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GEORGIA NEWS

Challengers to LGBTQ legislators line up Park Cannon faces primary challenger, newcomer running in Brookhaven

and English-only requirements that target hard-working immigrants.” Instead, Wilson said he would focus on the topics of education, transit and health care. He was running because his experience as “a middle-school teacher, a trial lawyer and an openly gay man is needed under the Gold Dome now more than ever.” Representation matters, he said.

By JASON RHODE jrhode@thegavoice.com The electoral spring of 2018 opens with a run. Several, in fact. There are four openly LGTBQ representatives in the Georgia Legislature. Two of them face opposition in their upcoming races. Whatever weather fall brings, a season of change is guaranteed at the Capitol.

The statewide date for primaries is May 22, followed by primary runoff elections on July 24, with the general election on Nov. 6. Currently, the four openly LGBTQ politicians in the Georgia House are Reps. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), Park Cannon (D-Atlanta), Sam Park (D-Lawrenceville) and Renitta Shannon (D-Atlanta).

Shannon and Drenner will run unopposed. Park will face an electoral challenge in the general, and Cannon faces a primary challenger in May. In 2016, Park beat Republican Valerie Clark in Gwinnett by 400 votes. He’ll face her again in the fall. Cannon’s contest involves beating Democrat Bonnie Clark for the party’s nomination.

Surge in LGBTQ candidates nationwide The numbers of openly LGBTQ candidates are growing: last year in Atlanta, 16 LGBTQ candidates vied for office, including Cathy Woolard’s mayoral campaign and Alex Wan’s attempt to claim the City Council presidency. This year, a significant number of LGBTQ politicians are running for office. One of them is Matthew Wilson, a gay Brookhaven attorney and Democrat who is running to represent House District 80.

Of course, there have been other LGBTQ politicians in recent Georgia history, such as Keisha Waites, Joseph Geierman, Stephe Koontz, Rashad Taylor or Woolard (the first openly gay elected official in Georgia history). But according to NBC News, www.thegeorgiavoice.com

State Rep. Park Cannon, left, faces a primary challenger on May 22, and Rep. Sam Park, right, faces a general election challenger in November. (File photos)

“She has done such an incredible job advocating on a wide range of issues; it’s critical for the community to do all we can to elect her for another term.”

—State Rep. Sam Park on fellow Rep. Park Cannon, who faces a primary challenger on May 22

2018 is unique: “[Victory Fund] expects to endorse more than 150 LGBTQ candidates this cycle, making it the biggest endorsement slate in the organization’s 26-year history.” Nor does their list comprise the total catalog of LGTBQ candidates who are on ballot this year.

The 2018 slate of LGBTQ Georgia candidates includes individuals such as Richie Knight, the Athens mayoral candidate and first openly gay candidate to qualify for office in Athens-Clarke County. But for obvious reasons, the current officeholders are drawing the lion’s share of the attention.

Political newcomer running in Brookhaven The names of Cannon and Park are familiar to long-time poll-watchers. Both are endorsed by the Victory Fund. Park was the first openly-gay man and first Asian-American Democrat to be elected to the statehouse, with a campaign based on healthcare, equality and economic policy. He served in the Georgia House Democratic Caucus as

Deputy Assistant Whip. Cannon, a member of the Executive Committee of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, is the only openly queer member of the Legislature.

In an interview with Georgia Voice, Park said that the upcoming election was a “fantastic opportunity for our community to increase our representation in the Legislature.”

Park argued that it was “important for our community to elect Park Cannon ... she has done such an incredible job advocating on a wide range of issues; it’s critical for the community to do all we can to elect her for another term.” Park has emphasized his desire to run on the same platform as before —access to healthcare, dignity for all and a healthier economy.

Wilson told Georgia Voice he was running for the Legislature “to focus on issues that matter.” Residents of District 80 were tired, he said, of “legislators spending their limited time each year debating hateful legislation like ‘religious liberty protections’ that are just licenses to discriminate, bills to allow college students to carry guns on campus

Georgia Equality endorsements to come Jeff Graham, the executive director of Georgia Equality, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said he is focused on the May 22 primaries first and then the judicial and municipal races after that. The group was waiting on endorsements. He praised Park Cannon, calling her “an exemplary representative of the LGBTQ community down at the Capitol.”

He also praised Sam Park: “We need to make sure he retains his seat this year. I hope folks will support him. He’s become a key expert on Medicare expansion, making sure that folks get medical insurance when they need it.”

Graham said the number-one goal of Georgia Equality in the coming session would be the introduction of comprehensive, inclusive civil rights legislation in Georgia.

Georgia Voice talked to Park Cannon, who sang the praises of her team: “As we head towards the May 22 election, we are excited that so many volunteers have reached out to contribute their time and energy to our campaign.” She specified health care, transit and schooling as areas of chief importance.

“We want to make sure everyone knows it’s an opportunity to maintain LGBTQ elected officials in Georgia.”

“The truth is,” Wilson said, “lawmaking is about building consensus. The more LGBTQ elected officials we have under the Gold Dome, working across the aisle on various issues for their constituents, the harder it is for other legislators to successfully introduce or pass bad bills that target the LGBTQ community.”

Cannon was optimistic: “We are on the cusp of an opportunity to turn Georgia blue, to get as much support as possible ... to get the people who really matter better alternatives.” Or, as she put it, “Better solutions to a better Georgia.”

April 13, 2018 News 3

? News January 5, 2018 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

GEORGIA NEWS

Longtime AIDS researcher takes charge of CDC Reaction mixed, but local authorities optimistic

By JASON RHODE jrhode@thegavoice.com President Donald Trump appointee Robert Redfield Jr., a longtime AIDS researcher, was sworn in as the 18th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on March 26. Reaction to news of Redfield’s appointment was mixed. Opponents have criticized Redfield on three grounds: his participation in the Trump administration, his inexperience running a large public health organization and controversies in his early career. However, local HIV groups were supportive.

Extensive HIV/AIDS background As the nation’s premier health protection agency, the Atlanta-based CDC is a pillar of the global health system. Redfield’s appointment was announced on March 21 by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar II. Redfield, 66, has garnered wide respect for his many years of clinical work, including a 20-year stint at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

Prior to his appointment, Redfield, an infectious disease specialist, was a professor at the University of Maryland. While there, he helped to manage a Baltimore treatment network which cared for patients with hepatitis C and AIDS. During the second Bush administration, he served in an advisory capacity at the National Institutes of Health and worked for four years on Bush’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. In his career, Redfield has been at the cutting edge of AIDS research. He pioneered therapeutic treatments for AIDS and HIV infection and worked to create the staging system now commonly employed for HIV treatment. He co-founded the University of Maryland’s Institute of Human Virology.

Past controversies concern some In the 1980s, as the official in charge of Army AIDS research, Redfield argued that

Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, left, swears in CDC Director Robert Redfield, right. His wife, Joy Redfield, looks on. (Photo via Twitter)

“Dr. Redfield said that he could end it in seven years, and I would love to see that plan.”

—Larry Lehman, CEO and President of Positive Impact Health Centers military testing for the disease ought to be mandatory. According to a March 12, 1989 article in the Los Angeles Times/Newsday, there were special barracks at Fort Hood known as the “HIV hotel” and “the leper colony,” to which “scores” of soldiers were transferred. “Along with the pain of discrimination comes the fear of being discharged and left without medical coverage,” wrote Laurie Garrett.

Last month, Garrett attacked Redfield in a Foreign Policy feature, calling him “homophobic” and a “quack.” In the 30 years since Fort Hood, Garrett wrote, “About five million soldiers and recruits were tested by 1989, with 6,000 of them proving HIV-positive. Anecdotally, many of these young men committed suicide, and most were drummed out of the military without

medical coverage, dying impoverished from their AIDS disease.”

In the early 1990s, Redfield was criticized for allegedly misrepresenting data.

Opponents charged that he had done so to bolster his preferred AIDS vaccine, VaxSyn. Redfield was later cleared of scientific misconduct. His continued connection with the conservative, evangelical Children’s AIDS Fund has also raised eyebrows.

Local advocates voice cautious optimism However, many medical professionals, public health colleagues and other luminaries in the field praised the clinician as an excellent choice. According to Science magazine, James Curran, previous chief of the CDC’s HIV/AIDS program and current

dean of Emory’s Rollins School, praised Redfield: “It’s nice to have someone competent and committed to HIV/AIDS ... Most of the bad things he was associated with were quite a while ago and, unlike some of the people involved with AIDS in the beginning, he’s been really, really committed for a long period of time.” Robert Gallo, who played a role in discovering HIV and co-founded the Institute of Human Virology with Redfield, also praised the director to Science. Gallo called Redfield “a dedicated and compassionate physician who truly cares about his patients.”

Atlanta locals were generally positive about Redfield. Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, told Georgia Voice, “We are encouraged that someone with a deep background in HIV is running the CDC. We look forward to working with him to counter the faltering effort to stop the rising tide of HIV and other STDs in the United States, and we trust that he will be guided solely by scientific evidence rather than any external considerations.”

Larry Lehman, the CEO and president of Positive Impact Health Centers, told Georgia Voice, “We are excited to see “someone with an HIV background in the CDC.” “There’s a major epidemic in this city,” Lehman said. “In his introductory speech, Dr. Redfield said that he could end it in seven years, and I would love to see that plan.” Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a daily medicine regimen taken by people who are at a high risk of developing HIV. If done properly, it can lower the chances of infection.

Lehman stressed that PrEP “is not a service that is paid for by the CDC or the Ryan White program, and we need the government to step up and do that. The CDC has a huge push to test everyone, but they’re not paying for PrEP services. If you’re trying to end an epidemic it’s critical for PrEP to become available to everyone.” Regarding Redfield’s controversies, Lehman noted that “There was controversy 30 years ago, but that’s in the past — I think we need some really strong people in leadership roles to make the changes that we need.”

4 News April 13, 2018 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

GEORGIA NEWS

LGBTQ Atlanta nightlife resurgence?

New and returning gay spaces fuel optimism about community’s culture

pened at Burkhart’s, we are absolutely committed to making everyone feel comfortable.”

