FENUXE 3rd Anniversary by Fenuxe Magazine Management

FENUXE.COM : 5

FENUXE

FENUXE 3rd Anniversary

FEATURES 14

From the Ashes: Celebrating Three Years of Fenuxe

20 Joining Heartsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Change of Seasons 22 Midtown by the Sea: Fins Restaurant 26 Steve Hightower: Helping Disadvantaged kids Thrive 37 Atlanta, You So Gay: Gay Atlanta Then & Now 66 Honoring Ashley Kruiz

ESSENTIALS 45 46 48 52 54 56

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FENUXE 3rd Anniversary

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special thanks to: Dave Hayward, Wesley Chenault, John Howard, The Kenan Research Center, Al’Meria Richman, Shavonna B. Brooks, Steve Hightower, Heath Loupe, Earl Adams, Boyd Lewis, Richard Rhodes, and a shout-out to the late, great Ashley Kruiz.

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Editor’s

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with people who wouldn’t accept me as I am, but my family is extremely important. In fact, they mean the world to me. So, while my polite and accommodating demeanor pacified them, I was hurting. The hurt slowly turned to sadness and eventually settled into apathy. I had covered up my feelings for so long I was practically numb. That's when a good friend of mine, Richard, told me about therapy. At first I thought, “That's just for crazy people, right?” Talk therapy had such a powerful stigma to me that I was really turned off by the idea ... at first. A few months went by and my apathy started turning into emptiness and that's when Richard once again suggested I see someone.

The past few weeks have certainly been interesting for me both personally and professionally. I’ve progressed a million-fold in my relationship with my family, blocked a few haters on Facebook, and all the while celebrating our three year anniversary at FENUXE! For those who don't know me, I grew up right here in Atlanta (well, that is if you count Gwinnett as ATL). Like many others in the South, I was surrounded by extreme conservatism and religious zealotry. I come from a long line of Southern Baptist preachers and family members who are deeply integrated in the Church. As many gay Southerners know, this makes having honest and open conversations with family members incredibly difficult. Despite the fact that I came out to my parents when I was 22, we maintained a “don't ask, don't tell” type of relationship. They knew I was gay; however, they preferred not to talk about anything gay that made them uncomfortable. So, I didn’t share the incredible things we were doing at FENUXE, my involvement with the LGBT community that has meant so much to me, and certainly nothing about the men I was dating. This went on for six long years. I smiled, played their game, stayed quiet at family functions, and kept up my role as a good son in public. Everything seemed perfect on the outside but I was miserable and tortured on the inside. My family was very close growing up and I wanted to maintain that close relationship; yet, it was functionally impossible to stay close without telling them anything about my gay life and gay business. It may sound silly to want a relationship

So, I decided that if I was going to spend all that money just to talk to someone, I wanted to get the most out of it possible. As it turns out, it was perhaps one of the best decisions I have ever made. (Thank you, Richard.) For some reason, just talking about what was going on in my life really made a few things stand out in my mind and helped me realize why I was feeling the way that I did. I was so motivated for change that after two sessions, I decided to have a “come to Jesus” moment with my parents. I invited them to dinner and I put everything I was feeling out on the table. I talked about everything with FENUXE from the past three years – all of our parties, interviews, and all the crazy cool things I’ve done and people that I’ve met. I also explained to them that I no longer wanted to smile and act like there wasn't a giant gay elephant in the room. And ... maybe miracles do happen because something quite wonderful and unexpected happened. I was ready for them to say, “Well that's all good, but we don't want any part of that.” Instead, both my mother and father said that they have missed me dearly over the past six years and also longed for a better relationship with me. Granted, they still weren’t shy at pointing out that they don't agree with my “lifestyle” (Note: Can I just say how much I hate that word?); however, they love and accept me unconditionally. They even said they wanted to come to a FENUXE event and wanted to meet any guys I was interested in. This is a HUGE step for them and we shared some tears for several hours. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be yourself ... I mean truly yourself. I wasn’t in the closet, but I was letting those I cared about push me into a dark and vacant side room. I know there are many guys and gals in this city who are in a similar situation ... or worse. I am here to tell you, however, that we have to be ourselves. Living openly is always the best policy — yes, it's tough at first. But, in the end, you will be happier and more at peace with

yourself and the world. (A note just for Eric H., one of our readers: It’s OK to be gay, you don’t have to be scared and I applaud you for being brave and coming out, man. We’re all rooting for you here at FENUXE!) Coming out isn’t enough; being open and honest is a daily choice that even applies to something as mundane as your Facebook profile. When HRC recently asked us to change our Facebook pictures during SCOTUS’s oral arguments for Prop 8 and DOMA, I thought it was great idea! So I quickly changed my profile pic. A few seconds later the hate messages started to pour in from Facebook “friends.” I received about 15 Facebook messages personally attacking me for posting the red and pink HRC logo. One lady barked that gay marriage was going to lead to “a fire and brimstone destruction of America” and that we were all going to be “consumed with the Holy Fire” and die. Indulgently I responded to her, “You’re absolutely right. Mexico, Canada, Spain, and the Netherlands have all experienced the devastating hell-fire and are now just desolate wastelands.” This “friend” earned a quick *block. Even old friends who I hadn’t spoken with for years decided to add their two cents about Adam and Steve wedged between “prayers” for my salvation. *Block! *Block! *Block! I don't need or want their negativity in my life and forty years from now, they’re going to look just like the idiotic bigots who fought against interracial marriage in the ‘60s. In stark contrast, it was awe-inspiring to scroll through Facebook and see a sea of red and pink HRC logos. It was also really exciting to watch the HRC logo change as people began insert their own personality in their support for equality. Even internet superstar Grumpy Cat meme’d it up for marriage equality. I love that cat, lol. It took me awhile, but I’ve learned that being open applies to all aspects of life — from a Facebook profile pic to relationships with our loved ones, and everything in between. Plus, as if all of this isn’t enough, FENUXE is celebrating our three year anniversary this month! Be sure to check out the article about FENUXE’s wild and wonderful ride over the past three years on the next page. As always, please feel free to reach out to me. My door and heart are always open: tyler@fenuxe.com. See y’all in two weeks!

Tyl er

Tyler Calkins Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

tyler@fenuxe.com FENUXE.COM : 13

FENUXE has printed more than

70,200,000 pages since 2010 FENUXE has used more than 3,510,000 staples

From The

Celebrating 3

We are distributed at more than

175 locations in metro ATL

in three years we’ve published 78 issues of the magazine

Our largest issue to date was

184 pages

FENUXE publishes a new issue every two weeks

there are 136 “Fenuxe 50” members that have been honored 14 : April 11, 2013

Tyler Calkins, PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

t is a great time to be gay! After oral arguments at the Supreme Court, I know we are all hoping it will become an even better time to be gay in America. With the prospect of advancing marriage equality this summer, I decided to look at our community's past and our own history here at the magazine. I feel that it is important to understand and honor our past before we can really appreciate the exciting changes in our future. It is so hard for me to believe that FENUXE has been a part of the community for three years this month! In that time, we’ve published 78 issues and I am intensely proud of each one. I’m also happy to announce that FENUXE has moved! We’re now located in the heart of Midtown on Spring Street & 17th Street.

