Armorettes Take Over David Atlanta by David Magazine

#15

HISTORY of the ARMORETTES: THEIR 33 YEAR JOURNEY

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David Atlanta Contents Seen@ Richard’s Variety Store Letter to the Community Do Not Doubt That You Are Loved Dear Trashetta United We Stand... Seen@ Ansley Mall / Brushstrokes Where We Come From: A Historical Recollection 29 Health + Fitness 34 BarTab Map: Guide to Gay Atlanta 36 BarTab Week: Calendar 38 Path to a Cure 42 Seen@ Burkhart’s 46 Seen@ Hoedown’s / Oscar’s 48 Hair’s How I See It 50 Cooking on a Dime 54 Fag Hags vs. Fruit Flys 59 Classifieds 60 Seen@ Birdcage Bingo 62 Non-Bitch Session

Issue 15 | Sept 19, 2012

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The content of this Publication is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed by any writer, advertiser, or other person appearing in the Magazine are not necessarily those of the Publication, its management or staff. The information and materials appearing in the Magazine are not guaranteed or warranted as to accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness, or suitability of the information and materials found or offered for a particular purpose. It shall be your responsibility to ensure that any products, services, or information available through this Publication meets your specific requirements. The Publication is not responsible for claims made by advertisers, content of information, changes, events, and schedules. The Magazine contains information and material which is owned by or licensed to the Publication, including but not limited to articles, advertisement, design, layout, graphics, and logos. No part or portion of this Publication may be reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of the Publisher. Unauthorized use of this Publication may give rise to claims for damages and or criminal offenses. Your use of the information or materials in the Publication is strictly at your own risk.

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WTF!?!? Tidbits

Letter to the Community

irst and foremost, the Armorettes wish to thank the Atlanta Community for the support you have given us and our charitable beneficiaries! Without you, none of what the Armorettes have accomplished would have been possible. Your donations over our nearly 34 years of existence have helped us raise an astounding $2 million for local HIV/AIDS charities! We are truly honored to have received the accolades given us over the years. Whether you voted for us as Best Drag Show or supported us in becoming 2012 Pride Grand Marshals or just came to a show and tipped one of us your hard-earned dollar, your generosity is greatly appreciated and has an impact on all of us. We invite everyone to join us at Burkhartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on September 23rd, 2012 starting at 2 p.m. for our Red Ribbon Day: A Festival of Giving. The event will feature performances, midway-style games such as Ring Toss, Bank-A-Ball and more, as well as a Jail and a Dunk Tank, with all proceeds going directly to charities that we have supported over the years. The participating charities include Some1Cares, MISTER, The Living Room and GO Atlanta, and we hope that you will come out and have fun with us while supporting them at the same time. HIV/AIDS continues to affect our community, and the Armorettes will continue to fight the battle against this disease just as long as Atlanta will have us. Your dollar can make a difference! You can see the Armorettes show every Sunday night at Burkhartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub starting at 8 p.m. or the second Saturday of the month at the Heretic Backroom Burlesque Show, also at 8 p.m. Visit our website at www.armorettes.com or our Facebook group page to keep up with our other events. Thank you again Atlanta for all that you do! We are so proud to be part of this community and we hope you enjoy this issue of David Atlanta that we put together. Hugs and High Heels,

What is Out on Film?

Out on Film is Atlanta’s own LGBT film festival. We’re in our 25th season. Out on Film was created in 1987 to inform, entertain, educate and enrich the regional LGBT community by recognizing the creative work of LGBT artists and professionals.

What films will be shown?

Out on Film selects a variety of films for our LGBT audiences, including comedies, dramas, romances and documentaries. In addition, we screen multiracial and multi-cultural films.

Where is the event?

The majority of films are shown at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta GA 30308. Additional screenings will be held at other local venues.

How do I buy tickets?

Tickets can be purchased at www.outonfilm.org, the Landmark theater, and online at the Landmark’s website. Please visit www.outonfilm.org for more ticket information.

Are there other activities?

Yes. Out on Film schedules opening and closing night parties plus events before and after select films, including Q&As with filmmakers.

How can I learn more?

www.outonfilm.org has complete details about films and schedules, including trailers, special events, and volunteering.

Atlanta’s

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Find full schedule, movie trailers, tickets and details at

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OUR SPONSORS

By Ginger Vitis

“God

and Gays just don’t mix” is a common phrase heard in religious circles, but it is quickly becoming a phrase that is as outdated as leisure suits. And in a southern gay mecca like Atlanta, gays and God couldn’t be happier together. There are several faiths in the metro Atlanta area that not only welcome LGBTQQ members into their fold, but they affirm, love and support them. Faith groups have developed class offerings specific to what their faith teaches about God’s views on homosexuality and God’s views on heterosexuality, and the bottom line is that God is love... period. They also have made it their mission to show their love and support of the community, not just during gay pride by handing out water on the parade route, but all year long by ministering to homosexual families and welcoming and affirming transgendered in their journey to make their bodies match who they are inside. While there remain some who still feel it is God’s calling to stand in judgment by posting signs, protesting during pride events, funerals and other public displays, there are literally thousands in Atlanta’s community that stand for love, acceptance and affirmation. Many of the gay

