doug
Graham as Hal, Topher Payne as Dennis, Barry
N. West as McLeavy, David Klein as Truscott
and Colleen Shannon Gaenssley as Fay.
(Photo courtesy Onstage Atlanta)
‘True Love Lies’ at Horizon
In Horizon Theatre’s current “True Love
Lies,” a father’s secret past comes back to haunt
him. Brad Fraser’s drama finds a family changing
forever when their daughter applies for a job as a
waitress. The restaurateur balks when he realizes
her father is a man he lived with for three years.
Directing the show is Lisa Adler, the artis-
tic director at Horizon. In her mind, the char-
acter of David, the restaurateur, is the catalyst
of the show.
“On the surface we have a happy sitcom fam-
ily, but David drops a pebble and causes a ripple,”
www.theGAVoice.com
MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com
‘Loot’
June 4 - 26 at Onstage Atlanta
2597 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033
404- 897-1802, www.onstageatlanta.com
‘True Love Lies’
Through June 20 at Horizon Theatre
1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307
404- 584-7450, www.horizontheatre.com
‘Slasher’
Through June 19 at Actor’s Express
887 W. Marietta St. Suite J-107, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-607-7469, www.actorsexpress.com
she says. “David has an immediate bond with
the children — they are drawn to each other and
David helps them. He also helps some characters
realize the importance of moving on.”
Adler likes the fact that “True Love Lies”
is edgy, but not edgy enough that it drives
people away.
“I am not a gay man, but I can relate to this,”
she says. “Brad’s plays follow fluid sexuality:
[They are] not about being gay or straight. This is
a smart, funny piece that has something to say.”
Finally, Actor’s Express has just opened
“Slasher,” a campy takeoff on slasher films. It’s
directed by openly gay Freddie Ashley and stars
the great Shelley McCook, last seen at the Express
in the gay-themed “The New Century.”
www.theGAVoice.com
SPORTS by JIM FARMER
Bingham Cup bound
The Atlanta Bucks gay
rugby team hosts skating
fundraiser before heading
to international tourney
Just prior to heading to Minneapolis to par-
ticipate in an international tournament in mid
June, members of the Atlanta Bucks Rugby
Football Club are bringing out their roller skates
for a benefit to raise money for the trip.
The Shiny Rugby Balls roller disco party
June 12 will be the final fundraiser before the
team heads to the Mark Kendall Bingham Me-
morial Tournament, a.k.a. the Bingham Cup.
Established in 2003, the Atlanta Bucks was
formed for “gay and diverse communities” in
the area to play the sport of rugby. Gary Durden,
who has served as president since 2009, says that
the group has around 70 current members.
While the majority are gay men, the group
has three female members and some hetero-
sexuals as well. And while some are beginners,
others have been playing for several years. The
Bucks are part of the International Gay Rugby
Association and Board, which fields teams
around the world.
One shared goal of all members is to help
promote the sport.
“It’s a tough sport to learn,” Durden says. “We
all grew up watching football and baseball. We
are not used to seeing rugby. When we have new
people, we are the ones teaching them to play.”
The Bucks have both a spring and fall
league and participate in round robin tourna-
ments throughout the year, some involving
other U.S. gay teams. Approximately twice a
year they host Rugby 101, which is a great way
to meet the team and learn some introductory
ball-handling skills, says Durden.
The team plays gay and straight teams.
“We play straight teams more than we play
gay teams,” he says. “We rarely if ever have any
comments. Teams are impressed by us. I feel
we gain a lot of respect, dispelling notions of
what a gay man is. Sometimes a straight team
A&E May 28, 2010 GA Voice 17
will play us light until they catch on. When we
play them close sometimes you can see a little
fear in their eyes.”
The roller disco fundraiser is a repeat of one
the Bucks held a few years back.
“We all had a great time when we did it be-
fore,” says Durden. “It’s a chance for our guys
and everyone to blow off some steam before we
leave. Our team’s training hard. I think every-
one will have fun.”
Tourney honors 9/11 hero
The Bingham Cup, June 17 – 20, is a bian- In June, the Atlanta Bucks will compete in the bian-
nual international gay rugby tournament named nual Bingham Cup international tournament, after
for openly gay Mark Bingham, who played winning their division in the last Bingham tourney.
(Photo courtesy ProjectQAtlanta.com)
college rugby at the University of California,
Berkeley, and helped his team win national
championships. Bingham died during the ter- MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com
rorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when he was Atlanta Bucks Rugby
one of the heroes of United Airlines Flight 93. www.atlantabucksrugby.com
Passengers fought back and the plane crashed Shiny Rugby Balls Roller Disco Party
in rural Pennsylvania. June 12, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The tournament, first held in 2002, was es- All American Skating
tablished to give gay teams a chance to play 5400 Bermuda Road
Stone Mountain, GA 30087
rugby and compete against other teams. Its lo- 770-469-9775
cation changes every two years.
The Bucks participated in the 2008 event Bingham Cup
in Dublin, Ireland, and won their division, June 17–20
Minneapolis, Minn.
the Bowl division. They were the only North www.binghamcup.com
American team to win a division.
 SAVE
THE

DATES
benefiting

ANNOUNCING
The Atlanta Cotillion Debutante Class of 2010...
Sunday, August 15
Auction and Cabaret
Opera Nightclub
(Entrance on Crescent Ave.)

