04/14/17, Vol. 8 Issue 4 by Georgia Voice

YOU MATTER AND SO DOES YOUR HEALTH

That’s why starting and staying on HIV-1 treatment is so important.

What is DESCOVY ?

What are the other possible side effects of DESCOVY?

DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. DESCOVY combines 2 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day. Because DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1, it must be used together with other HIV-1 medicines.

Serious side effects of DESCOVY may also include:

DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking DESCOVY. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body ﬂuids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body ﬂuids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about DESCOVY? DESCOVY may cause serious side effects: •

•

Buildup of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold (especially in your arms and legs), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

•

Changes in body fat, which can happen in people taking HIV-1 medicines. Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to ﬁght infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking DESCOVY. Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY if you develop new or worse kidney problems. Bone problems, such as bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking DESCOVY? •

•

Serious liver problems. The liver may become large and fatty. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turning yellow (jaundice); dark “tea-colored” urine; lightcolored bowel movements (stools); loss of appetite; nausea; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.

All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. All the medicines you take, including prescription and overthe-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how DESCOVY works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take DESCOVY with all of your other medicines. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if DESCOVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking DESCOVY.

You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking DESCOVY for a long time. In some cases, lactic acidosis and serious liver problems have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions.

•

Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

•

If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Please see Important Facts about DESCOVY, including important warnings, on the following page.

Ask your healthcare provider if an HIV-1 treatment that contains DESCOVY® is right for you.

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IMPORTANT FACTS This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(des-KOH-vee) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY

DESCOVY may cause serious side eﬀects, including: • Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold (especially in your arms and legs), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark “tea-colored” urine; loss of appetite; light-colored bowel movements (stools); nausea; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking DESCOVY. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking DESCOVY or a similar medicine for a long time.

DESCOVY can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About DESCOVY” section. • Changes in body fat. • Changes in your immune system. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems. The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea. These are not all the possible side effects of DESCOVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking DESCOVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with DESCOVY.

ABOUT DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others.

HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine that is taken with other HIV-1 medicines. • Take DESCOVY with or without food.

BEFORE TAKING DESCOVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical condition. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with DESCOVY.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. • Go to DESCOVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit DESCOVY.com for program information.

DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0019 11/16

GEORGIANEWS

AIDS Memorial Quilt visitor center to open in downtown Atlanta Number of upgrades in store after move from longtime facility in Midtown in June

idea of connecting people to the quilt digitally so they can compel people to dig deeper. The visitors center will regularly rotate and display panels from the larger quilt for drop-in visitors. Additionally, with a little bit of pre-planning, visitors can request specific panels be put on display for their visit. “It helps that our warehouse is only 20 minutes away. We can run over there and grab a section if someone wants to see it,” Rhoad said.

By ROBBIE MEDWED In 1985, seven years after San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk was assassinated, activist Cleve Jones asked those marching in the annual candlelight vigil to honor Milk and Mayor George Moscone’s memories by writing the names of the 1,000 people who died of AIDS in the city that year on signs and placards. When the march reached San Francisco’s Federal Building, Jones and other organizers began taping the signs to the building. When they stepped back to take in all the names, the patchwork of signs looked like a quilt. Within a few years, the NAMES Project Foundation – the AIDS Memorial Quilt – was born. Now, over 30 years later, the Quilt is the world’s largest AIDS memorial, with an estimated 56 tons’ worth of panels designed by family and friends of those who’ve been lost. The majority of those panels – those not on display in numerous venues around the world – have been housed in Midtown Atlanta since 2002 along with the offices of the NAMES Project Foundation. And the organization is now in the process of moving its headquarters to a 2,500 square foot storefront downtown that will serve as a visitor and education center, while the bulk of the Quilt will be housed in a 4,200 square foot warehouse in Tucker. Both locations will open in June. “We moved here in the early 2000s because Atlanta was at the center of research surrounding HIV/AIDS with the CDC and other agencies, and, sadly, one of the nation’s leading centers of new infections. We wanted to become part of the community and help change the conversation and shift the narrative,” executive director Julie Rhoad told Georgia Voice during our visit to the new facility. Bridging gap between digital, physical The Quilt regularly hosts groups of students, activists and tourists, but the current www.thegeorgiavoice.com

The new NAMES Project Foundation headquarters will be in a 2,500 square foot storefront downtown that will serve as a visitor and education center. (Photo by Robbie Medwed)

facility on 14th Street wasn’t built to have such large groups moving in and out and experiencing presentations and workshops. The new facility in the downtown tourist district on Luckie Street will have space for nearly 150 people. “Many people have asked us why we don’t just do a digital quilt – but the level of detail that becomes available online doesn’t compare to sitting down and choosing what artistic tools we’ll use and the materials we’ll employ,” Rhoad said. “It’s the stories behind all of these that bridge the gap between the digital and the physical.” To bridge that gap, the NAMES Project has been developing an app to help visitors to the center in Atlanta and viewers from around

the world round out their experience. “There are hundreds of thousands of documents, wedding rings, photographs and all sorts of things that people send with the panels that tell the story of the people behind the panels,” Rhoad said. “Visitors will be able to add stories and background on their loved one online through the app along with the panels they create.” The new facility will also house a table-top, interactive version of the app that can show the entire Quilt as one or zoom in to illuminate individual panels and stories. Anne Balsamo, one of the NAMES Project’s board members who’s leading the work on the app, hopes the new facility will be a “beta site” to dive into the

‘56 tons of fabric sentiment and love’ The Quilt’s new visitors center is accessible from MARTA’s Peachtree Center station and the Atlanta Streetcar passes right outside the new facility. The building is just steps away from Centennial Park and the other tourist attractions, which Rhoad hopes will encourage more people to come learn about the Quilt and the legacies of those who are memorialized. “We’re going to start hosting panel-making workshops so people can come in and make everything right here. We’ll have all of the materials they will need,” she said. Making a panel is an incredibly powerful statement for many. “We know that our family would lay down their lives for us – but most of our grandmothers or parents probably wouldn’t chain themselves to desks at the NIH [National Institutes of Health] or march with ACT UP, though some of them did,” Rhoad said. “The Quilt gives them a way to honor the life of their grandchild or child and transform it into education and activism and make sure that life could live on.” The AIDS Memorial Quilt’s new facility is scheduled to open on June 1 with a flurry of events in partnership with agencies across Atlanta. Before then, volunteers and staff are working to get all of the facilities in order – though Rhoad notes that both in-person volunteers and financial contributions are very welcome. “We’re charged with a responsibility to care for 56 tons of fabric sentiment and love,” she said. “That’s an enormous responsibility. Memory isn’t just a thing of the past. The challenge is making it relevant and teaching it in this day and age, and the Quilt does that in person in ways that many monuments can’t.” April 14, 2017 News 5

GEORGIANEWS

Fundraising efforts underway for 2017 Atlanta City Council races Four LGBT candidates on the ballot for District 6, president positions By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com Atlanta is poised for a historic moment this fall: it has LGBT candidates running for City Council, City Council president and mayor. “We have an exciting slate of people running for office,” said Kirk Rich, an Atlanta realtor running for the District 6 Council seat. “Almost half of City Council will be new members. You’ll have a new mayor, and that new mayor doesn’t have a lot of loyalties to past mayors. That’s a great opportunity for the city, that hopefully everybody comes in with the right priorities.” Rich is one of four LGBT candidates running for spots on the Council. Lock Whiteside, a teacher at Inman Middle School, is running

Atlanta City Council candidates who filed contribution reports as of April 11, 2017. These numbers reflect cash contributions. Asterisk denotes openly LGBT candidate. DISTRICT 1 Rontaverous Aribo — $11,558.96 received to-date; $9,224.65 balance on hand Moraima Ivory — Declaration of Intent filed April 3 William Powell — none received Carla Smith — $20,999.19 received todate; $20,999.19 balance on hand DISTRICT 2 Amir Farokhi — $104,447 received to-date; $85,202.15 balance on hand Stephon Ferguson — none received Zelda Jackson — $25.00 received to-date; $47.52 balance on hand Lauren Welsh — $65,991 received to-date; $52,389.14 balance on hand DISTRICT 3 Ricky Brown — none received Greg Clay — $38,713.29 received to-date; $22,691.87 balance on hand Ivory Young Jr. — none received

Atlanta’s LGBT community is well-represented on the ballot for City Council. Business owner Lilian Bakhtiari (l) is running in District 5 and both realtor Kirk Rich (center) and educator Lock Whiteside (r) look to fill Alex Wan’s vacated District 6 seat. (Courtesy and file photos)

against him for District 6. Business owner Liliana Bakhtiari, who identifies as queer, is in the race for District 5, and former District 6 councilman Alex Wan looks to be Council president. The role of the City Council is akin to that of Congress, and mayor that of president. The Council sets laws and policies of

DISTRICT 4 Mr. Adassa — $1,000 received to-date; $1,000 balance on hand Christopher Brown — $1,566.01 received to-date; $0 balance on hand Daniel Burroughs — $100 received todate; $57.50 balance on hand Steven Chatman — none received Jason Dozier — $50,076.04 received todate; $36,549.67 balance on hand Nicholas Hess — $1,325 received to-date; $425 balance on hand Jonathan Whitfield — $320 received todate; $0 balance on hand DeBorah Williams — none received Cleta Winslow — none received DISTRICT 5 Natalyn Archibong — $44,300.20 received to-date; $31,338.39 balance on hand *Liliana Bakhtiari — $12,443 received to-date; $12,443 balance on hand DISTRICT 6 Jennifer Ide — $35,061 received to-date; $0 balance on hand *Kirk Rich — $41,550 received to-date; $36,622.66 balance on hand *Lock Whiteside — none received DISTRICT 7 Charles Shook — $180,297.50 received

the city, and the Council president assigns committee roles and votes when needed, Rich said. Some of the biggest projects for the new city government are in the infrastructure arena — things like the new Falcons stadium and its surrounding neighborhoods, not to mention roadways.

