Issue #13 by David Magazine

#14

ADAM, EXPOSED.

MARGARET CHO

IS ONE BAD

MOTHERF$&!*$r

David Atlanta Contents

Issue 14 | Sept 11 – 19 | 2012

8 Seen@ Burkharts 10 WTF!?!? Tidbits 14 Dragnificent 16 Newnan Theatre 18 Frenchie Davis 23 Seen@ Mixx 24 Adam Levine 29 South Georgia Pride 31 Seen@ Rockstar Productions 34 BarTab Map: Guide to Gay Atlanta 36 BarTab Week: Calendar 38 Margaret Cho 44 WTF!?!? 48 The Brent Star Report 51 Sister Louisa 54 Divine Pageant 58 Protect Your Monster 59 Classifieds 60 Seen@ My Sister’s Room 62 Bitch Session

38 STAFF

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WTF!?!? Tidbits

were like, ‘We don’t understand this, what is this, it’s just a fad.’ But rap music is definitely here to stay, and I think reality shows have proven they are as well. But when something is newer, people don’t really understand it.” I honestly wish that were a joke I’d come up with, but in this instance, it’s 100 percent reality. We’ll leave it at that. MTV has (finally) pulled the plug on Jersey Shore, announcing the upcoming sixth season will be it’s last. I have a feeling that pesky strain of incurable gonorrhea that’s been going around (Google it) will see a significant dip.

By Lucas Witherspoon

fter managing to send Pitbull to a Walmart on the remote Alaskan island of Kodiak as part of a promotional contest with the retailer and Sheets-brand Energy Strips, Internet trolls are now rallying to have Taylor Swift sent as part of a promo with Chegg and Papa John’s to perform at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Allston, Massachusetts. At first this sounds like a cruel joke, until you realize those kids have the distinct privilege of never having to hear Taylor Swift sing live. (Side note: the school that wins also gets a $10,000 grant, so there’s a silver lining.)

Tan Mom, the New Jersey woman who garnered national attention after it was alleged she put her 5-yearold daughter in a tanning bed, appeared at a “roast” of herself at gay club XL in NYC, where she reportedly tried to attack a drag queen and fell over on the red carpet, slurred obscenities while onstage, and was eventually dragged off of the stage. So, uhm, okay, the inevitable joke has to be made: once she walked in, it automatically became a leather bar. Just saying!

Speaking of Taylor Swift, she released the music video for her current single “We Are Never Getting Back Together”. It features her band in furry animal suits, an abundance of Urban Outfitters furniture, and lots of rhythm-devoid dancing/arm flailing, making it undoubtedly the whitest music video ever to complement the whitest breakup anthem ever. Thieves in Canada have made off with $30 million worth of maple syrup from a factory in Quebec, which has to be both history’s first ever maple syrup heist and the most uniquely Canadian crime I have ever heard of. After reality stars were banned from receiving stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Kim Kardashian recently threw in her two cents, saying: “I think there was a quote where somebody said that reality stars will never get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So, of course I’m so competitive that I think that it would be a huge achievement and a goal that anyone would want. I would love to break that mold.” She then went on to say, “I’m not naïve to the fact that I’m not a singer or an actress or anything like that. I’ve never claimed to be anything that I’m not. I think [reality] is still a new form of entertainment that was kind of an unexpected thing. It reminds me of rap music. When rap music first came out, people 10 | davidatlanta

photo: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

Atlanta’s biggest drag superstar search changes formats; name. By: Sam Gabel From Dragnique… Jungle owner Richard Cherskov shares HIS SIDE of the competition

tips, are there any other recommendations in how to contribute using Dragnificent’s various social media applications?

Looking at the previous winners of the three seasons of Dragnique, will that change your criteria in selecting Dragnificent’s contestants? What sort of wildly, outrageous attributes can we expect from these new fierce contestants?

Yes! Our first night will be dedicated to Lost-N-Found Youth. And since the first night of Dragnificent takes place directly after Big Gay Game Show (which also benefits Lost-N-Found Youth) there will be a double-header of entertainment supporting this cause. If you come to Big Gay Game Show you can stay for Dragnificent for the same $5 cover.

This time we have a different process for choosing the contestants – we are doing open auditions. Anyone can enter and a panel of three judges will choose the ten contestants. So it’s really going to be up to the people coming in to the audition. Definitely we are going to be looking for those quirky personalities, those unique girls that bring someone completely different. Can you give us any teasers of the “surprises” in store for us? We’ve really taken a lot at all of the things that going along with being a drag performer and we are tailoring some challenges to account for this. For instance, we are going to put the contestants in more situations where they must interact with the audience. This is something that performers must know how to do. For instance, in one challenge they are going to have to go out “MC” and interact with the audience and then introduce the next contestant. In another challenge the contestants are going to have to put on a full-fledged cabaret show along with Jungle’s Fantasy Girls – these are real life skills that we want to test and showcase. Will the judges continue to select worthwhile LGBT charities? In addition to contributing to these local organizations through supporting the contestants in person with love and 14 | davidatlanta

For those who are new to the concept of Dragnique and Dragnificent, what is the best way to find out more information? Why the transition? Dragnique started at the Jungle in 2011 and ran for three seasons. We’re so excited about the changes that Jungles is undergoing – we are about a third of the way through an extensive remodel. We have some new creative talent involved and thought that it was a good time for a reboot. Also, Dragnificent is being produced under the revived Fantasy Girls badge – we’ve had three amazing Fantasy Girls cabaret shows over the past three months. Phoenix has done a phenomenal job putting together these productions and we’re excited to have Nicole Paige Brooks as this year’s MC. Who are some of the celebrity guest judges for this season of Dragnificent? Rupaul’s Drag Race contestant Nina Flowers will be a celebrity judge the first night (September 19) and she will also perform – we are so excited to have her! And of course last season’s winner Edie Cheezburger will be a celebrity judge the first night as well. Previous winners and hosts will also be invited to guest judge – more details on that later.

photo: Norman Dillon

To Dragnificent… Last season’s winner Edie Cheezburger shares HER SIDE of the competition Considering you’ve been on the other side of the competition, when it comes to judging the first round of Dragnificent, what qualities will contribute to your criteria in selecting the winner of the first round? You go into drag to transcend social limitations and it’s funny to see some of the girls get upset over the financial limitations of the competition. I’m ideally looking for girls who are extremely creative, who take risks and give the audience a new reinterpretation of that week’s challenge. You can’t win thinking you’re pretty or you’re wearing the most expensive costume, this competition isn’t the place for that: it’s about reaching inner places you’ve always wanted to go. In regards to the transition from Dragnique to Dragnificent, what are some aspects you worked well for the “essence” of the competition, and what are some you won’t miss if left out? I love how this competition showcases Atlanta’s new talent as none of the previous contestants were really that well-known. You had such a wide showcase of various girls from all different backgrounds and experience levels, but the challenges forced you to find resourceful means of presenting your persona to the audience. I do wish the judging system was a bit different as a few of the girls went home a bit too early. I don’t think they had enough experience performing in front of an audience of that magnitude. A mentoring system would be a cool way to fix that. Video footage! I would kill to see my performances on Youtube.

of the Perpetual Indulgence. We outreached by going out on the streets sporting porcelain white faces and nun outfits to promote a selfless message. After winning, my main focus is the Armorettes, another Atlanta charitable organization that uses performances as a means of outreach. We just got in some new recruits and I’m trying to lend them a helping hand using my past experiences as a basis. How has winning impacted your current career goals and attitude in selecting which future projects to pursue? Dragnique has brought Atlanta the true art of drag while choosing to focus my set of skills and talents to the Armorettes has reinvigorated the charitable essence of selflessness. The best I can wish for is to bring more awareness to such worthwhile and inspiring organizations like Atlanta’s Lost-NFound which helps house and provide resources to runaway LGBT youth.