Saturday, September 18
Atlanta Cotillion IX Ball
The Foundry at Puritan Mill
916 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd.

Caterina Modica Davenport Zerena Loo-Bouffante Brandy Abigail Von Nutterhorne

Max Corwell Sam Peng Nathan Atkins

For more information on

Jessica Lynn Palmer Ava VonSeco Elena Isabella Zubia Ward becoming a sponsor, e-mail
Mathew Palmer Joshua Bettis Julio Leyva info@atlantacotillion.com
www.theGAVoice.com A&E May 28, 2010 GA Voice 19

BOOKS by SHANNON HAMES

Beyond ‘lesbian bed death’

New book by Atlanta
therapist explores sexual
intimacy for female couples
A clinical psychologist in At-
lanta, Dr. Glenda Corwin has
spent a decade focusing on sexual
intimacy between women. Her
message to female couples? The
rumored and feared “lesbian bed
death” doesn’t have to happen, but Dr. Glenda Corwin surveyed 400
it takes work to keep the sexual respondents to research her new
book on female sexual intimacy.
flames burning.
(Courtesy photos)
“Over the years working as
a therapist with lesbian clients, I
Let’s revisit lesbian bed death.
have heard them discuss their fear
What is the cause and what is
that there’s no way to keep pas-
the cure?
sion alive in a long-term relation-
The myth of spontaneity is the cause of a lot of
ship – that lesbian bed death is inevitable,”
it. And by that, I mean that we don’t have a realis-
Corwin says.
tic understanding of female sexual desire. We tend
So what can lesbians do to keep their rela-
to think about sexual desire as a physical drive and
tionships sexually satisfying? “The conflict be-
if that isn’t happening, we think that there’s some-
tween thinking lesbian bed death is inevitable
thing wrong with ourselves or with the relation-
and then not wanting for that to be the case is
ship. Realistically, the research shows that about
what really inspired me to research this and do
50 percent of women who are in relationships
something about it,” Corwin says.
don’t feel much spontaneous sexual desire.
The result of her research is her new book,
The most important concept to understand is
“Sexual Intimacy For Women: A Guide for Same-
the difference between spontaneous desire and
Sex Couples,” recently released by Seal Press.
responsive desire. … We decide intentionally and
The Georgia Voice talked with Corwin about
ahead of time that we do want to be in a sexually
the book in advance of her June 3 workshop and
active relationship and will set aside time for it.
book-signing at Charis Books & More.
Then, we start doing and thinking about the things
that get us turned on, like how you love your part-
What was your research process like?
ner or about the last time you had sex together, or
Corwin: I did an online survey of lesbian
whatever kinds of images are erotic for you.
sexual patterns and had 400 respondents from
all over. They answered many different kinds of
What will readers get from your book?
questions about their own history and their feel-
They will learn ways to enrich their sexual
ings and attitudes about sexual relationships.
connection. They’ll also have a realistic under-
standing about female sexual desire and learn
What was the most interesting thing that
some skills to combat the most common obsta-
you discovered through your research?
cles such as initiating sex, which is a huge issue.
That 90 percent of them said that they
We grew up in a heterosexual world where
thought that regular sexual contact was very
we were trained that men will initiate sex and
important in a relationship. Only 20 percent
we have to say no to protect ourselves. We
said that they regularly set aside time for sexual
don’t really know that much about how to say
intimacy. Even more interesting, about 20 per-
yes or how to initiate sex, something that many
cent of the women in my study could be called
women have a hard time with.
“sexually active” – having sex twice a month or
more. That 20 percent that was sexually active
was the same 20 percent that regularly set aside MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com
time for sexual intimacy.
‘Sexual Intimacy for Women: A Guide for
There’s spontaneity and then there’s inten- Same-Sex Couples’
tionality. The key to making it work is some- By Glenda Corwin, Seal Press, $16.95
thing that I call “24-hour foreplay.” We women www.drglendacorwin.com
just need plenty of time to get in the right mood.
That involves getting in some type of positive Workshop & book signing
physical state because we’re always judging June 3, 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More
our bodies. We also need to get in touch with 1189 Euclid Ave. , Atlanta GA 30307
www.chariscircle.org
our erotic imagination.
20
2 GA Voice May 28, 2010 A&E www.theGAVoice.com

