voice
georgia VOL.11 • ISSUE 23
ABOUT THE COVER: Photo coourtesy of HBO
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BUSINESS
Principal/Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com
EDITORIAL
Deputy Editor: Katie Burkholder
kburkholder@thegavoice.com
Editorial Contributors: Cliff Bostock, Melissa Carter, Jim Farmer, Maria Helena Dolan, Buck Jones, Just Toby, Bill Kaelin, Ryan Lee, Sydney Norman
PRODUCTION
Art Director: Rob Boeger rboeger@thegavoice.com
SALES
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Sales Executive: Jim Brams jbrams@thegavoice.com
Business Advisor: Lynn Pasqualetti Financial Firm of Record: HLM Financial Group National Advertising: Rivendell Media 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com
Publisher Emeritus: Chris Cash
FINE PRINT
All material in Georgia Voice is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Georgia Voice. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. We also do not accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by Georgia Voice, but we do not take responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject, or edit any submission. Guidelines for freelance contributors are available upon request. A single copy of Georgia Voice is available from authorized distribution points. Multiple copies are available from Georgia Voice office only. Call for rates. If you are unable to reach a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 24-issue mailed subscription for $60 per year. Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Tim Boyd, tboyd@thegavoice.com Postmaster: Send address changes to Georgia Voice, PO Box 77401, Atlanta, GA 30357. Georgia Voice is published twice a month by Georgia Voice, LLC. Individual subscriptions are $60 per year for 24 issues. Postage paid at Atlanta, GA, and additional mailing offices. The editorial positions of Georgia Voice are expressed in editorials and in editor’s notes. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Georgia Voice and its staff. To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words and commentary, for web or print, should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address, and phone number for verification. Email submissions to editor@thegavoice.com or mail to the address above.
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GUEST EDITORIAL
COVID-19 in Review: One Year Later Duane Elliott Reynolds, Founder and CEO of Just Health Collective
COVID-19 changed everything. Almost one year later, we are still amid a global pandemic, but with the new vaccines, we have the hope of an end in sight. The United States has lost more than 460,000 people to COVID-19, with clear disparities among marginalized communities. Prior to COVID-19, discussions about health inequity were held largely among public health and health equity leaders, who have long advocated for change. If there is a silver lining, it is that the pandemic caused our health care system to begin grappling with the inequities that have existed in health and social justice for hundreds of years. There is a concerted effort to reduce health disparities, especially with the Biden administration’s inclusion of leaders who understand community health and health equity. New commitments to advance health equity are also being made within local and state governments, public health agencies, health insurers, biopharmaceutical companies, health care technology companies, hospitals and health systems. A recent study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that people who are part of the LGBTQ community may be more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 and may experience more severe forms of the illness. The CDC’s national health-related telephonic survey, known as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, revealed data from the 2017–2019 study showing that the LGBTQ community, regardless of race or ethnicity, reports preexisting health conditions that would make them more
susceptible to COVID-19 complications due to asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease and other severe chronic conditions. The LGBTQ community suffers from greater health disparities in comparison to straight people, and this is no surprise given the amount of discrimination and sexual stigma that occur when LGBTQ people interact with the health care system. Sadly, this isn’t the first time this community has experienced a virus that led to mass casualties. HIV/AIDs was the pandemic for this population in the 1980s and 1990s. There still exists a much higher rate of diagnoses among Black LGBTQ people, constituting 26% of new HIV diagnoses and 37% of new cases among gay and bisexual men. Despite self-reported behavioral risk data, there are still major gaps in data because sexual orientation and gender identity information isn’t systematically captured in COVID-19 data nor in many other clinical conditions. As a result, the true extent of our disparities is likely underreported, and specific actions to reduce health inequity are obstructed by the lack of data.
Our health care system was not built to be culturally nuanced for marginalized groups, including those with disabilities, people of color, those who speak English as a second language, the LGBTQI population and women. The result is a growing gap in health disparities leading to poor outcomes, negative experiences and increased cost to the health care system. So, what do we need to do moving forward? As the federal government begins to consider changes in policy related to health equity, the collective voice of the LGBTQI community must be heard. We must influence health care leaders and policy
makers to make the elimination of health disparities a priority for ALL communities. COVID-19 has exposed health inequities at a national level, and now is the time for LGBTQI Americans, partnered with other marginalized and intersecting communities, to demand that a more just and equitable public health and health care system be constructed. This also means we must advocate for policy and legislative changes that improve employment, education, housing and other social determinants of health impacting racial, ethnic and cultural minorities. Beyond what we ask of our government and the health care system, we should also learn about the various health disparities within our community. According to a study conducted by Lambda Legal (2010), LGBTQ people are less likely to have health insurance and are more likely to be refused health care services and be harassed by health care providers. When it comes to specific conditions, Lesbian and bisexual women have higher rates of breast cancer and gay and bisexual men are more likely to have HIV/AIDS (CDC, 2020). The history of prejudice and discrimination in America underlies many of the social, environmental and political determinants of health within which many vulnerable communities suffer today. Because of COVID-19 health disparities, we have a unique and timely opportunity to invoke change. Now is the time for us all to take an active role in advocating for equity in health. Just Health Collective guides organizations in creating cultures of belonging, enabling a fair and just opportunity for everyone to achieve optimal health. For more information, please email info@justhealthcollective.com or visit justhealthcollective.com. February 19, 2021 Editorial 3
NEWS BRIEFS
