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SUMMER TRAVEL
Florida bound: Pensacola, Orlando annual LGBT traditions. Page 4 LGBT summer travel, from cruises to Pride fests. Page 6 Know before you go: Former Atlantans give insider info on their new cities. Page 12 Gay campgrounds great for casual, inexpensive trips. Page 15 Girlyman van: Road trip tips from queer music faves. Page 17
VOICES
Editorial: Welcome to the Source, our new membership program. Page 18
NEWS
25th annual Atlanta HRC Dinner draws hundreds. Page 23 Meet the new Atlanta Police LGBT liaison. Page 25
Photo via Facebook
AIDS Healthcare Foundation to open Atlanta clinic. Page 27 United Way releases hold on YouthPride donations. Page 28 Local archivists join forces to get LGBT history out of the closet. Page 29
BY THE NUMBERS
RACE, ETHNICITY & SAME-SEX COUPLES
Percent of same-sex couples nationwide in 2010 Census who are interracial
I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women, and heterosexual men and women marrying another are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties. And quite frankly, I dont see much of a distinction beyond that.
Vice President Joe Biden on Meet the Press, touching off debate over whether he had gone beyond President Obama, who does not support gay marriage but has said his views are evolving. (Meet the Press, May 6)
COMMUNITY
MondoHomo 101: What to know before you go. Page 31 Event spotlight: International Day Against Homophobia. Page 33 Business spotlight: Brain and Body Solutions. Page 33
20.6 18.3
Making same sex marriage illegal is the same as having segregated drinking fountains. Embarrassing. The human race is embarrassing.
WWE wrestler CM Punk, via Twitter, expressing his support for gay marriage the day before North Carolina voted on banning gay marriage in the state constitution. (AfterElton.com, May 7)
CALENDAR
Pages 34-36
COLUMNISTS
Thats What She Said: Melissa Carter on fostering family. Page 38 Domestically Disturbed: Topher Payne remembers Maurice Sendak. Page 39
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Gayness is built into Batman. Im not using gay in the pejorative sense, but Batman is very, very gay. Theres just no denying it.
Comic book writer Grant Morrison, who has written Batman series for DC Comics since 2006. (Playboy, April 18)
There are few things in life more important than being able to marry and build a family with the person you love. This fundamental right should be available to all Americans, including gay and lesbian couples.
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John Kennedy, who on May 7 presented the 2012 John F. Kennedy Prole in Courage Award to three Iowa Supreme Court justices who were voted out of ofce for ruling to legalize gay marriage. (Shewired.com, May 7)
Even the Armorettes Vivian Valium, Ginger Bred Man, Ruby Redd and Edie Cheezburger wont brave the Piedmont Park lake, so join the gay exodus south to Pensacola over Memorial Weekend for beautiful beaches and plenty of eye candy. (Photo by Bo Shell)
A road trip to Florida over the Memorial Day holiday weekend has become an annual tradition for LGBT people in the South. The coastal oil spill scare of 2010 seems to be long forgotten as visitors continue to make the trek and pack the beaches and bars. The tradition of gays gathering in Pensacola for the holiday used to be male-oriented, but womens parties have become so prevalent, they actually compete against each other over the jam-packed weekend. Owners of the Atlanta-based lesbian bar My Sisters Room are involved in one of the premiere Pensacola parties, Sexacola Beach 2012. Now in its third year, Sexacola hosts its events at Captn Fun Beach Club in Pensacola, which Jennifer Maguire, owner of My Sisters Room, calls a terric location. We are in the perimeter of the beach, she says. All are welcome, according to Maguire, and almost a third of last years 3,000 revellers were gay men. Sexacola draws many partiers from Atlanta. Its great seeing so many local people down here for the weekend, says Maguire. Parties start Thursday before the weekend, May 24, with a Kick Off for those already in town. Weekend highlights include the Battle of the Troupes drag competition; Goddess and She in concert; a drag superstar show; a Sinful Saturday glow party; and the closing event, the White Party. Johnny Chisholms splashy Memorial Day Weekend 2012 features a strong array of weekend
Post-Memorial Day events are, as always, plentiful. Gay Days in Orlando, Fla., has become a tradition for many travellers, held the weekend after Memorial Day. It began 22 years ago with a single, unofcial day at Walt Disney World, and has grown to almost a week of events put on by several organizations and party promotoers. Current Gay Days CEO Chris AlexanderManley was part of that rst event. A commit-
ment to making each year special and individual is one reason Gay Days continues to grow. Each year, we continue to add new events, Alexander-Manley says. Weve added a childrens event. Film screenings in conjunction with the Tampa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival are also back. Events for the bear community are also very prominent. Last year 160,000 visitors came and this season he hopes for 170,000. According to Manley, he and his partner never dreamed Gay Days would be this big. Although Disney World is open to the public on Gay Days, its a tradition for LGBT attendees to wear red to stand out. Seeing all that red is amazing and empowering, he says. Alison Burgos, Amy Alonso and Yesenia Leon, the trio behind Pandora Events who worked on Sexacola with My Sisters Room in 2011 are planning the new Girls in Wonderland this year at Orlando. Their slate of events includes numerous pool parties; a comedy event with comic Dana Goldberg; and the Halycon concert with a variety of womens bands. Finally, theres Wonder World by promoter Mark Baker, which is billed as Orlandos Inter-
ORLANDO
By Jim Farmer
activities, the highlight being Saturdays Wave event, hosted by popular DJ Joe Gauthreaux and featuring a performance by Bianca del Rio. Chisholm has been putting on Memorial Day events for the last 17 years and says they have now returned to the glory days. When Hurricane Ivan hit a few years ago, we were the bulls-eye, he says. Now the beach is fantastic better than ever and the crowds are back to normal. Last years attendance was 50,000, he says, with a combination of men and women. Chisholm owns the Emerald City bar and is able to combine beach and bar events. Amy Ray of Indigo Girls will be part of Kristy Lees Pensacola Memorial Day womens event Unleashed, which will also feature Beverly McClellan from TVs The Voice. Further south, Miami is the locale for Sizzle Miami, another event catering to gay men and women over the weekend. The partys website notes that most participants are African American and Latino, but stresses that all races are welcomed and encouraged to participate.
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FLORIDA OR BUST
See story, Page 4
Head south for these LGBT summer traditions. More Florida events listed under other specic categories. Memorial Day Weekend in Pensacola May 24-28 in Pensacola, Fla. www.sexacolabeach.com www.memorialweekendpensacola.com www.pensacolaunleashed.com Sizzle & SizzleHer May 24-28 in Miami, Fla. www.sizzlemiami.com, www.sizzleher.com Gay Days in Orlando May 29-June 24 Gay Day at Magic Kingdom: June 2 www.gaydays.com www.markbakerevents.com www.girlsinwonderland.com
Photo by Bo Shell
New York City Pride June 16-24; main weekend June 22-24 New York City, NY www.nycpride.org East Side Pride June 23 in Clarkston, Ga. http://eastsidepridenews.blogspot.com Augusta Pride June 21-24; festival and parade June 23 Augusta, Ga. www.prideaugusta.org WorldPride 2012 June 23-July 8; parade July 7 in London, U.K. www.pridelondon.org San Francisco Pride June 23-24 in San Francisco, Calif. www.sfpride.org South Carolina Black Pride June 22-25 in Columbia, S.C. www.southcarolinablackpride.com St. Pete Pride Street Festival & Promenade June 30 in St. Petersburg, Fla. www.stpetepride.com Charlotte Black Gay Pride July 13-15 in Charlotte, N.C. www.charlotteblackgaypride.com Triangle Black Pride July 26-29 in Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill, N.C. www.triangleblackpride.org Jacksonville Black Pride Aug. 10-12 in Jacksonville, Fla. www.Jaxblackpride.org Savannah Pride Sept. 8 in Savannah, Ga. | www.savpride.com
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Domestic partners have unique investment planning needs and challenges. Youve worked hard to create a life and build wealth together, now you want to make sure your treasured nest egg will always be there for each other. We understand what you are facing and we want to be a part of your success. Wells Fargo Advisors was the first in the industry to offer the Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor or ADPA designation. Our Financial Advisors who have the ADPA designation have been trained and certified on key issues affecting domestic partners and are dedicated to providing you tailored investment planning solutions to help you meet your financial goals. Visit us at wellsfargoadvisors.com/adpa to find an ADPA certified advisor near you.
