YOU MATTER AND SO DOES YOUR HEALTH
That’s why starting and staying on HIV-1 treatment is so important.
What is DESCOVY ?
What are the other possible side effects of DESCOVY?
DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. DESCOVY combines 2 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day. Because DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1, it must be used together with other HIV-1 medicines.
Serious side effects of DESCOVY may also include:
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DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking DESCOVY. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about DESCOVY? DESCOVY may cause serious side effects: •
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Buildup of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold (especially in your arms and legs), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.
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Changes in body fat, which can happen in people taking HIV-1 medicines. Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking DESCOVY. Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY if you develop new or worse kidney problems. Bone problems, such as bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.
The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking DESCOVY? •
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Serious liver problems. The liver may become large and fatty. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turning yellow (jaundice); dark “tea-colored” urine; lightcolored bowel movements (stools); loss of appetite; nausea; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.
All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. All the medicines you take, including prescription and overthe-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how DESCOVY works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take DESCOVY with all of your other medicines. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if DESCOVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking DESCOVY.
You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking DESCOVY for a long time. In some cases, lactic acidosis and serious liver problems have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions.
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Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.
Please see Important Facts about DESCOVY, including important warnings, on the following page.
Ask your healthcare provider if an HIV-1 treatment that contains DESCOVY® is right for you.
IMPORTANT FACTS (des-KOH-vee)
This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY
DESCOVY may cause serious side effects, including:
DESCOVY can cause serious side effects, including:
• Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold (especially in your arms and legs), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.
• Those in the “Most Important Information About DESCOVY” section. • Changes in body fat. • Changes in your immune system. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems.
• Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark “tea-colored” urine; loss of appetite; light-colored bowel movements (stools); nausea; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking DESCOVY. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.
You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking DESCOVY or a similar medicine for a long time.
ABOUT DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others.
The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea.
These are not all the possible side effects of DESCOVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking DESCOVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with DESCOVY.
BEFORE TAKING DESCOVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical condition. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with DESCOVY.
GET MORE INFORMATION HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine that is taken with other HIV-1 medicines. • Take DESCOVY with or without food.
• This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. • Go to DESCOVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit DESCOVY.com for program information.
DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0019 11/16
GEORGIANEWS
Georgia lawyers rally to help transgender community post-election Pro bono services available in anticipation of Trump repeal of trans protections
known firm. But we’ve also seen judges who are sympathetic to the name change but might, for whatever reason, feel it is not in keeping with the spirit of the law or public opinion outside the metro area. In these areas, we’ve had good success with litigators who know how to navigate the process without calling unnecessary attention to their client’s case. A lot of times this means having a lawyer who regularly practices before the judge and can use their credibility to help their client. I had this occur recently in a rural, north Georgia county. I knew the judge and although it was clear he was uncomfortable with the case, he made the comment to me: ‘If someone wants to change the name their parents gave them, who am I to say no?’”
By ROBBIE MEDWED Shortly after the presidential election, the hashtag #TransLawHelp began to pop up on Twitter and other social media sites. The tag, originally coined by a user by the name of Riley, was a quick effort to match transgender Americans with lawyers to help them secure proper documentation and ID before the Trump administration took office. Because Trump himself has hinted at a near-definite repeal of many of President Obama’s LGBT-inclusive executive orders, many trans and gender non-conforming people began working to obtain or change government documents to align with proper gender markers and name information while they still had the relative ease of doing so. Users put out the call on social media and lawyers and web developers from across the country stepped up to donate their services, including Amanda Seals Bersinger, an attorney with Bondurant Mixson & Elmore here in Georgia. “I raised my hand to spearhead the effort in Georgia because I felt sure I could quickly rally enough folks eager to help to cover the need here,” Bersinger told Georgia Voice. Over 40 Georgia lawyers signed up so far Bersinger has been able to quickly rally other lawyers to the cause. Over 40 Georgia lawyers signed up to provide pro bono services to any trans or gender non-conforming Georgian in need, representing many of Atlanta’s bigname firms including Bondurant Mixson & Elmore, Akin & Tate, Alston & Bird, Greenberg Traurig and others. Trans Law Help has signed up about a dozen trans clients so far. The group’s primary focus is helping trans individuals secure a passport and other legal documents that reflect their gender identity. To ensure competent care and assistance, Bersinger’s law firm hosted a training for lawyers and other legal professionals conducted by TransForm. www.thegeorgiavoice.com
Amanda Seals Bersinger of Bondurant Mixson & Elmore (l) and Matthew Wilson of Akin & Tate (r) are two of several Georgia lawyers helping transgender individuals pro bono. (Courtesy photos)
“From my perspective, the thing that has impressed me most about this effort has been how many people want to help and how eager they are to help. It’s been so encouraging, especially in an otherwise uncertain time for marginalized communities.” —Amanda Seals Bersinger, attorney at Bondurant Mixson & Elmore “Because a passport can serve as photo identification, proof of age and also proof of citizenship, it’s an especially valuable piece of identification, even for folks who have no intention of traveling abroad,” Bersinger said. “For example, they establish both identity and employment authorization, as required for an I-9 form, so they help people avoid ‘outing’ themselves in employment, but also in other sensitive situations where it might not be safe for trans folks to be out, they might expose themselves to discrimination if they’re out or they might otherwise not want to be out, for whatever reason. “A change in United States State Department policy that took effect in 2010 means that trans Americans can obtain a passport reflecting their current (binary) gender so long as they have a certification from a physician confirming that they have had clinical treatment determined to be appropriate in their individual case to facilitate gender transition,” Bersinger added. “This supplanted the State
Department’s earlier policy, which required documentation of sex reassignment surgery. We’re encouraging folks to move quickly on the passport issue also because that State Department policy could change by executive order under the new administration.” Though it’s not necessary to have a lawyer to obtain a passport with proper identification details, changing gender markers in Georgia can be an incredibly complicated process which requires proof of a “surgical procedure,” and it can be very helpful to have knowledgeable lawyers on board. Matthew Wilson, a lawyer with Akin & Tate P.C., recounted an amusing moment from a recent court appearance in Augusta: “The client was seeking a name change and the judge seemed very skeptical. When the lawyers began and it was revealed that they were from Alston & Bird, the judge said, ‘We’ve got two Atlanta lawyers here today just for a name change?’ The judge ultimately granted the name change and I’m pretty sure it’s because the lawyers were from such a well-
Connecting trans clients with lawyers surprisingly fast It isn’t always that simple, though. In Georgia, a name change must take place in a court and it often takes longer than the gender change process. Those wishing to change their legal name must advertise in a local paper for at least 30 days before the court will process the request, and the change can still take up to 90 days. Because there are so many individual details to look after, having a knowledgeable lawyer can bring an incredible advantage. In a world known for paperwork, hourly billing and procedural red tape, the effort to connect trans clients with lawyers has been surprisingly fast. Once an individual contacts Trans Law Help, a call goes out to the network of lawyers and the client is matched, often in less than half an hour. From there, Bersinger and the other coordinators step back and the volunteer attorney takes over. Bersinger’s certainly proud of her efforts and the willingness of so many from the law community to step up and help. “From my perspective, the thing that has impressed me most about this effort has been how many people want to help and how eager they are to help,” she said. “It’s been so encouraging, especially in an otherwise uncertain time for marginalized communities. And so that’s been ‘fun,’ I guess, in that it’s just so damn good to see so many people so eager to do the right thing.” Those in need of assistance can visit translawhelp.org or email Amanda Seals Bersinger directly at bersinger@bmelaw.com. January 6, 2017 News 5
GEORGIANEWS
Georgia’s LGBT legislators prepare for 2017 General Assembly session Healthcare, anti-bullying and conversion therapy bans on the potential legislative agenda By DALLAS DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com There’s an air of anticipation in downtown Atlanta this month as the 2017 General Assembly session gets underway. “With the addition of [Rep. Sam Park (D-Lawrenceville)] and I this legislative session, we’re representing over 200,000 individuals not only in DeKalb and Fulton counties, but also Gwinnett County,” said Rep. Park Cannon (D-Atlanta). “Our reach is larger and our voice is larger.” Park and Cannon join fellow LGBT legislators Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and Rep. Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) this year, another link in a chain of triumphs. 2016 had several legislative victories for the LGBT community, including the veto of House Bill 757 and the inclusion of HIV care funding in the appropriations for Grady Hospital, and the four legislators are excited and cautiously optimistic for what this year will bring. Not only do Park and Cannon represent Georgia’s LGBT communities, but they represent other minority groups as well. Park is the only Asian-American in the General Assembly, and Cannon is a woman of color. Park hopes to represent the voices of minorities, while doing “anything and everything” to ensure bills serve the best interests of all Peach State citizens. “I’m very hopeful in that the millennials in our generation, also those coming after us, have a different understanding and view. When all is said and done, regardless of our differences, we’re all people. We’re all neighbors. We’re all Georgians,” Park said. ‘A healthcare crisis’ in middle and south Georgia “I think there are a lot of opportunities for us as Georgia Democrats to move our legislative agenda forward. There’s also an opportunity to better define ourselves in terms of the Democratic Party, who we are as a party
There are serious concerns among Georgia’s four LGBT state lawmakers about a return of so-called “religious freedom” legislation. (File photo)
“When all is said and done, regardless of our differences, we’re all people. We’re all neighbors. We’re all Georgians.” —Rep. Sam Park (D-Lawrenceville) and what we stand for,” Park said. “The LGBT issues are an essential, critical part of our legislative agenda and party platform, being that we are the party of Sam Park inclusiveness.” He believes the General Assembly should place focus on what he calls “a healthcare crisis,” where 15 hospitals in middle and south Georgia are in a state of collapse. He hopes both parties will push for passage of the Bed Tax this session, which pools money from larger hospitals based on their number of indigent patients and brings matching federal funds.