Staff Reports LGBTQ POC More Likely to Test Positive for COVID-19, Report Finds LGBTQ people of color are twice as likely to test positive for COVID-19 as white nonLGBTQ people, according to a new report from the Williams Institute. According to the Williams Institute’s findings, 15 percent of LGBTQ people of color tested positive for COVID-19, compared to 7 percent of non-LGBTQ white adults. Furthermore, LGBTQ people of color were over 50 percent more likely than white non-LGBTQ people to have personally known someone who died of COVID-19: 32 percent vs. 19.8 percent. LGBTQ people of color are also more likely to experience harsher economic impact of the pandemic: 29 percent of LGBTQ people of color reported problems affording basic household goods, compared to 14 percent of non-LGBTQ white respondents. 26 percent of LGBTQ people of color reported having trouble paying their rent, almost three times the rate of straight white respondents (9 percent). LGBTQ respondents of color are almost three times more likely to have been laid off recently due to the pandemic. These findings draw upon data collected by 4 News Briefs February 19, 2021
Ipsos from a nationally representative sample of over 12,000 adults between August 21, 2020 and December 21, 2020. SOJOURN Honors LGBTQ and Allied Youth at 15th Annual Purim Off Ponce Fundraiser The Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender & Sexual Diversity (SOJOURN) is hosting its 15th annual fundraiser, Purim Off Ponce, on Saturday, March 13 from 7-10pm at the Ahavath Achim (AA) Synagogue. This year’s event will feature a one-of-a-kind showing of “At The Drive-In: The Rocky Hora Picture Show” and will recognize a group of inspiring Jewish LGBTQ+ Southern youth and allies as part of the Michael Jay Kinsler Rainmaker Award presentation. The award was named in honor of Michael Jay Kinsler, an active member of the gay- and lesbian-founded Congregation Bet Haverim. Kinsler dedicated his life to ensuring gay and lesbian Jews had a place to worship and find solace and pride. This year’s award will recognize a group of LBGTQ+ youth and allies under the age of 21 who inspire and show up as emerging leaders of our collective future. “When it became clear a traditional Purim Off Ponce event wouldn’t be possible for 2021, we harnessed the opportunity and got creative with our event format,” said Rebecca Stapel-Wax, Executive Director at SOJOURN. “This year’s drive-in enables us to be more age-inclusive, so
we decided to highlight youth who inspire. The honorees are between mitzvah ages 12/13 and 20, an incredibly formative age for LGBTQ+ youth. We expanded our honorees from 20 to 22 because we couldn’t resist including good people. Their resiliency will inspire our community with regenerated hope and energy.” The honorees are as follows: Layla Aberman Aliza Abusch-Magder Ethan Asher Ian Bouer-Schlitt Alexandria Brooks-Alt Shoshana Caldas Josh Cohen Addison Coty Eowyn (“Wyn”) Garfinkle Jazz Jennings Hannah Laing Ariella Lewi Tickets for Purim Off Ponce’s “At The DriveIn: The Rocky Hora Picture Show,” as well as sponsorship opportunities, are available at sojourngsd.org. Event proceeds will support SOJOURN’S work to affirm and empower LGBTQ people across the South by building inclusive communities inspired by Jewish and universal values. Biden Administration to Accept Cases of Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination in Housing The Biden administration is set to declare it
will take up and adjudicate cases of housing discrimination against LGBTQ people to comply orders against anti-LGBTQ discrimination from the U.S. Supreme Court and President Biden. The Department of Housing & Urban Development, in a memorandum set for publication on Thursday, is set to announce the department will accept and investigate complaints under the Fair Housing Act in cases of housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. “Housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity happens throughout the United States,” a HUD official said during a background conference call with reporters. “Housing providers need to know it violates the law, and it demands urgent enforcement action.” The memorandum is the result of President Biden’s executive order directing all federal agencies to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which determined anti-LGBTQ discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, thus illegal in the workplace under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The ruling has broad implications for all laws that bar sex discrimination, including the Fair Housing Act. Read these stories and more at thegavoice.com. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
CELEBRITY CLOSE-UP!
Celebrity Briefs
Black LGBTQ and allied women are celebrating Black History Month by celebrating their identities and calling out oppression on all levels. “Don’t let them lie on you. We are Black and proud and beautiful.”
—Janet Mock (Instagram)
“We must tell our own stories, assembling brickby-brick a global narrative of freedom for all Black people.”
—writer Adrienne Marie Brown on the importance of Black storytelling (Instagram)
“[Black people are] disproportionately devastated by this virus & the last to receive the vaccine. Shameful. We need to establish a center for anti-racism within the CDC to ensure equity in public health outcomes.”
—Rep. Ayanna Pressley (Twitter)
—Angelica Ross (Twitter)
TheGeorgiaVoice.com
(PHOTOS VIA FACEBOOK)
“BLACK HISTORY MONTH REMINDER! You [are] not pro black when you’re transphobic & homophobic. Black TQLBG+ folks are here to liberate us all. Master’s tools will not dismantle the master’s house, but we will. You are agents of white supremacy if you participate in our oppression.”
February 19, 2021 Celebrity Close-Up! 5
HEALTH NEWS
COVID-19 Update Questions Sydney Norman
enforcement. In Phase 1B, non-healthcare essential workers “who perform job tasks across critical infrastructure sectors, ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health, safety, economic and national security.” Phase 1C will include residents “aged 16-64 with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19.
As we near the one-year anniversary of Georgia’s initial COVID-19 lockdown, many face caution fatigue. The constant influx of distressing information from alarmists and theorists alike is enough to make anyone want to close their news app. Here’s a quick update on COVID-19 without the scary headlines and frightening photos. How many COVID-19 cases and COVID19-related deaths have been confirmed in Georgia and Fulton County? Confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached an alltime high around January 8 with a seven-day rolling average of about 7,300. Thankfully, the rate of new cases took a nosedive after that second wave and the AJC estimates that between February 4 and February 11,
6 Health News February 19, 2021
there have been an average of about 1,000 new confirmed cases per day. The numbers in Fulton County have also decreased with an estimated 7-day rolling average of about 332 new cases as of February 11. How many people have been vaccinated in Georgia so far? As of February 11, the Georgia Department
of Public Health states 1,353,978 vaccines have been administered to Georgia residents. How far along are we in Georgia’s Vaccine Rollout Plan? We’re currently still in Phase 1A, which includes healthcare workers, long-term care facility staff and residents, residents aged 65 and up and their caregivers, and law
If I’m a member of an eligible group, how do I get vaccinated? Do I need an appointment? Yes, you need an appointment. There are currently no walk-in appointments available for COVID-19 vaccinations at any site in Georgia. To make an appointment, the Georgia Department of Public Health’s website has an extensive COVID Vaccination Site Locator. Kroger, Publix, and Ingles are also offering the vaccine in their clinics.