to-date; $83,775.18 balance on hand DISTRICT 8 Yolanda Adrean — $65,894 received todate; $20,342.45 balance on hand DISTRICT 9 William Harrison — none received Dustin Hillis — $28,031 received to-date; $28,031 balance on hand DISTRICT 10 Clarence Martin — $24,407.70 received to-date; $23,907.70 balance on hand Erika Mitchell — none received Beverly Rice — $964 received to-date; $841.58 balance on hand DISTRICT 11 Harold Hardnett — $3,755.00 received to-date; $2,991.75 balance on hand Latarsha Holden — $1,022.00 received to-date; $0 balance on hand Anthony Johnson — $12,554.00 received to-date; $4,878.47 balance on hand Brionte McCorkle — $1,963.00 received to-date; $1,307.10 balance on hand Marcia Overstreet — $20,807.65 received to-date; $17,481.80 balance on hand Georgianne Thomas — $2,032.27 received to-date; $1,699.42 balance on hand

Campaign fundraising is a vital part of running for elected office, and early fundraising means a candidate’s name and message hits the populace sooner. Several candidates already raised more than $100,000, and othCONTINUES ON PAGE 7

DISTRICT 12 Randy Gibbs — $17,529.92 received todate; $7,296.82 balance on hand Michael Jackson — none received Joyce Sheperd — $91,119.00 received to-date; $16,475.48 balance on hand POST 1 AT-LARGE Michael Bond — $20,066 received to-date; $14,545.78 balance on hand Courtney English — $100,131.90 received to-date; $81,891.90 balance on hand Anthony Green — none received POST 2 AT-LARGE Cory Ruth — $54,093 received to-date; $7,944.80 balance on hand Matt Westmoreland — $110,558 received to-date; $107,174.68 balance on hand POST 3 AT-LARGE Andre Dickens — $136,908.23 received to-date; $79,014.65 balance on hand COUNCIL PRESIDENT Clarence Martin — $150.948 received todate; $135,593 balance on hand Felicia Moore — $81,354 received to-date; $68,636.51 balance on hand *Alexander Wan — $131,243.59 received to-date; $101,841.23 balance on hand

6 News April 14, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

ers are just beginning to get the word out. Funding the path to office Rich said his budget is in the market of $200,000, most of which will be spent on data collection and advertising. “A lot of what we spend money on gets down to as simple as printing. Those are things that really cost the money, and you want to make sure you have plenty to be competitive,” he said. “We are also doing things that are not dollar-centric, which are me putting on my comfy shoes and doing door-knocking.” Charles Bullock, Richard Russell professor of political science at the University of Georgia said there’s not a baseline amount of money a municipal candidate needs to run a successful campaign, but of course more is better than less. “It depends upon what competition they’re facing, so that if one candidate goes up on television, you better be prepared to go up on television,” he said. For an Atlanta market, to ensure each viewer saw the ad 10 times, Bullock heard that could cost upwards of $350,000. Bullock remembers discovering in 2014

Alex Wan, an openly gay councilman representing District 6, will vacate his seat to run for City Council president. (File photo)

that his 20-student political science class hadn’t seen a televised attack ad that took over news channels during the election season. “If you were watching news shows you were going to see it, but the fact that they didn’t [see it] underscored the fact that they didn’t watch TV. If you want to reach the millennial voters, you’ll probably have to go to social media,” he said. Though having a campaign office and manager can be important parts of running

for office, Bullock said candidates must not “spend too heavily” in that regard. “Inexperienced campaigns, that’s how they dig themselves into a hole,” he said. “It comes time to get the message out, and [the money] has all been sunk into amenities.” Wan wouldn’t reveal his campaign budget to Georgia Voice, but did say he plans to stick to a fairly traditional strategy. In a lot of ways, this race will be similar to ones he’s won before, just on a grander scale. “Now, beyond talking about one district, we’re talking about the city as a whole and talking to people city-wide,” Wan said. “I think the cost of a city-wide campaign is very different and a lot larger.” Wan also has an active contributions report for District 6, but said those funds can only be used in the district and cannot be used for the council president campaign. “I have been using those to make donations, event tickets and other minor expenses,” he said. Growing Atlanta further One of Wan’s main motivations for running this year is that he’s still got a lot to give, and feels he can make broader progress on his ideas and improvements from the pres-

idency than a Council seat. Giving is also a reason Rich wants his name on the ballot. “I’ve done well in my life and Atlanta’s the reason I’ve done well. It’s been a city that gave back more than I could be given,” Rich said. “I saw firsthand that there just aren’t people within the city’s structure that really do completely understand how to speak to a developer and to understand kind of the complexities of what they do.” According to his campaign literature, Whiteside’s priorities include protecting the LGBT community’s rights, HIV prevention and ending the much-discussed corruption at City Hall. Bakhtiari plans to fight for the developing Eastside community and economic equality for all of her constituents, as well as improved infrastructure. Wan said though it’s a turning point moment to have the LGBT community well-represented in municipal elections, he can’t wait for the day when it’s not a novel occurrence. “I think it speaks volumes that we have so many candidates running this year. [Atlanta mayoral candidate] Cathy Woolard was the first to be elected in Georgia and she was the only one. And now you have candidate up and down the ballot seeking office,” he said. “I think that shows a lot of progress.”

“

Even though we are in a relationship, it’s still important that we get tested. It’s about making HIV testing routine. If you are sexually active, you should be getting tested for HIV. — DaShawn and Courtney

”

WE’RE

DOING IT Testing for HIV #DoingIt Testing is Fast, Free, and Confidential cdc.gov/DoingIt www.thegeorgiavoice.com

April 14, 2017 News 7

NEWSBRIEFS ATL musician starts petition for permanent rainbow crosswalks Sarah Rose, an Atlanta-based musician who also serves as Care2’s social media coordinator and LGBT issues advocate, launched a petition this month to create permanent rainbow crosswalks in time for Pride. The desired crosswalks would include the pink, white and blue of the transgender pride flag as well as the iconic rainbow. In October 2015, Atlanta was home to temporary such fixtures. Mayor Kasim Reed cited safety concerns and state regulations as reasons for not allowing the crosswalks to be permanent. “I saw firsthand what those crosswalks meant to Atlanta’s LGBTQ community when they were painted, as well as the disappointment when they were removed,” Rose said. “As a transgender woman and advocate, as well as an Atlanta native, I have seen the power of Atlanta’s queer community, and the return of the Pride crosswalks would be a simple, but affirming gesture for our city.” Earlier moves to have the crosswalks painted each year for Pride demonstrated it would be more cost-effective to have the rainbows be permanent, according to a Facebook post by the group responsible for the 2015 decorations. ATL keeps N.C. travel ban after anti-LGBT replacement for HB 2 Atlanta is keeping a ban on city employee travel to North Carolina, enacted in response to anti-LGBT House Bill 2 — known as the “bathroom bill” — despite the governor signing a replacement measure into law. Mayor Kasim Reed enacted the original travel ban on non-essential, publicly-funded city employee travel last April in response to the passage of HB 2, calling the bill “discriminatory and unnecessary legislation.” He also extended his support to North Carolina’s LGBT residents. “Every person, regardless of their gender, gender expression or sexuality is a valued member of our community,” he said at the time. On March 30, HB 2’s replacement was signed that claimed to alleviate the controversy, but LGBT and civil rights groups across the nation slammed the bill. Reed appeared to agree with them. “The City of Atlanta has no plans to lift the restriction at this time. Our current po-

In October 2015, Atlanta was home to rainbow crosswalks in time for Pride. A new petition started by musician Sarah Rose aims to bring them back, permanently. (File photo)

sition remains,” Reed’s spokeswoman, Anne Torres, told Georgia Voice. The replacement bill, House Bill 142, prohibits state agencies, municipalities and public universities from the “regulation of access” to bathrooms, showers and locker rooms without the permission of North Carolina’s legislature. It also bans municipalities from enacting LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination measures applying to public accommodations or private employment until 2020. Atlanta isn’t the only city keeping a travel ban in protest — Washington, D.C., New York City, Oakland, Seattle, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Salt Lake City and Cincinnati also have similar measures in place, as does the state of Minnesota. Atlanta Pride accepting 2017 grand marshal nominations Nominations for the 2017 Atlanta Pride Parade grand marshals are now open. “The grand marshal position is primarily a way for us to recognize people in the community for work they’re doing or work they’ve done,” said Jamie Green-Ferguson, executive director of Atlanta Pride Committee. “This is a way we can say thank you to people who give their time, their resources, to really fight for our community and who need help. It’s also a way to bring visibility to causes.” Individuals are invited to submit nom-

inations through the Atlanta Pride website. Nominations are narrowed down based on eligibility, then voted on to determine the final group. There aren’t many eligibility requirements — grand marshal nominees must live in Georgia, and they cannot have previously been a marshal for the same work. For example, if a nominee was chosen last year and worked with homeless youth, they could not be selected in 2017 for that same volunteer history. Grand marshals also must identify as being part of the LGBT community, but that’s a loose definition. “In the past we’ve had straight allies who are very involved in fighting for equality, or straight parents of queer kids,” Green-Ferguson said. The grand marshals’ job is more honorary than anything else. They will be formally recognized in June, give interviews and participate in the 2017 Atlanta Pride parade. Green-Ferguson said grand marshals can choose to speak from the stage during Pride events if they wish. “Grand marshals can be individuals, they can be a group. We have also done some posthumous awards,” Green-Ferguson said. “We have a slate of grand marshals that’s intended to be diverse.” Atlanta Pride grand marshal nominations Deadline: April 24 Submit your nomination: https://bit.ly/2oVSM5g

8 News April 14, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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April 14, 2017 Ads 9

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EDITORIAL

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

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FINE PRINT

All material in Georgia Voice is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Georgia Voice. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. We also do not accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by Georgia Voice, but we do not take responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit any submission. Guidelines for freelance contributors are available upon request. A single copy of Georgia Voice is available from authorized distribution points. Multiple copies are available from Georgia Voice office only. Call for rates. If you are unable to reach a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 26-issue mailed subscription for $60 per year. Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Tim Boyd, tboyd@thegavoice.com Postmaster: Send address changes to Georgia Voice, PO Box 77401, Atlanta, GA 30357. Georgia Voice is published every other Friday by The Georgia Voice, LLC. Individual subscriptions are $60 per year for 26 issues. Postage paid at Atlanta, GA, and additional mailing offices. The editorial positions of Georgia Voice are expressed in editorials and in editor’s notes. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Georgia Voice and its staff. To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words and commentary, for web or print, should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address and phone number for verification. Email submissions to editor@thegavoice.com or mail to the address above.