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www.theGAVoice.com
COMMUNITY LOCAL LIFE
Competing
for the crown
Atlanta Cotillion pits debs in race
to raise most money for HIV fight
By Laura Douglas-Brown
lbrown@thegavoice.com
For the next three months, six diverse and
accomplished young ladies will work to bet-
ter themselves and their communities, before
making their formal debut into society at the
Atlanta Cotillion.
The catch? These young debutantes are ac-
tually men, raising money in a unique competi-
tion to fund the fight against HIV.
Founded in 1997, Atlanta Cotillion has
raised more than $650,000 for AID Atlanta,
says Bryon Brown, Cotillion co-chair, known at
the event as debutante Lauren Elizabeth “Bess”
Eatenton. Last year’s event raised $115,000,
with only $36,000 in expenses.
“Since becoming a debutante in 2005, and
also working on the AIDS Walk staff for two
years, I’ve learned so much more about the work
AID Atlanta does and about this horrible epi-
demic — where we’ve come from and how far
we still have to go,” Brown says. “The last few
years, I have realized that basic awareness has
become just as important as fundraising and that
we need to educate, educate and educate. The
younger generation just doesn’t seem to get it.”
Debutantes do their own fundraising
throughout the summer by hosting events and
seeking donations. The debutante season cul-
minates with the Cotillion Ball, a Sept. 18 gala
at the Foundry at Puritan Mill during where the
deb who raised the most money will be crowned
Cotillion queen.
“I think our model is different than any other
fundraiser,” Brown says. “Having the individual
debutantes that host and produce the individual
fundraisers throughout the season bring some-
thing new and different each and every year.”
Those, male or female, who want to wear tux-
edoes pay $150 to attend, while those joining in
female attire pay $75 for their tickets. Not to be
confused with your ordinary drag show, the ball
requires those who choose to attend in “formal
female attire” to take their dress code seriously
— no campy beards and make-up allowed.
We surveyed this year’s six debutantes with
a variety of questions, some serious, some fun,
befitting the tone of the Cotillion Ball. Here are
some of their best answers.
Michael Lammons, a.k.a. Lady Michel’le VonSeco,
was crowned 2009 Cotillion queen after raising
$18,000 for AID Atlanta. He is crowned by
Jeffrey Hopper, a.k.a. Jacqueline-Jayne Dior
Daniels, 2008 queen. (Photo courtesy AID Atlanta)
Zerena Loo-Bouffante
Real name: Sam Peng
Age: 30
Occupation: Management
What made you want to be a debutante? The fact that
it’s for a good cause and how it has the ability to change
people’s lives.
Forget boxers or briefs. Corsets or petticoats, and
why? Well, I thought being a man was hard enough, but, wow,
being a woman is 10 times tougher than that. I couldn’t believe
the amount of work that goes into the transformation from man
to woman. Wearing those tight panties and breathless corsets
really gave me a brand new look about women is general in that
I have a huge profound respect for them. Thank you, girls!
If there was a reality show made of your life, what
would it be called? “Lotus Blossom: A Black Woman in a Gay
Asian Man’s Body”
Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to
help in the fight against HIV? HIV is extremely misunder-
stood. It’s like what Blanche told Rose, “AIDS is not a bad per-
son’s disease, Rose!” There are millions of ways to educate
people about fighting against HIV such as being responsible.
But, to me, the most important thing about HIV is that people
need to be not afraid of others who have HIV.
Elena Isabella Zubia Ward
Real name: Julio Leyva
Age: 26
Occupation: Part-time Student at Kennesaw State.
Work Front Desk at Helmet Hairworx and Gravity Fitness
How did you choose your debutante name? Elena is
my mother’s middle name, who is the most influential per-
son in my life. Isabella is the name of one of my aunts, whose
best friend Sergio passed away from AIDS. Her love for her
best friend and her support in my coming out process has
influenced me and my relationship with my family. Zubia is a
family name that links my heritage to my Latin American de-
scent and just fit well. Ward is the last name of my partner’s
best friend who passed away from AIDS.
What is your next upcoming fundraiser? On June
6, I’m planning a Sunday Afternoon Tea Party spon-
MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com
Atlanta Cotillion
Sept. 18, 7-11 p.m.
The Foundry at Puritan Mill
www.atlantacotillion.com
sored by Pure Romance by Sunny. … This will be my kick-off
fundraiser with many more on the way.
As a debutante, what do you think is the most im-
portant lesson for proper young ladies to learn? Always
cross your legs. You never know what’ll try and get in there.
Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to
help in the fight against HIV? I believe that it is imperative
to create awareness in the community about all the wonder-
ful benefits that AID Atlanta provides and how every little bit
of help makes a huge difference in the lives of so many. I’m
only a small piece in the overall puzzle.
Ava VonSeco
Real name: Joshua Bettis
Age: 27
What made you want to be a debutante? Too many
people in the community and my life have been affected by
HIV/AIDS, I wanted to give back in a fun way.
What is your next upcoming? June 27: Pool party at
Daddy Bud’s (my grandmother in the Atlanta Cotillion family)
As a debutante, what do you think is the most im-
portant lesson for proper young ladies to learn? Always
chew with your mouth closed and don’t forget to tape!
Forget boxers or briefs. Corsets or petticoats, and
why? Corsets, of course! Petticoats are just too hot in the
summer heat and who doesn’t like to look a little thinner!
Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to
help in the fight against HIV? It’s still an issue that affects
everyone and new infections are on the rise. The presenta-