“That pool of money then gets distributed down to some of these hospitals that have larger indigent populations, such as Grady,” he said. Even Republican lawmakers expressed concern that some of those funds are going to consulting fees and not directly to the hospitals they’re designed to benefit, said Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality. “I do believe the Legislature is going to have to address this in some substantial way this year,” he said. “It may not be the conversations about Medicaid expansion that six months ago I had anticipated that they would be, but there will be conversations that will be happening and we will continue to make sure that whatever policy decisions get made, that we will do our best to ensure that it does help members of the LGBT community and people living with HIV.”
Bathroom bills, bullying and conversion therapy ban Graham said a major worry this year is direct attacks on the transgender community. “Unlike lesbian, gay and bisexual folks, that most people have a coworker or a family member or a close friend … the experience of transgender people are still a bit more remote for the average Georgian,” he said. “While [North CaroliJeff Graham na’s anti-LGBT] House Bill 2 has proven to be a cautionary tale that I do hope may have tempered some of the reactionary
6 News January 6, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
“You can’t disengage now. Because if you don’t show up, you may wake up and we may be worse than North Carolina. You have to continue to be vigilant about what’s going on, knowing that our war for equality continues.” —Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates)
There was a massive response to last year’s anti-LGBT House Bill 757, which Gov. Nathan Deal eventually vetoed. (File photo)
forces, again, going into an election year, you can talk about an issue without actually having a goal to pass legislation, and still have the effect of stigmatizing people.” So far, the only pre-filed bill directly affecting LGBT individuals is House Bill 16. Waites said Georgia has plenty of legislation about bullying, but none combat the issue. HB 16 puts measures in place that address bullying based on sexual identity and gender, plus collect and assess bullying statistics. “You want to track real progress, you need a measuring system to measure by,” Waites said. “You can’t just say, ‘this kid is bullied.’ You have to say ‘this child is African-American and is bullied on race; on gender; on he’s morbidly obese.’ We can direct sensitivity training on those issues.” The bill received a hearing in 2016. Waites has another bill up her sleeve for 2017, which relates to banning conversion therapy in Georgia. “It’s my belief, based on the findings, that conversion therapy does not work. It is my belief we have a right to protect children Keisha Waites from these types of practices. It is my belief that they hide behind the guise of religious organizations,” she said. “I believe [the bill] will receive a hearing.” Though Cannon and Park did not announce any proposed bills for their first full session, Waites offered words of advice for the two legislators: get bipartisan support on everything, and care not about “who the quarterback is” on a bill. “You may not get it passed, but it’s not uncommon for them to take your language www.thegeorgiavoice.com
and add it to a bill,” she said. “My point is that you can start out a session having gotten nothing done, but if someone takes your bill and rolls it into another bill, you will be amazed at the things you get done even if you’re not the quarterback.” The elephant under the Gold Dome Though Park and Cannon expressed excitement for the upcoming session, Drenner appeared more cautious. “I think my excitement is frequently dulled by the anticipation of the forthcoming negativity,” she said. “I’m thankful to be there, but it comes as a double-edged kind of thankfulness.” Karla Drenner That’s due in part to the religious freedom bills, or RFRA, introduced across the country in recent years. Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed HB 757 last session, an attempt made by conservative legislators to pass such a bill here. Cannon believes the push for religious freedom bills stems from people being committed to their families, and she responded in kind over the holiday season, thanking legislators who voted against HB 757 for allowing the time with her family to not be soured. “One of the issues I’m hearing about in the community is that people feel as though from the national level to the state level, they won’t be listened to anymore. That those overreaching voices of hate will come into their homes and will tear up what they’ve created, which is a family of love,” Cannon said. “We all want to make sure that there’s someone in our govern-
ment who is listening. I’ve been excited to stay in touch with legislators, to remind them that listening is a part of our job.” Park challenged the faith and LGBT Park Cannon communities to come together and discuss not just the politics of religious freedom bills, but to understand how the culture of hatred and fear came to be in the first place. Cannon agreed, and said the conversations also need to happen with schools, healthcare and other organizations. She said the LGBT communities “are feeling stifled … almost silenced” because of the national rhetoric and the president-elect’s platform, and advised legislators to conduct town hall sessions about LGBT rights. “See what comes up,” she said. “If it’s more than just the continued rhetoric about frustration; about pastors having to marry other people; or if it’s really about civil rights protections, I do feel as though if we continue to listen to people enough we will see that across the state of Georgia, there is no need for discrimination to be signed into law.” Park believes the appetite for anti-LGBT bills is diminished, and said he hopes Georgia won’t see any in 2017, especially given what happened after North Carolina passed House Bill 2. “I think the impact of a bill like [a religious freedom act] would be much greater than what we saw in North Carolina,” he said, referencing Georgia’s budding film and television industry. “We saw these industries would feel uncomfortable and unwelcome in a state that passed such legislation. Not only would we be wasting hundreds of millions of dollars that we spent trying to foster this industry, any potential business that we would create in Georgia, whether that’s jobs or bringing additional business into the state, that would be diminished as well.” ‘The fight’s not over’ All four of Georgia’s LGBT delegation said if the Pastor Protection Act — the first
form of HB 757 — was introduced again, as originally written, it would be supported. “It was a compromise bill that both parties had to come to agree to. It would not have resulted in harm to the LGBT community, and it addressed some of the fears that came from the faith community and assuring them that they would not be required to perform same-sex marriage,” Park said. Graham said he was moved in hearings when listening to pastors worry aloud that they would be locked up for not wanting to marry a same-sex couple. “I don’t want people to be afraid of me. People are stirring up fear where it’s not founded. I don’t want those people to feel like they’re going to be discriminated against any more than I want the LGBT community to be discriminated against,” he said. Graham expressed interest in helping legislators develop a comprehensive civil rights bill for Georgia that would balance protection for all parties. Waites said it was important to her to allow people to “believe their beliefs.” “I believe there was nothing in the existing Pastor Protection Act, that we all supported, that would be mean-spirited toward LGBT people in its existing language. However, it changed. Once it changed and other language was added to the bill, that’s when I made a decision, as did others, to not support 757,” she said. Drenner said despite the 2016 veto, there’s still concern from all levels of government that discriminatory legislation could be introduced. She had a direct message to the LGBT community, reminding them this is just the beginning. “The fight’s not over,” Drenner said. “There is this third wave of bills that are being introduced across the country and they are the backlash against same-sex marriage. You can’t disengage now. Because if you don’t show up, you may wake up and we may be worse than North Carolina. You have to continue to be vigilant about what’s going on, knowing that our war for equality continues.” Georgia Voice Editor Patrick Saunders contributed to this story. January 6, 2017 News 7
NEWSBRIEFS The Gentlemen’s Foundation, ‘Ellen’ respond to anti-LGBT remarks made by gospel singer Gospel singer and pastor Kim Burrell, who was scheduled to appear alongside Pharrell Williams on the Jan. 5 episode of “Ellen,” was removed from the line-up after an anti-LGBT sermon she preached in Houston, Texas circulated online. Burrell referred to “that perverted homosexual spirit” in her sermon, which also encouraged her cheering audience to “spit on” homosexuals that “say you got to love everybody.” She also said Eddie Long, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, was “an embarrassment to the Church.” Long was previously accused by Kim Burrell four former male congregation members of engaging them in sexual acts as teenagers. Atlanta organization The Gentlemen’s Foundation, which promotes and celebrates gay, bisexual and transgender men of color, released a statement condemning Burrell’s remarks and use of her church to spread discriminatory messages. “While we know that this type of hate against our community is due to many years of forced religious thoughts, beliefs and practices that continue to seek to make us less than human, we must all still be responsible for the implications our words can have on others,” the group said in the statement, dated Jan. 3. “We understand and even have compassion for anyone who holds this type of hate in their hearts, but ignorance is never an excuse for demeaning and/or belittling anyone.” Gee Smalls, the foundation’s co-founder and vice chairman, said Burrell has been invited to meet with them and other faith leaders of color “to be schooled about love, especially as the Bible really teaches.” Clinical trials for injectable PrEP treatment get underway Human trials for an injectable form of pre-exposure prophylaxis, known as PrEP, are now underway. PrEP, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a way for people
State Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) vows to continue the fight for a ‘religious freedom’ bill despite reportedly losing a crucial leadership position. (File photo)
at risk of getting HIV to prevent it by taking a daily pill, known by its retail name Truvada. “When taken consistently, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are at high risk by up to 92 percent,” the CDC states. “PrEP is much less effective if it is not taken consistently.” In an effort to combat that inconsistency, the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases launched a “large-scale clinical trial of a long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention” on Dec. 20. The study looks at whether regular, eightweek injections of the drug cabotegravir can protect individuals from contracting HIV as well as Truvada. “Taking a daily pill while feeling healthy can be difficult for some people,” Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the institute, said in a release. “If Dr. Anthony S. Fauci proven effective, injectable cabotegravir has the potential to become an acceptable, discreet and convenient alternative for HIV prevention.” For the first five weeks of the study, participants will take two daily tablets: a placebo pill and either Truvada or cabotegravir. Starting in week six, participants in the Truvada group
will receive Truvada pills and placebo injections; and vice-versa for the cabotegavir group. Neither participants nor researchers will know who is in which study group until the end. Results of the research, which has a sample size of 4,500 men and transwomen who have sex with men, will be published in 2021. Later this year, a second cabotegravir study will begin in Africa to test the drug’s safety and efficacy in young women. State senator aims to continue ‘religious freedom’ bill push despite loss of leadership position The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported just before the end of 2016 that Georgia’s Senate Republican Caucus met in a closeddoor meeting to discuss merging its two judiciary committees. If the merger is approved during the first week of the legislative session, it means Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) will likely not be the chairman. McKoon served as the chairman of the civil matters judiciary committee and is well-known as a staunch supporter of “religious freedom” bills at the state level. Some could see the move as a sign that the chances of another such bill coming up this year dropped significantly Despite the potential loss of a leadership role, and its implications on bills he backs, McKoon said he has no plans to give up. “My work will continue regardless of the committee assignments I receive,” he told the AJC.