That’s not the only new venue coming — in addition to Cherskov still hunting for a place to open another dance club, Yancey is among the Atlantans planning to open a new performance space.

Yancey helped organize a community meeting following the Burkhart’s incident. One of the goals after that meeting was to establish a “cooperatively owned space” that is both performance venue and bar. It will be a location that not only serves as the new home for some former Burkhart’s entertainers, but also will provide space for diverse acts and artists.

“We’ve got a couple of good sites that are being considered and discussed now,” Yancey said.

By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN LGBTQ Atlanta’s been on a rollercoaster the past few months.

Cheshire Bridge landmark nightclub Jungle Atlanta closed last fall, followed by efforts to close nearby adult store Tokyo Valentino.

Midtown restaurant Cowtipper’s faced closure. The former Burkhart’s in Ansley Village closed abruptly after its owner’s racist social media posts were aired.

But there may be a light at the end of the tunnel — Cowtippers ownership chose instead to undergo a makeover and remain open; the owners of Oscar’s bought Burkhart’s with plans to re-brand and re-build; Midtown Tavern is now under LGBTQ ownership; and there are efforts underway to form a co-op LGBTQ performance venue and bar.

The bar formerly known as Burkhart’s It doesn’t have an official name or opening date yet, but the former Burkhart’s does have new owners.

Chris McDonald of Oscar’s, located across the parking lot, and his business partner Marco Penna have big plans to turn the club and restaurant into the new hot spot for all LGBTQ Atlantans.

“If people really look at it, the community is really kind of closing in on itself. With the bar across the street coming available, it was like, why not? It’d be amazing for us, it’d be amazing for the community,” McDonald said. “Back in the day, that was the first gay bar a lot of people went to, because it is one of the largest in the city. … We’re working on the menu now for food and we’re definitely going to do entertainment.”

James Brian Yancey, community activist and founder of Rainbros, said he’s glad that the space will remain in the LGBTQ community.

“There have been a lot of things that are reopening, which has been really, really exciting,” www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Atlanta LGBTQ nightlife veterans Richard Cherskov, left, and Keith Young, right, who bought Midtown Tavern last month. (File photo)

Yancey said. “In terms of the Burkhart’s thing, … that was kind of the anchor tenant that was supporting a lot of those other businesses. I think it’s great to see that owners already there stepped up and are fulfilling that role.”

McDonald said construction to connect the bar to the BeltLine will continue, and the owners and managers will not tolerate any of the behavior that led to Burkhart’s closing. McDonald is most looking forward to finally being able to open the doors to the new space, and letting the community know they’re going to be OK. “That was a stepping stone,” he said. “We will prevail, always. We will always stand behind each other and do what we have to do to move to the next step.”

Out with the old, in with the new The loss of Jungle wasn’t easy for Atlanta, and especially not for former owner Richard Cherskov.

“We lost our lease over there with the developments happening on Cheshire Bridge.

They decided not to renew us,” Cherskov said, adding that the developers did not seem keen to have a nightclub near their new apartments.

He and his partner began the search for a new home for Jungle — or, at least a Jun-

gle-like facility — and found out that Midtown Tavern was for sale.

“Midtown Tavern has been here since 2002 and the old owner, who’s a very nice guy, it was sort of a hobby bar for him and he didn’t have the time to continue spending on it,” Cherskov told Georgia Voice. “So in about a five-week period, it happened very quickly, we were able to finalize the purchase, able to get the liquor license put in our name and we’re starting to gay it up.”

Midtown Tavern is more food-focused than Jungle was, and though it doesn’t have a dance floor, it does have a stage for performances.

“Jungle was the place to go late-night and dance, and maybe catch a drag show, but we’re going to be an all-day establishment with a greater focus on food and an everyday feel,” Cherskov said. “While we’re still looking for a place to open a dance club, we were able to secure another space for the LGBTQ community with what seems like so many of our spaces in trouble or in peril.”

Cherskov doesn’t plan to change the name of Midtown Tavern, but the business will get new branding, a new website, new furniture and a fresh coat of paint.

“We have an entire line-up of very diverse events,” he said. “With the problems that hap-

Moving forward Yancey stressed the importance of bar patrons making an effort to not only support businesses in their community, but to do their due diligence to know the owners of these locations. Cherskov echoed his sentiments.

“This is what happened with Burkhart’s.

For whatever reason, they did not have the connection to the gay community except that they owned a gay establishment,” Cherskov said. “We have a fantastic group of nightlife superfans in Atlanta. We’ve had an overwhelming, positive response to what we’re doing over [at Midtown Tavern], and to see that enthusiasm is personally very fulfilling.”

Yancey said he hopes LGBTQ businesses support diversity at all levels of staff, and make efforts not to purposely exclude anyone — such as requiring door fees or changing entertainment offerings to discourage black LGBTQ patronage, as allegedly happened at Burkhart’s.

“My biggest concern is as individuals that we don’t continue to repeat history. We tend to always lean toward renting and leasing spaces, because it’s less money up front,” Yancey said.

“We end up signing leases in parts of town that are going to inevitably end up becoming more popular over time. … I know a lot of these facilities are still rented or leased, so I’d like to find more sustainable efforts where, even if it takes more time to find the investment and raise the funds, the LGBT community makes more of an effort to find permanency.”

April 13, 2018 News 5

? News January 5, 2018 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

NEWS BRIEFS

M. Dru Levasseur, left, and Taylor Brown, right, of Lambda Legal. (Photo courtesy Lambda Legal)

Gay Atlanta man named interim CEO of civil rights center With the departure of Derreck Kayongo, the Center for Civil and Human Rights will welcome the arrival of interim CEO Brian Tolleson. Tolleson is a Center board member who was instrumental in the founding of The LGBT Institute, and he is currently the CEO of the digital content agency BARK BARK. Tolleson is a former vice president of marketing and creative at Viacom. He has also worked with companies such as Google, Sony, NBC Universal and Starbucks.

The Center for Civil and Human Rights is a long-time player in the cultural and political life of the city. The Center is most famous in its role as a downtown attraction for visitors to Atlanta. In addition to its displays of civil rights history, the Center features an ongoing exhibit from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection at Morehouse College.

Aside from its destination role for visitors, the CCHR also serves as a center for dialogue and education.

Tolleson became widely known for his fight against the religious exemptions bill HB 757 in 2016, telling the AJC that the bill “would really do irreparable harm to our brand as a state.”

Lambda Legal adds two staffers to Atlanta office There will be some new faces in Lambda Legal’s Atlanta office.

The LGBTQ legal team’s Transgender

Rights Project Director, Senior Attorney M. Dru Levasseur, has relocated to Georgia. According to Lambda, Levasseur’s areas of focus are “strategy development, impact litigation, advocacy and community education.” He played a crucial role in originating Lambda’s Legal Transgender Rights Project and the organization’s popular Trans Toolkit.

A member of the New York Bar, Levasseur co-founded the Jim Collins Foundation, and graduated from the University of Massachusetts and the Western New England University School of Law. Additionally, Lambda Legal’s new Tyron Garner Fellow is Taylor Brown, a transgender woman hailing from North Carolina. Brown got her B.A. from Chapel Hill’s University of North Carolina and in May will graduate from the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York. This is not Brown’s first time working alongside the professionals of Lambda; she previously interned with Lambda’s Transgender Rights Project.

Lambda Legal is a national nonprofit legal organization dedicated to full recognition of the rights of LGBTQ Americans (and those living with HIV) through public policy work and impact legislation. They are the largest and oldest such organization in the United States.

Atlanta police launch LGBTQ Citizens Police Academy The Atlanta Police Department has

announced it is launching its first-ever LGTBQ Citizens Police Academy. The event will consist of a two-day program April 17-18, running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The police department seeks a stronger understanding with the gay community, and to build lasting bridges between different parts of Metro Atlanta.

The program itself is facilitated by Atlanta Police Department officers and LGBTQ liaisons Eric King and Courtney Mack. The program is focused on distributing information about important subjects, including human trafficking, force-use and homicide.

All topics will be accompanied by conversations on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community.

“I commend the Atlanta Police Department for prioritizing a culture of respect with Atlanta’s LGBTQ community,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in a news release. “Atlanta must remain a community where all people live their lives openly, feel safe and be free of discrimination. The city needs LGBTQ voices in order to understand and address the challenges they face, while helping law enforcement make Atlanta one of the safest large cities in the nation.”

Applicants to the LCPD must be at least 21, reside in Metro Atlanta and have zero felony and misdemeanor convictions in the previous year. There will be a background check for all interested parties. Contact 404546-2541.

6 News April 13, 2018 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

NATIONAL NEWS

Mississippi court rules divorced lesbian has rights to child State Supreme Court’s ruling reverses lower court finding that woman wasn’t full parent

By CHRIS JOHNSON, WASHINGTON BLADE courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association

The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled on April 5 that the state must recognize the non-birth mother to the child of a divorced lesbian couple for parenting rights and not an anonymous sperm donor.

In a 15-page decision on behalf of the court, Mississippi Associate Justice David Ishee found that Christina Strickland has parenting rights because she acted prior to the divorce as parent to the child, identified as Z.S., even though Kimberly Day was the birth mother.

“All this in the record shows that Kimberly’s original representation was that Christina was Z.S.’s equal coparent, and that Christina relied on this representation in changing her position,” Ishee wrote. “To now allow Kimberly to challenge Christina’s parentage of Z.S. undoubtedly will cause injury to the child.”

As a result of the ruling, the Mississippi Supreme Court reversed the decision of the chancery court that ruled Strickland wasn’t a full parent and remanded the case for a custody agreement consistent with the ruling.

Ishee wrote that the potential for injury is “particularly clear” because Strickland had to face the possibility Day would seek to have the child adopted by a new spouse and “with an inferior in loco parentis status, could do nothing about it.”

“At bottom, to deny Christina the relationship she has built with Z.S. would be a miscarriage of justice,” Ishee wrote. “And so, we find Kimberly is stopped from challenging Christina’s parenting rights as to Z.S., as this position is wholly inconsistent with her earlier position, which held Christina out to be the parent of Z.S.” Couple separated in 2013 In a statement, Strickland said the rulwww.thegeorgiavoice.com

The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled for the parenting rights of a lesbian mother. (Stock photo)

ing marked a “great day” and asserts she has rights as a parent just as she would have if she were in an opposite-sex relationship.

