05/15/15, Vol. 6 Issue 5 by Georgia Voice

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GEORGIANEWS

Atlanta Eagle owner: ‘City should be ashamed of itself’ City continues to violate police training settlement following botched 2009 raid of gay bar

going to stop fighting and say, well, we’re sorry? Why not do this in December when we brought it up instead of waiting five months? Why is the city violating orders and instead spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars?” he said. The Georgia Voice requested comment from the city on why it did not comply with the Atlanta Eagle settlement in December rather than litigate for five months before simply agreeing it had not complied with the settlement. “Because this is an active court matter, we cannot comment,” said Anne Torres, spokesperson.

By DYANA BAGBY A promise by the city of Atlanta to “vigorously” defend against a December contempt motion claiming the police department ignored a federal court order to properly train officers following the unconstitutional 2009 raid on Midtown gay bar Atlanta Eagle morphed into a meek mea culpa before a federal judge this month. And the owner of the bar says the city’s ongoing defiance of the court order after some six years is “nothing more than a slap in the face of the gay community.” Atlanta Eagle bar patrons sued the city in federal court after the raid and claimed their constitutional rights were violated; in December 2010 the city agreed to settle with the plaintiffs for approximately $1.2 million. Mayor Kasim Reed also apologized to the plaintiffs, the court ruled the raid was unconstitutional, and the patrons said they wanted the city to promise to train officers properly on such actions as search and seizure so as to avoid similar raids in the future. “We said from the beginning that what we wanted was not about money,” said Richard Ramey, owner of the Atlanta Eagle. “We wanted to help the city of Atlanta and not just the gay community.” APD continues to violate court order But in a May 5 hearing before federal Judge Timothy Batten on a motion for contempt filed by Atlanta Eagle attorneys, City Attorney Robert Godfrey acknowledged the city has failed to properly train police as was mandated as part of the city’s settlement with the plaintiffs. “I’m admitting portions of what we were supposed to do we did not do,” Godfrey told Batten. As part of that settlement, the city acknowledged it violated the patrons’ constitutional rights and promised to implement court-ordered reforms as part of the APD’s standard

Atlanta Eagle attorney Dan Grossman said he believes people at Atlanta City Hall resent the settlement reached in the Eagle case and continue to defy mandates to properly train police officers. (File photo)

operating procedure (SOP), including: n documenting warrantless detentions, frisks and searches; n prohibiting officers from interfering with the public’s right to take photographs and videotape and make audio recordings of police officers and activity; n requiring uniformed officers to always wear clearly visible name tags and identify themselves when asked; n requiring the APD to rule on citizen complaints of police misconduct within 180 days; and n requiring the city of Atlanta to conduct mandatory in-person training for all police officers every two years regarding Fourth Amendment issues and the safe use of firearms. However, these reforms have not taken place, even though the city was ordered to enact them by a federal judge in the original order in 2011 and again in 2013, according to a scathing motion for contempt that was

filed March 17. The attorneys who represent the Atlanta Eagle plaintiffs are Dan Grossman, Gerald Weber of the Southern Center for Human Rights, and Greg Nevins of Lambda Legal. On May 5, Batten ordered the city to train its 2,000 officers on all these SOPs within 90 days; that was to start immediately. Major Jeff Glazier, former head of training for the Atlanta Police Department, said he believed many officers were formally trained as mandated. “But clearly from the judge’s order we will have to go back and retrain the entire force on these issues,” he said. Atlanta Eagle attorney Dan Grossman, who argued the motion for contempt before Judge Batten, said after the hearing he could not understand why the city wasted taxpayer money to try to defend themselves and then in a court hearing finally admit they were wrong. “Why was the city fighting against complying with an order … if it was eventually

‘City should be ashamed’ Ramey and the bar were awarded $80,000 as part of that $1.2 million settlement nearly six years ago. The money was divided among some 60 patrons. Had the plaintiffs decided to go to court rather than settle, Ramey said he and the others were told they could have had a payout of many millions of dollars. “I’m very disappointed in what we fought for is not being honored,” he said. “This [settlement] was not something we took lightly. We had many, many meetings, group meetings with everyone involved, and this was something we all agreed upon,” he said. “We felt we were doing the right thing.” “And the city just won’t let it die. They won’t put this case to rest. They should be ashamed of themselves. They want us to abide by the laws, well, then, they should abide by what they agreed to do,” he added. “Being a man of your word should be the highest priority as an officer. It’s still very upsetting that money is still being paid out to our attorneys to enforce what they agreed with us.” Ramey added: “This is nothing more than a slap in the gay community’s face. They do not want to be told what to do by the gay community. I truly feel that way.” Grossman agreed. “I think there are people at City Hall who simply want to defy [the settlement] … even if a federal judge orders them to do so. Someone at City Hall does not like a judge telling them what to do,” he added. “And clearly they have a resentment about this case. But they should want to comply. It’s Kasim Reed who should want to train cops.”

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Chief Justice Roberts takes spotlight in marriage fight Question on sex discrimination heartens LGBT advocates By LISA KEEN The U.S. Supreme Court has almost certainly made its decision about the right to marry for same-sex couples. The justices met in private conference on Friday, May 1, and took a vote. They have until June 30 to issue their decision. Most legal observers who watched or listened to the oral arguments from April 28 in Obergefell v. Hodges, an appeal seeking to strike down bans on same-sex marriages in four states, predict Justice Anthony Kennedy will vote with the court’s four liberal justices and find the bans unconstitutional. A few, like University of California School of Law Professor Erwin Chemerinsky, believe the vote could even be 6 to 3, with Chief Justice John Roberts on board. Those who think Roberts could join a majority to strike down the laws were heartened by a question he posed to the attorney defending Michigan’s ban, John Bursch. “I’m not sure it’s necessary to get into sexual orientation to resolve the case,” said Roberts. “I mean, if Sue loves Joe and Tom loves Joe, Sue can marry him and Tom can’t. And the difference is based upon their different sex. Why isn’t that a straightforward question of sexual discrimination?” If the court decides state bans on samesex marriage constitute sex discrimination, “then I can promise you that lawyers in almost any case where a law discriminates against gay people will make the argument that the law constitutes unconstitutional sex discrimination,” said Roberta Kaplan, who argued on behalf of Edith Windsor in the case that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). “On the other hand, there is always a bit of a disconnect with this argument, particularly when it’s clear that the law at issue was passed to treat people differently based on their sexual orientation, not their gender.” For instance, Kaplan said she would be surprised if a ruling in Obergefell will stop the passage of the growing number of laws attempting to provide a religious exemption

