The Georgia Voice - 5/24/13 Vol.4, Issue 6

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IN THIS ISSUE OF GA VOICE

SPORTS 4 | Gender & coming out: Is it tougher for male athletes?

8 | 40 years of out athletes in U.S. professional sports.

10 | Which Atlanta pro team is best on gay issues?

12 | Play or get laid: A handy guide to pick your sport.

13 | Why we still need LGBT sports leagues.

NEWS

14 | LOST-N-FOUND YOUTH AIMS FOR $1 MILLION

27 | MOLLY RINGWALD INTERVIEW

Official photo

OUTSPOKEN

14 | Lost-n-Found Youth launches $1 million fundraising campaign.

15 | Peer-led LGBT youth group marks first anniversary.

16 | Atlanta let gay-inclusive Human Relations Commission fizzle.

17 | Photos: Georgia honors International Day Against Homophobia.

18 | Abortion and gay rights: Do Supreme Court justice’s comments on Roe signal her marriage vote?

19 | BRIEFS: Gay Georgians go to DC, UGA goes ‘soft,’ and more.

VOICES

FRIENDS & FOES IN THEIR OWN WORDS

25 | EDITORIAL: Our gay ‘Groundhog Day.’

“Keep setting an example for what it means to be a man. Be the best husband to your wife, or your boyfriend, or your partner. Be the best father you can be to your children.

Because nothing is more important.”

— President Barack Obama, including gay couples in his May 19 commencement speech at Atlanta’s Morehouse College, an all-male, historically black college (Atlanta Journal Constitution, May 19)

“They were out to destroy my daughter, they feel like my daughter ‘made’ their daughter gay. … They are trying to send an innocent young girl to prison because they are full of hate and bigotry. These girls are teenagers in high school, who had one mutual consenting sexual experience.”

— Kelley Hunt Smith, mother of 18-year old Kaitlyn Ashley Hunt, commenting on her personal Facebook profile after her daughter was arrested, expelled from school and charged with felony statutory rape over a sexual relationship with a 15-year old classmate. (Raw Story, May 19)

27 | Molly Ringwald’s fiction inspired by families with trans chidren.

29 | THEATER: Atlanta Fringe Festival includes LGBT plays.

31 | FOOD PORN: Mexican food and an unwelcome surprise.

33 | FILM: HBO goes ‘Behind the Candelabra’ with Liberace.

34 | CALENDAR

“We are a place that celebrates diversity, a place where people from around the world come to live free of prejudice and persecution, and hate crimes like these are an offense against all we stand for as a city.”

COLUMNIST 37 | THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID: Melissa Carter and her Iron Girl.

— New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg commenting on the recent rash of anti-gay hate crimes in the city, including the shooting death of a gay man in the city’s Greenwich Village on May 18. (ABC News, May 22)

Photo via Raw Story

Official photo

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

“In making the film, the socio-political aspect of it was not really in my mind but I was focused on ... trying to make this relationship as believable and realistic as we could. When this issue comes up, of equal rights for gays, I am hoping 50 years from now we will look back on this and wonder why this was even a debate and why it took so long.”

— Director Steven Soderbergh discussing his latest film, Liberace biopic “Behind the Candlebra,” which made its Cannes debut May 21 (Reuters, May 21) See the story on Page 33.

4 | GA VOICE

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TAKING CENTER

COURT Will stigma fade as major pro athletes come out?

By DYANA BAGBY • dbagby@thegavoice.com ngel McCoughtry, star player for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, sat at a table with reporters in the belly of Phillips Arena during the basketball team’s recent media day.

Reporters asked her about playing overseas, about how the former Louisville star felt about her college being represented in the NCAA championships (the men won the title and the women lost the championship game to University of Connecticut) and her predictions for the upcoming Dream season.

When asked if she knew any gay players, she laughed knowingly.

And then she said she doesn’t care if a player is gay or straight.

“That has nothing to do with who a person is,” she said. “To me, I keep it professional.

We’re teammates. Your personal life is your personal life. Whatever your preference is, I have nothing to do with it and I have nothing against it as well.”

WNBA No. 1 draft pick Brittney Griner came out in April, shortly after being drafted by the Phoenix Mercury. McCoughtry said she thought it was a good move for Griner if she felt she needed to do it.

“She came out and that’s great and it’s great that she is free and open and it’s great people accept it,” McCoughtry said.

McCoughtry added that NBA player Jason Collins’ coming out two weeks after Griner and the accolades he received from his firstperson piece in Sports Illustrated seemed a bit unfair compared to women who have come

A

out in many sports before him.

“I never hear about men coming out. Since that one guy did, Collins, he’s been getting all the press. But when Sheryl Swoopes came out she kind of like lost her endorsements. Who was Collins before he came out?” she asked.

“And why was [Swoopes] left in dust? And you can quote me on that.”

GRINER’S COMING OUT TO HELP WNBA? Griner, 22, who played for Baylor University, came out in a nonchalant way on April 17 in an interview with SI.com alongside the No. 2 and No. 3 WNBA draft picks, Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins.

SI Video host Maggie Gray brought up the issue by stating that “another big topic in sports recently is sexuality, especially with the NFL. “In football it was rumored that maybe one or more players were going to come out — that would become huge news in the sports world and in general,” Gray said. “In female sports, women’s sports, in the WNBA, players have already come out, and it’s really accepted. Why is there a difference between men and women in that issue?”

Responded Griner, “I really couldn’t give an answer on why that’s so different. Being one that’s out, it’s just being who you are. Again, like I said, just be who you are. Don’t worry about what other people are going to say, because they’re always going to say something, but, if you’re just true to yourself, let that shine

Jason Collins, a free agent in the NBA, is the first current player to come out in one of the major male team sports. Advocates say his coming out is a milestone for LGBT athletes. (Photo by NBA)

through. Don’t hide who you really are. …

“It really wasn’t too difficult, I wouldn’t say I was hiding or anything like that. I’ve always been open about who I am and my sexuality.

So, it wasn’t hard at all. If I can show that I’m out and I’m fine and everything’s OK, then hopefully the younger generation will definitely feel the same way,” Griner added.

Griner then revealed this month in an interview with ESPN The Magazine and espnW that she was told not to come out publicly at Baylor by her coach because the staff believed it would hurt recruiting efforts if parents saw a team at the Christian college readily accepting a lesbian player.

While there are and have been gay players on the Atlanta Dream according to reliable sources, so far no one on the team has come out publicly.

The Dream franchise was founded in Atlanta in 2008 and continually cites low attendance among the other 11 teams in the league

— despite being a two-time Eastern Conference Champion and making it to the playoffs in the past four seasons.

Head Coach Fred Williams said in an interview that the Dream likes to keep it “first class and clean” when asked when a player on his team might come out.

Williams said he did not know of any gay players on the Dream.

“I don’t get into their personal lives, what they do and all that. I know when it comes to basketball and between the lines with our team and organization, we like to keep it first class and clean,” he said.

“And no matter what their lifestyle is, we support them because they are people. They got their own mind, they are their own human beings, and that’s how it is,” he added.

Williams did praise Collins for coming out, saying if he knew the player’s phone num-

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In sports ‘each gender has to deal with specific issues’ especially in the media, and homophobia so it is very difficult — that question of is it easier for women to come out always irritates me as the answer is no, it is not easier, It is different. Each gender has to deal with specific issues,” she said.

SPORTS, continued from Page 4 ber he would call him (like President Barack Obama did).

“I would call him and say I commend you for what [he] did because he’s still got to walk tall and be around other people in public,” Williams said.

“I know a lot of ladies have come out and said a few things in our league. I never judge that. I really support what they believe in if that’s their belief,” he added.

Williams said he doesn’t think any differently about Griner since she came out. He knows his team will face a tough opponent when they play the Phoenix Mercury on the road Aug. 3 and at home on Sept. 8.

“I think its good” Griner came out, he said.

“Everybody is asked so many things, what you believe, what you stand for, and in society now, especially with the internet, people want to know. So why not? Quit speculating and just come out, just say it.

“I don’t look at Griner any different than I did yesterday. I think she’s going to be a wonderful piece of the puzzle for the success to this league.”

The 6’8” Griner was one of college basketball’s biggest stars and her entrance into the WNBA resulted in a 19 percent increase in WNBA merchandise sales, according to azcentral.com. And the Dream is promoting her appearance at Phillips Arena as well.

‘it comes down to two penises’ Cyd Ziegler, co-founder of Outsports.com and a regular commentator on sexuality and sports, said there is a difference between Griner coming out in the WNBA and Collins coming out in the NBA, one of the men’s major professional sports that was still waiting for someone to shatter that glass ceiling.

“Jason was a surprise,” Ziegler said. “I knew Brittney was a lesbian. It was an open secret.

A lot of people knew. But my reaction with Jason was that this was something we had been waiting for for a long time. It took way too long, but it was great someone had finally taken the step.”

The outing of professional tennis player Billie Jean King by an ex-lover in 1981 made it easier for women to come out, Ziegler said.

“She had no choice. It didn’t make it easy for women to come out, but it made it easier,” he said.

For men, the difficulty in Americans accepting an openly gay major sports figure is, well, the penis, Ziegler said.

“People are afraid of penises going where they think they’re not supposed to go,” he said.

“It’s a weird part of our culture. And that’s what it comes down to — two penises. People aren’t as freaked out by women. We can see women full frontal in movies. But with two men, it’s doing something with the penis most people don’t do and people are weird about it — and

‘I totally believe the world will only get better as more athletes come out.

For me, it was like freedom had come into my life.’

— Rosie Jones

“[Sexuality] has nothing to do with who a person is... Your personal life is your personal life. Whatever your preference is, I have nothing to do with it and I have nothing against it as well.”

— Angel McCoughtry

Top and inset: Rosie Jones, one of the top LPGA golfers of all time, said when she came out in 2004 she received ‘new freedom’ in her life. (Courtesy photo) Below: Angel McCoughtry, star player for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, said she doesn’t care if a teammate is gay because that is her personal life. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

this just translates into sports.”

To put it simply, Ziegler explained, if you play sports, you must have sex with a woman because having sex with a woman is the ultimate representation of masculinity. And if you play sports, you have to be masculine, he said.

If a woman plays sports, she is often perceived to be gay. And nothing could be further from the truth, said Helen Carroll, director of the Sports Project of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

“What women have to do — they have to come back at that stereotype,” she said.

Some straight women fight this stereotype and try to prove their heterosexuality by dressing in very feminine clothing or even marrying men they don’t want to, she said.

Lesbian athletes, meanwhile, have to learn that it’s OK to be gay but still acknowledge that stereotype shouldn’t be there.

Carroll said she was thrilled with the coming out of Collins as well as Griner.

“Certainly the world and LGBT sports activists are happy to see a professional male top athlete recognized in the sports world come out. It was time,” she said. “Now he can be out and happy who he is. And he will be a wonderful spokesperson.”

Carroll said it should be noted also that Griner and Collins are black.

“Both of these athletes are role models for every kid. Boy, girls, persons of color. They both have strong personalities. They’re different and that will help kids identify with them,” she said.

“Both are people of color which is very important for discussion of race that continues to happen.”

Women athletes do not have it easier when coming out simply because they are women, Carroll stressed.

“Women players have to deal with sexism,

‘it’s a different world now’ Rosie Jones, the legendary LPGA player, was vacationing on the beach, watching her dog play in the sand, when she opened up about coming out as gay in a phone interview.

“You know, when Jason Collins came out I thought it was awesome,” Jones said, adding she tweeted him congratulations. “It takes a lot of courage to come out. And it’s not that much difference for a guy than a girl to come out. It’s who you are protecting — your family, your team, your sport. But I think the backlash is harder for the guys.”