8 News January 6, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
Outspoken “Of the numerous reactions to the election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, one of the common ones that emerged was a desire to get more involved in the electoral process, whether through a new or rededicated commitment to LGBT activism or an entry into politics. That same reaction was felt here with the Georgia Voice staff.”
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10 Outspoken January 6, 2017
New year brings fresh changes at Georgia Voice By PATRICK SAUNDERS Of the numerous reactions to the election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, one of the common ones that emerged was a desire to get more involved in the electoral process, whether through a new or rededicated commitment to LGBT activism or an entry into politics. That same reaction was felt here with the Georgia Voice staff. For me personally, it made me think about what kind of role I want to have in the conversation going forward. What opportunities were there within my grasp that I could utilize to report on and speak out for Georgia’s LGBT community? For my community. On that note, some of you may have noticed the “interim editor” tag on my title for the past few months. It’s a position that I’ve resisted pursuing for one reason or another, a major one being that I wanted to stay in the thick of things on the ground as the lead reporter for Georgia Voice. But circumstances have changed. That being said, I’m honored to be the next editor of Georgia Voice. It’s a position I promise you I will never take lightly, and I’m grateful to Tim Boyd and Chris Cash for giving me the opportunity. I also promise to stay just as deep in the thick of things as before, albeit in a different capacity. And I promise you that we will, to the best of our abilities, tell the stories of everyone in our community. Intersectionality is not a concept I take lightly, and I am well aware of my privilege as a white, cisgender gay man. With this change will come others that I
hope you’ll be as excited about as I am. First off, of course, is introducing our new deputy editor, Dallas Duncan. Dallas is an excellent reporter who we’re very excited to have on board, and if you haven’t met her yet, you’re sure to in the coming weeks and months. We’re also expanding our reach by adding new distribution points for our bi-weekly print product – so yes, we have heard you, OTP folks, and you’ll be able to pick up the latest copy of Georgia Voice near you soon. We’ll also be making some changes to our online product in the weeks ahead, some more significant than others, but all done in order to make your experience a better and more efficient one. We’re also working on new ways to bring you more innovative, interactive coverage via social media, so keep an eye out for that. And get ready to see a lot more use of video
in our coverage as well. And now that we have a full editorial staff again, we’re ready again to bring you the hardhitting, in-depth stories and breaking news you’ve come to expect from us – not to mention the A&E, community and other news you’ve told us you enjoy. That means Jim Farmer will continue to bring you the best theater, film and events coverage and Cliff Bostock will continue to give you the scoop on the city’s dining scene. Like hearing opinions? Our featured columnists Melissa Carter, Ryan Lee, Ashleigh Atwell, Simon Williamson and Bill Kaelin are bringing it hard again in 2017. Lastly, we want to hear from you. What’s got you fired up? What can we do better? What’s your story? Let me know by sending an email to editor@thegavoice.com. It’s a new year with new opportunities. Let’s tackle them together. www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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IN THE MARGINS
Creepoftheweek
By Ashleigh Atwell
Jesse Lee Peterson creates new Dyke spaces must evolve to survive definition of common sense Ashleigh Atwell is a queer lesbian writer and organizer born and raised in Atlanta, GA.
“Lesbian history isn’t recorded and revered like that of gay men. While gay spaces have been able to maintain their focus and identity, lesbian spaces get diluted by outsiders.” For the past two years, I have had the honor of leading the Dyke March at Atlanta Pride and I look forward to doing so in some capacity as long as my legs stay in working order. Leading that march is important to me because it is one of the few times that I actually feel like there’s a space for me as a woman that loves other women. I crave spaces that center on women lovin’ women, and apparently I’m not alone. Recently, Slate posted a series of articles by lesbian writers in which a few of them lamented the demise of lesbian-centered spaces. Older lesbian writers lamented the disappearance of the spaces that welcomed them when they came out in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. In her article, Bonnie J. Davis worried that “as we advance further into the 21st century, we are witnessing the almost flippant dismissal of recent, late 20th-century lesbian culture, particularly the loss of physical sites such as women’s bookstores and women’s music festivals and their material legacies (books, journals, albums, tapes, magazine interviews with artists).” Other articles in the series expressed similar sentiments and they make plenty of valid points. Lesbian history isn’t recorded and revered like that of gay men. While gay spaces have been able to maintain their focus and identity, lesbian spaces get diluted by outsiders. Our businesses are disappearing at an alarming rate across the country. Atlanta doesn’t have much of a lesbian scene. Our nightlife consists of My Sister’s Room and a few independent party promoters. The closest thing we have to a daytime meeting spot is Charis Books. Still, there’s an aspect of this discussion that irritates me. 12 Outspoken January 6, 2017
As these writers reminisce about the good ole days, their writing implies that the younger generation isn’t doing enough to preserve the culture. There’s an implication that since millennial same-gender loving women don’t feel required to call themselves lesbians, it’s a rejection of dyke culture. This belief is held by scores of older lesbians and reeks of the old right wingers that complain about safe spaces and frankly, it gets on my nerves. I want dyke culture to survive but in order for that to happen, we can’t get set in our ways. One article mentioned that young activists have critiqued the Michigan Womyn’s Festival without noting that the event has come under fire for only being open to “womynborn womyn,” implying that transwomen aren’t real women. Lesbian spaces are notoriously biphobic and concepts like being a “gold star” preserve the idea that some women are more lesbian than thou. This type of thinking is awfully exclusionary and it’s no wonder that younger women are turned off. As long as this type of behavior continues, you can bet your Birkenstocks that dyke spaces are going to die. Rather than trying to resurrect dyke culture of old, we need to focus on making something new and better. We need to make sure bisexual, queer and transgender women feel welcomed. We need to make a concerted effort to not only support older businesses but encourage the creation of new ones. Elders, make sure you talk to us youngins so we can know our history and be able to pass it on to those coming behind us. If we aren’t willing to change, these eulogies to dyke culture are just another set of empty words floating around the internet.
By D’ANNE WITKOWSKI When author Jesse Lee Peterson said on news radio WINA’s “The Schilling Show” that LGBT rights were “evil” and are basically ruining everything, it was hardly his first time bashing gays. Speaking to host Rob Schilling on Dec. 15, Peterson bemoaned the advancement in LGBT rights over the last eight years, proclaiming it an attack on “man and woman.” “(T)he children of the lie, they are pushing for no gender. They don’t want you to identify as a man or as a woman,” he said. The “children of the lie” refers, duh, to LGBT people and their supporters. And apparently the Homosexual Agenda now includes mandatory androgyny. I wish right-wingers would stop adding to our agenda. First we wanted to destroy “traditional marriage,” now we want to destroy “man and woman?” But what it all comes down to is, of course, bathrooms. “We need to realize that once you give evil power by letting it have its way, it will destroy you. It will destroy you personally, it will destroy your family, it will destroy your community and your country, and that’s what
it’s been doing especially in the last eight years,” Peterson says. “It’s just been out of control, to a point that they are pushing men and women Jesse Lee Peterson that are confused about their identities to go into whatever bathroom of choice. That’s not even common sense, you know that has to be evil.” Ah. So if something isn’t “common sense,” it must be evil. Got it. Thank goodness “common sense” is never shaped by faulty logic and/or prejudice. Look, if a trans man or woman uses the restroom that best corresponds to their gender, penises and vaginas everywhere don’t suddenly transform into the rippleless geography of Barbie and Ken. Just like marriage equality didn’t ruin the sanctity of marriage, trans people emptying their bladders and bowels isn’t going to ruin the sanctity of public restrooms. But please, regardless of your gender identity, wash your hands and don’t forget to flush. That’s just common sense.