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts’ question on sex discrimination during oral arguments over same-sex marriage give LGBT advocates hope he may vote to strike down state bans prohibiting marriage equality. (Official photo)

“I’m not sure it’s necessary to get into sexual orientation to resolve the case. I mean, if Sue loves Joe and Tom loves Joe, Sue can marry him and Tom can’t. And the difference is based upon their different sex. Why isn’t that a straightforward question of sexual discrimination?” —Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts for businesses to discriminate against LGBT people. The impact of those “religious freedom” laws, she said, is going to be “hotly litigated, no matter what.” Many had expected the Supreme Court might use the Obergefell case to designate the level of judicial scrutiny for courts to use in evaluating laws that disadvantage LGBT people. To date, the high court has used only the easiest level: requiring governments to identify a legitimate rational purpose for the law. And many had hoped the high court would at least designate “heightened scruti-

ny,” the same used for laws that discriminate on the basis of sex. But there was almost no discussion in the Supreme Court on April 28 about the level of scrutiny that discrimination based on sexual orientation should merit. Interestingly, during oral arguments on California’s Proposition 8 case in 2013, it was Kennedy who said he was “wrestling” with the idea of sex discrimination. But that case was dismissed on a procedural issue, and Kennedy’s authorship of the majority opinion in U.S. v. Windsor found DOMA served

“no legitimate purpose.” And Roberts’ seeming willingness to recognize sex discrimination in the context of bans on same-sex marriage stood in stark contrast to his equally blunt comment to same-sex couples’ attorney Mary Bonauto. “My question is you’re not seeking to join the institution, you’re seeking to change what the institution is. The fundamental core of the institution is the opposite-sex relationship and you want to introduce into it a same-sex relationship.” To that remark, Harvard Law Professor Charles Fried said he would have replied, “So what?” “At one time, people thought women were inferior to men intellectually and physically, and Aristotle thought women made no contribution to the genetic component.” said Fried, a U.S. solicitor general under President Reagan and a former member of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. “They were wrong then, and we think we’ve got it right now. If I had been arguing ... I’d have said, ‘Maybe that was the definition back then, but it’s the wrong definition of the concept we’re talking about now.’” Jenny Pizer, law and policy project director for Lambda Legal, said that limiting the definition of marriage to only male-female couplings is “a sex discrimination problem right on its face” because it “involves a core sex stereotype that men should seek intimate relationships with women, and vice versa.” And, she noted, many lower courts have already recognized as sex discrimination certain harassments of gay men at work and the denial of spousal benefits to employees with same-sex spouses. Pizer said the majority could be heading toward a conclusion that says a state ban on marriage for same-sex couples is sex discrimination on its face and is based on gender stereotypes. But it’s not clear why Roberts asked the question about sex discrimination. And his question regarding sex discrimination has to be viewed against the backdrop of his dissent in Windsor. There, Roberts prominently stated, “Interests in uniformity and stability amply justified Congress’s decision to retain the definition of marriage that, at that point, had been adopted by every State in our Nation, and every nation in the world.”

6 News May 15, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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NEWSBRIEFS Saint Mark UMC gay minister to make run for Georgia state House Josh Noblitt, the openly gay Minister of Social Justice at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, is set to throw his hat in the ring to run for the state House seat that will be available when state Rep. Margaret Kaiser steps down to run for mayor. If elected, he would be the first openly gay man elected to the Georgia legislature. Several people were discussing Noblitt’s run at the recent HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner, and the Georgia Voice confirmed with his spokesperson, Beth Cope, that Noblitt was set to announce his run as early as this weekend. The mayoral election is not until 2017. Cathy Woolard, the first openly gay person elected to office in Georgia, is also running for mayor. Kaiser’s seat will be open in 2015 as part of the general election. House District 59 includes the neighborhoods of Poncey-Highland, Little Five Points, Inman Park, Reynoldstown, North Ormewood Park, Glenwood Park, Ormewood Park, Boulevard Heights, Grant Park, The Villages at Carver, South Atlanta, Lakewood Heights, Polar Rock, Perkerson Park, East Point, Colonial Hills, Frog Hollow, Conley Hills, Fort Valley and Greenbriar. Noblitt is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice and serves on the board of directors for WonderRoot and For The Kid In Us All, Inc., and is a member of the Emory University Hope Clinic for HIV/AIDS Research Community Advisory Board. He is also a member of the volunteer Chaplain Corps for the Atlanta Police Department, serves as president of the South Atlanta Civic League, vice chair of Lakewood area Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU)-Y, and a 2011 LEAD Atlanta alumnus. Noblitt does face an uphill battle as an openly gay man running for a seat in the state legislature, however. Many others have tried, only to come up short, including three in the last election. City settles with Baton Bob for $20,000 following Midtown arrest Bob Jamerson, aka Baton Bob, the gay street performer known for his whistle-accompanied performances throughout Midtown, settled his federal lawsuit against the city of Atlanta for $20,000. The lawsuit stemmed from his 2013 arrest while celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision to strike

Rev. Josh Noblitt speaks at a recent marriage equality rally held on the steps of Atlanta City Hall. Noblitt is now running for a seat in the Georgia state House. (File photo)

down a major portion of the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act. Baton Bob and his attorney, Joshua Brownlee, sued the city and members of the Atlanta Police Department in June 2014. Baton Bob was charged with two counts of simple assault and one count of obstruction of a police officer in the June 2013 arrest. After the arrest and while in custody, Baton Bob was able to get on Facebook and send a message to his approximately 5,000 fans to say he was treated with respect by the APD. However, he later stated he was actually coerced by the APD to make the public statement. A police report states Baton Bob was “disturbing” security guards at 1197 Peachtree Street on June 26, 2013. The alleged victims were two women security guards who complained to police that Baton Bob frequents Colony Square “and causes a disturbance daily.” The police report goes on to state Baton Bob was at the corner of Peachtree Street NE and 14th Street NE “dancing and gyrating in a sexual manner on the city sidewalk blocking pedestrian traffic.” While in custody at the precinct, Baton Bob posted to his Facebook fans that he was treated with nothing but respect by the APD, but two months later, in August, Baton Bob took to Facebook again and said he was coerced into making that Facebook post on June 26 while in custody. Transgender Georgia inmate transferred over safety concerns Ashley Diamond, the transgender Georgia inmate who filed a federal lawsuit against the

Georgia Department of Corrections, has been transferred to a medium security prison following several incidents with fellow inmates. According to the transfer order obtained by the Georgia Voice and filed May 8, Diamond has been transferred from Georgia State Prison in Reidsville to the medium-security Rutledge State Prison in Columbus. The transfer follows an episode on or around April 30 when a fellow inmate touched Diamond’s face, and a May 3 episode when an inmate passed a “sexually explicit and threatening” note to her while she was in church. Also, gang members have been contacting Diamond’s family threatening that she will be harmed if they do not pay protection money. Diamond’s attorneys at the Southern Poverty Law Center tell the Georgia Voice that they hope Rutledge will be a safer housing option. The Southern Poverty Law Center filed the lawsuit on Diamond’s behalf in February, saying she had been denied hormone therapy, has been sexually assaulted by other inmates at the men’s prison and tormented by inmates and staff. Increased media attention, including vocal support by Elton John and Michael Stipe, was followed by the U.S. Department of Justice issuing a statement calling the denial of hormone therapy unconstitutional. The Georgia DOC restored Diamond’s hormone treatments less than a week later, although her lawyer expressed concerns that the dosage was too low to be therapeutic. A federal court judge denied Diamond’s transfer request in an April 21 hearing, leaving her lawyers to say they were “very concerned” over her safety.

