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ATLANTA PRIDE PREVIEW
Get an inside look at the Atlanta Pride festival with our preview of entertainers and programming scheduled for Piedmont Park. Get the lowdown on stage headliners A Great Big World, Rachel Platten and Sister Sledge, plus park events from the annual marches and parade to the new Bear and Gender dances.
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MOVING FORWARD, GLANCING BACK
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PRIDE BY NIGHT
The festival folks selected “Our Present, Our Past” for the 2015 theme, and this edition of David also honors where we’re going and how far we’ve come. Our editorials this week offer three gay generations of Pride perspective.
Half the weekend takes place after the sun goes down at your favorite bars and clubs. They all up their game for Pride, and we have a preview of the awesome special guests from the worlds of porn, drag, sports and music.
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PACK YOUR PRIDE
You’re on the go all weekend, so traveling light but smart is a must. We pack our backpack with the Dos, Don’ts, haves and have nots to have your safest and happiest Pride. Are there park rules? Festival guidelines? We got you.
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CONTRIBUTORS Dustin Shrader (x109) Associate Editor dustin@davidatlanta.com Matt Hennie Technical Web Coordinator Tony Gowell Chris Azzopardi Jesse Hancock Jason Mietelski Jeffery Silvey Gregg Wynn
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moving forward, glancing back
soldiers, and a former icon of American manhood made a nationally televised debut as a different kind of role model, her true self, named Caitlyn. A lot of reminiscing comes with the forward movement for those of us who remember when Pride was more politics than party, when Caitlyn was known as a hunk named Bruce, and when marriage equality was the last thing most gay people expected or some gay people even wanted. Pride is perfect for measuring those advancements against the long road toward equality. As some goals come to fruition, the battles remaining come into sharper focus, and our resolve to see it through is reinvigorated. Let’s remember this as the year that our commitment to decades of struggle came home to roost. THE YEAR HAS BEEN LIKE THAT for David Atlanta in many ways as well. Our own past and present collided last month when I returned to the editorial helm after a nearly seven-year hiatus.
We are all Atlanta Pride’s ‘Past & Present’ by Mike Fleming
photo: Russ Youngblood
PRIDE ORGANIZERS CALL 2015 “OUR PAST, OUR PRESENT.” IT’S FITTING, FOR THE FESTIVAL AND FOR THIS ISSUE OF DAVID, THAT WHERE THE LGBT-ATL IS HEADED IS MARKED BY HOW FAR WE’VE COME. HAPPY PRIDE, AND WELCOME to Atlanta. Even if you live here and see the gay, the fab and the ugly year-round, everything is somehow fresh for Pride. So to all the queers shining a little brighter in the LGBT village this week, welcome.
Longtime Atlanta residents may remember my name in the magazine’s masthead and my darker hair in the profile pic from 2005 to 2009. The twists and turns have been many since the former owners yielded the magazine into a new era and into the capable hands of DRT Media. Thoughts of my years at David were sometimes distant even as I remained active in gay Atlanta. But like the confluence of events that brought the LGBT movement to where we are in 2015, my journey converges with the magazine’s path in the here and now, as if we were preparing all along to merge again. As it turns out, all roads past and present happily lead home. SPEAKING OF DAVID AND PRIDE, the publisher, managers and I are proud that our ranks include gay men in our 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. For us, the 2015 festival and this “Moving Forward, Glancing Back” Pride issue really are all about the meaningful intermingling of Atlanta’s big gay past, present and future. A few of us will share our viewpoints about Pride in the following pages. You’ll also find previews of Atlanta Pride Weekend by day and by night, as well as special Pride editions of some favorite features.
Gay Atlanta and its decades have been kind to David Atlanta. As we mark our 18th anniversary, we’re proud that the magazine has changed with the times without losing site of our mission to bring If you’re new in town or to being out, Pride can be downright you together with other boys and businesses over a beverage. magical. But even us jaded veterans can find an extra sparkle and shimmer during Pride Week. Everything old is new again. This week and every week, we promise to continue providing It’s a time to move forward while glancing back in this special you with a helping of gay culture, camaraderie and community annual issue of David. with a fun side dish of DJs, drag and drinks. Atlanta Pride’s theme “Our Past, Our Present” seems especially apt for 2015, a year when diverging paths in LGBT rights seemed to culminate in some hard-fought victories. Most of us will remember where we were on June 26, when Atlanta hit the streets to celebrate legal marriage for gay couples. Two weeks later, the Pentagon made way for transgender 26 | 10.7.15
What better time than Pride for it all to come together on the pages of your local gay homebase? Again, happy Pride and welcome home, Atlanta. Mike Fleming is editorial director of David Atlanta. Reach him at mike@davidatlanta.com.
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even snatched their family photograph on the way out, so I could photoshop myself in later. I’m Obsessed with talking to as many people as possible at any event. It’s kind of what I do for a living, and way more fun than doing laundry at home. There were so many great personalities at this party. The music was fantastic, and there was even a photo booth for all the partiers to enjoy. It was truly one of those “perfect events.” You know, not anything at all like TomorrowWorld’s Swamp of the Walking Dead. While trying to discreetly shove an entire chicken truffles salad slider with bacon into my face, I saw them. The young gay couple, completely gob smacked by all the festivities going on around them. My husband and I looked at each other, and nodded that we had identified … “Newbs!” We immediately made our way over to introduce ourselves. They had just started dating each other, and were brand new into their adorable careers.
Putting the PR back in Pride, Part 2 Welcome back to another fantastic Atlanta Pride event. Obsessed fans might recall that last year, I harped on the importance of all of us having self-Pride. It’s the same self-Pride that’s needed throughout the whole year, so that those of our community still struggling with their identity can see the strength in those of us living well outside the proverbial closet.