Wells Fargo Advisors is the trade name used by two separate registered broker-dealers: Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor and ADPA are service marks of the College for Financial Planning . 2012 Wells Fargo Advisors
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looking at it I want to know how it TASTES. So, I always hit the ground watching the people at street level and go from there. I love this town for things like the Grove Park Inn. An absolutely monumental engineering marvel/affront to God for its day... Or Chief Pontiac at Harrys on the Hill. Hes a leftover early 20th century marketing madness four-story tall Indian. And as if that wasnt unpolitical enough, if you stand at a certain angle to his left facing him, his thumb totally looks like his wang is hanging out of his pants... [Also be sure to visit] places like The Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar in the Grove Arcade (which itself is utterly amazing) that features an unbelievable selection of incredible used books for cheap in a glorious setting of lives being lived with style to their fullest. What are some of your favorite off-the-beaten-path spots to go to in Asheville? The River Arts District along the mesmerizing French Broad River: It contains an insane diversity represented by what seems an endless
Want the inside scoop before you travel? We asked some of our favorite former Atlanta LGBT residents for their advice on what to see and do when visiting their new cities. Check out some of their suggestions here and read more at www.thegavoice.com.
by Dyana Bagby
parade of artists content to create without selling, while others have built internet empires on corporate principles. (Twice a year they hold a weekend Open Studio Tour whose scale is a wonder.) Or, West Asheville, which in itself, is like a whole other town complete with its own identity and groove... But, best of all, to me, is Trash, Inc: Creative Reuse Center. It absolutely represents completely the vibrancy, focus, delight, concerns, and celebration of this area. Run by a crazy in their obvious differences set of like-minded women, it exists to divert usable materials from the waste-stream to be used in art, education, craft and DIY projects. Simply put, its the best working model example possible of thinking globally while acting locally. Never mind its a wonderland of potential and a Theme Park of Me.
What is your favorite place to eat? So hard to choose just one! Founding Farmers is this trendy but comfortable restaurant nestled between the White House and Georgetown, serving up the best in American cuisine. Whats cool about them is that they make everything (down to the salad dressings and sodas) in house, and they purchase a lot of their food from local producers to maintain its freshness. Oh, and the drink menu is amazing. Also, Clydes is a D.C. staple. There are a couple of locations in the district, but my favorite is smack in the middle of the city in Chinatown...
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Whats the best tourist spot to go visit? D.C. is full of iconic places, so its almost hard to pick just one. However, theres nothing quite like the U.S. Capitol so rich with history and eye-opening architecture. The tours are entertaining (stand in the room where Thomas Jefferson took the oath of office; see the desk location where Abraham Lincoln sat while he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives) and flexible (they do hour-long guided tours Monday-Saturday in 10 minute intervals). Come on a day that the Congress is in session, and youre liable to run into a congressman or senator on their way to a vote. You cant get that anywhere else in D.C. Whats your favorite gay club? Is the D.C. gay scene similar to Atlantas scene? In some ways, D.C.s gay scene is a little more racially integrated than Atlantas. But whats interesting is that Ive found a D.C. equivalent to all of my favorite Atlanta spots: Nellies Sports Bar is our Blakes warm, friendly and always happening; The Fireplace is our Bulldogs cozy with great music and strong drinks; Town and Cobalt are our Wetbar (for those of us who remember Wetbar) and Aqua is our Traxx the places to be seen and dance the night away. Nellies has to be my favorite LGBT spot in D.C. always a great crowd, thumping music, and has a prime location right on U Street. Oh, and a Drag Brunch with bottomless mimosas on Sunday. Seriously, whats not to love?
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brunch (and you know we gays love brunch!), a great happy hour during the week, and beautiful views of the water. Ybor City is a fabulous place to stroll, catch a bite, and make new friends, day or night. Its like Tampas version of Little 5 Points but with more gays, a movie theater, and a trolley. My favorite Mediterranean restaurant, Row Boat, and my favorite bar, R Bar Ybor, are also down there. Good times all around. After a long night in Ybor and the after-party at a friends house, I usually wake up the next morning to tea at Kaleisia Tea Lounge. The taro smoothie is an after, after-party in my mouth.
Photo via Facebook Photo by Knottie PIctures
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a random weekday if you want an easy, less crowded time. What about a bar or club? Place for entertainment? Place to see you perform? L.A.s longest running weekly burlesque show Monday Night Tease is the place to be on Monday Nights. Its at the 3 of Clubs, 1123 Vine St. Ive performed there more than any other venue in L.A. What are other places tourists should not miss? Grand Performances! They do amazing summer performances, talks, demos, etc., and its all free. Last summer I got to see a guy talk about how to pickle things and Afrobeat sensation Seun Kuti! You cant beat free stuff. As always, parking is a beast, so take the bus in or plan to pay on average $5 for parking.
Photo via Facebook
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Thats the one thing that people need to understand, we cant tell people to put their clothes on, McTague says. Thats one of the points of the survey, is would you like a weekend where we are not clothing optional. Each LGBT campground has its own avor and personality. Swiftwaters Womanspace, located near Dahlonega, is the only campground owned by open lesbians in Georgia. It is intentionally rustic, with only an outhouse, shower house, simple cabins and a small bed and breakfast. It doesnt offer RV hookups, and clothing is required. In contrast, Rivers Edge in Dewy Rose, Ga., has 95 tent sites, 95 RV sites and 95 cabins with a capacity of 1,000 people. Dan Hoffman, Rivers Edge ofce manager, describes the camp as an adult playground. Its a very relaxed atmosphere, and Id like to emphasize clothing optional, some do and some dont, he says. Rivers Edge, our philosophy is be comfortable as you want to be. Rivers Edge requires all campers be at least
21, while nearby In The Woods located in Canon, Ga. has a 19-year-old age requirement, and prides itself on being smaller and calmer than other campgrounds. We liken ourselves to a neighborhood bar, were not a discotheque, if youre looking for a club atmosphere youre going to be disappointed, were much more like your neighborhood club, owner Tom Britton says. Were like Cheers, where everyone knows everyone else. Roys Hideaway in Collins is building a reputation as an expansive retreat for a growing number of gay men who want a place outside of the city. Weve been having a good crowd every weekend. We have probably 34 full time residents, a lot of them live in Atlanta and come here for the weekends, Roy McElroy says. McElroy and his partner have been improving the four-year-old campground and added a new caf and lodging options. Its a real safe common ground for people to meet at, he says. There are a lot of people who arent into the bar scene who come here. Weve had a lot of people nd partners here.