8 NEWS May 15, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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Editor: Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor: Patrick Saunders psaunders@thegavoice.com Editorial Contributors: Melissa Carter, Jim Farmer, Vandy Beth Glenn, Shannon Hames, Bill Kaelin, Ryan Lee, Charles Stephens, Steve Warren, Simon Williamson

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

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“It’s my understanding, based on what I’ve heard about this, the FDA has not rendered a final judgment on this, so this is the subject of ongoing consideration both by scientists, but also by the public health professionals at the FDA that have a responsibility for ensuring that the American people and their blood supply is fine. Obviously, we’re going to be guided by the science when it comes to this.” — White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, when asked about President Obama’s views on lifting the ban on blood donations by gay and bisexual men. (Washington Blade, May 12)

“We are now walking targets. While some of the people on the list are open about being gay, some are not. It is putting every person’s career, life and family at risk.” — Denis Nzioka, whose name is included as a “top homo” in the Kenyan newspaper Weekly Citizen; it is illegal to be gay in Kenya. (Gay Star News, May 11)

“On film—or in real life? Yes, many times.” — Cate Blanchett, when asked if she has ever had a romantic relationship with a woman. Blanchett stars in the new film “Carol” with Rooney Mara, about two women who fall in love. (Variety, May 12)

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OUT IN THE WILD

By Simon Williamson

Our people to be skewered this election season Simon Williamson lives with his federally-recognized spouse in the wild yonder of Newton County. You can follow him on Twitter: @simonwillo. General elections tend to bring out the absolute worst in people. Nearly seven years of Barack Obama will certainly have let you know which of your friends are racists through their angrily typed Facebook posts, speckled with excess punctuation. While politicians may know that the keys to the White House pass through gay-loving young people, said young people haven’t yet reached the critical mass to force LGBT equality through the fossils that collect up on Capitol Hill. So it should be no surprise that, with 18 months of presidential campaigning ahead of us, our people are going to be skewered in a high profile manner multiple times. This aggrieved target market is ripe for the plucking by the many-carriaged train chuffing

“When I sat on the bench reading his words I recognized I had a responsibility. Men like Essex Hemphill made me possible.” When I was about 19 or 20 and starting coming out publicly, or rather politically, I began to doubt the path I had taken. I had been doing interviews in the local press. Going to conferences. Sitting on panels. Arguing with white folks. Arguing with straight folks. Even writing about my newly politicized black gay identity. Things like that. What did it all mean? What if being an openly gay black man lessened my future possibilities? These thoughts haunted me constantly. As a working-class black boy who had been indoctrinated since I could string a sentence or two together to join the professional classes, I carried considerable angst about rejecting that path. It was clear that I could be gay, or some version of gay; my models for this were the often tortured characters in E. Lynn Harris novels. But could I be who I was, and have my www.thegeorgiavoice.com

down the GOP railway. If we still had conservative Democrats—they are rarer now than a parking space at Mary Mac’s—they’d probably be joining the procession of people who like to use the blades of Bible verses, free of context, to hack away at things they don’t like. Already in Texas, the legislature is stuffing through a bill that says churches and pastors are exempt from having to host or officiate a gay wedding. The first amendment ensures this exemption already, and it is not exactly like our people are pushing for homophobic officiants, but isn’t it just nice to hand a little extra fuckyou to gay people, just in case the electorate forgot how much those in charge love Jesus. Transgender people will definitely get it in the neck. Even in liberal states the simple

bathroom question is being thrown around in fashion so stupid it’s being worn by Björk. And the continually growing list of slaughtered transgender people, 11 that we know of in 2015, will remain in the filing cabinet of things no one gives a shit about. And if we get same-sex marriage when the Supreme Court rules in June, which we’re kind of expecting, puff-faced Huckabees and Santorums and Carsons will continue to compare our relationships to Nazis and our marriages to bestiality and our orgies unfit for Piedmont Park. While I have mentioned many times that the fight over marriage equality is really a small one relative to the smorgasbord of rights that actually ensure our equality, marriage is going to be used as a proxy for just about everything

“Your next president will likely choose four Supreme Court justices. Think about that when you listen to presidential contenders proclaim how little they think of us.” that involves not liking gays very much. So when your presidential contenders bang on about traditional marriage, you can slot in transgender rights, employment nondiscrimination, changing documents to fit your gender, hate crime legislation, education of LGBT+ history, and in some cases, hospital visits, along with hoping to hell that there is a country in the world respectful of your marriage that one of you can get a visa to. My American husband and I were lucky to have the insurance policy of South African residency if the Supreme Court didn’t deal with the Defense of Marriage Act in 2012. Your next president will likely choose four Supreme Court justices. Think about that when you listen to presidential contenders proclaim how little they think of us.

THE ICONOCLAST

By Charles Stephens

On Essex Hemphill Charles Stephens is the Director of Counter Narrative and co-editor of ‘Black Gay Genius: Answering Joseph Beam’s Call.’ voice, and still have a sustainable life? One Saturday morning I went over to Wilson Mill Park, a little neighborhood park in Adamsville near where I grew up, and took my copy of Brother to Brother with me. Brother to Brother: New Writings by Black Gay Men is an anthology of black gay men’s writings published in 1991 and edited by Essex Hemphill. I had read the book before, but I wanted to revisit it to help me think through my feelings. As I read the beautiful introduction Hemphill wrote, it became clear to me in that moment that I had a responsibility. There was something about the way he spoke about his own developing voice, what black gay writing meant for him, that told me what I needed to hear: that this was not only important work, but necessary work, and it would be my destiny. The urgency of his words cleared the path for me.