Jones, who lives in Sandy Springs and owns Rosie Jones Golf Getaways, came out publicly in 2004 as part of an endorsement deal with Olivia, a travel company targeting lesbians.

During her career, she won 13 LPGA Tour victories and an estimated $8.4 million in earnings. She couldn’t come out during this time because she feared the loss of endorsements and the LPGA had been “brushing [sexuality] under the rug for a long time,” she said.

One commentator even said lesbians were hurting the sport, Jones recalled.

When the issue of sexuality came up, the LPGA encouraged golfers to change the subject, Jones said.

“And so we did. But it eventually got to the point where the issue was always coming up and nobody was taking it on by the horns. The time was right when Olivia asked me to represent them. I was ready, personally and professionally, and the world was ready,” she said.

Of course, Jones said she was still scared to come out publicly; she feared responses from friends, fellow golfers, the public.

“The first day after I came out I felt like I was going to work naked,” she said.

She became busy with interviews as well as fans thanking her for finally coming out.

She even got some more endorsements. And she was still expected to perform well. Coming out actually put more pressure on her game, she said.

“I wanted to prove I was still a great golfer and that I wasn’t doing this for attention,” she said.

Jones remains in the memory of many golf fans as one of the greats. She still likes to hit the courses around metro Atlanta and says she talks to people 60 and 70 years old and introduces them to her partner.

“I applaud Brittney and Jason,” she said.

“Times have changed, people have changed, and people like Martina Navratilova made it easier for people like me. I totally believe the world will only get better as more athletes come out. For me, it was like freedom had come into my life.”

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1975 40 years of

LGBT PROs in AMERICAN SPORTS 1982 Former Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics Glenn Burke

1988 Former Olympic swimmer Bruce Hayes Retired NFL player David Kopay comes out, the first ex-player to come out in major U.S. men’s sports.

1992

1976

Photo via GayGames.org

Former Olympic (Mexico City, 1968) decathlete Tom Waddell comes out, later founds the Gay Games.

Former NFL player Roy Simmons

Almost four decades separate the first ex-player and the first current player to come out in major U.S. men’s professional team sports: from retired NFL player David Kopay in 1975 to current NBA player Jason Collins late last month.

Here are some of the most prominent elite American athletes to come out in the intervening years. Trends include current athletes in individual sports, like tennis and golf, coming out earlier than athletes in team sports, and more current female athletes coming out than their male counterparts, who tend to come out after retiring.

1996

2002

Sue Wicks of the WNBA Michelle Van Gorp of the WNBA Former NFL player Esera Tualo

2005 Sheryl Swoopes of the WNBA (in 2011, she became engaged to a man)

2007 Former NBA player John Amaechi

2008 Natasha Kai of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team and professional teams Amber Harris, Jessica Adair and Seimone Augustus of the WNBA

2011 Men’s Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir

Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team and professional teams

LPGA golf star Muffin Spencer-Devlin Former men’s figure skating champion Rudy Galindo

1998

Stacey Skyora, Olympic and professional volleyball player

2013 Robbie Rodgers of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer team comes out as he retires Retired NFL player Kwame Harris Britney Griner, #1 WNBA draft pick NBA player Jason Collins, the first current player to come out in major U.S. men’s team sports

Olympic diver Greg Louganis Champion women’s professional downhill mountain biker Missy Giove

Lori Lindsey, professional women’s soccer

Former NFL player Wade Davis Ted Van Pelt/CC 2.0

Ph oto via fac eb oo k.c om

1981

Tennis champions Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King (Navratilova chose to come out, King was outed by a former partner)

Former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean, who wrote “Going the Other Way: Lessons from a Life in and out of Major League Baseball.”

2012

1994

Tennis player Renee Richards, who transitioned from male to female in 1975, is refused participation in the 1976 U.S. Open as a woman. She sued and in 1977 won the right to compete as a woman.

Publicity photo

1999

Danny Karwoski/CC 2.0

8 | GA VOICE

LPGA legend Patty Sheehan

Sources: Outsports, Buzzfeed, The Week, New York Times, ESPN

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Atlanta’s top teams: Atlanta Braves

Major League Baseball The Atlanta Braves is by far the most LGBT-inclusive of Atlanta’s men’s professional teams, despite some significant PR mishaps from individuals in the past.

On June 18, the team will host its third-annual LGBT fan day, Out in the Stands — the only men’s team in the city to host such an event.

But some Braves, like many other celebrities, have succumbed to what we might call bigoted-foot-in-mouth disease.

The Out in the Stands event was first organized in 2011 after Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell was accused of using gay slurs toward fans at a game in San Francisco. McDowell allegedly shouted, “Are you a homo couple or a threesome?” at fans and imitated a sex act using a baseball bat.

The franchise responded by suspending him.

McDowell publicly apologized and underwent sensitivity training. Georgia Equality and PFLAG Atlanta also asked for — and received — a meeting with the club’s president, John Schuerholz.

The team then put out an anti-bullying public service announcement that included star players Chipper Jones, Brian McMann, Tim Hudson and Jason Heyward. The 2011 PSA was part of the Anti-Defamation League’s “No Place for Hate” campaign and included sexual orientation as an unacceptable reason to bully.

McDowell’s unfortunate comments were not the first homophobic misstep from one of the Atlanta Braves.

In the most famous incident, in 1999, thenBraves relief pitcher John Rocker was quoted explaining why he would never play in New York. He listed a number of people with whom he would not like to have to take the train to the ballpark, including “some queer with AIDS.” Rocker was suspended for 60 days by Major League Baseball, but had suspension cut to 30 days by an arbitrator.

ATLANTA FALCONS National football league

The Atlanta Falcons NFL team has not hosted a specific LGBT fan day or reached out formally to court gay football fans.

After the NBA’s Jason Collins came out late last month, Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel told Fox Sports Radio: “Straight people are not announcing they’re straight, so why does everybody have to announce their sexuality

SUpport vs.

silence Which local pro teams are best on LGBT issues?

By LAURA DOUGLAS-BROWN • lbrown@thegavoice.com

For two years running, LGBT fans have flocked to Turner Field for the Atlanta Braves Out in the Stands. This year’s event is slated for June 18. (Photo by Ryan Watkins)

The official positions of Atlanta’s top professional sports teams range from supportive to simply silent on LGBT issues. The same can’t always be said for individual players and staff members, who (like plenty of other celebs) have found themselves, and their teams, facing fierce public scrutiny after spouting off about gay athletes or gay rights in general.

In 2004, then-Braves pitcher John Smoltz compared gay marriage to bestiality in an AP story about gay athletes.

“Smoltz, a devout Christian, criticized those who want to legalize gay marriage,” the AP reported. “‘What’s next? Marrying an animal?’ he asked derisively.”

In 2006, the Atlanta Braves also angered the LGBT community when they sponsored the first “Faith Day” in the MLB that included the anti-gay Focus on the Family.

At the game, Focus on the Family representatives handed out pamphlets for its Troubledwith.com website that features anti-gay content, including stating homosexuality is a development problem and also likened gay people to pedophiles.

In response to the backlash from gay fans, the the Braves disinvited Focus on the Family from participating in future Faith Day events.

or whatever? You know, what they prefer.” He then told ESPN, “I don’t want to teach my kids those things. I teach my kid God, how God lives his life.”

And in April 2012, Falcons wide receiver Roddy White drew controversy when he tweeted, “would you rather be gay or straight, come on you know that answer” when a fan asked if he would rather lead the league in stats or win the Super Bowl. He then defended his biased analogy as freedom of speech when other fans complained.

Esera Tualo, who came out in 2002 after his retirement from the NFL, played for the Falcons in 1998.

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel raised eyebrows with anti-gay comments after the NBA’s Jason Collins became the first male professional athlete to come out.

(Photo via atlantafalcons.com)

ATLANTA HAWKS NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Like the Falcons, the Atlanta Hawks, the city’s NBA franchise, has not hosted a specific LGBT fan day.

But the team issued a classy statement when Jason Collins, who played for the Hawks from 2009 – 2012, came out last month.

“We have great respect for Jason and his message today. Creating an environment where we support, respect, and accept our players’ individual rights is very important to us,” Hawks Managing Partner and NBA Governor Bruce Levenson said in the statement.

“Jason represented everything that we look for as a member of the Atlanta Hawks and we are proud he wore our jersey.”

ATLANTA DREAM Women’s NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

The Atlanta Dream has long recognized and welcomed its lesbian fan base.

Lesbian fans have always been part of the team’s season ticket holders and promotions, but the Dream held its first official LGBT Pride Night in August 2012, benefitting local LGBT organizations.

The team also welcomed a group from Black Gay Pride last year and partnered with GLAAD — the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation — for a special ticket offer with a portion benefitting the group.

In 2011, the Dream featured out lesbian radio host (and GA Voice columnist) Melissa Carter as its “Inspiring Woman of the Game” — describing over the arena loudspeaker her LGBT accomplishments and her work on behalf of organ transplantation.

The Dream has also hosted meet-andgreets with players and executives for LGBT groups, including the HRC, lesbian networking group Fourth Tuesday, and the lesbianfounded Decatur Women’s Sports League.

The team has partnered with the Decatur Women’s Sports League to sell tickets benefitting the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative, which has now changed its name to the Health Initiative and expanded its mission to cover all LGBT people.

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GA VOICE | 13

LGBT SPORTS LEAGUES CHALLENGE perceptions As mainstream sports get more inclusive, still many reasons to play on a gay team

By RYAN WATKINS • rwatkins@thegavoice.com It’s hard to deny LGBT acceptance in sports is growing right alongside acceptance in society at large.

Professional basketball player Jason Collins recently came out as a gay man. Former professional soccer player Robbie Rogers came out in April. Straight allies in sports, like NFL players Chris Kluwe and Brendon Ayanbadejo, are paving the way for other gay athletes to come out, as well.

When basketball player Britney Griner came out earlier this month following her selection as number one overall in the WNBA draft, it was welcome, albeit not earth-shattering, news.

Acceptance in mainstream sports is certainly moving in the right direction.

But don’t expect full integration of gay and straight recreational sporting leagues any time soon. Even as Americans become more open toward gay and lesbian athletes, the need for recreational gay and lesbian sports leagues continues.

FRIENDLY FUN

For some LGBT sports league participants, it’s all about the competition and the thrill of victory. For others, such leagues primarily provide a healthy way to socialize and make friends.

Anne Barr, head of the Decatur Women’s Sports League, says that most of the women who play in her league are looking for fun, not competition. The league has offered softball, basketball, badminton, volleyball, bowling and just launched a soccer league.

“The reason people play our league is that it’s a good alternative to bars,” Barr said. “It’s good exercise. It’s a great way to make friends and network.”

Though the Decatur Women’s Sports League, founded in 2007, is not specifically a league for lesbian amateur athletes, an overwhelming majority of its players are lesbian, Barr said.

“Since we’re 90 percent gay, it’s listed under a gay league but everyone is welcome,” Barr said. “We even have trans players. We have three trans players on one [softball] team.”

Besides a handful of trans players, Barr said that a few of the league’s players are straight.

One of the league’s straight players wears a jersey with the name “Token” on the back.

“Their husbands usually don’t mind,” Barr joked.

The glue that holds the league together, Barr said, is the friendly environment where women can come together to socialize in healthy surroundings.

“These friends they make turn out to be lifelong buddies and we’ve even had a few marriages come out of the league. It’s wonderful to know that we have such a variety, so much talent and diversity out there,” she said.

The friendly nature of the league means that serious competitors might not find what they’re looking for from the DWSL. “Instead of spending money on trophies, we spend money on charities and making sure everyone has a place to play,” Barr said.

To date, the Decatur Women’s Sports League has donated more than $70,000 to its primary beneficiary, the Health Initiative, formerly known as the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative.