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LOVERS GETAWAY
WIN A 3-DAY
Girlyman van
By Bo Shell bshell@thegavoice.com If anyone is an expert in road traveling, its Doris Muramatsu. On the road for two weeks at the time with her band Girlyman since early 2001, Muramatsu has seen hundred of thousands of miles of Americas asphalt maze with bandmates Ty Greenstein, Nate Borofsky and newest member JJ Jones in tow. We certainly know how to nd the best route, how to nd good food, and how to Priceline 3.5- to 4-star hotels for $35, Muramatsu says. When you travel as much as we do, you learn how to make the road work for you in a more streamlined fashion. The band, every member of which falls into the category of queer according to Muramatsu, stops at Eddies Attic for two shows on May 12 before heading to Europe. After the death of their Ford Econoline, Girlyman bought a Dodge Sprinter complete with a fridge, a loft for sleeping and cubbies for each band member. We all have different things we need to bring Muramatsu says. Each of tend to bring earplugs cause lets face it, some of us snore decaf coffee and an aeropress, running shoes, and peanut butter and jelly it sure beats being hungry! Food options are usually limited to said sandwiches and gas station cuisine when youre on the road for up to 14 hours a day, but most of band eats organic, non-processed food.
Queer band Girlyman (from left to right) Nate Borofsky, Doris Muramatsu, JJ Jones and Ty Greenstein plays two shows at Eddies Attic on May 12 before heading on a European leg of their tour. (Photo by Jeff Steinmetz via Facebook)
Savannah, Georgia
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singer sat in a hospital enduring blood transfusions and chemotherapy. The albums titular track written by Borofsky isnt about Miramatsu, but it helped her get through that time, she says in the bands bio. Later I looked up the denition of supernova, she says. It turns out that while it is a dying star, it also gives birth to new stars as difcult as it was, I wouldnt trade the experience it got us where we are now. Muramatsu says their time on the road helps inspire the music. I think touring and being in different parts of the country, or in other counties, certainly adds to the palate of experience. It kind of seeps into your very being, all these images and feelings and provides you with more to work with as a writer, she says. Though sometimes the band ies two members and leaves two on the road after all, Girlyman carries a lot of equipment most of the time, there are four people relegated to that Dodge Spirit for hours at the time. A recipe for disaster? Luckily, we all like to process our feelings and are all really close friends, Miramatsu explains. So if something hard comes up, were usually able to talk it our and come to a resolution more easily than some. Its really special to be able to do that with your bandmates. Beyond looking at Priceline and sites like betterbidding.com to see what people have bid for hotels across the country to get the best deals, whats Miramatsus ultimate road trip tip? Always bring as many pair of underwear as the number of days not the road, she laughs. It sucks to run out.
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1904 Monroe Dr., Suite 130 Atlanta, GA 30324 404-815-6941 | www.thegavoice.com Editor: Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor: Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Web Manager: Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com Art Director: Bo Shell bshell@thegavoice.com Contributors: Melissa Carter, Brent Corcoran, Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Topher Payne, Mike Ritter, Matt Schafer, Steve Warren, Justin Ziegler
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BOARD OF ADVISERS
Swelling (fluid retention). EGRIFTA can cause swelling in some parts of your body. Call your healthcare
provider if you have an increase in joint pain, or pain or numbness in your hands or wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome)
Increase in glucose (blood sugar) intolerance and diabetes. Your healthcare provider will measure your
EGRIFTA is an injectable prescription medicine to reduce the excess in abdominal fat in HIV-infected
patients with lipodystrophy. EGRIFTA contains a growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) The impact and safety of EGRIFTA on cardiovascular health has not been studied EGRIFTA is not indicated for weight-loss management It is not known whether taking EGRIFTA helps improve compliance with antiretroviral medications It is not known if EGRIFTA is safe and effective in children. EGRIFTA is not recommended to be used in children Who should not use EGRIFTA? Do not use EGRIFTA if you: have pituitary gland tumor, pituitary gland surgery, or other problems related to your pituitary gland have active cancer (either newly diagnosed or recurrent) or are receiving treatment for cancer are allergic to tesamorelin or any of the ingredients in EGRIFTA See the end of this leaflet for a complete . list of ingredients in EGRIFTA are pregnant or become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop using EGRIFTA and talk with your healthcare provider. See What should I tell my healthcare provider before using EGRIFTA? What should I tell my healthcare provider before using EGRIFTA? Before using EGRIFTA tell your healthcare provider if you: , have or have had cancer have diabetes are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if EGRIFTA passes into your breast milk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed to avoid the risk of passing HIV infection to your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking EGRIFTA have kidney or liver problems have any other medical condition Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. EGRIFTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how EGRIFTA works. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list with you to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. How should I use EGRIFTA? Read the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with EGRIFTA before you start using EGRIFTA Your . healthcare provider will show you how to inject EGRIFTA Use EGRIFTA exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider Inject EGRIFTA under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach area (abdomen) Change (rotate) the injection site on your stomach area (abdomen) with each dose. Do not inject EGRIFTA into scar tissue, bruises, or your navel Do not share needles or syringes with other people. Sharing of needles can result in the transmission of infectious diseases, such as HIV What are the possible side effects of EGRIFTA? EGRIFTA may cause serious side effects including: Serious allergic reaction. Some people taking EGRIFTA may have an allergic reaction. Stop using EGRIFTA and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: a rash over your body hives swelling of your face or throat shortness of breath or trouble breathing fast heartbeat feeling of faintness or fainting
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice if you have the following symptoms around the area of the injection site: bleeding redness rash itching swelling pain irritation The most common side effects of EGRIFTA include: joint pain nausea pain in legs and arms vomiting rash swelling in your legs itching muscle soreness tingling, numbness, and pricking Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of EGRIFTA For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. . Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects, contact EMD Serono toll-free at 1-800-283-8088, ext. 5563. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Keep EGRIFTA and all medicines out of the reach of children. General information about the safe and effective use of EGRIFTA: Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use EGRIFTA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give EGRIFTA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. Do not share your EGRIFTA syringe with another person, even if the needle is changed. Do not share your EGRIFTA needles with another person. . This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about EGRIFTA If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about EGRIFTA that is written for healthcare professionals. , For more information about EGRIFTA go to www.EGRIFTA.com or contact the AXIS Center toll-free at 1-877-714-2947. What are the ingredients in EGRIFTA? Active ingredient: tesamorelin Inactive ingredients: mannitol and Sterile Water for Injection
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Frenchie Davis
Matt Garrett
Ken Britt
The 25th annual Atlanta HRC Dinner drew hundreds to the Hyatt Regency on May 5. (Photos by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography)
Representing the Health Initiative was Executive Director Linda Ellis, who was there with her partner, Lesley Brogan, and their 13 year old son, John. Ellis noted that although HRC works for national policy changes and the Health Initiative works at a local level, they are absolutely working toward the same end. The HRC has made this national effort with the Healthcare Equality Index which is raising the levels of LGBT inclusiveness at the policy-making level with the major healthcare systems. Our work is more at the street level making sure that they take the policies throughout the various healthcare systems and make them practical that they make it all the way down to the bedsides, Ellis said. Rev. Phillip Thomason, outreach and pastoral care minister at St. Marks United Methodist Church in Atlanta, was recognized with the Community Leadership Award. Addressing the dinner guests, Rev. Phillips said, My mom instilled in me what fairness is all about, what equality is all about. To be able to share what little bit of knowledge I have, to be able to give folks a sense of belonging. If youre poor, youre rich, youre black, youre white, if youre gay or youre straight, its all one journey that were on. When we miss that thinking that were all on one journey, its going to be a tough world to live in. Matt Garrett, co-chair of the event, reminded the audience that the rst Atlanta HRC dinner 25 years ago had the theme Dare to
Dare to dream
Dream and made a point to honor all of those LGBT freedom ghters that came before him. We are celebrating 25 years of Atlantas deep, rich history of involvement with this movement. As we honor those past leaders, having future history makers like Tammy Baldwin in the room is great. There were people in the past who were arrested and had to put their lives in danger for the cause and were fortunate that we dont have to do that today. That should motivate us more to give our time, our skills and our resources to keep progress going for the next 25 years, he said. The main speaker for the evening was U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. Baldwin is the rst out lesbian and rst openly gay non-incumbent member elected to Congress. GA Voice talked with Baldwin before the dinner and she shared her thoughts about the past and future. As the Atlanta HRC dinner celebrates its 25th anniversary, its good to reect on how far weve come as a movement. I think back 25 years and there were just a handful of openly gay and lesbian ofcials in the world. Today, in this country, were in the hundreds. Were poised to break through glass ceilings and thats what Im doing right now as I run
for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin, she said. If elected, Baldwin will be the rst openly lesbian member of the U.S. Senate. Sean Hayes, famous for his role as waygay Jack McFarland on the sitcom Will and Grace, was also honored with the Visibility Award for helping make gay characters part of mainstream television. As if to put an exclamation point on the fact that so much progress had been made in the past 25 years, attendees were reminded that at the rst dinner, only a few people in attendance volunteered to be photographed because of fear of being outed. Now, 25 years later and for the rst time in the history of the dinner, there were several members of the military who were present and in full dress uniform thanks to the end of the discriminatory Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy.