Essex Hemphill was a poet, essayist, and activist. He was one of the most celebrated writers of the black gay arts movement, the period from 1986 until about 1994 when there was unprecedented cultural production and political activity by black gay men. His poems, like “Now We Think,” and “For My Own Protection,” are anthems to black gay men everywhere. Still are. He died in 1995. When I sat on the bench reading his words I recognized I had a responsibility. Men like Essex Hemphill made me possible. In my first year at Georgia State University, I took a course called African-American LGBT Activism. It was taught by Dr. Layli Maparyan (then Dr. Layli Phillips), who was on faculty in the women’s studies department. It was through this course that I recognized my appreciation for Essex Hemphill could also be a

part of my own intellectual and artistic work. In the course we watched Tongues Untied and read Brother to Brother, and for the first time I had the opportunity to read the text and discuss it in a classroom setting. I was transformed. A year or two later, upon the death of my friend Keiron, a very important black gay activist in Atlanta and at Morehouse College, I recall us reading the Essex Hemphill poem, “When My Brother Fell.” This is the poem that many of us look to when one of our comrades dies, and we find inspiration and power in Hemphill’s words. And boy did we need it. The work of Essex Hemphill has informed my writing and activism for over a decade. In my early activist life, as a student, and through the deaths of friends like Keiron and others, his work has been a constant light in my life. May 15, 2015 Outspoken 11

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TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

One magical way to spend a weekend Parks, parties and positivity as Disney gay event turns 25 By PATRICK SAUNDERS Before Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, there was an online BBS, or bulletin board system. And if you were logged on to the Florida gay BBS in early 1991, you might have seen a message from Orlando software designer Doug Swallow proposing a unique idea—a “Gay and Lesbian Day at Disney.” “The idea just came,” Swallow says. “Why don’t we go to Disney?” Swallow chose the first Saturday in June for the big day, and he didn’t want people to be shy about their presence; he asked everyone to wear red and adopted the motto, “Wear Red and Be Seen.” He even tipped off an Orlando Sentinel columnist about the event, which led to a debate on local TV and radio talk shows, spreading the word even more. The inaugural event drew 1,000 people, mostly from the Orlando area, but it rapidly changed in the following years as the chatter increased across the country and around the world. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event, with an estimated 150,000 attendees expected to descend on Orlando for the big weekend, making it the largest non-Pride LGBT event in the world. Of banners, bombs and bigotry If you think having thousands of people from the LGBT community converge on the

home of Mickey and Minnie would cause controversy in the early 1990s, you would be right. Walt Disney World has taken a neutral stance on the event, not sanctioning it but not stopping it either. This has apparently not been enough for some. The Southern Baptist Convention boycotted Disney for the first eight years of the event before raising the white flag. “I would warn Orlando that you’re right in the way of some serious hurricanes, and I don’t think I’d be waving those flags in God’s face if I were you ... It’ll bring about terrorist bombs; it’ll bring earthquakes, tornadoes, and possibly a meteor,” televangelist Pat Robertson predicted at the time. There were fireworks, but alas, no meteors, as it turned out. In 2013, the Florida Family Association paid for a plane to fly around Central Florida with a banner saying “Warning: Gay Day at Disney 6/1.” And in a unique display of outreach to the Hispanic community, they flew another banner that read “Aviso Dia De Gays en Disney 6/1.” One Million Moms, a division of the anti-LGBT American Family Association, and religious right activist Janet Porter of Faith 2 Action, have also spoken out fervently against the event. The criticism from far-right evangelical groups worked so well that in 2013 Walt Disney World hired its first openly gay president. Yep, the top job at the resort belongs to George Kalogridis, who started at the company as a 17-year-old busboy when Walt Disney World opened in 1971.

A lot of red—and a lot of skin—is in store for the One Magical Weekend events at Walt Disney World Resort. (Photo courtesy One Magical Weekend) So protesters are guaranteed to see red again in more ways than one this year. One Magical Weekend takes it up a level Walt Disney World has taken baby steps toward acknowledging the event, selling rainbow mugs and red tank tops during the weekend and now letting circuit parties occur on the grounds. “So the controversy is always with a select few who want to be visible but it’s getting less and less, and Disney and every other corporate sponsor is getting better and better to work with,” says Billy Looper, executive director of One Magical Weekend, which has circuit parties lined up not only at host hotel B Resort & Spa but also at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark and at Epcot’s World Showplace. The group also puts on the Gay Biz Expo, a 25,000 square-foot presentation of numerous products and services at the B Resort & Spa geared towards the community, plus a Wedding Expo adjacent to the main expo. Looper says the legalization of same-sex marriage in Florida this year led to many more corporate sponsors of the event than in years past. One Magical Weekend also donates a percentage of ticket sales to HIV/AIDS service organizations every year, with this year’s cut going to the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida. www.onemagicalweekend.com

One Magical Weekend Event Lineup The resort now allows certain circuit parties to take place in the park. (Photo courtesy One Magical Weekend) www.thegeorgiavoice.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 Therapy Pool Party with DJ Shane Stiel & DJ Alyson Calagna 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The B Resort

Riptide with DJ Phil B and DJ Joe Gauthreaux 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark Cadabra Afterhours with DJ Alexander and DJ Alex Acosta 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd. SATURDAY, JUNE 6 Therapy Pool Party with DJ Tony Ruggiero and DJ Eddie Martinez 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The B Resort Red Unmasked with DJ Paulo 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Epcot World Showplace Cadabra Afterhours with DJ Dee Martello and DJ Flowers 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd. SUNDAY, JUNE 7 Therapy Pool Party with DJ Chris Camuso and DJ Bryan Reyes 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The B Resort E-Tea Dance with DJ Grind 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Epcot World Showplace Cadabra Afterhours with DJ Alain Jackinsky and DJ Abel 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd. May 15, 2015 Travel 13

TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Summer Travel Best Bets Prides, film festivals, and so much more By Patrick Saunders Here a Pride, there a Pride, everywhere a Pride, Pride. But just because the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots falls in June doesn’t mean that’s the only LGBT thing going on this summer. There are film festivals, leather competitions, cruises and more. Pack your calendar with some of these LGBT faves and have the best summer ever!

Events CineSLAM June 19, 2015 Brattleboro, Vt. Gay Days Arizona June 19–21 Scottsdale, Ariz. Columbus Pride June 19–21 Columbus, Ohio Gay Pride New Orleans June 19–21 New Orleans, La. Gay Pride Houston June 19–28 Houston, Texas Pride Toronto June 19–28 Toronto, Ontario RI Pridefest & Parade June 20 Providence, R.I.

Columbus Urban Pride June 21 Columbus, Ohio

Hampton Roads Pride June 26–27 Norfolk, Va.