TheGeorgiaVoice.com
NATIONAL NEWS
Am I Getting Another Stimulus Check? Katie Burkholder
President Joe Biden PHOTO BY GAGE SKIDMORE / WIKICOMMONS
The COVID-19 pandemic has had horrific economic ramifications, with unemployment rates reaching heights not seen since the Great Depression. Income inequalities have been highlighted and exacerbated. As families of modest economic means have struggled to put food on the table and 10 million Americans still experience unemployment, America’s 614 billionaires have grown their net worth by a collective $931 billion. The U.S. government addressed this economic crisis by issuing a grand total of two stimulus payments in 2020: one in early April and the other in late December. April’s payment was for up to $1,200 per person, plus $500 for each child. December’s was for up to $600 per person, plus $600 per child. For those keeping track at home, this means an eligible two-parent, two-child household was paid a whopping $5,800 to make up for a year of economic turmoil. Things may be looking up with the new administration, however. President Joe Biden has proposed a huge $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan that has started to make its way through the House of Representatives. The plan includes a third round of stimulus checks, this time for $1,400. This money will only be paid to the millions of individuals who make $75,000 or less and couples who make $150,000 or less. The proposal also includes $400 weekly federal unemployment benefits through August, assistance to state and local governments, and $160 billion in vaccine distribution and virus testing. The next stimulus bill would also expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). These programs, along with the $1,400 check, would provide a 33 percent boost — or $2,590 — to the pre-tax incomes of the poorest fifth of Americans, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. The middle 20 percent of households would see a similar boost of $3,370. With the expansion of the CTC ($3,600 for children up to 6 years TheGeorgiaVoice.com
old and $3,000 for children up to age 17), the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that an additional 4.1 million children will be lifted out of poverty. The EITC extension also raises the maximum tax credit for childless adults from $350 to $1,500 and boosts the income cap from $16,000 to $21,000. The Ways and Means Committee recently approved its $940 billion chunk of the proposal with a 25–18 vote, sending it to the House Budget Committee, which will compile the bills into one piece of legislation. The House is expected to vote on the package the week of February 22. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said legislators hope to have it done by the end of February and on Biden’s desk “in time to
offset the March 14 deadline where some unemployment benefits will expire.”
stimulus funds are made on the Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet.
Stimulus, unemployment, and tax season 2020 was a year unlike any other, so expect your taxes to look a lot different. You won’t have to pay income tax on the stimulus checks you received, and if for whatever reason you didn’t receive a stimulus — or the full amount — despite being eligible, you can still get the money by claiming a “rebate recovery” credit on your 2020 tax return.
If you were unemployed in 2020, though, you will have to pay taxes on that money (you won’t, however, have to pay Medicare and Social Security taxes on unemployment benefits like you would paycheck income). If you didn’t choose to have taxes deducted from your unemployment checks, you may end up with a smaller refund or money due to the IRS.
You can also claim more money from 2020’s stimulus packages if you added a dependent in 2020 through birth or adoption. If you had more dependents than in previous years, you can claim the extra amounts when filing your taxes. The calculations for all missed
You will receive a form, 1099-G, detailing how much you made on unemployment and if any taxes were withheld. You will enter this information on your tax return. You can access your IRS Form 1099-G for unemployment payments for current and previous tax years at dol.state.ga.us/public/ uiben/customer/login. February 19, 2021 National News 7
COMMUNITY NEWS
Meet the New Board Members of the Atlanta Pride Committee
Chris Ruiz Chris is a queer Chicanx educator originally from Northwest Texas. He moved to Atlanta to pursue his dreams of working in higher education and has found a chosen family here. Chris works as the Area Manager of Residence Life at Georgia Tech, and he’s worked with APC for seven years. He served on the Entertainment Committee as a general volunteer for one year, a lead volunteer for two years, and the co-chair for four years. In this position, he was able to meet talented performers and work with some of Atlanta’s most amazing drag artists.
Katie Burkholder The board members of the Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) are an integral part of organizing gay Atlanta’s biggest event of the year: Pride! The APC board members are responsible for overseeing four primary categories: strategic direction, finance, organizational oversight, and visibility. On January 26, APC announced that four new LGBTQ activists and other figures would be joining the board. The newest members join the likes of Will Bryant, Trisha Clymore, Earl Fields, Glen Paul Freedman, Justin Gavette-Boring, Emily Porter, Traci Romero, Elaine Marie Serrano, and Dan Wilkerson to make a total of 13 members.
In his free time, Chris enjoys watching TV, sci-fi, sports, and “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and he visits breweries.
Meet the new representation on APC’s board: Justin Averette Justin is a gay cisgender man originally from Greensboro, Alabama, but now residing in Midtown. He’s an awardwinning multimedia journalist — he’s even interviewed Oprah! — and now works in corporate communications for Southern Company. In his free time, you can find Justin playing in the Hotlanta Softball League, traveling, hiking, or taking photos. All photos courtesy of APC via Facebook
“Every day, I’m learning more about the Atlanta Pride Committee and how I can help the organization, particularly in this difficult time of COVID,” Justin said in a release from APC. “I’m not sure when it will be, but I look forward to the day when we can all gather in person again.” Toby Vargas-Jaume Toby is a gay native Puerto Rican. He’s well known in the community for his awardwinning photography business, where he photographs events and drag performers. Through his photography, Toby has become
Clockwise from top left: Justin Averette, Toby Vargas-Jaume, Quita Tinsley Peterson, and Chris Ruiz
well versed in the world of Atlanta’s drag scene; he’s written numerous articles for Georgia Voice about drag, one of which you can find in this issue on page 10. Toby’s professional experience extends beyond photography; he’s a graduate of Florida State University and holds a Master’s in International Business from Bond University. Ha has produced national events for the LGBTQ community, and is the managing director of a family health care business.
8 Community News February 19, 2021
“The Atlanta LGBTQ+ community is very important to me and has been a big part of my life and my life’s work since moving to Georgia,” Toby said. “I am very passionate about devoting my time, energy, and creativity to this important organization in our community. The Atlanta Pride Committee hosts functions throughout the year, and I believe that I have the skill set and experience to help them continue to produce the types of premier events our city is renowned for.”
Quita Tinsley Peterson Quita is a Black nonbinary femme who was born and raised in Middle Georgia. However, they found a home in Atlanta, because that’s where they truly grew into the person they are today. Quita has extensive experience in reproductive justice and queer liberation organizing. They currently serve as the co-director of Access Reproductive Care — Southeast, a reproductive justice organization that funds abortion and practical support for Southerners seeking care. Their writing can be found on Facing South, the online magazine of the Institute for Southern Studies. You can find Quita on social media (@hello_quita on Instagram) discussing Black Southern organizing or raising funds to increase abortion access. “I’m so excited to serve on the Board of APC to support the growth and sustainability of the organization to continue to serve the Atlanta community and beyond for many more years to come,” Quita said. Learn more about APC’s Board of Directors at atlantapride.org. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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February 19, 2021 Ads 9
MEMORIAM
Remembering My Friend, Monica “If you want something, you have to go to get it, because life is too short — you don’t know when it’s gonna be over.”