tion of a young lady is a very public event and I intend to use
this season to bring awareness to the cause while raising
money to help those living with, affected by or at-risk for
HIV/AIDS.
Brandy Abigail “Nuts” Von Nutterhorne
Real name: Nathan Atkins
Age: 33
Occupation: Student
How did you choose your debutante name? I cannot
drink, but if I could, I would like to try Brandy. Abigail is a
classic Southern name. VonNutterhorne sounds unique, ex-
Community May 28, 2010 GA Voice 21
Celebrating a MILESTONE? Share your engage-
ments, weddings, births, adoptions, anniversaries,
birthdays and other events! Announcements can be up
to 200 words and can include a photo. E-mail editor@
thegavoice.com with your milestone and contact info
to see your name in print!
emplifies my creativity, and allows friends and others to call
me “nuts.”
What made you want to be a debutante? My close
friend, Ryan Vila, suggested it to me in a pizza parlor. I said
I would think about it. I wrote down the question of whether
or not I wanted to do it right before I went to bed a week
later. After a fairly convincing dream I signed up.
Forget boxers or briefs. Corsets or petticoats, and
why? Corsets. I think they make a woman simply delicious.
From experience they are fun to undo. They are fun to help
others put on. 
Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to
help in the fight against HIV? It is a situation that frankly
does not receive the press it should. It certainly does not
receive the funding it should. If I can help in a minuscule way
then I have helped. I believe in it strongly enough to have left
my comfort zone way, way, way behind me.
Caterina Modica Davenport
Real name: Maximillian Corwell
Age: 21
Occupation: Entrepreneur
What made you want to be a debutante? The chance
to bring HIV awareness to youth aged 13-24, who have the
highest new infection rate
What is your most successful fundraiser to date? My
Virginia Highlands dine-out, in which hundreds came out to
eat, drink, and save lives
What is your next upcoming fundraiser? There are
so many! The next official one is June 26, and it’s a luau! We
have many more in the works.
Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to
help in the fight against HIV? The community has suf-
fered unimaginable amounts of damage at the hands of this
disease. If I can bring awareness to a few things, it would
be that first, youth (13-24) are not immune to HIV, and that
second, this isn’t just a “gay” disease. People need to know
the facts, and if they can’t speak about HIV without being
knowledgeable, then they aren’t ready for sex.
Jessica Lynn Palmer
Real name: Mathew Palmer
Age: 30
Occupation: Flight Attendant, Delta Air Lines
How did you choose your debutante name? I was
always enamored by Jessica Rabbit. My mother always
thought it was hilarious that I’d walk down the hall, pretend-
ing to be in high heels and switching like Jessica. Of course,
my stepfather was a bigot (and still is) and would absolutely
writhe in contempt.
What made you want to be a debutante? It truly isn’t
about the dress but why you wear it. I’ve never done drag,
even at Halloween. It’s a different feeling for certain, one
even my sister, the first person I “came out” to questions,
yet a decision I feel certain can make a difference.
Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to
help in the fight against HIV? Until recently, I thought
I knew no one who was HIV-positive. In the last couple of
weeks several friends have found the courage to confide
in me their status. It is for them and those who’ll face that
same reality that I fight against HIV.
Further, it is also important that we take self-control
over our actions of promiscuity, unsafe sex and drug and
alcohol abuse to curtail this disease. Again, it’s preventable.
As gay men, we’ve received the message over-and-over. It is
up to us to heed it and spread the word.
 22 GA Voice May 28, 2010 Community
EVENTS by MATT SCHAFER
Adding white to the rainbow
Don your ‘festive white’
for annual Premiere
Party to help LGBT youth
One of the summer’s largest parties has a new
look as the Premiere Party goes white to raise
funds for CHRIS Kids, a gay-inclusive child wel-
fare agency. Proceeds from the June 12 party are
earmarked for programs that provide housing and
other support to LGBT youth.
“A lot of cities have their white scenes, but
Atlanta doesn’t really have one, so we thought
that this would be a fun way to have one,” says
Premiere Party board member Jim Anastos of
the “Festive White” attire for this year’s event.
This year’s party features a new location, mov-
ing to Mason Murer Fine Art, and a new liquor
sponsor in Grey Goose Vodka. But there will be a
familiar hand spinning music with DJ Chris Gris-
wold, who’s helmed previous Premiere Parties.
The Premiere Party raises about $80,000 over
the course of the evening through donations,
ticket sales and a silent auction featuring items
ranging from a week’s stay in a Tuscan villa to
limited edition Dolce & Gabbana sun glasses.
The gay bar Blake’s on the Park is also donating
a portion of proceeds from its May 30 “Kickoff
to Summer” cookout and June 8 turnabout show
to Premiere Party.
“Premiere Party is important for a couple of
reasons, number one is funds — we need funds
for the great things they do [at CHRIS Kids],”
Anastos says. “Premiere Party is one of the big en-
gines that keep the good work that they are doing
going and spread the word about what they do.”
The funds raised go exclusively to help LGBT
youth who age out foster care.
“The last thing you want to do as a non-profit
is to restrict funds, but our gay donors are so pas-
sionate that we wanted to be able to honor their
wishes and give them a chance to donate directly
to our GLBT programs,” says Beth Keller, CHRIS
Kids director of development.
Rainbow becomes ‘TransitionZ’
CHRIS Kids serves between 200 and 250
LGBT minors throughout Georgia.
While CHRIS Kids provides housing for
homeless teenagers in group homes, it also helps