They were smart, handsome, and funny. But they had all the trappings of a shy couple not really sure who to talk to, or how to launch into main conversations with the hosts. So, Pride revelers, that’s what I challenge you to do this week – and all year. Go and introduce yourself to someone that looks a little lost or out of place. You could very well be the lifeline they need. And what could make your mama any more Proud than knowing her sweet baby went and said hello to a beautiful wallflower? Oh, and that you made smart choices. Happy Pride, Atlanta. Stay Obsessed.
This year, I want to focus on taking it a step further. By living in our strength, we need to extend a hand to those still treading the water. We all know the types – those wide eyed men and women that have never been to a Pride event, quite possibly are very new to what the Atlanta community has to offer, or just the LGBT community in general. I was recently at a housewarming party thrown by an amazing gay couple, and the mix of attendees was exactly what was needed. There were straight men and women, as well as gay men and women that flowed in and out throughout the night. I’m merely assuming of course, as I didn’t really poll the crowd, but I can read social cues. The small children circling mom and dad clued me in too. While there, it dawned on me that no one gave a shit what anyone was. Everyone was there to throw the same side eyes at this really gorgeous home and immediately race each other to find out through Google what the Georgia squatting laws might be. I’d already seen my perfect bedroom and was ready to move in. I 30 | 10.7.15
Tony Gowell
Tony Gowell is a bi-weekly columnist, exclusively writing for David Atlanta. Contact him at obsessed@davidatlanta.com with your latest obsessions. If you’re half way interesting, he might write about it, and if he doesn’t… better luck next time!
community
Model citizen
by Dustin Shrader
VICTORY CAME LITERALLY AT THE END OF A RAINBOW FOR THIS ATLANTA GUY, WHO WORKED IN HIS SPARE TIME FOR OVER A YEAR TO GET RAINBOW CROSSWALKS INSTALLED AT THE CORNER OF 10TH AND PIEDMONT.
Many cities domestically and internationally are already leaders of the Rainbow Crosswalk trend. According to Sepulveda, it’s a worldwide initiative.
ust like gay Atlanta itself over the years, Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks has faced a long, uphill battle since its proposal in August 2014. After cutting through months of bureaucratic red tape and back and forth, the city finally gave the green light for an art project that paints the crosswalks at the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in rainbow stripes.
J
“I figure Atlanta has to have it because Atlanta has one of the highest LGBT populations in the nation. It’s the third largest behind Seattle and San Francisco. This just makes sense. The 10th & Piedmont Avenue location has been the epicenter of the LGBT community for years. It was where our first Pride march was established. There is a lot of history there. And for me, the crosswalks signify the thousands of people who have fought for our recognition here in Atlanta.”
A couple of weeks later, the city rescinded the offer of permanency due to the Department of Public Works objections over “safety concerns” and approved the installation only for the days surrounding Pride. As everything stands, the crosswalks will be enacted for a two-week period beginning the week of Pride and removed by Oct. 16.
Since he made plans public for the crosswalks this past July, countless donors and organizers contributed to a fundraising campaign and raised more than $44,000. Double the amount originally envisioned, the private funds will more than pay for the installation and maintenance of a permanent project when it finally comes to fruition.
Founder and President of Rainbow Crosswalks, Robert Sepulveda Jr., took time out from his life as a model, interior designer and entrepreneur to make the idea a reality. He says that he is disappointed with the decision to make the crosswalks temporary, but he remains hopeful for the crosswalks to eventually become permanent after its initial run.
Sepulveda could not be more grateful for the support the project has received.
“Once the city sees the temporary crosswalk, I know they will realize the impact and how people react to it. I’d rather see something temporary go down than nothing at all. I want to thank all of the donors and sponsors that have been “Unfortunately, we conceded for it to be temporary,” Sepulveda with us since the very beginning. Without their belief in our tells David Atlanta. “It does not really make sense for it to be cause, we wouldn’t have made it this far.” only temporary because the LGBT community in Atlanta isn’t. It is constant, but progress takes time. This is a step in the right Take your Pride pics at the Atlanta Rainbow Crossswalks direction. The crosswalks will be installed for Pride 2015. That is beginning Oct. 5. something we should all be so proud of.” 36 | 10.7.15
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PRIDE BY DAY Celebrate LGBT diversity with music, marches and more in and around Piedmont Park all weekend. by Dustin Shrader PRIDE WEEKEND is set to indulge every festival goer in the queer village with a high-energy, fierce line up of some of the music industry’s biggest names and iconic legends. The diverse slate of headliners will have Piedmont Park booming and rocking all weekend long. Atlanta celebrates Pride, National Coming Out Day and all of LGBT Atlanta with daytime activities jam-packed with performances, marches, special programming, and even a few new gems sure to be an annual tradition for years to come. Check out some of the highlights for this year’s Pride-by-day park festivities.
A GREAT BIG WORLD New Yorkers Ian Axel and Chad King have pushed the bounds of mainstream music since their debut EP in 2012. Their first single “This is the New Year” broke the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and was performed by the cast of Glee. Yet it was their inspirational, international hit “Say Something,” a duet collaboration with Christina Aguilera, that cemented their pop-rock status. Returning to Pride this year, the gay-straight “Hold Each Other” crooners will belt out their campaigned message of tolerance and love sure to wash over you from head to toe. A Great Big World plays the Coca-Cola stage on Saturday evening.