Do you have any tips or advice for the upcoming pool of Dragnificent’s contestants? Reach deep. Don’t treat it like a regular gig. Talent stems from passion. Be amazing, be creative, be entertaining, and have fun! What was your initial intent for doing drag? Since winning the third season of Dragnique, how has that recognition of your talent changed or evolved your previous perception toward the art of drag? Believe it or not, drag started for me from community service through the Sisters david atlanta | 15

By Elijah Sarkesian

ortrayals of LGBT people are increasingly common in the arts, with theatre commonly being connected with the LGBT community. People who live in the Atlanta area are not necessarily surprised when they see, for example, a gay couple on the screen or on stage. For people who live away from Atlanta, though, live representation of the LGBT community can be hard to find. That’s one reason that the Newnan Theatre has created several productions with prominent LGBT themes. Among these productions is their newest, The Little Dog Laughed, which premieres Sept. 20. The Little Dog Laughed tells the story of an actor who begins a relationship with a hustler, to the consternation of his agent, who fears that his burgeoning career will derail as a result of his same-sex relationship. Artistic Director Paul Conroy feels that producing stories with prominent gay characters and themes are important in broadening acceptance for the community, especially in smaller towns like Newnan. “Producing a show like The Little Dog Laughed in a big city like Atlanta gives you a sort of safety net; you know attitudes, for the most part, are accepting to gay people and issues,” says Conroy. “You have a built in audience when you have a population of hundreds of thousands of people. We don’t have that down here in Newnan. We, of course, have gay people who work with us on productions and

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who see our shows, but an overall presentation to the public in a positive light is not a common occurrence around these parts.” There has been some resistance to the Newnan Theatre’s tackling of gay themes in its productions. Conroy cites a walkout during a production of Dog Sees God and casting concerns during The Laramie Project as a few recent examples of pushback from community members. According to Conroy, the theatre’s diverse range of productions should offer something for everyone, regardless of whether or not someone wants to see gay-related content. “The truth of the matter is we present ten shows - more than any other theatre in the area - per season plus two full-scale shows over the summer. Of those shows we say that we offer something for everyone,” says Conroy. “There may be people who do not like musicals, and that’s why we only present two or three a year. Others may not like classics, or modern shows with a controversial edge - and we think that’s great! We just want to be as diverse as possible to reach as many people as possible with our productions. Some audiences members may only come to see our shows that have gay themes and characters because they can identify more with those shows. That’s why we do them.”

The Little Dog Laughed runs Sept. 20-30. For times and ticket purchases, visit newnantheatre.org or call 770-6836282. Enter the code “David” online or mention David Atlanta when calling to purchase tickets to receive $2 off each ticket.

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By Chris Azzopardi

verything happens for a reason in the life of Frenchie Davis.

Ten years after getting disqualified from American Idol for her Internet porn past, she became a finalist on The Voice, sang with Christina Aguilera and releases her debut album later this year. In our interview, she put it all out there again: Davis addressed the stigma of being bisexual and black, how she doesn’t regret the Idol ordeal and why her upcoming album – and entire solo career – almost didn’t happen.

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Before you came out publicly in a recent interview, how out were you in your own life? I first told my mom that I was attracted to boys and girls when I was 16 years old. A lot of my friends and family weren’t really surprised to hear that I had “come out,” because all I did was answer a question honestly in an interview and it ended up becoming a headline.

For you, how did it get better? My mother was very accepting and understanding, but I actually didn’t tell my father right away. I think he definitely knew because he came to visit my dorm room and was like, “Wow, you’ve got a lot of pictures of half-naked girls on your wall.” (Laughs)

You were just idolizing those girls…right? I didn’t plan to come out. I fell in love with someone who I think I could be with forever, and I’m used to, in casual conversation, talking about my partner. That’s what ended up happening in the interview and what ended up being my coming out. It wasn’t something that I had planned. It wasn’t something I was being secretive about, either. I’ve performed at so many HRC and GLAAD events and gay Prides – and made out with so many girls in college. I don’t think it was a secret to anybody! (Laughs)

Was performing “I Kissed a Girl” on The Voice your way of hinting at your homosexuality? You know what’s crazy? I didn’t even plan to do that. They came to me and said, “You’re singing ‘I Kissed a Girl’ and I’m like, ‘OK. Well, let’s go with this.’”

You just got involved with the It Gets Better campaign. Why was that important for you to be a part of? The most important thing to me outside of music is inspiring young people. The more we adults continue to send out the message to young people that it’s OK to be you, we’re all, in a small way, contributing to making the world a little better. That’s just my philosophy. Any opportunity that presents itself to send that message to young people, I’m all for it.

Yeah, just idolizing them – sure. And thinking they were hot. My dad read so much into it, and it’s been really interesting seeing my dad embrace all of this – that has been the most heartwarming part of it. I mean, my father and I never really talked about it. My mother knew; she met whatever girls and guys I dated in high school. But with my dad, we never really talked about it until he met my partner and was like, “You look happy. I like her.” My dad is super conservative and Republican. Black Republican, I know. Don’t even get me started. He was the one I was afraid to tell. When it all ended up being in the headlines, he was afraid that me being open and honest about who I am would affect my career negatively or negatively affect the way people look at me. You know, he’s my dad; he just wants to protect me. It really meant so much to me when (my coming out was) all in the headlines and my dad called me and was like, “I just want to call and say I’m really proud of you.” Moments like that have reminded me that it indeed does get better. There were times where it was hard, like in high school. And not even having to do with being bisexual, but being a big girl, too. People called me fat; they called me a dyke and all those things. I know what it feels like to not fit into the mold of what society thinks you’re supposed to be.

Bisexuality in the gay community is looked at as taboo or “just a phase.” Have you felt stigmatized because of it? It absolutely is something I’ve had to fight. For a long time that’s why I dated mostly men, because david atlanta | 19

when I would meet a woman that I was into – a lesbian – she would be turned off by the fact that I was bisexual.

Christina Aguilera’s diva behavior makes a lot of headlines. What is she really like, and what surprised you most about working with her on The Voice?

And men aren’t so much turned off by that. (Laughs) Men are totally opposite! For a long time I felt like it was just easier to identify with being straight; it seemed easier to date guys because lesbians seemed so turned off by the bisexual thing. So I’ve experienced criticism and people looking down on it in the straight community and in the gay community. I didn’t plan to come out, but I’m really thankful that everything unfolded the way it did because no, I’m not straight; none of the guys I’ve been with made me straight, just like being madly in love with my partner right now doesn’t make me a lesbian. I’m a bisexual woman and it is what it is. I have enjoyed men thoroughly, and I can say the same thing about women. People who don’t think that it’s real, maybe that’s the reality in which they exist, but that’s not my reality.