Rio Gay Film Festival July 3–12 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Folsom Street East June 21 New York, N.Y.

Pride Barcelona June 26–28 Barcelona, Spain

Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival July 5–15 Tokyo, Japan

Pride Houston June 21–28 Houston, Texas Harlem Pride June 21–28 Harlem, N.Y. Gay Pride London June 23–28 London, England South Carolina Black Pride June 24–28 Columbia, S.C.

NYC Gay Pride June 26–28 New York, N.Y. Cincinnati Pride June 27 Cincinnati, Ohio Gay Pride Paris June 27 Paris, France Pride in London June 27 London, England Santa Fe Pride June 27 Santa Fe, N.M.

Ibiza Gay Pride July 8–12 Ibiza, Spain OUTFEST: Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival July 9–19 Los Angeles, Calif. Tacoma Pride Festival July 10–18 Tacoma, Wash. Bear Week July 11–19 Provincetown, Mass.

St. Pete Pride June 24–28 St. Petersburg, Fla.

San Francisco Pride June 27–28 San Francisco, Calif.

Salisbury Pride June 20 Salisbury, N.C.

Baltimore Pride June 25–26 Baltimore, Md.

Seattle PrideFest June 27–28 Seattle, Wash.

Fetish Week London July 12–19 London, England

Gay Pride Fest Denver June 20–21 Denver, Colo.

Nashville Pride June 25–26 Nashville, Tenn.

Twin Cities Pride June 27–28 Minneapolis, Minn.

San Diego Pride July 17–18 San Diego, Calif.

Kansas City LGBT Film Festival June 25–July 2 Kansas City, Mo.

Independence Weekend July 2–10 Provincetown, Mass.

Pride London Festival July 17–26 London, England

Chicago Pride June 20–28 Chicago, Ill.

Cities like London, Ontario, host some of the little-known Pride festivals across the world. (Photo via Facebook, by RomanHidalgo.com)

Belfast Gay Pride July 24–Aug. 2 Belfast, Ireland Family Week July 25–Aug. 1 Provincetown, Mass. Amsterdam Gay Pride July 25–Aug. 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands Vancouver Gay Pride July 25–Aug. 2 Vancouver, British Columbia Up Your Alley July 26 San Francisco, Calif. Gaze: Dublin Lesbian & Gay Film Festival July 30–Aug. 3 Dublin, Ireland Amsterdam Gay Pride July 31–Aug. 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands Delaware Pride Festival Aug. 1 Dover, Del. Vancouver Pride Day Aug. 2 Vancouver, British Columbia

Toronto Leather Pride Week Aug. 3–5 Toronto, Ontario EuroGames 2015 Aug. 5–9 Helsinki, Finland Rendezvouz Aug. 5–9 Cheyenne, Wyo. Toronto International Queer West Film Festival Aug. 7–9 Toronto, Ontario Eugene/Springfield Pride Festival Aug. 8 Eugene, Ore. Tropical Heat Aug. 13–16 Key West, Fla. Pride of the Ocean LGBT Film Festival Cruise Aug. 14–21 The Greek Islands North Carolina Annual Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Aug. 14–22 Durham, N.C. Reno Gay Pride Aug. 15 Reno, Nev.

Pride Charlotte Aug. 15–16 Charlotte, N.C.

Polari Film Festival Sept. 10–13 Austin, Texas

Austin Pride Aug. 22–30 Austin, Texas

Womenfest Key West Sept. 10–13 Key West, Fla.

Toledo Pride Aug. 28–30 Toledo, Ohio Michigan Pride Aug. 29 Lansing, Mich. Birmingham SHOUT Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Aug. 29–30 Birmingham, Ala. Burning Man Aug. 31–Sept. 7 Black Rock Desert (Northern Nevada) ELLA: The International Lesbian Festival Sept. 1–9 Palma de Mallorca, Spain Southern Decadence Sep. 2–7 New Orleans, La. Splash Days Sep. 4–7 Austin, Texas Gay Days Las Vegas Sep. 8–14 Las Vegas, Nev.

Oregon Coast Pride Sept. 11–13 Lincoln City, Ore. OutFlix Memphis Sept. 11–17 Memphis, Tenn. South Bay Pride Sept. 12 Chula Vista, Calif. Folsom Europe Sept. 12–13 Berlin, Germany Pride in the Park Sept. 12–13 Roanoke, Va. Oakland Gay Pride Sept. 13 Oakland, Calif. Pride Vermont Festival Sept. 14 Burlington, Vt. Cinema Diverse: Palm Springs Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Sept. 17–20 Palm Springs, Calif.

14 Travel May 15, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Tybee Island takes all

Tybee Flotilla ‘Float for a Cure’ June 14 at 1:30 p.m. Alley 3 Tybee Back River Benefiting Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Movies in the Park June 20 at 8:30 p.m. 204 5th St. Independence Day Fireworks July 3 at 9:15 p.m. Staged on the pier, viewable from any of the island’s eastern beaches

By PATRICK SAUNDERS

‘They just take it as is and everybody’s happy’ There have been high profile LGBT members of the Tybee Island community

Beach Bum Parade May 15 at 6:30 p.m. Butler Avenue Billed as ‘the South’s largest water fight’ Third Thursdays on Tybee May 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Downtown Tybee at the Tybrisa/ Strand roundabout The island’s outdoors spring music series.

Georgia’s beach town with a heart of gold When the people behind gaytybeeisland.com got together in 2013 to talk about putting together Tybee Island’s first LGBT Pride festival, they received support from a business community and a mayor that were eager to showcase the island and its open-minded nature. “They were looking for a festival and we had an idea for one, so they invited us to do it,” says promoter Angie Horne. But word soon got around to some neighbors to the north in the town of Sylvania, who called Mayor Jason Buelterman’s morals into question. “I reached out and informed them that it’s a free country and we’re happy the organizers selected Tybee to have this event,” Buelterman says. A Tybee resident also called him out in the local paper for serving as a judge at what the writer called the “malodorous event.” “I called the guy who wrote it and said why I did it and that I’d do it again,” Buelterman says. “We welcome them back not only that weekend but throughout the year.” It’s that kind of support that has led to the success of the 3rd Annual Rainbow Fest that took place in the first week of May, further cementing Tybee Island’s status as the Georgia beach town with a heart of gold just a tank of gas away.