RACHEL PLATTEN She’s been in the game for years, but it wasn’t until her breakout anthem “Fight Song” hit the airwaves that this pop sensation skyrocketed to a household name pedestal. The self-affirmation track stylistically runs in the vein of Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift and has cracked the Top 10 around the globe and of course, every gay boy’s workout playlist. Rachel Platten follows A Great Big World on Atlanta Pride’s Coke Stage Saturday, Oct. 10. 40 | 10.7.15
R. CITY Brothers A.I. and Uptown AP are a musical force with their hands in some of the decade’s biggest singles. Their production fingerprints are on Sean Kingston’s “Take You There,” Miley’s molly lovin’ “We Can’t Stop,” and even Rihanna’s “Pour It Up.” Their latest collab with Adam Levine, “Locked Away,” soared to No. 1 on Billboard ’s Pop Song radio airplay chart. R. City rocks the Coca-Cola Stage on Saturday afternoon in Piedmont Park’s Meadow before A Great Big World.
SISTER SLEDGE Legendary pop group Sister Sledge will be letting us all know, “We Are Family,” sashaying and singing to close out Pride Saturday Night. Any respectable gay will be front and center, getting down with the fearsome foursome and “all their sisters and me,” a fitting finale for a diabolical lineup like no other. Sister Sledge closes out Atlanta Pride’s Saturday night lineup on the Coca-Cola stage.
BEAR DANCE AND QUEER YOUR GENDER DANCE PARTIES DJ Robert Ansley brings the hottest gay house music to the Bud Light Stage to celebrate post-parade on Sunday. This new event for Atlanta Pride hopes to start an annual tradition. The Queer Your Gender Dance Party, organized by the Dyke and Trans Marches, is free for all ages and all comers with DJ Canvas on Saturday. Bear Dance is set for Sunday, Oct. 12, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. under the Piedmont Park Pavillion. The Queer Your Gender Dance goes down in the same venue on Saturday, Oct. 11, 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.
ATLANTA DYKE MARCH & ATLANTA TRANS MARCH The Dyke March combines an atmosphere of inclusion and community for “all women loving women (trans-inclusive) of any race, culture, orientation, ability, health, socioeconomic level, family structure, faith, or age.” Allies of every stripe are also encouraged to join the step-off in the name of Pride. Saturday, Oct. 10. Assembly begins at the Charles Allen Gate at 5:30 p.m. and the March kicks off at 6 p.m. The Trans March celebrates and encourages visibility of the transgender community. All Trans people and Trans allies are welcome to participate. Everyone is encouraged to make and bring signs. Saturday, October 10, 1:45 p.m. Assembly begins at 1:15 p.m. at the Charles Allen Gate
ATLANTA PRIDE PARADE The most highly anticipated part of any year, Atlanta Pride’s signature event steps down Peachtree and turns onto 10th Street toward the park with hundreds of floats and marchers showing their bright, shiny LGBT love to the world. Keep an eye out for David Atlanta’s entry starring local lovely Violet Chachki and a float full of cuties passing out limited-edition Violet fans. The Atlanta Pride Parade steps off on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. from the Civic Center MARTA Station.
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PRIDE BY NIGHT Just because you were cruising the park all day doesn’t mean you can slack when the sun goes down. In fact, you need to amp it up. This is Pride, baby. There’s no rest with nightlife like this to conquer. by Mike Fleming ALL YOUR FAVORITE PIT STOPS up their Pride games along with you. Special guests dot the whole weekend from Thursday through Sunday, and we’re all over it. Keep these names on your radar, from DJs to drag queens, from porn stars to party promoters and beyond. SEAN DURAN @ TEN This porn god will turn you every which way but loose during this in-person performance and meet-greet on Pride Thursday. DJs Daryl Cox and Neon spin you right ‘round, and they continue with go-go boys right on through Saturday. Sunday sees DJ Kraax from L.A., the former gay Atlantan known as DJ Jay McCracken. Visit facebook.com/tenatlanta. RAJA @ BURKHART’S It’s RuPride at this Midtown hotspot. The Season 2 winner kicks off a full weekend of Pride editions of your favorite shows on Pride Friday. Check out burkharts.com for an all-weekend lineup to pump your Pride.
ESERA TUAOLO @ ATLANTA EAGLE The former NFL player who once rocked the football world when he came out after his playing years lands in Atlanta to kick off Pride Friday at the Eagle. You’ve heard him nail the National Anthem. Now hear his new single “Stronger.”
CAZWELL @ JUNGLE This much sexy is almost too much in one man. Almost. See how much you can handle when this gay rapper floods all the basements at Jungle on Saturday as part of an all-star lineup that also includes legendary circuit DJ Tony Moran on the decks. Mix master Chris Cox and local lovely Phoenix rule on Friday. Check out Jungleatl.com. 44 | 10.7.15
PRIDE
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BOOMER BANKS @ ATLANTA EAGLE A little dirty in your day never hurts. A lot of dirty in your day means you called porn star Boomer Banks. That’s what the Eagle did for Pride Saturday. The Flock of Eagles Party also features DJ Vicki Powell and a slew of other special guests. Visit AtlantaEagle.com.
DJ PAULO @ XION Going too hard or too long isn’t a real thing on Pride Weekend, and nobody knows that better than the guys at Xion. The party is only getting started 3 a.m. to sunrise on Pride Saturday Night with DJ Paulo and Pride Sunday Night – OK, technically Sunday morning – with DJ Alyson Calagna.
BEAR INVASION @ HERETIC A packed and pumping Heretic goes hard all weekend. Country Pride Thursday leads into sexy DJ Brett Henrichsen on Friday, local daddy David Knapp on Saturday and all culminating in the Pride edition of Bear Invasion on Sunday to close out the man-onman melee that you can always find on this dance floor. Check out hereticatlanta.com.