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New Atlanta Police LGBT liaison: I work for you, with you
Kristin Knight stresses community-oriented approach to policing
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Watch a video clip of Ofcer Kristin Knight talking about her new job at www.thegavoice.com Contacts for LGBT liaisons Ofcer Brian Sharp basharp@atlantaga.gov Ofcer Kristin Knight kknight@atlantaga.gov and did not learn of it until called by the press for comment. Since that time, the APD has increased the LGBT liaison unit to two ofcers, created an LGBT citizen advisory board, and also implemented changes to the department required by the federal court settlement in the Eagle case. Powell is now working in the APDs background and recruitment department as part of the continuing career development and changes all ofcers undergo, said APD spokesperson Carlos Campos. Police Chief George Turner praised all three ofcers in a press release announcing Knights appointment. Weve made great strides in strengthening our relationship with the LGBT community and I expect Ofcer Knight will keep up the great work already done by SPO Powell and Ofcer Sharp, Turner said. Knight joined the force seven years ago and had dreams to work for the FBI. Initially I used APD kind of as a stepping By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Ofcer Kristin Knight made her rst ofcial public appearance as the Atlanta Police Departments new LGBT liaison at the HRC Dinner May 5, but she has been out and open on the force since she began working on foot patrol seven years ago. Knight, 30, said she came out to her family when she was 18 and moved to Atlanta to attend Clark Atlanta University from Milford, Conn., where she was born and raised. I came out when I was 18. It coincided with growing up and moving out, when I felt more comfortable saying who I was, she said in an interview at Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters. The reaction from her family when she told them? Yeah, we already kind of knew, Knight said with a laugh. Knight joins Ofcer Brian Sharp as the APDs two LGBT liaisons. She replaces Senior Patrol Ofcer Pat Powell, who took the job in 2010 at the height of the LGBT communitys discontent with the APD as part of the fallout of the unconstitutional raid on the Atlanta Eagle, a Midtown gay bar. The then-underutilized liaison post was at the center of the controversy, as the previous liaison was not notied or involved in the raid, business corridor downtown and served as ambassadors to the public, she said. Despite a testy relationship between some in Atlantas gay community and the APD, Knight said now is the perfect time to become the LGBT liaison. The climate is great as far as the way the public perceives the APD; it seems a lot better than in the past, she said. But, she added, there is always room for growth and understanding. She knows, too, that criticism is part of the job. You cant make everyone happy all the time. Im a strong believer in that. All you can do is your best, she said. Im not the conventional police ofcer. I like to think outside the box. I prefer to be on foot. I want to hear from people rst. Right now we have chance to nd new ways to get closer. Knight said she hopes to implement the national It Gets Better initiative at the APD, similar to videos made by the San Francisco Police Department and other organizations and departments. As we have seen, several LGBT youth committed suicide. This is very bothersome to me and I think we can prevent it, she said. Other plans include holding public safety seminars geared to LGBT people about safety and date-rape drugs, she said. First and foremost is to listen to peoples concerns, she said. I want to tap into what the public wants. Im not here to do what I want to do but what they want to do, she said. My desire to get out there and hear what everyone wants. I look forward to getting information from the people Im working for. As far Im concerned, Im working for you, with you.
Atlanta Police LGBT liaison Kristin Knight said she likes to think outside the box when it comes to serving the public. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)
stone, she said. I was interested in going federal at a young age. But once I got with APD and law enforcement I found it really fullled my desires of what I wanted to do. I wanted to have contact with people and not sit behind a desk. Before joining the Atlanta Police Department, Knight worked as a server at Houlihans in Sandy Springs near Perimeter Mall as well as security jobs and with the Transportation Security Administration at Hartseld-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Knight began her duties with the APD working in Zone 5 on foot patrols and then transferred to the Auburn Avenue area where she worked patrols in a car and answered 911 calls. When I worked foot patrol, we were in the
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Earvin Magic Johnson and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation will open a clinic in Lithonia, Ga., later this month. (Courtesy photo)
issue, Averill said. We try to break through their barriers to see what we can do. If those are your issues, we can fix that. We want to get out there, we want to find new people who are HIV positive and help them through the process, Averill added.
Despite progress in treatment and early detection, Georgia still ranks among the worst
states for new HIV cases. Georgia was among the top states to report new HIV infections in 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Some 1,300 people are diagnosed each year in the Peach State, CDC numbers show. Many of those diagnosed with the disease seek initial treatment, but fall through the cracks when it comes to continued care, Averill said. We want people to come in, get tested, we want to teach them how to be healthy, be sexually smart, Averill added. The new clinic will be a partnership with the Magic Johnson Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by the former NBA legend. Johnson shocked the world in 1991 when he announced he was HIV positive. Since his announcement, he has become a fierce advocate of the struggle against HIV/AIDS. Magic Johnson is a hero and icon in the fight against AIDS, and we applaud him for the courage and leadership he has shown in this ongoing battle, said AHF President Michael Weinstein at the World AIDS Day announcement. Founded in 1987, AHF provides services to more than 130,000 people affected by HIV and AIDS in 22 countries annually. The foundation also has clinics in California, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
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The United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta has lifted its hold on donations designated for YouthPride after conducting an investigation into the LGBT youth nonprofit spurred by donor complaints and finding no wrongdoing. After looking into the complaints against YouthPride by our generous donors, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta has decided to lift the hold on designated donor funds to the organization. We have alerted YouthPride and our donors of our decision, United Way spokesperson David Graves said April 30 in a prepared statement. Graves said April 13 that United Way had opened an investigation into YouthPride after receiving complaints from donors who made donations to YouthPride through United Way. Graves declined to say how much money or how many donors were impacted and instead said all inquiries should be made to YouthPride.
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The Last Decision You Make for Your Pet is Just as Important as the First.
Same day service. No waiting. You can take your pets ashes home tonight. Each pet is cremated ALONE, guaranteed by our PetTracker360SM system, which ensures that you receive your pets ashes. State-of-the-Art facility where families can plan, grieve, and commemorate their pets.
