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The Georgia Voice - 6/11/10 Vol. 1, Issue 7
The Georgia Voice - 6/11/10 Vol. 1, Issue 7
McEntire
NALLEY BMW
SUPPORTS GA VOICE.
Publicity photo
Screen on the Green gay audience
target of melee? Page 4
Atlanta Police chief finalists
meet in town hall forum. Page 4
Gov. candidate Karen Handel
dogged by past gay support. Page 6
ARCA seeks volunteers for
historic HIV vaccine trial. Page 8
U.S. House, Senate committee
vote to repeal DADT. Page 10 “Every man I know is watching
No Georgia hospitals rated this show — this live show — about
‘top performers’ by HRC. Page 10 lesbian lovers of Miami!”
Longtime LGBT volunteer —Man-hungry “Golden Girl” Blanche, played by
Greg Barrett remembered. Page 12 Rue McClanahan, lamenting when ditzy Rose
casts Blanche and Dorothy on a local TV segment
VOICES about “women who love each other and sleep
together.” McClanahan died June 3 at age 76.
Guest column: Sylvia Rivera Community (Advocate.com, June 3)
“I promise you I did not kiss her and it is ridiculous that two
Publicity photo
BY THE
POP QUIZ
Chely Wright comes out of the country
WITH JZ
closet. Page 16 “If you are straight, gay or bisexual,
NUMBERS
The road to country music’s first openly I want to walk through the scrip-
gay star. Page 17 tures with you.”
Art: Gay artist tackles homophobia in
1
— Rev. Ted Haggard, who lost his conservative
black community. Page 18 Times for a man to have had sex mega-church in 2006 after a scandal with a male
Books: ‘Mama Deb’ finds happy ending with another man since 1977 in prostitute, on the new church he is founding
to grim fairy tales. Page 20 order to be permanently banned with his wife, Gayle. Haggard maintains he is
from donating blood straight and his same-sex desire came from being
Across the Table: Best tacos molested by a man. (The Guardian, June 6)
1
under the sun. Page 21 Years that a person who has had
heterosexual sex with someone
27
Years since the lifetime ban
Atlanta’s Stonewall Week honors Pride’s on gay male blood donors was
beginnings. Page 25 instituted in 1983, during the
Georgia celebrates Pride month. Page 26 height of the HIV epidemic. PRINCESS CHARLE
S
DR AG PE RS ON AL
219,000
Milestone: Erica French and Nina Gooch IT Y & EM CE E
Photo via Facebook
celebrate 21 years. Page 26 View the full interv “One thing I stand for is hip hop
iew
CALENDAR
t h e GAVO IC E .co mat music. And hip hop music knows no
race, no color, no age, no gender, no
Estimated pints that would be added to the US blood
supply per year if the gay ban is lifted sexual orientation — none of that.”
Pages 28-30
“I get to perform me.
2
Times the Food & Drug Administration has — Hip hop artist Wale speaking from the stage at
facebook.com/thegavoice
reconsidered the gay blood ban. In 2000
and 2006, the FDA decided to keep the It’s androgynous. I don’t DC Black Pride over Memorial Day Weekend. The
performance drew controversy when one of Wale’s
twitter.com/thegavoice policy; it is set to be studied again in
meetings June 10-11.
have to wear hip pads staffers initially canceled it, claiming he didn’t know
Gay slurs cited in Screen on the Green melee “We felt like sitting ducks,” he said. “They Hice and his friend were hit while they were in
Violence causes were definitely targeting gay people. One of
my good friends, who is gay and works at
Hice’s open Jeep driving past Piedmont Park.
Sgt. Curtis Davenport, public information
Per 12 oz., MGD 64 contains 64 cals., 2.4g carbs, < 1g protein, 0.0g fat.
6 GA Voice June 11, 2010 News www.theGAVoice.com
Gay baiting in GOP primary for governor However, the same August 2003 Southern
Under attack by Deal, Voice article that included Yeager’s comment
Handel tries to deny past on gay adoption included a quote from then-
Georgia Equality Executive Director Allen
support for gay issues Thornell, who referenced the survey that Han-
del submitted the year before.
Reads the article: “In the candidate survey
By Laura Douglas-Brown Georgia Equality distributed last year, Handel
lbrown@thegavoice.com indicated support establishing a domestic part-
ner benefits policy, but opposed creating a do-
The gay Republican activist who stated in a mestic partner registry, citing privacy concerns,
2003 interview that Karen Handel supports gay Thornell said.”
adoption and domestic partner benefits told the Thornell passed away last year.
Georgia Voice that he stands by the quote, and McLagan also noted that “the one opportu-
provided email exchanges with the GOP politi- nity [Handel] had to vote on the issue, she voted
cian that show her desire to win gay support. against them.”