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media print lists of houses of worship that welcome and love their homosexual members. Rev. Julie Brown, a Disciples of Christ minister in Louisville, KY had this to say about why she stands with LGBTQQ folks: “I stand with them because there is a whole lot in this world I will never understand, but I do understand that it is never okay to judge someone outside the love of God. Ever. I stand with them because I know the hearts of some of them and they are hearts full of goodness and truth, and I cannot believe that any one of them would choose the misery, judgment and exclusion that has been present in their lives–I believe they are simply trying to be who they are, even if who they are isn’t appreciated, understood, liked or affirmed. I stand with them because the Bible says very little–IF anything at all–about what we know in this day and time as homosexuality. It’s really rather nebulous. But the Bible is VERY clear about loving your neighbor. About taking care of those who are left out. About caring for one

another as we have been cared for by the One who created us. (And yes, I’d be happy to provide some materials for study and consideration on this.) We Christians used to use the Bible to justify slavery, the subjugation of women, too–for these atrocities we have begged pardon. Maybe one day…. I stand with them because I believe it is the right thing to do. I might be wrong. But I’m willing to take my chances. I stand with them because there is a great deal God and I will have to reckon with at the pearly gates. I’d rather the judgment and ostracization of another human being not be added to the list.” In the metro area, many ministers, Rabbis and others are assuring that homosexuals are welcomed to sit and eat at the table in their faith groups. No doubt you may have been burdened and hurt in times past, but there are so many places to find your spiritual awareness and the support you need in your faith journey. Julie and so many others like her have an unwavering faith in a God who loves–so much bigger and broader and wider and deeper than we ever know. A God who calls us into life together and pronounces that life is very, very good. Growing up in the church of Christ non-instrumental, I sat through sermons about how God cannot stand “queers” and that women are less than men. Although there was a certain degree of love, it was carefully parceled out for those who followed the “straight and narrow”. (No pun intended, but duly noted!) After moving to Atlanta, I found St. Mark United Methodist Church. I sat there among 400+ other congregants and heard the most beautiful singing supported by a powerful and magnificent organ and heard words of welcome and love. We were introduced that particular day to a woman who had been abused by her husband and who was in the care of the Wiggins House,

a place of safety for battered women supported by faith groups like St. Mark. I was introduced to several homosexual couples who had children, many serving on mission teams, some feeding the homeless and others instrumental in starting a movement to show the Methodist Church how to include homosexuals and transgendered into fellowship. It was the first time in my life that I felt safe and at home surrounded by so many in a place of worship. It has been there that I have truly learned that God cares who I have relationship with only to the extent that that relationship supports our spiritual journey, whatever it may be, and not at all about the sex of the other. God is love. No matter who you worship, no matter what your spiritual path.

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? ~~Micah 6:8

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Dear Trashetta, My 5 year old son only wants to play with Barbie dolls and my make-up, will he grow up to be gay? Questioning Mom Dear Questioning Mom: I have sent you an application for the Armorettes for your son. It may be 15 years before you can send it back! Dear Trashetta, I have never written to you before, but I really need your guidance. I have had a haunting feeling for some time that my boyfriend has been cheating on me. All the cheating signs are there; he never leaves his phone unlocked and he clears his browser history. He has been going out with ‘the boi’s’ a lot recently and when I ask to tag along, he always says ”It’s just some friends from work, you won’t have any fun.” So last week, I stayed awake and waited for him to come home. I heard a car pull in the driveway around midnight; I had hidden in the garage behind my best

wigs so I could get a good view of the whole street when he arrived home from a night out with “the Bois.” When he got out of the car he was buttoning up his fly and he took poppers out of his pants and threw them in the garbage. It was at that moment, crouching behind my Dolly Parton wig, that I noticed a rip in my lace front Dolly Wig! Is this something I can fix myself or should I take it back to Miss Jin in Five Points?

underwear, I found a dress and some of my make-up hidden in his dresser. He obviously has a girlfriend he is hiding from me that is poor and can’t afford these things. I am afraid they’re having intercourse and I am greatly concerned that he is going to get her pregnant. What should I do? Fearing Fornication Dear Delusional,

Concerned Drag Queen

Your son is a drag queen named Lucy Bowels. P.S. Please give her more clothes, charity begins at home!

Dear Ginger Bread Man,

Dear Trashetta,

You have got to get that wig to Jin ASAP! P.S. What selfrespecting drag queen stores their wigs in the garage?!

I have a man I can’t trust. He cheats so much! Last night as I came out of the steam room at Flex, I ran into him!