DJ JOE G @ OPERA GA Boy Productions gets in on the Pride action when this Nawlins boy hits the scene to wrap the weekend on Sunday. Opening set by Marvin Ayy. Visit gaboyproductions.com
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davidatlanta.com | 49
PACK FOR
PRIDE Being prepared isn’t just for boy scouts any more. Partiers need to remember a few essentials too. Put these pro-tip provisions in your pack, and you’ve got Pride game. by Mike Fleming UMBRELLAS AND LAWN CHAIRS These are not only allowed, but encouraged. If you’re planning on camping, you can use the designated areas in the Meadow.
HYDRATE Nobody wants to see you twirl out, child. A good rule of thumb is one of these for every adult beverage, but even teetotalers need to keep the water flowing.
EARBUDS Your own playlist can be the perfect Pride soundtrack, but please don’t inflict it on everybody else. Keep it to yourself by wearing your earbuds.
CASH There are ATMs in the park, but the fees are not cheap. The ATM lines get longer as the day goes on.
RAINBOW UP This is the one time a year that you can go full Rainbow Defcon One. Even those queens who are so “over the rainbow” will forgive you this weekend only.
CHARGERS AND HOTSPOTS There’s usually wireless service in the park, but all that posting and texting to find your friends wears out batteries. Plan ahead and plan on recharging.
SUNSCREEN Yes, even on a cloudy or cool CONDOMS AND LUBE day. Don’t let those UVs make Even if your initial plans don’t you sick from overexposure. include Pride play, don’t get caught wishing you had these. LOVE (NOT HATE) Pack this one every day of the year, but check your attitude extra hard at Pride. DON’TS The city and/or Pride doesn’t allow the following, so keep them in your pack or leave them at home. • Dogs • Glass containers • Smoking • Grills and grilling equipment
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moving forward, glancing back Yet, being gay is only one facet in my spectrum. As gay people, we are more than a societal label. It takes a lot of courage to say those words aloud, not only to loved ones, but also even just to ourselves. Not everyone is ready. And that’s OK. Fear of rejection is unnecessarily too powerful. I have never been one to be afraid to test boundaries or defy the “norm.” As long as I’m able to inspire someone or make them think twice with these words then that’s all that matters. YOU CAN SUPPRESS YOUR NATURE, but you cannot “pray away the gay.” I have tried. I was not successful. After all, why would anyone choose to walk through life faced with ridicule, the possibility of being ostracized from one’s family for being different, or denied the opportunity to share their love for another person? Do heterosexual men and women choose to be straight? No, they do not. And in that, I realize I am lucky that I was not successful. Gay is beautiful. I am a beautiful human being.
Pride constant: Living a life of joy by Dustin Shrader
photo: Russ Youngblood
PRIDE ISN’T JUST GAY. IT ISN’T JUST STRAIGHT. OR LESBIAN. OR BISEXUAL. OR TRANSGENDER. PRIDE ISN’T JUST ONE THING. IT IS EVERYTHING. IT’S EVERY ONE.
History has been made this year. Long, hard-fought struggles have been validated, and once close-minded walls are finally starting to crumble. To be born on the cusp of this revolution is a blessing I could never have even imagined being bestowed. Given the freedom to be who I am, to love who I love, is an immense joy that no true words can express. PRIDE IS A TIME TO TAP INTO THAT JOY. It is a blending of our cultures. Taking part in my first Pride last year, I was able to get a sense of the beauty behind everyone’s ability to feel at ease, at peace in his or her skin. The liberty of acceptance and absence of fear was intoxicating, I might even say magical.
That little Southern boy from backwoods Alabama finally knew where he belonged. All insecurities have dissipated, leaving a young man who is a part of a dynamic and excepI HAVE NEVER SHIED AWAY tional bunch who have pushed their lives to further limits from revealing my sexuality. I others might not even touch. have been out to those closest to me or anyone else who has I am proudly breathing and living a life many people may not had the gall to ask. My philoso- understand. It is an honor to be part of something that sets phy on coming out has always me apart. I am stronger for it. I am a better person for it. been simple: yes, I am gay and yes, I am proud. Pride has allowed me to open my hear t, my mind and my spirit. My upbringing was the picture-perfect example of any good ol’ Southern boy. I was taught to hunt, fish and spit Pride isn’t just gay. It isn’t just straight. It is beautiful. It and have an unhealthy obsession with football. I was also is ugly. It is strength. It is fear. It isn’t just one thing. It is influenced to view homosexuality as a perversion, a sick- everything. ness and a sin. This type of behavior was not acceptable. “It is not right,” I would hear everyone say. And that everything I couldn’t live without. When I would ask why, I was met with the response that Dustin Shrader is associate editorial director of David I hear time and time again today, “Because the Bible says Atlanta. Reach him via Dustin@davidatlanta.com. so.” I’m looking at you, Kim Davis. 64 | 10.7.15
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davidatlanta.com | 67
At l a n ta’s P r e m i e r Open Bar
Halloween Party S at, O c t. 2 4 7 PM to Midnight
J e rusa lem
Costume Contest with over $3,000 in cash and prizes W Atlanta Midtown DJ Sean Mac Spins Dance Floor Beats Cocktails compliments of Tito’s Handmade Vodka All proceeds benefit www.jerusalemhouse.org
Ho use
P resents
TICKETS Premier / VIP Admission..$150 GENERAL ADMISSION Early Tickets Now until 9/30 ..............$55 Advance Purchase until 10/24 .............$65 At the door ..........................................$75 Must be 21 / Valid ID Required for Entry
MORE FOOD! MORE BARS! MORE FUN! Design by Evoke Design, LLC • evokedesign.net
moving forward, glancing back
safe because I was comfortable with myself, even if I existed in a world of make believe and in the hopes that I would one day be just as straight as the rest of the world. THANKFULLY, THE LGBT COMMUNITY that lived before me mustered on through the AIDS crisis and continued to make enormous strides, fighting for equal rights and increasing their visibility. In the mid-90s, I moved to Atlanta and was shocked to see the rainbow banners hung from the telephone poles along Piedmont Avenue during Pride season. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I parked my car near the corner of 10th and Piedmont and witnessed men holding hands with other men, socializing with one another, and living normally alongside the rest of the world. To me this was a dream, and I’m sort of embarrassed now to admit that I was afraid to get out of my car that day. I was terrified to step out of my comfortable closeted box I’d created and just become myself.