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10 Outspoken April 14, 2017

The life of a unicorn BY PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com

“Working on this issue has made me realize, yet again, why I love Atlanta.” I am a unicorn, aka an Atlanta native. We are a rare, mythical breed, but lo and behold, we do exist. It took me a while to really experience the city of Atlanta itself though. I was raised in the suburbs and, until my early 20s, the only time I made it downtown was for Falcons or Braves games. But after graduating from UGA and a brief stay in Vinings, I came flying out of the closet and promptly moved to a condo on Cheshire Bridge Road. Now, you know how the Big Chicken is used as a beacon for people to recognize where other locations are around Marietta? On Cheshire Bridge Road, strip clubs and sex shops are used as the same beacons. It can get confusing though because you mention one to try and let people know where a certain bar or restaurant is and people get confused, so you have to keep saying, “No, it’s next to the other strip club ... No, that used to be a strip club, now it’s a sex shop … No, next to the other sex shop.” After several fruitful years on Cheshire Bridge, I moved a step closer intown, this time to Home Park. I love Home Park because it’s this little pocket of residential homes with actual trees and everything, which was a big change after going from dorm to dorm to apartment to apartment to condo and so on ever since starting college. Plus, it’s in the middle of everything and you have quick access to so many vi-

brant areas of town. We explore many of these areas in this, our annual Real Estate Issue. This year, we’ve got local experts weighing in on their picks for the hottest neighborhoods in which to buy a home – and no, they are not all on the BeltLine and they are not all in the city of Atlanta. Speaking of buying a home, what’s that process like now nearly a decade after the collapse of the mortgage industry? Mortgage loan originator Michael Lappin is here to help break it down for you and settle any nerves. And have you driven around Midtown lately (or attempted to, taking into account our interstates collapsing and such)? It seems like there’s a new development being built on every other block. We spoke to the Midtown Alliance to get the scoop on all of the projects currently under construction. Plus, notable interior designer Robert Gaul clues everyone in on the latest tips and trends to make your place pop, and we spoke to a University of Georgia horticulturalist to walk us through container gardening to spruce up your patio. Working on this issue has made me realize, yet again, why I love Atlanta. I can’t imagine looking back years from now and realizing I lived in (more or less) the same city my entire life, but it doesn’t look like this unicorn is leaving a trail of rainbows on the way out of here anytime soon.

FEEDBACK Re: “Georgia Senate adjourns session without voting on adoption bill,” March 31 “Sad that petty politics and narrowmindedness prevailed over children.” -Denise VanLanduyt via Facebook Re: Iconic Atlanta gay bar celebrates milestone 30th anniversary,” April 1 “Man do I have memories and stories of some unbelievable times spent there!!! Congratulations!” -Freddie Bainbridge via Facebook “Happy 30th and more to come.” -Alan Yeong via Facebook “My old stomping grounds!” -William C. Searcy via Facebook “Alright!!! Congrats Atlanta Eagle.” -Miko Evans via Facebook Re: “Floral on fleek: Top three trends from an Atlanta florist,” April 3 “Larry & Greg do awesome flowers!” -Richard Munn via Facebook Re: “Your wedding day: Price and Carlos Correa,” April 4 “Thank you so much for sharing this. Carlos and I are truly honored to be a part of your story!!! Congratulations to the beautiful couples in the article as well. So wonderful reading your story!” -Price Correa via Facebook Re: “Atlanta to keep North Carolina travel ban after anti-LGBT replacement law,” April 6 “Yay!!! I’m so glad. The new bill still allows for legal discrimination and blocks cities and towns from having ordinances to block discrimination. Good for him.” -Patty Williams 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

OUT IN THE WILD By Simon Williamson

Bad day at the rodeo Simon Williamson lives with his husband in heteronormatively-assimilative fashion in Athens, after a year of surviving rural Georgia.

One of the most common refrains we hear in the post-2016 US is that Democrats lost because they are out of touch with the rest of the country, bundled up in their sanctuary welfare cities. While there is absolutely no evidence to back this claim up, it sticks to common discourse like shit to a blanket, and hides the fact that there are parts of America that claim we don’t want them while they actually go out of their ways to not interact with us. Two weekends ago, a rodeo came to Athens and, since I am a foreigner, we decided to go as it is not something I have ever experienced. Off me and my husband trundled in flannel and boots and bolo ties, and as we sat watching be-hatted gentlemen wrestle with cows

at a themed evening thanking the troops, we couldn’t shake the feeling we were being stared at. And eventually we noticed a group of bros who kept staring at us and laughing. Those of us who have been gaybashed during our lives will know that this is when the paranoia begins. It isn’t that we are scared of being laughed at – God knows some of the things I have worn in my life – but we are scared of being killed, because we have all experienced straight men who feel challenged by our people. North Carolina’s bathroom laws aren’t meant to deal with the bathroom – they are meant to keep transgender people from being able to go out at all. They are to stop city governments welcoming diversity into states,

“It is them who refuse to deal with us, and who harass us out of the places they don’t want us in.” which eventually spreads into non-metropolitan corners. Supporters of religious freedom legislation here in Georgia are aiming for the same thing – they want a legal reason to be able to throw us out of their restaurants and shops. That might not sound like a likely event in Atlanta, but I lived in the far reaches of Newton County not that long ago and spent an evening at a restaurant in Jackson (our closest town at the time) with my husband, where the owner glared at us from behind the bar for 90 minutes – I would hate to see the weaponry that state Sen. Josh McKoon would like to give to him. The simple fact is that the people behind these laws, who are telling us we are out of

touch because we don’t shoot guns or drive trucks or eat at Applebee’s, have to concoct this fabrication, and dress their hate for us appropriately. I love my rifle. I love Applebee’s and all of its peers, and eat there often. Their argument is axiomatically false. And it is also false that we are the ones out of touch. It is them who refuse to deal with us, and who harass us out of the places they don’t want us in. We left the rodeo because we didn’t want to be beaten or killed. We weren’t wanted. We sensed danger, and we decided to avoid it rather than confront it. They got their LGBT-free rodeo. Maybe they are right – maybe I did just fall out of touch with how much they actually don’t want us around.

On April 18th, vote Jon Ossoff for Congress. Washington should be accountable to you.

www.ElectJon.com

jonossoff

@ossoff

Paid for by Jon Ossoff for Congress

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April 14, 2017 Outspoken 11

ATLANTA REAL ESTATE

Hottest neighborhoods to buy in before it’s too late LGBT Atlanta realtors weigh in with a diverse array of their top picks By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com We all know metro Atlanta’s growing at a remarkable rate, and one sign of that growth is the turnaround of an area from not to hot. We asked three of the top realtors in the city to list (in order) their three hottest neighborhoods in which to buy a new home, and though areas around the BeltLine were a common theme as expected, you might be surprised at some of their answers. SHANNON HAMES Common Ground Real Estate 1. West End “If someone told me even five years ago that West End would be a hot neighborhood in Atlanta, most realtors would have laughed at you. But thanks to the development plans in the area, savvy investors are snapping up properties to either buy and hold as rentals or as flips. With the work on the Atlanta BeltLine coming through, as well as Atlanta’s plans to create a park (larger than Piedmont) around the quarry that will become our emergency reservoir, West End is one of the hottest places in town from an investment standpoint.” 2. Old Fourth Ward “The Old Fourth Ward continues to be a scorching hot area to live in, especially among millennials. O4W residents enjoy their central location, ease of access to the Atlanta BeltLine, a skate park, walkability, pet-friendly, shopping, restaurants and access to mass transit. It’s minutes from Piedmont Park and Midtown and an easy 10 minutes to downtown Decatur and a hub of social activities and clubs ranging from home brewers to house musicians.” 3. Smyrna “Another part of town that was lagging

and is now bragging – Smyrna has been reinvented as a family-friendly, trendy neighborhood. Formerly a run-down part of south Cobb, Smyrna now hosts the new SunTrust Park (Braves stadium), has easy access to I-75/I-285, a walkable downtown area with upscale shopping and family-friendly subdivisions throughout.” MAXIMILLIAN CORWELL Maximillian Corwell & Associates 1. Inman Park “Inman Park is a thriving neighborhood that has become the new standard for walkability in the city. With the addition of Inman Quarter, Krog Street Market, top dining establishments (Bread & Butterfly, Barcelona, Bartaco, Victory) and the BeltLine with easy access to Ponce City Market and O4W Park, there is nothing slowing down this hot, hot neighborhood. Home prices have risen steadily in the heart of Inman Park, but check out the nearby Old Fourth Ward for some great deals!” 2. West Midtown “West Midtown has been steadily revamping and modernizing old industrial spaces to bring new life into a part of town that was once forgotten. Howell Mill Road is now bustling with outstanding dining and retail options, while the neighborhood has added the likes of Top Golf and the Goat Farm. Architects are having fun as they introduce stellar designs such as the upcoming Star Metals building. Buyers and investors still have an excellent opportunity to find deals that are sure to pay off in the long run!” 3. Ormewood Park “Nestled just a little east of Grant Park, this quaint neighborhood is lined with old bungalows and rocking chair front porches. The future of this neighborhood looks bright with the addition of the BeltLine and close proximity to the rapidly changing Memorial Drive corridor, plus easy access to Grant Park and Zoo Atlanta are nice. If you aren’t familiar to the changes