How does being black and bisexual change things? I honestly thought that we were a lot farther, and then I did an interview with the Tom Joyner Morning Show and was completely taken aback by the way that went. The interview ended with a guy shouting, “Let a man into the bedroom!” That’s how disrespectful it was. It was bad. It really broke my heart, because I know what it’s like to be black in America and I know what it’s like to be a woman in America, and to be treated with disdain and disrespect by members of my own community was hurtful. It hurt me to the core. You know, at the end of the day when the stage lights are turned off and the audiences go home, you have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror. When I leave this earth, I want to know that I was on the right side of history. Things won’t change unless people like me say, “No, I’m not going to allow society to bully me into lying about who I am.”

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(Hesitates) I’m never going to bad talk her, publicly. I’m just never gonna do it. But I will say this: I was pleasantly surprised by how amazing her ear is. Her ear is on point. Even when she’s not trying, that instrument is right. She definitely is a pop diva for a reason.

She has a reason to be a little catty, is what you’re saying. No! I’m not saying that! That’s what you got out of that? (Laughs)

What do you remember most from performing at drag clubs and gay bars? All the makeup tips I picked up. All the wardrobe tricks I’ve learned. My friends from back then. I don’t miss the struggling part! (Laughs) But even then maybe – those days of being in that grind and me and my college friends not being able to afford to fly home for the holidays, so we all put our money together to go grocery shopping and I cooked a big holiday dinner for everyone. Then it was, “Well, let me go sing with the gay boys tonight so I can make a couple of dollars real quick” – because you know the gay boys tip at the drag bar! (Laughs)

You were among a bunch of other drag queens. Did anyone ever mistake you for one? They didn’t. I think that’s why I made so many tips, because I was the only real girl and I was the only performer not lip-syncing. So I’m really thankful for that. I still keep in touch with a lot of drag queens in D.C. The gay community in D.C. is really what started this whole performing at gay Prides and all that. It’s been an amazing journey.

After performing on reality shows and doing Rent on Broadway, how does it feel to be releasing your debut single and album?

It’s amazing how the universe works. There was a time when I just thought, “I don’t want to feel unfulfilled and bitter, so maybe I should give up on the recording thing and be really thankful that I’m a Broadway star and just do the theater thing.” There was a moment where I had given up on this, and then I’m singing at a gay club and the casting director for The Voice is in the audience having drinks and then I’m on The Voice and this whole other window of opportunity opens up that I never even expected.

What can we expect from the upcoming album and your debut single? It’s gonna be dance-pop and the first single is called “Love’s Got a Hold on Me,” and it was written by Janice Robinson and I’m really excited about it. I shot a video for it with Brian Friedman as the co-director and choreographer. A lot of people know Brian from his work with Britney Spears and he’s a creative director for X Factor. Brian jumped on board because he believed in me enough to be like, “Yeah, I’m gonna bring in the dancers and make it fierce for you.”

really speak for Idol because I didn’t stay on the show long enough to really have a fair comparison between Idol and The Voice, but I can speak from my experience on The Voice, and I can say that they were very welcoming to LGBT contestants. I don’t think anyone there felt pressure to not be open about who they are. And that was an amazing experience. Who would’ve thought 10 years after being on Idol that I’d be singing “Lady Marmalade” on national TV with Christina Aguilera?

So you’re glad things worked out the way they did? No hard feelings against Idol? You can’t waste your time on regrets, because they’re just the past crippling you in the present. If there was a button we could push to change the past then that would be a different conversation, but that button doesn’t exist so you have to walk away with all the lessons that you could’ve possibly learned and move forward and try to be better in the future. I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m really thankful for the woman that I’m evolving into, and I’m really thankful for all the good in my life. Had something back then happened differently, who knows where I would’ve been today.

Is the whole album dance-pop or just the single? The single is dance-pop and most of the album will be dance music. But, of course, I’m gonna throw in a power ballad or two! I have to. Knowing me and my gay boys, there will probably be dance remixes of even the ballads. (Laughs)

Are you going to get Christina on the album? I’d love to do that, if she’ll do it.

Is there pressure to stay in the closet on shows like American Idol or The Voice? Not at all. I didn’t feel any pressure to not be out when I was on those shows. In all honesty, some of the people who’ve been most successful on those shows have been members of the LGBT community. Look at Adam Lambert – and America loved Beverly (McClellan) and loved Vicci (Martinez), so I didn’t feel any pressure at all. I can’t david atlanta | 21

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“

I judge people based on the things that they do.

I judge people based on their character.

If you have a friend who decides to do certain things in their own private time—even if they’re straight—whatever the fuck they’re into, fine. It doesn’t matter.

photo: Terry Richardson

“

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Pop star talks passion for gay rights, acting debut nudity and biggest ‘Voice’ diva By Chris Azzopardi

What would you say to other straight people who don’t agree with you on the marriage issue?

People have their personal preferences as to what they want to do with their own lives, and they have every right to do that – just like a gay couple has every right to do that. It’s just not anyone’s business except the people involved. That’s all I would say: “What makes you better than these people?”

upermodel girlfriends, rumored spats with Christina Aguilera and the engine that has kept Maroon 5 running for 10 years – there’s still so much more to Adam Levine. The adored frontman of one of the biggest pop bands, who recently told MTV that if he were president his first mission would be to legalize gay marriage, is also a straight ambassador for the gay community. With lots going on – judging this fall’s third season of The Voice, making his acting debut on Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story and touring with Maroon 5 – it’s no wonder the band’s latest album is called Overexposed. In this exclusive chat with the pop star, Levine talks how fighting for gay rights has little to do with him having a gay brother, what he really thinks of people who don’t believe in marriage equality and if we’ll see him, ahem, overexposed on American Horror Story. Of all the things you could’ve said, why did you tell MTV that you’d legalize gay marriage first if you were president? It’s just so silly and it doesn’t make any sense to me that you wouldn’t be able to marry whomever you want to marry. It’s not our business. I don’t know why we’re obsessed with making everything in this country our business, all the time. It seems we’re a little behind on that, and we just need to make it legal and stop caring so much. It doesn’t matter. And it shouldn’t matter.

Listen, I’m always willing to hear all sides of all arguments. Anyone who doesn’t agree with it is essentially putting themselves above other people. That’s what they’re doing. And that’s not OK with me.

People have a million different justifications and reasons why they don’t want (gay marriage) allowed, but it doesn’t check out. Whenever I hear people’s reasoning behind it, I think to myself: First of all, marriage isn’t always successful anyway. Look at the divorce rate and all the things that go wrong with marriage. Whether it’s gay or straight, there are issues with it. Clearly people have a hard time staying together, and that’s just a sad truth about marriage in our society. People should be allowed to succeed and fail at marriage as they so desire. Has having a gay brother influenced how outspoken you’ve become for the gay community? I don’t think that having a gay brother has affected the way I feel about it, because I would feel the same way regardless. I happen to have a gay brother, but that doesn’t mean I’m more of an advocate for equal human rights. That shouldn’t change anything about the way that I feel. But he’s your brother, so certainly some of your passion for gay rights is an extension of that relationship, right?