Meanwhile, another gay Republican leader The Fulton County Commission approved
noted that the staff of Nathan Deal, who is attack- domestic partner benefits for county employ-
As the G0P gubernatorial primary heats up, Nathan Deal is attacking Karen Handel on her previous
ing Handel on gay issues as they battle in the GOP ees in 2003, when Kenn was chair. The issue
stands on gay issues — positions Handel and her campaign are trying to refute. (Handel photo from
primary for governor, welcomed and helped him Handle voted against was whether to also expand
campaign Facebook page; Deal photo from U.S. Congress)
when he visited Washington, D.C., for the gay the county’s pension plan to include domestic
Log Cabin Republicans national conference. partners — and that vote came in 2006, the same
“We will be continuing our support for Kar- he remembers receiving a check for the mem- ports the benefits for county workers, but has year she ran for Secretary of State.
en Handel,” Marc Yeager, then-president of the bership from Handel at the LCR booth at the privacy concerns about a DP registry open to
Georgia Log Cabin Republicans, told Southern Atlanta Pride Festival, held at the end of June. all Fulton residents. Log Cabin leader welcomed
Voice newspaper in an article published Aug. “She definitely was a member of Log Cabin The third exchange, from September 2003, by Deal’s congressional office
15, 2003. “She demonstrated in her last run that and she was for at least two years,” said Yeager, came after Yeager’s comment to Southern Voice Asked about Handel’s past stands on gay
she was supportive of domestic partner benefits, who is no longer a leader in the group. about Handel’s support for gay adoption, and rights, the current president of Georgia Log
and she’s supported same-sex adoptions on the Neither Handel nor Deal’s campaigns re- shows Handel continued to seek his advice after Cabin Republicans, Jamie Ensley, focused on
basis of the best interest of the child.” sponded to interview requests by press time. that interview. In these emails, Handel responds Deal’s decision to attack Handel on the issue.
At the time, Handel was running for Ful- positively to Yeager’s invitation to join Log Cabin “I’m extremely disappointed with former
ton County Commission chair. The quote has Emails show relationship in the Atlanta AIDS Walk, and recounts more dis- Rep. Nathan Deal using the same tired old gay
dogged her in her race for governor, with Deal between Handel, Yeager cussions with Georgia Equality. boogeyman scare tactic against Karen Handel,
— a former congressman and one of Handel’s Handel lost her bid for an at-large seat on the As part of Southern Voice’s election cover- and I think it reflects a losing campaign,” Ens-
five opponents in the July 20 GOP primary — Fulton County Commission in 2002, then won age, the newspaper invited political candidates ley said. “I would rather former Rep. Deal ad-
using it to paint her as not a true conservative. the Fulton County chairmanship in a special to submit statements from a gay supporter. The dress his corruption accusations instead of this
“Records prove Handel’s support of gay election in 2003 after Mike Kenn resigned. Oct. 31, 2003, issue included a statement sub- nonsense, it really makes his campaign appear
adoption, domestic partner benefits,” reads a Handel’s outreach to gay voters in her Ful- mitted by Handel’s campaign. In it, Log Cabin to be a few clowns short of a circus.”
May 11 press release from Deal’s campaign. ton County races included seeking endorse- member Mike Horton noted that Handel “has Deal consistently opposed LGBT issues in
Handel’s camp now says the comment from ments from Log Cabin and Georgia Equality, long supported domestic partner benefits” and Congress, but Ensley noted that Deal’s U.S. House
Yeager was inaccurate, but she never asked the state’s largest gay political group. was a member of Log Cabin. office “was very helpful to me” when he attended
Southern Voice for a correction or retraction. This week, Yeager provided copies of three the national Log Cabin conference in April 2006.
Yeager told the Georgia Voice on June 7 that email exchanges with Handel from 2002 and Changing stands “His office staff gave me a private tour of
Handel, with whom he had frequently talked and 2003. They show the two had a friendly as well Handel has tried to disavow her outreach to the capital, and arranged a tour of the White
emailed, never told him that it was wrong, either. as political relationship, with Handel inquiring gay voters in her bids for state office, including House for me, so I’m totally baffled by his new
“As closely as I was working with her at the about Yeager’s vacations while also telling him her successful 2006 campaign for Secretary of bipolar political affliction,” Ensley said.
time, I certainly would not have made any state- about gay endorsement interviews and seeking State and her current gubernatorial race. Other GOP candidates for governor include
ment like that if it had not been expressed from advice on the Georgia Equality survey. In 2006, Bill Stephens, one of Handel’s GOP Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxen-
herself and clearly understood that that was her The first exchange, from July 2002, shows primary opponents for Secretary of State, also dine, who tried unsuccessfully to bar private
position,” Yeager said. Handel sending Yeager a draft of her answers to made an issue of her past stands on gay issues. insurance companies from offering domestic
Yeager said at the time he had personal rea- Georgia Equality’s candidate survey, and Yea- On June 7, her current campaign spokesper- partner benefits; Eric Johnson, who opposed
sons for being concerned about gay adoption, ger responding with recommendations. son, Dan McLagan, told the Atlanta Journal-Con- gay issues in the Georgia General Assembly;
adding to his certainty about Handel’s position. “As I’ve told you, I do support domestic part- stitution that despite being written in the first per- Jeff Chapman and Ray McBerry.