I wanted to publish a magazine that showed that gay life and culture is much more than just the mechanics of sex. Admittedly, I was somewhat naïve. I thought that publishing something for the LGBT community would be an instant success. I was operating off the assumption that if we created something of quality and poured our hearts and souls into it, nothing could go wrong. Well, I am proud to say I’ve now learned that life (and especially business) is never that easy.

The idea for FENUXE came to me during the height of the Great Recession. The economy was in a downward spiral and the state of Atlanta’s gay media was quickly following suit. In 2009, Window Media (who owned David Magazine and Southern Voice) filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which forced the shutdown of their businesses and the liquidation their assets. It was among these ashes that FENUXE Magazine was created, so Atlantans could enjoy a quality bi-weekly magazine focused on our community.

For a magazine, one of our largest initial battles was with distribution. Atlanta can get wicked hot during the summer and apparently super icy as we found out during our first winter in production in 2010. Aside from mother nature, we also caught grief trying to distribute in both gay and traditionally non-gay locations. It has always been important to me that FENUXE be available whether you’re on 10th Street in Midtown or OTP at Publix or Kroger. Our first few weeks at the not strictly gay locations, we received strong pushback from bigots and Bible thumpers. People vandalized our magazine racks and dumped some magazines in the trash; however, we remained committed to making our publication available and visible. They grew tired, I became determined.

FENUXE supports more than 20 diﬀerent community organizations

FENUXE has raised $128,000 over the past three years for charity

ASHES

Years of FENUXE

Resistance to our new gay magazine didn’t only come from anti-gay conservatives. We were even attacked by some fellow gays. Some people attacked us because they thought we were encroaching on their space. Others questioned why Atlanta needed another gay business. (In my opinion, Atlanta needs more gay businesses!) We need gay businesses, gay entrepreneurs,

the perfect name for the magazine, especially considering our city’s fiery history and the collapse of Window Media. Atlanta’s city seal prominently displays the Phoenix as an homage to the city’s rise from the ashes that General Sherman left behind in his march toward the sea in the Savannah Campaign of 1864. FENUXE pays homage to the noble bird because, like Atlanta, we rose

I am fiercely proud of where we came from and I am so incredibly optimistic about the future of FENUXE, of our city, and of our fight for equality. professionals, employees, etc. in every field and industry in the city. One particularly spirited fellow told me we’d be out business in two months because of our name.

from the ashes of the death of Atlanta’s gay media in 2009. Serving dual purposes, it also represents our content: Fashion, Events, Nightlife, Urban Culture, X-plore, and Eats.

Ah, our name. Nothing else that we’ve done at FENUXE has evoked as many questions as our name. It seems like I’ve been asked everything under the sun about it. Is it French? Is it a family name? Is it pronounced “feen-wah?” Luckily, the community has embraced us either way. To set the record straight, our name is pronounced like the mythological bird, the phoenix. I felt it was

I love this city and I love our community. I am fiercely proud of where we came from and I am so incredibly optimistic about the future of FENUXE, of our city, and of our fight for equality. Thank you for taking this ride with FENUXE over the past three years ... and with all of the great things we have in store for the future ... baby, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

FENUXE has changed format sizes 5 times as we continue to grow

We moved into our new oﬃce in Midtown on Spring Street last week!

Publisher Tyler Calkins has been nominated for Business Man of the Year by the Atlanta gay & lesbian Chamber of Commerce two years in a row FENUXE has created 10 full time positions for gay media industry during the Great Recession

FENUXE'S exclusive content has been featured on Entertainment Tonight and surprisingly even Fox News

Our 2012 Fire Party had 1,028 guests – our largest event to date

FENUXE won

2nd place for our Pride Float in 2012 We’ve won a GLAAD award two years in a row

FENUXE has expanded distribution to three Southern states FENUXE.COM : 15

18 : April 11, 2013

FENUXE.COM : 19

EVENT

Celebrate the change of Seasons at

Joining Hearts’

Tea Dance Kat Tippins, Managing Editor

Leave the Earl Grey at home, this tea dance is for the Long Island variety. This weekend, Joining Hearts will host its third largest fundraising event of the year, Change of Seasons, to revel in the coming of summer and collect some dollars for AID Atlanta and Jerusalem House. If you’re not sure exactly what a tea dance is, allow Joining Hearts’ Director of Events, Heath Loupe, to explain: “Tea dances are early-evening dance parties celebrating the ‘Change of Seasons,’ which include cocktail refreshments and dance beats by amazing DJs, which are typically held outdoors in preparation of upcoming summer events. With our two popular DJs, Mike Pope and Lydia Prim, we are certain that the dance ﬂoor will be packed.” The outdoor setting for this event is the terrace at the Loews Atlanta Hotel. “Our annual Tea Dance has been in several locations in and around Midtown over the past several years. We have been partnering with the Loews Atlanta Hotel since last year, and their outdoor patio space seemed a great fit for our type of event,” Loupe

20 : April 11, 2013

tells FENUXE. “We think its convenient Midtown location and stunning views will make a great addition to our party.” This party is mainly for drinking, dancing, and donating, so you may want to nosh before or after the event which, with the Loews’ central location, should be hassle-free. You can visit the Loews’ own restaurant, Eleven, or bounce a few steps down the street to adjacent eateries such as Einstein's, Joe’s on Juniper, Mi Cocina, STK, and Cucina Asellina. All funds from ticket sales will go to the beneficiaries, AID Atlanta and Jerusalem House, but partiers will be able to donate more once inside the event. “Joining Hearts always has additional opportunities at every event for guests to donate more money. We will have tip jars at the entrance and volunteers on site to sign up or renew patrons and corporate sponsors,” says Loupe. “Since tips from the bars will go to the Loews Hotel bartenders, we will still have options for everyone to make additional donations at check-in.”

Worried about Midtown parking? Don’t be. There are plenty of options for this event. “The Loews Hotel offers valet parking for $11. In addition, there is another surface parking hotel directly across the street,” Loupe says. “This year’s venue is within walking distance to Midtown residences and blocks from public transit. Uber car service, as well as carpooling, is also suggested.” Joining Hearts expects about 400 attendees at this event. Grab your tickets to start the summer off with a good time for a great cause!



THE DETAILS

WHAT: Joining Hearts’ Change of Seasons Tea Dance & Party WHERE: Loews Atlanta Hotel: 1065 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, Ga. 30309 WHEN: Sunday, April 14, 4-9 p.m. HOW: Purchase tickets in advance for $20 at joininghearts.org or for $25 at the door. This event is 21+ with valid ID required.