those in the foster care system and some who are
living at home under trying conditions.
“One thing that I don’t think that people realize
CHRIS Kids Executive Director Kathy Colbenson
(right) and Development Director Beth Keller at
the opening of the agency’s new apartment commu-
nity, a $12.1 million project that houses youth ages
17-24, including LGBT youth.
(Photo by Danielle Bois / Courtesy CHRIS Kids)
is that we don’t just serve homeless kids, we help
kids who are beat up in foster care, we work with
kids who are still in their homes,” Keller says.
“There is a whole plethora of kids who are being
ridiculed in school, who can’t take their boyfriends
to prom, and are bouncing around from home to
home and those are the kids that we get.”
Through its Rainbow Program, CHRIS Kids
takes care of people who have aged out of the fos-
ter system, but need help establishing adult lives.
The Rainbow Program provides housing and sup-
port to gay and transgender young adults as they
www.theGAVoice.com
MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com
CHRIS Kids
www.chriskids.org
Premiere Party
June 12, 6-10 p.m. at Mason Murer Fine Art
199 Armour Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324
Tickets: $50
www.premiereparty.org/
enter college or other post high school training.
In March, CHRIS Kids merged its Rainbow
and Independent Living programs. The agency
now serves homeless LGBT youth, as well as
young adults with children, in a new program
named “TransitionZ.”
Young people in the TransitionZ program live
in CHRIS Kids’ new $12.1 million renovated
apartment community, dubbed “Summit Trail.”
www.theGAVoice.com
GEORGIA SPOTLIGHT
South Georgia Pride, Inc.
Originally organized as a student event
on the campus of Valdosta State University,
South Georgia Pride is gearing up for its first
year as a stand-alone festival. Organizers are
working on securing official non-profit status
for the group, and have announced the date
and location for this year’s festival: Sept. 18 at
Valdosta’s Saunders Park.
The planning committee is made up of
about 10 people, according to Richard Willis,
South Georgia Pride executive director. The
organization’s vibrant Facebook group has
103 members, who post on issues ranging
from local events to political causes.
South Georgia Pride is also building on the
success of previous events held at VSU.
“There were approximately 300 people at last
year’s Pride,” Willis says. “While that may seem
small, with this having taken place in rural south
Georgia Equality
Georgia’s largest LGBT political organi-
zation is really two groups in one: Georgia
Equality is a political and lobbying group, while
the Equality Foundation of Georgia is a 501(c)3
non-profit focused on education and advocacy.
Founded in 1995, Georgia Equality is
primarily known for its work lobbying at the
Georgia General Assembly and efforts to en-
dorse and elect pro-LGBT candidates.
“This past [legislative] session, our biggest
accomplishments were passing the anti-bulling
legislation and preventing any cuts to the AIDS
Drug Assistance Program,” says Jeff Graham,
Georgia Equality executive director. “Our big-
gest accomplishment of the past year was the
election of Simone Bell.”
Bell now represents State House District 58
and is the first openly lesbian African-American
state lawmaker in the country.
Georgia Equality’s projects also include the
Community May 28, 2010 GA Voice 23
YOU
MORE INFO
CAN
South Georgia Pride
Search “South Georgia Pride, Inc.”
on Facebook.com CHANGE
THE
Georgia, not as publicized as we’d like, and held
on one of the hottest days in south Georgia, we
were lucky to have that number.”
WORLD
Building an LGBT organization in a region
of the state not known for gay acceptance isn’t
easy, Willis says, noting that while local LGBT
people “like the idea of the group trying to work
for their rights,” some people “are still afraid of
how it could affect them and their lives if they
are to get involved.”
Still, Willis and other Pride organizers believe THE WORLD’S BEST RESEARCH AND CUTTING
South Georgia is ready for its own Pride festival.
“This is the first year as an actual organi-
EDGE SCIENCE IS HERE IN ATLANTA.
zation not supported by the university itself,” LET’S MAKE HIV A THING OF THE PAST.
Willis says. “It gives us a chance to grow and
be more than just a student event on campus.”
WE ARE SEEKING MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN BETWEEN
MORE INFO
Georgia Equality
18 AND 45 YEARS OF AGE WHO DO NOT HAVE HIV TO JOIN
IN OUR QUEST FOR A VACCINE TO COMBAT HIV.
1530 DeKalb Ave. NE Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30307
404-523-307, www.georgiaequality.org If eligible you will participate in a study to evaluate the safety and the
potential efficacy of an HIV vaccine. The vaccine does not contain HIV.
Georgia HIV Advocacy Network and help- You will receive $75 per study visit for your time and travel expenses to the
ing lobby local governments to pass LGBT- study location in Decatur, Georgia. This study is being conducted by
inclusive non-discrimination statements and Dr. Mark Mulligan of the Hope Clinic of the Emory Vaccine Center,
domestic partner benefits, among other efforts. located at 603 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30030.
“Heading into an important campaign year,
we’re looking for folks who will help support WWW.HOPECLINIC.EMORY.EDU | VACCINE@EMORY.EDU
our endorsed candidates by registering people
to vote, making phone calls and canvassing,” HOPE…BE A PART OF IT.
Graham says. “We also need people to help with
the numerous outreach opportunities presented CALL 877-424-HOPE(4673) TO LEARN MORE.
by the various pride festivals and picnics in June
and other major events throughout the summer.” W
Georgia Equality is also gearing up for its 200 INNE
8 R
G AG
largest annual fundraiser, Evening for Equality, ANGUARD LCC
which is set for June 24. EL A IAN
WA
RD
— Laura Douglas-Brown
24 GA Voice May 28, 2010 Calendar www.theGAVoice.com