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I’ve never really seen myself do any of this before, so I’m a little wigged out about that – actually watching myself. It’s all new and it’s all fun and it’s a fresh experience. I’ve gotten super into it and hope there are more cool things like that to come. And I’ve got a lot of blood on me! What does that taste like? It tastes like gross corn syrup crap. Dylan McDermott is known for getting naked a lot on the show. Should we expect you to get naked as well? (Laughs) I don’t think I’ll be getting naked on the show. There’s no nudity for me. But you’ll see: It’s definitely interesting. Who’s the bigger diva on The Voice: you or Christina Aguilera?

photo: Mark Seliger Of course! That contributes on some level to the way that I feel. But I don’t know – I don’t think I would feel any differently if he happened to be straight. The relationships that I have with people – whether it’s my brother or a friend, gay or straight – shouldn’t really ever come into play. Someone’s sexual preference is their sexual preference. Let’s move on. When I’m talking about dating a girl and they’re talking about dating a guy – big fucking deal. That’s the thing; that’s what’s so bizarre about it: It doesn’t faze me. Obviously I was brought up to believe that everybody is on a level playing field and we’re all crazy, cool and all that fun stuff – and I don’t pay much mind to it, because who am I to judge people? I judge people based on the things that they do. I judge people based on their character. If you have a friend who decides to do certain things in their own private time – even if they’re straight – whatever the fuck they’re into, fine. It doesn’t matter. That’s the biggest problem: It just simply doesn’t affect the way I view a person. It’s so arbitrary. What’s been the best part of shooting American Horror Story so far? It’s so much fun. I’m having a blast and obviously Ryan (Murphy) is amazing and so passionate and so cool, and I thank him for giving me this opportunity. It’s a really special show to be a part of, and it’s been really fun and I’m very excited to see the results.

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Probably me. (Laughs) You know, it’s cool because at this point, we finally hit our stride as friends – all four of us. Anytime you get four people together who don’t know each other very well, at first certain people gravitate toward others and alliances are formed and friendships are formed. But what’s great now is that all four of us are very close and having the best time because we’re the most connected we’ve ever been. Blake Shelton seems very connected to you. So connected, in fact, he has said that he wants to kiss you. Is there a bromance going on that you want to tell us about? (Laughs) I’m pretty sure all that is in good humor. I’m sure he doesn’t really want to kiss me. He’s married; he’s taken. What about the music business itself: Do you see the music business evolving faster than the rest of the world? That would be a nice idea. You do tend to find that a lot of people who are involved in music don’t care about whether someone is gay or not, or gay themselves. Who knows why that’s the case. Maybe that particular part of entertainment is evolving or has always been that way.

photo: Terry Richardson

Most of the people that I know, it’s just not an issue. Most people in the music industry don’t necessarily judge people for that kind of thing and it doesn’t really come into play; it doesn’t matter. People, especially musicians and artists, were more guarded a while ago. Now it seems like it doesn’t seem to bother anybody very much, which is great. Listen, the forward movement with this whole thing is good, and getting it all out there and having discussions and debates only helps us advance, so I’m all about discussing it with someone. I’m still very interested in getting to the bottom of why people don’t understand that in saying certain people aren’t allowed to marry – what leg do you have to stand on there? Unless you can admit that you’re putting yourself above them, then there’s no argument. Otherwise you would say, “Everyone has the right to marry.” That’s a hard pill to swallow because, like I said, I’m always ready to play the other side and to try to appreciate the other side for what it’s worth, and you can’t really argue unless you can start to understand where that side comes from. But I still don’t quite get it. It still baffles me.

“

When I’m talking about dating a girl and they’re talking about dating a guy—

“

big fucking deal.

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By Joseph Brownell

n 2008 Kiele Adams and Brandon Bush, members of Valdosta State University’s Gay-Straight Alliance, envisioned something for their community’s LGBT population. “At the time, polls showed that the Lowndes county area had the highest population of openly samesex couples outside of Atlanta,” Bush shared. “The idea started as a simple LGBT family picnic.” That year, Valdosta Diversity Pride took shape and held its first campus festival.

The vision only got bigger when, in 2009, it was decided that Valdosta Pride needed to become its own nonprofit organization with an eventual goal of being held off campus in order to encompass the LGBT community at large. Fast forward to 2012 and South Georgia Pride celebrates its fourth year as a nonprofit community organization, third year off VSU’s campus and its first corporate sponsorship. A far cry from a simple LGBT family picnic. “Seeing how we’ve evolved throughout the years has been amazing,” Bush beamed. “In our first year, I was struggling to find willing sponsors and vendors. Now, just a few short years later, we have tons of vendors and even our first corporate sponsors.” This year, South Georgia Pride launches its festival theme, “Serve with Pride”, designed to honor the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our nation and the first anniversary of DADT’s repeal. But South Georgia Pride has had a difficult time serving the community with pride this year. Earlier this summer, Raynae Williams, assistant executive director of South Georgia Pride, met with Valdosta Mayor John Gayle to discuss his refusal to sign an official proclamation naming September 15th as South Georgia Pride Day.

Williams told local media the meeting lasted less than 5 minutes and Gayle refused to sign the proclamation because he didn’t believe in the LGBT lifestyle. But when has that stopped us from being proud? The 2012 South Georgia Pride Festival will kick off Saturday, September 15th at 12pm and is once again set to take place in John W. Saunder’s Park. This year’s festival features a diverse entertainment lineup that includes up and coming singer-songwriter Julie Shurr and her brand of “indierockbitchfolk”, out hip-hop artist Young Kaii, local rockers Marilyn and Her Monsters and country artist Drew Kelly. The entertainment will be capped off by an enormous cast of drag performances featuring Spikey Van Dikey and the Ladies of Glo Ultra Lounge. The festival will also feature several guest speakers including Evelyn Thomas of The Sanctuary Project, an organization started in 2009 when Navy Seaman August Provost was presumably murdered because of his sexual orientation. Thomas founded The Sanctuary Project to honor and help those harmed under DADT. Elke Kennedy will also make her second appearance at South Georgia Pride on behalf of Sean’s Last Wish, an organization she started when her son was murdered in Greenville, SC because of his sexual orientation in 2007. Pride doesn’t stop when the festival ends at 7pm. The party continues at the Official South Georgia Pride After Party at Glo Ultra Lounge. Kicking off at 9pm, there is a $10 cover for those under 21 and $5 for 21+. And you can be sure the bartenders will be ‘serving with pride’. For more information on South Georgia Pride you can find them on the web at southgapride.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/southgapride/ davidatlanta | 29

david atlanta | 31

BARTAB | map CHESHIRE BRIDGE & BUCKHEAD

ANSLEY

C2 BJ Roosters 2345 Cheshire Bridge Rd. www.

A22 Amsterdam 502 Amsterdam Ave. www.amster-

C3 Bliss Atlanta 2284 Cheshire Bridge Rd. www.

A23 Burkhart’s 1492 Piedmont Ave. www.burkharts.

C4 Club Rush (formerly Chaparral) 2715 Buford Hwy C5 Heretic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd. www.hereticat-

A24 Felix’s 1510 Piedmont Ave A25 Mixx 1492 Piedmont Ave - B www.mixxatlanta.com A26 Oscar’s Atlanta 1510 Piedmont Ave NE www.

C6 Jungle 2115 Faulkner Rd. www.jungleclubatlanta.