Just Toby As I walked into Monica Van Pelt’s memorial service, time seemed to slow down. Everything was in slow motion, from opening doors to seeing Christopher resting peacefully, surrounded by a plethora of gorgeous photos of him as Monica. I realized in that moment that I wasn’t nearly ready to say goodbye and it would be much more difficult than I’d imagined. I went into a “zone” where I started to think about every single moment we had shared together and all the long conversations we had throughout our friendship. I intended to speak that day, but found myself at a loss for words. The day of Monica’s funeral, I wanted to say something in her memory, but I just couldn’t do the moment the justice it deserved. My throat was tight and my heart ached terribly. I’m honored now to have been asked to write this column, so I can say what I couldn’t that day to remember my dear friend. Monica started drag when she was 17 after a few theater friends dared her. That first performance, where she performed “She Bop,” got her started on an amazing 30-year-long journey as an entertainer. During her career, Monica entertained thousands of people. She was a show director, a multi-title holder, Miss Atlanta Grand Diva ’14, and Miss National at Large ’01. She also appeared at Lips Atlanta since its opening, making her an integral part of the Lips family. If you’ve been to Lips over the years, you’ve seen Monica’s influence in the décor and ambiance. Not only did Monica host shows, but she also entertained all over the city — you could say that she was the Energizer Bunny of drag. She has worked, as I recall, in almost every venue and festival in the city, including Backstreet, where Charlie Brown gave Monica her start in the Atlanta drag scene. She always told me that if it weren’t for Charlie Brown and Shawnna Brooks, she wouldn’t be the entertainer she became. Monica’s community involvement was one 10 Memoriam February 19, 2021
– Monica Van Pelt (2001) I recall vividly the look in her eyes as she smiled and said, “Biiiitch that’s sickening!” We worked together from that day onward, and I even had the honor of photographing her wedding when she married the love of her life, Brett.
PHOTO BY JUST TOBY
of her best attributes. Not surprisingly, she grew to have a chosen family with her own children: LJ Van Pelt, Hayden Van Pelt, Gavin Storm, and Taylor Van Pelt, as well as Candy O’Hara. Monica spoke fondly about her family and those who had helped her. She had so many stories of the Atlanta gay scene, and she constantly talked about former queens who had made an impact on our community. Just as Monica told me stories about people in her past to keep their memory alive, I want to do the same for her and share a bit of Monica’s life with you. Christopher and I met years ago at a photoshoot for the drag issue of this very publication. He was quiet and shy, and I had
only been photographing for a few years, but I could tell he was very nervous. The concept of the shoot was to capture the process of getting into drag before doing a full-on drag shoot. When I work with clients, I like to try to connect with the person to get a sense of how to capture their essence. As I made jokes, he’d laugh or respond back with another joke; he immediately got my quirky sense of humor. When it came to the shoot, Monica was nervous in front of the camera. We had a brief conversation in which I explained my process and said that I was there for her, to make her look amazing. I put her on a grand piano and directed her as I took a few shots. Then I showed her what I had captured.
Monica was a truly genuine person. She didn’t judge others, but simply loved people for who they were. I will never forget the time she told me she felt like a movie star in front of my camera. She was a true friend, who lifted you in your darkest moments and celebrated your victories as well. If you needed help or money, she would go to the ends of the Earth to help you. Monica was an incredible human being, and the community has lost an amazing entertainer and community leader. Like many of us, I lost a true friend who always gave me a smile and told me how much she loved me. If you have stories about Monica Van Pelt, please share them with the world so her memory lives on. For the time being, I’ll leave you with this quote Monica gave in an interview back in 2001: “If you want something, you have to go to get it, because life is too short — you don’t know when it’s gonna be over.” TheGeorgiaVoice.com
FINANCIAL NEWS
Choosing the Best Bank for You Katie Burkholder Are you in the market for a new bank? No matter the account you need, there are many different qualities to consider when choosing a bank to fit your particular needs. Here are some tips to use when assessing the banks in your area. What do you need? Not everyone is the same and needs the same things out of a bank, so properly assessing what your needs and dealbreakers are is absolutely necessary. Are you someone who gets a lot of paper checks? You should look for banks that offer remote deposit through a mobile app. Are you planning on getting a mortgage sometime soon? Maybe you need a bank that offers discounts for using other services. Here are some services some banks offer — are these needs, wants, or irrelevant to you? • Bank-to-bank transfers • Text and email alerts • ATM availability • Bank hours • Branch availability • Investment accounts • Financial planning What matters most is the type of account you’re looking for. Not all banks offer all kinds of accounts. Here are some common types of accounts that may fit your needs: • Checking account: The standard account for funds you will regularly access, usually through the use of a debit card. • Savings account: This is an account for putting away money you won’t touch until a rainy day. These accounts generate interest (see ‘Understand rates and fees’). • CD: A certificate of deposit is meant to store your money for a predetermined amount of time, thus locking in your interest rate for the full term. These accounts are best if you don’t need or want quick access to your money and want to avoid a changing interest rate like you might see with a savings account.
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / UFABIZPHOTO
• Money market account: Money market accounts are similar to savings accounts, except with generally easier access to your money. You may receive a debit card or paper checks to access these funds. Understand rates and fees After you’ve assessed your particular banking needs, it’s important to understand how interest rates and account charges compare across institutions. If you’re just looking to open a checking account, make sure either the fees to open and maintain the account are low or it’s free to open and maintain. If you’re opening a savings account, you want to look a high annual percentage yield (APY), especially if you’re going to save large amounts of money. This is the annual percentage of profit you’ll earn on the investment. Make sure your interest compounds — in other words, you can earn interest on past accumulated interest — to make the investment even more worthwhile. When it comes to fees, there are a few
12 Financial News February 19, 2021
that can remain hidden if not completely understood. Depending on your particular needs, it’s important to keep an eye out for how stringent some of these fees are:
abroad regularly for work or pleasure, this is a fee you’ll want to know about. Find out what a bank charges for using your debit card internationally.