Experience the evolution of the Cotillion June 8 th atlantacotillion.com

FENUXE.COM : 21

the bacon lardons (a crackling of sorts) are crunchy, a nice complement to the tender scallops. The Brussels sprout leaves are a potent addition that truly rounds out the ﬂavor.

EATS

But my absolute favorite dish, the one I find myself craving was last to grace the table. Actually, let me hop in a confessional booth for a second: I’ve always wanted to try a Krabby Patty. (C’mon, you’ve watched Spongebob. Bikini Bottom goes bonkers for them!) I say in all seriousness that I’ve found the place on land that makes them. Fins’ crab burger is outrageously good. Insanely good!

Midtown by the Sea:

Fins Restaurant Berlin Sylvestre, Staff Writer

It’s a shame that a place so lovely is directly beneath cranes swinging bundles of steel beams over the heads of pedestrians while construction workers across the street drill, hammer, and violently solder, their earthmovers toiling noisily away around the fenced-off skeleton of a high-rise in progress. That's the corner of 12th and Crescent at present. Defiantly, the street sign for Fins, though dwarfed by the chaos around it, stands out like a determined hitchhiker’s thumb off a deserted highway. Once the condos are complete, which should be this month, we can reclaim the corner for one of the most culinarily thoughtful, wellrounded, and accommodating eateries in Midtown. The moment you set foot into the place, you can feel the spirit of a beautiful era gone by in the architecture. (The building was 22 : April 11, 2013

originally a bungalow built in the ‘20s.) Lovelier yet is Fins’ fresh fare. We began with a beautiful seafood chowder: a grouper, shrimp, scallops, and bacon fantasia. There was a telltale snap to the shrimp that only comes from cooking fresh shellfish fast. The bacon is cut thick, a terrestrial delight against a lush, oceanic ﬂavor backdrop. The generous portion was nicelyseasoned with a spicy finish. The chowder comes with a fantastic grilled bread that’s crisp, but not hard — a welcome replacement for typical oyster crackers. The seared scallops came next, a skillful execution that wasn’t at all chewy, but rather fork-tender. The size of their scallops is impressive, but the ﬂavor combination they’ve chosen for the dish is more so. The celery root purée on which they scallops are placed truly shines, and

Using no fillers at all (as in no bread crumbs or panko), the patty is all crab with seasonings and sauces that, much like in the show, are a closely guarded secret. The burger is bursting with ﬂavor, its bun soft and sweet. It’s topped with arugula and house-made tartar sauce unlike any other. But how about Fins’ bartenders? Are they worth their salt? You bet. I gave them the go-ahead to select a beverage. Their choice: a S’more’s Delight, a perfect after-dinner, dessert-y cocktail. It was savored. (It’s strange how something so delicious can also give you a buzz!) The understated ﬂavor of marshmallow hid behind chocolate and cream topnotes, and — though I have no idea how — the sips end with a graham cracker closer. Truly a marvel. Fins is closed for lunch, but once construction wraps, they’re going to open up shop at 11 a.m. For now, though, the beautiful eatery with the knowledgeable waitstaff, finetuned bartenders, and uniquely talented kitchen wizards opens its doors at 5 p.m. With a climate-controlled patio that will be lovely in the warming months, Fins is an excellent Midtown spot to surround yourself with old school cool while enjoying more the modern stylings of some incredibly thoughtful and – most importantly – fresh food.

Fins:

84 12th St. NE Atlanta, Ga. 30309 (404) 565-0492 | ﬁnsatlanta.com

24 : April 11, 2013

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STEVE HIGHTOWER:

Helping Disadvantaged

KIDS THRIVE Kat Tippins, Managing Editor

Celebrity hair stylist Steve Hightower wasn’t born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. He grew up in a poor family and rose to success through not only his own diligence, but also due to the kindness of others. “My whole life, people have opened doors for me. I went to college, modeled for five years, traveled all over the world — I have seen many things,” he tells FENUXE. “I’ve owned cars, homes, two salons ... and all of that, in the end, is not important. It’s really not. What is important is helping.”

ière d as Lum at erforme p st" r a e e w B e to h th Steve Hig y's "Beauty and . Gala ne from Dis riving Children Th 2 1 0 2 e th

Ironically, a devastating storm in Alabama would later become a blessing for many disadvantaged kids in the South. “A tornado went through my hometown three weeks before Christmas. I went down to check on everybody and [saw] children out in the field holding on to their moms asking, ‘Where is Santa going to bring the toys?’ I have a big heart and I told my mother I would bring these kids Christmas. So I came back to Atlanta, emailed all my clients — toys and clothes poured in. I went back to Alabama with three U-Haul trucks loaded with toys and clothing.”

But Hightower’s big heart wasn’t satisfied with this one-time outpouring of altruism, so he founded Thriving Children, an annual gala and fundraiser that’s now in its fourth year. Thriving Children benefits three charity organizations: Childkind, the Fragile Kids Foundation, and the Center for Children & Young Adults. Childkind primarily helps foster children who are medically fragile. Hightower’s salon had been providing the Childkind kids with their holiday needs each year, but during the founding of Thriving Children, he wanted to go a step farther and pair up with Childkind for a benefit that was more befitting of a beautician: a fashion show. “I’ve always wanted to do my own runway show,” says Hightower, “so I called up Childkind.” After some good old fashioned networking, Hightower managed to partner up with Fragile Kids and the Center for Children & Young Adults. “Fragile Kids supplies equipment and special needs for children who are really disabled, like lifts for beds and bathing, wheelchairs, oxygen tank carriers, and lifts for vans. The Center for Children & Young Adults takes kids who have been abused or thrown out by family members [for being] gay.” Even though being disowned by family is not a part of Hightower’s past, he has a passion to champion for those whose families have rejected them. “I found out 20 years ago that I am HIV positive,” he says. “My family is very religious. I drove two and a half hours to Alabama and told [them]. They stood up and hugged me and have supported me every part of the way.” Declaring that he owes his health to the doctors at Pride Medical, God, and his family, he adds: “It saddens me to hear these people have cast their children away [for having] HIV, multiple sclerosis, or some deformity, yet my parents opened their arms. I decided to do something to help these kids.”

26 : April 11, 2013

And Hightower has definitely done something to help. The Thriving Children Gala grows in attendance and funds raised each year: “The first year, the show was called ‘We Want to Know What Love Is.’ We had it at the Fox Theatre in the Egyptian Ballroom. I brought in so many designers and clothing, we had a live orchestra, and the show raised a little over $20,000 and I thought that was wonderful. The second year [was] ‘There’s No Place Like Home.’ I had the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus come in and sing ‘Over the Rainbow,’ made the catwalk a yellow brick road, and had all of the characters from ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ including the flying monkeys. We raised over $50,000. Last year, the theme was ‘Dreams Do Come True.’ We had over 30-something Disney characters walking around. We raised close to $100,000. We outgrew our space! There were around 600 people there. I decided I have to take it to another level.” That next level is at 200 Peachtree, which will serve as the venue for this year’s Thriving

“The Muppet Show” is the theme for this year’s gala and Jordan is keeping his costume a mystery. “That’s part of the secret you get for buying a ticket,” Jordan tells FENUXE. “Let’s just say that emails have flown back and forth about what I am and am not willing to do. The sad part is that there’s not much that I’m not willing to do!” Hightower, however, is happy to inform that he will be dressed as Kermit the Frog. Like most events worth sticking around for, the Thriving Children Gala will close with some boogie. Laughing Pizza, a pop trio who plays familyfriendly music, will put on a show for the kids. “Their music is great. It’s dance music for teenagers,” Hightower says. “After that, we are going upstairs to the mezzanine. I have the whole space rented out for the DJ, and he’s going to spin until about 1 in the morning for a big dance party.”