SERIOUS COMPETITION

The Hotlanta Softball League, which offers more competitive levels of play, follows the guidelines set by the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance which allow three “straight” players per team.

In 2011, a federal judge ruled that a gay recreational sporting league was within its legal right to limit the number of heterosexual players on its teams following a claim from three bisexual men that they were kicked off of their softball team during the 2008 Gay Softball World Series.

The three men were later awarded trophies for their second place victory after a settlement was reached, but the rule they challenged is still the law of the gay softball land.

The story made headlines around the world and raised an interesting question about the future of gay leagues and possible integration to allow more straight players.

Michael Carlton has been involved with Hotlanta Softball League for two seasons.

“I like to be competitive,” Carlton said.

“One of the teams that made the World Series picked me up and we compete to win the league. It’s a huge part for me; winning is the ultimate goal.”

Carlton recently moved to Atlanta from Tampa. The new city brought a new opportunity to rekindle his athletic drive, he said.

“I had always had a job where I was re-

Top: The Hotlanta Softball League hosts the Big Peach tournament each year over Memorial Day Weekend. The league’s governing body has rules limiting the number of straight players allowed per team. Below: Anne Barr (center) seen here at the Decatur Women’s Sports League’s opening day in 2011, says the league is a good social alternative to bars. (Photos by Dyana Bagby, Sher Pruitt)

quired to work on Sundays,” Carlton said.

“When I moved here, I looked to broaden my social circle and get out to do something. I’ve been addicted ever since.”

Carlton grew up in South Carolina and played several sports during high school, including varsity football.

“I came out my junior year of high school,” he said. “I got outed. There were a couple of people that knew. One of the football players’ mother knew. Some of the parents tried to force me out of the team and make me take showers separately. It was the football players who rallied around me. I still enjoy organized sports because I feel like I can be myself.”

Hotlanta hosts the annual Big Peach Softball Tournament each year over Memorial Day Weekend. This year’s tournament will run May 24-25 and will feature teams from more than a dozen cities in three different divisions. Because the tournament is a NAGAA sanctioned event, certain guidelines, like the straight player rule, must be met.

Gay/straight integration?

When Montoya Jennings moved to Atlanta in 2005, he wanted to make new friends and

stay active. After attending a few Hotlanta Softball League games to see friends play, he decided to join in the fun.

“I’ve pretty much played with the same group of guys but we’ve been on a few different teams. I’ve played for the Atlanta Steel, A-Town Ballers,” Jennings said.

Jennings said the social aspects of playing on a team are his primary reason for playing ball. Softball, he said, offers something away from the bars and nightlife often associated with the LGBT community.

“We look at the gay scene as the club, but there’s more to being in a club. There’s sports.

There’s traveling. There’s so much you can do,” he said.

While he’s found a home in the primarily gay Hotlanta Softball League, Jennings said it might be time to allow more integration of straight players into the league.

“It is the rule but it might be time to change with the times,” Jennings said. “In order for us to evolve, we have to break through the barriers on both sides. My hat is tipped to those players that are straight and play in a gay league. That shows their maturity and their growth. Some people can’t deal with that.”

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NEWS

05.24.13

www.theGAVoice.com

Lost-n-Found aims to raise $1 million to open new shelter Nonprofit launches ambitious campaign to help LGBT homeless youth

By DYANA BAGBY dbagby@thegavoice.com Lost-n-Found Youth hopes to raise $1 million by October 2014 to meet the needs of hundreds of Atlanta homeless LGBT youth seeking permanent housing.

The capital campaign was announced May 17 at Jungle. The club’s dance floor, typically filled with shirtless men dancing to popular DJs, was instead covered with trash, makeshift shelters and a snack table with garbage can lids used to hold the food as a way to show attendees how homeless people live.

Along one wall were large pieces of cardboard explaining the needs to meet in the next year to help more LGBT homeless. Those needs include opening a thrift store that would bring in a constant source of income, a drop in center and, eventually, a new transitional living center.

The organization has an annual budget of $100,000 funded 80 percent by individual donations. The organization is volunteer run. A thrift store, leaders say, can bring in $100,000 annually.

“It [$1 million] does seem like a daunting number but I have no doubt that the community will step up and help us to reach this goal,” said Lost-n-Found Executive Director Rick Westbrook. “A year and a half ago, people were telling us that we couldn’t do what we have already done. We have done incredible work in that time and now it’s time to step it up and help as many kids as possible.”

PROVIDING SHELTER AND COMMUNITY

Currently the nonprofit rents a house in the West End where it is able to house six young people at a time, but leaders aid the nonprofit needs a space that houses at least 18 people.

Westbrook said Lost-n-Found has maxed out its resources and he hopes the community will step forward to help fund these new projects to help as many homeless young people as possible. The organization is also looking into other funding opportunities, such as government grants.

One person helped by Lost-n-Found is now a college student at Georgia State University.

Michael Hodges, 20, who is gay, said he was living in another shelter before he found out about Lost-n-Found.

DETAILS

WWW.LOST-N-FOUND.ORG

Lost-n-Found Youth 24-hour hotline: 678-856-7825

Hodges said he was raised by his grandparents, but when they died when he was 16, he went to live with an aunt in Covington, Ga. He paid her rent using survivor benefits he received from his grandparents and when that money ran out, his aunt kicked him out of her home, he said.

Depressed with nowhere to go, he said he attempted suicide and was taken to Georgia Regional Hospital, which discharged him to a homeless shelter after he recovered. He stayed at that shelter for a month before moving into Lost-n-Found’s facility and stayed there about two months before enrolling in college and moving into a campus dorm. He now lives with his boyfriend.

“One of their biggest helps is I met with other people who were in the community who were gay and successful at life,” Hodges said. “This let me know my life is not helpless. I know I can do something and help the community.”

The hardest part for Lost-n-Found is not just finding shelter for youth, but helping them feel better about themselves, Hodges said.

“When you have been homeless and have really low self esteem, it can be difficult to live.

But after their help I’m doing 300 percent better,” he said.

At a May 17 meeting announcing plans to raise $1 million, Lost-n-Found Youth displays its goals to help homeless LGBT young people. More photos @ www.thegavoice.com (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

GOAL: $1 MILLION BY OCTOBER 2014

Board members said by taking on the issue of homeless LGBT youth, they opened a “Pandora’s box” of other needs and more people needing help than they imagined. The only way to resolve the problem is to provide more resources — and that takes money.

“Unfortunately, the problem is bigger than we thought. We estimate 250-300 LGBT kids on the streets right now,” said board member Paul Swycord.

The project timeline announced by Lostn-Found: • May 2013 — Capital campaign is announced and a host home pilot program begins. The host home is a program seeking volunteers to house homeless LGBT youth in their homes. Target fundraising goal for this month is $30,000.

• July 2013 — Thrift store opens. Board members are seeking a place near Cheshire Bridge Road and Midtown. A thrift store would provide a source of funding for the nonprofit as well as a clothing closet and furniture bank for Lost-n-Found clients. The store would also offer on-the-job training for clients. The board estimates the thrift store will bring in $100,000 annually. The fundraising goal to be met by the end of this month is $130,000.

• October 2013 — Drop-in center opens with

one-paid staff at $30,000 a year. The center would provide a place for homeless youth get hot meals, clothing, medical treatment, showers and other necessities. A drop-in center serves those who are not yet willing or eligible to move into a transitional living space while at the same time giving Lost-n-Found volunteers a chance to serve homeless youth daily.

The organization is hoping to find a space in Midtown or the Old Fourth Ward within walking distance of a MARTA station.

The search for a new transitional living facility also begins this month. Fundraising goal by the end of this month is $400,000.

• April 2014 — Lost-n-Found hopes to have raised its $1 million goal by this time and break ground on the new transitional living space.

• October 2014 — New transitional living space opens. A 4,000 square-foot site has been located and Lost-n-Found leaders are working on a plan with the owners of the building to renovate it and occupy it rent-free for 15 years.

While the $1 million goal is what is needed to make sure Lost-n-Found helps as many homeless LGBT youth as possible, the organization does have a contingency plan for smaller facilities, such as the thrift store and drop-in center.

“We have a lot of kids on the street,” Westbrook said. “These are our kids. We need to take care of them.”

NEWS

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JustUs ATL marks one-year anniversary LGBT youth group’s strategic plan includes opening own space

By DYANA BAGBY dbagby@thegavoice.com After being fired from a well-paying restaurant job, Lance Berlin, who is transgender, was unsure what to do. Then he took a hike up Stone Mountain with members of JustUs ATL. “That’s when I decided to get involved with the community,” said Berlin, 25, who believes he lost his job due to his gender identity.

Now working at a Midtown gay bar, Berlin has made organizing with JustUs ATL a major part of his life. He feels the organization is critical for all youth, especially for trans-identified youth like himself.

JustUs ATL enabled him to meet other youth he could relate to and put him on a path to ensure others will always have a place to go.

“I had so much despair after I got fired,” he said, explaining how JustUs ATL gave him a much-needed outlet.

“We [queer young people] need all the help we can get. There are gay bars, but if you are younger than 18, what do you do?” Berlin asked.

“There really is no outlet for LGBT youth. So it is important to provide that outlet. We are a one-of-a-kind organization and one of the most important in Atlanta,” he said.

YEAR-END GOAL TO FIND OWN SPACE

JustUs ATL celebrates its one-year anniversary on Saturday, May 25, at the Rush Center, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This is an all-ages event and includes a dinner buffet. Alcoholic beverages will be available for those 21 and up. There will also be speeches and performances from youth and a meet-and-greet for teenagers.

JustUs ATL members will unveil their strategic plan at the celebration.

The plan includes a year-end goal of securing funding to afford their own space, said organizer Chris Kontopidis.

The Atlanta chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence recently awarded JustUs ATL a $2,000 grant. At a town hall meeting in April 2012, JustUs ATL founders said they wanted to buy a space for approximately $42,000 with a $2,000 per month mortgage. They had hoped to do so by September 2012.

No specific fundraising goal has been revealed yet. Konotipidis said the group wants to secure enough to buy or even rent a space.

“We want to have a check-in center where youth can come and be safe and comfortable that they don’t have now,” Berlin said.

Currently, JustUs ATL meets at donated

Lance Berlin (left) and Chris Kontopidis, organizers for JustUs ATL, say the youth-run organization hopes to have its own space by the end of the year. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

DETAILS

WWW.JUSTUSATL.ORG

JustUs ATL one-year anniversary celebration Saturday, May 25, 6 – 9 p.m.

The Phillip Rush Center 1530 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307

space from Positive Impact’s MISTER Center and at the Rush Center. Discussion groups are JustTeens for those 13-17 and JustYouth for those ages 18-28. There is also the popular TransIt! group for those who are transgender, gender non-conforming and/or gender-questioning youth ages 13-28.

“Basically we want to discuss how we plan to expand,” Kontopidis said. “We want to have a physical location.

“What’s already happening is we hold weekly groups and rotate topics,” Kontopidis added. “We have a volunteer counselor who facilitates the groups and offers group and one-on-one counseling. What we’d like to offer is three sessions a week and also one-on-one drop-in hours three times a week.”

JustUs ATL is expanding its mental health services and providing internships and leadership training. The group also plans to offer resources online and establish a hotline.

“I want to help make the city a better place for LGBTQ youth and give them something I never had when I was younger,” Berlin said.

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NEWS

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Atlanta Human Relations Commission dormant since 2010

Board charged with enforcing city’s gay-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance

By DYANA BAGBY dbagby@thegavoice.com Founded in 2000, the Atlanta Human Relations Commission is charged with enforcing the city’s non-discrimination ordinance, which prohibits bias in a variety of categories, including sexual orientation, and covers employment, housing and public accommodations.