“I had friends who are same-sex parents, ner benefits, and confirm my position here, al- son and signed “Fondly, Karen,” the email with Log Cabin does not plan to make an en-
and at the time my partner and I were also con- though I do have concerns about a domestic part- the draft of the Georgia Equality survey was sent dorsement in the primary, Ensley said.
sidering adoption, so it was a personal issue,” ner registry,” Handel writes in the email. “Bottom by her campaign manager, not Handel, and did
he said. “Certainly if she had the position she is line is that I will work with you and other GLBT not accurately reflect her positions. Note: Southern Voice shut down on Nov.
affirming now, I would not have been as active leaders to develop workable legislation. Give me He did not comment on the veracity of the 16, 2009, when its parent company filed for
in her campaign as I was at the time.” a call if you have questions.” other email exchanges, which also showed bankruptcy, causing its archives to no longer
Yeager also confirmed that Handel was a In an exchange in mid-October 2002, Han- Handel actively courting gay votes. be available online. A separate company pur-
dues-paying member of the Georgia Log Cabin del and Yeager discuss her interview for Geor- Handel would not speak directly to the AJC. chased the assets in bankruptcy court in Feb-
Republicans, noting that the LCR database gia Equality’s endorsement and her stand on McLagan also told the daily paper that the ruary 2010 and sporadically publishes a new
shows she became a member in July 2002 and domestic partner benefits. Handel said she sup- Georgia Equality survey was never submitted. newspaper with that name.
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10 GA Voice June 11, 2010 News www.theGAVoice.com
U.S. House, Senate committee vote to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
The Defense bill still has to pass the full Sen-
Two Ga. Democrats cross ate, where debate could begin as early as June How Georgia’s U.S.
party lines to vote ‘no’ 18, and some Republicans, including Sen. John
McCain (R-Ariz.), have threatened filibuster. House delegation voted
After the Senate, the bill would then go
By Laura Douglas-Brown through a conference committee to resolve YES on repeal
lbrownt@thegavoice.com any differences between the House and Sen- DEMOCRATS
ate versions, and then the House and Senate District 4: Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Lithonia)
Efforts to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, would have to vote to approve conference re- District 5: Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta)
Don’t Tell” policy gained significant momen- port, according to Servicemembers Legal De- District 12: Rep. John Barrow (D-Savannah)
tum May 27 when both the U.S. House and fense Network, before it would go to President District 13: Rep. David Scott (D-Atlanta)
the Senate Armed Services Committee passed Obama for signing. During debate on the House floor, Rep. John REPUBLICANS
amendments to repeal the ban. The full U.S. House voted 234-194 May 27 Lewis (D-Ga.) called the ban on openly gay peo- none
“Just like the military helped end segrega- in favor of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal ple serving in the military ‘an affront to human
tion based on race, we should have put an end amendment, which was sponsored by Rep. Pat- dignity.’ (Courtesy photo) NO on repeal
to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ long ago. It is an af- rick Murphy (D-Pa.) and needed 217 votes to
DEMOCRATS
front to human dignity and to the dignity and pass. Only five Republicans voted in favor of military … there would be no option but to rec-
District 2: Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Albany)
the worth of every man and woman serving in repeal, while 26 Democrats voted against it. ognize a man’s husband or a woman’s wife and District 8: Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Macon)
our military,” U.S. Rep. John Lewis said during All of the Republicans in Georgia’s del- to provide spousal benefits thus contradicting
debate on the House floor. egation voted against repeal. Two Democrats the federal law,” he said in a press release. REPUBLICANS
“We cannot wait. We cannot be patient,” from Georgia, Reps. Sanford Bishop and Jim Kingston also suggested chucking DADT District 1: Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Savannah)
Lewis said. “We must end discrimination in the Marshall, were among the 26 Democrats who would “lead to further acts of censorship and a District 3: Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Grantville)
military, and we must end it now. Discrimina- crossed party lines to oppose repeal. clamp down against religious freedom.” District 6: Rep. Tom Price (R-Roswell)
tion is wrong, and we must end it now.” Kingston said he opposes repealing “ Don’t “What happens when clerics are told they District 7: Rep. John Linder (R-Duluth)
District 10: Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens)
Both the House and Senate efforts would Ask, Don’t Tell” because it would somehow can no longer preach against a practice their District 11: Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta)
add “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal to the mas- lead to recognizing gay marriage.
Note: District 9 seat is vacant
sive Defense Department authorization bill. “With homosexuals serving openly in the Please see MILITARY on Page 12
remembered for
Originally from Dora,
Ala., Barrett was a 1984
graduate of Corner High
community work School and a 1987 gradu-
ate of the University of
Alabama at Birmingham.