• Overdraft fees: If you’re someone who often overdraws from their checking account, you’ll want to find out how much the bank will charge. Overdraft fees can be $30 or $35, but if you can set up overdraft protection, you can avoid these charges or at least accrue smaller ones. • ATM fees: Most banks will charge you for using an ATM outside of their network. If you’re someone who regularly withdraws cash on the go, make sure you know how large the bank’s ATM network is and how much it’ll cost you to go out of network. • Excess transaction fees: You can only withdraw from a savings or money market account six times a month — if you go over the limit, you’ll get charged. While some banks have paused these fees due to the coronavirus pandemic, if you worry you’ll be touching your savings account often, know how much it’ll cost you. • Foreign transaction fees: If you travel
Be insured This is arguably the most important thing to look for! Make sure your money is protected by only choosing a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In the event of your bank failing and closing, FDIC insurance makes sure you’ll be covered — up to $250,000. If you’re working with more than that, it might be wise to open multiple different accounts. Know what’s best At the end of the day, the best bank for you is dependent on your specific needs and interests. However, it doesn’t hurt to consider a bank simply because it’s popular — if it works for so many people, chances are it’ll work for you. According to the readers of Georgia Voice, Wells Fargo is gay Atlanta’s best bank (winning the Best Of award in 2017 and 2018), followed by BB&T and Private Bank of Decatur. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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YOUR VOICE
The Hedonic Treadmill and Why Happiness Has No Price Tag Sydney Norman
“… as people adapt to their new surroundings, both mentally and financially, they require more money to reach an elevated level of happiness.”
Money can’t buy you happiness and winning the lottery could be the worst thing to ever happen to you. Take Billie Bob Harrell Jr.: It’s 1997, and his years-long streak of layoffs has led him to work stocking shelves at Home Depot. Suddenly, his luck seemed to turn around one evening as he sat in his living room, watching TV. His randomly selected six numbers matched those drawn by the Texas lottery. Just like that, he was $31 million richer.
In the same manner that Parkinson’s Law dictates that work will expand to fill the time allotted, the average consumer will increase their spending with more total income. Studies show that as people’s yearly earnings increase, so does their desire to spend their money to better or maintain their lifestyle.
You’d think this would change his life for the better, but it would actually lead to his demise. Harrell was generous with his winnings, buying homes for himself and his family. He donated large sums to his church and helped his fellow worshippers in need. Soon everyone, from members of his church to complete strangers, was coming out of the woodwork with their hands out. Despite changing his number several times, people always seemed to find a way to get their hands on his digits. Soon, his spending and lending became the final straw that broke his already strained marriage. Harrell went from a happy, religious family man to a depressed middle-aged divorced person. When his ex-wife refused his request for reconciliation, he locked himself in the bedroom of the house he purchased with his winnings and took his own life. Winning the lottery is many people’s wildest dream. The promise of an easy and extravagant life falling into your lap overnight is the fuel that drives Americans to 14 Your Voice February 19, 2021
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / NICOLETA IONESCU
spend over $70 billion on lotto tickets every year. But Harrell’s story proves the age-old adage, “Be careful what you wish for.” You may be thinking, “Okay, I get it. Winning the lottery won’t make me happy, but a raise will, right?” The answer is yes, then no, and then not at all. Confused? Let’s look at the science. The average American’s basic needs are completely and comfortably covered when they reach a $75,000 yearly salary. Until this point, raises can incrementally increase an individual’s happiness as the stress of being able to cover life’s many necessities is gradually alleviated. After coming to a point where one’s basic needs are completely met, increases in salary can cause short-lived bumps in happiness, but they’ll come back down. Research also shows that the more money someone makes, the more money they think they need in order to reach a golden level of happiness.
The reason for the short-lived happiness of a raise above $75,000, a promotion at work, or moving to a new city is the same as the reason why we can overcome the loss of a loved one, being diagnosed with a chronic disease, or having to take a lower paying job. We adapt. Through “hedonic adaptation,” which Psychology Today defines as “the process by which positive or negative effects on happiness fade over time,” the hedonic treadmill is the process by which people generally return to their set point of happiness after either positive or negative events drive their happiness levels higher or lower than usual. This means that after a positive change, like a raise or promotion, humans tend to adapt to their new status quo and compare things against a new average. This means that after a while, it’s likely that post-raise, you’ll just feel like you need even more money to maintain that increased level of happiness (thankfully, this also means that life’s low points won’t last forever, either).
This means that as people adapt to their new surroundings, both mentally and financially, they require more money to reach an elevated level of happiness. Thus, the hedonic cycle continues. In order to find happiness, psychologists recommend looking inward and focusing on your goals and health as well as surrounding yourself with a strong support network. As corny as it may sound, money doesn’t last forever, but surrounding yourself with positive people and fostering strong relationships is the recipe for lasting happiness. The long-lasting joy that comes from solid relationships won’t send you into a hedonic cycle, because it will simply be raising your baseline happiness. So, it’s true: money really can’t buy you happiness. Information for this article comes from The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos, a podcast dedicated to the science of being happy. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
YOUR VOICE
One on One with Feroza Syed Bill Kaelin bill@billkaelin.com For the past year I was honored to write a monthly column for Georgia Voice with the condition that it would be focused on politics. The daily nightmare of #45 has been exhausting. Thankfully, the election is over, Joe Biden is now our President and already, within just four weeks, America is more drama-free than ever. The majority of us have finally released one gigantic sigh of relief. I am calmer than ever, feel more positive than I have in years, and as a result I want to shift my column to focus on people in our community who are making a difference every day and helping to make our city and the entire world a much better place. For my first “One on One” piece, I caught up with trans and political activist Feroza Syed to see how she is faring after the election. Miss Thing, OMG it is so nice to see you — virtually, at least! Girl, it so good to see you as well. I’ve been alone mostly for 12 months quarantining, and I am ready to get this vaccine. I’m the health provider for my parents, so I got the vaccine finally coming, and I’ll probably proposition the National Guard ‘cuz it’s been 12 months without any action. Honey, I am ready. You really played a huge part in both Warnock’s and Ossoff ’s wins. Seeing you hitting the streets every day, knocking on doors, really going the extra mile made me so happy. You have to be proud! Are you exhausted? I am definitely tired, but I don’t feel like I did anything different than others did as well. I think my social media presence helped inspire other people to get out and 16 Your Voice February 19, 2021