Victims of alleged bias can file complaints with the commission, which investigates the claims. If commissioners agree that illegal bias occurred, they can recommend the mayor issue punishments such as fines or the loss of city licenses.

Because sexual orientation discrimination is not banned under state or federal law, the commission is particularly important to gay Atlantans as one of the few available venues to seek justice.

But the HRC has not met since 2010 — and no one in City Hall knows why.

When GA Voice began asking city officials what happened to the HRC, it apparently prompted an effort to start naming appointees to reconstitute the board.

City Council President Ceasar Mitchell did not know why the commission stopped meeting, but said in a statement to the GA Voice on May 21 that the HRC “has been dormant for far too long.”

“Such an important advocacy group that provides the opportunity for the City of Atlanta to lead in non-discriminatory practices for all citizens needs to be revived, and as soon as possible,” Mitchell said. “I look forward to making my appointments in the coming weeks, and will encourage the members of the Atlanta City Council to do the same.”

Mayor Kasim Reed has made the two appointments he is tasked with making to the seven-member board, one in early March and the other in early May. City Council members are still in the process of making appointments, said Dexter Chambers, spokesperson for the council.

Any complaints that would have been made to the HRC would have gone directly to Mayor Reed’s office, said Chambers.

Requests to the mayor’s office for comment about what happened to the HRC went unanswered. A request for comment from Alex Wan, the only openly gay member of the City Council, also went unanswered.

‘WHAT FRESH HELL IS THIS?’

For LGBT people living in Atlanta, the HRC is one of the few venues they have to challenge alleged discrimination, such as being fired for their sexual orientation.

The HRC’s most noted and controversial case was in 2003-2004, when two gay members of the Druid Hills Golf Club said they were being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.

Left: Mayor Kasim Reed is being criticized for allowing the city’s Human Relations Commission to languish under his administration. (Photo by Bo Shell) Right: Lee Kyser (top) and Randy New drew national headlines in 2004 when they filed a complaint with the Human Relations Commission against the Druid Hills Country Club for denying benefits to their same-sex partners. Both were angry to learn the commission had lapsed. (Kyser photo via leekyserphd.com; New publicity photo)

Lee Kyser, a psychologist and a member of Druid Hills, sought full privileges for her partner, Lawrie E. Demorest, an attorney with Alston & Bird. Randy New, an attorney with Kitchens New Cleghorn, also sought full privileges for his partner, Russell Tippins, a radiologist. Privileges include allowing Demorest to bring their children to the pool without Kyser.

Kyser and New argued before the commission that because the private golf club actually received much of its revenue by renting out its facility to other organizations including the sale of alcohol, it qualified as a public accommodation under the city ordinance and could not keep gay partners from sharing the same privileges as legally married spouses of golf club members.

The commission in 2004 ruled in favor of New and Kyser and sent the decision to thenMayor Shirley Franklin. The controversial case became even more contentious when the mayor refused to take action, such as pulling the club’s liquor license or business license.

Franklin then fined the golf club $90,000; the club in turn sued the city. The state legislature finally stepped in and passed a law in 2005 barring the city from enacting punishment against the golf club because by this time, Georgia voters had approved a constitutional amendment saying marriage was only between a man and woman.

Keyser and New, who are still members of the club after negotiating privately to get

some of the privileges they wanted, said they were shocked to hear the HRC was inactive for so long.

“There is a great Dorothy Parker quote that describes this latest City Hall ploy — ‘What fresh hell is this?’” New said.

“The problem was and is that the tools to enforce any Human Rights Commission findings of a violation of the ordinance lie in the mayor’s office,” he said. “But I actually know what fresh hell this is. Our community needs merely to look at the city election date of Nov. 5 to understand that we are being ‘played’ by the mayor and City Council — yet once more,” he said.

Kyser was no kinder in her criticism of the city’s decision to let the commission fall by the wayside. She was angry with the mayor and also Wan, who she said the gay community worked hard to help elect.

“Atlanta has a large gay and lesbian population — and to not to have that ordinance and this commission is to not have anything to help protect us,” she said.

“My reaction is the city is not serious about protecting its citizenship. If it doesn’t have anybody to enforce the [non-discrimination] ordinance, why even have the ordinance? It just makes it a joke,” she said.

APPOINTMENTS NOW BEING MADE

The first notification went out to the may-

or and council members from the city’s municipal clerk’s office on March 4 that appointments to the commission needed to be made.

The mayor’s appointment of David Holder, an IT specialist and president of the Mechanicsville Civic Association, was made March 1 and approved by the council on March 18, Chambers said. Reed also appointed non-profit specialist Vernetta Nuriddin on May 6.

According to rules of the commission, the seven members are to hold three-year, staggered terms. Two are to be made by the mayor, two by the president of the council and one from each at-large council member. For example, Councilmember Michael Bond, Post 1 at-large, will work with council members from Districts 1 through 4 to decide on one appointment.

At-large Post 2 Councilmember Aaron Watson worked with council members from District 5 through 8 and is appointing Charlie Frew, executive director of Jerusalem House, to the commission at the request of Wan, who represents District 6, according to Watson’s spokesperson.

Wan was previously employed by Jerusalem House, an organization that works to provide housing to people with HIV/AIDS. Councilmember Lamar Willis, Post 3 at large, will work with council members representing Districts 9 through 12 to make an appointment.

NEWS

www.theGAVoice.com

05.24.13

Gay state reps, Decatur mayor honor International Day Against Homophobia Governor’s office censored event to ‘Mistreatment Awareness Day’ While it may have only been “Mistreatment Awareness Day” to Gov. Nathan Deal, a crowd turned out May 17 for Georgia’s observance of the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia.

The Friday evening gathering on the lawn at First Christian Church of Decatur featured keynote speaker Rev. Ray Waters, entertainers, and a candlelight vigil.

State Rep. Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) presented a resolution honoring the International Day Against Homophobia signed by Georgia’s three openly lesbian state lawmakers — Waites and Reps. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and Simone Bell (D-Atlanta).

The event also received official recognition from the City of Decatur, signed by Mayor Jim Baskett, which was presented by Drenner, according to IDAHO organizer Betty Couvertier.

For the second year in a row, event organizers requested an official proclamation from the governor’s office. And for the second year in a row, Deal’s office sanitized the name to “Mistreatment Awareness Day” and removed all specific references to sexual orientation and gender identity.

— Laura Douglas-Brown

For more photos from this event, visit www.thegavoice.com

Photos by Katina Lear

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NEWS

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Ginsburg on Roe v. Wade: Do recent abortion comments signal her vote on gay marriage?

Experts seek clues to how Supreme Court will rule next month

By LISA KEEN LGBT activists view U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a likely vote for equal protection in the two pending major cases involving marriage for same-sex couples.

But mainstream media outlets recently jostled that confidence by noting that she continues to express the view that the landmark abortion rights decision, Roe v. Wade, went “too far too fast.”

If the court’s most veteran supporter of equal rights for women believes Roe moved “too far too fast,” could she be urging an incremental approach to another controversial issue – marriage for same-sex couples?

The court heard oral arguments in March in Hollingsworth v. Perry, involving California’s Proposition 8 ban, and U.S. v. Windsor, regarding the federal Defense of Marriage Act to prohibit recognition of marriages of samesex couples for the purpose of federal benefits.

A decision on each case will almost certainly be issued before the court adjourns the last week in June.

Ginsburg first made her “too far too fast” remark concerning Roe in February of last year. At a forum of Columbia Law School, she said she thinks the Roe decision triggered the fierce public controversy that persists today over access to the abortion procedure.

“It’s not that the judgment was wrong,” said Ginsburg, “but it moved too far too fast.”

Ginsburg wasn’t on the Supreme Court in 1973, when the court issued the Roe decision. But, she noted, abortion law “was in flux across the country.” Unfettered right to abortion was available only in four states, and all other states limited to various degrees.

The Texas law, challenged in Roe, was “the most extreme in the nation,” she noted. It said a woman could not have an abortion unless it was necessary to save her life.

In a 7 to 2 decision, the Roe decision said laws criminalizing abortion “violate the due process clause of the 14th Amendment, which protects against state action the right to privacy, including a woman’s qualified right to terminate her pregnancy” in the first trimester Ginsburg suggested she thinks the Supreme Court should have limited its decision to just the Texas law, rather than the broadly reaching decision.

“Then,” she said, “it would have put its imprimatur on the side of change and continued in the direction in which [the country was]

Left: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg recently said the court went ‘too far too fast’ with its 1973 decision legalizing abortion. Some experts wonder if she will take a similarly incremental approach to gay marriage. (Official photo) Above: Same-sex marriage supporters rally outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26, 2013. Decisions in the landmark cases are expected by the end of June. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

heading” on the right to abortion.

At the May 11 forum at the University of Chicago Law School, she said simply that the Roe decision was “too sweeping,” and that it gave opponents of access to abortion “a target to aim at relentlessly.”

“My criticism of Roe is that it seemed to have stopped the momentum that was on the side of change,” she said.

“The court can put its stamp of approval on the side of change and let that change develop in the political process.”

be resolved one way or the other [by the Supreme Court] until public preferences become more settled.”

“The Supreme Court ought to avoid a final judgment on the constitutionality of marriage law’s discrimination against lesbian and gay couples until the nation is substantially at rest on the issue,” wrote Eskridge. “Admittedly, that moment is coming more rapidly than anyone predicted, but that moment has not yet arrived.”

In fact, since Eskridge wrote that essay, seven states have approved marriage equality laws.

INCREMENTAL APPROACH TO MARRIAGE?

NARROW PROP. 8 RULING EXPECTED

That was enough to set off another round of speculation: Could she be signaling an incremental approach to the two marriage cases?

“She knows we’re all going to immediately say, ‘What does this tell us on the marriage equality cases — that she’s going to rule in the narrowest way possible?” said Lawrence O’Donnell, host of MSNBC’s “The Last Word,” a political talk show.

In the editor’s blog of the New York Times May 13, Lincoln Kaplan wrote, “it’s not the court’s job to game out public response; it’s the court’s job to protect constitutional rights.”

Not everyone agrees.

Gay law professor William Eskridge Jr. was one of several essayists in the scotusblog.com symposium in 2011 to argue that the conflict over marriage for same-sex couples “ought not

But LGBT legal activists don’t seem too troubled that Ginsburg’s remarks are signaling a desire to cool the court’s decisions in the marriage cases to match the public’s temperature.

First, notes Nan Hunter, the likelihood the Supreme Court will rule on the merits of the Proposition 8 dispute “seem extremely small.”

Many Supreme Court observers have speculated the court will rule that Yes on 8 proponents did not have standing to appeal a federal district court ruling that struck down Proposition 8.

Such a ruling would likely allow same-sex couples to resume marrying in California, but it would not expand marriage rights around the country.

Second, notes Freedom to Marry Executive Director Evan Wolfson, recent polls indicate “Americans are ready for the Supreme Court

to do its job and uphold the freedom to marry and equal protection under the law.”

A Gallup Poll conducted May 2-7 of 1,535 adults nationwide found 53 percent said marriage for same-sex couples should be recognized by the law as valid. Only 45 percent said “should not,” and three percent were unsure.

Third, said Kate Kendell, head of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Justice Ginsburg said “nothing” during oral arguments that “suggested that she has any intention of ruling against” same-sex couples “based on concerns about Roe or anything else.”

And while Lambda Legal’s legal director Jon Davidson expressed frustration at Ginsburg’s remarks concerning Roe, he said the right to access to abortion and the right to a marriage license have significant differences.

“Roe dealt with certain restrictions on reproductive freedom, where the Court had to draw certain lines about precisely which abortion restrictions were constitutional and which were not and where there was little prior, on point Supreme Court precedent,” said Davidson.