A27 The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Rd NE, Suite 124

C7 Las Margaritas 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd. www.

A28 Brushstrokes/Capulets 1510 Piedmont Ave.

C36 Mood Lounge 3081 E. Shadowlawn Ave. NE C8 Opus 1 1086 Alco St. C9 Tripps 1931 Piedmont Circle www.trippsatlanta.

A29 Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Rd. www.boynext-

myspace.com/bjroostersatl blissofatlanta.com

www.chaparralalternative.com

lanta.com com

lasmargaritasmidtown.com

damatlanta.com

com

oscarsatlanta.com

www.atlantahideaway.com

www.brushstrokesatlanta.com door.biz

com

C10 Woofs 2425 Piedmont Rd NE www.woofsatlanta.

PONCE & the Highlands

com

P30 Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. www.

com

P31 Friends on Ponce 736 Ponce de Leon Ave.

org

P32 Model T’s 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE #11 www.

Rd. www.southernnights.com

P30 Rawhide Leather at the Eagle 404.881.0031

C11 Gravity Fitness 201 Faulkner Rd. www.gravityatl. C12 Manifest4U 2103 Faulkner Rd. www.manifest4u. C13 Southern Nights Videos 2205 Cheshire Bridge MIDTOWN & WESTSIDE

atlantaeagle.com

www.friendsonponce-atl.com

modeltatlanta.com

Edgewood & EAST ATLANTA

M14 Blake’s on the Park 227 10th St. www.blake-

E35 The Cockpit 465 Boulevard Ave. www.thecockpit-

M15 Bulldogs 893 Peachtree St. M16 Daiquiri Factory 889 W. Peachtree St., 30309

E38 Sister Louisa’s Church 466 Edgewood Ave.

sontheparkatlanta.com

facebook.com/pages/The-Daiquiri-Factory M17 Gilberts 219 10th St. www.gilbertscafe.com M18 Joe’s on Juniper 1049 Juniper St www.joesonjuniper.com M19 Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Dr. www. swingingrichards.com M20 XS Ultra Lounge 708 Spring St., 30308 www. traxxatlanta.com M21 Flex 76 4th St. www.flexbaths.com

atlanta.blogspot.com

www.sisterlouisaschurch.com

E33 Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave. www.marysatlanta. com

E34 My Sisters Room 1271 Glenwood Ave www. mysistersroom.com

E37 Asylum 543 Flat Shoals Ave. www.asylumatl.com/

OUTER LIMITS

LeBuzz 585 Franklin Rd SE, Marietta www.thenewlebuzz.com

L38 Phase One 4933 Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain, 30083 www.wassupnatl.com

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Paces F

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Edgewood Ave

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Ave NE

Highland

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Bedford Pl

Courtland

Mor el

Barnett St

Penn

Juniper St

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Crescent

Spring St

W Peachtree St

Cypress

Argonne Ave

Northside Dr

North Ave

L38

Stone Mountain

e y NE E Freedom Pkw Freedom ■ Carter Presidential Park d Ralph McGill Blv Willoughby Way NE Library

Peachtree

P30

Ponce De Leon Ave

Techwood

St Charles

P31 P32

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Eliz

Spr

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8th St

■ 85 Civic Center

Virginia Ave VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS

10th St

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Peachtree Center MARTA ■ P'tree M Center

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Centennial Olympic Park ■ Aquarium ■ ■ Georgia CNN ■ Dome Center

6th St 5th St 4th St

MARTA North Ave

MARTA M Civic Center

M14 M17

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Simpson

11th St

M15

M20 ■ Fox Theatre

North Ave

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M18

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M21

Piedmont Park

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Georgia Tech ■

Botanical ■ Garden A22

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MARTA Midtown

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A29

M19

High Museum & Woodruff Arts Center ■ MARTA M Arts Center

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A28 A25

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BARTAB | week MONDAY

BLAKE’S Trivia w/ Mary Edith Pitts @ 11pm $250 prize, then New Drag on the Edge w/ Nicole Paige Brooks BURKHART’S Blue Monday Karaoke w/ Angelica D’Paige 11:30pm COCKPIT Big Red Cup All Day, specials EAGLE Comedy TV- Free Pool FELIX’S Free Pool FRIENDS DJ opens at 2pm HERETIC Play w/ Eddie 4pm-11pm HIDEAWAY $2.50 Domestic Beer JUNGLE Stars of the Century Show 11pm MODEL T Monday Night Madness 9pm Oscar’s Midtown Martini Club 4pm. Service Industry Night 9pm Tripp’s Monday Night Madness 9pm Woof’s Texas Hold ‘Em Poker 8pm

TUESDAY

BLAKE’S Karaoke w Suzanne Gleeson 11pm BURKHART’S Trivia Tuesday Karaoke w/ Angelica D’Paige 11:30pm Club Rush HipHop til 4am, $5 COCKPIT 80s Party 9pm, specials 5-8pm EAGLE Tuesdays w/ Tony FELIX’S Smirnoff Martini Night FRIENDS Let’s Make a Deal 6pm HERETIC 2-Step Tuesday, dance till 11pm HIDEAWAY TEAM Trivia w/ Will 9pm Mixx Piano Night w/ David Reeb 8pm MODEL T Texas Hold’em Poker 9:30pm Oscar’s Show Tune Tuesday 8pm SWINGING RICHARDS 1/2 Price cover Tripp’s Ladies Night 9pm Woof’s Industry Day Free Wii 5pm

WEDNESDAY

BLAKE’S 5-9pm Doug’s party pop hits, The “Lust and Bust Show”11 pm BURKHART’S Humpday Karaoke w/ Darlene Majewski 11:30pm COCKPIT Balls Deep Karaoke 10pm EAGLE 80’s Music w/ Travis FRIENDS Team Trivia 8pm

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got an upcoming event? calendar@davidatlanta.com

HERETIC 25¢ Keystone Light ,No Cover! HIDEAWAY Trivia w/ Will 9pm Jungle Big Gay Game Show 3rd Wed Mixx Texas Hold’em Poker 7pm MODEL T Karaoke 10pm Oscar’s ReBooT Retro 8pm SWINGING RICHARDS 2-4-1 VIP Room Tripp’s Free Taco Bar 5pm XCESS ULTRA LOUNGE Raquell Lord’s Talent Show @ 10:30pm, Sophia Mcintosh & Fab 5 +1 @11:30pm, 18+ Woof’s Food Special, Trivia 8pm

THURSDAY

BLAKE’S $5 burgers, Texas Hold’Em Poker 7pm, Shawnna Factor Show 11pm BURKHART’S Twisted Thursday w/ Phoenix 11:30pm COCKPIT Dirty Boy Bingo w/ Ruby Redd EAGLE Karaoke w/ Mikey FELIX’S Karaoke w/ Brett & Tyler 10pm FRIENDS Girls Who Like Girls Meet Girls HERETIC 3 Legged Cowboy Night 9pm HIDEAWAY Service Industry Night JUNGLE Cherry Pop Thursday! LAS MARGARITAS Crazy Bitch Bingo 7:30pm Mixx The Toolbox 6pm MODEL T Party-Time 9pm Oscar’s Kickin It w/ Kyle 8pm Phase One $3 Thurs Entry + drinks SWINGING RICHARDS 2-4-1 VIP & Entry Tripp’s Spotlight Karaoke 9pm XCESS ULTRA LOUNGE Turnt Up Thursday Woof’s Food Special, Country Music 7pm