Upcoming Events

The 3rd Annual Rainbow Fest was held on Tybee Island from May 1 through 3. (Photo by Roi Crapse/Filmitproductions.com)

Top Three Tybee Must-Sees

3. The Beach Of course! There’s five miles of room to roam on this mainstay of top 10 best beach lists each year.

opened the Tybee location of Bernie’s Oyster House in 2006 (there is another location in Savannah with different ownership). “Being gay and lesbian is more accepted up north because Georgia is southern and all that, but oddly enough when we moved down here, everybody knew we were gay,” Fair says. “You just fall in love with Tybee. It’s non-judgmental. We have tourists in from all over and they just take it as is and everybody’s happy.” Fair compares the beach town to a “smaller version of Key West.” Orr and Fair hosted several Rainbow Fest events at their restaurants, but so did several businesses with straight owners, including Coco’s Sunset Grill, North Beach Grill and AJ’s Beachside.

going back much further than the first Rainbow Fest. Lesbian restaurateur Jenny Orr opened popular seafood spot Fannie’s on the Beach back in 1992, then later opened Marlin Monroe’s a few blocks north. “Those were some of the beginning places that were gay friendly before anyone knew anything about that,” Horne says. Chad Fair is a self-described Yankee who moved to town in 2005 with his partner and

Ready for marriage equality The residents of Tybee Island are eagerly awaiting the expected decision from the Supreme Court on marriage equality come late June. “Tybee is so laid back and always has been. Everyone that I’ve met supports it,” says Horne, who is also the organizer of an LGBT Wedding Expo that will be held August 30 in Savannah.

1. The Lighthouse Tybee Light Station is Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse and worth the 178-step climb to the top. 2. The Pier The Tybee Pier & Pavilion is an oldie but a goodie, built in the late 1800s, burnt down in 1967 and rebuilt in 1996.

Tybee Flotilla ‘Float for Friends’ July 12 at 12:15 p.m. Alley 3 Tybee Back River Benefiting the Tybee YMCA Movies in the Park July 18 at 8:30 p.m. 204 5th St. Labor Day Beach Bash September 6 at 9 p.m. Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion Live music and fireworks Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races September 12 AJ’s Dockside Tybee Island Book Festival September 18 and 19 Locations to be announced

Mayor Buelterman says he and the city are ready to work on accommodating a ruling in favor of marriage equality and making sure same-sex couples who get married receive the benefits they’re entitled to. The Beachview Bed & Breakfast has opened a new pavilion perfect for weddings, and the beautiful Tybee Island Wedding Chapel confirms that they are ready and eager to welcome same-sex couples once marriage equality becomes the law of the land in Georgia.

16 Travel May 15, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Climb aboard the love boats Gay cruises set course for new adventures By DYANA BAGBY Setting out to sea with thousands of members of chosen family is a dream come true each year for thousands of people who board gay cruise ships looking for adventure, romance and some good old-fashioned time away from the trials and tribulations of the real world. This year, RSVP Vacations celebrates its 30th anniversary. Since 1985, the company has brought more than 100,000 guests to every continent except Antarctica (at least so far) on over 200 vacation events, says Randle Roper, the company’s president. “Our guests range in age from 21 to 95. They’re young, old, skinny, meaty, black, white, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and even straight! At RSVP, every guest is welcome exactly as they are,” Roper says. The best part of the business is seeing the intimacy couples share freely without fear of the persecution they may face at home, where LGBT people are not always accepted, he adds. “It’s seeing a couple walking down the promenade deck holding hands and being completely lost in love. It’s sharing drinks with good friends under a galaxy of stars as the ship glides across the ocean. It’s getting into a spirited debate about politics or current affairs over dinner,” he says. “[And] it’s seeing two single guests literally fall in love with each other at our Singles Dinner. And better yet, seeing that same couple return to RSVP year after year as happily married partners.” Most of those on RSVP Vacations are men, but about 10 percent are women, and the company is hoping to up those numbers in the future. To celebrate 30 years of gay vacations, RSVP Vacations is bringing back entertainment favorites from the past three decades, including Emmy Award winner Leslie Jordan; DJs Warren Gluck, Paul Goodyear and

Atlanta fave Manny Lehman; RSVP favorites Amy & Freddy; and NYC piano bar icons William TN Hall and Elliot Roth.

Upcoming RSVP Vacations cruise

30th Anniversary Alaska Cruise Setting sail from Seattle on Holland America Line’s MS Westerdam Aug. 1–8 www.rsvpvacations.com instagram.com/rsvpvacations twitter.com/rsvpvacations

RSVP Vacations, the winner of the 2015 CRUZIE AWARD for the “Best All-Gay Large Cruise Company,” is celebrating 30 years of gay cruises this year. (Photos courtesy RSVP Vacations) Navigator Caribbean Cruise January 23–31, 2016 Southern Caribbean Cruise March 12–19, 2016

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Atlantis Events, founded in 1991 by Rich Campbell, took over RSVP Vacations in 2007. Atlantis offered resort vacations before it moved on to also offering cruises. In a recent feature in the New York Times, Campbell acknowledges the “age thing” that many gay men tend to fear around large groups of other gay men. “The age thing is the one thing that everyone gets hung up on,” he told the New York Times. “There is that great phantom misperception that it’s a giant 24-hour boat of guys who are 26 years old, that it’s all one dynamic. You’re absolutely going to see guys in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and you’re also going to see guys in their mid-20s.” Again, most participants on Atlantis Events are men, with women averaging about 10 percent of those aboard a gay cruise ship.

Where the women definitely outnumber the men on any gay cruise or adventure is with Olivia Travel, a company that caters to women who love women and want to cruise, or take part in other travel adventures. Founded as a music company, Olivia Records, in 1990, the company decided to focus on travel, and in the past 25 years has taken some 200,000 women on cruises to exotic resorts, on adventure vacations, and on riverboat vacations across the globe. Many vacations also include star power, with celebrities such as Lily Tomlin, Melissa Etheridge, Whoopi Goldberg, Indigo Girls and Wanda Sykes in attendance.