“By contrast, the laws denying same-sex couples the right to marry do not involve such calibrated distinctions, and numerous cases have already ruled that the Constitution protects the fundamental right to marry and that discrimination based on sexual orientation cannot be based on moral grounds or a desire to treat gay people unequally.”

NEWS

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05.24.13

new information and referral service it hopes will connect those in need with more than Ga. Rep. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta) has been 25,000 local providers.

Information and Referral Assistance will honored by the White House as one of 10 openly gay elected or appointed officials named as allow those in need to find solutions that match unique needs, such as income and “Harvey Milk Champions of Change.”

The May 22 ceremony took place on Har- other factors, the Health Initiative says. It will vey Milk’s birthday and honors the LGBT of- be a free service thanks to a grant from the ficials for “their commitment to equality and Atlanta Regional Commission. It’s also open to those with disabilities, not just elpublic service.” ders. For more information, email “When President Obama postsage@thehealthinitiative.org or humously awarded Harvey Milk READ call 404-688-2524, extension 116. the Medal of Freedom in 2009, he praised his leadership and courMORE ON age in running for office. Today, we ’SOFT’ BENEFITS ONLY FOR honor Harvey Milk’s legacy in these DOMESTIC PARTNERS AT UGA 10 outstanding public servants, who The University of Georgia will will surely inspire the next generabegin to offer some “soft” benefits tion of public servants,” said Valerie to employees’ domestic partners, Jarrett, senior adviser to President but the plan falls far short of what Obama, in a statement.

LGBT staff and allies requested.

School officials announced May 20 that the Bell is the first out African-American lesbian in the nation elected to a state legislature; university will offer employees the option to she was first elected to the Georgia General As- buy benefits like dental and vision insurance for their domestic partners, the Atlanta Joursembly in 2009. nal-Constitution reported.

These benefits are paid for by the employees GA. GAY VETERAN TO TESTIFY BEFORE U.S. and have been in place at several other state COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Atlanta activist Danny Ingram, who was universities for years. LGBT staff at UGA had discharged from the military under “Don’t Ask, requested full benefits, including health insurDon’t Tell” and serves as president of American ance, and had suggested options for paying for Veterans for Equal Rights, is set to testify May the benefits if no state funds could be used.

Hank Huckaby, chancellor for the Univer31 before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights sity System of Georgia, told outgoing UGA Presin Washington, D.C. The briefing is titled, “Is the Federal Gov- ident Michael Adams in a letter this month ernment Adequately Protecting the Civil Rights that the school could offer benefits paid for by of Our Veterans and Service Members Who employees, but in order to offer health insurHave Fought for Our Rights?” Ingram was spe- ance, it would have to be “privately funded, privately insured, privately accounted for and cifically invited to address LGBT issues.

Ingram said he plans to discuss how privately administered.”

Adams said that requirement means ofthe Defense of Marriage Act discriminates against same-sex married service mem- fering health benefits “will, unfortunately, rebers, the ongoing ban on transgender service quire further study,” the paper reported.

The fight for full domestic partner benefits members, streamlining the process to upgrade “Less than Honorable” discharges for at UGA got a boost last year when the school’s University Council approved a resolution seeLGBT veterans, and more.

“This is a great opportunity to take a final ing full domestic partner benefits. The UGA swing at DOMA just before the upcoming Su- proposal, which originated with the campus staff LGBT group GLOBES, called on UGA to pay preme Court decision in June,” Ingram said. for the health benefits from other funding if the state blocked it.

SAGE ATLANTA ANNOUNCES REFERRAL

GA. REP. SIMONE BELL

Photo by Laura Douglas-Brown

GA. REP. SIMONE BELL NAMED ‘HARVEY MILK CHAMPION OF CHANGE’

Photo by Dyana Bagby

Gay Georgians go to Washington, UGA goes ‘soft,’ Minnesota and more

File photo

NEWSIN BRIEF

THEGA

VOICE

.com

HELP LINE FOR LGBT SENIORS

Specifically geared toward LGBT seniors, the Health Initiative’s SAGE Atlanta program offers a variety of services for Atlanta’s LGBT elders. On May 17, the program announced a

MINN. BECOMES 12TH STATE TO ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed a marriage equality bill into law May 14, mak-

DANNY INGRAM

ing Minnesota the 12th state to allow same-sex couples to marry.

The legislation, approved by the state Senate the day before, continues an unprecedented momentum toward marriage equality, with Minnesota being the sixth state to approve marriage equality in the past six months and the third to do so in the past two weeks.

Rhode Island’s legislature and governor approved a marriage equality law May 2. Delaware’s legislature and governor did so May 7.

For now, Minnesota’s approval means that 18 percent of the U.S. population now lives in a state which provides marriage equality. The law will go into effect Aug. 1.

ANTI-GAY GROUP CLAIMS IT WAS TARGET OF IRS LEAK

The National Organization for Marriage has announced plans to sue the IRS over claims that the tax agency stole and released its 2008 tax records, which were then leaked to the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay political group.

“In addition to being our principal combatant in the war on traditional marriage, the HRC’s president at the time was serving as a co-chair of President Obama’s reelection campaign. This is a chilling set of circumstances that should ring alarm bells across the nation,” said NOM President Brian Brown.

The lawsuit will be brought forward by ActRight Legal Foundation in federal district court in the District of Columbia.

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EDITORIAL

Editor: Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor: Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Web Manager: Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com Art Director: Bo Shell bshell@thegavoice.com

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05.24.13

GA VOICE | 25

GA VOICES OUR OPINION EDITORIAL

Gay ‘Groundhog Day’ gay monster.”

The problem, of course, is that unlike either “The Daily Show” or “Groundhog Day,” this isn’t really a comedy.

It will be tempting to laugh when two-faced Karen gets her due, as she inevitably will in this race.

But it’s not funny that this is the level of homophobia required to win a statewide race in Georgia, and whether the ultimate winner is Handel or one of her more consistently anti-gay brethren, we know who the loser will be: LGBT Georgians, again.

Good news just keeps coming at the national level, but here at home, it’s the same old story

By LAURA DOUGLAS-BROWN lbrown@thegavoice.com Remember “Groundhog Day,” the 1993 film in which Bill Murray has to keep repeating the same day over and over again?

Covering LGBT issues here in Georgia — heck, being an LGBT Georgian — sometimes seems like that.

I felt this way again May 17 when Karen Handel announced her bid for the U.S. Senate seat being left open by retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss (D-Ga.).

The race had already drawn a crowd of GOP big wigs, including U.S. Reps. Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey and Jack Kingston, and all are genuinely awful when it comes to gay issues.

On the most recent Human Rights Campaign Congressional scorecard on LGBT issues, Broun scored a measly 15 out of 100, while Gingrey and Kingston earned a flat 0.

Given that crowd, LGBT Georgians could already expect to be in the crosshairs in a race to the right for the GOP nomination.

But if the race was likely to go anti-gay before, the entrance of Handel virtually guarantees it.

No stranger to statewide campaigns, Handel served as Georgia’s secretary of state and ran unsuccessfully for governor. In those races, she tried to paint herself as a true conservative, like the rest of the right-wing ilk that gets elected here.

The problem for Handel — and it has been a problem for both her and us in every statewide race she runs — is that she comes off sounding more like a political opportunist than purist, thanks to her campaigns a decade ago for Fulton County Commission.

Back then, you see, Handel courted gay voters, sought endorsements from gay groups, and attended a gay election forum. Now, of course, she does everything she can to distance herself from that moderate record.

As Handel’s past races show, her opponents

MARRIAGE MOMENTUM KEEPS BUILDING

Remember “Groundhog Day,” the 1993 film in which Bill Murray has to keep repeating the same day over and over again? Being an LGBT Georgian sometimes feels like that.

consistently bring up her history on gay rights to try to show that she is not as holier-thanthou conservative as they are, and Handel in turn takes pains to show she can be just as anti-gay as the boys.

It happened when she ran for secretary of state, and it happened with a vengeance in her 2010 run for governor, where she lost to Nathan Deal in the Republican primary.

Deal and fellow GOP candidate John Oxendine (Remember him? He’s the jerk who, as state insurance commissioner, tried to block the city of Atlanta from offering domestic partner benefits) went after Handel’s Fulton record.

Handel offered absurd excuses even after GA Voice revealed emails that showed her correspondence with a gay political group then, and she even went so far as to speak out against gay adoption and gay parents to prove her homophobic credentials.

The whole thing was so ridiculous it even sparked a segment on Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” mocking the campaign’s focus on “the

Luckily, the gay story that seems to keep repeating these days at the national level is one where we are winning.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed a marriage equality bill into law May 14 — making his state the third to approve marriage for same-sex couples in just two weeks, and the sixth in the past six months.

The marriage equality law also came only six months after Minnesota became the first state ever to have voters reject a ban on samesex marriage.

The list of states where gay couples can marry (or will be able to marry when the laws take effect) now totals 12 plus the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

Think about that: In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to allow gay couples to marry. In less than a decade, we’ve reached 12 — almost 25 percent of our states.

That number could increase to 13, and include the most populous state in the nation, if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against California’s Proposition 8 in one of two gay marriage cases currently pending before the high court.

LGBT Americans could also gain federal recognition of our legal marriages if the court issues a “big” ruling in the other marriage case, which challenges the Defense of Marriage Act. Those rulings are expected by the end of June, just in time for the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots that sparked modern Gay Pride celebrations.

Let’s hope we get decisions that Handel and her friends will hate.

o o G

, y l l o g d

s i M

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27

A&E

Molly Ringwald dazzles with new CD and short stories, including tale of trans child

By GREGG SHAPIRO The name Molly Ringwald will probably mean something different to you depending on how old you are. If you were a movie-going adolescent or adult in the early 1980s, Ringwald began making a strong impression on audiences in Paul Mazursky’s “Tempest,” followed by the double whammy of the late John Hughes’ “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club,” not to mention “Pretty In Pink.”

Other folks, who might have tuned in to “Different Strokes” and “The Facts of Life,” just prior to that, will remember her as Molly Parker on both shows.

Ringwald’s reign as the Queen of the Brat Pack ended by the late 1980s, although she continued to work regularly in film and on TV. In the late 2000s, following a second marriage and motherhood, Ringwald had a full-scale career comeback, including stints on Broadway and the TV series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” But there’s so much more to Ringwald than all that.

Ringwald is the author of two books, most recently the stellar “When It Happens To You: A Novel in Stories,” which came out in paperback May 7.

She is also quite a singer, and has been performing since she was a child, both on stage in musicals and with her jazz musician father’s band. Her first CD, “Except Sometimes” (Concord), released in April, does a terrific job of introducing listeners to a talented vocalist and skilled interpreter of other people’s songs.

You close your CD with the track “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” The song is best known through its association with the

movie “The Breakfast Club,” in which you starred, and your jazz-vocal rendition is inspired and delightful, revealing a whole new side to the song. Whose idea was it to include it on the disc?

Molly Ringwald: It was my idea. We were recording the album not long after John Hughes had passed away. He was obviously on my mind a lot. I wanted to do something, some kind of tribute to him.

You describe your new book, “When It Happens to You,” as “a novel in stories.”

Which story came first and when did you know that you wanted write more about the characters?

The story that came first was actually “The Harvest Moon,” the first story that appears in the collection.

Originally, I had the idea to write a collection on the theme of betrayal, which was what was interesting to me. Thinking about something that sort of connects us all. I thought that it was a very rich subject.

I started it with this marital betrayal.

As soon as I wrote that story it came out a lot longer than I had anticipated which meant that I was going to have to rethink the other stories. Originally, I had intended to write quite a few stories and have it be a lot shorter. But it didn’t turn out that way.

Once I wrote the first story I realized that I wanted to stick with those characters and write around those stories and

find out how they had gotten there. That’s when the novel in stories idea came to take shape.