2800 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur, GA 30030
The Georgia LGBTQ Archives Project hopes to provide numerous places for people to donate their items as a way to record Atlantas history. (Courtesy photo)
404.370.6000 770.385.0222
Beane
Directed by
Sherri D. Sutton
Based on the Universal Pictures Film. Screenplay by Richard Danus & Marc Rubel Originally Produced on Broadway by Robert Ahrens, Dan Vickery, Tara Smith/B. Swibel, Saro Murchson/Dale Smith and Cari Smulyan
SeASON
5/3/12 3:39 PM
Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council. This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs.
AE-Xanadu4.917x5 5.12.indd 1
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MondoHomo 101
What to expect from the fest if youve never been (and yes, khaki shorts are ne)
By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com MondoHomo, Atlantas alternative queer arts festival, returns Memorial Day weekend to rock your face off with music, art and queer consciousness. But perhaps youve been too intimidated to attend in the past or are not sure what to expect. We interviewed organizer Jesse Morgan for a few tips and insights for those who want to experience MondoHomo but were too afraid to ask. Here are some of his answers. Get yourself to www.thegavoice.com for the entire lowdown. What exactly is a radical queer arts and music festival? What do you mean by radical or queer? Isnt it bad to be called queer? Both radical and queer mean different things for different people. Thats the beauty of it. When we think of radical, we think of being true to your political self and working towards complete social justice. Everything from picking up a protest poster to being gay as ever! The queer identity is all about reclaiming. We see the term as being inclusive and challenging all kinds of boundaries. We LOVE to push buttons! Queers are everyone! It is an umbrella term that embraces all kinds of different people working class and upper class, gays, lesbians, transfolk, femmes, genderqueers, dykes, bisexuals, quadrasexuals (OK, we made that up), black, white, Asian, Latino and all races. Put all that together with fabulous art and music and you get MondoHomo. Its a festival that is dedicated to providing space for people who make and art and music that is fundamentally political. And by political, please dont get us twisted. We are not about preachy information and telling you what you need to do. We recognize that a festival dedicated to queerness and all of its identities is inherently political. Being queer is beautiful and FUN AS HELL at MondoHomo! Think: dancing, irting, bad-ass music, and fabulous art! I like to wear khaki shorts and polo shirts. Am I still welcome? Of course youre welcome! Wear those khaki
Expect a rowdy, unique queer crowd at this years MondoHomo festival May 24-27. (Photos by Dyana Bagby)
yummy beers, refreshing cocktails, and delicious wine. And dont forget our MondoPosse tradition jello shots! They will make you gayer than a pair of twinks at Jungle. We are simultaneously excited to invest in party politics as well as the safety of our sober folk. So, come enjoy a beverage with your fellow queers or play it cool. We promise to not disappoint. Will I be able to buy art such as the kind for sale at the Dogwood Fest or Inman Park Fest? The art at MondoHomo is meant to be experienced, not taken home in a gift bag. The fourday exhibition incorporates everything from painting and sculpture to video projection and performance. There will also be a collection of vintage queer zines from the Queer Zine Archive on display. Were hoping the exhibition will give a look back at our history as queer community, while looking towards where we will go in the future! Its all about experiencing culture. Come get ya some! Anything else newcomers should know? Everyone should know that this weekend will change your life. Really! Exciting additions we have include a real live Grindr! Yes, and for everyone! All genders no discrimination. The MondoPosse will be debuting the rst ever live app for ATL. Were also excited to offer this years theme of Queer Justice! Queer Beats! It is an exciting portrayal of the southern festival for demanding space for queertastic artists, performers, and organizers.
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EVENT SPOTLIGHT
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International Day Against Homophobia http://atlantahomophobiaday.blogspot.com/ Church Without Walls service and potluck picnic May 13, 10:30 am Candler Park, Atlanta Presentations of the Proclamations, Speakers & Entertainment May 17, 6 p.m. at Village Church 3418 Dogwood Drive, Hapeville, GA 30354 First Annual Northeast Georgia Progressive Forum May 18, 6 p.m. at New Day Worship Center 37 County Farm Road, Toccoa, GA 30577
2012 marks the third year Atlanta has hosted events meant to draw attention to homophobia and how it continues to impact the lives of LGBT people throughout the world. From bullying, to violence, to employment discrimination and marriage rights, LGBT people still face an uphill battle seeking the most basic protections. The International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), marked by rallies, vigils and gatherings across the world, celebrates its 10th year May 17. Local organizers are planning three days of events in Atlanta, Toccoa and Hapeville, Ga. Atlantas IDAHO events are organized by Betty Couvertier, the host of the LGBT radio program Alternative Perspectives, which airs on WRFG. In the rst year, it was just a one day event, Couvertier says. This year, were doing three days. Hopefully, we can keep expanding it and have a full week in 2014. Couvertier says the goal of the events is to raise awareness of homophobia, especially in areas of the state that arent known to be gay hubs like Hapeville and Toccoa. Taking [conversations] out of Atlanta, into the suburbs, where we run into the problems when it comes to legislation, its time to let them know what the dynamics are, Couvertier says. IDAHO ofcially kicks off on Sunday, May 13, with a church without walls service led by
Betty Couvertier holds a proclamation from the City of Atlanta recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia at a 2011 IDAHO event. (By Dyana Bagby)
Gentle Spirit Christian Churchs Rev. Paul Turner at Candler Park. The service will include a potluck picnic and will also feature GA Voice columnist and former Q100 DJ Melissa Carter. Later in the week, on May 17, organizers will meet at Village Church in Hapeville, Ga., to present proclamations from local governments honoring IDAHO. Vandy Beth Glenn, who was red from her job at the Georgia General Assembly when she informed her boss of her gender transition, will be the keynote speaker of the Thursday night event. Glenn sued the state and won a ruling that she was wrongfully terminated.
The event will also feature Cole Agendabenda Thomas, Johnnie Curran, Julianna Illari and Rev. Antonio Jones as additional speakers. This years IDAHO theme is sexual diversity in the workplace, but Couvertier notes many issues that affect the states LGBT communities will be highlighted during IDAHOs events, from housing and employment to healthcare and safe schools. These issues affect the public. Were a part of the public, but they affect us in a unique way, Couvertier says. After the conversation, theres a better understanding of what we mean when we say equality, she adds.
On May 18, IDAHO organizers will partner with the Habersham Democratic Party to host the First Annual Northeast Georgia Progressive Forum at New Day Worship Center in Toccoa. Local activist Paul Schappaugh, Larry Pelligrini of Georgia Rural Urban Summit, Louis Elrod of the Young Democrats of Georgia and Couvertier will participate in the panel discussion. Once the conversations are had, people view us as the same. Thats what its all about. Theres no special privileges or rights, just the same rights, Couvertier says. Ryan Watkins
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Brain & Body Solutions offers unique therapies
Dr. Stephanie Rimka of Brain and Body Solutions has a simple message for those looking to stay healthy: Stop and breathe, she says. Its free, it doesnt take a lot of time and nobody does it. But for people dealing with more severe health issues, taking a moment to breathe might not be enough to overcome ADHD, memory loss, anxiety, sleep problems or depression. Thats where Rimka and Brain and Body Solutions come in. The wellness practice offers several different kinds of therapies, such a neurofeedback, sound therapy, nutrition and chiropractic services, that can help alleviate ailments without the use of drugs and surgeries. Rimka calls herself a personal trainer for your brain. Im able to capitalize on the greatest discovery in the last 100 years of medicine neural plasticity, Rimka says. Thats the 100 million dollar word in science at the moment. Rimka says her methods compare to those of Ivan Pavlov, the Russian scientist who coined classical conditioning while working with dogs. You can change the brain based on stimulus, Rimka says. If you exercise the brain in the right way, you can adapt and recover from almost anything. The brain will do
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whatever it needs to do. It will move around, adapt and become more exible. Rimka says that shes able to monitor brain waves in the ofce and can offer real-time analysis if a patients neural activity is abnormal. If something is invasive, I can see it realtime, Rimka says. Brain and Body Solutions patients range from adults with behavioral issues to children with Autism and learning disabilities. Im probably 50/50 kids and adults, Rimka says. Its autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety, panDr. Stephanie Rimka uses neurofeedback and othic attacks, seizures and traumater therapies to help patients address issues ranging ic brain injuries. I get it all.
from autism to depression. (Courtesy photo)
Ryan Watkins
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There are two ways to add your events to our online and print calendars. Submit your info to www.theGAVoice.com or e-mail details to editor@theGAVoice.com.