Friends and family of Greg Barrett came to- According to a police
gether at Christ Covenant MCC in Decatur June Greg Barrett report obtained by Proj-
7 to honor his life and remember his community (Photo via Facebook) ect Q Atlanta, Barrett was
volunteerism. Barrett died June 3. visiting a friend on June 2
Attendees remembered Barrett, 43, for his and inhaled the recreational drug poppers and
dedication to local nonprofit organizations as took a tablet of Levitra, a prescription drug for
well on the impact he had on friends and family. erectile dysfunction. When he did not wake the
A long-time Atlanta Pride volunteer, Barrett next morning, the friend called an ambulance;
was actively involved with several Atlanta-based Barrett was dead at the scene.
nonprofit organizations, including the Atlanta Levitra warns that it should not be used with
Gay Men’s Chorus and AIDS Walk Atlanta. poppers. Police do not think Barrett’s death was
JP Sheffield, executive director of Atlanta the result of foul play, but they are awaiting the
Pride, said of Barrett, “Greg was a really, really results of a toxicology report, Project Q reported.
good man. I know Pride was really important Barrett was chair of the Atlanta Pride Op-
to Greg, but everything he did was important. erations Committee, putting him in charge of
That’s the kind of character he had.” the golf carts, radios, and tens of thousands of
“I can’t count the number of times Greg dollars worth of equipment needed to put on the
Barrett was there for me,” Sheffield said at the annual festival.
memorial service. In an interview, Sheffield estimated Barrett
Barrett also staffed the bar at the Atlanta had been volunteering with Atlanta Pride for at
Eagle every other week and donated his tips to least 15 years.
Atlanta Pride. “He was the one always doing the work and
“It’s because of people like Greg that we all our organizations have people like him,” he
have a voice in this town,” Atlanta Eagle co- said. “They’re not in the paper or getting awards
owner Robby Kelley said at the service. and Greg was a shining example of that. Even if
Barrett leaves behind his partner, Tim Garrett, people didn’t know him, we should all be grate-
and many other family members and friends. ful for his work.”
Memorial donations are requested for Atlanta —Ryan Watkins & Dyana Bagby
SPEAKING OUT
Atlanta police still need Editor’s note: These comments on Georgia
to apologize for Eagle raid Voice articles were submitted via our
Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thega-
Re: “Atlanta police want to sweeten relation-
voice). Want to weigh in? Follow us there or
ship with LGBT community” (News, May 28)
submit comments on our website.
Of course they want to sweeten the relation-
ship. They are tired of being sued. on June 19. We have a long way to go before
we’re anybody’s Mecca, but hey, we’re trying!
Except for [GA Voice Deputy Editor Dyana
Bagby’s] astute, articulate articles, and [Eagle East Point. Yes, we are a separate city.
lawsuit attorney] Dan Grossman’s comprehen-
sive legal expertise, there has been no sense that Decatur (despite being surrounded by Atlan-
anyone, including the APD, the City of Atlanta, ta). Savannah is also decent; gay people always
or our local LGBT so-called leaders have had find a niche in any city basically run by old
the slightest clue about the seriousness and le- white women who control the old white men
galities of what happened at the Eagle. If the they married… Meet any real Steel Magnolia
police and the city had, even after the fact, real- and you know who sets the pace in any South-
ized the gravity of their actions, they wouldn’t ern city or town. And Steel Magnolias all have
have taken the “underwear dancing” case to gay friends; they admire our class and “spunk”
trial. And the police would have apologized as my late aunt used to describe gay men.
formally by now for their Gestapo-like actions
in September.
LETTER
We need to insist on the police having “sen-
sitivity training,” and we need to insist that the
HRC award winner is
police spend some time helping with Gay events trans, but not ‘activist’
and causes, so they will get to know us as “nor- To the Editors:
mal citizens” and not as “freaks with problems.” Re: “HRC Dinner seeks equality ‘Every
Day’” and “Out of the ballrooms and into the
streets” (news and editorial by Laura Douglas-
Bullying bill a good first Brown, May 14)
step, but more needed
I want to voice my disappointment that the
Re: “Governor to sign anti-bullying bill”
Human Rights Campaign seemed not to be able
(thegavoice.com, May 27)
to find a transgender person more worthy to
award the “Community Service Award” to, and
A day for everyone to celebrate. Now if we
your Laura Douglas-Brown to apparently see
can just get it enforced. Bullying is more than
this as deserved and calling Vandy Beth Glenn
“getting beat up.”
an “activist” of all things!
This a further spotlight on the division of the
Wonderful news. Hurray for Rep. Mike Ja-
“privileged” from those who are “in the trench-
cobs and Gov. Sonny Perdue!
es” for transgender rights. Vandy Beth has not
been an activist for any transgender rights but
One small step for the “lost” governor of
her own.
Georgia, but the bill still does not say anything
Her face has, however, become known as
about sexual orientation or gender identity.
the “privileged” who lost it when she lost the
job it allowed her when she began transition.