“Even though I’ve been a mom since the beginning, taking care of them and loving them, today the court made me their parent in every sense of the word,” Strickland said. “It is a relief that my status as a parent in my son’s life can never be questioned or stripped away.”

Strickland and Day were a same-sex couple legally married in Massachusetts in 2009, but resided in Mississippi. After their marriage, they had one child through adoption, then sought to have a child through artificial insemination with Day as the birth mother.

However, the couple separated in 2013 and Day entered into a new relationship, this time with a man.

At first, Strickland continued to visit and provide support to both children, but Day decided to cut off all contact in 2015. When they divorced in 2016, the chancery court blocked Day’s new spouse from adopting the children, awarded Strickland visitation rights and ordered her to pay child support

for both children. However, the court also ruled that Strickland wasn’t the full legal parent to Z.S. because the anonymous sperm donor superseded her rights as the second parent.

Ishee writes the chancery court “erred in finding” an anonymous sperm donor has rights to the child and not the spouse of the women married to the birth mother when the child was conceived.

“Make no mistake — affirmance here arguably would impose parentage, and all its responsibilities, on anonymous sperm donors who contribute to assist families in achieving pregnancy — perhaps creating a chilling effect on sperm donation,” Ishee wrote. “Furthermore, it effectively would leave many children conceived through this method with one legal parent. And in the tragic situation in which a mother dies during childbirth or before a proper termination proceeding — it would leave the child an orphan. Such a notion is untenable and certainly contrary to the public policy of the state.”

Lambda Legal scores win Strickland’s appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court was filed by Lambda Legal, which argued the chancery court’s decision wasn’t in the best interests of the child and violated the right to due process under the U.S. Constitution.

Beth Littrell, counsel for Lambda Legal, said in a statement that the decision has implications not just for Strickland, but samesex couples throughout Mississippi.

“Today’s ruling is confirmation for thousands of married couples in Mississippi who know that the love, care and responsibility that comes with being a mom or dad goes far beyond the blood relationship of an anonymous sperm donor,” Littrell said. “The Court recognized that marriage equality is the law of the land in Mississippi. No matter the gender of your spouse, all married couples and their children now receive the same respect for their parent-child relationships when they bring children into their families through reproductive technology.”

April 13, 2018 News 7

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Killing plants softly with my song

BY PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com PO Box 77401 • Atlanta, GA 30357 P: 404-815-6941; F: 404-963-6365

EDITORIAL

Editor: Patrick Saunders psaunders@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor: Jason Rhode jrhode@thegavoice.com Editorial Contributors: Ashleigh Atwell, Cliff Bostock, Melissa Carter, Dallas A. Duncan, Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Just Toby, Ryan Lee, Robbie Medwed, Matt Schafer, Dionne N. Walker, Simon Williamson

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Art Director: Rob Boeger rboeger@thegavoice.com

BUSINESS

Managing Partner/Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com

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Sales Executive: Dixon Taylor dtaylor@thegavoice.com 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

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.

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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.

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8 Editorial April 13, 2018

“The one thing I haven’t managed to kill is a succulent, which is like the Robert Mueller of the plant world — it just won’t go away.

And man am I glad for that in both cases.”

I do not have a green thumb. I kill flowers, lenger in May and Rep. Sam Park faces Replants, you name it. There’s no excuse really, publican opposition in the general election seeing as my mom is a certified master gar- in November. Will we still keep our four LGdener and she volunteers at the Atlanta Bo- BTQ seats in the Georgia Legislature? Check tanical Garden. I inherited many traits from out the story for a primer on the races, plus her, but playing in the dirt without commit- the scoop on another LGBTQ citizen runting mass murder was not one of them. ning for state House.

The one thing I haven’t managed to kill is There’s a new head of the Atlanta-based a succulent, which is like the Robert Mueller Centers for Disease Control and Prevenof the plant world — it just won’t go away. tion — did you know about his controversial And man am I glad for that in both cases. past involving HIV/AIDS issues? How worIf you’re like me with the ried are local HIV/AIDS experts gardening deficiency, or you’re about this? We found out. just looking for some simple but You might have also noticed trendy ways to spruce up your a lot of nightlife news lately. The home, you’ll enjoy our story sky was falling as far as LGBTQ in this issue where we pick the Atlanta nightlife a few months brains of local experts on home ago, but a few major developand garden trends this season. ments have got people feeling opIt’s all a part of our annual timistic. We take a look at what’s Real Estate/Home & Garden is- My succulent, Robert happened, what it means for the sue which you’re holding right Mueller. community and what new hot now. Elsewhere in that special spots to look out for next. section, we put the spotlight on South AtAnd finally in news, we have a national lanta and talk to local real estate experts and story from our partners at the Washington residents about this up-and-coming area. Blade on a big Mississippi Supreme Court rulDevelopment can be good, until the dreaded ing involving a divorced lesbian and her child. “g word” (gentrification) rears its ugly head.

It’s time for another installment of our Speaking of development, the bad that business series, Work It! We’ve got some often comes with that is loads more traffic — updates on MAAP, the AGLCC and the just what Atlanta needs right? We explore all NGLCC that you might be interested in. the various forms of alternative transportaAnd all eyes will be on the Atlanta Eagle this tion to help you get around more efficiently weekend as Atlanta Leather Pride takes center as the city grows and grows. stage. We’ve got a two-page preview story to get Finally in that section, we asked The you ready for the weekend, whether you’re a Concierge Guy (aka gay Atlanta man Dillard novice or a regular on the leather scene.

Jones) for his tips on upping your home déPlus enjoy all of our columnists and check cor game on a budget. out the Best Bets calendar to find out the We’ve also got four hard-hitting news sto- can’t-miss events over the next two weeks. ries for you this issue, starting with a look We hope you like our coverage this issue! at the LGBTQ legislators who are fighting Have some feedback on it or anything else to keep their seats this year. State Rep. Park of importance to you? Hit me up at editor@ Cannon faces a Democratic primary chal- thegavoice.com!

FEEDBACK Re: “Final effort to pass anti-LGBTQ adoption bill fails as Georgia legislative session ends,” March 30 “While this is great news, it won’t be the last time they try. The only reason it didn’t pass is cause they don’t want to jeopardize the chances of getting Amazon to come to ATL.” -Marilyn Nieves via Facebook “Thank you, Georgia Equality!”

-Larry Lehman via Facebook “The nutcase fanatics have been held at bay for another year, but don’t let down your guard; they are sure to try to force their special brand of homophobia and hatred upon all Georgians, shamelessly branded as religious ‘freedom,’ again.”

-Steve Devore via Facebook “Can we please just move on! The gays do not want to threaten your ol’ time religion. Please just leave us alone.”

-Jens Palsgaard-Anglin via Facebook Re: “Atlanta gay bar Oscar’s owners buy Burkhart’s, plan name change,” April 2 “Marco Penna is a terrific person and very experienced in business. He will be a superb operator.”

-Andy via www.thegeorgiavoice.com “1492 is the address, anyone connecting that with racism because of Christopher Columbus sailing the ocean blue in 1492 has way too much time on their hands and needs to get a life. Please get a blackjack table back … I miss playing there … was always a good draw on slow nights. In order to make it profitable, it needs to be run by the bar and pay dealers a minimum wage, not just commission only. I started the table at Opus 1 and dealt at both Burkhart’s under Miss Lauren and under Tim Sisk. I am physically not able to do it myself, but I would be happy to help you set it up. Feel free to contact me.”

-Kenneth Kurtz via www.thegeorgiavoice.com “The name should not be changed.”

-Orean Keels Jr. via Facebook Want to be featured in Feedback? Leave a comment to a story via social media or on our website, or email editor@thegavoice.com with the subject line “Feedback.” www.thegeorgiavoice.com

IN THE MARGINS

By Ashleigh Atwell

Lessons to be learned from ‘Drag Race’ Ashleigh Atwell is a queer lesbian writer and organizer born and raised in Atlanta.

I am a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stan. over into the behind-the-scenes show, “UnI watch it like dudebros watch the Su- tucked.” For those that aren’t watching, per Bowl. I watch it, usually with a snack, Aquaria is white and The Vixen is Black. every week. I commiserate with other fans Aquaria came for The Vixen’s drag beabout who will win, who will lose and what cause the wig she wore in the previous epiis rigged (#justiceforshangela). sode belonged to another queen. The Vixen “Drag Race” is mostly fun for me, but shot back and Aquaria wasn’t prepared. every now and again, the show veers into During “Untucked,” the incident was social commentary. They have covered ev- brought up in conversation and Aquaria erything from eating disorders to the Pulse began to cry when The Vixen confronted nightclub shooting. Despite RuPaul’s ex- her. The Vixen’s response to the tears was tremely problematic commentary, the past very poignant. couple of seasons have been dropping gems “You say something, I say something, you left and right. start crying,” The Vixen told Aquaria. “You Season 10 has been no exception. During have created the narrative that I am an angry the April 5 episode, two queens — Aquaria black woman who has scared off the little AF_ATL_Ad_GeorgiaVoice_HalfPageHor_10x5_Female_FINALOUTLINES_Print.pdf 2 9/26/2017 5:36:57 PM and The Vixen — had a squabble that spilled white girl. So when you get super defensive

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

“Every Black girl, woman or femme has had to deal with this type of situation. A white girl starts some shit, you call them out, they cry and suddenly, you’re the aggressive one.” and tell me that I’m being negative, when I’m just responding to what you brought to me, that will always read to these [pointing at the cameras] as a race issue.”

She told no lies.

Every Black girl, woman or femme has had to deal with this type of situation. A white girl starts some shit, you call them out, they cry and suddenly, you’re the aggressive one. I deal with this all the time at my soonto-be-former retail job. If I had a dollar for every time someone assumed I had an attitude or was in a bad mood, I wouldn’t have to work in the service industry. The “angry Black woman” might seem like a simple caricature, but it has ramifications.