Thursday, May 17
The irrepressible Leslie Jordan makes an Atlanta stop to perform his new one-man show Stories I Cant Tell Mama, with the Unexpected Cabaret to follow. $30 advance, $35 at door, 7:30 p.m. at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com
The Sweet Auburn SpringFest includes gospel, jazz, blues and hip-hop performances with a childrens fun area, technology expo, career fair and international vendors market. Friday 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday 2 - 8 p.m. in the Sweet Auburn Historical District on Auburn Avenue from Boulevard to Courtland Avenue, www.sweetauburn.com gloATL and Micah Stansell present The Search for the Exceptional, a large-scale public work that investigates the historic role of public recreation centers in reecting and reconstructing our communal experience. 8:30 p.m. both nights at the Old 4th Ward Skatepark, 830 Willoughby Way, Atlanta, GA 30312, www.gloATL.com
Lost-n-Found Youth, Inc., Atlantas newest LGBT homeless youth outreach organization, hosts a basic counselor training for new volunteers. 2 - 5 p.m. at Positive Impact, 60 11th St. NE., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.lost-n-found.org Bingo 4 Boobs is a fundraiser for the AVON Walks for Breast Cancer featuring host Ruby Redd, a cookout and a special $5 Tata-tini. 4 - 7 p.m. at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com The Atlanta Rollergirls play two roller derby bouts starting at 5 p.m. at Yaarab Shrine Center, 400 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantarollergirls.com WABE presents a live recording of A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. 5:45 p.m. at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org The Atlanta Cotillion, the drag debutante fundraising season for AID Atlanta, kicks off with Good Cotillion Belles, a fundraiser based on the Kristen Chenoweth television show with a GCB Chic dress code: cowboy hats, jeans, chaps and spurs. $25 advance, $30 at the door, 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Urban Body Studios, 730 Ponce de Leon Place, Atlanta, GA 30306, www.atlantacotillion/GCB
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MORE LGBT EVENTS: Visit our website for our extensive daily calendar, including nightlife schedules, sports, worship services and community organization meetings. www.thegavoice.com/calendar
The queer band Girlyman plays two shows at Eddies Attic. 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. at Eddies Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com
Ladies at Play presents LOL: Ladies OUT Laughing, a new signature event featuring comedians by and for ladies who love ladies and their atypical male friends. 9 p.m. at Park Bar Loft, 150 Walton St., Atlanta GA 30303, http://on.fb.me/IMHtLk, www.ladiesatplay.com
Sunday, May 13
Saturday, May 12
Turn back the clock with a Backstreet Atlanta Reunion Party featuring Charlie Browns Cabaret, including a special performance by Lily White, back from a tragic house re that claimed the home she shared with her mother. DJs Rob Reum and Bill Berdeaux spin after. Doors at 8:30 p.m., show at 9 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com
Saturday, May 12
Savannahs First City Network, a gay business and social networking organization, hosts a Whitemarsh Island Garden Tour featuring homes on the intercoastal waterways. $20 donation goes to FCN Volunteer Fund, 11 a.m. at the Savannah Yacht Club, 730 Bradley Point Road, Savannah, GA 31410, http://on.fb.me/IDe7G4, www.rstcitynetwork.net The fourth annual WET Demons Beer Bust means $10 bottomless beer, Jell-o shots, rafe prizes, beer pong and boys, boys, boys! 12 - 5 p.m. at Joes on Juniper 1049 Juniper St., Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/Incfwz
Throw mom in the back of the car after Mothers Day brunch, head over to Sister Louisas Church and treat her to a night shell never forget. Vicki Powell wrestles the beats for her Second Sunday Service Patio Party. 7 - 11:30 p.m. at Sister Louisas Church, 466 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30313, www.sisterlouisaschurch.com Yanni wants to share his love of easy listening new age music so much, hes playing two Atlanta shows. 8 p.m. both nights at the Cobb Energy Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30330, www.cobbenergycentre.com
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Monday, May 14
Writing With Intent is open to writers of ction and creative non-ction; group offers motivational exercises, constructive criticism and more to keep you on track. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Contact the organizers in advance before joining the Domestic Violence Survivors Support Group hosted by the Health Initiative every Monday. 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Rush center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.thehealthinitive.org Mondays are now Brain Freeze Trivia with Mary Edith Pitts at Blakes. The four rounds of ve questions ends with $250 cash to the winner and a segue to Drag on the Edge. 11 p.m. at Blakes on the Park, 227 10th St. NE., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesonthepark.com
Friday, May 18
The Third Friday Film Series presents The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada. $1-$10 sliding scale donations. Doors at 7 p.m., movie at 7:30 p.m. at First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta, 470 Candler Park Dr., NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, http://on.fb.me/Il753W
SPOTLIGHT
Saturday, May 19
Tuesday, May 15
The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts a prix xe Business Builder Luncheon. $20, cash only, RSVP to louis.a.gary@ampf.com. 11:55 a.m. at Hudson Grille, Brookhaven Station, 4046 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30319, www.atlantagaychamber.org The PFLAG chapter in Johns Creek hosts its monthly meeting every third Tuesday. 7 p.m. at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Duluth, GA 30097, http://johnscreekpag.wordpress.com Author Tracy Crow brings for discussion and signing Eyes Right: Confessions of a Woman Marine, the story of her sometimes tumultuous career with the Marines. 7:30 - 9 p.m. at Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com
The 5th annual Doggies on the Catwalk, the canine couture inspired gala, features fashions from Tootsies, Bill Hallman and Dixie Dog Wear and celebrity models including Real Housewife Cynthia Bailey, Nicole Paige Brooks, Bill Hallman, Vikki Locke, Monica Pearson and more. The event is a fundraiser for Pets Are Loving Support, a nonprot that helps people with HIV and other health issues care for their pets. $75, $125 VIP. VIP reception, 7 p.m., general reception 7:30 p.m., showtime at 8:15 p.m. at Room & Board, 1170 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30318, www.palsatlanta.org
The 9th Annual East Atlanta Beer Festival promises more than 150 craft beers, food trucks, and music from local artists. 1-6 p.m. at Brownwood Park Recreation Center, 602 Brownwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.eastatlantabeerfest.com The 12th annual Atlanta Harlequins Golf Classic is a fundraiser for the citys womens rugby team. 2 - 5 p.m. at Browns Mill Golf Course, 480 Cleveland Ave., Atlanta, GA 30354 www.atlantaharlequins.com Out of Our Closets Into Our History is a meeting of Georgias LGBT history preservation groups. Meet the archivists, learn more about LGBT History and learn how you can play a part. 2 - 4 p.m. at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, http://on.fb.me/IHANi5 The Ms. Hotlanta Softball Pageant means the dudes of Atlantas largest softball organization drag it up (with varying results) to raise funds for the sports organization. 6 - 9 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hotlantasoftball.org Chris Coleman Enterprises brings DJs Ari El and Scorpio to open the night for headliner DJ Victor Calderone. 10 p.m. at Reign Nightclub, 1021 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309. Pre-sale tickets and more info at chris@chriscolemanenterprises.com
Saturday, May 19
The Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual indulgence celebrate their anniversary with a Giving Back Party featuring appetizers, cocktails and recognition of those who have supported the LGBT community. Join the Sisters afterwards at Sister Louisas Church for some, um, religious photo ops. Giving Back Party: 5 - 7 p.m. at First Existentialist Congregation, 470 Candler Park Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. After party: 7:30 p.m. at Sister Louisas Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium, 466 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312, http://on.fb.me/JvxfF3