FRIDAY

BLAKE’S 5-9pm TGIF, Charlie’s Angels w/ Charlie Brown 11pm BURKHART’S Fab Five w/ Angelica D’Paige 11:30pm Club Rush Got Leche? til 4am, $10 COCKPIT DJ Diablo Rojo, guest VJ/DJ’s EAGLE DJ Dance Party FRIENDS Happy Times w/ Brian & Ken HERETIC no cover B4 11pm

HIDEAWAY After Work Martini Madness JUNGLE Club Night, Various DJ’s Mixx Grown & Sexy Dance 10pm MODEL T Saturday Night Live 9pm Oscar’s 80’s Retro Vidz 8pm SWINGING RICHARDS T-Shirt Review, $10 Tripp’s Afternoon Delights 4pm Woof’s Atlanta’s Best Social Night 6pm

SATURDAY

BLAKE’S opens 1pm, Daring Divas 11pm BURKHART’S Extravaganza w/ Shavonna B. Brooks 11:30pm Club Rush Dance Party COCKPIT DJ Diablo Rojo, guest VJ/DJ’s EAGLE DJ Dance Party FELIX’S Karaoke w/ Brett & Tyler 10pm FRIENDS Afternoons w/ Bob! 2pm HERETIC Varies: Club Night or 3 Legged Cowboy Night - 10pm JUNGLE Club Night, Various Guest DJ’s. Mixx Guest DJ’s Dance 10pm MODEL T Sunday Dinner 3:30pm Oscar’s Total Request Videos 8pm SWINGING RICHARDS T-Shirt Review $10 Tripp’s Afternoon Cookout 3pm XCESS ULTRA LOUNGE 25+ FREE til 12am Woof’s Game Day All Day

SUNDAY

Burkhart’s Armorettes Drag Show Blake’s ON THE PARK open 1pm, Classic Sunday “T” w/ Bill Berdeaux & Daryl Cox Club Rush Hip Hop w DJ Truz, no cover COCKPIT PBR Beer Bust FELIX’S Bloody Marys & Mimosas FRIENDS Smirnoff B Mary Bar 12:30pm HIDEAWAY Bloody Mary Bar 12:30pm LAS MARGARITAS All You Can Eat til 3pm Mixx Old School Sunday Dance 7pm MODEL T Sunday Dinner w Ron 3:30pm Tripp’s Buffet 3pm; Karaoke pm Woof’s Bloody Mary bar, PBR special

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38 | davidatlanta

photo: Austin Young

Comedienne dishes tour, television, tattoos and more By Joseph Brownell

rop Dead Diva just wrapped up its fourth season last weekend on Lifetime and you might expect star Margaret Cho to take a break but you’d expect wrong. The comedienne and LGBT-activist is gearing up for a brand-new comedy tour, a Food Network show and . . . an Oscar?!? Prior to her Atlanta tour stop Sunday September 16th at The Punchline, David Atlanta caught up with Cho to dish about her new projects. You’re gearing up for a crazy end to 2012, will you tell us a bit about your new standup show Mother? I wanted to do a show with mostly jokes about my mom. I’ve been thinking about her because I’m trying to cook Korean again and she’s a really awesome cook. I’ve just been going through recipes and remembering all these things about her. Also the show is about my ideas of what a mother is. I’m about that age and it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot, not necessarily having children but the idea of motherhood in general. I think it’s cool to be a mother! Not necessarily a real one, but a mother of the world. Also the mothers we think about in society: Madonna, Lady Gaga and even Whitney Houston, that kind of societal thing where a woman is a cultural figure, political figure and pop icon. So that’s what the show is.

You have a strong connection to strong women. What was it like being nominated for an Emmy and working with Tina Fey on 30 Rock? I didn’t even know I was nominated. [Tina Fey] actually called to tell because I’m not the kinda person who gets up early to hear the nominations. I don’t care (laughing). Well you’ve been to the Emmy’s and the Grammy’s . . . maybe an Oscar next? That’s certainly a goal. You get there gradually and it’s great trying to do it all but I NEED TO WIN IT. I’m anxious to really win something now (laughs). Besides the tour you’ve got a new show on the Food Network called Blind Dinner Party. It sounds like MTV’s Real World in courses. What was your experience like with this show? I love this idea of bringing people together who wouldn’t necessarily eat together. When we shot the pilot it was so cool how varied these people were. I mean we sat down and there was fighting and intense discussion about stuff because they did have a problem agreeing on things and wanting people to see things their way. I mean it is kinda like Fight Club in a sense but these people are coming together to eat and learn and I think that is really important.

david atlanta | 39

Speaking of television, you’ve had a bigger role on Drop Dead Diva this season getting to showcase your singing and songwriting. What has your experience been like over the past few years? It’s so weird going back and thinking how long have I been playing this character and with the writers writing in your voice and perspective, so having that connection and communication with people is awesome. And the cast, we’ve been working on this show for five years now so we’re very close . . . we’re a family. Well Drop Dead Diva keeps you in Atlanta quite a bit. We know you’re a big fan of the Clermont, any other favorite places in Atlanta? [Atlanta] is my second home because I spend a lot of time here and where I spend most of my time outside of the road. There are so many different parts of the city I love and I’m definitely going out all the time. I love The Albert, I’m always there. The music here is something I really appreciate so I’m always at The Tabernacle seeing shows. Also The Earl and Variety Playhouse. Speaking of the Clermont, Blondie is a Grand Marshall in this Pride Parade. Any chance we’ll catch you at Atlanta Pride? I’d love to but you know I’ve never been to Pride here. It’s usually in the season I’m gone . . . Halloween, right? We actually moved it a couple weeks back. It’ll be October 13, 14 and 15th this year. So the invite is open! We’ve got performances from Andy Bell, Rita Ora— Oh, Andy is one of my old friends. I’ve opened for him a lot and toured with him. He’s a blast. Well, hopefully you’ll make it out this year. Speaking of touring with musicians, on Cho Dependent you showcased your musical talents. What was that project like and is there a follow-up planned? I really love all those musicians and my musical life is really growing. I do have songs that I have recorded and want to put out but I wanted to make time for this standup tour first and then go back to doing music.

Top 10 Tracks

singing and playing. It was a musical education that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else and in no better way. It was the best thing I could’ve done.