My supervisors have attempted to disci-

pline me for an attitude issue that I don’t have. The Vixen confirmed that she has received death threats since the show aired.

Black girls are disciplined more harshly in school. A recent study titled “Day-toDay Experiences of Emotional Tax Among Women and Men of Color in the Workplace” reported that 58 percent of Black women felt they had to be “on guard” in their workplaces.

Frankly, it’s exhausting. When The Vixen walked into the werk room for the first time, she shouted “I’m here, to fight.” Well, sis wasn’t playing. It’s just sad that this has become her fight.

Even a Black man in a dress can’t avoid being the angry Black woman.

April 13, 2018 Editorial 9

WORK IT!

LGBTQ BUSINESS NEWS

MAAP members celebrated the LGBTQ networking group’s 26th anniversary last month.

(Photo by Trevor Cochlin)

MAAP anniversary, AGLCC seeks volunteers, NGLCC conference keynote MAAP celebrates 26 years LGBTQ networking group Metro Atlanta Association of Professionals (MAAP) celebrated its 26th anniversary in late March.

MAAP creates an inclusive environment for the Metro Atlanta LGBTQ community through networking, events, training, mentoring and education.

“Twenty-six years ago, the business world for the LGBT community was far different than what it is today,” MAAP President and CEO Joshua D. Lorenz said in a statement to Georgia Voice. “While our community has certainly changed dramatically in 26 years, networking is still just as vital. Just as when MAAP (then AEN) was founded, we continue to believe that building a network of professionals that focuses on the unique gifts of the members — rather than sexual orientation — empowers the organization and Atlanta’s LGBT community as a whole.”

The group hosts its next networking event on April 13 at TEN Atlanta.

AGLCC looking for volunteers The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) is looking for ambassadors.

“If you have a few hours a month to connect with AGLCC members and be a friend-

ly face at events, let us know! Ambassadors receive free access to our events and have the best member connections around!” the group wrote in an April 5 Facebook post.

Interested parties should email admin@ atlantagaychamber.org for more information.

Martha Stewart headlining NGLCC conference The 2018 National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) International Business and Leadership Conference takes place this August in Philadelphia, and the group has lined up some A-list talent for the affair. Media icon, entrepreneur and LGBTQ ally Martha Stewart will be the keynote speaker.

The event will attract over 1,300 entrepreneurs, corporate decision-makers, affiliate chamber leaders and government officials from across the country and around the world. In addition to the keynote address, there will be the annual B2B Boot Camp for LGBT Enterprises, a chamber development track, marketplace expo, one-on-one matchmaker meetings and more.

Early-bird registration is open and a finalized conference agenda will be made available in early May. Visit www.nglcc.org/nglcc18 for more information.

10 Community April 13, 2018 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is Mytesi?

Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection. Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite).

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

Tired of planning your life around diarrhea?

Enough is Enough Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi.

Mytesi (crofelemer): • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest What is Mytesi?

Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Important Safety Information Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%).

Should I Take Mytesi If I Am: Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant?

• Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed A Nursing Mother?

• It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to find out if Mytesi is right for you

What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi With Other Medicines?

If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi.

What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi?

For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256.

Rx Only Manufactured by Patheon, Inc. for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright © Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

For Copay Savings Card and Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com

Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested in South America.

Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com.

NP-390-14

• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

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.

RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE

REAL ESTATE

How to bypass the traffic, Atlanta-style New development means more cars on the road, but alternatives are plentiful

By DIONNE N. WALKER Atlanta’s growing again. Whether it’s luxury apartments in Buckhead, the judicial complex coming up near the Statehouse, or merely the neverending creep of Brookhaven, projects to expand the city are moving at unbelievable speed. In fact, about 50 major projects are underway or proposed for the city over the next few years, luring new businesses, new residents — and new traffic! With our highways already miserably choked, it’s hard not to imagine that the growing population — approaching 9 million by 2046 according to one study — won’t make things significantly worse. The good news is there are more ways than ever to get from point A to point B without experiencing the horrors of the Connector.

MOPEDS & SCOOTERS The scooter saw a major surge in popularity a few years ago when Vespas — with their cutesy compact design and retro colors — had everyone fantasizing about zipping through the streets “Roman Holiday”-style.

The trendiness may have died down, but scooters — and their lower octane cousins, mopeds — remain great options for people looking to travel around town without the high fuel cost. Mopeds tend to have an engine size of 50cc or less and a top speed of 28 mph, compared to scooters which can reach engine sizes of 250cc and speeds of some 75 mph. Either can fit into smaller spaces, making them ideal for sliding past traffic as well as parking in tight spaces.

ELECTRIC BIKES If you’ve ever fantasized about biking to work, but were put off by the concept of arriving to your desk drenched in sweat, an

e-bike might be the perfect option for getting around town. These bikes — check out ElectroBike Georgia for some solid choices — incorporate an electric motor which, depending on the model, can assist your pedal power or pretty much replace it. The result is a less sweat-intense method of transportation that does away with the need to pay for parking, registration or expensive gas (most e-bikes are battery powered). And when you’re ready to put in a little sweat equity, flip a switch and you’re back to an old-fashioned two-wheeler.

RENTAL BIKES Speaking of bikes, bike-share programs have exploded in the last few years and with good reason: With prominent docking stations and easy-to-navigate fee systems, bike sharing programs are increasingly convenient to use. Several locales, including Atlanta, have implemented bikeshare systems, which let people hop on, pedal to their destination and deposit their bike at a convenient station for as little as 50 cents an hour.

Atlanta’s Relay Bike Share program has had at least 25,000 riders to date, according to a March report. With the BeltLine growing gangbusters and city officials planning to expand the number of city biking lanes, it’s a no-brainer that a shareable bike is a great option for traffic-free, no-strings-attached transportation around the city.

There are plenty of alternatives to driving in Atlanta, and with the city’s population estimated to hit nine million by 2046, we better embrace them. (Stock and courtesy photos)

MARTA Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority — MARTA — is estimated to carry about nine percent of daily work commuters to and fro. And the system is on the upswing: MARTA recently hired Jeffrey Parker, a former executive who’s managed transit system operations in Massachusetts and Connecticut, to oversee a major period of expansion. Growth could include new bus and rapid transit service along Georgia 400 and South Fulton Parkway, as well as to parts of that public transportation vortex known as Cobb County. Bonus: Pre-tax payroll deductions can cover your transit costs while reducing your taxable income.

Suddenly hopping on MARTA seems worth a second thought!

RIDESHARING Legal challenges or no, ridesharing companies seem here to stay. If you’ve somehow managed to never hear of Uber or Lyft, these everyman taxis work by allowing you to use an app to essentially issue an open-ended call for a ride. Unlike traditional cabs, there’s

no hailing, no cash exchange (that part happens in the app) and many say it’s a much more pleasant experience in general. But what people like the most is the low rates and near endless availability. Unfortunately, rideshares aren’t immune to traffic. But it’s sure easier to deal with traffic when you’re not the one driving!

ELECTRIC LONGBOARD It might not be ideal for long journeys, but if you’re just looking for a fun way to get to the park or to your job nearby, an electric longboard could come in handy. An electric longboard is something like a skateboard fitted with a motor; it often uses a handheld throttle to control direction. Since popping onto the scene in the late ’90s, these battery-powered rides have become popular due to their lightweight and fast speeds of up to 25 mph. Hop on one and you’ll be bypassing the Peachtree Street crawl in no time.

If you’re lucky, you’ll run into the mystery longboarder who darts around West Midtown with his adorable dogs in tow! Does anybody know who that guy is?!

12 Real Estate April 13, 2018 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

REAL ESTATE

South Atlanta is on the rise Developers, city propose new projects; community weighs in

By JASON RHODE jrhode@thegavoice.com Is South Atlanta the next development hot-spot? And if so, what’s the cost?

According to demographer William Frey, in 2011, America’s biggest cities boasted higher population growth than their combined suburbs for the first time in a century. But there’s a price for urban cool. All too often, “revitalization” is code for “gentrification,” which prices out working people and people of color, destroying the diversity that makes cities interesting.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH ATLANTA? That focus now falls on South Atlanta. The area has been described by Curbed Atlanta as “tired,” “long-languishing” and “half-abandoned.”

Outsiders eventually noticed. In 2017, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the firm Newport had bought over 24 downtown buildings, with plans to purchase a dozen more. Total investment cost: $200 million. Proposed breadth of revision: from the Underground to the Gulch. Type of renovation: retail and mixed use; apparently, no hi-rises. Jake Nawrocki, president of Newport US RE, said their South Atlanta project wouldn’t be a buy and flip: “This is not a luxury area we are building here, this is a neighborhood.”

Contrast that with the opaque sale of Underground to WRS Real Estate Investments. Or, to quote from a ThreadATL story: “Now, can someone please remind us how a suburban Walmart shopping center developer like WRS, who does want to add www.thegeorgiavoice.com

“Public land is the town hall for a community.”

—George Dusenbury IV, Georgia State Director of the Trust for Public Land

parking next to South Downtown’s Five Points MARTA Station, got a hold of Underground Atlanta ...”

And there’s more than private interest at work. The Trust for Public Land, in collaboration with the city, is developing Rodney Cook Sr. Park: 16 acres of greenspace in historic Vine City. The $45-million-dollar project breaks ground on May 19, after five years of prep.

Long-term, what does this mean for the city as a whole?

BY THE NUMBERS Discussion of Atlanta development is contentious, and for good reason. Atlanta has a reputation for gentrification. Between 2014–2016, Metro Atlanta ranked fourth (behind Houston, Dallas and Phoenix) in net migration. Estimates place Atlanta in third for new residents (behind Miami and Dallas) for 2019. But home affordability drags. The rate of house-building is stuck below early-2000 levels and most of the units are luxury-tier. Beginning in the mid-1990s, under HOPE VI, the city demolished a great amount of public housing — almost a tenth of all housing in the city.

Other urban areas have experimented with incentives. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pennsylvania city structured its tax abatement program to generate more affordable housing: “With the new programs will come a ‘social equity’ component — incentives for developers to invest in affordable housing, jobs, sustainability or in

Perspective rendering looking southeast across Cook Park from Joseph E. Boone Blvd. and Elm St. (Conceptual rendering by HDR, Inc., courtesy of The Trust for Public Land)

underserved neighborhoods.”