Pride, from darkness to light by Jason Mietelski
photo: Russ Youngblood
PRIDE, FOR ME, IS CONCRETE, AN ABSOLUTE. STRANGE CONSIDERING THAT IT WAS FLUID DURING MY EARLY YEARS. BUT LOOKING BACK AT MY LIFE NOW, I KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT WHAT IT MEANS TO TAKE PRIDE IN MY QUEERNESS AND THAT OF OTHERS. GROWING UP GAY IN THE ‘80S an ‘90s wasn’t an easy feat. I realized who and what I was when AIDS first made its appearance into our homes via the nightly news. I knew that what was burning inside me also burned inside of those men who were needlessly dying by the droves in Manhattan. And yet, though I witnessed the hysteria on TV and learned about the new Gay Related Immunodeficiency Syndrome in health class, I was worlds away from those faceless men. I was alone.
It was only a short while later that I finally got online and met some guys through AOL. Normal guys, regular guys just like me! Pretty soon, I became a part of the community, and at once understood and appreciated the satirical nature of drag. I began to question everything I’d been taught about gay people growing up, simply because none of the hateborne sentiments and opinions were true. I no longer felt alone in the world; on the contrary: I now felt alive in a blossoming, colorful community filled with some of the most beautiful human beings I’d ever met. MY FIRST PRIDE WAS IN 2000. I spent the first day with a lover and friends in Piedmont Park listening to bands and gallivanting in the summer heat. The enormity of the celebration didn’t hit me until the next day as I stood in front of Blake’s, enveloped by hordes of sexy men and beautiful people. It was at that moment I realized what Pride is all about. Pride is a celebration of life, of not being alone, of knowing that no matter what the world throws at us, no matter how hard they try to bring us down, to make us walk behind them in a shadow of shame and guilt, we will always know that we’ve been taught lies told by the ignorant majority. Pride is about family, a gregarious gathering of men and women who are part of a glorious collective, devoid of judgment and filled with love. I’ll never forget that first Pride, and today Pride for me means exactly what it did when our predecessors first got together, the only difference being that our numbers and visibility have increased.
We are one. We have dignity. We are beautiful people worthy Aside from a few catty, brainless queens that popped up in of respect. And our numbers are many all around the globe. movies and on TV periodically, there was no gay culture, no icons, no one I could look up to in hopes of one day achieving Jason Mietelski is a contributing writer for David Atlanta. a similar lot in life. I stayed safely in the closet where I felt 70 | 10.7.15
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THE PLAZA THEATRE
NOVEMBER 7 Show @ 8
VIP Meet & Greet @ 7 Pre-Show Brunch at Henry’s @ 12
A BENEFIT EVENT FOR
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Thank you all for making DIVE a splash success! Join Del Shores and Joining Hearts for an evening of fun and laughter! 100% of every dollar raised through admission sales and tips is donated to our beneficiaries: AID Atlanta, Jerusalem House, and Living Room.
Walk to Fight Suicide
Out of the Darkness Community Walks November 1 • Piedmont Park, Atlanta
Register today at OutoftheDarkness.org and visit our booth at Atlanta Pride. afsp.org
WALK. VOLUNTEER. DONATE.
刀䔀䐀䤀匀䌀伀嘀䔀刀 䄀吀䰀䄀一吀䄀
䐀伀圀一䰀伀䄀䐀 吀䠀䔀 一䔀圀 䄀倀倀
吀栀攀 伀昀昀椀挀椀愀氀 䄀瀀瀀 伀昀 䄀琀氀愀渀琀愀 倀爀椀搀攀
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Seen@
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SSL Beer Bust with the Titans at Burkhart’s
photos: Russ Youngblood
Seen@
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Atlanta Pride Night at BJ Roosters
photos: Russ Youngblood
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It’s baaaack!
n en ee we ow lo ll al Ha H y py pp ap Ya Y r!! ur ou Ho H
Canine Costume Contest!
$20 donation benefits
spooky Spirits & Treats! 5:30-8 p.m. FRIDAY, Oct. 30, 2015
PIEDMONT BARK, 501 AMSTERDAM AVE.