Historic Fourth Ward Park is a major draw that helps make Old Fourth Ward one of the hottest neighborhoods in which to buy a home. (Photo via Facebook)

on Memorial Drive, look into the 30-plus announced commercial, residential and multi-use projects. Best part of Ormewood Park, it’s still affordable! Get in now before that changes.” BARB ROWLAND AND SUZANNE FEESE PalmerHouse Properties 1. Decatur “Our No. 1 choice for quality of life. Why? Top-ranked school system. Vibrant neighborhoods such as Oakhurst, Winnona Park and Glenwood Estates. Downtown with great walkability to more than 50 shops and restaurants in a six-block radius, frequent festivals and free concerts and a MARTA train station in the heart of downtown. Decatur home prices went up $175,000 in the past year. The Decatur condo market remains extremely hot too, with very little inventory and high demand. Average sale price for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom is $175,000, and a two-bedroom, two-bathroom is $267,000.” 2. Chamblee “Chamblee’s popularity stems from its location inside the perimeter and on the main MARTA train line, and is enhanced by the

CDC expansion, the GM Village and an appealing commercial/residential mix. Popular neighborhoods include Ashford Park, Embry Hills, Sexton Woods and Huntley Hills. There are 26 active home listings on the market, 31 pending closings and 164 sales in the past year ranging in price from $120,000 to $895,500. Townhomes, condos and lofts are also strong in Chamblee, with the average for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit at $179,000 at places such as Eco Lofts, Peachtree Malone Lofts and Lofts at 5300.” 3. Sandy Springs “Sandy Springs is booming, thanks in part to the new Performing Arts Center, the commercial district expansion and the City Green park. The new City Springs will feature a carefully-curated selection of boutique shops and restaurants designed to cater to the area’s residents and the many who commute to the city for their jobs. With a $327,000 average price point for a three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhouse/condo, and home prices ranging from $200,000 to over $2 million, many folks will be priced out of this market. However, currently 11 homes are available in the $285,000 to $400,000 range and 28 condo/townhomes in the $100,000 to $350,000 price range.”

12 Real Estate/Home & Garden April 14, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

REAL ESTATE FINANCES

What to know before diving into the homebuying process Atlanta loan originator clears up confusion, allays concerns By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com The headlines of a decade ago told the depressing tale: a rash of foreclosures, abandoned homes across the nation and the crash of the mortgage industry. One reason for that was lenders offering riskier and riskier loans to more and more borrowers, then the bottom falling out. “Everything goes in cycles. It was the wild, wild West for a while,” explained Michael Lappin, co-owner and mortgage loan originator at Buckhead-based Stellar Mortgage Corporation. “It used to be very strict, and over time that eased. There’s a role in the government encouraging people to be homeowners, so they back a lot of these mortgages and they ease a lot of the requirements so that more people can get into a home. Then the market began to get too loose around 2007 or 2008.” Lappin said home loan requirements became too restrictive in the years that followed, but that things have leveled out and found a sensible middle ground. “We can do a lot of loans now. We have tremendous flexibility,” he said, adding that it’s not a problem if a first-time homebuyer doesn’t have 20 percent of the loan to put down, or if they are self-employed. “It’s all normal stuff that we do.” First-time homebuyers or repeat homebuyers who haven’t gone through the process in a while might be nervous or unsure of the process, but it’s not as complicated as it seems. Getting qualified and shopping for properties “The first thing that people should do is really understand their own budget,” Lappin said. How much do you make? How much do you spend and where do you spend it? What

“We can do a lot of loans now. We have tremendous flexibility.” —Michael Lappin, co-owner and mortgage loan originator at Stellar Mortgage Corporation, on loan requirements reaching a sensible middle ground in the years that followed the mortgage industry collapse

kind of monthly payment are you comfortable paying (making sure to include not only the mortgage payment but association fees if buying a condo, taxes and insurance). The next step is finding a loan officer or loan originator and having a conversation about your goals, timeline and your overall financial picture so that they can figure out the right loan program to put you in. After that, it’s time to fill out an application. “That’s really our roadmap to fully understanding their financial position,” Lappin said. “Once we do that, we can get a credit report, because a lot of rates are credit-sensitive, and then we can really start to get some very specific numbers put together for somebody. That way they are shopping in the right price range for a home.” After getting qualified, that’s when it’s time for what most consider the fun part – shopping for a home. That’s a good time to make sure your loan officer and real estate agent are on the same page. “I like to work with the agent in a collaborative way, so if I don’t know their agent

The mortgage process involves a lot of paperowrk, but luckily it became automated over the years. (Photo via iStock)

already, I always ask for an introduction,” Lappin said. “Then we have a conversation about how we want to approach the offer. Today’s market is pretty competitive, so every seller is looking for a pre-approval letter for people making an offer. We have to work together to put all that together so it’s a strong, accurate offer for the client.” Once an offer is agreed upon and the home is under contract, the mortgage process begins. ‘It should not be a stressful process’ The mortgage process involves a lot of paperwork, but luckily it became automated over the years. “Most of it is electronic and it’s pretty streamlined,” Lappin said. The loan officer collects all of the paperwork and submits it to an underwriter, who reviews the documentation to make sure nothing is missing. Once the underwriter approves, it’s time to order an appraisal on the new home. If everything checks out, a closing day and time is scheduled with a closing attorney. But what about potential issues at the closing table? “Because of communication throughout,

there shouldn’t be any surprises,” Lappin said. “By the time we get there, we should have the disclosures and they should match back to the original estimate.” A real estate closing typically takes about an hour, where all parties review the numbers one last time before signing on the dotted line, making sure everything is correct, then the borrower getting the keys to their new home. “It should not be a stressful process,” Lappin said. “When it’s done right and the communication is there, people get to the closing table and it’s just a nice time to meet the sellers, talk about the neighbors, find out what day trash day is, if you’re in a condo find out if you need to walk your dog in a certain place. It’s really about information sharing and signing some paperwork.” And what about those who aren’t ready to buy yet, but want to in the next couple of years? “The most important thing is to pay all of your bills on time and to make sure you pay all of your income taxes, and to declare your proper income,” Lappin said. “Get your financial house in order. Save money for a down payment, make sure that you pay everything on time, document what you’re doing and keep good records.”

14 Real Estate/Home & Garden April 14, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

ATLANTA REAL ESTATE

Midtown Madness!

14. ONE MUSEUM PLACE 1301 Peachtree St. n Five floors n 48 residential units TBD

1 TH

EET

STR

TR E

ES ET

W. PEACHTREE STREET NW

SPRING STREET NW

EET

STR

14 15. ALTA AT THE PARK 12th St. near Piedmont Ave. n 19 floors n 198 residential units n 1,200 sq. ft. retail TBD

15TH STREET NE

14TH STREET NE

13TH STREET NE

12TH STREET NE

3. AMLI ARTS CENTER 1240 West Peachtree St. n 30 floors n 351 residential units n 3,400 sq. ft. retail August 2017

2. Mixed Use/ Residential (Name TBD) 1270 Spring St. n Five floors n 256 residential units n 13,500 sq. ft. retail TBD

PIED

If you’ve been in Midtown recently, you’ve surely noticed an abundance of cranes, construction crews and strange new buildings sprouting up out of the ground all over the area. But what’s the deal with these projects and when are they scheduled to be completed? We checked in with the Midtown Alliance to get the scoop on all 18 projects currently under construction.

MARTA

TR E

By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com

18TH STREET NW

CH PEA

1. ASCENT MIDTOWN 1400 West Peachtree St. n One 27-floor residential building n One four-floor hotel n 328 residential units n 176 hotel rooms n 3,000 sq. ft. retail February 2019

11TH STREET NE 11TH STREET NE

6 7 10TH STREET NE

16. HANOVER MIDTOWN Peachtree St. and 7th St. n 28 floors n 43,025 sq. ft. office space n 350 residential units n 11,220 sq. ft. retail Spring 2019

PEACHTREE PLACE NE

8. MODERA 90 Peachtree Place n 29 floors n 450 residential units n 13,000 sq. ft. retail August 2017

6TH STREET NE

5TH STREET NE

11 12

9. NCR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 8th St. & Spring St. n One 15-floor building n One four-floor building 516,000 sq. ft. office space January 2018

12. THE STANDARD 708-738 Spring St. n 19 floors n 252 residential units n 10,630 sq. ft. retail TBD

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

11. CODA Spring St., West Peachtree St., Armstead Place, 4th St. n 21 floors n 720,000 sq. ft. office n 46,500 sq. ft. retail TBD

10. ALEXAN 880 880 West Peachtree St. n 22 floors n 356 residential units n 10,000 sq. ft. retail TBD

13. EMORY PROTON TREATMENT CENTER 615 Peachtree St. n 3 floors 115,000 sq. ft. office space n 4,000 sq. ft. retail Summer 2018

7TH STREET NE

6TH STREET NE

17 5TH STREET NE

4TH STREET NE

3RD STREET NE

JUPITER STREET NE

6. POST MIDTOWN 11th St. and Peachtree Walk n 23 floors n 327 residential units June 2017

PONCE DE LEON AVE. NW

PIEDMONT ROAD NE

SPRING STREET NW

4. APOGEE MIDTOWN 22 14th St. n 38 floors n 400 residential units n 6,500 sq. ft. retail October 2017

8TH STREET NE

CYPRESS STREET NE

5. NORTHSIDE MEDICAL BUILDING 1117 Spring St. n 10 floors n 154,207 sq. ft. office space n 25,412 sq. ft. retail Spring 2018

WEST SPRING STREET NW

7. HANOVER WEST PEACHTREE 1010 West Peachtree St. n Six floors n 328 residential units n 14,000 sq. ft. retail May 2017

17. BROADSTONE TERRACES 811 Juniper St. n Eight floors n 218 residential units June 2017

13 NORTH AVE. NW

All information via the Midtown Alliance’s March 2017 Major Development Activity Map & Summary.