LOCAL VOICES HAVE THEIR SAY Georgia Voice reached out to LGBTQ residents who’d relocated to South Atlanta in the last year. Oliver Clark moved to Atlanta with his partner in 2013. East Point beckoned. “While driving around, we loved the diversity of the people here,” Clark said, “and felt completely at home … kind of a Mayberry-type feel, while being only 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta.” In the two years since, he’s noticed “a lot of change.”

“My concern,” he said, “is will this gentrification upset the diversity and community we’ve grown to love? Will housing start to rise so much that the residents who originally came to East Point and other Tri-Cities locations for the cost be priced out of where they live?”

Scott Eaves also lives in East Point. He loves his neighborhood and is “very excited” about the growth of the BeltLine. “I think the core city of Atlanta has become very unaffordable, which is pushing more people to the Southside.” Eaves said that he “didn’t think much can be done about [the] affordability issue within the city.”

Jessy Briton Hamilton lives in Midtown, but had thoughts on the issue. “It’s a

Catch-22. ... We have to engineer solutions that take that reality into account and requires that new developments include affordable housing options.”

Parks and conservation advocate George Dusenbury IV is Georgia State Director for the Trust, and has played a crucial role in the genesis of Cook Park. He noted, “More people moving to the Westside and South Downtown is not the problem. There used to be 50,000 people living on the Westside.

There now are 15,000. Similar numbers apply to downtown.”

“What we must guard against,” he said, “is displacement of the existing residents.

Using a combination of tax abatement, investment in affordable housing and other support services is vital to doing this.”

He noted that successful revitalization “depends on a lot of factors.” Dusenbury said that “Public land is the town hall for a community. Whenever we undertake urban redevelopment, we should start with identifying the public spaces and design around them.”

Whatever the fate of South Atlanta, respondents felt the gay community had a crucial role to play. Clark said that his “thought/ hope is that the LGBT community spearheads the change for the better.”

April 13, 2018 Real Estate 13

DECORATING IDEAS

6 tips to spruce up your space Local concierge says attractive, fun living space doesn’t have to cost a mint

By DIONNE N. WALKER It can happen to the most stylish of us.

One day you take an honest look at your home and realize your couch is stained, the bookshelf is leaning and your drapes have seen better days. That’s right — your formerly fabulous surroundings are less chic chateau and more dated dump.

Fortunately, fugly home syndrome isn’t anything a little creative decoration can’t solve. And despite what designer magazines would have you believe, an attractive, artistic and downright fun living space doesn’t have to cost a mint. Georgia Voice looked to Dillard Jones, who does personal shopping and more as The Concierge Guy, for help finding easy and budget-friendly ways to dress up your space.

1. VISIT GARAGE AND YARD SALES An afternoon spent slogging through someone else’s old junk in hopes of finding a diamond in the rough doesn’t sound appealing to most people. But Jones says technology has enabled those looking for creative and affordable secondhand items to be much more strategic. He suggested signing up for yard sale groups on Facebook — the Buckhead Atlanta Yard Sale group has 15,000 members, for instance — where you can find upcoming sales or simply browse posted items, connect with the owner and purchase all from the comfort of your couch. Jones suggests looking less for statement pieces and more for accompaniments — think night stands or simple shelving. “You could maybe paint that shelf and reinvent it again, or paint the dresser and add some extra hardware that can kind of amp it up.”

2. PUT A KNOB ON IT Or a hook. Or a little extra crown molding. In fact, Jones said adding hardware to doors and walls is one of the easiest ways to breathe new life into them. Sassy door knobs can be bought new at a place like The Home Depot, or you can even try a vintage shop to find hardware and fixtures with unique flair at surprisingly affordable prices. Add your finds to doors, kitchen cupboards, bathroom cabinets, you name it. This tip is great for apartment dwellers, who want to jazz up their space without causing permanent damage.

3. SPLASH ON A LITTLE COLOR It may sound cliché, but adding just a touch of paint can make a world of difference, especially in a small space. Jones suggested painting just one accent wall can be affordable and still make an impact. A word of warning to apartment dwellers, however. Be prepared to repaint that wall, and when in doubt, consider hiring a painter or at least giving the brush to your more experienced friend.

4. BRING THE OUTSIDE IN From cute chaises to charming little patio sets, there are some truly awesome pieces that are made for patios. Too bad you can’t bring them inside, right? Says who, Jones

You’d be surprised what a little ‘closet therapy’ can do, says The Concierge Guy Dillard Jones.

Here’s a before (left) and after (above) from a clients’ house. (Photos courtesy Dillard Jones)

argues. Outdoor pieces are often made of less luxurious — read, cheaper — materials, since they’re meant to be more durable than tactile. That means you can often get some really good finds for a lot less than its indoor-only counterpart. “Bring that garden gnome inside!” Jones said.

5. INVEST IN THE LITTLE THINGS While Jones said statement pieces can and often should be a higher investment, he added there are many smaller things you can do that cost a little, but pump up your style a lot.

“Curtains can be reinvented by adding fringe or a different curtain rod,” said Jones, who favors stores like West Elm and Home Goods.

“New pillows can recreate your side chair or reinvent or freshen up your old couch.”

6. CLEAN UP One of the more interesting and truly transformative parts of Jones’ job involves so-called closet therapy. Working in four-hour chunks, Jones helps clients sort through closets and basements full of mementos, identifying what they want and editing the things they don’t, which Jones hauls away. The result is often not only a burden lifted from clients’ shoulders, but a new space that’s completely transformed.

It’s not exactly decorating, but it certainly paves the way. “The next step for the client may be to reinvent that bedroom as a guest room,” he said. And it can also result in rediscovering items that could have some funky decor potential. Stacked books, for instance, can make a quick side table. Old album covers can get new life as a collage, he said.

14 Decorating Ideas April 13, 2018 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

HOME & GARDEN

Three home and garden trends to soak up Local experts say succulents, “My customers, they’re humidity-tolerant plants popular like, ‘This is the first

By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN If the weather in Georgia would ever cooperate, it’s springtime, which means prime planting season for homeowners and apartment-dwellers alike. But since not everyone was born with a green thumb, Georgia Voice consulted two experts for tips on how to bloom a low-maintenance, trendy garden in 2018.

SUCCULENT GARDENS Some of the easiest, on-trend plants for “the forgetful gardener” are succulents, said Kurt Straudt, owner of Southeast Succulents in Atlanta’s Krog Street Market.

“Everybody had a jade plant or an aloe vera. People were familiar with those. But there’s literally hundreds and hundreds of varieties that people have never seen,” Straudt said. “They’re just fascinating because they’re so different. They’re beautiful. The colors, the textures, so that’s mainly what it is. It is something that keeps being new because there’s so many more varieties to come out with.”

Succulents are plants that can store water for later use during droughts.

“Most plants are made up of a large percentage of water, but they’re not able to use that in a drought. [Succulents] fill up with as much water as they can. They are actually juicy, so if you cut into them, that is the water that they stored,” Straudt said. “They use that water like a camel and actually shrivel up.”

He recommends planting in containers that have 50 percent gravel and 50 percent soil, which allow for good drainage.

“The very best is terra cotta, because it lets the plants breathe, lets the soil breathe,” Straudt said. “You want something that has a drain hole. I use screen wire to put at the hole at the bottom.”

Containers don’t have to be deep pots.

Because most succulents are shallow-rooted, their roots stay near the soil surface. Straudt also said they can be crowded together. He

thing that I can keep alive.’ They’re excited about that, because they don’t need a lot of soil and there’s so many things on Pinterest and ideas that people have for making these.”

—Kurt Straudt, owner of Southeast Succulents in Krog Street Market said many arrangements feature a focal point surrounded by sedums or tall cacti and Savannah grasses.

“A lot of people are doing the cold-hardy succulents, which are a lot of the sedums,” Straudt said. “They’re incorporating those with the non-cold-hardy. The cold-hardy versions aren’t as pretty or as colorful as the frost-tender ones.”

For home gardeners with small children, cats and dogs, Straudt warned against including kalanchoe and euphorbia varieties of succulents, as these can be dangerous if ingested.

Other than that, the only big mistake gardeners can make with these plants is overwatering, as too much water can cause succulents to rot.

“My customers, they’re like, ‘This is the first thing that I can keep alive.’ They’re excited about that, because they don’t need a lot of soil and there’s so many things on Pinterest and ideas that people have for making these,” Straudt said.

EXTRA-TERRARIUM-ESTRIAL Though succulents are appealing as arrangements by themselves, they’re also popular plants for terrariums.

Clockwise from above: Lidded terrariums require little maintenance: just an occasional ice cube or spritz of water keeps the ecosystem going. (Photo courtesy Terri Kaye Duncan); Succulents are easy plants for the ‘forgetful gardener.’ They don’t mind being crowded in arrangements, and require little watering. (Photo courtesy Kurt Straudt, Southeast Succulents); Orchids are high humidity-tolerant plants easy to grow indoors.

(Photo by Dallas Anne Duncan)

Joanne Peterson, co-owner of Bedford Greenhouses in Augusta, said succulents do especially well in open-air terrariums — otherwise, they run the risk of too much moisture.

“Terrariums, the way that we do them, they are pretty much any piece of glass. It could be opened or it could have a top. They range in sizes from itty bitty all the way to, we’ve seen terrariums done in aquariums before,” Peterson told Georgia Voice.

They can be open-air or lidded. Lidded terrariums are especially good for ferns and foliage-type plants, she said. Air plants thrive well in either variety.

“There is a whole lot less care for those that are lidded. They are already moist, and the moisture immediately starts its own little cycle and you don’t have to do anything to them for a good three to six months; just put your lid on and let them go,” Peterson said.

Terrariums can typically be watered by placing ice cubes inside, or lightly misting with a spray bottle.

“If you have ferns in an open one, it can require a good bit more water. Because it’s

glass, there’s no drainage, so it’s better to water lightly more often than dousing them and completely drowning them,” Peterson said.