BEST BETS 05.28 - 06.10 Friday, May 28

ADD YOUR EVENT
There are two ways to add your events to our
online and print calendars. Submit your

t
info to www.theGAVoice.com or e-mail
details to editor@theGAVoice.com.

SPOTLIGHT MondoHomo queer fest takes over Atlanta for

Memorial Day Weekend. Tonight is Mondo Cabaret
featuring queer drag, burlesque, theater, puppetry
and other performance artists from across the coun-
try. 9 p.m.-1 a.m., $10 (or $25 for full weekend pass),
Eyedrum Gallery, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE,
Atlanta, GA 30312, 404-522-0655,
www.mondohomo.com

DJ Steve James spins at Amsterdam at 10 p.m. No

Princess Charles by Dyana Bagby, others via Facebook and MySpace

cover. 502-A Amsterdam Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306,
404-892-2227, facebook.com/amsterdam.atlanta

Underwear Beach Party with DJ Chiruco. 10 p.m.,

Photo courtesy Showtime

Chaparral Nightclub, 2715 Buford Hwy., Atlanta, GA

30324, www.chaparralalternativo.com

DJ Rick Walsh plays to your Primal Urges and

spins at Heretic. 10 p.m., 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road,
Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Friday, June 4 It’s “Studs and Spurs” every Friday at 3 Legged

Cowboy. Shows at 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight. 931
Sing along to the tunes of ABBA with Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, 404-876-0001,
a showing of “Mamma Mia!” Tickets www.3leggedcowboy.net Thursday, Ju ne 3 stiny
range from $5-$10, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., The Fashionistas, including De
Princess Charles’ ht)
gelica D’Paige (bottom rig
Earl Strand Theatre, 117 N Park Square NE, The premiere of “London Calling” featuring Susan Brooks (top right) and An 2-F
Thursday. 11:30 p.m., 149
Marietta, GA 30060, earlsmithstrand.org Bird and DJ KT with $5 Beefeater gin and tonics. $5 take over Burkharts every
cover. 10 p.m., My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave. a, GA 30305, www.burkharts.com
Piedmont Ave., Atlant
Atlanta, GA 30316, 678-705-4585, mysistersroom.com

“Independent Atlanta Band Night” with The Falcon

Lords, The Judi’s and How I Became the Bomb from MORE COMMUNITY EVENTS www.theGAVoice.com
Nashville. No cover but donations accepted at the Looking for more events? Visit our website for our extensive daily calendar, including nightlife
door for bands. 10 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce de schedules and community organization meetings, provided by our friends at ProjectQAtlanta.com.
Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308,
www.atlantaeagle.com
Photo by Jay Rickard