Dear Trashetta, I am the world’s best Drag Queen. RuPaul even wants me. So why has every group I’ve been a part of turned their backs on me? Mostly Dear Best Drag Queen, You’re not a Drag Queen, you’re a BITCH, Mostly. Dear Trashetta, I’m concerned my son has a secret girlfriend. My 33 year old son has been very secretive with me lately. He refuses to go to church with the family and tonight when I was going through his room to put away his clean

Pissed Off Dear Pissed Off, You live in Atlanta, are you really surprised? Go to Eros instead. There isn’t a steam room there according to Ally Yankadic, but watch out for Sofonda! Dear Trashetta, I caught my son having sex with Sofonda Cox and I think he might be gay. Is there some way I can find out for sure? Concerned Mother Dear Concerned Mother: your son is blind or has extremely poor taste! His being gay is the least of your concerns.

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A Brief History of the Armorettes

tlanta has long been known as “the gay capital” of the South. It has served as a mecca of sorts to the thousands of men and women who grew up in, moved to or visited the

city in which they could “be themselves”... be gay.

Atlanta can also lay claim to another distinctive title, as a birthplace of “Camp Drag”, the fine blend of female impersonation, comedy and outrageous fashion, all set to music. 18 | davidatlanta

1979

Margaret Thatcher becomes the first woman Prime Minister; Mother Teresa is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; Sony introduces the Walkman; Camp Drag is never the same… Greg Troia, manager at the Armory, was looking for a way to keep bar patrons entertained on Sundays during halftime of televised Atlanta Falcon games. To do so, he approached some of the bar staff and regulars to put on dresses and cheerleader outfits as a way of providing cheap entertainment. This ragtag group quickly became the highlight of the Falcon games at the bar. Patrons would anxiously await halftime (some just showing up for halftime) to see what the group would come up with next. The group, under the direction of Greg (aka Thelma Natalie Troia) affectionately became known as the Armorettes. From the beginning, Greg’s idea was to present drag in a form we now call “camp”, with the performers lip sync-ing and providing comedic interpretations of standards as well as popular music of that time.

1981

Sandra Day O’Connor takes her seat as the first female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; MTV is launched; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 5 homosexual men in Los Angeles, California have a rare form of pneumonia seen only in patients with weakened immune systems. This new “plague” is named Gay-related Immune Deficiency (GRID). The Armorettes have a diehard fan base who come every Sunday to catch the show featuring the now “Infamous Camp Drag Queens of the South.” The shows grow in popularity and the cast members become bar royalty. However, strange things are happening in the gay community. People are becoming ill and deteriorating rapidly.

Greg Troia, Founder of the Armorettes

1982

Michael Jackson releases “Thriller”; CDC stops using the term GRID and starts using Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS); AID Atlanta is founded, becoming one of the first Community Based Organizations to focus on HIV/AIDS. AIDS starts its horrible path of destruction through the gay community. Those who become ill or perceived as being ill lose their jobs. Many are denied services. Some churches turn their backs on those afflicted. In the midst of all this confusion and fear, the Armorettes quickly identify a way they can directly help those in need. A bucket is placed in the front of the “stage” area where patrons can make donations. This money is distributed to people with AIDS to help cover necessities such as housing, utilities, medications and food.

1985

“New Coke” hits the market; The Normal Heart (by Larry Kramer) is the first major play about the early AIDS epidemic; FDA approves the ELISA test kit for the detection of HIV; Rock Hudson announces he has AIDS. As the AIDS epidemic continues to grow, the Armorettes grow in number and increase their fundraising efforts. The Armorettes are now conducting annual tryouts for new performers, including interviews with current members and auditions in front of bar patrons. Events like Homecoming and Easter Drag Races become important fundraising events. At the end of each show, the entire cast assembles on stage to the song “United We Stand” which becomes the group’s unofficial motto. davidatlanta | 19

By the end of the 80’s AZT is available for treatment use, Project Open Hand is providing food for people with HIV/ AIDS, December 1st is declared World AIDS Day, and Randy Shilts writes “And the Band Played On”, which chronicles the early years of the AIDS epidemic.

1996

Atlanta hosts the Summer Olympics; Dr. David Ho is named Man of the Year by Time Magazine; Mad Cow Disease hits Britain; The Unabomber mystery is solved; Rent opens on Broadway.

The World Wide Web is created; The Ryan White CARE act in enacted; Nelson Mandela is freed from prison; Greg Troia, founder of the Armorettes dies of complications due to AIDS.

By the mid 90’s, the Armorettes are at the top of their game. Crowds wait in line to get a good seat. Shows in the Pump Room are standing room only. The money keeps coming in enabling the group to help many organizations.

Through the years, the Armorettes have brought many hours of fun, laughter, and support to the gay community. From the first shows which took place in the Armory’s front room on bar stools and tables to the dedicated ‘Thelma’s Pump Room”, the dreams of Greg Troia and the original Armorettes have stood the test of time.

Each member of the group, from the original cast of seven to the various casts over the years, has dedicated a part of his life to serving causes in the gay and lesbian community. Raising money, awareness of issues, and providing a good time to anyone who would spend a Sunday night with them has always been their aim.

Capitalizing on their unique ability to raise money, the Armorettes branch out and start doing shows and events outside the bar. The group performs at Hollywood Hots, a major fundraiser in Atlanta featuring the Who’s Who of the drag world. They travel annually to Athens, GA to participate in the Boybutante Ball. Some of the Armorettes, in conjunction with the softball team, travel around the US and Canada performing and raising money.