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Natural Body Spa and Shop keeps it fresh 30 years in Lesbian-owned spa and skincare “We constantly have to products store continues reinvent ourselves and expansion throughout Southeast move with the times By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com It’s a sunny Friday morning at Natural Body Spa and Shop in Morningside and business is brisk. Customers mill about the retail portion of the store browsing the latest skincare products while others are checking their phones in the nail salon as they get manicures and pedicures. Before long, in walks Cici Coffee, owner and operator of Natural Body since the business’ humble beginnings in this very same neighborhood nearly 30 years ago. A tour of the property reveals a dramatic scene change as one makes their way from the bright, active retail portion back through wooden doors into the dimly lit, tranquil 13-room spa area, which takes up most of the nearly 4,200-square foot facility. But flash back to 1989 and take a few steps across the street and you would have been standing in the first Natural Body location, a 1,000-square-foot retail store with just two treatment rooms in back. Companies like Estée Lauder ruled the skincare world and people had barely heard of Kiehl’s, AnneMarie Borlind and other brands Natural Body offered. But customers loved testing out the products, doing makeup applications and learning how to take care of their skin. “The demand for those services – because nobody else was doing it in town – was just crazy,” Coffee told Georgia Voice. Within a year they moved across the street into the current location. “We brought a lot of lines with us and now they’re complete stores,” Coffee told Georgia Voice. “We constantly have to reinvent ourselves and move with the times and stay fresh and relevant.”
and stay fresh and relevant.” —Natural Body Spa and Shop owner Cici Coffee Natural Body would move into its next phase of growth as the eyes of the world turned toward Atlanta. Sumo wrestlers, saunas and success When organizers of the 1996 Summer Olympics decided to have a day spa in the Athletes’ Village for the first time in the Games’ 100-year history, they turned to Natural Body. The palette they were given to make it come to life? The Georgia Tech football team’s locker room. “We put two blow-up Jacuzzis in the middle of the locker room. We wiped the old wooden lockers down with tea tree and orange essential oils because it smelled,” Coffee said laughing. The athletes ate it up. “We did not have one minute to squeeze somebody in. It was fun.” And the saunas and steam cabinets they lined up in the bathroom gained quick fans from the Far East. “Sumo wrestlers were packed into our saunas,” Coffee said. “It was a hoot.” It also garnered the business press attention nationwide, positioning them to take the next step – franchising. They soon got up to 20 locations nationwide. The recession hit years later and Natural Body wasn’t spared, as several locations closed their doors. But they’ve rebounded in recent years and are back up to 12 spas and three nail bars in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee, with
Natural Body Spa and Shop owner Cici Coffee opened the first location in Morningside in 1989. (Photo by Patrick Saunders)
paperwork close to being signed on a new spa in Alpharetta. One aspect of the business that’s continued to attract customers is the commitment to environmental sustainability – “natural” isn’t in the business name for nothing. For example, they use recycled school bus tires for the flooring in the spa area, which has more than one benefit. “The therapists love it because it’s easy on their backs, and it also grabs sound,” Coffee said. And the business’ Brookhaven location was the first platinum LEED-certified spa in the US. “We’ve always been about people, planet, profit. Trying to always stay true to sustainability, doing as much as we can for our staff and for the community while still maintaining profitability. We try to balance those as equally as we can. That’s what’s gotten us close to 30 years in now,” Coffee explained. Coffee and the Natural Body team know they have to constantly stay in tune with their customers’ needs and with the latest
developments in the skincare and spa treatment worlds in order to make it another 30 years. But it’s a challenge they welcome. “I get turned on by that for sure. And as I age too it’s like, what am I looking for? I want the most aggressive skincare line out there that’s still going to honor our brand standards, which is not tested on animals, no toxic ingredients, the companies are looking at ways they can package differently and be more sustainable,” Coffee said. “We’ve been able to stay true to that as our clients age, and now we’re starting to see their kids. How do we stay relevant to what the next generation is looking for? They enjoy that a company has a mission, so my goal is just to make sure that the next layer of staff is able to hold onto that and tell the story of a LEED platinum location and what we went through to try and achieve that award, and what’s it meant to be here for almost 30 years. So as long as I can keep telling the story and they are comfortable relaying that story, I think that the next generation will really dig what we try to do as our mission.”
14 Community January 6, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
Health&HIV
Love, hope, success, family, security.
By JD Davids
HIV activist basics for the Trump era JD Davids is the managing editor of HIV/AIDS resource TheBody.com. Find him on Twitter @JDatTheBody.
“In this uncertainty, I encourage us to go with what we know: ourselves.”
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Regardless of where we sit – or where we toss and turn – during these long nights since the United States presidential election, many of us are wondering what we can do to take care of ourselves and each other, and how we can even hold our gains in the HIV epidemic, much less prevent the loss of significant ground. I’m working with HIV activist Jennifer Johnson Avril on a new effort called #ActivistBasics, which draws from the rich history and present-day efforts of HIV and other activist movements to provide tools, information and inspiration for our present and coming struggles. Here are some ideas that we’re talking about in our #ActivistBasics effort: Just as I have reached out to comrades and loved ones, asking, “What are we doing? What should I do?,” others have reached out to me. In this uncertainty, I encourage us to go with what we know: ourselves. What do you know about your strengths, your skills, your drive? In what areas do you feel confident, and how can you bring that together with the areas in which you hope to grow? Make a list of your skills and qualities, your areas of interest and those about which you are curious, and bring that self-knowledge to take your seat in our coming efforts for HIV justice. There’s going to be a lot to do, and no one person can do it all, so go with what feels productive and important to you. Make a list of what current initiatives and groups appeal to you. Then put them into a two-by-two grid. There are four boxes in a two-by-two grid: one for efforts that are easier for you and may have the most impact, one for those that are easy but www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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may have less impact, plus one each for harder efforts that have more or less impact. That can help you decide where to start first – probably something in the box of things that are easier to do and have a greater possible impact. You don’t have to go it alone. I encourage people to start an “affinity group,” a cluster of two to eight people you already know and trust who are dedicated to supporting each other. Whether you all work on different efforts and come together to replenish at a weekly potluck dinner, or whether you decide to join a group and work together to make sure you can get to the meetings and events, you’ll have this base to come home to in the long struggle ahead. Pulling together #ActivistBasics isn’t just a way for me to feel useful. It’s the result of me going through the very process I’ve just recommended – looking at my skills, resources, realities and passions to determine what will help me connect with my past, calm my breath in the present and get ready to face the future. It is an honor to work in the HIV community, and I welcome your ideas, your strategies and your collaboration. January 6, 2017 Health & Fitness 15
Health&Fitness
Find a fun fitness solution that will stick in 2017 Hot yoga, pole fitness and aerial sports open to adventurous Atlantans By DALLAS DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com This year, resolve to do something different than trying to stick to the same workout routine that hasn’t stuck the last three years you tried it. “It’s a new year and you are reminded that you’ve got a new opportunity to reconnect with some goals that you probably already have,” said Becky Nickerson, owner of Infinity Yoga Atlanta. “The ancient yoga texts tell us that our souls, our deeper selves, are infinite … but there is this mortality on the other side that our bodies have. They are finite and we do need to make goals for them so we can pursue more joy in our lives and less fear.” One way to do that is hitting the yoga mat. But if the traditional namaste isn’t your style, Nickerson’s studio offers hot Infinity Flow and vinyasa yoga classes, which take place in rooms between 85 and 95 degrees. “You’ll get a good sweat going,” Nickerson said. “I always bring a towel and water and make sure I’m hydrated. I usually look like I went swimming.” Nickerson advises students to have a basic knowledge of poses before registering for hot yoga. “Not that they’re really hard, we’re just moving through them really quickly. So when the instructor says we’re going to Warrior II … you already know the general geography of the pose,” she said. Hot yoga encourages the body to stay hydrated. Intense sweating invites increased water consumption, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adequate water stabilizes body temperature, lubricates joints and helps rid the body of waste. Nickerson said added benefits of heat include ease of flexibility, allowing people to go deeper into their poses. The style developed from Bikram yoga, a sequence of 26 postures done in a 105-degree room, Nickerson said. Bikram yoga
originated in a hot, humid town in India. “That series is the same every time you go. There’s no music; it’s very regimented. Whereas in our style of class, we offer modifications and options so if somebody wants to go add in some handstands along the way, they can; or if someone wants to take a little break and do Child’s Pose, no one is going to judge them,” she said. Infinity Yoga Atlanta offers classes for all levels, including two hot yoga options for those with a basic knowledge of positions. It operates three studios in Dunwoody and Atlanta’s Brookhaven and Old Fourth Ward neighborhoods. For schedules and registration information, visit infinityyogaatlanta.com. Resolve to revolve The truly non-traditional Pole Fit classes offered at Moreland Avenue studio Dance 411 give Atlantans a chance to explore a new style of dance while building strength and completing entire body workouts — all while revolving around a stationary pole. “People don’t understand that pole is a sport,” said Christian Taylor, director of women’s programs for Dance 411. “It did start out as an entertainment kind of industry. Everything was about entertaining, and then people
Top left: Christian Taylor, director of women’s programs for Dance 411 in Atlanta, shows one of the strength tricks a Pole Fit student may learn in class. Above: Taylor, along with Justin Draper, director of client services, and Director of Fitness Programs Anggie Pope, demonstrate levels of pole mastery available to students. (Photos by Dallas Duncan)
saw how much strength it took to actually do certain tricks and just to climb a pole.” Compared to other dance fitness classes like Zumba — which Dance 411 also offers — Pole Fit is an entire body workout. “You’re going to learn a couple tricks, learn how to be a little sexy, but you’re going to go home and in two days you’re going to be sore,” Taylor said. “Say for instance we do a toe-touch. You think of a toe-touch in cheerleading, it’s with both your legs coming up; you touch your toes and come back down. In this class you do a toe touch, your arms are wrapped around the pole so you’re going to be using your biceps and triceps. And then you’re going to pull your body upwards, so then you have to suck in your core
at the same time. You’re going to lift your legs around the pole, touch your toes [together] in front and go back down.” Despite the stereotypes of young, slender women being the primary target market for pole fitness, options are available for all. There are men in classes, the average customer age is 30 to 45 and there’s even a class for curvier women. “Even at an older age, your body adjusts to the pole differently, but you can still do it,” Taylor said. “There are a couple of ladies that come in here and they say, ‘You’re skinny. You can do it because you’re skinny.’ I show them a video of one of my students upside down on a pole and they’re like, whoa. I’m like yeah, you can do this.” Justin Draper, director of client services
16 Health & Fitness January 6, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