Georgia’s second most She has eschewed participation in any activities
LGBT-friendly city is… that would strive toward advancement of other
Re: “What Georgia city should get second transgenders but herself, while quietly accept-
place as the best for LGBT residents?” (Dis- ing public support from other transgenders.
cussion at facebook.com/thegavoice, May 23) What “community service” has she pro-
vided, besides her image as the “Poster Trans-
Decatur. And no Decatur is not Atlanta. gender” for job discrimination? I suppose she
would/should be “humble,” Ms. Douglas-
Since Decatur is so close to Atlanta, I would Brown!
have to go with Savannah.
Cheryl Courtney-Evans
Augusta is having its first large-scale Pride Atlanta
18
2 GA Voice June 11, 2010 A&E www.theGAVoice.com
www.OffhandPhotography.com
404.312.5392
20
2 GA Voice June 11, 2010 A&E www.theGAVoice.com
Motherly wisdom
Debi Lowry, AKA Mama Deb,
spreads message of
unconditional love in new book
Debi Lowry is already a bit of a legend
in gay Atlanta: a fixture on dance floors and
at charitable fundraisers, a surrogate mother
to the dozens of gay men who affectionately
know her as Mama Deb. As much as Lowry
revels in her popularity and being able to of-
fer a compassionate shoulder to those who feel
turned away from their biological families, she
was unsatisfied by the thought of her legacy be-
ing limited to her being a social butterfly.
“When I’m gone, when I die, I want to have
had an impact on someone else’s life — I don’t
want it to be just, ‘Oh, she was a really nice
person’ or ‘She made me laugh,’” Lowry says.
“If I can change their lives for the better, I ab-
solutely have to do that.”
Lowry, the heterosexual mother of two adult
children, one of whom is gay, is on a crusade
to remind other parents about unconditional
love, and to challenge the subtle and aggressive himself and show his parents who he was, and
ways that they deny their children happiness. he committed suicide,” she recalls. “The ex-
She recently published her first book, “Three tremes that people go through emotionally to
Grim Fairy Tales and a Happy Ending,” which avoid or mask themselves based on what they
she hopes will be “a tool to start the dialogue” perceive the expectations are from their family
about parents being more accepting. are very painful to me.”
“I wanted to talk with parents, I wanted to The will be a July 7 book signing at Outwrite
knock on their doors and say, ‘How come you for “Three Grim Fairy Tales,” which is aimed
don’t get it? What do you see as wrong with not only at openly hostile parents, but also those
your child?” Lowry says. “When they were ba- who take a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” approach to
bies, you loved them and you never questioned their children’s sexual orientation, Lowry says.
your love and affection and your loyalty for “Sexuality is only a part of who they are,
your child, and so when they become sexual but it does affect who they give their heart to,
beings, why does that stop? and so it’s a major part of who they are,” she
“What’s important to remember is when says. “If you fall in love with somebody, how
they were babies, when they were learning to do you not tell your mom?”
walk, when they were learning to talk, when However, the themes in “Three Grim Fairy
they went to elementary school,” Lowry adds. Tales” transcend sexual orientation, and “apply
“Those are the milestones you remember and to everybody who doesn’t meet their parent’s
cherish, and then they go, ‘I’m gay.” How do expectations.”
you wipe the slate clean and say that that was “Parents need to remember in regards to
all good but now you’re different? No, they’re their children, my ambitions for you are not
still the same person.” your ambitions, and that doesn’t change the fact
All proceeds from “Three Grim Fairytales that you’re an amazing person,” Lowry says.
& a Happy Ending” are being donated to the
Atlanta-based For The Kid in All of Us and MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com
CHRIS Kids’ Rainbow Program, and the Gay
‘Three Grim Fairy Tales & A Happy Ending’
& Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The
By Debi Lowry, $12.95
book is divided into two sections, with the first www.mamadebatlanta.com
part chronicling heartbreaking stories of some
of the gay men who Mama Deb bonded with Book Signing
over the years. July 7, 7:30 p.m.
“The first one was someone who lived his Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse
entire life pleasing his parents, and in the end 991 Piedmont Ave., 404-607-0082
was still so unhappy and couldn’t be true to www.outwritebooks.com
www.theGAVoice.com A&E June 11, 2010 GA Voice 21
by ROB ANDREWS pecially at lunch. Here, you can see hot guys in
ACROSS THE TABLE MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com designer suits relaxing with a delicious meal.