2004

1990

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Janet Jackson suffers a wardrobe malfunction during the Super Bowl halftime show; Edvard Munch’s painting The Scream is stolen; The Armorettes turn 25. When the Armory closed in the early 2000s the group moved to Backstreet and then onto their current home at Burkhart’s Pub (with a brief stint at Blake’s on the Park). The changes in venue had an impact on the Armorettes. Some cast members chose this time to retire from the

group. Some others found it difficult to adapt to the new surroundings and opted to leave. As a result, 2004 marked the smallest cast in Armorette history. But that didn’t stop them from forging ahead. No matter where they call home, the group has remained dedicated to the cause. Countless shoes and wigs have been donned, and equally countless hours have been committed to make the community better for gays and lesbians. Several important factors remain consistent as the baton passes on to new generations of outstanding entertainers. The Armorettes always volunteer their time, always raise money for their community, and always end their shows with a soul-stirring version of “United We Stand.”

2012

The Armorettes are named the best drag show in Atlanta for the second year in a row; The Armorettes are named Grand Marshals for the Pride Parade. The Armorettes no longer end their Sunday Shows with “United We Stand”, opting instead to use “Seasons of Love” from RENT. The change was made to reach out to a younger demographic. However, “United We Stand” is still the battle cry for the group. The group is a diverse mix of styles, personalities and entertainment united in the battle against HIV/AIDS and will continue to raise money and awareness. We will endure until there is a cure!

For the past 33 years, this group of extraordinary men has raised funds to donate to local AIDS-related organizations. As the group closes in on celebrating raising $2 million, they continue to grow, now having their largest cast ever. Each new member adds their own unique style and stories to the Armorette legacy. A legacy that spans 33 years, a composite cast of 90 men, performances in 28 cities and 2 countries, over 1,700 shows, and assistance to 27 different HIV/AIDS organizations. The Armorettes, forever and always, “The Infamous Camp Drag Queens of The South.” We owe so much to those who came before us: For stepping up when others turned away, For not accepting the status quo, For creating something that makes us very proud. To the Former Armorettes that are still around, you know where we are each week and would love to see you again. To those who have passed on, we love you and miss you so much, especially on Sunday nights.

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By Vivian Valium

“

No matter where we call home,

the group has remained dedicated to our cause. I am proud to be part of a group of extraordinary men dedicated to the cause and am proud to call them friend and sister.

“

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s the “oldest living Armorette in captivity” I must say that of the 35 years I have been performing as a female illusionist, the 20 years I have been associated with the Armorettes have been my most enjoyable, gratifying and heartwarming. In 1982, a group of my friends in Birmingham, Alabama and me formed a gay softball team and joined the Hotlanta Gay Softball League. During that summer I met the Armorettes as they cheered for the Armory teams. I became close with several of the girls and soon learned the history of how and why the group was formed. I would like to share this with you. In 1979, a group of guys who worked at the popular bar called “The Armory” decided they wanted to find a way to draw more folks into the bar on Sundays during the Atlanta Falcons game. Greg Troia, aka Thelma Natalie Troia, was bar manager and he approached several of his bartenders and bar backs, along with a few regular customers to form a group of “camp drag queens”. They would dress in cheerleader outfits; walk the bar during the Falcons game serving shooters each time a touchdown was scored. As this began to draw a crowd, they decided they needed to add some entertainment during halftime. It was at this time that the “Armorettes” were born. Dressed in their cheerleading outfits they would lip-sync to songs from the fifties, sixties and seventies; and swing from the rafters during a song that one of the girls made famous within the Atlanta community. That song was “Looking For A City”, would become one of the closing numbers, along with “United We Stand”, of the shows throughout the eighties and nineties. As the group grew and became part of the Atlanta community, the HIV/AIDS epidemic began its horrible path of destruction throughout the world. In the early 80’s when the virus made itself known, it began killing some of our dearest friends and soon became known within the straight world as a “gay disease”. It was at this time that the group made the decision to lengthen their Sunday shows to 2 hours and begin performing in the Prince Albert restaurant next to the Armory. The girls decided they would donate all money raised at the end of each show to the cause of eliminating AIDS. The show soon became the place to be between 9 and 11 on Sunday evenings. Throughout the 80s many of the original group members succumbed to this dreadful killer. Due to this, the group began holding annual auditions to add members dedicated to the cause of eradicating this disease.

to Atlanta and in 1992 became a member of the group. I have spent the past 20 years working to raise as much as possible to help eliminate this disease. Additionally, I joined the Armory softball team and throughout the nineties the team, made up of mostly Armorettes, traveled the country and Canada playing in tournaments and entertaining during the banquets. The group’s popularity around the country and Canada grew which helped raise funds for the cause on a national level. When the Armory closed in the early 2000s the group moved to Backstreet and then moved to our current home at Burkhart’s in 2004. No matter where we call home, the group has remained dedicated to our cause. I am proud to be part of a group of extraordinary men dedicated to the cause and am proud to call them friend and sister. For the past 33 years, this group of extraordinary men has raised funds to donate to local area AIDS related charities to help with their cause to eliminate this disease. Each year during our annual anniversary show, we give checks to the charities of choice and in some cases the checks have been enough to fund the organization for an entire year. As the group closes in on celebrating raising $2,000,000 over the past 33 years, we continue to grow and will continue to raise as much money as we can until this disease is wiped from the face of this planet.