Health&Fitness for the studio, said even though pole fitness doesn’t always click as something men can do, there’s an entire male division in pole and acrobatics competitions, and most of the pole professionals with Cirque du Soleil are men. “You’re going to work different muscles in different ways once you start to manipulate your body in different ways around a pole,” Draper said. Dance 411 offers both Pole Fit drop-in classes, where people pay per class, as well as 10-week series that works up from the beginner level all the way to Ph.D. and culminates in a show for family and friends. “By the end of level six you’ll be doing some aerial tricks and it’s a lot of flexibility working,” Taylor said. “For drop-in classes, you’ll learn a few tricks, we’ll warm you up and you learn a dance routine to take home.” Drop-in Pole Fit classes are offered at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays this month at Dance 411. Additional pole classes and series sign-ups are also available. For the most up-to-date registration and price information, visit www.dance411studios.com. Get fit to fly For those who resolve to take their 2017 fitness goals to a new height, aerial classes are offered at several Atlanta locales. At Inspire Aerial Arts in the Amsterdam Walk shopping center, aspiring Peter Pans can fly high on fabric, rope and hoops while challenging their entire body. “It’s a type of fitness that combines dance, gymnastics, some yoga-type stuff and of course, lots of pretty fabrics,” owner Kimberly Sende said. “Aerial is the thing that consistently challenged me and always kept me wanting more, but at the same time kind of tricked me into being in shape so I didn’t feel like, ‘Oh God I have to do 10 more reps of this’ and ‘Oh my God now I have to work on legs.’ I could just go and spin and twirl.” A typical aerial class begins on the floor with arm and leg warm-ups, followed by somersaults. That’s a pose where aerial artists wrap their arms in the fabric hanging from the ceiling and flip back and forth, Sende said. Inspire Aerial Arts offers classes for kids from 7 to, well, an undisclosed age — the oldest class member right now is in her 60s. For the first few visits, artists take hammock classes, where they learn different poses with the fabric tied in a knot, allowing themselves to build strength to support their body weight over time. www.thegeorgiavoice.com
“Aerial is the thing that consistently challenged me and always kept me wanting more, but at the same time kind of tricked me into being in shape.” —Kimberly Sende, owner of Inspire Aerial Arts “Then we’ve got fabrics classes, which is the stuff where you have two separate pieces of fabric and you learn how to climb and you learn how to spin and drop from the air,” Sende said. “We’ve got aerial rope classes which is kind of like the gym rope that most people had in high school … We’ve got aerial hoop classes, which is a big round metal hoop that you make shapes in and you can climb on top of it or be below it.” Ian Cias of Atlanta began classes last year, shortly before his 50th birthday. He said not only did aerial arts help him overcome his fear of heights, it changed his body completely. “Nothing, and I’ve been working out in the gym for years, has ever gotten my body this fit as this has, because it works everything and all at once,” Cias said. “It’s not just one thing like at the gym where you concentrate on one thing. Here, you use every part of your body for silks.” His favorite poses include one where the artist holds the silks open and flips upside down, ending up looking like a butterfly, and the Iron T, a pose where only the arms are wrapped in the fabric, holding the body in a “T” shape over open air. T Maehigashi of Tucker, another Inspire student, works almost exclusively on rope. “Rope is more dynamic movement,” he said. “Silk is more, you look pretty and you look
Top left: Kimberly Sende, owner of Inspire Aerial Arts in Atlanta, gracefully descends from one of the colorful fabrics in her studio. Above: Sende works with student T Maehigashi of Tucker on proper rope position during a workout. Her studio offers classes on rope, fabrics and hoops. (Photos by Rob Boeger)
graceful, and I can’t do anything looking graceful at all like the way the female body moves. So rope, you can do swing and more dynamic looks. That’s probably more suited for me.” He said aerial provides a challenging workout because instead of repetitions, the whole body is engaged at once, attempting to nail a move the way an instructor showed it. “When you accomplish some move that you thought you’d never be able to, for instance the invert [an upside-down pose], that’s a great feeling and you want to move onto the next move,” Maehigashi said. “When you have some certain obvious goal … every time you try to do that you are working out a lot of muscles where you never knew you had.” Sende said there’s no particular level of fitness one must have to start aerial classes.
All that’s needed is willingness. “Depending on how fit you are, things may or may not be more difficult for you, but there’s always something you can do,” Sende said. “Our fabric will hold 2,200 pounds. The beginner classes don’t really require that you hold yourself up in the air, but you have to be willing to try.” And for those who think aerial is “too girly” for them? “I’m busting my ass every time I come up here,” Maehigashi said. “If they think this is girly, you come up and climb that.” Inspire Aerial Arts offers both drop-in classes and private lessons for aerial fabrics, hoop and rope throughout the week. For the most up-todate registration and pricing information, visit www.inspireaerialarts.com. January 6, 2017 Health & Fitness 17
What is TRUVADA for PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)?
TRUVADA is a prescription medicine that can be used for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection when used together with safer sex practices. This use is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This includes HIV-negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex, and male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV-1. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP?
Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: uYou must be HIV-negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not
already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. uMany HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: uYou must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. uYou must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. uTo further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. uIf you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: uToo much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. uSerious liver problems. Your liver may become large and tender, and you may develop fat in your liver. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain.
uYou may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you
are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time. In some cases, these serious conditions have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions. uWorsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking TRUVADA, they will need to watch you closely for several months to monitor your health. TRUVADA is not approved for the treatment of HBV.
Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP? Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you also take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).
What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: uKidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA for PrEP. uBone problems, including bone pain or bones getting soft or thin, may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. uChanges in body fat, which can happen in people taking TRUVADA or medicines like TRUVADA. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? uAll your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or
have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection.
uIf you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can
harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Pregnancy Registry: A pregnancy registry collects information about your health and the health of your baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take medicines to prevent HIV-1 during pregnancy. For more information about the registry and how it works, talk to your healthcare provider. uIf you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. The medicines in TRUVADA can pass to your baby in breast milk. If you become HIV-1 positive, HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. uAll the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. uIf you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA for PrEP, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include ledipasvir with sofosbuvir (HARVONI). You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.
Have you heard about
TRUVADA for PrEP ? TM
The once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when used with safer sex practices. • TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. • You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA. Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.
visit start.truvada.com
IMPORTANT FACTS (tru-VAH-dah)
This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP
Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP.
TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP" section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems. • Changes in body fat. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.
While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • Tell your healthcare provider if you have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How to Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. • Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time.
BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you become HIV-1 positive because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.
HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • You must practice safer sex by using condoms and you must stay HIV-1 negative.
HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP (PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS) TRUVADA is a prescription medicine used with safer sex practices for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk: • HIV-1 negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex. • Male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. To help determine your risk, talk openly with your doctor about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).
TRUVADA, the TRUVADA Logo, TRUVADA FOR PREP, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and HEPSERA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2016 © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0067 10/16
• Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV-1 infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.
Health&Fitness CDC: Targeted marketing, extra stressors suspected in higher LGB smoking rates Variety of resources and medications “We know the majority available to help quit in 2017 of people don’t smoke and By DALLAS DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com If there’s one New Year’s resolution health officials ask of the LGBT community, it’s to stop smoking. “There are long-standing disparities in cigarette smoking and overall tobacco use by sexual orientation and gender identity,” said Brian King, deputy director for research translation in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office on Smoking and Health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of lesbian, gay or bisexual people who smoke is 6 percent higher than those outside of the community who smoke. Nearly 21 percent of lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals smoke – there is no reliable data yet for transgender persons – compared to about 15 perBrian King cent of heterosexual adults, King said. When those numbers are expanded to include other tobacco products, the disparities rise even more. Thirty-two percent of lesbian, gay and bisexual people use tobacco products compared to 21 percent of heterosexual adults, King said. Bill Blatt, national director of tobacco programs for the American Lung Association, added that smoking rates for gay men and lesbians are 2 and 1 percent higher than heterosexual men and women, respectively. Higher rates of smoking and tobacco use also indicate higher mortality rates. King said estimates are in the tens of thousands as to numbers of lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals who die each year from smoking-related causes. www.thegeorgiavoice.com
don’t use tobacco. It’s a situation where we need to de-normalize the use of tobacco.”
—Brian King, deputy director for research translation in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office on Smoking and Health Hormone replacement therapy, HIV/AIDS treatments at risk In addition to the more commonly known cancers, heart and lung disease that smoking can lead to, there are health risks LGBT individuals are especially susceptible to. Nicotine, the main addictive element in cigarettes, can interfere with hormone replacement therapy by reducing circulated estrogen levels. Chemicals in cigarettes can also complicate HIV and AIDS treatments, King said. This puts individuals with HIV at risk of being further immunocompromised and susceptible to things like thrush. “There’s a lot of different factors that are likely to have contributed to these marked disparities,” King said. “We know that tobacco disparities are likely a result of stressors Bill Blatt that could include internalized homophobia. Another is targeted marketing toward the LGBT community.” He said the tobacco industry has a “profound history” of targeting certain populations, including heavy product marketing in gay bars. Combined with the increased mental and social stressors faced by members of the LGBT community, they create a “perfect storm that has led to elevated tobacco use.”