18. LILLI MIDTOWN Peachtree St. and 3rd St. n 24 floors n 150 residential units n 4,000 sq. ft. retail TBD

April 14, 2017 Real Estate/Home & Garden 15

What is TRUVADA for PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)?

TRUVADA is a prescription medicine that can be used for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection when used together with safer sex practices. This use is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This includes HIV-negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex, and male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV-1. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: u You must be HIV-negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are conﬁrmed to be HIV-negative. u Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: u You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. u You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. u To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. u If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: u Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. u Serious liver problems. Your liver may become large and tender, and you may develop fat in your liver. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain. u You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time. In some cases, these serious conditions have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions.

u Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking TRUVADA, they will need to watch you closely for several months to monitor your health. TRUVADA is not approved for the treatment of HBV.

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP? Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you also take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: u Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA for PrEP. u Bone problems, including bone pain or bones getting soft or thin, may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. u Changes in body fat, which can happen in people taking TRUVADA or medicines like TRUVADA. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? u All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. u If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Pregnancy Registry: A pregnancy registry collects information about your health and the health of your baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take medicines to prevent HIV-1 during pregnancy. For more information about the registry and how it works, talk to your healthcare provider. u If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. The medicines in TRUVADA can pass to your baby in breast milk. If you become HIV-1 positive, HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. u All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. u If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA for PrEP, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include ledipasvir with sofosbuvir (HARVONI). You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

TVDC0084_B_10x10-5_GeorgiaVoice_p1.indd 1-2

Have you heard about

TRUVADA for PrEPTM? The once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when used with safer sex practices. • TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. • You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

visit start.truvada.com

3/16/17 4:48 PM

IMPORTANT FACTS (tru-VAH-dah)

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP

Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • Tell your healthcare provider if you have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How to Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP" section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems. • Changes in body fat. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomacharea (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. • Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP (PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS) TRUVADA is a prescription medicine used with safer sex practices for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk: • HIV-1 negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex. • Male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. To help determine your risk, talk openly with your doctor about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA). TRUVADA, the TRUVADA Logo, TRUVADA FOR PREP, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and HEPSERA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2016 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0084 03/17

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BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you become HIV-1 positive because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • You must practice safer sex by using condoms and you must stay HIV-1 negative.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body ﬂuids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV-1 infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

3/16/17 4:48 PM

INTERIOR DESIGN

Making your place pop this spring Notable Atlanta interior designer weighs in with the latest trends By ROBBIE MEDWED As the weather warms up and our thoughts turn to relaxing days spent outside our homes in the sunshine, many of us are left with the realization that the inside of our homes and apartments feel shabby and old. To give us some trendy design inspiration for projects and ideas to tackle over a weekend that don’t break the bank, we turned to the name behind Robert Gaul Architectural Design. Gaul has offices in Atlanta and New York and works on projects across the globe with a primary focus on high-end residential interior design. What are the looks you’re seeing most often or your clients request most often? What are the big trends? I’m seeing a lot of simplified rooms, but with a contrast of scale and furniture styles. I call it “comfortable, but classic.” It’s a juxtaposition of contemporary furniture with antique or vintage accent pieces. Gray, white or neutral rooms with pops of color are very popular as of late. Changing out accessories seems to be a great way to make an aesthetic change without spending too much money or investing too much time. What kinds of fixtures should we look for? Yellow and pink metals are very popular this year, as are classic brass, copper and rose gold. Consider experimenting with black finishes for bathroom fixtures and contemporary lighting. www.thegeorgiavoice.com

What makes this season’s trends interesting? It’s the types of color combinations we’re seeing. Think about incorporating bright greens, yellows or cobalt blues. For accents, I like to use strong colors derived from nature. There are also flooring options with interesting stain colors and finishes or unexpected sizing, like wide planks. Large-format wall and floor tiles are also worth considering. What are some of the easiest ways to mix classic styles with the new trends? How can we get the look without making over an entire room? Find one or two interesting pieces from antique shops, flea markets or unique home furnishing stores. Consider contrasting a fine antique wood piece with a rich, worn patina with a modern sculpture of contemporary glass object, or incorporate one small chair in a bold fabric or accent pillows using lush or “luxe” fabrics. I prefer soft, comfortable, neutral fabrics on large furniture pieces with added pops of color. What are the textures, fabrics or other materials we should be considering? Porcelains or ceramics with strong, bright glazes and classic shapes. Asian or mid-century add a unique perspective to a room, as do vintage items from the ‘60s, ‘70s or ‘80s. Even industrial artifacts or antique Italian or vintage glass. What can someone do to incorporate these new trends without breaking the bank? Are there any specific DIY projects or accessories that can transform an existing room? Get rid of the brown and boring! Change the color palette and lighten and brighten the space. I often update the lighting in a room where I want to make a big change

Some of the trends to look out for include grey, white or neutral rooms with pops of color (top) and bathroom fixtures with black finishes. (Photos via iStock)

quickly. Adding texture to a room with a wall covering or beautiful fabrics is an easy change, as is simplifying existing window treatments. Find one or two interesting pieces from antique shops, flea markets or unique home furnishing stores to add something different. Are the styles in Atlanta and the South different from styles you’ve seen other places? Are our trends different/uniquely

Southern? Atlanta appears to be very diverse and keeps up with the trends. I don’t find the trends in Atlanta to be “uniquely Southern.” What’s a tip you could give to our readers who are looking to punch up the style in their own homes? Get rid of all of the clutter and refine the elements in the room. I like to provide a focal point to simplify everything.

April 14, 2017 Real Estate/Home & Garden 19

HOME GARDENING

Spruce up apartments for spring with container gardens Horticulture specialist shares tips for growing vegetables, herbs in small settings By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com It’s easy to envision a vibrant lawn and sprawling, raised-bed vegetable garden if you’re an Atlanta homeowner. But for the city’s ever-growing number of apartment and condo dwellers, there are plenty of ways to capture the spirit of green space in a more concise area. One such way is the use of creative container gardens for vegetables and herbs on patios, window boxes and porches, said Robert Westerfield, a Cooperative Extension horticulturalist at University of Georgia-Griffin. “The sky’s the limit,” Westerfield said. There’s not much that can’t be turned into a container garden for vegetables: reusable cloth shopping bags, teapots and teacups, treated wood window boxes, hardware store buckets, hanging baskets — and those are just the beginning. About the only thing he doesn’t recommend is tires, which can leach chemicals into the veggies. No matter what home gardeners select to grow in, Westerfield said it’s imperative for containers to have good drainage systems. These can be holes in the container, or in the case of reusable cloth bags, made from material that aerates the soil inside and doesn’t hold moisture. “If it does not have any drainage holes, they’ll have to accomplish that themselves,” Westerfield said, adding the ideal spots for drainage holes is on the side of containers. “It minimizes any soil contact underneath the container where possible soil-borne diseases are, but having them on the bottom is better than not having any at all.” Bad soil can spoil a garden When planting any sort of garden, it’s soil temperature that makes a big difference in

“I think one of the keys in the container deal is to use good, premium-quality soil. I don’t recommend going in the front yard and throwing it in the container, because you have a very microclimate in there that needs to be the most premium environment you can create.” —Robert Westerfield, University of GeorgiaGriffin Cooperative Extension horticulturalist

plant health. Westerfield said the ideal soil temperature for spring and summer vegetables is between 65 and 70 degrees. UGA researchers keep an updated digital map of Georgia’s soil temperatures online, so Westerfield advises gardeners to keep an eye on it regularly before pulling out the seeds. “I think one of the keys in the container deal is to use good, premium-quality soil. I don’t recommend going in the front yard and throwing it in the container, because you have a very microclimate in there that needs to be the most premium environment you can create. You can use the most premium soils that are sterile; no weeds or disease issues,” he said. He advised avoiding pine bark soils, which tend to be hard to keep moist, and said his ideal mixture for a container garden is good topsoil mixed with compost and manure. Vegetables like okra or corn, which grow on stalks, don’t do as well in containers. But vine-growing crops — tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants, for starters — are more amenable to the environment, as are peppers. “Most vegetables — tomatoes, peppers, whatever, that are fairly large-sized, would do best in some type of container that is at least five gallons in size, like a Home Depot bucket. You can do it in smaller, but sometimes things get kind of top-heavy,” Westerfield said. He advised using containers with at least a foot of depth for roots to develop. For vegetable planting, Westerfield said to keep containers in full sun and not directly on