Terrariums can thrive year after year, but Peterson cautioned against placing them in an area that’s fully shaded or in a sunbeam.

The latter can burn the plant.

BATHROOM GARDENS One of this year’s gardening trends can have Atlantans feeling like they live in a tropical paradise. High humidity-tolerant plants thrive well in container gardens in bathrooms. Some companies even create shower caddy planters to accommodate them.

“I know a lot of people who grow orchids in their bathrooms because of the humidity,” Peterson said. “Plants like orchids and bromeliads and an air plant, they grab humidity from the air instead of needing watering.”

Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the easiest to grow for home gardeners. Though they do not bloom year-round, they provide a refreshing burst of color during their growing season.

16 Home & Garden April 13, 2018 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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Atlanta Leather Pride takes place April 13 – 15 at the Atlanta Eagle. (File photos)

Leather Up Atlanta Leather Pride focuses on family bonding, giving back and BDSM education

BY J. MATTHEW COBB When the blockbuster novel trilogy “Fifty Shades of Grey” and its subsequent movie adaptation exploded into the mainstream, a whole new awakening happened for the leather, kink and fetish community, for better or for worse. It’s a phenomenon that devout leather pros are still trying to filter through. That’s because the “Fifty Shades” film and books, and shows like “Transparent” and “American Horror Story,” which has propelled BDSM awareness, are focused on selling a fantasy. For the organizers of Atlanta Leather Weekend, it’s 18 A&E April 13, 2018

more than that. For them, it’s about reality.

“The way I look at it, if there are little blips of it in the mainstream, it makes it a little less [about] turning your head and gawking if I’m walking down the street,” said “Nitro” Hankinson, executive producer of Atlanta Leather Pride, in an interview with Georgia Voice. “While there are plenty of people who may put on some leather or some gear because it’s pretty, I do it for a very different reason. I have a very strong connection with different pieces that I put on, that actually mean something special to me.”

And that very sentiment for leather worship and fraternity will be shared with the thousands of men and women who will converge on Atlanta for three days and nights, from April 1315, for a leather fetish fest encompassing beer busts, bootblacking, kink demos, titleholder contests and a Saturday late-night dance party.

Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle a weekend highlight While describing the essence of the weekend, Nitro along with event co-producer G-Man shared by phone how the weekend often resembles a family reunion. “That’s a great way to describe it,” said G-Man, a former Mr. International Rubber and member of Hotlanta Rubber & Gear. “We have people coming in from all across the country.

They’ll drive up from Florida and fly in from San Francisco, whatever it takes to put this thing together.” Nitro agrees: “People always comment that the folk here are very welcoming and very eager to sit around and chat and get to know you. They’ll give you advice on where to go, what to see, what to eat — God knows we know how to eat in the South.”

Now in its ninth consecutive year, Atlanta Leather Pride will once again share its space

with The Atlanta Eagle, Atlanta’s leather/levi haven and one of the oldest leather venues in the Southeast. Realizing the value of this cultural institution and bedrock for the city’s LGBTQ community gives the event producers a distinct sense of purpose. “Atlanta Eagle is a very come-as-you-are bar,” said Nitro.

“One thing that we pride ourselves on is the fact that everyone’s welcome there. You come in as you are and you come to have fun. Not every venue is that way.”

The weekend celebration also coincides with the 31st anniversary of the Midtown bar, arguably one of the oldest in the Southeast. One of its main highlights, happening on Saturday, April 14, will be the crowning of a new Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle, a leather contest for the Eagle with origins dating before Atlanta Leather Weekend. A contest CONTINUES ON PAGE 19

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

for the title of Mr. Southeastern Rubber —a regional title honoring latex and rubber wear — will also be held that evening.

‘A coming together of friends’ The producers of Atlanta Leather Weekend are careful to admit that Atlanta’s version isn’t exactly gargantuan in size. “This is certainly not one of the larger ones,” said G-Man. “We do these things on a shoestring budget. It really is a coming together of friends, of meeting new people and a celebration of us.”

Jonathan Fenrir, the current reigning Mr. Atlanta Eagle, is very much aware of the family component. “There’s a growing number of Pride celebrations around town, [but] Atlanta Leather Pride is a chance for people of all walks of life to come out and be a part of something that sees past gender or sexuality,” he said. “It’s a perfect time for those that might have questions or want to hang out on the edges to see leather and the leather lifestyle celebrated so openly and free of judgement.”

While serving the community during his reign, Fenrir, a huge advocate for Atlanta’s Lost-n-Found Youth, also learned how formidable the Atlanta Eagle really is. “In trying to be more visible, I engaged with more of

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Schedule of Events

(All events are held at Atlanta Eagle, unless noted otherwise)

what keeps them grounded and focused as a community builder. Dale Maddox, the current reigning Ms. Atlanta Eagle and a 10-year member of the Atlanta leather scene, knows about its outreach firsthand.

“I had a stroke one week after I won the contest last year,” said Maddox. “The community and those who are truly family helped me tirelessly in the hospital for three weeks. Now I walk with a cane. [It’s] life-altering, but my club brothers and sisters in the leather community took care of me, literally. For many of us, we’ve developed bonds that are truly family.”

This year’s beneficiary will be the Leather Heart Foundation, a volunteer-based charity that helps members of the leather community in need of financial assistance due to hardships.

“Whether it is a loss of a job or a sudden unexpected medical expense, or God forbid a loss of a partner without insurance, anything like that, if you’ve fallen on unexpected hard times that are beyond your control, [they] can actually help you back on your feet,” Nitro said.

our clubs and groups at the Atlanta Eagle,” he said. “It opened my own eyes to more learning, more experiences and friendships.”

Since its inception, Atlanta Leather Pride has generously donated over $20,000 to a number of regional and local charities. It’s

50 shades of shade Today, the masses are still getting a taste of leather subculture. Recently, gay Olympian Adam Rippon went viral for wearing a black harness underneath a buttoned tux at the Oscars. Nitro and G-Man are okay with all of the

FRIDAY, APRIL 13 Leather Pride Kickoff – Fetish Night, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14 Gear Swap Sale, 1–8 p.m.

BBQ and Beer Blast, 5–7 p.m.

Judges and Contestant Meeting & Reception, 6:30– 8:00 p.m.

Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle, Mr. Southeastern Rubber Contest, 8–10 p.m.

SWEAT Victory Party w/ DJ Neon the Glowgobear, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15 Leather Brunch, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Roxx 1824 Cheshire Bridge Road N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324

sudden attention BDSM and the leather community is getting, but want to still be taken seriously. “I hold down a pretty responsible job, as Nitro and others in the community do,” said G-Man. “We have degrees, own homes and are responsible adults. Just so happens, we like our sex a little on the kinky side. And when we put stuff on, we get aroused; it’s a fetish. If it opens a conversation with people, then I say I’m all for it. But I’m not interested in becoming a freak show, because this is me.”

Their advice to leather and kink beginners, even the curious: “Don’t read ‘Fifty Shades of Grey,’” G-Man answered with a burst of laughter. “[And] if you’re watching this stuff in porn, take it with a huge grain of salt.”

Nitro piles on the shady humor, but answers the same question with fervency. “Since you brought up everyone in the leather community’s favorite piece of fiction … I always tell people that you still need to know what you’re doing before you jump into the deep end,” he shared. “And it’s very advantageous to seek out people who you can learn from, to make sure you’re doing things safely, not only for yourself but for whomever you’re with. There are several groups in Atlanta that do BDSM education, and so if you are curious about it, please reach out to us and we’ll point you in the right direction.”

April 13, 2018 A&E 19

ACTING OUT

By JIM FARMER

Atlanta Film Festival’s Pink Peach lineup spotlights LGBTQ films Now in its 42nd year, the Atlanta Film Festival — opening April 13 — brings with it its usual assortment of films from all over the world, including its gay-themed Pink Peach offerings.

Four films — three documentaries and one narrative feature — make up this year’s Pink Peach full-length crop. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Ali Weinstein, “Mermaids” looks at a subculture of women across the United States who don tails and literally turn themselves into mermaids, in pools and other bodies of water.

One of the central characters is Julz, who has transitioned into a woman after a lifetime of knowing she was transgender. Even at the age of eight, she knew. Originally from the Bible Belt, Julz has moved out to California to start a new life. The movie is poetic at times, strange at others, but does have its interesting moments, as when a tail-maker describes a “mergasm” — the sensation when a woman shudders and has an orgasm when her new mermaid tail is attached. It screens April 15 at 5 p.m. at the Plaza Theatre.

Arguably the best of the Pink Peach lineup is “Venus,” directed by Eisha Marjara. Sid (played by Debargo Sanyal) is a transgender woman dealing with her own transition. She gets a curveball when she finds she is the father of a 14-year-old boy, played by Jamie Mayers. Sid dated the kid’s mother years ago, when she presented as a man. Besides parents who just don’t understand her new life, Sid is also dealing with the sexy but unreliable ex-lover Daniel (Pierre-Yves Cardinal), who is not out. “Venus” juggles perhaps a bit too much, but it nicely mixes comedy and drama. It’s all held together by engaging central performances from Marjara and Mayers. It screens April 15 at 9 p.m. at Hilan Theater.

Director T. Cooper — himself a trans filmmaker — premieres his “Man Made” at the festival. It’s a documentary looking at the world’s only all-transgender bodybuilding competition, which takes place here in Atlanta. Four of the competitors are featured leading up to the event, including Atlanta’s Rese Weaver. They all deal with all sorts of pre-competition situations, such as discrimination and personal and

Ali Weinstein’s ‘Mermaids’ is part of the Atlanta Film Festival’s Pink Peach lineup and screens April 15 at the Plaza Theatre.

(Courtesy photo)

Details

Atlanta Film Festival April 13 – 22 Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306 Hilan Theatre, 798 North Highland Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306 www.atlantafilmfestival.com

political issues. Cooper and some of the film’s subjects will be present at the screening, which debuts April 22 at 9 p.m. at the Plaza.

Finally, there’s Arshad Khan’s “Abu,” an engrossing documentary about a PakistaniMuslim family dealing with having a gay son.