knock on doors, but I couldn’t have done this alone. I got so much support from the Democratic Party of Georgia, Fair Fight, and the New Georgia Project. I just have a voice that helped lift up all the amazing work that these organizations were already doing. This election was different for me because every single identity I have was on the ballot. I know when I go hard I will have no regrets. There was not one more door I could have knocked on, so the night before the election I went to sleep with peace. I had done everything I could possibly do. You sure did, you should be so proud of yourself. Right now, I just need a rest. Someone called me this week to see if I would get involved with the upcoming Mayor race, and I was like “Girrrrrrl I need a break, and I think people need a break from my voice as well. Call me back in eight months. Daddy needs to get his beauty rest.” It’s going to be hard for me to rest — thanks to the last administration, it’s going to take years to get back all the trans rights that were taken away from us. Transphobia is such a huge problem thanks to conservatives. Our trans brothers and sisters are getting murdered every day. There are currently 18 anti-trans bills that states are trying to pass as we speak. There is no rest for the weary, unfortunately. The visibility of the trans community seems highlighted more than ever. The amount of people coming out and saying they are gender fluid, gender nonconforming, etc. is stunning. Do you fear that all the people that are coming out as genderfluid overshadows the importance of the trans movement? No, I think it’s beautiful! I would almost call it an awakening. Society is finally coming to a space where we are allowing the spectrum of the binary to fade in the back, and it’s
Bill Kaelin and Feroza Syed COURTESY PHOTO
letting people be comfortable to express themselves anywhere on that spectrum. Breaking down that barrier is helpful for the trans movement. When we don’t focus so hard and obsess over gender, and we allow people to just be who they are, it brings everyone along and ultimately makes it easier for everybody to just be themselves. It’s obvious that you love Atlanta so much: if you could change one thing about it, what would it be? We truly need a proper LGBTQ community center. Every other major city in the country
has one. The Rush Center was trying to be that, but there was just too much drama going on within those walls. We need a place where every resource you need is under one roof and it should be a place where everyone is comfortable. Atlanta is great though. I have travelled everywhere, and it’s a misconception that we don’t keep it real in the South. You are always going to get the truth here in the ATL. It may not always be pretty, but people will tell you what they think and serve it to you with a smile. Read the full interview at thegavoice.com. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
BUCK JONES THE FRENCH CONNECTION
Maxime Cochard WORLD TODAY NEWS PHOTO
#MeTooGay Buck Jones The strange, sad story in France of the hashtag meme, #MeTooGay, took a tragic turn on Tuesday, February 9th. It all began a few weeks ago when, on January 21, a 20-year-old activist within the French Communist Party (PCF) tweeted an accusation that he had been raped two years ago by one of Paris’ city council members. Yes, the communists in France are actually a thing, and together with most of the other small leftist parties form a governing coalition in Paris behind the mayor of Paris, Socialist Anne Hidalgo (who is expected to run for president in 2022). The alleged victim, Guillaume, came to Paris at the age of 18 from the provinces, like most students. His family background wasn’t ideal, like many students, and it isn’t clear from media reports whether, when he arrived and began studying at the university he had a side job or an apartment with roommates, or if he had gotten one of the governmentprovided scholarships and financial aid most French students take advantage of. At some point, he began living with a gay couple, fellow activists with the Paris headquarters of the PCF. Maxime Cochard is no ordinary young communist activist, however. Elected to the city council at the age of 33 from Paris 14th arrondissement in the southern part of Paris, Cochard was viewed as one of the young, dynamic leaders within the party and had a rising profile in Paris city politics. With his boyfriend, also university student, the couple began a sexual relationship with Guillaume. This is where there is a divergence in the narrative. During that time the #MeToo movement began in earnest in the United States, with women who had been taken advantage of and, in many cases, abused TheGeorgiaVoice.com
“Two years following the “throuple” with Cochard and his boyfriend, Guillaume made his accusation using the improvised #MeTooGay. In his tweet he named Cochard and said that he had been raped at a period in his life when he was vulnerable. Cochard denied having raped Guillaume, saying their relationship was purely consensual and the accusation came as a complete surprise to him. Cochard lawyered up, and his attorney stated that she had viewed all of the phone texts exchanged between the two of them and saw nothing more than a sexual relationship that transitioned into a friendship.” sexually by men in positions of power stepping forward to accuse, name, shame, and ultimately bring about a change in how women are treated in the workplace. The moral strength of the movement eventually brought to light the endemic sexism within many businesses and organizations, leading to the criminal convictions of media mogul Harvey Weinstein and others. In January 2021, a parallel movement began in France for incest survivors following the revelations that several powerful figures had sexually abused family members. The #MeTooInceste stories began popping up not just on Twitter, but in the media as well, and the spotlight shed new scrutiny on how these cases have historically been swept under the rug by France’s justice system. As the number of incest stories swelled in the weeks that followed, into this maelstrom stepped young Guillaume.
Two years following the “throuple” with Cochard and his boyfriend, Guillaume made his accusation using the improvised #MeTooGay. In his tweet he named Cochard and said that he had been raped at a period in his life when he was vulnerable. Cochard denied having raped Guillaume, saying their relationship was purely consensual and the accusation came as a complete surprise to him. Cochard lawyered up, and his attorney stated that she had viewed all of the phone texts exchanged between the two of them and saw nothing more than a sexual relationship that transitioned into a friendship. Guillaume later stated that he came forward because he was concerned about the growing power of Cochard within the PCF and Paris city government (where Cochard was focused on, ironically, solving the affordable housing crisis within Paris) and didn’t want him to take advantage of any other vulnerable kids. The leadership within the PCF reacted with concern, offering psychological counseling for Guillaume as well as the services of an attorney and removing Cochard from leadership positions while it conducted its own investigation. The Twitter mob and public opinion joined into the “discussion,” with partisans of Guillaume screaming “RAPISTS” in all caps, with photos of Cochard and his boyfriend and tossing on the requisite hashtags of #Guillaume and #MeTooGay. Local newspapers and media gossips began trolling, and it all reached a tragic crescendo
on Tuesday afternoon, February 9th, when Guillaume was found hanging in his university dorm room, the victim of suicide. Grief-stricken, those close to Guillaume organized a memorial vigil in the snowy, frozen cold in front of the headquarters of the PCF, accusing the party of everything from moral negligence to facilitating Guillaume’s death. Meanwhile, everybody on the political left tut-tutted about what a tragedy his suicide was. A lot of the public posturing is, I’m sure, play-acting — aside from the genuine sorrow of Guillaume’s closest friends — as political actors seek opportunity in the misfortune of others. There are calls for more financial and housing aid from the French government, to prevent other “Guillaumes” from being sacrificed in the future. But the underlying rape accusations at the core of the story are still unanswered. Guillaume apparently never filed a police report during his three-month relationship, nor did he make any formal grievance with the PCF at the time. Yes, there was a power imbalance between him and the couple, with Cochard having the advantage, but without neutral, objective documentation, how does one ever prove (or disprove) such a claim? As with the original #MeToo movement, this sordid tale has forced an uncomfortable reexamination of gay sexual relationships. February 19, 2021 Columnist 17
A&E SPOTLIGHT
Main: The cast of “It’s a Sin” Inset: Russell T. Davies PHOTOS COURTESY OF HBO MAX
A Look at HBO Max’s ‘It’s a Sin’ Russell T. Davies looks back at beginning of AIDS crisis in gripping new series
Jim Farmer As Russell T. Davies tells it, he could have written his acclaimed new series “It’s a Sin” a while ago, but, busy with all sorts of other projects, he didn’t get around to it 18 A&E Spotlight February 19, 2021