I wanted to ask about a funny video you did earlier this year with trans-rapper Rocco Katastrophe, who we recently featured. How did the track “Eat Everything” come together? Well, Rocco is my trans-son. I’m a trans-mother and have a lot of trans-children. He and I have known each other for years and had been talking about doing a song. We shot the video at my house in LA. I loved the song and worked really hard on the rhymes and Katastrophe is just so great. Let’s talk about art for a minute. I love your ink. Any personal tattoos and/or anything in the works? They don’t really have that much meaning because to me they’re really about the relationship I have with the artist. There are two big cabbage roses that I have that were done by Kim Saigh and Shawn Barber who have a studio in LA called Memoir. I just wrote the foreward for Shawn Barber’s book. Those guys are like family to me. I’m working on a leg piece that’s a Chinese Goddess and on my knees I have Abraham Lincoln and George Washington looking at each other. But it hurts so much I’m reluctant to go back and get it all finished. Finally, if you could write a letter to your 13year old self what would it say? I really could’ve benefitted from the ‘It Gets Better’ campaign. So I wish I could just include a link to people talking. Dan Savage is amazing so I would just love to forward a younger me those videos. They’re powerful and meaningful and save lives. Margaret Cho will perform at The Punchline Comedy Club on Sunday September 16th at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. You can get tickets at punchline.com. Follow Margaret Cho on Twitter @margaretcho and Facebook.com/officialmargaretcho

It’s something that I really treasure and all those people like Ani DiFranco, Andrew Bird, Tegan and Sara and Fiona Apple, they taught me so much about music, david atlanta | 41

Social Politics: How Racism Always Comes Out During Election Time By Lucas Witherspoon

ocial media and social networking have fundamentally changed the way we communicate and interact with other humans, this much we all know. In a country where it’s estimated only about 40 percent of us watch or read the news daily, online social networking and media have become a source of news for a lot of people who wouldn’t regularly pay attention to goings-on in the world. But during political seasons and election cycles, they both seem to become a kind of double-edged sword. In one manner, we’re able to transmit information to a wide range of people who otherwise likely never would have received the same via the national media. On the other hand, it helps to promote ridiculous propaganda (Birthers, anyone?), in turn giving far more advertising to these unfounded beliefs than they otherwise would have been given. For example, I was shocked that Republican voting suppression efforts in Ohio weren’t prominently featured on any of the Big Three’s (ABC, NBC, CBS) national 44 | davidatlanta

news programs. To sum it up, Republicans in Ohio, a key electoral state, have in previous years given a three-day early voting window before Election Day, which helped to accommodate more voters and made for shorter wait times. This year, Republicans in the state moved to sever that three-day period to everyone but activeduty military, excluding even veterans from early voting. The move was seen by some as an attempt to suppress “urban” voter turnout (Doug Preisse—a close political advisor to Ohio’s Republican governor John Kasich—in a fit of accidental candor was actually quoted as telling a state newspaper, “I guess I really actually feel we shouldn’t contort the voting process to accommodate the urban -read African-American -- voter-turnout machine”). Obama’s campaign staff filed a lawsuit, which was eventually upheld in federal court, thus allowing every citizen of the state to vote during the three-day early voting period. Aside from the victorious conclusion (for the time being, as the decision is being appealed), this story

had so many facets of unlawfulness and an overall lack of decorum that were by and large looked over by the majority of the population. This was an attack on not only our fundamental and legal voting rights as Americans, but also contained tinges of outright racism. There should have been not only statewide outrage, but also national fury. However, only two or three cable news anchors bothered to even cover the story. While their reporting did bring the story to light for—by national proportions—a handful of people, this is a situation where social networking and media wielded its influence. In conjunction with the limited television coverage, many political and news blogs picked up on the story, which precipitated the story to millions more, consequently leaving the bureaucrats receding their corners in defeat after the bout of bad press and ensuing lawsuit.

that could only be described as sketchy at best. For the most part in past years, these nutty conspiracy theories would have gone largely unnoticed, but because of the availability of social media, these types of bogus claims receive undue precedence, even receiving entire websites and blogs dedicated to upholding and prolonging these irrelevant ideologies. Faults aside, I still maintain that social networking and media are absolutely imperative to politics in this day and age. It may not serve our politicians as efficiently, since their every remark, gaffe, and vote are now highly-attainable public information, but we as citizens and voters now have access to unimaginable amounts of knowledge that, if coherently assimilated, only serves to make us more intellectually wealthy citizens.

This is an instance in which the extensiveness and outreach of social networking and social media displayed its positive consequences. Notwithstanding, paralleling this constructive use is the unbiquitous spread of disinformation. In politics, this happens on both sides of the aisle far too often, but perhaps the two most recently promulgated and discussed examples of this came about while Obama was running for President in 2008, when rumors spread that Obama was neither a Christian nor a natural-born citizen (the latter of which was initiated by a Democrat, but is ironically chiefly associated with and still defended by the Right). Another example would be the conspiracy theory that 9/11 was enacted and/or allowed by the U.S. government under Bush. For one, these conjectures are on the whole politically motivated, meaning there’s blatant bias, and, secondly, are based on research davidatlanta | 45

Opulence: Transgenders, Butt cheeks, Models OH MY! (Part 1)

ometimes you just can’t escape having tempting thoughts like, “I wish I can get the fat sucked out of my stomach and pumped into my ass”. I mean, mostly everyone has had that thought at least once right? Because no matter what your sexual preference is or what gender you are, you want to look good. Well child, the other day I ventured outside this fish bowl known as Midtown, Atlanta right quick and headed to a successful place that can do just that and MORE called Opulence, a cosmetic surgery facility! Actually, I went in just to get a microdermabrasion done right quick, but I was escorted down the hall to speak with the doctor, which turned out to be an interview for this report. The Marketing Director, John, led me as he took me on a quick tour of the rest of the building. Little did I know that this particular doctor loved David Atlanta and my Brent Star Report (yay!). Her name is Dr. Nedra Dodds. She gives “Tyra Banks Realness” but not just because she’s very smart and so damn pretty (nothing “done” to her face mind you…of course I asked!) but because she’s so open minded, down to earth, real, very much a “friend of the family” and just a natural born diva! How did you hear about David Atlanta? In a bathroom in a club many years ago, but I started reading your report earlier this year. I know you are a respected Doctor around here, but it’s hard to look at you and not think ‘model’. Actually, I did a lot of modeling

48 | davidatlanta

since age 14. However, on the side I was always doing double duty in the medical field whenever I could. Cute. A model turned successful doctor…and straight! I noticed a few gays on staff here, have you always been gay friendly? Yes…well I’ve always been PEOPLE friendly. I don’t see sexual preference, or color or gender, I just see people. But during the 90s when I worked in the ER in Brooklyn, New York I met my first transgender person who called himself or herself Angel. This was during the height of HIV when I worked with jail patients on the male side. I was instructed to examine a patient name Angel Rodriguez whom I didn’t realize was transgendered until she turned around to reveal a beautiful face to match her beautiful soul. Our first conversation started when he warned me not to “touch him” because he was in the late stages of AIDS. I quickly educated him by letting him know you can’t contract it by touching. The next 3 days we developed a friendship and I too started learning things from him. He also told me because of this he hasn’t told his mom nor has seen her in five years. Well…a few weeks later, I was able to get in contact with his mom and on his behalf I told her. Oh wow. WHAT did you say to his mom? (To be continued… Check out the rest of the REPORT in our September 26th issue!)

By Elijah Sarkesian

he East Atlanta Strut, an annual one-day festival held in the East Atlanta Village, will be celebrating its 15th anniversary with this year’s event. The annual event is filled with attractions and activities for attendees, including five stages for music by local performers, a comedy stage, an artists’ market, carnival stalls, community booths, and a section for kids. One of the day’s highlights every year is the Strut Parade. This year, the parade is highlighted by its Grand Marshal, the one and only Sister Louisa. Sister Louisa - also known as Grant Henry - is known throughout the Atlanta community for her art, which takes previously-made items and creates a new piece of art with messages on religion, sexuality and politics. Being named Grand Marshal of the 2012 Strut Parade is something Henry acknowledges as both “a great honor and surprise.” His ties to East Atlanta Village go back to his time as part of the East Atlanta Business Association in its formative years in the mid-90s. Henry’s alter ego was created approximately 15 years ago as an outlet for his artistic expression. “I collected and sold primitive furniture and all things Jesus and kitsch,” says Henry. “I loved paint by number paintings and decided to write the sayings that I would say across the images, which struck a chord with the process I had been going through to transition into a more genuine, authentic life than I had been living.”