Tomatoes, pictured, and peppers are easy to grow in container settings. Reusable cloth shopping bags can be filled with a quality soil and compost mixture to provide a suitable environment for these vegetables. (Photo by Dallas Anne Duncan)

Details

Spring planting for vegetables Cucumber: Plant between April 1 and May 15, half-inch deep. Ready to pick in 50 to 65 days. Eggplant: Plant between April 1 and May 15. Ready to pick in 75 to 90 days. Peppers: Plant between April 1 and June 1. Bell peppers ready to pick in 65 to 80 days; hot and sweet peppers in 65 to 95 days. Tomatoes: Plant between March 25 and May 1. Ready to pick in 70 to 90 days. Source: University of Georgia Cooperative Extension

top of hard concrete surfaces, as those tend to reflect heat back into the plant. Turning the containers occasionally helps plants remain balanced, as they tend to be heliotropes, meaning they grow in the direction of sunlight. When it comes to arranging containers on the deck, don’t let smaller plants get overshadowed by the larger ones to the point they don’t see the sun. Westerfield said also not to jam too many seedlings in one container, as it can minimize air flow and damage the plants. An ‘herb’-an container For some herbs, however, it’s possible to put multiple plants in one container. Westerfield said rosemary, however, may be best to plant

on its own, as it “turns into a freakin’ shrub.” “If I was kind of looking just for an aesthetic container, I’d put a bunch of herbs in the spot. For the most part, you’re going to get away with it. You won’t get high production out of it, but enough to get a few dishes,” Westerfield said. “If you’re a big cook … I’m going to probably basically dedicate a container for [each herb] so I can maximize the size of the herb and I can continue to pick.” Herbs such as cilantro, garlic and parsley prefer cooler temperatures, and warmer-temperature herbs include basil, oregano and thyme. Westerfield said herbs can be perennials and grow back every year, or they can be annuals, which must be replanted each growing season, so it’s important to research the life cycles of desired varieties. Westerfield said what makes the real difference in a successful container garden isn’t whether or not the seeds or seedlings — called transplants — are organic. It’s how the gardener cares for the garden. “You can buy non-treated seed all day long, or you can buy treated seed. Treated seed is green with a fungicide on it. It aids in germination for root-rot diseases,” he said. “I think the organic thing needs to be looked at as a way to manage and take care of the plant, but not so much to look at on the front end. It’s not real difficult if you do a few things right.”

20 Real Estate/Home & Garden April 14, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

AT L A N TA I

LGBT

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REV S T IE R A

N ME

Todrick Hall

trades ‘Kinky Boots’ for ruby slippers Vocalist, performer brings ‘Wizard of Oz’inspired show to Atlanta this month By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com “Kinky Boots” Broadway star Todrick Hall trades his ruby red stilettos for ruby red sneakers this spring as he takes his new show on a nationwide tour. “Straight Outta Oz” comes straight toward Atlanta later this month. “I have always been obsessed with the story ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ I have seen everything. I’ve seen it on ice. I’ve seen it in Madison Square Garden. ‘Wicked’ — 15 to 18 times I’ve seen that show,” Hall said. “I basically was going through a really rough time in my life where I felt like the only thing was people were homophobic or racist or a mixture of both. I could have gone the route where I talked to people and made them see my viewpoint, or I could turn it into art. I decided to write this album that paralleled my life with ‘Wizard of Oz.’” He drew similarities between himself and Dorothy, the orphan girl CONTINUES ON PAGE 23

22 A&E April 14, 2017

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Details Todrick Hall Presents:

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

from Kansas who is swept up alongside her dog Toto in a tornado and lands in a fantastical otherworld of witches, talking scarecrows and flying monkeys. “I felt like my life paralleled with Dorothy. All the things I was searching for that I wanted someone to help me find, I already had, and didn’t believe in myself,” Hall said. “I wanted to tell that story.” True to form, Hall created a full visual album on his YouTube channel with original music and choreography, telling his story through the motifs and characters of the beloved L. Frank Baum literary classic. “When people come see the show, they can expect to see the visual album live. It’s a mixture between a concert and a musical,” Hall said. Though Hall didn’t design or choreograph every detail in “Straight Outta Oz,” he had a strong hand in each part of the visual album and touring live show. “In our line of work … you have to pick a theme and go with it. Because I’m the only person who knows the theme, I have to be part of every aspect of every costume. If not, it can be a little bit discombobulated and a little clumsy on stage,” he said. The show’s cast includes singer and actress Teresa Stanley as Brenda; rapper and actress Virginia Cavaliere, “Orange is the New Black” actress Tiffany Mann and “The Voice” contestant Simone Gundy as Divas; tour regular Chester Lockhart as Glenn; and former Menudo lead singer Jay Bordonada as Gareth and The Wizard. From zero to viral (videos) Hall, a Plainview, Texas, native, started performing in elementary school. “I was just fascinated with the costumes and the lights and the sets and the fog; not only how it looked, but how it worked,” he said. “I started just learning how to dance and writing musicals and writing songs. I always wanted to be creating things. … Basically I just stumbled upon theater and kept performing when I was at high school.” His professional career kicked off at Disney World as a dancer, and included working on cruise ships and at Radio City Music Hall. He made his Broadway debut at age 20 and competed on “American Idol” himself in 2009. Hall said it was around that time he went to a place “that I was super depressed.” It was then he turned to YouTube. Hall joined the video-sharing website several years earlier, but didn’t post his first video www.thegeorgiavoice.com

“Straight Outta Oz” Sunday, April 23 at 8 p.m. Atlanta Symphony Hall 1280 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309 Tickets: bit.ly/2pmh04F sia Barrino and a cappella group Pentatonix. “I got to choreograph for Beyoncé and that was a really cool experience. I think the thing I’m most grateful for is that I made a really great friend in Taylor Swift. I get to go spend Thanksgiving with her and go hang out with her,” Hall said. “It’s really cool to be able to have a friend that’s experienced so much. I look up to her as a role model for how she runs her business and how she treats her fans. There’s no one who treats her fans as good as she does. … She makes me want to be a better person.”

Vocalist and performer Todrick Hall rose to fame thanks in large part to his YouTube channel. Now, he’s taking his latest work — a visual album inspired by ‘Wizard of Oz’ — on a live tour, with an upcoming stop in Atlanta. (Publicity photos)

“I felt like my life paralleled with Dorothy. All the things I was searching for that I wanted someone to help me find, I already had, and didn’t believe in myself. I wanted to tell that story.” —Todrick Hall until a year before “American Idol.” Many of his videos are original songs, choreographed parodies — “Beauty and the Beat,” for example, is a hip-hop take on the Dis-

ney classic — and collaborations with other artists and fellow YouTube sensations. Hall’s YouTube stardom evolved to include stints working with “American Idol” winner Fanta-

A new perspective Most recently, Hall was a judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and performed in the Broadway musical “Kinky Boots.” “I learned so much from being on the show and I grew so much. I had been headlining my own shows, but when you’re headlining an [award-winning musical] you have to step it up,” Hall said. “Having to do eight shows a week as a lead … you never leave the stage. It’s a different type of commitment.” To prepare for his role each day, Hall not only had to rehearse, but had to watch his diet and how much he talked to ensure he was on point for the show. “Everything about it was so difficult. It was the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done as well. I hope to be able to apply all my new tricks that I’ve learned,” he said. Playing a character who spends most of the show in shoes worthy of the Spice Girls gave Hall a new perspective on performing. “I have such a huge appreciation for women, for everything that they do every day because it is so difficult to walk in heels. Why does anyone have to go through this torture?” he said. “I think every guy should have to walk in heels for a few months.” For fans who hope to soar to their own YouTube stardom — and beyond, as he has — Hall said the most important thing is to not stop. “So many people want to give up after five videos. It is so worth it in the end,” he said. “Be true to yourself. There are so many people out there being carbon copies. You already are unique.” April 14, 2017 A&E 23

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By JIM FARMER

A ‘Fabulous’ new take on the Bible at Out Front

As if openly gay actors Ty Autry and Brian Jordan didn’t see each other enough during the day as roommates, now they share a stage as leads together in Out Front Theatre Company’s new “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told.” Directed by Out Front Artistic Director Paul Conroy, the comedy opens April 27, closing out the company’s first season. Written by Paul Rudnick, the production follows Adam and Steve from their time in the Garden of Eden to modern day New York, with friends Jane and Mabel in tow. Autry plays the role of Adam. He got his hands on the script about six months ago and fell in love with it. “From that I knew I wanted the role of Adam,” he said. “I identified with his struggles. I knew I wanted to play this character.” According to the actor, Adam is big into asking questions, hard questions that Christians are afraid to ask themselves. “It’s beautiful seeing this journey of discovery and exploring what it means to be a man of faith, loving someone and reconciling that with a love life and working it out all for the good,” he said. “He starts so optimistic about life and his arc is about discovering reality. One thing that drives him crazy is questions without knowing the answer.” Autry laughed out loud reading the script, realizing this was a different take on the Bible than he was used to seeing growing up in the Bible Belt. “It asks questions in a comical sense,” he says. Although he has a degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech, he knew he wanted to go into acting his senior year in college. He booked roles in two musicals that year – “Rent” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” – as well as choreographed his own variety show and followed that with an apprenticeship with Georgia Ensemble Theatre. In his first year after school, he choreographed “9 to 5: The Musical” at OnStage Atlanta and starred in a dinner theater version of “Santaland Diaries” in Marietta. After the Out Front show, he moves to New York to join Atlantic Acting School. Jordan, who plays Steve, grew up in Au-

Ty Autry (l) and Brian Jordan star in Out Front Theatre Company’s ‘The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told.’ (Photo by Brian Wallenberg)

Details

“The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told” April 27 – May 14th Out Front Theatre Company 999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 www.outfrontheatre.com

gusta, then studied theater at Columbus State. Instead of moving back home, where there is no professional theater, he relocated to Atlanta. He has been seen in several Serenbe Playhouse productions, including the current “Grease” and last year’s “Miss Saigon.” He describes Steve as the more solid of the central pair. “He is the rock of the four friends,” said Jordan. “He is very grounded and more realistic.” Being roommates with Autry before being cast definitely helps the relationship onstage. “We are more comfortable with each other,” said Jordan. “He is a close friend.” As part of the production, both actors appear frontally nude at one point, which they said was awkward at first. “There was this moment of hesitation when I had to do it in the final callback, but we jumped in and did it,” said Autry. “It is a bit daunting, though, knowing that about 1,500 people will have seen me naked onstage before the show is over.”