Sexual diversity in the workplace is the theme for this years International Day Against Homophobia event, which offers speeches from local gay organizers and activists. 6 - 9 p.m. at Village Church, 3418 Dogwood Drive., Hapeville, GA 30354, www.villagechurch.tv, http://on.fb.me/HIb4HK Bucky Motter is among the six performers slated for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention fundraiser concert. 6 p.m. at Eddies Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St. Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com The Gay Lesbian Employment Network hosts a gathering to bridge gaps between people of all cultures and ethnicities. 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Einsteins, 1077 Juniper St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 New participants should call the Health Initiative before attending the groups coming out support group for LGBTQ adults over 18. The discussion group is for individuals, not couples, who are coming out in a variety of work and personal situations. Every third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.thehealthinitiative.org South Georgia Prides monthly meeting will include discussions on its upcoming yard sale fundraiser, future events and ideas for this years South Georgia Pride festival. 7 p.m. at the Wooden Nickel Pub, 3269 Inner Perimeter Road, Valdosta, GA 31605, http://on.fb.me/JGTrta This edition of Cliteratis Open No-Mic features Anna Faktorovich, director of the Anaphora Literary Press and editor-in-chief of the Pennsylvania Literary Journal. 7:30 - 9 p.m. at Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Wednesday, May 16
Eat, drink and sing your favorite show tunes as Dan Lax and Daniel Guillaro play the piano for a Sing-a-long Party to benet the Atlanta Gay Mens Chorus. $20 donation requested. 7:45 p.m. at Blakes on the Park, 277 10th St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, http:// on.fb.me/Ivzvgf Join Atlanta gay activist Ken Britt as he kicks off his bid for a seat in the State House of Representatives. Suggested minimum contribution of $100. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at a private midtown home. Details: http://on.fb. me/LEjrso, www.kenbritt.org Family Feud, Match Game (including GA Voices own Bo Shell), Lets Make a Deal, Dating Game and more are on tap for the Big Gay Game Show, the monthly third Wednesday event to benet Lost-n-Found Youth Inc. 7:30 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, http://on.fb.me/JcCvtD
The AIDS Vaccine 200 is a 160- or 200-mile ride to raise money for the Emory Vaccine Center starting at the Emory School of Medicine, winding to Camp Rock Eagle in Eatonton, GA, then back again on Sunday. Race starts at 7 a.m., 1648 Pierce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, www.actioncycling.kintera.org
Saturday, May 19
Towel snapping, foul language and some friendly locker room grab ass are on tap for the sport/jock edition of the quarterly ManShaft party. DJ Wiskuhs spins the tailgate from 8 - 10 p.m., Coach DJ Diablo Rojo spins til close, and therell be plenty to do between the midnight underwear toss and Atlanta Talons Jell-o shots. 8 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. at Cockpit, 465 Boulevard SE., Atlanta, GA 30312, http://themanshaft. blogspot.com, http://on.fb.me/HYSJGl
Sunday, May 20
Thursday, May 17
Atlantic Stations Movies in Central Park offers a free, outdoor screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Film starts at sundown in Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30363, www.atlanticstation.com, http://bit.ly/HQxNjT
Ever thought about using your gay powers for good? Consider becoming a trained PFLAG Facilitator. PFLAG Atlanta hosts a training session on the same day as their monthly third Sunday support group meeting. Training: 12:30 - 2 p.m. Support Meeting: 2:45 - 5 p.m. at First MCC, 1379 Tullie Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.pagatl.org
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Friday, May 18
Georgia Benets Counsel offers two legal help consultations for LGBT couples in South Georgia, today and May 26. Couples would have to meet with GBC on both weekends for about 45 minutes. Pre-registration required, space is limited. The group will offer Simple Wills, Advanced Directives for Health Care, Financial Powers or Power of Attorney for $50-75 depending on the county of residence. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1951 E. Park Ave., Valdosta, GA 31602, www.georgiabenetscounsel.org
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SAGE, the Rainbow Center and Congregation Bet Haverim join forces to present a discussion on issues of aging in the LGBT community. 2 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 Get Tanked with the Titans, a fundraiser for the Hotlanta Softball team, and enjoy $10 unlimited beer. 4 - 7 p.m. at Joes on Juniper, 1049 Juniper St., Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/JU26bQ The second annual Indigenous House in Piedmont Park means DCs DJ KevyKev hits the turn tables with one of Atlantas old school hip hop/soul/R&B DJs, Ron Pullman. Expect performances from Sybil, a surprise guest, cash bar and turkey ribs. Free! 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Pavilion in PIedmont Park. http://on.fb.me/Kva3CK T&F Transitionz: a Project of the Feminist Outlawz is an open forum to discuss gender and facilitating dialogue and activism around social issues. 7 - 9:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Monday, May 21
Tuesday, May 22
Broadway smash Jersey Boys, opens tonight and runs through Sunday, June 10, at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org
Wednesday, May 23
Join the Whole Brain Community at Charis Books and More for an accelerated 5-week Aristss Way Class starting tonight and running on odd dates through July 24. $175 for all 5 weeks. 12 max per class. 7 p.m. at Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com, www. wholebrainbrands.com/the_artists_way.html Each Wedensday, Midtowns Takorea restaurant partners with local non-prots. A portion of tonights dinner sales. go to Positive Impact. 6 p.m. at Takorea, 818 Juniper St., Atlanta, GA 30308, http://on.fb.me/K6QvsS Dont miss the rst ever drag roast honoring the legendary Mr. Charlie Brown, which is also a fundraiser for Lily White, who recently lost her home to re. 10 p.m. at Le Buzz, 585 Franklin Road., Marietta, GA 30067, www.thenewlebuzz.com, http://on.fb.me/Hnt8FU
Thursday, May 24
Real Bois Talk is the Health Initiatives program for African-American masculine-identied females created as a result of the Stud Health Project. 7 p.m. at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.thehealthinitiative.org Hotlanta Softball gets its Big Peach Tournament going with an early arrival pre-party beer bust. $10 at Woofs, 2425 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hslbigpeach.com
EVENTS
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k.d. lang performs an s with at the Atlanta Botanical Garden guest Jane Siberry. 8 p.m. at special the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 09, Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 303 otanicalgarden.org www.atlantab
UPCOMING
Saturday, May 26 Sunday, May 27
Hotlanta Softball hosts its annual Big Peach Tournament, where teams from around the country converge on Atlanta for a weekend of competition and social events. Events throughout the weekend at Metro Softball Complex, 7310 Campbellton Road, Atlanta, GA 30331, www.hslbigpeach.com
Sunday, May 27
Memorial Day Sunday is a busy day for the Heretic as they host a Joining Hearts Foam Beach Party, the Big Peach Softball Tournament closing party and DJ David Knapp. Events through out the day at Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com
Ladies at Play breaks it down over Memorial Day Weekend, rst with a casual couture party with DJ Periodic and DJ D. Raban. 9 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Venetian, 50 Hurt Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30303. The follows up on Monday with an afternoon of open mic spoken work hosted by Red Summer with beats by DJ Sugarcut. 3 - 8 p.m. at Aurum, 915 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, http://lapmemorialwknd2012.eventbrite.com, www.ladiesatplay.com
Saturday, June 9
One of the summers hottest non-prot events, the CHRIS Kids Premiere Party is a fundraiser for the CHRIS Kids Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Fund, which provides transitional housing to LGBT homeless youth. 6 - 10 p.m. at Mason Murer Fine Art, 199 Armour Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.chriskids.org