“I was raised to be a good boy, and Sister Louisa helped me say the things that I, Grant Henry, couldn’t say at the time.” For years, Henry’s home included an art gallery. After years of bartending, Henry decided to open his own bar that could also double as a new art gallery. “I loved having friends over at home to play ping pong and look at the art, but didn’t like the fact that I had to clean up their shit after playing, picking up beer bottles,” explains Henry. “It was costing me money and my happiness with my home!” The result is Church (or more specifically, Sister Louisa’s CHURCH of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium...Come On In Precious!). “I wanted to build a place to go that all people were accepted, where I could ban smoking, ban televisions, ban assholes, and show my art,” says Grant. “Sister Louisa Art is an asshole filter. People who don’t like her art, or what it means to them, don’t come in, which leaves inside the free, creative, nonjudgmental people that we now call Parishioners!” That push for creative, non-judgmental people makes Sister Louisa a perfect fit for the East Atlanta Strut, with the wide range of creative talent being exhibited at the festival.

The 15th annual East Atlanta Strut is on Saturday, Sept. 15, beginning at 10am. The parade begins at 2pm. The event is free to the public. For more information, please visit eastatlantastrut.com. davidatlanta | 51

Divine Rules Pageant to crown filthiest drag queen By Van Gower

f you’re the kind of drag diva who not only doesn’t mind being called trashy but who actively builds on that reputation, your kind of drag competition is almost here. The Divine Rules Pageant, set for September 22nd at Jungle Atlanta nightclub, will crown the “filthiest drag queen in town.” Jungle, I Am Divine Foundation, Pets Are Loving Support and Fashionado.net are sponsors for what is expected to be a septic tank explosion of a drag show. A $1,000 prize will go to the winner, with prizes for runner-ups.

and his fellow “Dreamlanders” (a term of endearment for Waters’ original guerilla company of actors and crew) routinely and fearlessly broke countless social taboos in their gleeful mission to get Waters’ most outrageous visions on film. In addition to his long association with Waters, Divine appeared in films for other directors (Lust in the Dust and Out of the Dark), starred in independent stage plays, had a hit side career singing high-energy disco, and toured the world in support of her music. He died in 1988 of an enlarged heart at the age of 42.

Hosted by local drag entertainer Nicole Paige Brooks, the pageant boasts a superstar panel of celebrity judges: Fred Schneider, of the legendary Athens, Georgia-born party band The B-52’s; Michelle Visage, judge from the Logo network’s RuPaul’s Drag Race; and Atlanta phenom Phoenix, a RuPaul’s Drag Race season three contestant.

Divine, who was born Harris Glenn Milstead, and Waters were lifelong friends from childhood who were both outsiders in their conservative suburban Baltimore neighborhoods. But Divine in particular was frequently bullied at his suburban Towson, Maryland, middle school for being effeminate and gay. The taunts and threats even became so severe that Divine’s mother would arrange for police escorts to transport her son to school.

The competition is being held in honor of Divine, the late transvestite star of gay cult film director John Waters’ most notorious early flicks including Multiple Maniacs (in which she was raped by a giant lobster), Pink Flamingos (which features among its numerous hilariously revolting gags an infamous final scene showing Divine eating real dog excrement), Female Trouble, and Polyester. Divine 54 | davidatlanta

Divine’s mother Frances Milstead died in 2009, bequeathing the late superstar’s estate to family friend Michael O’Quinn, who co-founded the I Am Divine Foundation, which works to raise awareness and bring hope to individuals who are the victims of bullying.

The Foundation is now bringing its mission of raising awareness to gay mecca Atlanta at next Saturday’s pageant, while paying tribute to the beloved Divine’s enduring legacy of inspiring new generations of filthy, flamboyant drag bitches. David Atlanta caught up with pageant judge Fred Schneider to get his take on Divine, the pageant, and the tragedy of anti-gay bullying. How did you come to be a judge in the Divine Rules Pageant? Were you approached, or did you reach out to the organizers? Two [members] of the Divine charity are in my other band The Superions, and I met PALS through my great friend Cathy Smith Bresciani, whose animal charity I’m also involved in [www.dixiedogwear.com]. We know that you, Phoenix, and Michelle Visage will be judging for the filthiest drag queen in town. With that said, are there any specific qualities that you’ll be expecting from the contestants or that you hope to be surprised by?

Movie Review

What are your personal feelings about the I Am Divine Foundation and Pets Are Loving Support, the two non-profit organizations that are presenting the pageant?

They’re both great. Divine for its anti-bullying initiative, and PALS helping people with AIDS, critical illness, and [disabilities] keep their existing pets, providing free food, and basic veterinary care. There seems to have been an unfortunate and saddening surge in recent years of many anti-gay bullying and suicides among teens, with Jamey Rodemeyer and Tyler Clementi perhaps being the most remembered. Do you think there’s truly a new surge in such cases, or has the expansion of media outlets just made them more noticed than they were in the past? Why is this cause near and dear to your heart? I think finally there is more notice and serious concern by many major members of the media, celebrities, and schools. Of course, forget about Romney and his ilk and religious wingnuts. I was bullied in high school and couldn’t wait to get away!

Oh lord, all I hope is that the surprises are good, funny ones! How do you think Divine would feel about this pageant being held in her honor, to find the filthiest drag queen? Well, I would have worded it differently: from the world’s most original drag artist, or something. Oh no, you’re right! I hope no one eats dog shit or vomits or some such nonsense! The drag community is fairly diverse, running the gamut from those who portray truly glamorous and feminine ideals, to the outright over-the-top and sometimes gross-out shenanigans of the camp queens. But sometimes there can be a rivalry between those. Do you think that diversity is important, and which is your favorite genre of drag? Well, Divine is my favorite, but I totally like the outrageously over-the-top, raunchy and silly talents of the really creative artists like RuPaul, Lady Bunny, Lypsynka and Jackie Beat. Did you know Divine personally?

Although much of our American society has been making great strides in LGBT equality, there still seem to be so many hurdles yet to be surmounted. Do you think there will ever come a day when gay youth and adults won’t have to live in fear of being bullied? Well, I don’t have much hope for that any time soon as long as there are right-wing religious nuts, skinheads, etc. We need to maintain all kinds of support systems for gays. If Divine was still with us today, what do you think her message would be to both the bullied gay youth and to their tormentors? I think she would be a strong voice for anti-bullying, showing tormentors how wrong, misguided and sick they are. For more information about the Divine Rules Pageant, visit IAmDivineFoundation.org. Divine Rules Pageant takes place on September 22nd, 2012 at Jungle Atlanta. Looking for Anti-Gay Bullying Organizations? Check out our comprehensive list at DavidAtlanta.com

I wish. I only got to see her on stage and screen. A true original, one-of-a-kind who’ll never be replaced. davidatlanta | 55

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