24 A&E April 14, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

EATING MY WORDS By CLIFF BOSTOCK

New Malaysian spot in Chamblee Here’s how it usually goes: You drive out Buford Highway in search of an “authentic, ethnic” restaurant. That means a hole-inthe-wall where lamb testicles are served amid a décor whose primary feature is a framed health department evaluation. The food is “exotic” and the prices are low. That’s changing and the best example right now is Food Terminal (5000 Buford Hwy., 678-3530-6110, foodterminal. com), a new, mainly Malaysian restaurant that shocks the eyes if not the palate altogether. Although it’s full-service, it is meant to resemble a contemporary Asian food court, completely free of stereotypical imagery. You’ll have plenty of time to check out the space while you wait for a table. Food Terminal has become wildly popular and you can expect a 30-minute wait. The look and quality of the restaurant’s cuisine – mainly good “street food” – is not surprising when you realize it is from the same people who operate Mamak, Top Spice and the frantically multiplying bakery/café Sweet Hut, which everyone loves. Five of us visited Food Terminal last Friday. During our wait, I browsed the 47-page menu. It’s actually in the form of a glossy magazine with highly styled photos of many dishes. You peruse it and, as you make your choices, you check them off on an order form. We ate a ton of food but didn’t come close to denting the menu. Malaysian cooking is a fusion of Chinese, Thai and Indian cuisines, among others. In all honesty, my fiery mouth found much of the food bland. For example, a plate of crunchy, otherwise delicious okra was topped with sambal, typically a hot sauce. I literally did not get a slight sting from it. Ditto for the oddly tasteless Thai chili eggplant. The only fire on our table was some steamed Sichuan dumplings. Among other small plates and sides, watercress with black bean sauce was a favorite, but Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce lagged, at least for me. A bowl of springy fish balls was served tepidly tasty in a pink curry. Getting my drift? The food is good. It’s just not boldly flavored enough for me. www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Food Terminal’s watercress with black bean sauce is one of the better small plates according to Cliff Bostock. (Photo by Cliff Bostock)

Larger plates did better. I ordered the gigantic noodle bowl of bone marrow broth with big cubes of pork belly. A few big pig bones were in the bowl with their marrow mainly out of reach. I sucked and sucked but each bone denied me my reward. Marrow did of course melt into the broth while cooking, making it a bit creamy, especially with the soft-boiled egg. The pork belly grossed out the rest of the table. “You’re eating pure fat!” Well, duh. Delicious. Other large plates we sampled included classic rendang, sweet and spicy stewed beef. Actually, it was sweeter than spicy, but so it goes. “Grandma’s Barbecue,” a Cantonese dish, is served in several manners, but we got the version with tossed noodles. I liked it, as well as a chicken curry. I regret not trying any desserts. They get raves – not surprising since Sweet Hut is a sister restaurant. Overall, I liked Food Terminal. The restaurant is barely a month old, and the overwhelmed kitchen will work out any kinks soon enough. Oh. If you have more than a 20-minute wait, I’d head to the huge City Farmers Market behind the restaurant. You’ll be amazed. Cliff Bostock is a former psychotherapist now specializing in life coaching. Contact him at 404-518-4415 or cliffbostock@gmail.com. April 14, 2017 Columnists 25

T A T GB

A T N LA T

Our Guide to the Best LGBT Events in Atlanta for April 14-27

BETS T ES

EVEN FRIDAY, APRIL 14

From the author of the critically-acclaimed “Whip Smart” comes Melissa Febos’ new memoir. In “Abandon Me,” Febos captures the intense bonds of love and the need for connection – with family, lovers and oneself. Febos will be joined in conversation with fellow memoirist Molly Brodak and graphic fiction writer Lydia Conklin at Charis Books and More for a wideranging conversation on family legacies, the poetics of queer love and the ways we write ourselves home. 7:30 – 9 p.m., 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

The Atlanta Ballet opens its new show “Firebird” tonight at 8 p.m., running through Sunday, April 16, featuring the titular pieces “Allegro Brillante” and “Petite Mort,” Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.cobbenergycentre.com (Publicity photo)

Actor’s Express’ “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” about an Elvis impersonator who, through a chain of events, turns to drag performing, has an 8 p.m. curtain tonight, running through April 16, 887 W. Marietta St., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.actorsexpress.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

Join the Tax March ATL for Social Justice – We Demand Transparency! event today as marchers demand that the president release his tax returns, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Central Park, 400 Merritts Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.facebook. com/events/179634532519028 Sing “Summer Nights” and more as Serenbe Playhouse stages an outdoor version of “Grease,” directed by Serenbe artistic director Brian Clowdus, tonight at 8 p.m., running through April 16, 10642 Serenbe Lane, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268, www.serenbeplayhouse.com The wildly anticipated Drag the River Reunion – with Michelle Malone on guitar – takes place at The Vista Room at Napoleon’s tonight at 8 p.m., 2836 Lavista Road, Decatur, GA 30033

26 Best Bets April 14, 2017

For All Humans presents ICON, a Celebration of Janet + Michael Jackson, with the likes of performers Jai Myers, Andi Monroe, Star Martin, Sami Michelsen, Naomi Vul Seyy, John James, Michael Robinson, Biqtch Puddin’, Steven Glen Diehl and Gwendolyn Van Cartier. Doors open at 10:30 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, 2115 Faulkner Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleatl.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 16

The PFLAG support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people and their parents and families meets tonight from 2:30 – 4 p.m., Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta, 1730 Northeast Expressway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329

MONDAY, APRIL 17

Trans and Friends is a youth-focused group for trans people, people questioning their own gender and aspiring allies. Charis Books and More provides 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 18

Find your inner Beyoncé at Burkhart’s Drageoke, hosted by Angelica D’Paige, 10:30 p.m., 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19

Listen to Your Gut brings together food writers and artists to explore the ways that food and eating translate across genres. Panel participants will speak about their work in relation to the themes in the Zuckerman Museum of Art’s newest exhibition, “Gut Feelings,” and expand the scope of those themes beyond visual art to include text narrative, reporting and scholarly investigations. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. 6 p.m., Zuckerman Museum of Art, 492 Prillaman Way, Kennesaw, GA 30144, www.facebook.com/ events/550997665089004

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 Charis Books and More hosts JoiMarie McKenzie, who will read from her book “The Engagement Game.” In the book, McKenzie believes she has it all figured out. At 28 years old, she has an enviable job as a producer, covering entertainment in New York. Her close-knit family is loving and encouraging and her boyfriend Adam is as close to perfect as you can get – except he won’t propose. This leads her to have to make some life-altering decisions, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

SAGE Atlanta’s social hour begins at 10 a.m., followed by a program/meeting at 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center Annex, 1530 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.rushcenteratl.org Looking for more information about what is being done to protect your rights? Just wanting to enjoy a good cocktail? Lawyers and non-lawyers alike are invited to join the Lambda Legal Atlanta Leadership Committee Defending Equality Atlanta Happy Hour at Ten Atlanta for drinks and complimentary appetizers, 5:30 p.m., 990 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309

FRIDAY, APRIL 21 – SUNDAY, APRIL 23

Join in a weekend-long schedule of events and entertainment as part of Atlanta Bear Pride. Cubs, otters, chubs, chasers and friends from around the globe will be all over the ATL, starting with a warm-up party at 7 p.m. at Woofs Friday night and ending the hairy weekend at BJ Roosters at 7 p.m. on Sunday. A full schedule can be found at www.AtlantaBearPride.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

It’s Mr. and Ms. Eagle Bar night with DJ Christopher Kind, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Hipster Yard Sale ATL has joined up with Friends of Chapel Hill Park in Decatur for another festival market event. Hipster Yard Sale ATL is an open event to vendors and patrons alike. Vintage clothing, vinyl records, local art, handcrafted home goods and any manner of esoteric ephemera as well as your standard yard sale kitsch are available. Food vendors and live performances will be on site. The event is free to the public. A $50 vendor fee will

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19

It’s back! Grab some dollar bills and head to the Clermont Lounge re-opening tonight, with musical guest Dry Gulch. 9 p.m., 789 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.facebook.com/events/1616113755133346 (Publicity photo) go to support Friends of Chapel Hill Park’s Fishing Pier Building Initiative. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Chapel Hill Park, 3985 Lehigh Blvd., Decatur, GA 30034, www.facebook. com/events/270489726730911 The Atlanta March for Science is an official satellite march organized by volunteers from the state of Georgia. Organizers are committed to supporting the efforts of the Official March for Science movement and providing a platform for your voice to be heard in Georgia. 12 – 5 p.m., Candler Park Drive N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.facebook.com/ events/1819005175030640 For 30 years, The Atlanta Gala Dinner and Auction has grown to be one of the largest fundraisers in the country for the Human Rights Campaign. The event, which includes a live and silent auction and black-tie dinner, celebrates excellence in the LGBT move-

ment, successes in our pursuit of equality and refocuses us for the fight ahead. 6 p.m. – 12 a.m., Atlanta Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.facebook.com/ events/1700014050315975 The Boybutante AIDS Foundation presents Peace, Love and Hair – the 28th Annual Boybutante Ball. Come dressed for the most fabulous event of the year, with all sorts of drag kings and queens, 10 p.m., 40 Watt Club, 285 Washington St., Athens, GA 30601, www.boybutante.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