“My Olivia,” about a mother dealing with her son’s gender identity, is one of the stories from the book that really stayed with me. What was the inspiration for that story?

That’s nice to hear.

They were a couple of different inspirations. The first is that I have people in my life that I know are transgendered adults.

Most of them are artists and they are flourishing in who they are, now.

But I often thought about everything that I didn’t see, when I didn’t know them, what it was like with their families and how they became the person they were, and the choices that their parents made.

I also came at it as a mother of three children, and what I would do in that situation.

Thirdly, my daughter went to preschool with a child I’m quite sure is transgendered.

Actually, three different children, come to

Far more than an ‘80s teen movie star, Molly Ringwald has recently released a CD and her second book, ‘When it Happens to You: A Novel in Stories.’ Out in paperback this month, the book includes a story about a mother raising a transgender child. (Publicity photo)

think of it. Two were boys who were obviously going to be girls growing up. One of them was a girl who identified as a boy.

It was interesting to watch the parents struggle with that and come to terms with it. One of them was coming to terms with it and, I think, doing everything right. The other one was struggling in a way that I don’t know what’s going to happen.

I think all of those were my mind a lot and were interesting and intriguing to me.

I felt like I wanted to explore that in writing.

You did a wonderful “No on Prop 8” PSA a few years ago and you received an Equality Award from Equality California. I would imagine that as an actress, both in theater and in film, you probably have a fair share of friends in the LGBT community. When did you become aware of a following in the LGBT community?

A lot of it has to do with my outspokenness for the cause. I think that really touched a lot of people. I’ve tried to show up as often as possible and done a lot of work for AIDS and Housing Works and AmFar. It’s definitely a mutual adoration [laughs].

28 | GA VOICE

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05.24.13

On Stage

THEATER BY JIM FARMER

Theater on the ‘Fringe’

“Brer Rabbit & Friends” Through May 26 at the Center for Puppetry Arts www.puppet.org Gay director Spencer G. Stephens helms a version of this popular family fare.

Upcoming fest features trans, gay plays Luck of the draw determines the participants in the Atlanta Fringe Festival. As fate would have it, two of the shows in the upcoming event have LGBT themes.

The mission of the Fringe Festival is to provide a platform for indie, underground playwrights doing edgy work. In all, the second annual Atlanta Fringe festival, opening June 5, spotlights 24 shows, but the offerings are not chosen in traditional manners.

Applicants are placed into a hat and drawn, says Diana Brown, the company’s artistic director, although the company does reserve the option of saving a few spots at the end to make sure the event is balanced.

“We don’t want to have 20 solo shows or shows just about white people,” she says.

But this season’s drawn/selected pieces were so diverse that no intervention was needed.

“We have everything from comedy and drama to solo works, even a circus piece,” Brown says.

While at GSU, Brown helped form Twinhead Theatre, a student-run group that has some queer members. She and members of the troupe visited the Minnesota Fringe Festival in 2006 and hoped to see one in the ATL soon. As it turns out, in 2010 the Little 5 Points Business Association shared plans to do some sort of festival in the spring, to complement the popular Halloween event in the fall, and use area theaters. Thus, last year’s Fringe Festival —which also featured queer themes— was born.

One of this year’s LGBT productions is “It’s My Penis and I’ll Cry if I Want To,” by Chicago playwright Jamie Black, who is coming to Atlanta for the first time. Featuring four men and four women, “It’s My Penis” features monologues from the performers about gender and gender stereotypes.

“The show is about the difference between men and women,” Black says. “Society doesn’t allow the integration of masculine and feminine characteristics; this looks at how that affects our lives.”

This is Black’s second fringe festival appearance for the play, following the New Orleans Fringe Festival earlier. The playwright identifies as transgender and says he began his process back in 1994. His first play dealt exclusively with his own coming out experience.

While gay themes are prominent in today’s

GA VOICE | 29

Colleen McCreary courtesy of Aurora Theatre

“Lark Eden” Through May 26 at Aurora Theatre www.auroratheatre.com Lesbian director Melissa Foulger directs this epistolary play about the friendship between three Southern women.

Chicago playwright Jamie Black, who identifies as transgender, performs his ‘It’s My Penis and I’ll Cry if I Want To’ at the Atlanta Fringe Festival, set for June 5-9. (Publicity photo)

theater, lesbian issues are less so and trans issues are almost extinct.

“I am not sure why that is,” he says. “Maybe it’s more controversial. It’s not talked about much.”

Yet Black feels the show’s themes are relevant for all audiences.

“We are all human beings,” he says. “Men are supposed to behave a certain way and women are too, but we don’t. Not all gay men are effeminate and not all lesbians are butch.”

On the Fringe Festival Tumblr site, organizers ask playwrights a list of serious and silly questions, including what would happen if “Random Atlanta Couple Who Doesn’t Ordinarily Go To These Sorts of Things” happened to “wander into your show blind.”

“What happens to them? Are their minds blown? Are they freaked out? Are they seduced by your gentle artistry?”

Black, who is also a comedian, turned the question into a chance for humor.

“Well, if they come in blind, they might trip over the carpet runner. Then they’ll sit and listen to what I’m saying without any judgment because they’ll have to use their other senses and be totally in tune with me,” he wrote.

“And yes, their minds will be blown. And they will be touched in a deep way and go home and seduce each other in a whole new way.”

ONLINE ‘LOVERSLANE’

The second LGBT-themed production, “Loverslane,” deals with two sisters and their quest to find love via online dating. The sisters are young and have a gay brother who is 17, clos-

DETAILS

WWW.ATLANTAFRINGE.ORG

2nd Annual Atlanta Fringe Festival June 5 – 9

eted and dealing with his homophobic family.

Eventually, he helps screw up his sister’s dating process.

Hillary Heath of the Atlanta-based Doing Stuff Badly Productions directs the world premiere of Weatherly Richardson’s play. She calls the piece extremely timely.

“The generation upcoming is dedicated and dependent on technology; everyone is always on their laptop or phone,” Heath says. “Online dating is hard. It’s hard to be yourself and sometimes we put on a front, but we should be tolerant of each other.”

The young characters are all Oglethorpe University graduates (as is Heath) but the place’s locale is intentionally ambiguous.

“Casual bigotry can happen anywhere,” Heath says. “It is not unique to one culture.”

And what would the “Random Atlanta Couple Who Doesn’t Ordinarily Go To These Sorts of Things” think of “Loverslane”?

“The real magic of our show comes in Act Two when we ask all of the blind members of the audience to stand and be given the gift of sight,” Heath responded. “So I imagine, they will walk out of our show with a new perspective on the world. Ideally, this RACWDOGTTST also has a few million dollars to give away and awe-struck by our kind hearts and healing powers throws us a donation of a million each.”

In addition to the theater — a total of 120 performances of 24 plays over five days — the Atlanta Fringe Festival features opening and closing night parties, plus other activities.

Via facebook.com/AExpress

“Seminar” Through June 16 at Actor’s Express www.actorsexpress.com Gay director Freddie Ashley helms this tale of four writers getting more than they bargained for during a writing class lead by a world-class author.

BreeAnne Clowdus

“The Book Club Play” Through June 23 at Horizon Theatre www.horizontheatre.com A closeted gay man is part of the ensemble in this comedy about six friends/colleagues whose book club proceedings become part of a documentary.

UPCOMING

“The Boy and the Pink Bear” June 20-23 at Southwest Arts Center Search ‘The Boy and the Pink Bear” on www.brownpapertickets.com Ted Johnson’s play looks at the relationship between a father and his young son, who devotion to his pet stuffed bear seems to imply his sexual orientation.

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05.24.13

GA VOICE | 31

FOOD PORN BY CLIFF BOSTOCK

Mexican food and an unwelcome surprise

The infamous Atlanta heat and humidity were finally on their way. Except for the eyeclogging, car-covering pollen that turned the city yellow, it was hard to remember exactly when winter and spring changed places. For now, on the cusp of summer, the evenings remained mild and the air clear.

In Atlanta, that meant the city’s diners flooded restaurant patios to see and be seen.

Robert remembered a time, 30 years ago, when it was nearly impossible to find patio and sidewalk dining in Atlanta.

“Our beloved city council made even that difficult, as I recall,” he said to Lee and Janet, who were dining with him at Zocalo on Tenth Street.

Its menu was recently rejuvenated when Richard Sandoval, probably the nation’s bestknown Mexican chef and restaurateur, became a partner in the restaurant with founding owner-chef Lucero Martinez-Obregon.

The three were celebrating something of a victory. The Atlanta Zoning Review Board had rejected Puritan-in-Chief Alex Wan’s proposed plan to de-eroticize Cheshire Bridge Road. The proposal would still go before the city council’s Zoning Committee, which could ignore the recommendation.

Meanwhile, Lee’s “House of Gay Human Oddities,” which satirized Wan’s effort, drew ever-larger crowds.

Robert and Lee were now using the “L word.” Their 50th birthdays were coming up and it was also about a year since they first met at Robert’s Food Porn Supper Club. They were planning a birthday party-anniversary celebration. The Supper Club would have “dinner on the grounds” of Lee’s show.

Janet, always a bit jealous of the attention Robert gave Lee, had come around to full support of their relationship. “Hurry up,” she said. “We need to get out of here. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

They skipped the restaurant’s perfect flan and boarded Janet’s red Prius.

They drove down Piedmont and – no surprise – turned right on Cheshire Bridge, passing Lee’s show and heading to BJ Roosters’ new location.

As the three entered, a man appeared in front of them, blocking their entrance. He was blond, built, and appeared to be in his mid-‘30s.

“Hello, Lee,” he said in that way people you don’t want to see greet you.

Lee took a step back and looked at Robert.

Photo via Facebook

A face from the past tests Robert and Lee’s love

ZOCALO

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Zocalo 187 10th St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 404-249-7576 | www.richardsandoval.com/zocalo This milestone restaurant – it brought the first authentic Mexican food to intown Atlanta – continues to thrive. With Richard Sandoval’s partnership, its menu has gone a bit more upscale. About half the menu remains the same; some of the dishes tweaked. My favorite is still the chile relleno, but Sandoval’s chicken tinga is a particularly pleasant addition.

“Hello, Gene,” he said nervously.

Gene looked at Robert and shook his hand.

Robert introduced himself and smiled.

“So you would be Lee’s boyfriend?” Gene asked.

“I guess you could say that,” Robert replied, taking Lee’s hand.

Lee interrupted. “We need to go,” he said.

“This can come to no good.”

Gene laughed. “Well, Robert,” he said, “I’m also Lee’s boyfriend. I woke up one morning in Florida and, after a year, he was gone. Not a word. No warning. Isn’t that right, Lee? I’m over it, but I heard you’d set up the show here and I wanted ‘closure,’ as they say.”

Lee sighed and turned toward Robert. “It’s more complicated than that. I’ll explain later. “ Janet shook her keys and the three left. She dropped the silent couple at Robert’s apartment and, for the first time in weeks, Lee said he was going back to his hotel room. “Can we talk about this tomorrow?” he asked. “I’m too upset right now.”

Robert’s heart was sinking but he knew it was the right thing. Surely a theologian who operated a freak show wouldn’t lie to him!

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said.

Food Porn is a fictional series by longtime Atlanta food critic Cliff Bostock. Set in real Atlanta restaurants, it chronicles the adventures of Robert, a gay man in search of a husband — or at least a good meal. Read the whole series online at www.theGAVoice.com.

30 minutes can impact your next 30 years.

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05.24.13

DJANGO JONES

Girlyman kids around, ‘Vagina’ author heads back to ATL, and more GIRLYMAN MEMBERS NEED YOUR HELP WITH KIDS’ ALBUM

Three members of the queer band Girlyman have launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their new kids’ music project, dubbed Django Jones after member Doris Muramatsu’s Chihuahua.