until recently. The openly gay driving force behind both the UK and American versions of “Queer as Folk,” as well as a writer for “A Very English Scandal” and the remount of “Doctor Who,” he’s nonetheless happy to get his story of friendship during the beginning of the AIDS crisis out into the world. “I’ve been heading up to it all these years,” he told Georgia Voice. Spanning a decade, “It’s a Sin” revolves around three gay young men — Ritchie (Olly Alexander), Colin (Callum Scott
Howells), Roscoe (Omari Douglas) — and their straight friend Jill (Lydia West), sharing a flat in England in London in 1981. Their lives are pretty carefree — that is, until HIV/ AIDS begins to surface. Like the characters in the series, Davies was 18 in 1981 and lived with a group of his friends. Frequent clubbing and partying was the norm, but as HIV appeared, things started to change. Yet in England there wasn’t much information available on the new disease. This was a time where there
was no Internet, no cell phones. “It’s hard to imagine,” Davies said. “A younger audience is watching this kind of amazed.” During the time, whispers and rumors abounded about a “gay plague.” “People were saying, ‘Don’t sleep with Americans,’ as though that was a way of escaping it,” he said. “It was seen as this distant, strange thing.” The first time Davies took the situation CONTINUES ON PAGE 19 TheGeorgiaVoice.com
A&E SPOTLIGHT
Neil Patrick Harris (l) and Callum Scott Howells filming a scene in HBO Max’s “It’s a Sin” PHOTOS COURTESY OF HBO MAX
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 seriously was in June of 1983. He was a student at The University of Oxford, and while out and about, he bought a magazine called Him. It was a porn magazine full of naked men and personal ads, but it had some news and politics as well. “I walked down the street, and I stopped dead in my tracks because the cover was a test tube of naked boiling men with a caption that said AIDS DEATH PLOT PANIC, drawn by artist Oliver Frey,” Davies said. “That was the first time I went, ‘Oh, it’s real.’” As his career progressed and he became noted as a writer and producer, this piece was always in the back of his mind. “I realized the British story had not been told,” he said. “I felt like there are some great, ferocious pieces of work, but here in England it was different. I thought there was some room for it.” TheGeorgiaVoice.com
Neil Patrick Harris and Stephen Fry have memorable moments in the series, but the heavy lifting is done by the younger actors, many of whom are very new to the craft. Davies credits casting director Andy Pryor for aggressively seeking out new and impressive talent for the project. Both versions of Davies’ series “Queer as Folk” were wildly popular and helped many gay men feel comfortable about themselves. Davies takes enormous pride in that. “It was 1998 when I made it and 1999 when it transferred,” he said. “Someone would have done it. There was a rising voice of gay writers and queer writers. It was always on its way — thank God we made it. It went around the world. It was an extraordinary time for me but mad. It was lovely and I know it will be my legacy. It will probably be on my gravestone. It will be a very funny
gravestone to have but I don’t mind. It’s been a delight.” At a time when controversy has brewed about straight actors continuing to play gay roles, Davies was adamant about having a gay cast for “It’s A Sin.” “I think it brings something new to the screen,” he said. “My job is to make a drama unlike what I did 20 years ago, or even one year ago. Right now, there is this rising openness and queerness. I could talk about this forever. I know full well it’s illegal to ask an actor if he’s gay or not; that’s what protects workers in all sorts of settings. So, what we do is create an openly free, openly queer space where we say to actors and agents, ‘If you want to be out, we’d love to meet with you. Come and audition.’ You don’t have just gay actors walking in but openly gay actors who are the next generation, frankly.” “It’s a Sin” is now airing on HBO Max. February 19, 2021 A&E Spotlight 19
JIM FARMER ACTING OUT
New “United States vs. Billie Holiday” Revisits the Legendary Singer Jim Farmer
Andra Day makes her feature film debut in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”
Her voice was legendary, as were some of the battles she faced in her career. Lee Daniels’ new film, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” revisits the life of the iconic, openly bisexual singer.
PUBLICITY PHOTO
Andra Day makes her feature film debut here, starring as Holiday in a role that has earned her a Golden Globe nomination. The movie charts Holiday’s career as the Federal Department of Narcotics targets her, led by federal agent Jimmy Fletcher (“Moonlight” star Trevante Rhodes) with whom Billie eventually had an affair. Daniels knew the singer would be effective, but didn’t realize Day was going to be able to pull off all she does on the film. “It was a combination of her trusting me, her chemistry with Trevante and her passion for Billie Holiday,” the director, best known for “Precious” and “Empire,” told Georgia Voice. Daniels’ primary goal was doing justice to Holiday and giving her her due as a civil rights leader. “As we were doing the film, it didn’t really dawn on me until halfway through the film that we could say she was a civil rights leader,” he admitted. “I looked at her as a strong black woman who was determined to live in her truth. Trevante and Andra later on said she really did kick off the civil rights movement as we know it to be.” Rhodes admired the fact that she was her own person. “She was so unapologetically herself. She stood up to the FBI,” he said. “A lot of people have problems standing up to their bosses. That was eye-opening and invigorating to me.” “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” feels especially relevant now, as law enforcement 20 Columnist February 19, 2021
comes down on the singer just for singing her song, “Strange Fruit,” which protests the lynching of Black Americans. “Since the beginning of Black art when we came over here on the boats, slaves were singing on the boats, saying we’ll get through this to have better days, and that is essentially what we’re doing with the film,” said Rhodes. “We’re talking about the life of someone who did that. I go back and forth from being discouraged to being encouraged about where we are in the world. We’ve been saying this since we got here.” The film hints at Holiday’s bisexual identity. Natasha Lyonne plays Tallulah Bankhead, a woman with whom Holiday was rumored to be lovers. For Daniels, who is gay, it was important to show the truth about her relationships with both men and women. “I happen to be gay, but even if I were straight I’d want to tell this. She happened to like women, and people
don’t necessarily want to see that, especially Black people, in their heroes. But heroes are everybody. Superheroes come in all shapes, colors and sizes.” Atlanta’s Miss Lawrence, the personality behind the boutique salon Lawrence Washington Salon, featured in “Real Housewives of Atlanta” and “Fashion Queens,” co-stars as Miss Freddy, Billie Holiday’s dresser. Miss Lawrence, who has worked with Daniels on both “Empire” and “Star,” received a phone call from the director almost three years ago as Daniels was starting work on the movie. “He sent me the script and told me he thought I could be Miss Freddy,” says Miss Lawrence. “He thought it would be a good fit. When I read through it and then read all about Miss Freddy, I thought the same thing. I thought it was a great story to tell.” Miss Freddy was Billie Holiday’s dresser and very close friend and confidante. According to
Miss Lawrence, they did everything together — they did drugs together, they prayed together, they cried together. “Miss Freddy was no stranger to rebellion. Miss Freddy had several run-ins with the police and law enforcement because Miss Freddy refused to conform to what society says a man should look and act like. Miss Freddy always acted out of her own instinct and because of that I helm her as a hero, someone that came long before the gay liberation movement, who dared to be brave enough in this fragile and confused world.” The character’s strengths resonated with Miss Lawrence while preparing for the role. Miss Lawrence has a long allegiance and dedication to the culture of women, in particular to Black women.” My mother was the first person to fully accept who I was and told me it was okay just to be.” “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” airs on Hulu beginning February 26. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL EATERIES
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February 19, 2021 Restaurant Guide 21
MELISSA CARTER THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
A Tale of Black Bourbon Confusion Melissa Carter
with whether or not she should go.