“I’ve owned cars, homes, two salons ... and all of that, in the end, is not important. It’s really not. What is important is helping.”

goal of over $100,000. I think Leslie Jordan will be a big draw for that.” “An Evening to Believe In” is the aptly dubbed logo for the Thriving Children Gala. “My motto is: ‘You give and you will receive,’” says Hightower. “Do I receive a lot of clients from this show? No. Do I do this show for Steve Hightower to get popular? No. I’m doing this show for these three agencies that are so small: Childkind, Fragile Kids, and The Center for Children & Young Adults. I’m doing it for them to get recognition, and [to let people] know they exist.” On the event program, Hightower has mapped what each donated dollar will do and makes the information readily available, a rare move at fundraisers. “I want [contributors] to know that their $300 will buy wheels for wheelchairs that need to be replaced every six to eight months if it’s an electric wheelchair. That a $1,000 donation will house, feed, and clothe a teenager for a month. Maybe even more. $50 goes a long way! That’s why it’s ‘An Evening to Believe In.’”

Children Gala.The first hour will be music from the Sentimental Journey Orchestra, a silent auction, and food. “I have about 15 different restaurants in the city donating the food,” he says. “The silent auction gifts are wonderful. We’ve even got a car dealership donating a car [for the winner of the silent auction] to drive for a week. It’s a Jaguar!” Hightower beams. “We have lots of trips and vacation homes, jewelry, and art.” A runway show follows the auction. In a special segment, Hightower is letting the siblings of the sick children walk the runway: “I thought the brothers and sisters [of the disabled] never get attention because their sibling is sick and always needs the attention. So why don't we let that kid have the spotlight for three minutes while they walk down the catwalk?”



The grand finale of the runway show should raise some brows. “I have lots and lots of hot boys who will come out for everyone to scream at [during the swimwear segment].” The men are a staple in Hightower’s runway shows, a sexy tail-end to the spectacular event. Special guest entertainer and and co-emcee Leslie Jordan will perform some stand-up comedy after the fashion show.

There will be a cash bar at the gala, so if you plan to party ‘til the end of the event, you may want to consider nearby accommodations. “The Ritz has been very good with us on giving discounts on the room as long as the Thriving Children Gala is mentioned. It’s right across the road,” informs Hightower.

"Dreams Do Come True" was the theme at the 2012 Thriving Children Gala. More than 30 Disney characters took part in the show.

Hightower says he anticipates this year being Thriving Children’s biggest soiree yet, expecting more than 700 attendees: “The catwalk this year is the longest Atlanta has had. It’s 92 feet long! We are hoping to reach our

THE DETAILS WHAT: Fourth Annual Thriving Children Gala WHERE: 200 Peachtree St. Atlanta, Ga. 30303 WHEN: Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. HOW: Purchase tickets at atlthrivingchildren.org. Regular admission tickets are $75; VIP tickets are $175 each or two for $300 and come with front row seating at the fashion show and a $250 goodie bag. FENUXE.COM : 27

28 : April 11, 2013

FENUXE.COM : 29

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FENUXE.COM : 33

36 : April 11, 2013

Berlin Sylvestre, Staff Writer

hese streets that we ride down ... Piedmont, Cheshire Bridge, Monroe … they’re all old news. The potholes that tear into our tires were once the bumblesome cobblestone paths of Peachtree, where gents in bowler caps nodded to corseted ladies as the clopping of their horse hooves provided the street symphony of post-Civil War romanticism. Our pride and devotion for the Capitol City pulled Atlanta out of the ashes and we brushed ourselves off, preparing for our comeback. As time marched on, the cobblestones and rustic carriages were replaced by the multi-passenger streetcars of the 20th century, and those with a touch of privilege to their lives gallivanted in steam cars, further proving that it’d take more than the fiery tactics of the Union to hold us back. Though we have records that deeply expound upon topics like Atlanta’s humble beginnings as the final stop on a rail line and of the city’s struggles during the Civil War, it's difficult to capture just how gay Atlanta was during its rebuilding period of speakeasies and burlesque shows. Until 1962, being a homosexual in Georgia meant you could

legally be subjected to a lifetime in prison, confined to a mental institution, castrated, or given a frontal lobotomy, among other horrors. Being tight-lipped about your sexuality didn't just afford you a more comfortable life — it was a means of survival. Photographs and letters that told of the “forbidden fruit” were often destroyed, as homosexuality instantly made a social leper of a person, if not an inmate. Therefore, pictures of same-sex duos that surface are mostly ambiguous, as the remnants of Victorian-style "romantic" friendships normally constituted a closeness, even an almost too intimate embrace between "friends." We know through letters and the occasional hand-me-down story that we gays were always here in Atlanta. But when did the real gay scene, the bustling Gay Mecca that we know today, truly start to unfold? With an often sketchy record of our LGBT past, it’s tough to say with authority, but we’ve combed through archives and spoken with several LGBT history experts of the community to bring you a healthy glimpse of Atlanta’s gay past.

FENUXE.COM : 37

1820

1900

1826

1925

1940

The first known love letters from two Southern men emerge, handsomely, longingly (and rather salaciously!) written by lovers “Jeff” (a judge) and “Jim” (a politician). Excerpt, written by Jeff: “I feel some inclination to learn whether you sleep in your Shirt-tail, and whether you yet have the extravagant delight of poking and punching a writhing Bedfellow with your long ﬂeshen pole — the exquisite touches of which I have often had the honor of feeling?” Grindr translation: “wut r u wearing & r u lookin?”

1939 The Lorelei Ladies is formed. A softball team comprised of straight women and closeted lesbians, the ladies provided entertainment (and hook-up opportunities) for those left behind during WWII.

1944

1913

Satisfied with the turnout at women’s sporting events, The Tomboys are created. At first The ‘Boys were a basketball team, but they later added a softball team to compete with The Lorelei Ladies.

1946

Anthony Auriema, the first known female impersonator in Atlanta, dons women’s clothing and parades around Peachtree in opposition to the ban on men in women’s clothing. Auriemma returns in 1924 and performs as famous Vaudeville entertainer “Francis Renault.”