As I witnessed many of my dear friends pass on due to this killer, I became more and more dedicated to raising money for the cause. In 1991, I moved from Birmingham david atlanta | 27

By J Licious

very queen knows that being beautiful is as much about the inside as it is the outside. And what makes your insides more beautiful than eating makeup? I’ll tell you... YOGA! No, not yogurt, yoga. This ancient practice of stretching and breathing has beautified bodies for years and years... just ask Vivian Valium. She’s been around for a while! So when I am craving a vinyasa and some downward facing dog, I head over to see my favorite yogis at Nirvana Yoga (nirvanayogaatlanta.com) in Grant Park. Not only will these ladies and gentlemen assist with your lotus and crow poses, you just can’t beat their $5 noon classes! I recently asked Laura Barton, yogi to the stars and cofounder of LGBTQI non-profit United 4 Safety (united4safety. org) what any beginners to yoga should expect out of their practice. After a long night in heels my feet and legs are killing me! I know many of our readers experience the same thing. What would you suggest for our barking dogs? “Well first you need to center yourself for your practice by taking a few minutes of focused breathing. Just sitting comfortably and following your breath with your thoughts. Relax and pay attention to your breath and things just seem to float away. Now stand up and gently fold forward at the waist and hang over your toes. This lengthens all the muscles in that backs of those tired legs. Remember to always breathe! Yoga breathing is in and out through the nose. Now place your hands on the ground and step your feet back. You should be in sort of a triangle shape with your hands and feet on the floor and your hips in the air. This is the basic ‘downward facing dog’ pose. It’s one of the most common poses in yoga, great for stretching out the legs and back as well as the arms.”

Yes I am quite sure most of our readers are familiar with this position. So Laura, the proceeds from your Saturday class are donated to United 4 Safety. Could you tell our readers a little about that? “The mission of United 4 Safety is to reduce the incidence of intimate partner violence within the LGBTQQI community by improving the community’s understanding of and response to intimate partner violence through education, training and resource development.” Domestic violence in the queer community is often over looked or misunderstood. How can people get more information about this organization? “If you are in immediate danger, please contact 911 or 1-800-33-HAVEN for local domestic violence resources near you. The U4S help line number is 404-200-5957. You can leave a message and a United 4 Safety advocate will call you back within 24 hours. If it is not safe to call you, please leave a date and time when you will call back our help line. Anyone wanting more information about the organization can always find us on Facebook or by sending an email to info@united4safety.org” That is outstanding Laura! Thank you for your help today on the mat as well as all the work you do for the community. You can find Laura at Nirvana Yoga every Saturday at 11am for her $5 class and remember, all the proceeds go to United4Safety! See you there. Namaste!

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Wild Cherry Sucret

from the Great Beyond?

fter my funeral at the Jungle on June 20, 2010, I thought for sure I was bound for the pearly gates. After all, I did a lot of good shit down on earth. Well, I got there and St. Peter was having a cosmo with Dixie D. Cupp and stopped me short of entering. He looked at me and said, “Uh-huh! Down for you”! I was like, “what the Hell?” He said, “EXACTLY!” I continued to argue with him for weeks but to no avail I finally decided to descend down faster than a line at Backstreet. I got there and it’s really not that hot. Tons of Republicans and evil drag queens sitting around watching FOX News. I walked up to Lucifer and said, “I am here for duty.” He looked at me and said, “Get your goody two-shoes ass out of my world! I can’t stand people like you!” I did manage to see his list of new residents that are coming soon…Let’s just say Chick-fil-A will be looking for a new leader. I knew I was not meant to be there, so I left, and since then I have been floating around in limbo helping other lost souls find their way. I have of course successfully helped a few and others not so successfully. I was there helping Whitney dog paddle, but

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you know black people can’t swim that well. Damnit! Well, since I was getting bored I checked out the Olympics. Some fun was definitely had there. Jordin Wieber should have been nicer to those other girls, and I caused the hair stylist to lose Gabby’s hairbrush. Having spent all that time in London caused me to come down with a case of Union Jack fever which caused me to end up in Vegas. There’s a reason why fire and Prince Harry’s hair are both red! I whispered in Prince Harry’s ear to cover up the fire crotch and 2 inch penis. No reason to see the petite crown niblet. But lately Atlanta has needed my help…A LOT! Smoking in bars, too many burger restaurants, gaggles of bridal showers taking over OUR bars. I tried to un-confuse voters that it was the T-SPLOST and not G Spots, but it didn’t work. However, I believe my greatest accomplishment was finally helping to get Knomie Moore’s family on television. I hope you enjoy Honey Boo Boo…You better Redneckinize! See you at the $2 million show on September 23rd at Burkharts Pub… maybe?! BIG KISS!