The website AfricanAmericanHistoryMonth. gov describes this time of year as a time for paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society. I believe this year, more than ever before, other races are honoring those efforts as well, especially after witnessing the atrocities of 2020. However, that doesn’t mean those of lighter skin color don’t stumble in their efforts to be allies to the Black community.
She sent me this text exchange she had with the organizers of the event, confessing she may have been too forthcoming amid her anxiety. It’s worth noting here that she is of Polynesian descent and comes from multiracial parents, one of whom is white.
A friend of mine was in a panic last week after signing up for a Valentine’s Day event for her and her husband. Touted as a “Black bourbon” event, she assumed that meant they’d be tasting some new black-label offerings and was enthusiastic about going. Soon, she discovered the event was instead a party for Black patrons, and she struggled
22 Columnist February 19, 2021
Hi. I purchased tickets to the Black Bourbon event on Saturday the 13th before I realized it was an African American society. I thought maybe ‘black bourbon’ was a thing. Is that ok? I sent a message via EventBrite asking if I should ask for a refund. An honest, respectful message to which they responded: Thanks for messaging us. We try to be as responsive as possible. We’ll get back to you soon. Now this is the point where she should have
let it go and waited to hear back from them. But no:
Do you really think she stopped texting at this point?
We are not African American, and I am unsure how to NOT make this awkward.
We really are interested in coming.
Again, had she stopped here, there is still a chance she doesn’t seem too out of touch. Nope. Is the event open to all? Now we have tripped upon Crazy Lane. I still think this would be a really nice thing to do … we just don’t want to intrude. I am stumbling. Put the phone down, woman. Not a chance. I myself am mixed race … I am so sorry if this is coming off crazy or wrong … is it ok if we come?
I nearly cry with laughter every time I see this exchange. When she shared it with me, laughing at herself, I told her the only thing missing is her telling them she had Black friends. As a lesbian, I myself have fielded such concern from straight allies who want to come to Pride but wonder if they aren’t welcomed there. At first you are defensive and almost offended at the ignorance, yet seeing this text chain from a well-meaning and loving individual, I understand that patience is in order. Nervous allies should be handled with love and appreciation, much like the bourbon organizers eventually did with my friend. They ended up going and had a great time.
TheGeorgiaVoice.com
RYAN LEE SOMETIMES ‘Y’
Stolen Fruit: Downfall of a Closeted Gay Predator Ryan Lee One of the heroes of the 2020 election turns out to be as creepy and morally corroded as the president it helped oust. While producing media clips worthy of a Peabody Award for public service, the leaders of The Lincoln Project are alleged to have ignored warnings that one of their cofounders was a gay sexual predator. It’s a salacious downfall for such a righteous brand, which was created in 2019 by heavyweight Republican consultants in principled opposition to the dotard who was ruining their party and our country. The Lincoln Project’s online ads were vulgarly effective in agitating and exposing its target, and progressive fortunes will be much brighter if Democrats were taking notes. However, the group’s legacy has already crumbled into a pile of Lincoln Logs, from which co-founder John Weaver has emerged as the latest queer villain of the #metoo era. The 61-year-old is married to a woman and is the father of two minor children, and he allegedly used political jobs as an aphrodisiac for the young men he seduced on Twitter. Weaver’s saga encompasses generations of LGBTQ dilemmas and advancements, and more than 30 years have passed since he was first accused of being a closeted homosexual leveraging his power to solicit sex from politically enterprising youth. Ironically, Weaver was protected from those initial allegations by the homophobia his party fosters, as many folks assumed Karl Rove was using anti-gay rumors to gain an advantage over a political rival when he accused Weaver of making a pass at a young man in the late 1980s. The deluge of recent allegations and chat screenshots appears to vindicate Rove’s decades-old claim, and it’s pitiful that Weaver opted out of, and no doubt worked to oppose, TheGeorgiaVoice.com
John Weaver
the queer liberation occurring during the prime of his life. Perhaps if he prioritized authenticity over ambition, Weaver wouldn’t be a sexagenarian spamming twinks with messages addressed to “my boy.” Of course, there are plenty of otherwise welladjusted gay men of Weaver’s generation who share his fondness for barely legal boyfriends and circumvent the rejection they expect by offering party favors and payment instead of political internships. With no judgment toward May/December relationships or transactional sex and companionship, gay men my age and older should know when it is appropriate to express desire, how to do so without causing discomfort, and how exploitive it is to confuse someone into desiring you by providing something else they crave. Many of the messages Weaver sent to twentysomethings on Twitter could be forgiven as clumsy, hopeless flirtation if they weren’t paired with promises of employment. However, Weaver’s overtures were also allegedly directed toward a 14-year-old boy, which escalates a human resources nightmare into a criminal sexual offense. If there is a rainbow in this gloomy tale, it’s that several of Weaver’s targets were openly gay Republican strivers, choosing a different path from the one a young Weaver took and exhibiting the breadth of LGBTQ progress since the turn of the century. I would love to see a Lincoln Project commercial about an asshole who tries to eat fruit from a tree that he watered with piss. February 19, 2021 Columnist 23