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Community
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THATS WHAT
Fostering family
We can help bridge the gap between past neglect and future stability
I think weve made great progress with Trevor. Our rst foster dog, this GoldenDoodle was found on the streets of Alabama and sent to Adopt A Golden Atlanta. A few years ago, we adopted our dog GiGi from Adopt-A-Golden. They asked that we foster Trevor and try to get him more comfortable and emotionally healthy so he could one day soon be moved into a loving and permanent home. When Trevor came to us he kept his distance, literally. We let him out in our fenced back yard and that is where he stayed, choosing instead to sleep outside the rst night. He wouldnt let us pet him and showed his teeth to our other animals when they came too close. Having just been neutered, Trevor was protective of his fresh scar and was too shy and withdrawn to even look us in the eye. But in just a few weeks, Trevor has reminded us of the power of love and family. Why did we decide to offer our home as a refuge for these canines and willingly take on the challenge of trying to heal the scars of someone elses bad parenting? We learned from GiGi that dogs who had been abandoned and hurt have the same need for love and a home as all dogs. They are eager to trust but are hiding behind the fear and pain that they have suffered in the past. On this Mothers Day weekend, I couldnt help but think the same philosophy must hold true for those who decide to take in neglected and abused children and provide them a foster home until adoption or adulthood. There are countless stories of children who changed our world after being loved and supported by foster parents: Cher, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Eddie Murphy, John Lennon, Ice T, Steve Jobs, Willie Nelson, Eriq LaSalle, Alonzo Mourning, Dante Culpepper, Tommy Davidson, and even Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Others like Pierce Brosnan, Ted Danson and Josephine Baker opened their homes to these children. Governor Sonny Perdue and his wife,
SHE SAID
Melissa Carter is also a writer for Hufngton Post. She broke ground as the rst out lesbian radio personality on a major station in Atlanta and was one of the few out morning show personalities in the country. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter
Mary, served as foster parents for eight children. Former Atlanta Falcon Keith Brooking founded an organization that serves the needs of foster children after his mother served as a foster parent. Now, more than ever, there is a growing need for foster families. Over 13,000 children came through the foster care system in Georgia just last year. On any given day, 7,000 kids are in the states system, many waiting and needing a home. When it comes to LGBT youth, the foster care experience can be the most challenging and tough. According to the American Bar Association, virtually all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning kids in group homes had reported verbal harassment; 70 percent had been subjected to violence; and 78 percent have either run away or been removed from a foster placement for reasons related to their sexuality. There can be no doubt that if there were more gay and gay-friendly couples adopting these children, their experiences would be dramatically better. And in Georgia, no law prevents gay couples from adopting and fostering children. As I write this article, Trevor is joining us on a getaway to Florida for his rst beach trip. In the month we have had him, he has adapted to the little customs of our family that include daily wrestling with our GoldenDoodle Sully, sprints down the hall with our Siamese Nikko, and fetching various ying objects that litter our back yard. He now trusts us enough to lie on our laps and accept our affection, and happily runs inside the house from the back yard. With every day that passes we grow to love Trevor more, knowing that someday soon we will have to say goodbye to him. However, our sacrice ensures that Trevor will nd new and long-lasting companionship with someone that is meant to be his buddy.
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A&E
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DOMESTICALLY
Where the Wild Things Go
Maurice Sendak died May 8, silencing one of the most inventive, delightful, ornery voices of the last American century. His artistic endeavors in a 50-year career ranged from illustration to opera, though the work that made him a legend was a 48-page book about a boy in wolf pajamas entitled Where the Wild Things Are. Ive told the story of my introduction to his work before. I hope youll indulge me telling it once more in his memory. I spent entire summers of my childhood at the county library, curled up in the stacks, reading books not intended for children. The childrens section was of no interest to me. I read Not Without My Daughter at age 10. I had to look up what an IUD was in the World Book Encyclopedia. I was horried and fascinated. But, much to my surprise, a monster drew me in. He was bull-like creature, catching a little shuteye under a red palm tree. Despite my disdain of childrens literature, I occasionally picked up a copy with interesting illustrations, and this intrigued me. The dark, lightly grotesque images didnt t my image of kid lit. So I sat down with the book, and by the end Id reached an epiphany: I am Max. I desperately need wolf pajamas. I belong Where the Wild Things Are. This Maurice Sendak person had been thoughtful enough to write a book exclusively for me. It was completely within my worldview that an author would take the time to do that. I was just so relieved Id managed to nd the book, since no one had bothered to tell me hed done it, which was also in keeping with my worldview because people were always keeping me out of the loop on important discussions. Max isnt a dumb kid, with the broad-strokes emotions one normally encounters in childrens books. Max feels real rage, frustration, and he just wants to break out of those circumstances. These were feelings I couldnt begin to articulate, no matter how many trips I took to the encyclopedia. In the Land of Wild Things, Max earns respect because he shows no fear. He stares into all their yellow eyes without blinking once, because the unknown doesnt frighten him nearly as much as the world that connes him. Maurice Sendak was living a deeply closeted
DISTURBED
Maurice Sendak: An appreciation
Topher Payne is an Atlanta-based playwright, and the author of the book Necessary Luxuries: Notes on a Semi-Fabulous Life. Find out more at topherpayne.com
life when he wrote the book in 1963, quietly living with his partner, Eugene Glynn. Its not surprising that in those circumstances, he composed a fevered dream of yearning, refusing to adhere to acceptable behavior, and breaking free. Unlike Dorothy Gale, Max doesnt spend the whole damn time bitching about wanting to go home. Dorothy is in idiot. Max takes command of his surroundings, becomes king, and calls for a wild rumpus. The book actually takes a threepage dance break. Hes so full of delight, Sendak doesnt even bother with words to describe it. When Max leaves, hes fundamentally changed. Unlike Dorothy, whose journey teaches her to embrace the familiar, Max has gained knowledge of a world outside his own, and this is what brings him peace. He can be embraced elsewhere, and there are wild rumpuses to be had. Maurice Sendak and Eugene Glynn were together for 50 years. They found each other in a time when their love was still seen as a mental illness. They had to trust the instinct that told them this was right, and beautiful. Those were the circumstances under which Sendak composed his strange, beautiful tale of the boy in the wolf pajamas, who was lonely and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all. Eugene died in 2007, and Maurices sense of loss was still quite palpable in the interviews he gave in intervening years. When you spend half a century with loving someone, I cant imagine what its like to adjust to their absence. I was raised to have faith that we see our loved ones when we die, and thats a comforting belief. But maybe the moment that follows this life is more akin to what Maurice found in illustrating his own work so many years ago. A scenario words could not describe: mists in complete reverie, savoring the joy of nding each other, delighting in all that they are. Maurice has gone Where the Wild Things Go, and his arrival was likely cause for quite the wild rumpus.