Friday, May 28-Monday, May 31 Saturday, May 29

Saturday, June 5
Take part in the Big Gay Amazing Race
with Hotlanta Softball’s Pink Cadets
Drag legend Mary Edith Pitts will be entertaining
The Atlanta Xplosion women’s professional full-
the crowds at gay-owned Lumberjacks Camping
contact football team plays its last game of the
Resort. 50 Highway 230, Unadilla, GA 31091, www.
season at home against the Clarksville Fox. 2 p.m.,
lumberjackscampground.com
Centennial High School, 9310 Scott Road, Roswell,
Saturday, May 29 GA 30076, www.atlantaxplosion.com
Get ready to shake your booty. MondoHomo pres-
ents Mondo Musico, an all-day music fest featur-
ing hip hop, disco, punk, electro, rock, cabaret, and Siren Saturdays presents “Black Out” hosted by
Publicity photo

team. The event starts at noon at Pied-
mont Park and will include challenges
throughout Midtown with lots of great
prizes. Cost is $50 per team (five people
per team), or $10 for an individual who
can be assigned to a team. All players
must be 21 and older. Proceeds go to
the Pink Cadets who are playing to
benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation
to fight breast cancer. Email thepink-
cadets@gmail.com for registration
information. www.hotlantasoftball.org
the Atlanta debut of the Sissy Bounce phenom,
Sissy Nobby from New Orleans. 2 p.m.-1 a.m. $15.
Eyedrum Gallery, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, 404-522-0655,
www.mondohomo.com
The Atlanta Beat women’s pro soccer team, which
includes an openly gay goalkeeper, plays the Saint
Louis Athletica. 7 p.m., Kennesaw State University
soccer stadium, 3220 George Busbee Pkwy. NW,
Kennesaw, GA 30144-4999,
www.womensprosoccer.com/atlanta
DJ Rick Walsh spins at Heretic. 10 p.m., 2069
Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324,
www.hereticatlanta.com
Mixx Atlanta serves up A Deeper Love with DJ
Ron Pullman. 10 p.m. 1492 Piedmont Ave. #B,
Atlanta, GA 30309. www.mixxatlanta.com
Melody My Sister’s Room, 10 p.m., 1271 Glen-
DJ Melody.
wood Ave. Atlanta, GA 30316, 678-705-4585,
www.mysistersroom.com
Sunday, May 30
MondoHomo keeps the party going with Homo-
Con, a free day of creative workshops. Free. Noon
to 4 p.m. Then at 8 p.m. the fest presents Mondo
Cinema featuring outrageous queer film shorts.
$5. Eyedrum Gallery, 290 Martin Luther King Jr.
Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, 404-522-0655,
www.mondohomo.com
www.theGAVoice.com
Photo by Kendra
Sunday, May 30
Lesbian musician Garrison Starr in concert along
with The Rescues. Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at
door, $75 tables. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St.,
Decatur, GA 30030, 404-377-4976, eddiesattic.com
VJDJ Hot Rod Killer mixes the hottest dance
videos. 9 p.m., No cover. Amsterdam, 502-A
Amsterdam Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, 404-892-
2227, www.facebook.com/amsterdam.atlanta
Chris Coleman and Fernando Jardim present “Q”
with Twisted Dee, an all-night party. 10 p.m.-8
a.m., Legends, 181 Ralph David Albernathy Blvd. SW,
Atlanta, GA 30312, chriscolemanenterprises.com
Ladies at Play’s Memorial Weekend bash bash. First
floor with DJ M3, second floor with DJ Gaffle,
third floor is karaoke. On the rooftop will be live
music by the Kassondra Rockswell Band. 9 p.m.
At FAB (French American Brasserie), 30 Ivan Allen
Jr. Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30308, www.ladiesatplay.com
Monday, May 31
The Georgia chapter of American Veterans for
Equal Rights, a group that supports LGBT veterans,
holds its annual Memorial Day Taps Ceremony at
Piedmont Park. Noon at the veterans memorial in
front of the old American Legion hall at intersection
of Piedmont Avenue and 12th Street. Acting Atlanta
Police Chief George Turner will attend.
www.avergeorgia.org
MondoHomo concludes with Homo Day Camp
at Cabbagetown Park. Playground sports and, of
course, outdoor cruising. Free. Noon-5 p.m. 200 Tye
St. (at Kirkwood Avenue), Atlanta, GA 30316,
www.mondohomo.com
DJ Sean Mac spins for Mixx Atlanta’s First
Anniversary T-Dance. 1492 Piedmont Ave. #B,
Atlanta, GA 30309. Mixxatlanta.com
Calendar May 28, 2010 GA Voice 25
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Friday, June 4
The Atlanta Dream takes on the Chicago Sky in
women’s pro basketball. 7 p.m., Philips Arena, 1Philips
Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.wnba.com/dream
(Photo via Facebook)
Tuesday, June 1
It’s movie night and $2 tapas with a showing of
“I Am Sam” at Las Margaritas. 7:30 p.m. 1842
Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, 404-873-
4464, www.lasmargaritasmidtown.com
“The Politics of Love Tour” featuring Tom Goss
and Jeremiah Clark. Admission is $10 at the door
with proceeds going to support Augusta Pride.
Showtime is at 7 p.m. at Le Chat Noir, 304 8th St.,
Augusta, GA 30901. www.prideaugusta.org
Wednesday, June 2
friday, june 4
It’s Texas Hold ‘Em every Wednesday at Bellis-
sima. 6:30 p.m. 560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA
30306, www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge
Friday, June 4
The incomparable Diana Ross brings her “More
Today than Yesterday” greatest hits tour to Atlanta.
8 p.m. at Chastain Park Amphitheater, 4469 Stella
Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.ticketmaster.com WITH SPECIAL GUEST
It’s an annual tradition. The Boys of Summer Swimsuit with the
ALSO DAVID RHODES
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
contest comes to Mary’s with the winner taking home
TheB52s.com Blondie.net
FRIDAY, JULY 2 FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25
$100. The contest starts promptly at 9 p.m. 1287 Glen-
wood Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com FOR THE LATEST CONCERT CALENDAR & VENUE INFO,
VISIT DELTACLASSICCHASTAIN.COM
“Relax and Rewind” at a new 1980s-inspired party Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets including Publix Super Markets.
from Bill Kaelin and Barry Brandon. Featuring DJ Shane 1.800.745.3000
V and DJ Sydney Slain. 10 p.m., Hobnob, 1551 Piedmont TICKETMASTER.COM
Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 www.hobnobatlanta.com Woodruff Arts Center Box Office
(Monday - Friday: 10AM - 8PM; Saturday: Noon - 8PM;
CONTINUED
Sunday: Noon - 5PM)
Group Sales 404.733.4848
Delta Classic Chastain Concerts at Chastain Park Amphitheater
ON PAGE 26
produced by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Promoter
Concerts take place rain or shine. Artists and schedules are subject to change.
All sales final. No exchanges or refunds.
26 GA Voice May 28, 2010 Calendar www.theGAVoice.com