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Seen@
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Atlanta Pride Night at Swinging Richards
photos: Russ Youngblood
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H1
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10th St. NE
4th St. NE
C1
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Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
Midtown Bars
B1 Amsterdam B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
502 Amsterdam Ave NE Blake's 227 10th St NE Bulldogs 893 Peachtree St NE Friends 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE The Model T 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE My Sister’s Room 66 12th St NE
Dining D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
10th & Piedmont 991 Piedmont Ave NE Einstein's 1077 Juniper St NE F.R.O.G.S 931 Monroe Cir NE G’s Midtown 219 10th St NE Henry’s 132 10th St NE Joe's on Juniper 1049 Juniper St NE
B4
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
D7 La Hacienda
900 Monroe Dr NE D8 Ten Atlanta 990 Piedmont Ave NE
Clubs
C1 Atlanta Eagle
306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Hair/Beauty H1 Helmet
970 Piedmont Ave NE
Fitness
F1 Urban Body Fitness
500 Amsterdam Ave NE
Spa/Bath S1 Flex Spa
76 4th St NW Billiards/Darts Dancers Drag Leather Non-Smoking Area Patio
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2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd B2 Opus 1 1086 Alco St NE B3 Tripps 1931 Piedmont Cir NE B4 Woof's 2425 Piedmont Rd NE
Dining
D1 Las Margaritas 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd D2 Roxx 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd
Clubs
2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2115 Faulkner Rd NE
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C1
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C1 Heretic
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Fitness
B2 B3 B4
1492 Piedmont Ave NE Felix's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE Mixx 1492 Piedmont Ave NE Oscar's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
F1 Gravity Fitness
B5
Spa/Bath
Not Shown
2201 Faulkner Rd NE
S1 Club Eros
2219 Faulkner Rd NE
S2 The Den
2135 Liddell Dr NE
S3 Manifest 4 U
2103 Faulkner Rd NE
Bars Faces Lounge 138 Powers Ferry Rd SE Mary's 1287 Glenwood Ave SE My Sister's Room 1271 Glenwood Ave SE Sister Louisa’s Church 466 Edgewood Ave SE Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Dr NW
D1 Cowtippers
1600 Piedmont Ave NE
R1 Boy Next Door
1447 Piedmont Ave NE
R2 Brushstrokes/Pleasures 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
Hair/Beauty H1 Bubbles Salon
1579 Monroe Dr NE
Dining Lips Atlanta 3011 Buford Hwy NE Club Club Rush 2715 Buford Hwy NE Spa/Bath Qi Clay Sauna 130 Buford Hwy A-107
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bartab
got an upcoming event?
calendar@davidatlanta.com
Monday
Friday
10TH & PIEDMONT Half Price Wine Bottles BLAKE’S Trivia at 10pm. $250 Cash/Prizes • LGBT Kickball Host Bar 7pm-? BURKHART’S Blue Monday Karaoke with Darlene at 10PM EAGLE Music Videos with Scotty FELIX’S Free Pool All Day FRIENDS Texas Hold’em 8 pm HIDEAWAY Industry Night 1/2 Off Well, Domestic, & Wine JUNGLE Stars of the Century Show 11:30pm MODEL T Monday Night Madness 8pm MY SISTER’S ROOM Industry Night OSCAR’S Service Industry Night with Eric SWINGING RICHARDS Hip-Hop Night, Sponsored by Hennessy 8:30pm
10TH & PIEDMONT Half Price Happy Hour Menu 5-7pm, Last Friday Swank by Bellisima BLAKE’S TGIF with Doug & Lateasha 3-9pm • “Deadly Vixens” Drag Show 11pm • Bill Berdeaux Spins Street Level • Mike Pope Spins Upstairs BURKHART’S FEMME FATALE with Destiny Brooks and Justice Taylor at 11PM CLUB RUSH “Got Leche” Free entry until 11pm 18 & up - Open until 4am EAGLE DJ Dance Party FELIX’S Pour It On Me Rock Party w/DJ Darlene and our Sexy Shot Bois- 10pm FRIENDS Happy Time Friday Kelly & Ken 6 pm G’S Friday Night Dance Party with DJ Ryan Baker 10PM HERETIC PUMP featuring Atlanta’s hottest deejays - Occasional special events. No cover b4 11 HIDEAWAY $5 Smirnoff drinks & Martinis DJ Marc J. Cubs @10pm in back room JUNGLE The Other Show with Edie Cheezburger 9:30pm LIPS ATLANTA Glitz & Glamour Las Vegas Style MODEL T Texas Hold’em Poker 9pm MY SISTER’S ROOM Dance Party upstairs featuring Drag, DJs & Hosts OSCAR’S Music Video Night SWINGING RICHARDS T-Shirt Review,$10 TEN ATLANTA Music & Videos by DJ Daryl Cox 10pm
Tuesday 10TH & PIEDMONT Shareable Tuesdays: 3 - course dinner for 2 for $25 BLAKE’S Latin Night with Guest DJ’s • 1/2 Priced Menu ‘til Midnight BURKHART’S DRAG-EOKE with Angelica D’Paige at 10PM CLUB RUSH “Tipsy Tuesday” 18 & up - Open until 4am FELIX’S Karaoke with Darlene - 10pm HIDEAWAY Game night: Poker and blackjack 7:30 Trivia with Jason Walker 8:30 LAS MARGARITAS Cuban Night - $12.95 All You Can Eat Cuban Buffet & $5 Mojitos MODEL T Texas Hold’em Poker 7pm MY SISTER’S ROOM Industry Night OSCAR’S Show Tune Tuesday with Chad- 8 pm SWINGING RICHARDS 1/2 Price cover