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-

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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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Bedford Pl

Courtland

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Spring St

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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

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Virginia Ave VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS

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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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11th St

M15

M20 ■ Fox Theatre

North Ave

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Georgia Tech ■

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E33 E34 E37

davidatlanta | 35

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

PATH TO A CURE: BRINGING NEW DRUGS TO MARKET By Nurse Holly

ringing new drugs to market is a very costly and lengthy process with an average time from preclinical studies (e.g. animal studies) to FDA approval being about 10-12 years, and costing up to half a billion dollars. Most compounds never even make it out of the lab, while many others fail during the animal testing phase or during clinical trials. The drug approval process in the US is very rigorous and requires the careful review and evaluation of data to determine safety of a new drug and how well it works (efficacy). The various stages in the drug development process are described below.

Pre-Clinical Trials When compounds in the lab demonstrate potential, studies are designed to evaluate them for possible pharmacologic use. These studies, generally conducted in animals, are called pre-clinical studies. Pre-clinical studies help establish boundaries for the safe use of the compound when human testing begins. Special attention is paid to the possible long-term effects of the compound such as the development of cancers and reproductive issues (interference with reproduction and birth defects). Once sufficient data are available to warrant testing in humans, the drug company must file an application with the FDA requesting permission to start clinical trials.

Clinical trials – Phase I Phase I trials are aimed at determining the safe dose range for a drug, the method of absorption and distribution through the body and any possible toxicity. Phase I trials do not evaluate efficacy. The primary consideration of Phase I trials is to limit the risk to individuals. Phase I trials are conducted on a limited number (20-80) of “healthy” volunteers or specific patients (such as patients with cancer or AIDS). Phase I testing usually takes less than 1 year to complete. Many drugs fail Phase I testing due to toxicity issues. Clinical trials - Phase II Once the safety and dosage of a drug has been determined in a Phase I trial, small clinical trials are set up to start evaluating the efficacy of a drug in the targeted patient population. These studies are well controlled with very restricted eligibility criteria for participation. The studies are conducted in relatively small number of patients (usually less than 300) who have the disease to be treated. Many Phase II trials focus on dose response and dosing schedules as well as safety and efficacy. Phase II trials usually take between 1-3 years to complete. If studies show that the new drug is safe and useful, testing may move onto Phase III. Note that ongoing animal testing is usually occurring during all phases of clinical trials to capture information about long-term effects of the drug. Clinical trials – Phase III Phase III trials involve the most extensive testing to assess safety, efficacy and drug dosage. Phase III trials enroll a large number of patients (several hundred to several thousand). The eligibility criteria are broader than Phase II trials, trying to mimic the larger population (allows for more diversity). Phase III trials typically compare the new treatment to existing/standard treatments or placebo. Phase III trials are designed to use the new

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drug as physicians would be using the drug if/when it is approved. Each Phase III trials can take 2-5 years to complete. A company will usually do 2-3 Phase III trials as part of a submission to the FDA. New Drug Application (NDA) Once all the studies are completed and the data is analyzed, a company will decide if the data supports their claims regarding safety and efficacy. If so, the company will file a NDA to the Food and Drug administration (FDA). The NDA contains all the data and results from the trials (pre-clinical and clinical). The goals of the NDA are to provide enough information to permit FDA reviewers to reach the following key decisions: 1. 2. 3.

Whether the drug is safe and effective in its propose use(s), and whether the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks. Whether the drug’s proposed labeling (package insert) is appropriate, and what it should contain. Whether the methods used in manufacturing the drug and the controls used to maintain the drug’s quality are adequate to preserve the drug’s identity, strength, quality, and purity.

The documentation required in an NDA is supposed to tell the drug’s whole story, including what happened during the clinical tests, what the ingredients of the drug are, the results of the animal studies, how the drug behaves in the body, and how it is manufactured, processed and packaged.

Compassionate Use There are some situations that exist when a clinical trial has ended but the patients are allowed to continue taking the investigation drug. These situations, called “compassionate use” allow the clinical trial patients to continue to receive the benefits of the drug while the company seeks FDA approval. Compassionate use can also be granted when a drug has approval in another country but is not yet approved in the US.

FDA Review Once the application is submitted, the FDA has 60 days to conduct a preliminary review which will assess whether the NDA is “sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review”. If the NDA is found to be insufficient, then the FDA rejects the application with the issue of a Refuse to File letter, which is sent to the company explaining where the application has failed to meet requirements. Assuming that everything is found to be acceptable, the FDA will decide if the NDA will get a standard or accelerated review. A standard review implies an FDA decision within about 10 months while a priority review should complete within 6 months. The two groups that perform the FDA reviews of NDAs are: 1. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) – this group is responsible for prescription and over-the-counter drugs. 2. Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) – responsible for blood and blood products, vaccines, allergenics and biologics. CBER also examines blood bank operations.