Thursday, Juenne 10
is back in Piedmont

Photo courtesy Dreamworks

Screen on the Gre
g of “Dreamgirls,”
Park with tonight’s viewin
Beyonce Knowles,
starring Jennifer Hudson,
y. Hudson and
Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murph
bes t supporting
Murphy won Oscars for
Gue sts are allowed to
actress and actor.
and alcoho lic bev erages, but
bring picnics

EVENTS
s begin at sunset.
no glass containers. Movie
www.piedmontpark.org

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Photo via Facebook

Saturday, June 5-
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UPCOMING
month in honor of Bill Kaelin’s 40th birthday. DJs and
performance art. The event begins with the Flux dance
party on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. On Sunday enjoy a spe-
cial brunch and rooftop pool party. Special room rates
available; to make a reservation call Kaelin at 404-396-
5750. The Livingston Restaurant & Bar, 659 Peachtree St.,
Atlanta, GA 30308, livingstonatlanta.com
Sunday, June 6
The Roy G Biv Project partners with My Sister’s
Room for a family day at the lesbian-owned bar. A
smoke-free event, the party includes punch and snacks
for the kids, beer and wine for the adults. $5 for adults
and $3 for children age 6 and younger. 1271 Glenwood
Ave. Atlanta, GA 30316, 678-705-4585, mysistersroom.
com, atlanta-lgbt-glbt-moms-dads.meetup.com
Wednesday, June 9
A panel of experts joins the Atlanta LGBT Im-
migration Forum. Co-sponsored by the National
Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), the
Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Raksha
and Asians and Friends. Free. 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Phillip
Rush Center, 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA
30307. E-mail ben_deguzman@nqapia.org.
Saturday, June 12
Premiere Party to benefit CHRIS Kids with
proceeds going to help LGBT homeless youth.
Festive white attire suggested. DJ Chris
Griswold will be on the turntables. General
admission in advance is $50 and at the door
is $60. 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Mason Murer Fine Art,
199 Armour Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324,
www.premiereparty.org
Saturday, June 19
MEGA Family Project hosts Doughnuts for
Dad Social meet-up for Father’s Day. 10 a.m.
to noon at Piedmont Park. Also today, MEGA
Family Project presents “Creating a Family:
Choices for Prospective LGBT Families,”
the organization’s signature all-day work-
shop. Registration details for both events
available at www.megafamilyproject.org
www.theGAVoice.com May 28, 2010 GA Voice 27

COCKTAILS, SILENT AUCTION, MUSIC, AND MORE

SATURDAY, JUNE 12TH, 6-10 PM

MASON MURER FINE ART
(199 Armour Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324)
FESTIVE
GENERAL ADMISSION
WHITE in advance $50 / at the door $60
ATTIRE
SPONSOR ADMISSION INCLUDES OPEN BAR
featuring Grey Goose premium cocktails, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly Proceeds
and food buffet by Bridge Catering help LGBT
homeless
VIP LOUNGE youth transition
MUSIC BY DJ CHRIS GRISWOLD from the streets
to self-sufficient
TICKETS/INFO/VIP SPONSORSHIPS: www.premiereparty.org adults