WRIGHT, continued from Page 16 For the first time in 10 years, my char-
ity concert, “Reading, Writing and Rhythm,”
her. This isn’t going to be easy, but I am going [on June 8] isn’t sold out. Only about half the
to come out to her.” tickets have been sold. It could be that because
Nashville had the flood, people might just be all
You made a statement when you were charitied-out.
on Oprah where you were talking about the I can tell you this, though: We’ve been beg-
gay children in this country who are hearing ging the other acts to please put the event on
churches preaching that they are damaged their social networking sites. That’s never been
goods and that their parents are echoing that a problem in the past to get them to help us
in their homes. advertise it to their fans. Other than Rodney
Do you think that if the parents and church- Crowell, SheDaisy and Jann Arden, nobody
es would just let these children know that they else is telling their fans that they are performing
are unconditionally loved and accepted, they at my event.
wouldn’t grow up thinking that they must at-
tempt a “normal” life where innocent people That’s eye-opening.
are dragged into their attempts to “be normal” Isn’t it? I think that they don’t want to cancel
like this poor man and his family? because what would it say about them if they
The parents are quite as culpable as the canceled? So they just want to quietly slip in,
church. When parents take a child to a church sing their few songs and get out of there.
and say, “This is my baby, help me raise them,”
they’re well-intentioned. I don’t want to point Next week is Fan Fair in Nashville. [The of-
fingers but I do want to identify where we ficial CMA Music Festival is June 10-13.] Are
13 thAnnual BENEFITING ATLANTA PRIDE AND THE are going wrong. We need to start looking at
churches where kids are hearing this message
you expecting to get a better feel for the reac-
tion from country fans when you’re there?
SHOW ATLANTA LESBIAN HEALTH INITIATIVE of “You are broken.” This whole “Love the sin-
ner, hate the sin” — I’m so tired of that. That’s
Nashville whispered about me for years. I
didn’t come out to confirm it to the people in
a problem for me. Isn’t that so empty? Nashville who had heard that I was gay. I came
out for the 14-year-old kid sitting in church be-
Yes, because a gay person rarely, if ever, ing told, “Don’t be that, because you’re doomed
sees any “love” from someone who uses that to a life of ruination. You’re not going to be a
On the Commons, Downtown East Point phrase. good human being if you’re going to be that.”
After Party hosted by the East Point Corner Tavern Sin is decision-making. I don’t have a choice
to love a man. It’s a sin for me to try to love a When you and your dad recently ap-
man. I will mess a man up. I will mess me up peared on Oprah, your dad spoke of his im-
Visit www.EastPointPossums.com for show information & details and I will leave a wake of carnage behind me. mediate change of heart when you came out
to him.
Do you get the feeling that country music When I told my dad that I was gay and he
was ready for your coming out? heard that word “gay” next to his daughter’s
Not entirely. People who are supportive are face, name and heart, it changed that word for
so excited that there is someone who has fi- him. My dad was more effective in moving a
nally stepped out. That’s been so amazing that million small mountains on the Oprah show
people are posting positive comments on my than I was.
Facebook page. Oprah asked him, “Stan, what changed? You
On the other side, people really hate quietly. went from thinking that gay meant sinful, per-
Barb Rowland
Let that not go unnoticed. Some of the most verted and sick to being accepting the moment
Dr. CHIP HILL damaging hate in history has been done pri- Chely said she was gay. What changed?”
advanced dentistry of atlanta LLC vately behind closed doors or with hoods over He looked at Oprah and he said, “I know
their heads. her heart.”
www.theGAVoice.com A&E June 11, 2010 GA Voice 23
Pre-planning helps us
make better choices.
Planning for your pet
is no different.
THE
SHUGART
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EST 1972
770-457-7659
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Georgia
from City Hall at 2727 East Point St.
kicks off Atlanta Pride’s Stonewall Week on East Point, GA 30344
June 19 in East Point with, well, a sashay — www.eastpointpossums.com
perhaps a clumsy sashay at that.
Pride month
Atlanta, GA 30307
la), Chuck Jenkins (a.k.a. Rococo Baroque) and www.storycorps.org
Chesley Thurman (a.k.a. Dina Daintymouth).