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LA to Mexico Halloween Cruise October 25–November 1

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RIVERBOATS Prague to Budapest Riverboat June 16–June 26 Discover China & the Yangtze River March 16–March 28, 2016 Belgium to The Netherlands Riverboat April 12–April 19, 2016 Tulips in Amsterdam Riverboat April 19–April 26, 2016 Paris and Normandy Riverboat July 26–Aug. 2, 2016 ADVENTURES Amazing Peruvian Amazon Adventure May 9–May 18 Polar Bear Adventure Oct. 17–Oct. 23 Amazing Galapagos Adventure Nov. 7–Nov. 16 Amazing Galapagos Adventure Nov. 5–Nov. 14, 2016 www.olivia.com

20 Travel May 15, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

LGBT

A T N A AT L EN

T AR

YOURSELF

FINDING

REVI EW

R TA I N M

Indigo Girls return to Atlanta with new album ‘One Lost Day’ By JACY TOPPS With the upcoming release of their much-anticipated album, “One Lost Day,” the Indigo Girls are making headlines once again. The musical icons and social activists have been writing, performing and creating music for decades now. The folk-rock duo is on tour promoting the album, which is set for release on June 2. Emily Saliers and her have a daughter, about 15 months old. And Amy Ray and her partner also have a daughter, Ozie. We caught up with Amy Ray to talk about the album, politics and motherhood. Where does ‘One Lost Day” take your fans that your last album didn’t? I’m not sure. I guess it’s up to the person listening to it. It’s so hard, after this many years to answer that question. Well, the producer is new. Some of the players are new. We haven’t made a record in about four years. So you know, it’s a completely different landscape in that way. This record has a different kind of production than we normally have, and we went about it in a different way. There’s some stuff on it that’s really direct and kind of rock and electric and very live. It’s really broad ranged. It’s really musical, but it’s also very organic. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers release their newest album ‘One Lost Day’ on June 2 and will play a concert in Atlanta on June 26 at Chastain Park. (Publicity photo)

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Is there a particular track on the album that holds more significance to you? They’re all significant to me in one way or anCONTINUES ON PAGE 24 May 15, 2015 A&E 23

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 other. That wouldn’t be a question I couldn’t answer yet. You know when you’ve just finished a record, you need time to let it just walk around the world a little bit. Both you and Emily have had beautiful daughters since the last album. How has motherhood influenced your songwriting, if at all? It doesn’t necessarily influence the lyrical content at this point. But I think it influences the process. You have maybe shorter times to write, and you have to learn how to manage your time. Sort of hit it when you can. Sometimes you have to write really quietly, and that sort of affects things in some way. But a lot of the songs I had started even before Ozie was born, and I finished after she was born. I think it’s just your perspective. I think it gives you a little more clarity sometimes. Because you don’t have that much time to get things done, so you just do it. Spirituality and religion have been a large influence in both you and Emily’s

personal lives and in the career of Indigo Girls. Can you talk about your reaction and thoughts on the “religious freedom” bills that have been popping up all over the country, including Georgia? Yikes! (laughs) The intention of that bill in the 1990s, it’s so ironic because it grew out of this thing to protect Native American ceremonies in some cases and Muslim tradition in another case. Those are things that Emily and I would obviously be in strong support of. But it’s always ironic when a bill is turned around and used in a different way. You could put one piece of language in it and it would change the whole meaning of it. And I think that this is one of those things, were there’s all of these great progresses made for queers, like marriage equality, but the more conservative party starts reaching for ways to use laws and creatively use pieces of legislation to get on their side. I think that’s one of these cases. It’s like oh we can take RFRA, reword it a little bit, and it will be the thing that can protect businesses when they don’t want to serve gay people. It backfired in Indiana and in Georgia; the Governor decided it’s

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

Details Indigo Girls ‘One Lost Day’

comes out June 2 In concert: Friday, June 26 at 8 p.m. Chastain Park www.indigogirls.com chastain.parkamphitheatre.com not the right time for it. I don’t think people are not going to stop trying to bring up new ways to discriminate though. (laughs) Who are you listening to these days; any new artists? I just downloaded this new record by Yelawolf, a hip-hop artist that Emily turned me on to. I’m trying to think about what I’ve been listening to that’s new because what I’ve been listening to is older stuff, like older country music and things that influence good melody writing. I’ve been listening to The Distillers the other day. They’re a punk band that has been around a while. Also, a band called Against Me. They came out with a record last year that I thought was really good. The lead singer

is a transwoman, and she’s really cool. She transitioned as they were making the record. She’s a very powerful performer. We are upon a new election season. Are there any specific issues that you would like to hear more about this election season? I always would like to hear more about immigration because it’s so important to allow people to come here, become legal, work and make the country a stronger place. I really feel strongly about it. There’s so much nonpartisan support around it but it keeps getting held back. I would love for the minimum wage to increase on the federal level. I think there needs to be a living wage for people. I couldn’t imagine someone living on minimum wag with kids or even without children. How excited are you to play Chastain Park again? (Laughs) It depends on what people bring for their picnics. I’m really excited because we’re playing with a band that I adore. Shovels and Rope will be playing with us and they make great music and I’m a big fan.

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24 A&E May 15, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

ACTING OUT

By JIM FARMER

Death becomes her Gay playwright Charles Busch’s “Die, Mommie, Die” is one of his most celebrated, produced works. At the center of the comedy is former pop singer Angela Arden, who as the play opens is burying her beloved sister and attempting a good old-fashioned Hollywood comeback. All around her is chaos and eventually murder. Directed by Suehyla El-Attar, it’s onstage now courtesy of The Process Theatre and Onstage Atlanta. We caught up with the inimitable Arden (portrayed by actor and playwright Topher Payne) to talk about her career, her family, her new tennis pro, Tony Parker (Weston Manders), who—rumor has it—is working on more than her backhand, and Angela’s long-time maid Bootsie (played by DeWayne Morgan). We were sorry to hear about your late sister Barbara, Ms. Arden. How are you holding up? Arden: Barbara and I were very close. In the beginning of our career, we sang together and then she chose to leave the act and then pursue her dream of being my personal secretary. Her loss was deeply felt by all of us. We do hear you are on the comeback trail, however. Arden: I am indeed! I’m back by popular demand. I feel, returning as a mature actress, I am looking for roles befitting my range now, ones like Maria in “West Side Story” or perhaps “Peter Pan.” Tell us about your children. Arden: My children are always a blessing and a challenge. Like a big bottle of Scotch. My son Lance is attending a university and participating in the theater program. He has stage blood in his veins and is breaking new ground. He has just been cast in a version of “Oklahoma!” as Ado Annie. Daughter Edith is a bit more of a challenge. She has a very strong personality and large ears she inherited, both from her father. We’ve heard Lance might be—as the saying goes—light in the loafers. Arden: I am certain we all enjoy experiwww.thegeorgiavoice.com

Angela Arden (played by Topher Payne) finds comfort in the arms of tennis pro Tony Parker (Weston Manders) in The Process Theatre’s production of ‘Die Mommie Die!’ (Photo by Elisabeth Cooper)

Details

‘Die, Mommie, Die’ Onstage Atlanta Through May 23 www.onstageatlanta.com mentation from time to time but we all come to our senses. Are you and husband Sol pretty happy together? Arden: Sol is a brilliant filmmaker. As a husband he is—a brilliant filmmaker. We’ve heard you and Tony Parker are close? Arden: He’s a tennis instructor and personal errand boy and nothing more! No matter what you hear at the Beverly Hills country club. Hello, Bootsie! How long have you been working with Ms. Arden? Bootsie: 25 years. I do my job well and I try my best to be part of the family. We hear you and Sol have gotten close over the years.