Contrary to popular belief, the first gayfriendly church isn’t the First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta. Bishop John Kazantks and seminary school dropout George Hyde, tired of being shunned by their respective religions for being gay, form the Eucharistic Catholic Church. Their newly formed congregation holds meetings in the Winecoff Hotel (now the Ellis), leading worship for as many as 85 gay and straight parishioners.

1918

Dorothy Vogel is the earliest documented case of a female in Atlanta to have relationships with other women, her story told through a series of photos released by her daughter eight decades later.

1937 In 1937, Atlanta came out with its first tongue-in-cheek gay publication “Gay Atlanta.” The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce distributed it, with a sizeable number of ad revenue coming from drag performances that were held in predominantly heterosexual venues. 38 : April 11, 2013

1950

1953 The APD holds a stakeout in the men’s restroom of the Carnegie Library, the city’s public library. Through the use of a two-way mirror, 20 men are arrested for sodomy — a felony — and their names, addresses, and places of employment are published in the “Atlanta Constitution” (our morning daily) and the “Atlanta Journal” (our nightly) on multiple occasions. Publicly and repeatedly shamed, 19 of the 20 lost their jobs, the publications going so far as to label the incident The Atlanta Public Library Perversion Case. In the era of McCarthyism, when homosexuality was widely-viewed as a domestic threat, as we were painted a moral bankrupt bunch prone to Communism and anti-American sentiments, leniency from the court is neither expected nor granted. Lashed with ridicule in print and from the bench, the mostly young men are given no less than two years in jail and are heavily fined for their consensual “lewdness.” This was one of many incidents of the APD targeting the gay community throughout our fight for equality. Drag makes a grand entrance when Guy Dobbs, otherwise known as “Terry Lynn” brings female impersonators such as Bobbie La Marr and Billy Jones to the scene at Queen of Clubs, a joint Dobbs also manages.

“We’d run and hide in the furnace room, in the beer cooler, in the ladies’ restrooms. We were scared to death, but never caught!” - Billy Jones, concerning police harassment at early drag shows.

Gays throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s were most certainly not “out,” but compared to the social constraints of life before the era of ‘gay life to be,’ they weren’t exactly silent. House parties dominated the gay social scene, a necessary addition to Atlanta nightlife for people who weren’t allowed to be out to their spouses, nor out to anyone else in their lives. Mostly comprised of the middle and upper classes, the scene came alive in these homes.

1955

1960

1956

1971

1970

City Council votes unanimously to install more lights in Piedmont Park and have city police patrol more frequently to catch cruising homosexuals. Mayor William B. Hartsfield holds a ceremony and illuminates Piedmont to an almost constant “daylight” that spring.

Photo by Boyd Lewis, courtesy of Touching Up Our Roots

1972

1957

Thomas Elliott is arrested at the Atlanta airport for wearing sunglasses, sandals, a skirt, and a scarf. The crime: Disorderly conduct.

1959

After the NYPD raids a gay bar, The Stonewall Inn, the nation responds by organizing openly gay organizations and events. The following year, Atlanta organizes its first attempts at a gay pride rally at Piedmont Park to show support.

The Georgia Gay Liberation Front (GGLF) is formed. Members sound the radical alarm for others to come out and end homophobia and gay oppression in Atlanta.

Ralph Ferguson is arrested in a downtown theater for wearing a green jacket, plaid skirt, bandana, and shoes that were obviously too small. Disorderly conduct is his charge, as well.

Photo by Boyd Lewis, courtesy of Touching Up Our Roots

Atlanta’s ﬁrst ofﬁcial Gay Pride March takes place, thanks in part to the GGLF’s focus and tenacity.

1973 Gay activist and chair of Atlanta Pride Charlie St. John is fired from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for handing out Gay Pride ﬂiers. During Pride, some revelers cover their heads in paper bags to demonstrate that gay people are subject to punishment for the “crime against society” of being gay.

1974

1969 The APD busts in on a showing of “Lonesome Cowboys,” an Andy Warhol film, overtly taking photographs of audience members and arresting the coordinator of the event, George Ellis, and the film projector. The film, like an avant-garde “Brokeback Mountain” of its day, turned a few displeased heads. Luckily, the APD was on the beat.

The Atlanta Barb hits the stands, our first gay newspaper. Later named simply The Barb, the publication sought to shed light on social and political happenings in the gay community. FENUXE.COM : 39

1975

1980

1975

1978

Civil rights hero Congressman John Lewis sponsors the first ever bill for gay and lesbian rights and continues to support the cause to this day, from discrimination in schools to protections in the workplace.

The Chattahoochee is aﬂoat with an estimated 300 gay men in rafts and inner-tubes as the Hotlanta River Expo sees its maiden voyage, kicking off a four-day summer party.

Mayor Jackson rescinds the name Gay Pride Day and declares June 26 to be Civil Liberties Day. (Attendees called it Gay Pride Day, anyway.)

The Mr. Gay Atlanta pageant is born, giving gay men the chance to show off their masculine physiques in a competitive nature in swimwear, casual attire, and evening apparel categories.

1979

1976 Cruise Magazine hits the scene, a monthly geared toward gay nightlife.

Atlanta has a Gay Pride Day of its own, declared by then-mayor Maynard Jackson to be held on June 26. Full-page ads appear in local newspapers decrying the mayor’s support. Funded by a Southern Baptist group, the “Citizens for a Decent Atlanta” engage in a culture war with the community.

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1983

1981 The CDC, upon observing that a group of gay men were suffering from an unknown disease, names the condition GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency). It is also referred to as the “gay plague.”

1982 The CDC replaces the name GRID with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) when reports of heterosexual Haitian immigrants, hemophiliacs, and straight women surface, meaning that other people are able to contract the disease, not just gay men.

1985

1984

1989

Then-mayor Andrew Young, absent from gay events or public support during his three years in ofﬁce, gives the community a nod and acknowledges Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Day.

Mayor Maynard Jackson is the ﬁrst mayor of Atlanta to make an appearance at Pride.

The cause of AIDS is discovered: a retrovirus called human immunodeficiency virus, later called simply HIV.

636,000:

“[AIDS] meant the end of my sex life as I knew it, because one has to reveal their status — that is, if he is a moral person.” - George H. Adams, 87, in a 2004 interview with author Wesley Chenault.

1985 Hollywood star Rock Hudson passes away at the age of 59, the ﬁrst celebrity to die of AIDS. This suprised many, as AIDS was widely viewed as a “young man’s disease.”

The number of Atlantans who have died from AIDS since the epidemic began.

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404.941.3200 FENUXE.COM : 41

1990

2000

1999

1992 Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts leads a protest against gay discrimination at a Lithonia Cracker Barrel after a waitress was fired for being a lesbian.

1996 After much contention in Cobb County concerning gay rights and the “promotion of the gay lifestyle” by mostly anti-gay Christians, the International Olympic Committee snubs the county and opts for other suburbs to hold events for the Atlanta Olympics.

42 : April 11, 2013

1997

At the time of the 2004 U.S. Census,

12.8% of Atlanta’s population identify as gay or lesbian.