Saturday
BLAKE’S Party Pop wth Doug 3-9pm. “Voyeur Wednesday” Go-go guys, 10 p.m. BURKHART’S HUMPDAY KARAOKE with Darlene at 10PM FELIX’S Wild Out Wednesday w/Nicole Paige Brooks, Mychelle LaCroix DuPree & Mo’Dest Volgare - 11pm FRIENDS Hump Night with Regina Simms HERETIC Pig Dance Black Out Party DJ Stan Jackson 10pm-3am NO COVER HIDEAWAY Beauty and the beat! Ruby Redd Charity Bingo @8:30 free to play. karaoke W/ Tyler @ 11:00 $ 3.00 well drinks all day long JUNGLE Drag Wars - doors open at 9 and show starts at 10 - $250 Cash Prize based on audience applause LIPS ATLANTA Bitchy Bingo MODEL T Wonderful Wednesdays 7pm MY SISTER’S ROOM Karaoke
10TH & PIEDMONT Bottomless Mimosa Brunch BLAKE’S #TheBritandTheTit 1-9pm • “Glitter Bomb” w Edie Cheezburger, Shavonna Brooks • Guest DJs Upstairs 10pm-close. BURKHART’S SYNERGY with Shawnna Brooks and Monica Van Pelt at 11PM CAMPAGNOLO Legendary Musician Robert Ray on the piano 10pm-1am EAGLE DJ Dance Party FELIX’S Superstar Karaoke w/Diva Darlene and our Sexy Shot Bois - 10pm FRIENDS Free Pool with Bryan 2-6 pm; Let’s Make A Deal with Ken 6-10 pm HERETIC Varies. EARLY COUNTRY (8pm-12:30am) & LATE NIGHT DANCE with Billboard DJ MIKE POPE @12:30-close. No cover except special events. HIDEAWAY $2.50 All Well Drinks JUNGLE Fantasy Girls 9pm; Club Night, Various Guest DJ’s LIPS ATLANTA Glitz & Glamour Las Vegas Style MODEL T Texas Hold’em Poker 3pm MY SISTER’S ROOM Brunch 11:30am-4pm - Dance Party upstairs featuring Drag, DJs & Hosts OSCAR’S DJ Christopher Kind SWINGING RICHARDS T-Shirt Review $10 TEN ATLANTA Music & Videos by DJ Rob Reum 10pm
Thursday
Sunday
BLAKE’S Texas Hold em Poker 7pm “I - Candy” Street level with Shawnna Brooks 11pm BURKHART’S DANCEFLOOR DIVAS with Phoenix (RuPaul’s Drag Race s3) at 11:30PM EAGLE Balls Deep Karaoke w/ Mikey FACES LOUNGE The All Star Cabaret Drag Show & Karaoke FELIX’S Killer King Karaoke w/Tyler King - 10pm FRIENDS Texas Hold’em 8pm; Ladies Night 10 pm G’S Game Night with Brent Star 9PM HERETIC 3 Legged Cowboy Night 9pm Free dance lessons 8-9pm. No cover. HIDEAWAY Hot Mic’ Comedy w/ Ian Aber at 10pm followed by Karaoke at 11:30. Draft Beer Special LAS MARGARITAS Dirty South Trivia $5 Smirnoff & Cuervo Drinks. House Cash Prizes & $5 Wings LIPS ATLANTA Dinner with the Divas MODEL T Pre-Weekend Party! 7pm MY SISTER’S ROOM College Night - King of Thrones Drag Show OSCAR’S Twisted Thursday with Eric SWINGING RICHARDS 2-4-1 VIP & Entry
10TH & PIEDMONT Bellini Brunch | Flashback Showgirls with Angelica D’Paige BLAKE’S Open at 1pm - Bloody Mary’s with Robin. Texas Hold em Poker Upstairs 2pm. High Energy with DJs Will Bryan & Bill Berdeaux. “Cellblock Sunday” with Lateasha 8pm BURKHART’S Tossed Salad hosted by Brigitte Bidet - Music & Drinks 8pm - Showtime 9pm CLUB RUSH Hip Hop and R&B - 18 & up - Open until 4am FELIX’S Bloody Mary & Mimosa’s All Day FRIENDS DJ hosts Sunday Delights 2 pm-closing HIDEAWAY $3.50 wells the Armorettes @8:00 LIPS ATLANTA Gospel Brunch w/ Bubba D. Licious LAS MARGARITAS Papi’s $17.95 Unlimited Brunch & Choice of Mimosas, Sangrias, Bloody Maria’s, & Mojitos MODEL T Karaoke for a Cause 8pm MY SISTER’S ROOM Brunch 11:30am-4pm - T Dance Party featuring $3 Mimosas & $5 Bloody Marys TEN ATLANTA Brunch 11am & music by DJ Rob Reum inside and DJ Robert Ansley on the patio 4pm
Wednesday
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advice
updates many times everyday – even at work. But all those happy people with pictures of tropical vacations, smiling friends and stories of winning lottery tickets just make me sad. I thought social media was supposed to make our lives better. What gives? Facebook Aggravates My Exasperation Dear FAME,
Dear Dom,
Every Single Question... Every Single Answer Dear Dom,
You’re craving positive attention. “When we spend lots of time examining other people’s profiles and posts, we can damage our own healthy narcissism,” says Harvard University Instructor of Psychology, Dr. Craig Malkin. “Our most intense feelings of envy aren’t stirred by distant celebrities but by the people we know.” In his 2015 book, Rethinking Narcissism, Malkin suggests transforming social media, which he cleverly abbreviates as SoMe, into a better place. He has six tips for making SoMe into SoWe. • • • •
Surround yourself with real friends. Be cautious about making new connections. Be open. We never feel genuinely self-confident when we bury our true nature. Find a community with purpose. Join a group with a cause that will foster bonding. Avoid image churning. Be leery of too-frequent status updates, tagging and photo uploads. Be intentional. Make sure what you share honors your relationships. Follow wisely. Choose friends whose qualities are worth emulating.