Come enjoy Sunday Funday at My Sister’s Room with bottomless mimosas and a brunch menu, 66 12th St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mysistersroom.com

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EVENT SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY, APRIL 20

The Democratic Party of Georgia’s 2017 State Dinner will take place tonight with a special guest – Congresswoman Maxine Waters. The dinner will be held from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta located at 265 West Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303. More information can be found at georgiademocrat.org/dinner17 (Photo via Facebook)

April 14, 2017 Best Bets 27

Join the Atlanta Symphony for a complimentary drink after its performance tonight. Use promo code PROUD to get a $30 ticket to the ASO’s performance of Richard Strauss’ “Don Juan.” Then, come to Table 1280 to mix and mingle with ASO musicians. Tickets are available at bit. ly/2oj9XMo, 8 – 11 p.m., Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.facebook.com/ events/192332917938045

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LGBT EVENT Submit your LGBT event for inclusion in our online and print calendars by emailing event info to editor@thegavoice.com

UPCOMING

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SUNDAY, APRIL 30

MONDAY, APRIL 24

Led by Niesha Dupree, the long-running Atlanta staple Stars of the Century show features some of the best drag in the Southeast, 10:30 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, 2115 Faulkner Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleatl.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 25

Play Let’s Make a Deal tonight with host Ken from 6 – 10 p.m. at Friends on Ponce, 736 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.friendsonponce-atl.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26

Enjoy free pool tonight at Bulldogs, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA, 30308

THURSDAY, APRIL 27

Do you want to read books by amazing black women writers? Do you want to discuss works from a black feminist perspective in a feminist book store? Then the

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

Puccini’s epic tale “Turandot” centers around the Princess Turandot, who decapitates each suitor who fails to answer her riddles. The Atlanta Opera show opens tonight at 8 p.m. with additional shows May 2, 5 and 7. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.cobbenergycentre.com (Publicity photo) Black Feminist Book Club is for you. Charis Circle board chair Susana Morris will be the facilitator of this group. This season’s theme is radical memoirs by black women and the April book is “Proud Shoes” by Pauli Murray. 7 – 9 p.m., Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Join Gays For Plays for opening night

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

of Out Front Theatre’s “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told.” With the support of Rainbros and Out Front, $20 tickets are available, which includes access to the opening night party after the show. Just use the ticketing link to this show – http://bit.ly/2o0AiMz – and select Thursday, April 27 and use the promotion code ‘Rainbros’, 8 p.m., Out Front Theatre Company, 999 Brady Ave. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318

JEM Entertainment is proud to present ATL Rainbow Expo 2017 with all proceeds to benefit Lost-n-Found Youth. Radio and TV personalities Tom Sullivan and Melissa Carter will emcee. Admission is free, but a monetary donation for Lost-n-Found Youth will be graciously accepted. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Ebster Recreation Center, 105 Electric Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, www.facebook.com/ events/241715506237531 In recognition of the one-year anniversary of the passing of Prince Rogers Nelson, the Auburn Avenue Research Library in collaboration with the African-American Film Critics Association, will host a screening of the iconic 1984 film “Purple Rain.” This event will also include a post-screening panel/community discussion on Prince and his pop culture legacy. This event is free and open to the public. 3 p.m., Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.afpls.org/aarl

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PUT YOUR BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT CONTACT: SALES@THEGAVOICE.COM 28 Best Bets April 14, 2017

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THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID By MELISSA CARTER

An uber-racist ride It is rare that I take the time to give a negative review of a service. Normally, I’ll simply stop shopping somewhere if I’m not satisfied with their service. But, after a recent trip to California, I felt the need for others to learn of my offensive experience. I went to LA for a long overdue visit with a friend. As you may know, I am not a fan of flying, so I have been putting off the crosscountry trip for quite some time. No longer armed with a legitimate excuse, and the fact that a second friend from Atlanta just moved there, I booked the trip to see them both. These two women live on different sides of the city, so I decided to Uber my way to each and save them the gas money. Normally while on vacation I order Uber XL. Self-indulgent, maybe, but why not treat myself on vacation? And these cars are usually driven by limo drivers looking for extra cash. That means leather seats, bottled water and and excellent sound system. Not this time. I called the Uber from downtown LA, standing in front of a Dollar Tree witnessing a domestic dispute between a man talking to himself on the sidewalk and a truck that kept u-turning to confront him on his way. As the entertainment concluded peacefully, my Uber driver arrived on the wrong side of the street. I waved him my way and got in ready to relay what I had just seen, but the overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke choked my story away. As we headed to Burbank, I realized he also had no air conditioning and the trip would take about half an hour. So much for the extra cost getting me a better experience with Uber. “Do you live around here?” he asked, a little surprised. “No, just visiting a friend,” I responded. “Where are you from?” he asked. “Atlanta.” “There are a lot of black people there.” This is the point where I would normally say something, however after I shook away

“I was physically nauseous by the time I got out of his vehicle, either from the smoke or my decision not to let this guy have it. Or both.” the shock, I realized I was in an unfamiliar part of an unfamiliar city to me, so I decided to let it be. Then he continued, “I mean there are black people here, but there are a lot of black people in Atlanta.” Stunned at this continued racism, and his assumption that this blond, white Southerner would automatically agree, I remained silent and didn’t speak the rest of the trip. No wonder he seemed surprised to pick me up where he did, since it was a predominantly black neighborhood. I’m sure he thought he was not only giving me a ride but rescuing me as well. I was physically nauseous by the time I got out of his vehicle, either from the smoke or my decision not to let this guy have it. Or both. I definitely took the opportunity this time to let Uber know of my concerns with that ride. It is a dangerous game we are playing as a society to assume we know what others are thinking or feeling simply by the way we look, and this Uber driver took his own career in his hands by that assumption. Who would have thought the better conversation could come from the driver of that truck I saw while waiting. I picked the wrong vehicle to get into. 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. In addition, she is a writer for the Huffington Post. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter.

30 Columnists April 14, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

SOMETIMES ‘Y’ By RYAN LEE

Label queen: a dizzying new set of assumptions “I’m sorry to walk so far in front of you,” I said to a former co-worker as we were returning to a wedding after smoking a blunt in her car. “I just want to make sure no one is confused or doubts that we are both – independently – fuckable.” “Thank you for thinking of that,” she said earnestly, gesturing her hands to scoot me further ahead. There are malicious connotations to cockblocking, but I imagine an overwhelming majority of it is inadvertent, benignly perpetrated by sisters, best friends and, in this instance, former co-workers who potential pursuers might assume is your boyfriend or wife. This was my first time in years being a guest at an oppositesex wedding; my co-worker and I came separately, but knew few other people beside the groom we once worked with, so we spent most of our time together; and we were a different complexion than everyone else at the wedding. It would’ve been perfectly reasonable for anyone to mistake us for a couple, but neither of us were in the mood for such a misunderstanding. I wish I could report that either or both of us got a phone number or fuck buddy, but the funnest parts of being single can’t begin until folks know you’re available. The company I’ve kept over the past few months has led to amusing interpretations of my relationship status and sexual orientation. I’m most often with my young nephew, whom many people, most notably single heterosexual women, assume is my son. His adorableness emits a natural lighting that helps me appear more remarkable and procreative than I would if I were alone. More than any time in the 14 years I’ve lived here, I’ve enjoyed a friendliness and chattiness with Atlanta women, sometimes followed by polite awkwardness and abrupt best wishes. My presumed heterosexuality is even more pronounced when we’re hanging with my cousin and her young son, the four of us walking, dining and riding rollercoasters à la a biological or blended unit. Either way, we appear to be an interracial family, which prowww.thegeorgiavoice.com

“I’ve had a lifetime to hone a satisfactory response to interrogatories about my race/ethnicity/nationality/ color, but with the new probing into my relationship status and family structure, I still struggle to articulate the most tactful translation of, ‘None of your fucking business.’” duces its own curious glances and inquiries. My enigmatic lineage has steeled me to the aggressive assumptions strangers sometimes make, and how casually and unthinkingly we can ask the most private questions. I’ve had a lifetime to hone a satisfactory response to interrogatories about my race/ethnicity/nationality/color, but with the new probing into my relationship status and family structure, I still struggle to articulate the most tactful translation of, “None of your fucking business.” Misguided hunches are sometimes easily corrected, but too often it would require way more personal information than I want to share with someone I will know for 10 seconds. There are people whose ease or attractiveness prompts an oral essay in response to any question they ask, but in most passing situations, I’ve found the best way to avoid an amateur census interview is to answer without explanation, and almost always, the answer to people’s assumption is, “No.” It clarifies almost nothing, and they either ask more questions until they recognize their intrusiveness, or maybe they settle into new assumptions. The most unfortunate consequence of leaving things ambiguous is that anyone might be left with the impression that I was a straight man. Aside from the political and cultural importance of being homosexuality incarnate, whether in the grocery store or at a wedding, it increases the odds of finding a partner or hook-up when there’s some indication of what you’re trying to attract.

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Ryan Lee is an Atlanta writer. April 14, 2017 Columnists 31