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 21 percent of gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals smoke, compared to 15 percent of heterosexual adults. (Photo by iStock)
“The social stigma and homophobia and the pressures of being LGBT in our society … when people are facing that kind of discrimination they look for coping mechanisms. Tobacco can be that form of coping mechanism,” Blatt said. “We know people usually start smoking fairly young. It actually changes their brain structure as their brain continues to develop.” Those changes lead to the brain releasing a chemical called dopamine, which induces a feeling of euphoria. When dopamine levels get low, such as in a time of stress, smokers crave cigarettes to entice that feeling again, he said. More anti-smoking efforts aimed at LGBT community “You have to learn how to smoke and you have to learn how to quit,” Blatt said. “If you address [the physical, mental and social parts of addiction] as you quit, that will help you create the best quit plan for you. It takes almost every tobacco user multiple times. We want people to look back at those as ‘practice quits.’” The CDC shows that 70 percent of smokers want to quit, and Americans saw a decline in smoking during the past few decades. King attributes that to increasing the price of tobacco products, upping the prevalence of smoking bans and giving more people access to cessation resources and medications. He said there are seven FDA-approved medications available to help people quit. According to the US Department of Health
and Human Services, such methods include nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers and nasal spray. There are also two prescription medications available, Bupropion and Varenicline, known by their retail names Zyban and Chantix. “There are more targeted [marketing] efforts to reach the LGBT community,” Blatt said. “It used to be one campaign or commercial to reach America and that was it.” In 2016, the FDA partnered with former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants for an anti-smoking campaign geared toward the LGBT community, reminding them that smoking causes not just disease, but outwardly effects such as prematurely wrinkled skin and tooth damage – things that any self-respecting flawless individual would never want to be known for. “In the Atlanta area, there was a targeted promotion of these ads in the Midtown area,” King said. For any individual who wants to quit, there are resources available outside the patch or prescription medication. Apps like Quitter’s Circle and Butt Out offer support, tracking and motivation. But the ultimate tool to help smokers stop could be their friends, family and the LGBT community itself. “I think that it really comes down to a situation of preaching what you practice. We know the majority of people don’t smoke and don’t use tobacco. It’s a situation where we need to de-normalize the use of tobacco,” King said. January 6, 2017 Health & Fitness 21
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Alison Bechdel Lesbian cartoonist on ‘Fun Home’ success, return of ‘Dykes to Watch Out For’ By CHRIS AZZOPARDI For all her newfound commercial clout, it might seem strange that Alison Bechdel recently returned to her less-mainstream roots. Even though her self-proclaimed “tragicomic” novel “Fun Home” has become a Tony Award-winning commercial smash, and is currently on its first national tour, Bechdel couldn’t ignore her despair when Donald Trump was elected president. Attempting to process the startling outcome, the Vermont-based graphic novelist sat down to draw the iconic characters from her popular “Dykes to Watch Out For,” which was first published in 1983 in a feminist newspaper, WomaNews, before being wide22 A&E January 6, 2017
ly syndicated to outlets across the U.S. Bechdel hadn’t revisited her popular strip’s lesbian clan in eight years. Within that time, she released two graphic novels: 2006’s “Fun Home,” about her father’s gay secret and her coming out, and its 2012 companion piece, “Are You My Mother?” In 2014, Bechdel was the recipient of the prestigious MacArthur “Genius” Grant. Recently, the 56-year-old artist talked about getting back to the lesbian characters that first endeared her to LGBT audiences decades ago. Moreover, she discussed her doubts about “Fun Home” becoming a Broadway musical and the pressures of critical and commercial success. What was your first thought when you heard “Fun Home” was getting the musical treatment? My first thought, honestly, was, “That’s impossible. Yes, I’ll take your option money, but good luck.” I did not know much about
Alison Bechdel is revisiting her comic strip ‘Dykes to Watch Out For’ after eight years. (Photo courtesy John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation)
musicals or the stage at all, and it just seemed like a crazy, complex book. Of course, they left out large parts of the book as one has to do, but in the early days, I just couldn’t imagine how that would be put on a stage. Also, because it’s just so dark and so sad, it seemed like the antithesis of a musical. “Fun Home” opened off-Broadway in 2013 at New York’s Public Theater. When did you first see it, and what was your initial impression? The whole process took years, but the first thing I saw or heard was at the end of 2010. I got a script in the mail and a CD with music on it from a workshop they had all done that I didn’t see. Up until then, it just seemed like a fantasy that may or may not happen one day. But when I heard those songs, I was just blown away. It was really powerful, and very few of those actually made it through to the final musical. There were so many songs that came and went, but
I knew that they had something really magical happening. “Fun Home” is the first Broadway musical with a lesbian lead, which is groundbreaking. Did you ever think we’d have a lesbian lead on Broadway and the lesbian lead would be you? No, I never did! (Laughs) Not that Broadway ever took up any space in my brain at all, but yeah, it’s pretty surprising all around. How do you process the mainstream appeal of “Fun Home” and its resonance beyond the LGBT community? I guess it’s just really a picture of what’s been going on in the culture, and my story and the play came along at this particular juncture when people were finally open to hearing a queer story that’s also a human story. There was finally space for that. I think if the play had come out a little soonwww.thegeorgiavoice.com
er, if the book had come out a little sooner, it might not have caught on the way that it did, but somehow people were ready for it. What kind of influence does the mainstream appeal of “Fun Home” have on your current work? I feel a bit like there are more eyes on me than there used to be. (Laughs) I used to be able to work free of that sense of anyone waiting for my work. So, I feel like there’s a little added pressure now, but I’m trying to use that in a positive way, like to motivate me. How’s the fitness memoir coming along, then? It’s coming along. I’m not as far along as I’d like to be. I’m juggling a lot of different projects, so it’s hard to stay focused, but it’s coming, you could say that. Are these projects you’re working on graphic novels? Oh, some of them. I’m doing a lot of big stuff I can’t really even explain. Do you ever plan to revisit the characters from “Dykes to Watch Out For”? Funny that you should ask that, because right now I’m just so distraught over the election that the only way I could see out of it, the only way I could help myself figure it out, was to start writing a “Dykes to Watch Out For” strip. I haven’t thought about these characters in eight years, but I’m right in the middle of writing an episode and kind of dragging them all out of storage.
Alison Bechdel’s 2006 graphic novel ‘Fun Home” was adapted into a Tony Award-winning musical. (Courtesy photos)
I can’t think of a better and worst time. I know. (Laughs) I don’t know if I’ll keep it up, but I’m definitely writing at least one episode. I’ll put it up online. I’ll do it for my local alternative weekly and put it on my website. Why did this feel like the right time to
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY
revisit these characters? When I wrote the comic strip, I did it in some ways just for myself to figure out what was going on in the world. I always found the world so confusing and baffling, and by using my characters and having to talk through stuff that was happening in the world, I could find my own way. I felt like – I’m so confused
at what just happened to our country that I needed to sit down with these characters and figure it out, so that’s what I’m doing. Will you continue working with these characters? I might not have time, but maybe I’ll have to keep going.
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ACTING OUT
By JIM FARMER
Quality LGBT film fare littered theaters in 2016, plus a look ahead While 2016 may not have featured the high profile LGBT films that marked the previous year – Julianne Moore and Ellen Page in “Freeheld,” Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander in “The Danish Girl” and Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in “Carol” – the season made up for it with some high-quality fare, including one of the most lauded LGBT features in years. The surprise of the year was “Moonlight.” Based on an unproduced play by out playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, it follows a young African-American boy – Chiron – in Miami, dealing with a drug-addicted mother, bullying and his own budding sexuality. Beautifully told and acted, and spread over three segments as Chiron ages, it vies for a number of prizes at this weekend’s Golden Globe Awards and should be up for several Academy Awards. In the cast of “Moonlight” was Atlanta’s Janelle Monae, also seen in the locally-filmed “Hidden Figures.” She joined Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer as women who crossed gender and racial lines to work for NASA and get John Glenn into orbit. The film’s ensemble was arguably 2016’s finest, with out actor Jim Parsons in a plum role. Full of twists, “The Handmaiden” was one of 2016’s best looking, most unpredictable films. In it, a woman is hired to tend to a Japanese heiress. Along the way there are betrayals, a lesbian affair and sex scenes not for the prudish. Debuting at the Sundance Film Festival one year ago, “Saturday Night Live” head writer Chris Kelly’s “Other People” starred Jesse Plemons as a gay comedy writer who comes home to take care of his dying mother (Molly Shannon). Bittersweet and full of dark comedy, it was critically acclaimed – and Shannon is a long-shot Best Supporting Actress nominee. From France came two of the year’s best LGBT movies. André Téchiné, director of the classic “Wild Reeds,” brought us “Being 17,” which charts the relationship of two feuding high school boys, while “Summertime” is a romance between a teacher and a farm girl in the ’70s amidst a growing feminist movement. Sadly, many LGBT films had blink-or-
‘Moonlight’ is up for several Golden Globe Awards and is predicted to score numerous Academy Award nominations. (Courtesy photo)
miss theatrical releases. Actresses Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne starred as lesbians in the cult classic “But I’m a Cheerleader” and this year they did again in the filmed-in-Savannah ensemble comedy “The Intervention.” Former Atlantan Garrett Clayton starred as porn star Brent Corrigan in the violent “King Cobra,” while Connor Jessup excelled as a gay teenager in the quirky “Closet Monster.” For camp appeal, “Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie” took honors. The exploits of Patsy and Edina came to the big screen in an unsubtle but still enjoyable manner. Less seen was “The Dressmaker,” in which Kate Winslet returns to her Australia hometown with revenge on her mind. Her supporting cast included Liam Hemsworth, scene stealer Judy Davis and Hugo Weaving as a cop with a passion for women’s clothing. Hitting local theaters (hopefully) in the next few months are a slew of films with LGBT characters or interest. Those include “Julieta,” the new drama from out director Pedro Almodovar; the kinky, bold “Elle,” from famed director Paul Verhoeven, no stranger to LGBT fare; “I Am Michael,” with James Franco as gay activist Michael Glatze; the ball scene documentary “Kiki;” “Paris 05:59: Theo and Hugo,” the sexually frank but sweet story of two Frenchmen who meet in a sex club; and the excellent documentary “I Am Not Your Negro,” about gay activist James Baldwin’s unfinished novel dealing with race in America. My overall favorites of the year were: (1) “La La Land,” (2) “Moonlight,” (3) “Jackie,” (4) “Arrival,” (5) “Captain Fantastic,” (6) “Manchester by the Sea,” (7) “Loving,” (8) “13th,” (9) “Weiner” and (10) “Being 17.”