Khan’s film utilizes classic Bollywood films and some home movies to inventively tell its story.

“Abu” plays April 15 at 2:45 p.m. at the Plaza.

The festival offers some LGBTQ short films sprinkled throughout, both in front of other films and as part of shorts programs.

Also, Miss Richfield 1981 brings her new audience-interactive show “Born Again” to town as part of the festival April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Plaza.

The Atlanta Film Festival is bookended by two high-profile offerings. The festival’s opening night film is Carlos López Estrada’s “Blindspotting,” starring Daveed Diggs of “Hamilton” fame. It explores racial and class tensions in Oakland. The closing night film is Bo Burnham’s “Eighth Grade,” in which a 13-year-old girl weaves her way through the last vestiges of her frightening middle school existence.

20 A&E April 13, 2018 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

EATING MY WORDS

By CLIFF BOSTOCK

New Grindhouse location needs time to work out kinks About 25 years ago, the stretch of Memorial Drive bordering Grant Park was desolate.

I’m talking one gloomy convenience store at the corner of Memorial and Cherokee where Tin Lizzy’s is today. Its shelves included one can every four or five feet and the place reeked of cat pee that lingered on any can you took home. Besides a couple taquerias, the only restaurant in the area was Grant Central Pizza on Cherokee, still thriving and a place I visit every week.

Now, Memorial has turned into a food hall without the suffocation. New restaurants and housing developments open every other day. The boom stretches to Reynoldstown.

El Muchacho, the Golden Eagle, Java Cats Café, Grant Park Market and Petit Chou are newcomers I’ve mentioned before. I’ve yet to visit Farm Burger and Your Pie, both new at the George Apartments. At least five others are scheduled to open in a new development on Grant Street.

The latest to open is the sixth of Alex Brounstein’s Grindhouse Killer Burgers (701 Memorial Dr., 404-228-3722, grindhouseburgers.com). He opened his first about 10 years ago in the Sweet Auburn Curb Market with no more than a dozen stools at a bar.

Brounstein was a real estate attorney with a passion for rejuvenating historic properties and, as such, I think deserves credit as one of the pioneers of the food hall craze in Atlanta.

The Sweet Auburn Market continues to thrive and has helped some restaurants, like Bell Street Burritos, get their start.

The new Grindhouse — originally a rowdy roadside tavern — is an enormous space.

Interior community tables, a full-service bar and patios congenial to dogs and shuffleboard aficionados provide seating for 200. I drove by the place every night of its opening week and couldn’t even find a parking space until Sunday, when the crowd was light.

Having eaten a ridiculously huge Korean lunch, I was inclined to order the infamous Impossible Burger, a much-lauded plant-based alternative to murderous beef.

If you’re vegetarian or like to flirt with eatwww.thegeorgiavoice.com

Grindhouse’s Apache burger comes with grilled onions, pepper jack cheese and New Mexico green chilies. (Photo by Cliff Bostock)

ing healthy, you should try one of these.

Unlike a conventional meat substitute — like Grindhouse’s own black bean burger — the Impossible really does successfully impersonate meat. Nonetheless, I couldn’t resist my usual choice — the Apache with grilled onions, pepper jack cheese and New Mexico green chilies.

I gotta be honest. The burger, wrapped in paper, was such a mess that it could not be lifted. I went in search of utensils and couldn’t find any. As it happens, I ran into Brounstein and he fetched me a knife and fork. Even in its soggy form, the burger was delicious, but, well, the chilies tasted barely warm. My fries were fine (but I want some malt vinegar). Curious, I actually knocked on the car windows of two parties leaving the restaurant. One couple had ordered hot dogs and reported a similar mess. The other couple ordered burgers they said were “perfect.”

I’m not about to tell you to avoid the new Grindhouse. If you’ve been to any of the other locations, you know they make one of the best burgers in town. But I’d definitely wait a few weeks until the kitchen fine-tunes itself and by then, anyway, you’ll be able to take your dog and play shuffleboard in warmer weather.

Cliff Bostock is a former psychotherapist now specializing in life coaching. Contact him at 404-518-4415 or cliffbostock@gmail.com.

April 13, 2018 Columnists 21

B

Best Bets: Our Guide to the Best LGBTQ Events in Atlanta for April 13-26

BETS T ES

FRIDAY, APRIL 13 – SUNDAY, APRIL 15

Atlanta Ballet presents three show-stopping works spotlighting the amazing spectrum of dance this weekend.

“Tu Tu” features a brand new work by Atlanta Ballet dancer Tara Lee, as well as Ohad Naharin’s infectious “Minus 16.”

8 p.m. April 13, 14 and 15 and 2 p.m. April 14, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.atlantaballet.com. Photo by Charlie McCullers. (Courtesy photo)

A T N TLA A Q T B LG T

S

EVEN FRIDAY, APRIL 13 – SUNDAY, APRIL 15

ALP-Southeast Black and Blue Events and the Atlanta Eagle are proud to present Atlanta Leather Pride 2018 this weekend with all sorts of contests, cocktails, demos and debauchery, 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.facebook.com/ events/185154375419468

FRIDAY, APRIL 13 – SUNDAY, APRIL 15

The 82th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival welcomes spring back into the ATL this weekend, with Shawn Mullins performing Saturday the 14th at 9 p.m., Piedmont Park, with the festival opening at noon on Friday, www.facebook.com/ events/147670472527483

FRIDAY, APRIL 13

Metro Atlanta Association of Professionals presents It’s Friday — Mix and Mingle & Network, 6 – 8 p.m., TEN Atlanta, 990 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.maapatl.org The Atlanta Film Festival kicks off tonight with the racial drama “Blindspotting,” starring “Hamilton’s” Daveed Diggs, with Pink Peach LGBTQ films such as “Venus” and “Mermaids” in the lineup as well,” 7 p.m., Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306, www. facebook.com/events/622379114775575

SATURDAY, APRIL 14

The Atlanta Opera’s world premiere of Jake Heggie’s gay-themed opera “Out of Darkness: Two Remain” continues at Theatrical Outfit at 7:30 p.m., with performances through April 15, The Balzer Theatre at Herren’s, 84 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.atlantaopera.org

22 Best Bets April 13, 2018

A special LGBT Night at the Atlanta Symphony with a post-concert reception in the Table Twelve Eighty Lounge is tonight. Use the coupon code ATLPRIDE and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Atlanta Pride, 8 – 11 p.m. Atlanta Symphony, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.facebook.com/ events/1564022920341409 The all-women band Antigone Rising plays Eddie’s Attic tonight, 8:30 p.m., 515-B North McDonough St., Decatur, GA, 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 15

Join the Human Rights Campaign for the inaugural “Fairway to Equality Golf Outing” event. A ticket includes golf, light breakfast and lunch hors d’oeuvres, prizes, a gift bag and an annual

HRC membership or renewal.

9 a.m. – noon, Cross Creek Golf Club, 1221 Cross Creek Parkway N.W., Atlanta, GA 30327, www.facebook.com/ events/1506011132853290

MONDAY, APRIL 16

Trans and Friends is a youth-focused group for trans people, people questioning their own gender and aspiring allies, providing a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources and activism around social issues. 7 – 8:30 p.m., Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 17

Enjoy two events at the Heretic Atlanta tonight. First up is On Wednesdays We Drag, with Shavonna Brooks

and Evah Destruction from 9 – 11 p.m. and then Boys Night Out, with DJ Stan Jackson, which kicks off at 10 p.m. and lasts until 3 a.m., 2060 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18

Thad Stevens hosts karaoke at My Sister’s Room tonight at 9 p.m., 66th 12th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mysistersroom.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 19

In this day and age, investing in the markets can be an important step in preparing for your future. However, not everyone follows or knows the two most important rules of investing. Join MAAP tonight with

CONTINUES ON PAGE 23 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LGBTQ EVENT

Submit your LGBTQ event for inclusion in our online and print calendars by emailing event info to editor@thegavoice.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 Edward Jones Financial for a brief dive into investing rules 101, 6 – 8 p.m., Invesco, 1555 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.facebook.com/ events/1917248328587990 Logo founder Matt Farber and the Atlanta Film Festival present the celebrated drag queen Miss Richfield 1981, who brings her “Born Again” tour to the Plaza Theatre, 7 p.m., 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306, missrichfield.ticketleap.com/atlanta Keisha Jackson makes her 2018 debut at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours tonight, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., 1133 Huff Rd., NW #D, Atlanta, GA 30318, www.facebook.com/events/155260701836856

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 – SATURDAY, APRIL 21

In “Brilliance,” OurSong — the Atlanta gay and lesbian chorus — explore both

the splendor of our natural world and the beings that create grandeur. Composers include Dan Forrest, Daniel Elder and Jake Runestad, as well Garth Brooks and selections from the hit movie “The Greatest Showman.” 8 p.m., First Baptist Church Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, www.oursongatlanta.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

The Auburn Avenue Research Library, in collaboration with the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival, will host author Young Hughley, who will discuss his latest publication, “Images Finally Focused,” a book of poems, essays and short stories documenting an intimate coming-of-age journey in a repressive hetero-sexist society, 3 p.m., 101 Auburn Ave., N.E., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.afpls.org/aarl PB&J gallery presents Storytellers featuring photography by Robin Davis and Kathryn Nee, plus mixed media by Jack

CONTINUES ON PAGE 24

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 – MONDAY, APRIL 23

Join the 4th annual Atlanta Bear Pride for a big weekend of events, entertainment and showcase of what Atlanta has to offer. Bears, cubs, otters, chubs, chasers and friends from around the globe will present. The host hotel is the Holiday Inn Buckhead.