2000

Cathy Woolard is the first openly gay elected official in our city, joining the Atlanta City Council.

The Otherside Lounge, a lesbian bar, is bombed by extreme-right activist Eric Rudolph, who also bombed an abortion clinic in Sandy Springs. Five are injured in the bar blast. Rudolph is the man responsible for the Centennial Olympic Park bombing that killed a woman the previous year.

The Georgia General Assembly welcomes its first out lesbian representative, Karla Drenner.

2002

Ofﬁcer Constance Locke is appointed as the APD’s first LGBT liaison. The position is created to form a bond between the city’s LGBT community and the boys (and girls) in blue.

2005

2010

2009

2010

The APD barges in to the Atlanta Eagle forcing more than 70 bar patrons to lie on the ﬂoor while being searched, verbally gay-bashed, then eventually arrested eight people for crimes concerning city ordinance licensing. The infamous “Red Dog Unit” was comprised of 24 officers, and was essentially a vigilante team of cops who justified their actions by by saying club-goers were engaging in sexual activity and using illegal drugs. Some of the cops even enter the home of the club’s assistant manager as he watched TV to arrest him. A total of 28 plaintiffs sue the city, and in the mountain of evidence, it is discovered that the police destroyed evidence, violated the civil rights of the arrested, conducted unlawful searches and seizures, falsely imprisoned the patrons, and discriminated against them based on their sexual orientation. All eight of the arrested see their cases thrown out. A total of 35 members of the force (some supervisors) are reprimanded and a settlement of more than $1 million is granted the plaintiffs.

Following the community’s discontent as a result of the Atlanta Eagle raid, the ADP increases the number of LGBT liaisons to two: officers Patricia Powell and Brian Sharp.

2012 Mayor Kasim Reed shows his support for gay rights in a press release that declares his views on same-sex marriage have “evolved.” The community has a favorable response.

David Magazine and Southern Voice along with numerous other gay publications are abruptly shut down when their parent company, Window Media, closes. The information contained in this timeline was compiled from data found in following sources: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Atlanta History Center, Kenan Research Center, The Atlanta Pride Committee, Touching Up Our Roots, The Williams Institute, Sally Ringold, Dave Hayward, Richard Rhodes, JohnLewis.house.gov, News-Medical.net, and CDC.gov. Photos by Boyd Lewis, “Carrying on in the Gay and Lesbian South” - John Howard, 1997 and “Gay and Lesbian Atlanta” - Wesley Chenault, 2008

Officer Kristin Knight joins Brian Sharp and replaces Patricia Powell as LGBT liaison for the ADP.

2013 The Supreme Court of the United States hears arguments on the constitutionality of both California’s Proposition 8 (a “one man, one woman only” definition of marriage) and the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal ban on same-sex marriage.

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44 : April 11, 2013

FENUXE after dark

Your guide to gAY AtlAntA

OUTPHOTOS

1 DAZZLING EVENING 03.27.2013 • W Hotel Atlanta

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BRING YOUR WHEELBARROW TO DISHCRAWL! FENUXE.COM : 45

Your guide to gAY AtlAntA

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46 : April 11, 2013

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Your guide to gAY AtlAntA 8. ten AtlAntA - 990 Piedmont Ave. NE 30309 9. burkhArt’s – 1492 Piedmont Ave. NE 30324 10. gilbert’s – 219 10th St. NE 30309 11. mArY’s – 1287 Glenwood Ave. SE 30316 12. mY sister’s room – 1271 Glenwood Ave. SE 30316 13. osCAr’s – 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE 30309 14. sister louisA’s ChurCh – 466 Edgewood Ave. SE 30312 15. Felix’s on the sQuAre – 1510 PiedmontAve. NE 30324 16. CoCkpit – 465 Boulevard SE 30312 17. wooF’s – 2425 Piedmont Rd. NE 30324 18. bulldog’s – 893 Peachtree St. NE 30309 19. lebuzz – 585 Franklin Rd. SE 30067 20. model-t – 699 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE 30308 21. Friends on ponCe – 736 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE 30306 22. the hideAwAY – 1544 Piedmont Ave. NE 30324 23. opus 1 – 1086 Alco St. NE 30324 24. trAxx AtlAntA – 708 Spring St. 30308

18. 10th & piedmont – $$ 991 Piedmont Ave. NE 30309

eats midtown 1. two urbAn liCks – $$$ 820 Ralph McGill Blvd. NE 30306 2. einstein’s – $$ 1077 Juniper St. NE 30309 3. loCA lunA – $$ 550-C Amsterdam Ave.. NE 30306 4. CAmpAgnolo – $$ 980 Piedmont Ave. NE 30309 5. esCorpion – $$ 800 Peachtree St. NE 30308 6. one midtown kitChen – $$ 559 Dutch Valley Rd. NE 30324 7. metroFresh – $ 931 Monroe Dr. NE 30308 8. Joe’s on Juniper – $ 1049 Juniper St. 30309 9. zoCAlo – $ 187 10th St. NE 30309 10. gilbert’s – $$ 219 10th St. NE 30309 11. AprÈs diem – $$ 931 Monroe Dr. NE 30308 12. hobnob – $ 1551 Piedmont Ave. NE 30324 13. the nook – $ 1144 Piedmont Ave. NE 30309 14. the FiFth ivorY – $$ 794 Juniper St. 30308 15. eAts – $ 600 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE 30308 16. F.r.o.g.s. CAntinA – $ 931 Monroe Cir. NE 30308 17. burkhArt’s pub – $ 1492 Piedmont Ave. NE 30324

eAst AtlAntA 19. the eArl – $ 488 Flat Shoals Ave. SE 30316 20. the glenwood – $ 1263 Glenwood Ave. SE 30316 21. the grAveYArd – $ 1245 Glenwood Ave. SE 30316 CAbbAgetown 22. AgAve – $$ 242 Boulevard SE 30312 23. serpAs – $$$ 659 Auburn Ave. NE 30312 Cheshire bridge 24. lAs mArgAritAs – $ 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 30324 25. roxx – $ Cheshire Bridge Rd. 30324 26. Cowtippers – $$ 1600 Piedmont Rd. 30324 27. gino’s pizzA – $ 1740 Cheshire Bridge Rd. NE

strip Clubs 25. swinging riChArd’s – (All Nude) 1400 Northside Dr. NW 30318 26. bliss – (All Nude) 2284 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 30324 27. bJ rooster’s – Private dances encouraged. 2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 30324

places Clubs/bArs 1. Amsterd.Am – 502-A Amsterdam Ave. NE 30306 2. AtlAntA eAgle – 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. 30308 3. heretiC – 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 30324 4. Jungle – 2115 Faulkner Rd. NE 30324 5. mixx – 1492 Piedmont Ave. NE 30309 6. blAke’s – 227 10th St. NE 30309 7. 10th & piedmont – 991 Piedmont Ave. NE 30309

mArtA stAtions

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privAte mAle Clubs & spAAAhs… 28. Flex – 76 4th St. NW 30308 29. mAniFest 4 u– 2103 Faulkner Rd. NE 30324 30. the den – 2135 Liddell Dr. 30324 31. eros – 2219 Faulkner Rd. NE 30324