24 A&E January 6, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
EATING MY WORDS By CLIFF BOSTOCK
Fabulous food to be found at Midtown’s 8arm Few, if any, restaurants in Atlanta have ever opened with the virtual secrecy that Octopus Bar did in East Atlanta in 2011. Open late nights only and catering mainly to people in the restaurant trade, the restaurant soon deservedly turned into – and remains – a gargantuan magnet in the galaxy of hip foodies. Owner-chefs Angus Brown and Nhan Le let their respective French and Asian styles collide in sharable masterpieces. After a failed attempt to operate a Buckhead seafood restaurant, Lusca, the pair have now opened a Midtown spot, 8arm (710 Ponce de Leon Ave. 470-875-5856), that has become one of my favorites, although I’ve not been there as often as I’d like. It is located in the former scooter shop space that fronts Paris on Ponce, in the shadow of Ponce City Market across from the murdered Murder Kroger. The morning ambiance is all about flawless coffee and pastries from on-site baker Sarah Dodge. The crispy, fluffy, flaky, buttery, buttermilky kinda-sorta cathead biscuit has become an obsession with many in the city. There are also cinnamon rolls, quiche and the like (I’m still waiting for a scone). But the signature morning dish is the Egg McMuff. I well remember when my first partner, a die hard foodie, insisted we try the new Egg McMuffin at McDonald’s several lifetimes ago. It was so vile, any suggestion of it still creeps me out. 8arm’s parody, though, is pretty damn unforgettable for good reason. Dodge’s English muffin is layered with creamy scrambled eggs, avocado, bacon and cilantro-Tabasco mayo. Lunch further expands the abdomen. My fave is a take on the classic Reuben. It’s piled with Black Forest ham, sauerkraut, Gorgonzola cheese, mayo and Dijon mustard. The damn thing is freakin’ gigantic. Grain bowls and roasted quail are also available. At dinnertime, Chef Brown gets a bit kinkier – and our gorgeous server got a bit frustrated with my friends and I during my only nighttime visit. I know the burrata, my favorite cheese, is many people’s favorite, served with cranberry beans, peppers and mint the evening of our visit. The Manila clams, steamed with www.thegeorgiavoice.com
The boned chicken over lentils with chicory is a menu highlight at 8arm. (Photo by Cliff Bostock)
coconut milk, cilantro and lime did make it to the table, but wasn’t very impressive. The clams were tough little boogers. Entrée-sized portions are mainly fabulous. My favorite was the crispy, creamy grouper topped with a pointed green sauce, served with corona beans that look like oversized lima beans. My own entrée was half a juicy boned chicken served over lentils with chicory. The menu said it included white anchovies, but I never really detected those. In any case, it was wonderful and, at $26, the most expensive dish on the menu of nine items. Only one dish on the table produced annoyance. My thin friend Frank is our group’s dumpster. Whatever we leave on our plates goes directly to his gullet, so it was the portion size, not the taste of the tagliatelle, that annoyed him. The intensely rich dish would probably be adequate for an average diner. Then, again, he shared a single dessert – buttermilk cake with ice cream – with another friend, whereas I ordered my own, refusing to share. Be aware the menus change almost daily. And also be aware, as I said, that you’ll drop some cash here. One wall is painted with a banner bearing a Latin phrase that translates as “There’s no reward in serving the wicked.” In other words, you better tip well. Cliff Bostock is a former psychotherapist now specializing in life coaching. Contact him at 404-518-4415 or cliffbostock@gmail.com. January 6, 2017 Columnists 25
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Our Guide to the Best LGBT Events in Atlanta for Jan. 6-19
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THURSDAY, JAN. 12
There was a time when the world was full of magic and splendor, and all on Earth existed in harmony with heaven. You could see it in the arts, feel it in the air and hear it in the beat of a drum. This was a land of heroes and sages, dragons and phoenixes, emperors and immortals. Known today as China, this place was once called “the Land of the Divine.” What if you could journey back and visit this lost paradise? “Shen Yun: Connecting Heaven & Earth” tries to do that, 7:30 p.m., Cobb Energy Centre, through Jan. 15, www.cobbenergycentre.com (Publicity photo)
FRIDAY, JAN. 6
Kia Comedy presents the Lesbo Bingo and Drag Show at My Sister’s Room from 8 -10:30 p.m., followed by an after party until 3 a.m., www.mysistersroom.com They’re back! The half-dozen performers of “Naked Boys Singing“ leave nothing to the imagination, amidst a backdrop of campy songs, Georgia Voice readers can use the promo code EQUALITY and receive a $5 discount, 8 p.m., through Jan. 22, 7 Stages, www.7stages.org
SATURDAY, JAN. 7
Still in the Christmas spirit? OnStage Atlanta is staging two holiday-themed shows, “Elf Jr.” and “Dear Edwina Jr.,” through Jan. 28 with four performances today, www.onstageatlanta.com Enjoy pool and darts and a live DJ tonight, as well as the infamous men of the club,
26 Best Bets January 6, 2017
at BJ Roosters, 12043 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324
SUNDAY, JAN. 8
Come celebrate the Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord today at 11 a.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 201 East Washington St., Atlanta, GA 30303 The gay-themed “Moonlight” is up for a slew of prizes at tonight’s Golden Globes awards, as are other LGBT-themed movies and TV shows, 8 p.m., NBC
MONDAY, JAN. 9
A long-time ATL fave, the Stars of the Century drag show kicks off tonight at 10:30 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com
TUESDAY, JAN. 10
Come enjoy show tunes with Chad tonight at 8 p.m. at Oscar’s,
www.oscarsatlanta.com
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11
It’s Hump Night with host Regina, 8 p.m., Friends on Ponce, www.friendsonponce-atl.com
THURSDAY, JAN. 12
The new Topher Payne play opens at Georgia Ensemble Theatre tonight. “Greetings Friend Your Kind Assistance is Required” follows a retired school teacher reading an email from her spam folder and embarking with a friend on an international adventure. 8 p.m., running through Jan. 22, www.get.org
FRIDAY, JAN. 13
Atlanta Black Pride hosts a MLK Day weekend of events, with a lineup announced soon, www.atlblackpride.com
CONTINUES ON PAGE 28
EVENT SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY, JAN. 8
DJ Scott Anthony spins for the late night crowd, 3 a.m., Xion Atlanta, www.facebook.com/ events/1715475375378932 (Publicity photo)
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TELL US ABOUT YOUR LGBT EVENT Submit your LGBT event for inclusion in our online and print calendars by emailing event info to editor@thegavoice.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 Ladies, come dance tonight at The Culture Club at The Soulbar at Pal’s Lounge, 245 Auburn Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303
SATURDAY, JAN. 14
Don’t miss the Bubba Bang Party with DJ Big Dipper and host/bear celeb George Unda, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com Are you parenting children in a same-sex relationship without a legal order of parentage? Many families think that because they are legally married or because both their names appear on their child’s birth certificate that their parental rights are protected. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Join attorneys from Georgia Legal Services and The Stonewall Bar for their Second Parent Adoption Legal Workshop for LGBT families on what you need to know about second parent and stepparent adoptions. This is designed to help demystify this complicated process for parents or soon-to-be parents. You will learn about the steps in the process, information on the particularities of your county, and estimated legal costs. There will be time to ask questions specific to your unique situation. This event is open to the public. The suggested donation is $5. 7 – 9 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com
SUNDAY, JAN. 15
The PFLAG support group for parents and families of LGBTQ children meets today from 2:30 – 4 p.m. at the Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta, 1730 Northeast Expressway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329 Don’t miss the Rainbros Launch Party: Gay Atlanta’s first peer coaching network, 2 – 4 p.m., Industrious Atlanta Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. N.E., Ste. 8500, Atlanta, GA, 30308, www.facebook.com/ events/371837373208235
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MONDAY, JAN. 16
The 2017 Rustin Lorde Breakfast educates communities about Bayard Rustin and Audre Lorde and supports progressive organizers. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., The Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Center, Atlanta, GA 30303 (File photo) Zami NOBLA presents Women Sweet on Women IV featuring songwriter, sound healer and medicine woman gina Breedlove from Brooklyn, New York. gina has graced stages nationally and internationally, working with artists who, like herself, defy and redefine genre. A coalescence of rhythm and blues with storytelling cadences of folk and gospel, gina’s folk-soul is music that seeps into your being while the message of love and possibility inspires and lifts your spirit. This is a women only event. 7:30 – 9 p.m., The Commons Performing Arts Hall, First Congregational Church of Atlanta, 125 Ellis St., Atlanta, GA, 30303, www.facebook.com/ events/1056147894512911
MONDAY, JAN. 16
HRC and Lost-n-Found Youth invite you to the Martin Luther King Day of Service, transforming this national holiday into a “day on, not a day off” with a service project benefiting homeless and at-risk LGBT youth. You can make a
difference in our community by donating items and volunteering your time. Lost-nFound Youth, 2585 Chantilly Dr. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.facebook.com/ events/1779542232311075 Musical Monday is debuting tonight at The Plaza Theatre with the musical hit “Dreamgirls.” Drinks begin at 7 p.m. and the screening at 7:15 p.m. An open mic after-party follows. Pre-sale tickets $10 and $12 at the door, www.plazaatlanta.com Trans and Friends is a youth-focused group for trans people, people questioning their own gender, and aspiring allies. Charis Books provides a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources and activism around social issues. Whether silently or aloud, please come ready to consider your own gender in a transient world, 7 – 8:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com
TUESDAY, JAN. 17
Come play Texas Hold’Em at the
Model T, beginning at 7 p.m., www.modeltatlanta.com
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18
Wednesdays are happening nights at the Heretic Atlanta, with Warp Zone at 7 p.m. and then the Pig Dance Blackout Party with DJ Stan Jackson from 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., with no cover charge, www.hereticatlanta.com