• I’m a 35-year old gay man and foreign languages teacher at an Atlanta high school. In my first period • class, one of the students, a hunky 18-year old boy on the varsity swim team, has been flirting with me since the semester began. I went to one of his swim meets, and he looks mouthwatering in a Speedo. Now he’s Dear Dom, started passing me notes, asking to hook-up on the Diapers, really? I met this hottie at the bar last night. A weekends. Quid me vis facere? What should I do? bit tipsy, I reached down to squeeze his bubble butt. He was wearing a diaper! He gave me his number, and I’d Teacher Obsessed Gay Athlete like to call. What am in for? Do I need to buy a playpen and highchair before we date? Dear TOGA, The ancient Roman philosopher Quintus Sextius once spoke a Can’t Really Interpret Baby-love sentence for instances like this. “Nothing is so particular to wisdom as truth,” said he in the 1st century B.C. Here’s the wise Dear CRIB, truth: Don’t do it! You can skip the trip to IKEA for baby furniture. Have some Even though this frisky swimmer is waggling his tadpole in your fun with your Little Boy Blue. The next time you meet at the direction and is above the age of consent, the kid is still a stu- club, make a secret advance arrangement with the bartender. dent. Getting intimate with him will be disastrous to your career. Imagine how surprised diaper dude will be when cocktails are Stop lurking at his swim meets. Return his notes unopened. Pour cutely served in kiddie sippy cups! water on the flame before it explodes. Teachers often receive apples from their pupils. Yet you mustn’t bite into this tempting bit of fruit. Oh, it’ll be sweet for a moment. But you’ll surely be caught with juice running down your chin. Dear Dom. I’m hooked on Facebook, and it makes me miserable. When I joined last year, I would check the website maybe a couple times a week. Now, I’m looking at 104 | 10.7.15
Dom
Advice columnist Dominic has been there and done that with most everything. He gives a new low to all levels of depravity. He’s heard every question and every answer. Give him a try, email DearDom@davidatlanta.com. Warning: Advice given in this column is intended for entertainment and novelty purposes. Please proceed at your own risk.
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the armorettes
ARIES (Mar. 20 – Apr. 19):
LIBRA (Sep. 23 – Oct. 22):
TAURUS (Apr. 20 – May 20):
SCORPIO (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21):
GEMINI (May 21- Jun. 20):
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 – Dec. 20):
CANCER (Jun. 21- Jul. 22):
CAPRICORN (Dec. 21 – Jan. 19):
LEO (Jul. 23 – Aug. 22):
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18):
VIRGO (Aug. 23 – Sep. 22):
PISCES (Feb. 19 – Mar. 19):
You’ll need to come up with unique ways to approach a hectic workday. Drinking plenty of coffee is one solution, as is exercising before heading to work. But your best tactic could be staying in bed, and leaving the mountain of headaches for your coworkers to deal with.
You will be turtle-like today, slow moving and meticulous. Too bad the day will start in overdrive and only get faster from there. You’ll have to ramp up as quickly as possible. You know what happens when the turtle tries to move into the fast lane.
Curb your enthusiasm if a friend approaches you with an interesting business proposition today. Look at his plans from all angles, but remember that business can be like dating. You may find someone who looks attractive, but you’ll only wind up getting screwed, and not in a way you’d like.
Difficulties will arise at work today, but you’ll handle them with the poise of a miracle worker. It’ll be like you have a magic wand and those problems will instantly disappear. Now where was that wand when you needed it last week?
You’ll try to make a good impression with a new acquaintance today. But your massive ego may have him running in the other direction. Toning it down a bit could have you figuring out how to lure him back, and why it is you have so few friends.
The dating game can be played anywhere, even at work. Fix your eyes on coworkers who may be looking at you. Hopefully those colleagues will be guys who play for the same team. Otherwise you may have some ‘splainin’ to do.
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Repeatedly striking out with men recently may have you feeling depressed. Cheer up mate, because it’s the dawning of a whole new day. If you act like a desperate jerk, you’re only going to attract desperate jerks, so accentuate the positive and see what happens.
The boss will be in a good mood today, an opportune time to sell him some of your ideas. You’ll be amazed at how easy that will be, and he’ll give you the green light on all of them. But hopefully it wasn’t the Prozac speaking, and he remembers it tomorrow.
Recent overspending may have left your finances in a weakened and pitiful state. Tighten that belt strap today, and get frugal. You may have to return some favors if you want people to help you out, and hopefully some of them won’t involve taking off your pants.
The high energy with which you’ll greet the day will be countered by slow moving coworkers. You won’t have the patience for their sluggishness, and you’ll tell them so. This won’t make them work any faster, and will cast you as the office pariah for the remainder of the day, if not the week.
Despite your best laid plans, today will be one disaster after another. You won’t be able to figure out why that is, but don’t try to fight it. Go with the flow and you’ll get though this difficult day, but expect frustration and a headache that will feel like your brain is caught in a vice.
You may have to rely on favors from friends in high places today. Being beholden to others is not a comfortable place for you, because there’s no telling what they’ll expect in return. So keep your integrity intact, and don’t do anything that involves farm animals, a leather thong and a blender.
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S E S S I O N I’m an Atlanta gay & I am so happy with my righteous self. The number of guys you slept with isn’t impressive. The number of guys who didn’t kick you to the curb immediately afterwards is.
Hurting someone only shows the world that you’re hurting yourself. Pity you only have hate in your heart.
It’s sad but so right to see the life you deserve catch up to you.
112 | 10.7.15
Your mom was wrong. You aren’t special.
SEND US YOUR BITCHES! Text 404.969.BTCH, tweet @BitchSessionATL or email bitch@davidatlanta.com *This page reflects the bitchiness of the community not David Atlanta or its publisher (although we’re bitchy too!)
Don’t text me after a week of silence and expect everything to be rosy. I’ve moved on.
You say “been there, done that,” but I hear “old, bitter and nothing left to live for.”
Hey, Millennials! Life doesn’t owe you anything. Stop being lazy, get to work, and earn your life. When attracting guys is more important than actually landing them, you might be a Gym Nazi. All the plastics in the world can’t fix your real problem. Get some work done on the inside, Blanche.