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FENUXE.COM : 47

FENUXE

after dark

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

4.11.13 TO

4.24.13

EMAIL US EVENTS AT

CULTURALPICKS

Calendar@fenuxe.com

04.13. - 04.14.2013

FESTIVAL ON PONCE OLMSTED LINEAR PARK

Join the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance as they honor one of Atlanta’s most celebrated landscape architect, Frederick Olmsted Sr., in a local arts and craft show. Art will be on display throughout the garden for free. There will be food, beverages, and a children’s area. 04.16.2013 & 04.24.2013

DISHCRAWL ATLANTA

04.14.2013

JoiNiNG HEArTs CHANGE oF sEAsoNs LOEWS ATLANTA HOTEL 4 - 9 P.M.

Joining Hearts is kicking off the spring season with their Change of Seasons party at the Loews Atlanta Hotel. 100 percent of tickets sales will be given to beneficiaries, AID Atlanta and Jerusalem House. Tickets are available online at joininghearts. org for $20 or $25 at the door. This event is 21+ with valid ID required.

LOCATION TBA TO TICKET HOLDERS, 7 P.M.

Experience four restaurants in one night. Dishcrawl already hosted a successful event in Marietta, so they’ve added two more neighborhoods! Join them on April 16 to crawl around Decatur restaurants; on April 24 the crawling will be around eateries in Vinings. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at dishcrawl.com/atlanta. 04.19. - 04.21.2013

ATLANTA DOGWOOD FESTIVAL PIEDMONT PARK

With warm weather, blossoming ﬂowers, and spring in the air, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is just around the corner. An Atlanta staple for more than 75 years, artists from all around the country gather to display sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and much more. There is a little something for everyone, from a kids village, face painting, interactive games, prize giveaways, and food.

COMMUNITYPICKS 04.21.2013

RED - A BURLESQUE EXPERIENCE EVOLUTION PROJECT

Four genres of dance combined into a singular style: burlesque. Choreographer Brent Smith debuts his newest show with more than 15 male and female dancers who are all ready to show their passion as professional dancers and artists. RED benefits Evolution Project and “P6M” Dance Company. Tickets are $15, available at redburleqsue.eventbrite.com. 04.13.2013

LEVI KREIS CONCERT

03.01.2013 04.14.2013 TiTANs’ PArTY oN UNCENsorEd WiTH THE PATio dEsTiNY BrooKs

JOE’S JUNIPER 4 - 8 P.M. LEBUZZ 11ON P.M.

Hotlanta League’s There’s a newSoftball TV variety seriescraziest, in town wildest, is andfilming undisputed and LeBuzz it all. champions “Less Drag, drinking, AtlantaIfTitans, hostthe MoreofVariety” is The a promise. you spy “Party its onway the around Patio.”Facebook, There willyou’ll be ad making shots, $10 something bottomlessrisque beer, and a knowjello you’re in for DJ,before. and rafﬂe prizes. neverlive seen 48 : April 11, 2013

SPIRITUAL LIVING CENTER OF ATLANTA 7:30 P.M.

Levi Kreis — recording artist, Broadway star, and Tony Award winner — will be stopping in Atlanta for a concert as part of his Flying Solo Tour. General admission tickets are $25; VIP tickets are $50. Purchase tickets at slc-atlanta.org/levi-kreis-in-concert. 04.19.2013

ASHLEY KRUIZ FUNDRAISER ATLANTA EAGLE 9 - 11 P.M.

With the recent passing of Ashley Kruiz, one of Atlanta’s most beloved and inﬂuential drag illusionists, Al’Meria RichMan, alongside many other devoted friends and fans, will be hosting an event in her honor. Please show your love and support through donations and the silent auction. Email EaglesManicMondays@gmail.com for any additional information. Read some heartfelt quotes from the community on page 66.

FENUXE.COM : 49

FENUXE

after dark

WEEKLYBARpiCks MONDAY Amsterdam – Industry Night – 9PM Blakeʼs – Family Fued – 11:30 PM Bulldogs – $2 Well Drinks 8PM- 11PM Burkhartʼs – Blue Monday Karaoke – 11:30PM Cockpit – Happy Bear Cocktail Hour – 6-9PM Friends On Ponce – DJ opens at 2PM

Gilberts – 50% off bottle wines 5-11 PM Jungle – Stars of the Century –11PM LeBuzz – Drag Star – 10PM Maryʼs – Industry Night – 5PM Model T – Monday WWII Night Madness – 9PM My Sisterʼs Room – Twisted Sister Karaoke – 8PM

Oscarʼs – Martini Monday Club Sister Louisaʼs Church – Pingpong – 8PM The Hideaway – Domestic Beer Special Trippʼs – Monday Night Madness – 9PM Woofs – Texas Holdʼem Poker – 7:30PM

Friends On Ponce – Letʼs Make A Deal with Ken – 6PM Gilberts – Free pizza for industry members after 10 PM Heretic – Early Country Night - 8PM LeBuzz – No cover charge Oscarʼs – Mardi Gras Party – 8PM

Model T – Pool, Drinks, and More with Michael – 10PM My Sisterʼs Room – Tarot Card Reader – 8PM The Hideaway – Trivia with Will – 9PM Trippʼs – Ladies Night – 9PM Woofs – Industry Day – 10AM to 10PM

Joeʼs on Juniper – Crazy Bitch Bingo – 8PM Jungle – All Star Drag –10PM Las Margaritas – Trivia – 7:30PM LeBuzz – $3 Drink Night, Karaoke Maryʼs – The Honey Pot – 9PM Model T – Karaoke Night – 10PM

My Sisterʼs Room – Karaoke – 8PM Oscarʼs – Reboot Wednesday – 8PM Sister Louisaʼs Church – Church Organ Karaoke – 10PM The Hideaway – Miss Laurenʼs Poker – 7PM Trippʼs – Free Taco Bar – 5PM Woofs – Trivia – 8PM

Gilberts – Wine Tasting $19 – 6:30 – 9:30PM Heretic – Line Dancing – 8PM Jungle – Sing for your life, doors open 8PM start 9PM Joeʼs on Juniper – Trivia – 8PM Las Margaritas – Crazy Bitch Bingo – 7:30PM LeBuzz – Ladies Night – 11PM

Maryʼs – Balls Out Thursdays Theme Night – 9PM Model T – The Social Club Ofﬂine, with Michael – 9PM My Sisterʼs Room – Xplosion – 10PM Oscarʼs – Kick back Thursday – 8PM Tripps – Karaoke – 9PM Woofs – Country Music – 7PM