A full schedule is available at www.atlantabearpride.com, www.facebook.com/ events/250889278728472 (Photo via Facebook)

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April 13, 2018 Best Bets 23

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 Simonetta. For this special show, each artist offers a unique series of images rich in narrative detail. 7 – 10 p.m. 35 Howard St. S.E., Atlanta, GA 30317, www.facebook. com/events/220527362027305 The Atlanta Bucks are back with their next installment of their annual drag fundraiser, Miss Ruck N’ Maul. One of the new participants is Dee’Juana, who’ll do anything twice. Come out for a fun night with your favorite rugby queens as they replace their rucks with tucks and locks with frocks. This year’s beneficiary is AIDS Vaccine 200, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Out Front Theatre Company, 999 Brady Ave. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.facebook.com/ events/346090565902554 In the mood to dance all night? Deep South presents DJ Holographic tonight with opening sets by Ash Lauryn and Vicki Powell, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., Deep South ATL, 327 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312, www.facebook.com/ events/563113420726494

SUNDAY, APRIL 22

Spring is here and the Atlanta Pride Committee is having a Trans Field Day today. Come out for an afternoon of field day games — bocce ball, corn hole, volleyball, sack races, board games and more.

This event is specifically for trans/transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming folks. If you have any questions, feel free to email taylor@atlantapride.org, 2 – 6 p.m., Brownwood Park, 602 Brownwood Ave.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24

Museum of Design Atlanta’s original exhibition, Designing Playful Cities, takes visitors through interactive installations that present a strong case for designing play into urban environments.

This exhibition is on view through May 13, Noon – 6 p.m., 1315 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.museumofdesign.org

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25

FRIDAY, APRIL 20

Catch the laugh-filled “Something Rotten” at the Fox Theatre tonight, 7:30 p.m. and running through April 22, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org (Courtesy photo) S.E., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.facebook. com/events/585462188482639 Come hear from three members of our community in different phases of life as they discuss what a healthy lifestyle and well-lived life looks like at the ages of 20, 40 and 70, as part of the Rainbros spring quarterly meeting. After a group panel discussion will be a Q-and-A. 6:30 – 8 p.m., Out Front Theatre Company, 999 Brady Ave. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.facebook.com/ events/1299254056841677 The Armorettes bring their patented sense of mischief and fun to Oscars At-

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

lanta tonight, 8 – 10 p.m. 1510 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.facebook.com/events/1677443088968685

MONDAY, APRIL 23

Poetry Atlanta returns to the Georgia Center for the Book for an evening of poetry, featuring Jennifer Holley Lux, Karen Paul Holmes and Amy Pence, DeKalb County Public Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur, GA 30030, 7:15 – 9 p.m., www.facebook.com/ events/349943992157108 La Choloteca presents Zeta, Wastelands and Yukons, 8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m., The EARL, 488 Flat Shoals Ave, S.E.,

Tonight’s benefit screening of Milford Thomas’ “Claire” is the premiere of the long-awaited quartet adaptation by Brian Mitchell of Anne Richardson’s original music score, performed live along with the film. “Claire” is loosely based on the ancient Japanese fable “Kaguyahime,” most recently made into the animated feature “The Tales of Princess Kaguyu.” This special presentation will benefit the Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence grant fund. Filmmaker and cast members will be in attendance, 7:30 p.m., Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.facebook.com/ events/1972000159715992

THURSDAY, APRIL 26

7 Stages’ “Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again” — written by Alice Birch — finds theatrical exhilaration in a puckish, yet deadly serious meditation on how language molds our experience of sex and gender. 8 p.m. tonight, running through May 13, 1105 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.7stages.org

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To advertise, contact: sales@thegavoice.com 24 Best Bets April 13, 2018

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arts@tech professional artists series

Robots, Drones, Artists, and You:

By MELISSA CARTER

An Evening of SEAD Performances

A solo day at the theater

Dance, music, robots, and a drone! Performances at the innovative intersection of science, engineering, art, and design (SEAD) celebrate and reflect on the impact of technology in our lives. Enjoy: A Time to Compile a dance and robot piece by Georgia Tech alumna Amy LaViers and choreographer Catie Cuan Ghosts and Other Guests a dance and drone piece by Scrap Performance Group

APR

Duet with Arduino Drummer a music and robotic drummer piece

by Robbie Lynn Hunsinger Audience participation– The audience is invited to experience three participatory installations in the lobby starting at 7 pm in the Ferst Center lobby: Constellation and MarimbaPix by Robbie Lynn Hunsinger SoundCage by Georgia Tech students Ryan Rose and Avneesh Surwate Call now for tickets!

404-894-9600

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

21 SAT

8:00 PM

details and more events at

arts.gatech.edu

I don’t mind doing things by myself. In fact, sometimes I prefer it that way since it allows me to sit quietly in my own space and reset. It also gives me a chance to absorb my surroundings, especially when I’m not sure where I parked my car.

I had seen the billboards for Shen Yun Performing Arts for years around Atlanta and was curious, but would then forget when the troupe was in town. This year, I decided to make the effort but it was still a last-minute decision, and the only tickets that were left for Sunday’s matinee were single spaces scattered about the theater. I’m always saying on my podcast “She Persisted” that women need to do a better job at doing things for themselves and being their own best friend, so I decided to put my money where my mouth was and grabbed a solo seat.

Regardless of how many notes I take or repeat things in my mind, it always seems I forget at least one thing on a daily basis. Whether that’s because of the many years of sleep deprivation from morning radio or being the mother of a toddler, or both, I forgot to bring cash with me for parking and discovered this fact on the way to Cobb Energy Centre. Seeing the long line into its parking deck, and not wanting to take a chance they didn’t take credit cards and getting stuck, I weaved into another turn nearby and found the nearest shopping center parking deck. Seeing no signs prohibiting me from parking there, I emerged from a dark staircase near a street. I decided to simply stay on the sidewalk and keep walking in the direction of the theater. A good 20 minutes later — and I’m sure a mile or two — I finally made it, realizing I likely took the very long way there. I’m glad I came alone, I thought, and glad I didn’t force another to take that trek.

Shen Yun was spectacular, and the setting, costumes and movements were well worth the effort. What was not worth the walk was what some of my neighbors decided to do during this exhibition of Chinese mastery.

First, we all could use a lesson in whispering.

“More than one person around me decided to give their impression of what they saw on stage to their neighbor as it was happening.

I believe some people think that going out is like being at home and watching television and that no one around can hear what they are saying, but oh yes we can.”

More than one person around me decided to give their impression of what they saw on stage to their neighbor as it was happening. I believe some people think that going out is like being at home and watching television and that no one around can hear what they are saying, but oh yes we can. Let’s remember to adhere to the same advice ads give for not texting and driving — it can wait.

Another violation is Cobb Energy’s decision to sell chips. In a bag. Yes, there were those who again assumed they were in the privacy of their own home and not only grabbed for the chips with quite a lot of noisy effort, but proceeded to eat said chips with as much force. I wanted to personally apologize to the dancers.

Despite a quick thought to find a shortcut, I went the long, yet tried and true, way back to my car after the performance. I still couldn’t tell you exactly where I parked or what roads I took to get to and from the theater, but there will be a crisp $20 in my pocket for parking next time I go. I just need to remember where I put that cash.

Melissa Carter is recognized as one of the first out radio personalities in Atlanta and has been heard over the years on B98.5 and Q100 and can currently be heard daily on the Progressive Voices podcast “She Persisted.”

Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter.

26 Columnists April 13, 2018 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

SOMETIMES ‘Y’

By RYAN LEE

Craigslist, Backpage wilt in the ‘Scarlet Spring’ On most of my walks down the main strip of my neighborhood, several men solicit me with shouts of, “I got that loud!” I’ll occasionally support a young entrepreneur in the same spirit as grabbing a box of Girl Scout Cookies, although I hate buying weed off the street.

As much as anyone objects to illegal drug sales, I think most appreciate them being more discreet than in the past, since centralized distribution spots such as street corners drew large numbers of users, and created physical markets over which dealers would war. Dial-and-delivery — or getting “loud” in a quieter way — is better not only for customers and suppliers, but communities.

I thought we would exchange more tolerance for a similar discretion in the sex trade since, for years, the number one complaint among Midtown neighbors about the gay and transgender prostitutes that hustled along Cypress Street or Piedmont Avenue was the criminal element they supposedly attracted to the neighborhood. Presumably, there has been a perceptible decrease in street traffic and strewn condoms in areas that were long known for such activity, as more sex workers recruited clients and made appointments online.

But these days are hard times for hoes, and the world’s oldest profession is succumbing to new age challenges. The last few weeks have represented a Scarlet Spring, as a mix of nonpartisan puritanism, corporate self-protection and FBI heat have eliminated sex ads from sites like Reddit, Craigslist and Backpage.

The closings were tangentially the result of efforts against human trafficking, which feels like an endangered species as a cause that is able to unite good-hearted folks across ideological lines. It is impossible to ignore the violent sexual exploitation of the vulnerable, especially children, and difficult to oppose anything that might reduce such suffering.

Still, our national drug policy is illustrative of how crusades undertaken “for the sake of the children” can prohibit swaths of the population from engaging in consensual activity that imwww.thegeorgiavoice.com

“Just as our knowledge about drugs should be able to discern that there is a difference between aspirin and opiates, we should have the sexual sensibility to know that many people make money from sex without endangering any children.” pacts no one but the parties involved. It’s no coincidence our country started binging on incarceration during the D.A.R.E. campaign.

Just as our knowledge about drugs should be able to discern that there is a difference between aspirin and opiates, we should have the sexual sensibility to know that many people make money from sex without endangering any children. And in the same way our conception of potheads has expanded to include everyone from Olympic athletes to hip grannies, technology has vastly broadened whom we might consider a “sex worker.”

In an era where we’ve learned how to monetize our cars via Uber, our crafts through Etsy and our quinoa recipes on YouTube, thousands of people are discovering how to make money using the internet for what it so long felt it was intended: sex. The growing crackdown on online sexual transactions impacts not only archetypal hookers, but “square” folks — including young professionals, single mothers or couples trying to fund their kitchen renovation — who can generate extra cash by masturbating on camera or posting amateur sex tapes on OnlyFans, Xtube or ConnectPal. Whether anyone considers such side gigs unseemly, they’re entirely legal, while the platforms, largely anonymous, are just as vulnerable to infestation by pimps and other predators as Craigslist. “If we’re able to save just one child,” is the noblest sentiment, but its shortcomings and imprecision are often as “loud” as the most potent bag of street weed.

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Ryan Lee is an Atlanta writer.

April 13, 2018 Columnists 27

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