Thursday, June 24
For Westbrook, the show’s popularity is a testa- Evening for Equality
ment to people’s desire to come together for a 6:30 p.m. at Hilton Garden Inn
By Laura Douglas-Brown good time and for a good cause. 275 Baker St, Atlanta, GA 30313
lbrown@thegavoice.com This year, all money made at the Possums The East Point Possums Show on June 19 kicks off www.georgiaequality.org
show will be donated to the Atlanta Pride Com- Stonewall Week in Atlanta. (Courtesy photo)
Friday, June 25
The Atlanta Pride Festival, by far the mittee and the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative. Out on Film Screening: “Stonewall Uprising”
largest Pride festival in Georgia, may not “Last year we made $11,000 and this year ern gay civil rights movement. Tentative times 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
take place until October, but there are we’re hoping to make $20,000,” Westbrook says. A new organization is joining in this year’s Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Drive
plenty of other events around the state to And people tip well at the Possums show — activities with a picnic in Piedmont Park on Atlanta, GA 30308
mark June, which President Obama offi- but you just don’t know where the money’s been. June 26. Named the “Queer Justice League,” www.outonfilm.org
cially declared as LGBT Pride Month. “I can’t tell you how many $20 and $50 dol- the group is made up of anonymous young ac- Saturday, June 26
“As Americans, it is our birthright that lar bills I’ve pulled from the crack of my ass over tivists who are asking people to join them in the Sylvia Rivera Stonewall Community Brunch
all people are created equal and deserve the years,” he says. “This is unlike any other drag park that afternoon for food and fellowship. 11:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
the same rights, privileges, and oppor- show — this is good work through bad drag.” “They are an anonymous group of young ac- Central Presbyterian Church
tunities. Since our earliest days of inde- The show includes 20 to 30 acts and include tivists — they are not about any one individual 201 Washington St., SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
pendence, our Nation has striven to fulfill favorites like Ginny Tonic, a drag legend who and are about coming together for the good of the ‘Be Visible, Make a Statement’
that promise. An important chapter in now only performs at the Possums show, and community,” says Westbrook, who said he was Rally & Community Photo Shoot
our great, unfinished story is the move- Alexandria Martin and her infamous roller asked to speak for the Queer Justice League. “We 2-3:30 p.m. at State Capitol
ment for fairness and equality on behalf skates, as well as new acts from such shows as need to put together a united front.” 100 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans- Sukeban, now held at My Sister’s Room. The picnic is the Queer Justice League’s www.atlantapride.org
gender (LGBT) community,” the presi- “This show is off the hook,” Westbrook “coming out” event — the first of many it hopes Stonewall Pride Picnic
dent’s proclamation reads. promises. to hold in the future, Westbrook says. But the 3 p.m. at Piedmont Park
Pride month is observed in June to There will be surprises, he adds, including a picnic is simply a way for people to gather on In the meadow by Park Tavern
mark the anniversary of the 1969 Stone- “rumor” that the Atlanta Pride Committee itself the day of Stonewall and “celebrate our libera- www.queerjusticeleague.net
wall Riots, when patrons of the Stonewall will perform a number. tion,” Westbrook adds. Out on Film Screening: “Stonewall Uprising”
Inn, a New York City gay bar, fought The crowd for the show grows each year The picnic in Piedmont Park on June 26 fol- 7 p.m. at Midtown Art Cinema
back against police harassment. with East Point residents as well as those from all lows a full day of activities beginning with the 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308
The rebellion is frequently seen as the over metro Atlanta attending. And women like to first Sylvia Rivera Community Brunch spon- www.outonfilm.org
launch of the modern gay rights move- make their husbands dress in drag just to watch sored by Transgender Individuals Living Their Panel discussion about Eagle bar raid follows
ment, and in 1970, activists in cities the shownumerous families — gay and straight Truth (T.I.L.T.T.) and the Juxtaposed Center for
around the country began holding march- — gathering as well to help LGBT causes. Transformation, in conjunction with the Atlanta
es and rallies during the last weekend in “This is truly a community event, and at the Pride Committee. conference at Georgia State University on May
June to commemorate it. same time, we are proud to promote that our The brunch is named for trans activist Ri- 18 and spoke about the violence transgender
“This month, as we recognize the event has now become the largest drag show in vera, a veteran of the 1969 Stonewall uprising. people face for simply being who they are.
immeasurable contributions of LGBT the Southeast,” boasts Thurman. The community brunch includes speakers Tra- McDaniel also recently spoke at the first In-
Americans, we renew our commitment cee McDaniel, founder of the Juxtaposed Center, ternational Day Against Homophobia in Atlanta,
to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Remembering 1969 and Cheryl Courtney-Evans, founder of T.I.L.T.T., organized by Betty Couvertier and her LGBT ra-
Americans and to ending prejudice and Stonewall Week continues through June both noted Atlanta transgender activists. dio show, “Alternative Perspectives,” that airs on
injustice wherever it exists,” Obama’s 26 with a host of events to celebrate the 1969 Courtney-Evans recently was a panelist
proclamation declares. uprising at the Stonewall Inn, a gay New York at the first Matthew Shepard & James Byrd
Please see STONEWALL on Page 26
City bar, that is credited with starting the mod- Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act community
26 GA Voice June 11, 2010 Community www.theGAVoice.com
MORE INFO
The Journey MCC The Journey MCC
Sundays, 10 a.m.
The Journey Metropolitan Community 1509 Suite C General Arts Drive
Church holds services at 10 a.m. on Sundays in Conyers, GA 30012
Conyers. The congregation is part of the Metro- www.thejourneymcc.org
DON’T WAIT! BOOK YOUR SUMMER
politan Community Churches, a denomination
founded in 1968 by Rev. Troy Perry to provide Shawver, who served as pastor of Atlanta’s & HOLIDAY RESERVATIONS TODAY!
an inclusive church for LGBT Christians. Christ Covenant MCC before joining the pas-
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 404-873-5400 • MIDTOWN ATLANTA, AMSTERDAM WALK, 501 AMSTERDAM AVE, ATLANTA, GA 30306
The Journey MCC was founded as an out- toral staff at First MCC, and Music Director
reach of First MCC in Atlanta. The church’s Gregg Tomlinson.
mission is to reach people in Conyers, Coving- In 2009, the church moved to its current, larg-
ton and other cities south of Atlanta. er and more accessible location. They also “re-
“We believe in the call of Jesus to make ceived their first Sunday offering over $1,000 to
disciples of all nations; we believe there are help them meet their obligations,” the MCC Im-
many outside of the Metro Atlanta area who pact newsletter reports in the May 2009 issue.
want and need to hear the message of God’s In addition to Sunday services, the Jour-
all-inclusive love as only MCC can deliver,” ney MCC fields a softball team in the Deca-
the church states on its website. tur Women’s Sports League and hosts events
The Journey MCC is led by Rev. Renne like potlucks.