With members Muramatsu, Nate Borofsky Tylan Greenstein and JJ Jones, Girlyman wowed audiences with beautiful harmonies and emotional songwriting. The band went on hiatus in 2012 and Greenstein recently released a solo album.

Now Muramatsu, Borofsky and Jones want to take their sometimes silly songs to kids. The trio says they have been writing and recording songs for a debut album, “D is for Django,” and have 14 songs and five “jingles” ready to “mix, master and press to disc.”

Launched May 16, the campaign will be funded if $15,000 is donated by June 15.

At press time May 21, donors had already pledged more than $4,100.

‘VAGINA MONOLOGUES’ AUTHOR BACK WITH ‘IN THE BODY OF THE WORLD’ Eve Ensler, who became a national sensation and feminist icon with her empowering and sometimes irreverent show “The Vagina Monologues,” visits Atlanta on May 31 to read from her new book, “In the Body of the World.”

A memoir, the book connects her fight with uterine cancer to issues like the destruction of the environment and rape and violence against women in the Congo, which Ensler learned about when working there before her cancer diagnosis.

The Atlanta reading is set for 6:30 p.m. at the

Alexandra Wyman/WireImage

32 | GA VOICE

Buckhead Theatre. General admission tickets are $30 with a copy of the book. Tickets available @ http://eveensleratl.eventbrite.com

DON YOUR WHITE FOR PREMIERE PARTY

Expect a sea of smiling faces in summery white attire as Premiere Party, the annual benefit for CHRIS Kids, returns June 1 to Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery.

This year’s silent auction and cocktail party, set for 6-10 p.m., is hosted by Brent Garner and Vandy Beth Glenn. General admission tickets are $50 at the door ($40) in advance; VIP tickets are $125.

CHRIS Kids, which provides a variety of services including transitional living for young people in need, serves approximately 300 LGBT youth each year, according to leaders. The agency estimates LGBT youth make up 15-20 percent of their total clients.

Funds raised at Premiere Party go exclusively to help LGBT youth with services like housing, counseling, GED preparation, birthday and holiday gifts, clothing, food and more. Get more details and more information @ www.chriskids.org

OURSONG PRESENTS ‘THE SINGING HEART’ IN JUNE

OurSong, Atlanta’s mixed lesbian and gay chorus, presents its spring concert, “The Singing Heart,” in two shows June 7-8.

The June 7 show takes place at 8 p.m. at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta.

The June 8 show is at 8:15 p.m. at Clayton State University in Morrow. Tickets are $25 per show.

A centerpiece of the show is a letter character Michael Tolliver wrote to his mother in Armistead Maupin’s “Tales of the City.”

“From the struggle with coming out, to the search for love, and the acceptance of self … the Singing Heart reveals these yearnings with beauty and intensity,” chorus leaders say. Details @ www.oursongatlanta.com

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05.24.13

GA VOICE | 33

FILM BY JIM FARMER

Liberace in love HBO’s ‘Behind the Candelabra’ looks beyond gay pianist’s legendary flamboyance It would be virtually impossible to make a film about the life of gay entertainer Liberace and not have plenty of campy, over-the-top moments. But Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh largely focuses on the human story over the flamboyance in his new HBO film “Behind the Candelabra,” debuting May 26.

Based on Liberace’s six-year relationship with Scott Thorson and Thorson’s memoir, “Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace,” the film opens in 1977 as a young Scott (Damon) goes to Las Vegas with a new friend to see pianist Liberace (Michael Douglas) in concert.

Scott goes backstage to meet the superstar and soon Liberace is enamored with him.

The entertainer moves Scott in and puts him on the payroll, although there is a significant age difference and Liberace’s houseboy warns Scott he is but one of many who’ve shared Liberace’s heart and bed.

Scott dreams of becoming a veterinarian but quickly becomes content with his place in Liberace’s fascinating new world – hot tub romps, furs, a house beaming with opulence and servants.

Over the years their relationship deepens and takes some odd twists. Liberace sees himself on late night TV and shrieks at his appearance (“I look like my father in ‘Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte,’”) and opts for extensive plastic surgery. He also cajoles Scott into surgery as well, via Dr. Jack Startz (Rob Lowe), wanting him to look more like a younger version of himself.

At one point Liberace tells Scott that he wants to be his entire family – his father, brother, lover, and best friend – and shares his plan to legally adopt Scott, who is currently in the hands of foster parents and responds enthusiastically to the idea of finding a true home.

Soderbegh shopped this film around to studios (who all passed) before he landed the project on HBO. (Ironically, “Candelabra” will be playing theatrically around the world after its Cannes debut this week). That he has gotten two A-listers in the central roles speaks to the reputation he has developed in the industry.

Both actors fully commit to the physical and emotional challenges and there’s a realness to the relationship Liberace develops with Scott, even when it gets trickier and more complicated.

Scott claims to be bisexual although he is

‘Behind the Caldlelabra’ stars Michael Douglas and Matt Damon fully commit to the physical and emotional challenges that come with playing not-so-secret lovers Liberace and Scott Thorson. (Photos by Claudette Barius/HBO)

DETAILS

WWW.HBO.COM

‘Behind the Candelabra’ HBO, debuts May 26, 9 p.m.

Multiple airings to follow

never seen with a woman. He is something of a prude sexually, whereas Liberace has a robust sexual appetite. (Drenched in sweat after an evening encounter, Scott marvels at one point how Liberace can go at it four times in a day at his age.)

Yet the relationship does go sour, with Liberace embracing an open sexuality and Scott getting more dependent on drugs as he realizes his personal and professional lot is merely being Liberace’s latest boyfriend.

After a robust first hour the film gets a little heavy-handed with the eventual break-up and some melodramatic moments. Ultimately Thorson sues Liberace and the case makes the tabloids, although Liberace never admits to being gay. Yet the two do make peace of sorts before Liberace dies.

Even if they’ve taken some historic license, Soderbergh and scriptwriter Richard LaGravenese evoke the late ‘70s and ‘80s impressively. Just as astute as the period detail – the clothes, Liberace’s mansion, Scott’s goofy bangs — though, is the mood of the time.

Despite his outrageousness, Liberace kept his gay affairs private. Scott is utterly shocked in Las Vegas when a friend tells him no one knows Liberace is gay; the entertainer keeps a heterosexual appearance with beards such as figure skater Sonja Henie.

Around the time of their split, AIDS has become a national scare, and a newspaper article alludes to the death of Rock Hudson from the disease in 1985, shortly before Liberace dies of AIDS a year later.

Some of the supporting characters (Scott Bakula’s Bob Black and Cheyenne Jackson’s Billy, Liberace’s ex) don’t have much depth, but one who definitely does is Startz, played

by Rob Lowe with a suede tan and a face that barely moves. It’s Lowe’s best work in years.

Dan Akroyd and Debbie Reynolds are quite strong too, if almost unrecognizable, as Seymour Heller, Liberace’s manager, and Frances, Liberace’s mother.

Although Scott’s age is not specifically stated, Damon is way too old for the character, who would have been a teenager when he met Liberace for the first time. Yet Damon makes a convincing Thorson, especially as he deals with the later challenges the relationship brings and the inevitable jealously when Liberace turns his

attention to a younger showboy.

Yet “Behind the Candelabra” is likely to be remembered most for Douglas, whose Liberace is far more than a caricature. Of course, the actor has his funny moments dealing with Liberace’s extravagance but he never condescends, taking the character and his world seriously.

In his private world, Liberace is unapologetic about who he is and what he wants.

True, there is something a little disturbing about a man Liberace’s age preying after teenage boys, but in Douglas’s portrayal, the affection for the men in his life, particularly Scott, is never in question even when he (and others) realize that it will waver. Douglas’ Liberace is a man in love with love and life.

Soderbergh has claimed “Candelabra” is his last film as a director, shortly after this year’s “Side Effects.” It’s too early yet to tell how serious that declaration is, but if so he’s bidding adieu on a high note.

BEST BETS CALENDAR

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Event spotlight MEMORIAL DAY

Photo by Dyana Bagby

WEEKEND

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Hosted by the gay Hotlanta Softball League, the Big Peach tournament brings dozens of teams from around the country to compete in three divisions, with plenty of social events as well. www.hslbigpeach.com

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Publicity photo by Charlie Gross

The Atlanta Jazz Festival brings music, vendors and more to Piedmont Park from Saturday to Monday, including a performance at 7 p.m. Saturday by Meshell Ndegeocello, who is bi and known for her politically charged lyrics. www.atlantafestivals.com

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FRIDAY, MAY 24

Charis Books screens the documentary “Audre Lorde: The Berlin Years 1984 – 1992” tonight at 7 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com Bwb appears with Chrisette Michele, who played Black Gay Pride in 2011, at 7:30 p.m. at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, www.livenation.com Gay singer-pianist Michael Feinstein performs at 8 p.m. at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, www.aso.org Singer-songwriter Jen Foster performs at 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com Edie Cheezburger presents The Other Show on Fridays. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m. at Jungle, www.jungleclubatlanta.com DJ Stan Jackson spins at 10 p.m. at the Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com Enjoy Mr./Mrs. Atlanta Eagle Bar Night at 10 p.m. at the Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com “Rupaul’s Drag Race” sensation Raven rocks the joint at 11 p.m. tonight at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts. com Shavonna B. Brooks hosts Extravaganza at 11 p.m.

Saturday nights at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

The Decatur Arts Festival takes to the Decatur Square on Saturday and Sunday for two days of art, music, theater, children’s activities and more. Musical performances include Shawn Mullins on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and Delta Moon on Sunday at 4 p.m. www.decaturartsfestival.com

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Photo by Gabriella Nissen

34 | GA VOICE

SATURDAY, MAY 25

The Atlanta Rollergirls host a Basic Skills Workshop at 11 a.m., 1721 Wilmat Drive, Norcross, 30093, www.atlantarollergirls.com JustUsATL, a youth-run organization that provides a safe space for LGBTQQA youth, celebrates its first anniversary with games, meet-and-greets, dinner and more, 6 – 9 p.m. at JustUsATL, www.justusatl.org

THURSDAY, MAY 30

Gay humorist David Sedaris reads from his new book of essays, “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls,” at 6 p.m. at the Egdewood Barnes & Noble bookstore in Edgewood, located at 1217 Caroline St. www.barnesandnoble.com

SOMETHING GAY EVERY DAY!

Expect to see undergarments galore at the Boxers, Briefs & Bras Fashion Underwear & Swimsuit Show from 6 – 10 p.m. at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Bookmark www.thegavoice.com to get your daily dose of local LGBT events.

Gay singer-songwriter Lucas Miré celebrates his CD release concert at 7 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com

Sounds by DJ Roots Queen & DJ E spice up the LovHer: Memorial Day Edition party, 10:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Takorea, www.lovheratl.com

The Heretic hosts Country Night Dancing beginning at 8 p.m., followed by DJ Mike Pope. www.hereticatlanta.com Play, Atlanta’s new Latino night, heats up at 10 p.m.