Gilberts – Brunch 11 AM - 4 PM Heretic – DJ Lydia Prim – 10PM JUNGLE – The other show - 9:30PM LeBuzz – Divas Cabaret – 11PM Maryʼs – Boys Room – 5PM

Model T – Bagels, Brunch - 11AM, Poker night – 8:30PM Oscarʼs – Karaoke – 9PM Trippʼs – Afternoon Delights – 4PM Woofs – TGIF Cocktail Night – 5PM

TUESDAY Amsterdam – Showtunes Evolved – 9pm Blakeʼs – Karaoke – 11PM Burkhartʼs – Trivia Tuesday Karaoke – 11:30PM Bulldogs – $2 Well Drinks 8PM- 11PM Felixs – Karaoke – 10PM

WEDNESDAY Blakeʼs – Lust and Bust show – 11PM Bulldogs – $2 Well Drinks 8PM- 11PM Burkhartʼs – Humpday Karaoke – 11:30PM Friends On Ponce – Trivia with Regina – 8PM Gilberts – Karaoke 10 PM - 2 AM Heretic – The Lohan Experience – 11PM

THURSDAY Blakeʼs – The S Factor/Texas hold em poker – 7:30PM Bulldogs – Get In FREE With Out Of State ID Before 11PM Burkhartʼs – Twisted Thursdays – 11:30PM Cowtippers – Movie Night – 8PM Felixs – Hurricane party 5PM Friends On Ponce – Girls Night Out – 8PM

FRIDAY Blakeʼs – Charlies Angel – 11PM Bulldogs – Back That Vinyl Up - $ Cuervo Silver and Pinnacle whipped shots. Burkhartʼs – The Fab Five – 11:30PM Friends On Ponce – Happy Times with Ken & Kelly

SATURDAY Blakeʼs – Daring Divas – 11PM Bulldogs – Get In FREE With College ID All Night Burkhartʼs – Extravaganza – 11:30PM Felixs – Karaoke – 10PM

Friends On Ponce – Afternoon Funtime with DJ 12-6PM Model T – Texas Hold em Poker – 9PM Jungle – Foreplay with Lily White 9:30PM Trippʼs – Cook out – 3PM LeBuzz – Divas Cabaret – 11PM Maryʼs – Hot Mess Dance Party – 9PM

SUNDAY Amsterdam – Brunch – 11AM Blakeʼs – Open at 1PM, Classic Blakeʼs Bill Berdeaux spins @ 3PM, Darryl Cox @ 7PM, Texas Holdʼem upstairs @ 2 PM Burkhartʼs – The Armorettes – 8PM Friends On Ponce – DJʼs Smirnoff B Mary Bar - 12:30PM 50 : April 11, 2013

Gilbertʼs – Brunch 11AM -4Pm, Karaoke 6:30-11:30 PM Roxx Tavern –Brunch – 11AM The Hideaway – Bloody Mary Bar – 12:30PM Las Margaritas – Brunch – 11AM Trippʼs – BBQ Cook out at 3PM & Karaoke at 7PM Model T – Sunday Dinner with Ron – 3PM MIXX – Grill Out & Beer Bust – 4PM | Old School Sunday Dance – 7PM

FENUXE.COM : 51

WHorosCoPEs : 4/11 - 4/24

FENUXE

after dark

what music lyric sums up your creepy ex?

ARIES [mAr. 21 – Apr. 19]

“When there’s no one else in sight in the crowded lonely night, I wait so long for my love vibration and I’m dancing with myself.” - Billy Idol.

Taurus [Apr. 20 – mAY 20]

“I had to follow you though you did not want me to, but that won’t stop my lovin’ you. I can’t stay away.” - the Beegees

GemIni [mAY 21 – Jun. 22]

“There’s no one left to ﬁnger.” - Sarah McLachlan.

CANCER [Jun. 21 – Jul. 22]

“every breath you take, every move you make: I’ll be watching you.” - the Police.

LEO [Jul. 23 – Aug. 22]

“I’m a creep. I’m a weirdo. What the hell am I doing here?” - Radiohead.

virgo [Aug. 23 – sept. 22] My windows look into your bathroom where I spend the evening watching you get yourself clean.” - tegan and Sara.

libra [sept. 23 – oCt. 22]

“What I got, I gotta get it, put it in you!” - Red Hot Chili Peppers.

scorpio [oCt. 23 – nov. 22]

“Weee bop bah doh doh doh! I’m the scatman!” - Scatman John.

SAGITTARIUS [nov. 23 – deC. 21]

“If I was invisible, then I could just watch you in your room.” - Clay Aiken.

Capricorn [deC. 22 – JAn. 19]

“A kick in the teeth is good for some, but a kiss with a ﬁst is better than none.” - Florence + the Machine.

AQUARIUS [JAn. 20 – Feb. 18] “Private eyes. they’re watching you! they see your every move.” - Hall & oates

PISCES [Feb. 19 – mAr. 20]

“I want your soul, I will eat your soul! Come to Daddy!” Aphex twin. 52 : March 28, 2013

Renovations & Handyman Services

404-583-2212 www.builderbob.com

Kitchen and Bathroom Specialist General Home Repairs Ceramic Tile & Stone Painting & Trim Work

Jeffery Johnston jeff@builderbob.com

FENUXE.COM : 53

FENUXE

after dark

Holler Poodles!! I want to take some time to acknowledge the passing of an icon in the drag community. Professionally, Ashley Kruiz was always perfection! The first time I saw her was at a club here called Lavitas. I remember her wearing a dark pinstriped suit with red bugle beading for the stripes. She was stunning! And every time she stepped on stage, she was stunning. Everything (hair, jewelry, makeup, costume etc.) was always on point! Period! You never saw anything less than her best! In trying to teach newer queens the standard I was looking for in glamour, she was always one of the examples I used. She had an attention to detail only seen with national titleholders like herself. To look at her, you would think she was a woman--an hourglass silhouette, cleavage, perfect makeup, wardrobe for the gods and always a perfect manicure. But that was the magic of Ashley and her art--she literally put all of those things on and took them back off for each of her performances. Ashley was the epitome of an illusionist--a male who could transform into a female right before your eyes.

Personally, Ashley was always a delight! She gave of her time and talents every time I did a benefit and always with a smile. Ashley was quick to laugh, loved her a good ole pageant (whether competing or reminiscing) and was a good friend to countless queens across the country. I was lucky to work with Ashley but even luckier to call her a friend. As evidenced by the outpouring of love on social media, Ashley had many friends all over the world and made each one feel special. She will be sorely missed by us all! Love and lashes, MEP

Mary Edith Pitts If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please contact me at maryedith99@gmail.com

54 : April 11, 2013

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FENUXE OUTPHOTOS

after dark

ASHLEY KRUIZ MEMORIAL SHOW 04.03.2013 • Burkhart’s Pub Mr. Charlie Brown, Shavonna B. Brooks, and Angelica D’Paige hosted a special show to honor the life of local drag icon Ashley Kruiz, who passed on March 31.