At the end of the review period, the FDA will reach one of the following decisions: FDA Rejection: The FDA does not believe that the data supports the company’s claims regarding safety and/or efficacy of the drug. The risks are far greater than the potential benefits. davidatlanta | 39

FDA Approvable: The FDA has basically approved the drug but questions remain that need to be addressed by the company before an actual approval is received. Typically, the company replies within three months to the FDA. The FDA can take another three months for final review. Therefore, the drug would be approved for availability and marketing in the US six (6) months after receiving an FDA approvable.

Top 10 Tracks

FDA Approval: The company has received final approval by the FDA to sell and market the drug in the US with no exceptions and/or questions. Post Marketing Surveillance Once FDA approval has been granted, a company must continue to collect and report information about the drug to the FDA. The new findings are captured and reported in one of two ways: 1.

Phase IV studies – trials conducted to determine new dosages or formulations of the drug (e.g. extended release) as well as additional safety and efficacy of the drug. Direct reporting to the drug company or FDA – this can be based on healthcare provider observations of patients taking the drug.

For more information about the Drug Development Process, check out www.fda.gov, www.drugs.com, and/or www.fdareview.org. Nurse Holly’s alter ego has been working in clinical research for almost 25 years.

Orphan drugs Orphan drugs are used to treat rare diseases or conditions (affecting less than 200,000 people in the US). These small patient populations make it hard for drug companies to profit from marketing these drugs so there is little to no incentive for companies to develop them. Congress passed the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 which gives companies special privileges and marketing incentives. The passage of this act ensures companies will develop products for these rare conditions.

Participating in a Clinical trial Participating in a clinical trial can be very rewarding. Not only could you possibly receive potential benefits from the drug being studied, your participation could have an impact on the lives of countless others who could someday be taking the drug you helped to test. If you are considering a clinical trial, be sure to speak with your primary care physician. Ask lots of questions of the study doctor and research coordinator. Know that there are laws and regulations in place to protect you as a research subject. Now your rights! Carefully read the consent form. It will have all the known information about risks and possible benefits of a drug. Be aware that there are no guarantees that you will receive the study drug or if you do that you will have any benefits from it. That is part of the research process. For more information about your rights and participation in a clinical trial, check out: The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act 1996 (HIPAA) The Declaration of Helsinki (1964) The Belmont Report (1979) www.clinicaltrials.gov www.hhs.gov davidatlanta | 41

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By Jimmy Sugarbaker

o, those of you who know me might expect that given the chance I would want to write about how I love drag, or doing hair or choreography and dancing, especially considering I’ve been involved in these activities in one way or another since I moved to Atlanta in 1986! But I’d rather take this opportunity to speak on how we live our day-to-day lives, not how we act on stage, but how we act when no one is watching. It seems that many of us tend to live our lives looking out for “Number One”. Well, in my opinion, unless your taste in fetishes leads you to seek golden showers, then a lot of our looking out for Number One could be replaced with looking out for each other! It doesn’t take any more time, energy or money to treat a stranger with respect and kindness then it does to treat them badly. It costs you nothing to hold a door for someone, to smile, to let someone over in traffic, or to wave thank you when a driver lets you over. A random act of kindness can make someone’s day, and add positive energy to a world, where we need all we can get! You can’t know what a stranger’s day or life has been like, what they’ve been going through, who may have hurt them, who they may have lost...and you never know the difference one word of encouragement can have on someone’s otherwise crappy day. Once I was waiting at a bus stop, for a bus that was late, on my way to a court date dreading what the day would hold. Just then I saw a homeless man walking towards me. His hair and clothes were filthy, and his pants had a huge urine stain on the crotch. As he got near I braced for him to ask me for money. Instead, he stopped and asked “Is it gonna be a good day or a bad day?” Slightly stunned, I said, “Excuse me?” He repeated “Is it gonna be a good day or a bad day?” And then added, “It’s up to you!” I replied “Then, it’s gonna be a good day!” He then just smiled and walked away. It

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totally lifted my spirits, and I was struck with the thought that if someone, in this man’s shoes, could still choose to be kind to a stranger, then there was no excuse for me not to be able to do the same! Surely, also, if there is room in our lives to be kinder to strangers, then we can find room to treat those close to us a little better, as well. How many times do we decide to ignore a simple “What’s up?” from a friend, in a text, or voicemail... or decide to take several days to respond, just because we can’t be bothered, at the time? Just as we never know what is going on, behind the scenes, with strangers we encounter, we never truly know what a friend may be going through, or if that simple text of “What’s up?” may have been a friend reaching out with a thinly veiled cry for help... Although, thankfully, I’ve never been suicidal, I can imagine a well-timed word of encouragement has talked more than a few people back from the edge...I’ll admit, I’ve ignored people before, although I try not to...and I’ve been ignored when I really needed to talk... I can tell you there have been days in my life, where a kind word, or quick response would have, and has made all the difference to me...not to mention the unexpected boost I get from a random “Just thinkin’ about you” message! Those are the best! Of course, reaching out more, allowing yourself to care more, tends to make you a little more vulnerable...I have an ongoing argument with a close friend, who believes that living your life this way makes you weak, because it leaves you emotionally open to attack, or to having people try to take advantage of you. I argue that the opposite is true. I believe it takes greater strength and bravery to live your life wide open, because there is that chance you might get hurt...and, if you’re not open to the possibility of experiencing pain in your life...then you’re not open to the possibility of joy!