Saturdays at Mixx, www.mixxatlanta.com

Check out “The Q,” as four drag queens hold a roundtable “kaffee klatsch” discussion with local celebs and authors, cooking segments and more. 9-10:30 p.m. then DJ Alex Acosta spins for a gym-themed Locker Room Party at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

DJ Birdman graduates from high school and throws a party, with all kinds of merriment and special guests, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., LeBUZZ, www.thenewlebuzz.com

My Sister’s Room hosts the Traxx Girls Memorial Party with DJ Ree De La Vega, www.mysistersroom.com

SUNDAY, MAY 26

The Heretic brings the beach to the ATL at the Summer Kick Off Party, with swimsuit contest and DJ Mike Pope and more. Benefits Joining Hearts. 3 – 9 p.m. at the Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com Ladies at Play hosts a Memorial Day Weekend party at AJA beginning at 10 p.m., www.ladiesatplay.com

MONDAY, MAY 27

Friends on Ponce continues its Pensacola on Ponce holiday party weekend, www.friendsonponce-atl.com

CALENDAR

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05.24.13

GA VOICE | 35

Photo by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography

Photo by Bo Shell

Event spotlight

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Activist/Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence member Rick Westbrook turns 50 and many of his friends celebrate him with a “(Pork) roast,” benefitting Lost–n-Found Youth. 6 – 9 p.m. at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Photo via Facebook

CHRIS Kids hosts its annual Premiere Party benefitting area children, youth and families, with DJ Vicki Powell spinning. 6 – 10 p.m. at Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery, www.chriskids.org

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Angelica D’Paige hosts Blue Monday Karaoke at 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

TUESDAY, MAY 28

Tuesdays, unwind with a sing-along with pianist David Reeb at 8 p.m. at Mixx, www.mixxatlanta.com Tuesdays, Thursdays and early Saturdays are Three Legged Cowboy country nights at the Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Feed your inner feminist! Dine out for Charis Circle from 5 – 10 p.m. at Wahoo Decatur, www.wahoogrilldecatur.com

DJ Lydia Prim spins for Cubby Underwear Night. 10 p.m. at Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com

THURSDAY, MAY 30

The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival kicks off with good eats and great events through June 2 at various Midtown Atlanta restaurants/sites, www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com Daryl Hall and John Oates perform live at 8 p.m. at Chastain Park, www.chastainseries.com

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Meak Productions hosts a mixer and press conference detailing future plans to celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary, 5 – 9 p.m. at 200 Office, www.meakproductions.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Austin’s DJ C-Rail joins the hirsute crowd for the popular Bear Invasion, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at the Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com Author and former Atlanta resident Yolo Akili reads from his new inspirational book “Dear Universe” at 7 p.m. at Charis Books & More, www.charisbooksandmore.com See familiar faces and get to know new friends at the Meet Project Live Love event and social event for the organization, who’s mission is to influence culture through love in action by engaging, networking and mobilizing people who are motivated by love. 7 p.m., East Andrews & Andrews Upstairs, www.eastandrews.com A foursome of artists in the round – John McCutcheon, Michelle Malone, Caroline Herring and Levi Lowrey – perform at 8 p.m. at the Red Clay Theatre, www.eddieowenpresents.com

Best Coast plays at 8:30 p.m. at Variety Playhouse, www.variety-playhouse.com

Charis Books hosts author Fiona Zedde for a book release party in honor of “Broken in Soft Places,” 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

“Swank,” a new monthly event for women, debuts. 10 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. at 10th & Piedmont, www.10thandpiedmont.com Strap on your gear and get ready for to see uniforms aplenty at the Military Edition of Manshaft, 10:30 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. at Cockpit, http://thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com/ The LeBUZZ staff does double duty at the 4th annual Turnabout, performing duets, solos and then making drinks at 11 p.m. at LeBUZZ, www.thenewlebuzz.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Photo via Facebook

Phoenix and Nicole Paige Brooks host Dragamaniacs, an open mic drag talent show, at 10 p.m. at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Fall Out Boy performs at 8 p.m. at the Tabernacle, www.tabernacleatl.com

CALENDAR

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SATURDAY, JUNE 8

As part of Stonewall Month, Atlanta Pride and Metro Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America offer an Insider history of LGBT Atlanta, 11 a.m. at Open Door Community, www.opendoorcommunity.org

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Publicity photo

36 | GA VOICE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

DJ Christopher Kind spins at 11:30 p.m. for Jungle University, www.jungleatl.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Atlanta Pride kicks off Stonewall Month with the Sylvia Rivera Community Event, 12:30 - 2 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org A summer staple with arts, food and fun, the Virginia Highland Summerfest takes place this weekend, www.vahi.org/summerfest/ Get ready to croon “Seasons of Love” at the “Rent” sing along and dinner, 7 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org Occupy Our Homes celebrates its one year anniversary party, 7:30 – 11 p.m., Occupy Our Homes Atlanta, www.occupyourhomesatl.org ‘60s beach party realness/music and a screening of “Psycho Beach Party” highlight Barnacle Babes at 10:30 p.m. at Mary’s, www.marysatlanta.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

A session specifically addressing legal issues for same-sex couples is on tap today, sponsored by Georgia Benefits Counsel and Atlanta Pride. The second half of the session is scheduled for June 16.

Both sessions run from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org Ron Pullman presents the Humble Legends Tea Dance, 6 p.m. at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com The inimitable Armorettes spice up Sunday night, 6 – 8 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com DJ Rick and DJ Maestro spin at 7 p.m. on Sundays at Mixx, www.mixxatlanta.com

Gay comedian Ross Mathews of “Chelsea Lately” cracks jokes at his Man Up! Tour at 8 p.m. at the Buckhead Theater, www.thebuckheadtheatre.com

MONDAY, JUNE 3

PFLAG-Atlanta hosts a support group meeting, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.pflagatl.org

TUESDAY, JUNE 4

Every Tuesday, sing out at Mary-oke starting at 9 p.m. at Mary’s, www.marysatlanta.com VJ Marco Polo puts on a night of showtunes every Tuesday night at 9 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

The second annual Fringe Festival begins tonight and runs through June 9, including the trans show “It’s My Penis and I’ll Cry if I Want To” and the gaythemed “LoversLane” at 7 Stages, www.atlantafringe.org On Wednesdays, catch the Lust & Bust Show with host Lena Lust and featuring Shawnna Brooks. 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 6

Rascal Flatts and the Band Perry team up at 7 p.m. at Lakewood, www.ticketmaster.com Learn all about our LGBT history at Stonewall 101, presented by Touching Up Our Roots, Love Under Fire, and Atlanta Pride at 7 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org Sister’s Night at Woofs: The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence hold their monthly meeting to raise money for various charities, 6 – 9 p.m., www.woofsatlanta.com

The weekend Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts offers a park full of arts and crafts, with an emphasis on Georgia artists. Peachtree Hills Recreation Center, www.peachtreehillsfestival.com

MONDAY, JUNE 10

Stevie and Lindsey and the rest of Fleetwood Mac perform at 8 p.m. at Philips Arena, www.philipsarena.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 14SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Sting performs at 8 p.m. at Chastain Park, www.chastainseries.com

Indigo Girls and Joan Baez play two shows at 7 p.m. at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, www.chastainseries.com

TUESDAY, JUNE 11

A part of Stonewall Month, catch the “On these Shoulders We Stand” screening, sponsored by Touching Up Our Roots and Atlanta Pride, at 7 p.m. at the Midtown Art Cinema, www.atlantapride.org Billy Idol rocks at 8:30 p.m. at the Tabernacle, www.tabernacleatl.com

Publicity photo

BEST BETS

THURSDAY, JUNE 6

Three years of love, looks and diversity are honored at H2(H)O3, the Bedlam third-anniversary party. 9 p.m.

– 3 a.m., Wetbar of the Atlanta W Downtown, www.watlantadowntown.com

Publicity photo

“Cirque Nuit,” the 2013 version of the Atlanta Cotillion/AID Atlanta fundraiser, is tonight from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. at the Delta Heritage Museum Hangar, www.atlantacotillion.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12

Stephen Mosher and Pat Dwyer – the male couple who get married in every state they can – appear at a screening of “Married and Counting,” sponsored by Out On Film and Atlanta Pride, 7 p.m. at the Midtown Art Cinema, www.outonfilm.org Toga is the theme for PALS Bingo night at 7:30 p.m. at Jungle, www.palsatlanta.org

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

Adult film director Chi Chi LaRue appears at Atlanta Pride Night, 10 p.m., BJ Roosters, www.atlantapride.org

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

In partnership with Atlanta Pride the raucous, drag-heavy East Point Possum Show benefits Lostn-Found Youth. 7 – 11 p.m., 2727 East Point Street, www.eastpointpossums.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 14SUNDAY, JUNE 16

Peach Party weekend features DJs Twisted Dee, Corey David, Tony Moran, Russ Rich, Paulo, Manny Lehman, David Knapp, Martin Fry and Alyson Calagna spinning at venues including the Heretic, Piedmont Park, Jungle, Xion and Las Margaritas. More info and passes available at www.PeachPartyATL.com

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JOAN INDIGO BAEZ GIRLS

TWO SPECIAL PERFORMANCES ONE INCREDIBLE EVENING

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 14 & 15

CHASTAIN PARK AMPHITHEATER Single tickets available all Ticketmaster outlets • TICKETMASTER.COM Concerts take place rain or shine. Artists and schedules are subject to change. All sales final. No exchanges or refunds.

05.24.13

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COLUMNISTS

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THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID Still my Iron Girl

What I learned from another missed triathlon

For most folks, finding the entry certificate to the Iron Girl Triathlon wrapped under the Christmas tree is not the definition of holiday romance. But for weekend warriors like my girlfriend, Katie, this kind of gift is her “love language.”

The Iron Girl Triathlon features 1,000 women swimming, biking and running at Lake Lanier. And it is the only race I have ever known her to enter and not finish. In fact, she never even started.

Katie did her first sprint triathlon a couple of years ago. Having always been a runner, she decided to challenge herself by adding biking and swimming to her regimen.

After competing in a few beginner races, where she successfully reached her goal of not drowning, she signed up for the Iron Girl, which is longer.

Now a little background for those among us who are not masochistic. Triathlons are ... special. They have a lot of rules, which means planning for the weekend of the race is essential. And planning is not Katie’s strongest asset.

So I was not shocked last year when I realized we had double booked the weekend of the triathlon. The race was on Sunday, but it required that the bikes be dropped off on Saturday.

So we drove to Lake Lanier and dropped off the bike, only to drive back to Atlanta to attend a party. I thought this was a bad idea.

The party was not the kind that ended at 9 p.m. And unlike Katie’s deficiencies when it comes to planning, she excels at the skill of attending parties.

But despite the party the night before, she set the alarm and the next morning we were up at 3:30 a.m. and headed to Lake Lanier for the race. Alas, Mother Nature had other plans.

Just as Katie stepped out of the car at Lake Lanier, she realized that she had started her

Melissa Carter is also a writer for Huffington Post. She broke ground as the first out lesbian radio personality on a major station in Atlanta and was one of the few out morning show personalities in the country. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter

period two weeks early. This meant she was forced to watch the race by my side. And underneath the irritation of stomach cramps and back pain, I could see that she was disappointed.

When Christmas came, I wanted to give her another chance. I not only registered her in the race but reserved a hotel room so we would spend the whole weekend there.

That gift was finally realized this past weekend, when Iron Girl returned to Lake Lanier. Katie checked in for the race and we checked in to the hotel. We ordered room service that evening and right before I fell asleep, I heard the lightning and thunder.

Those storms lasted all night long.

Around 4:30 a.m., race officials cancelled the race due to the weather. No rescheduling, no refunds. No Iron Girls.

Of course, I felt bad for her. But she wasn’t that upset for herself. After all, we were only an hour from home. Instead, she was sad for the first-timers who had traveled hundreds of miles, and trained for hundreds of hours, for what they thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I told her not to worry: We would be back next year and I was sure a lot of the other athletes would be back as well. She smiled and agreed. And then Katie made me understand these events in a way I never have before.

“The saddest part,” she said, “is that some of these girls don’t get to find out today that they had already done the hardest part.

More than 1,000 girls showed up willing to do something that is hard. And it isn’t until the end of the race that the first timers would have found out that showing up and just starting the race was the hardest part.

“The actual race is nothing compared to the internal strength it takes to just show up and jump in the water.”

I hugged her and told her that on the bright side, my Christmas shopping for her this year was going to be easy.

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