SPOTLIGHT Enjoy coffee and dinner with the Southern Bears &
Friends. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Starbucks, 3983 LaVista Road,
Tucker, GA 30084, 770-270-0611, southernbears.org
www.seleatherfest.com The Armorettes present “Wild Cherry Sucret: This game of the 2010 World Cup against England.
Is It?” to honor the retirement of Wild Cherry Sucret, Meet the team and learn about soccer. $10 bottom-
aka Tony Kearney, after 10 years with the popular less beer, $6 Patron margaritas. 5:30 p.m., F.R.O.G.S.
The 2010 Indiegrrl Fest will be in North Georgia
camp drag troupe that raises funds for HIV/AIDS orga- Cantina, 931 Monroe Drive #A107, Atlanta, GA 30308,
at Jonica Gap Campground. Weekend pass is
nizations. 8 p.m., Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, www.hotlantasoccer.com
$60 for adults, $30 for children 6 to 17, free for
GA 30324, www.armorettes.com
children ages 5 and younger. Musicians participat-
ing include Vicki Blankenship, Renee Mixon and
Sunday, June 13
The queer-friendly third annual “Art B Que” in Avon- “Splish 2010,” a fundraiser for GLAAD, will have
Saturday, June 19 Virago. Jonica Gap Campground is located at 1412
dale Estates opens tonight including a performance DJ Brian Beck spinning and models wearing the
Haygood St., Mineral Bluff, GA 30559, 706-374-5465,
by local band Snagglepuss. 9:30pm, The Alcove Gal- latest trends in swim wear from Boy Next Door. $20
Augusta holds its inaugural Pride www.jonicagapcampground.com
lery, 2852 East College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, suggested donation includes open bar. 1 p.m.-6 p.m.,
event in the downtown Commons area www.alcovearts.com 388 4th St., Atlanta GA 30308. www.glaad.org
with three blocks of festivities over- Saturday, June 12
looking the Savannah River. A parade The 15th annual Reynoldstown Wheelbarrow It’s a Hot Mess with DJ Homosexual spinning the
The men of Second Sunday invite the public to at-
begins at 10:30 a.m. coming down from Festival includes entertainment as well as vendors in beats to make you gay. 10 p.m., Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood
tend a special discussion of the new book, “Visible
10th Street along Broad Street to 6th arts, fashion, food and beverages. The Wheelbarrow Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com
Lives,” a tribute to groundbreaking black gay au-
Street and disbanding on Reynolds Festival is the Reynoldstown Neighborhood’s biggest thor E. Lynn Harris. The book contains three original
Street where the festival takes place. A LeBuzz hosts a party for a screening of “8: The
fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the festival Mormon Proposition” with hostess Nicole Paige novellas by authors Stanley Bennett Clay, Terrance
free concert featuring Grammy winner go to senior programs, youth programs and public Dean and James Earl Hardy and the authors will be
Thelma Houston and Grammy nominee Brooks and a photo booth for partiers to have their
safety. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Reynoldstown Neighborhood at pictures made with the movie logo. The movie hits on hand for the discussion. While Second Sunday of
Frenchie Davis closes Pride. 11 a.m.-7 the intersection of Gibson and Kirkwood, Atlanta is typically geared toward black gay men,
p.m., www.prideaugusta.org theaters June 18 and is an in-depth look at the Mor-
www.wheelbarrowfestival.com. mon Church’s participation in the passage of Prop 8 this meeting is free and open to everyone. 2 p.m.,
www.theGAVoice.com Calendar June 11, 2010 GA Voice 29
Publicity photo
Wednesday, Ju ne 16
Movie and TV star Pa
m Grier, known for
starring roles includ her
ing “Foxy Brown,” “Ja
Brown” and Showtim ckie
e’s “The L Word,” sig
book “Foxy: My Life ns her
in Three Acts” from
-7:30 p.m. at Outwrit 5 p.m.
e Bookstore & Coffe
991 Piedmont Ave. NE ehouse,
, Atlanta, GA 30309,
outwritebooks.com www.
“Sunrise was
our first and
very best
choice”
- Cathy Luce, Magical
EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
UPCOMING
Backpack in the Park. 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m., La Tavola,
and happiness. It allows us to sleep well at night knowing 992 Virginia Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306, latavolatrat-
she is “at home” and that my partner, our son and I are toria.com, www.forthekid.org
always welcomed and communicated with as a family. The Queer Literary Fiction Group discusses “Sa-
www.spacemaxstorage.com