ell girls, in these trying economic times a girl has to save some money every now and then. So hold on boys and girls here we go; we are off to the dollar store to do some shopping. Yes, that is what I said, to the dollar store! For only a dollar or two you can make your bear, boy, twink, slave or daddy a nice hot meal and not break the bank (so you will still have a few dollars left to buy a cocktail). This is what I have found as my recipe for success. Find the nearest Dollar Tree and go armed with your dollars. Even the spare change you have in the floor of your car helps because you will always find something. As a quick recipe for only five dollars and some change, you can make a fabulous pork or steak stir-fry.

First, you will need 4 -(4oz) pork or steak filets. They are each a dollar and you will find them in the frozen food section in the back of the store (this is also a good place to pick up a man or so I have been told). Next you will need 1 bag of TJ select stir-fry blend veggies, also found in the frozen food section. Let the pork or steak thaw (this is easy just put them in some cold water and they will be ready in a short time). Place the strips into a hot frying pan with some cooking oil (also at the dollar store), cook for about 2 minutes and then place the veggies into the pan. Cook until crisp. Feel free to add any spices you would like to this dish, and yes you can by those spices at the dollar store. I do hope you will look at your nearest dollar store for these and other foods you can enjoy! It’s not where you get it, but how far you can stretch your dollar because every penny counts! Not to mention, making your man or woman happy is the key!

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By Ruby Redd

o for years, since our caveman days even, we gay men have surrounded ourselves with lady friends. I’m talking about those women who just prefer the company of homos. Sometimes it’s due to the fact that their gay friends may not have family, or sometimes they went to school together. On occasion, it’s even because they dated, then the gay came out, and his lady could never let go. Some people call these ladies fag hags and others more recently coined the term fruit flies. So I’m going to break it all down for you! Here is Ruby Redd’s guide to the difference between fruit flies and fag hags: A fruit fly will take you out for your birthday on a Tuesday night for dinner and a movie. A fag hag will say she is taking you out for your birthday and then meet you at the bar with a card. Then she’ll make you buy all her drinks. A fruit fly will tell all her friends and family everything about her best gay friend. A fag hag will tell all her friends and family about the really nice guy she hangs with, and when they ask if you are dating, she’ll say, “Oh, we are just hanging out right now.” Some hags may even think they are dating you! A fruit fly is always having fun and willing to meet her gays at the bar to drink the night away. Or at least till 1 AM, because the fruit fly knows her gay will want to hook up soon with that hot guy he has been

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working on all night. A fag hag will always meet you at gay bar as well, but the hag will make you buy her drinks, maybe get really upset about her ex-boyfriend she dated in high school, which might just end with her breaking down in tears. Then around 1AM when you want to hook up, your hag will be too drunk to leave, and you will have to take care of her and tell the hot guy goodnight. A fruit fly is going to read this and think it’s so damn funny she will share it with all her gay and straight friends. A fag hag will read this and be pissed! Then the hag will put it in her purse and take it to the gay bar on Saturday night. Around 1 AM she will pull it out in a drunken stupor and ask everyone around her if they think she is a fag hag or a fruit fly. She will ask you this until you give her the answer she wants. Don’t get me wrong. Hags can be fun, but I just really like my fruit flies! Either way ladies, if you are hanging in a gay bar and you are not gay or lesbian, the just remember that it’s not all about you! We love you and want to share our lives with you, but we don’t want to babysit or fuck you! Just come on out and chill, speak in a normal voice, no need to yell. Relax, have fun, AND DO NOT COCK BLOCK! MUCH LOVE BITCHES

RUBY REDD

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Ginger Vitis: “You had better brush and floss or else I will come in your mouth!” Amber Divine: “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death—so LIVE, LIVE, LIVE!” Chiffonne Hilton: “You should just invert that and make it a vagina no bigger than it is...just say’n.” Vivian Valium: “Some say the girls call me a BITCH and say that I’m the oldest living drag queen in captivity! It’s a good thing I have my hearing aids turned down when they speak to me, otherwise I might get mad!”

Trashetta Galore: “If the ocean was vodka and I were a duck, I would dive to the bottom and drink my way up!” Nurse Holly: “It’s still a parrot, whether roasted or raw.”

Edie Cheezburger: “Rudeness in a wig!” Jimmy Sugarbaker: “There is no such thing as natural beauty. Language is the expression of thought…every time you open your mouth, your mind is on parade!”

Ginger Bredman: “Cuntry Queen puts the Cunt in Cuntry!”

Camilla Tucker-Balls: “I don’t feel comfortable sitting on that!” Sofonda Cox: “I can show you a REAL royal flush!”

Princess Alberta Bananahammock: “If you can’t be a good example, then you just have to be a horrible warning!” Al’Meria Richman: “Glamazon from the Amazon. If you ain’t got a dime, you ain’t a worth my time!”

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