THURSDAY, JAN. 19
SAGE Atlanta’s social hour begins at 10 a.m., followed by a program/meeting at 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) presents its Business Builder Midtown Luncheon today, hosted by Chip Ivie and Chris Torrens on the Third Thursday of each month at 11:45 a.m. at Henry’s Midtown Atlanta, 132 10th St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309
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UPCOMING FRIDAY, JAN. 20
The Weird Sisters Theatre Project in Association with Synchronicity Theatre and 7 Stages presents a staged reading of “The Taming – A New Political Comedy,” by Lauren Gunderson today. A crackling modern political farce, “The Taming” takes on America’s overheated political rhetoric and upends historical truths about our founding fathers. When a conservative senatorial aid, a liberal political activist, and a very sparkly beauty queen find themselves locked in a hotel room, the political passions of these slightly insane women prove they might just be revolutionary geniuses. Inside the heightened, cheerfully absurd world of “The Taming,” Gunderson spanks America’s soundbite politics with the switch of actual history, and proves Shakespeare’s point that true debate is hot. 7 p.m., free but a $10 donation is suggested, 7 Stages, www.7stages.org
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18
Atlanta soul/pop artist John Chandler with special guest Caroline Aiken, 8 p.m., City Winery, www.citywinery.com (Photo via Facebook)
ART Station presents the play “Lewis Grizzard In His Own Words,” at 8 p.m. tonight running through Jan. 22, www.artstation.org
SATURDAY, JAN. 21
Come out and help Berlinda Wall celebrate the release of her new Book, “The Crown Is Mine”. It’s the story of a small town Georgia boy who comes to Atlanta to compete in the Miss Club Cabaret Pageant all the while managing his love life and friends. A party at Mixx Atlanta starts at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a drag show fundraiser for Lost-n-Found Youth starting at 7:15 p.m. The event features these fabulous entertainers: Tara Kotta, LaTonya O’Hara, Trixie Van Lear, Stella D’Oro, Sue Nami and DJ Chris Gregory. Copies of Wall’s book will be available, www.mixxatlanta.com
Mark your calendar to join the Atlanta Bucks for what promises to be a truly beautiful mess of an evening at their annual Miss Ruck N Maul drag competition. General Admission and (a limited number of) VIP tickets are on sale now so start making plans to attend and throw some dollars at your favorite performer. A silent auction will also be on tap. Tickets available at www.eventbrite.com/e/miss-ruck-n-maul-abeautiful-mess-tickets-30056349350. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com
TUESDAY, JAN. 24
The biggest film festival in Atlanta, the
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Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, opens tonight with the drama “Alone in Berlin” at 7:30 p.m. at Cobb Energy Centre and runs through Feb. 15, various Atlanta venues, www.ajff.org The Race Conscious Parenting Collective is designed to support the ongoing development of white parents of white and multiracial children who are seeking to unlearn and dismantle white supremacy within their families, schools and neighborhoods and faith communities. It is facilitated by Shannon Gaggero, author of the blog “A Striving Parent,” Elizabeth Anderson, executive director of Charis Circle,
and Beth-Ann Buitekant, a local family and school therapist. 7;30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25
Atlanta Pride and Out On Film co-host a screening of the award-winning documentary “Political Animals,” following the first four openly gay California state legislators, all women, whose personal sacrifices and professional accomplishments, including the first domestic partnership registration in the nation, laid the groundwork for perhaps the most important civil rights struggle of our time: marriage equality. 7 p.m., Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org
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Happy New Year! I think this change in calendar is a great tradition because it is good for all of us to imagine a reset button on anything in our lives – whether it’s your body, your job or your love life. There is nothing wrong with wanting to constantly improve your situation, but many make the mistake of only focusing on major changes this time of year. There are plenty of little things I have observed others do that might prove to be the more important things that need an overhaul. Here are a few examples, and forgive me if I step on a few toes: Walking ahead of me. Regardless of how fast or slow each of us walk, if we are together then we should adjust our pace to match the other’s. Walking ahead of me and simply expecting me to catch up is not an indication I am an equal part of our time together. Have you ever seen a couple walking separately and thought they were doing well? Not putting your shopping cart back. Most grocery stores have made it very easy to return shopping carts, placing several return stations within the parking lot and just a few paces from your car. If you are one of those people who find even that simple task difficult and leave your shopping cart wherever your car was, then you should work out more if your stamina can’t handle just a few more steps. What about that chair? I waited for a togo order at a local restaurant recently, and noticed a couple sitting near me doing the same thing. Once they received their order, neither pushed their chairs back under the table as they left. A small thing, yet in the same vein as the shopping cart. If you don’t place the cart or your chair in the place where you found it, someone else is going to have to do it for you. Knowing that simply makes the guilty rude. How you treat the wait staff. Speaking of restaurants, you go out to eat so you don’t
“A huge turnoff for me is someone who not only disregards a server as they are refilling a drink or bringing plates, but also argues with them about something insignificant. You are paying for the ability to return home to a clean kitchen, not for someone to kiss your ass.” have to cook or clean up. Somewhere along the way our society went from being appreciative of the ability to relax and eat to feeling superior to the people who serve us our food and drink. A huge turnoff for me is someone who not only disregards a server as they are refilling a drink or bringing plates, but also argues with them about something insignificant. You are paying for the ability to return home to a clean kitchen, not for someone to kiss your ass. The same could be applied to janitors in your office. You don’t have to worry about cleaning up your work area because of these hard-working individuals, so why can’t you speak to them in the same respectful manner you would a colleague or manager? A new year means a new you, but don’t miss the small ways in which you interact with others in your world. Who knows, maybe paying attention to these little things will lead to the big changes you have in mind for the next 12 months. Melissa Carter is one of the Morning Show hosts on B98.5. In addition, she is a writer for the Huffington Post. She is recognized as one of the first out radio personalities in Atlanta and one of the few in the country. Follow her on Twitter@MelissaCarter
30 Columnists January 6, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
SOMETIMES ‘Y’ By RYAN LEE
When crises are a Christmas tradition At the risk of sounding repetitive, my family is in the middle of a new crisis, although this one could not have come along at a better time. My friends and I have a running joke about the gratitude I feel when I dial my family on holidays and the call goes straight to voicemail. On Christmas evening, there was no voicemail and no jokes – just dual emergencies, forcefully attacking the holiday spirit in a way that’s almost our family tradition. While my mother and sister were worried about a possible kidnapping in Chicago (yeah, how ‘bout that?), my most immediate concern was the DEFCON 1 situation that had arisen with my two oldest nephews who moved to Atlanta. It’s hard to develop financial discipline when you’ve never had finances, and when you’re young and want to spend the (very little) money you now have on trivial things that numb the shock of adulthood. For several months they had been in a dispute with their leasing company, in which they may have well been in the right, but nonetheless culminated with them facing eviction within hours of my call home on Christmas. I was obviously disappointed with their predicament, particularly their failure to plan for an eviction they knew was imminent, but, to their credit, it had taken them almost a year to reach the crisis at which I had given them four months to arrive. As unnerving as my call to my mother was, it filled me with a consuming peace that is difficult to attain in my daily life. I was built for turbulence. “One must imagine Sisyphus happy!” is the conclusion of Albert Camus’ “The Myth of Sisyphus,” which is the inspiration for my neck tattoo, and suggests that there is as much fulfillment in the struggle as there is in reaching the hilltop. The boulder always rolls back down; whenever we think we’ve got the world in order, new challenges arise, and it’s time to push anew. I cannot watch my nephews’ experiment with life away from the South Side of Chiwww.thegeorgiavoice.com
“On Christmas evening, there was no voicemail and no jokes – just dual emergencies, forcefully attacking the holiday spirit in a way that’s almost our family tradition.” cago end yet, not for mistakes that millions of young adults with greater familiarity and access to money have made. And so I brace myself for more pushing, by way of finding a three-bedroom apartment to move into with my two nephews, their girlfriends, one of the couple’s infant daughter and my 7-year-old nephew, who returns this week after spending Christmas break in Chicago. Thanks, Santa! After viewing my first apartment this past Thursday, I arranged a hook-up with a guy I had been chatting with for a while and who was in town for New Year’s Eve (I figure it’s best to fuck as much as I can before my new living arrangement neuters my sex life). What felt like a fairly routine session was interrupted by my downstairs neighbor using something to bang on the ceiling/my floor, indicating he or she was hearing too much of my sexual encounter. I felt like an awful neighbor, as the complaint was something I worried about for the four years I’ve lived at this complex, which is predominated by straight people who give no indication of having sex. But I was also profoundly confused: of the, um, dozens of hookups I’ve had over the years, you go berserk about the one that’s occurring at 6 p.m. on a Thursday leading into a holiday weekend? Out of courtesy, my hook-up and I moved from my bedroom to the living room, and I told him not to worry since I was moving in a few days anyway. Ryan Lee is an Atlanta writer. January 6, 2017 Columnists 31
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