Bootsie: Mr. S, that is what I call him, is the most sweetest man I have ever met in the world. He is so giving, so wonderful and gentle. Any hanky-panky? Bootsie: Pardon me, he is a married man! We hear there is some chaos going on in the house. Things are not going well. I think Angela may be having an affair. I don’t think it’s the first one. His name is Tony, the tennis instructor. He is a horrible, horrible man. He comes over and even tries to come on to me. Word on the street is that he’s endowed. Bootsie: You are going to embarrass me! I will say, he does seem to be well blessed down there. Word on the street is also that you’re a bit of a snoop. Bootsie: I am trying to look out for my family. I want everyone to take care, not have people go behind backs and do deceitful things. I do have a sneaky suspicion Ms. Arden may be up to something. Just the other day, I heard her say “which poison do you think would kill the quickest?” May 15, 2015 Columnists 25

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N AT L A

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

An LGBT family affair

REVIE W Who loves a party? You do, that’s who! You love the invitations, the decorations, and the balloons. You love the cake and ice cream, and the games are fun. If there’s a magician or a clown, that’s even better. But what if the party wasn’t quite right? What if the guest list made you upset? In the new book “Stella Brings the Family” by Miriam B. Schiffer, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown, a little girl learns how to make things all better. One day at school, Stella’s teacher said she had something special for the class. They were going to have a Mother’s Day celebration and everybody could invite their Mommies as special guests. That was fine for Jonathan and Leon and Carmen. Howie had two mothers, and he was sure they’d both come. It was fine for all the other kids, but it really worried Stella because she had two dads. That meant she’d be the only one at the party who didn’t have a mother. All week long, Stella fretted. She worried. She couldn’t stop thinking about it. Even her friends noticed she was sad but when Stella explained her situation, they didn’t quite understand. Leon wondered who made Stella’s lunch. Howie wanted to know who read bedtime stories in Stella’s house. Carmen asked who kissed Stella’s boo-boos. But lunch and bedtime and boo-boos weren’t “the problem.” Finally, Jonathan made a suggestion: Why didn’t Stella bring her whole family? She should bring all the people who made her lunches and gave her hugs and kisses. Stella’s Daddy liked that idea. Her Papa did, too, but Stella “wasn’t so sure.” A few days later, when it came time for the class to get ready for the party, Stella worked very hard. The decorations went up, the invitations were made, and Party Day arrived! So did Howie’s two mothers and Jonathan’s grandma – plus a whole family of people who belonged to Stella! And that was okay. It was more than okay, in fact, and they had the best Mother’s Day party ever. But Father’s Day was coming up soon. What would Stella do next? Some sticky social situations, sadly, have no lower age limit. Still, there’s always a so-

Details ‘Stella Brings the Family’

By Miriam B. Schiffer, Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown Chronicle Kids, 2015 $16.99 36 pages

Schiffer gives her main characters a nice fix for what could be an upsetting day – and then she takes things a little bit further in a sweet, casually-told story with illustrations by Holly Clifton-Brown that are the perfect accompaniment. lution, as your child will see inside “Stella Brings the Family.” Head-on, and with no fuss, author Miriam B. Schiffer deals with an issue that’s actually been around for a long time: what happens when a celebration occurs and a child is absent the “right” parent to laud? In this case, Schiffer gives her main characters a nice fix for what could be an upsetting day – and then she takes things a little bit further in a sweet, casuallytold story with illustrations by Holly CliftonBrown that are the perfect accompaniment. The audience here, I think, is right around the 4-to-7 age group, and preschool classes will want this book on their shelves. For sure, if your family has two mommies or two daddies, “Stella Brings the Family” is something your child will invite you to read again and again.

26 A&E May 15, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

EATING MY WORDS By CLIFF BOSTOCK

Winner, winner, chicken dinner It’s official. As of two years ago, Americans are eating far more poultry than red meat. The shift began about 10 years ago when scientists linked beef consumption to heart disease and cancer. Now, its prices have skyrocketed, making red meat, including pork, an unhealthy luxury. First up is Spice to Table (659 Auburn Ave. in the Studioplex, 404-220-8945, www.spicetotable.com). This café has joined my list of favorites in the last year. It’s the work of Asha Gomez, whose brilliant Indian restaurant, Cardamom Hill, closed last year. Cardamom Hill’s most significant problem was the unwillingness of most Atlantans to pay fine-dining prices for ethnic food—even when it’s as esoteric and complex as recipes from Kerala, a province in southwestern India that was settled by the Portuguese. I recently dined on a chicken dish that I can’t stop thinking about. It’s a leg and thigh roasted in a banana leaf. Open the leaf and get a whiff of ginger, then a taste of mild chili peppers and a pomegranate-molasses glaze. It’s served over sticky rice cooked in coconut milk. While the portion looks small, by the time you finish the addictive rice, you’ll feel completely full. Gomez calls Spice to Table a patisserie, since much of what it sells incorporates Indian staples like flatbread and samosas. Desserts are also phenomenal. Like most of the dishes here, they incorporate unexpected ingredients, creating completely novel tastes. Take the wildly popular carrot cake. It blooms with ginger, cardamom, and black peppercorns. The first taste may be off-putting in its oddity, but successive bites turn into magic. The café is open only 11 a.m.–3 p.m. weekdays. I suggest you go early, because dishes like the fried chicken sell out rapidly. The food at noon is also fresh compared to later in the afternoon. Next up is the wonderfully peculiar Oddbird (1100 Howell Mill Rd., 404-872-3973, www.oddbirdatl.com). If the address sounds familiar, it’s because Oddbird operates only 5:30–9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday inside the West Egg Café. It’s kind of a pop-up operation. You do not want to miss this all-chicken experience. I’ve only been there once, with a group of friends, but since then I’ve been craving its www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Spice to Table on Auburn Avenue serves a delicious chicken leg and thigh roasted in a banana leaf. (Photo by Cliff Bostock)

food nearly as much as Spice to Table’s. The menu is divided into fried chicken biscuits, fried chicken sandwiches and fried chicken and waffles. There are sides like hushpuppies with honey butter, collards, coleslaw, white chicken-sausage gravy, and three-bean salad. Desserts include pies filled with lemon meringue, pecan, or chocolate pudding. In other words, this is classic, belly-filling, arteryblocking soul food with a few twists. I ordered a waffle topped with a fried chicken breast. The waffle had that crisp, meltin-your-mouth texture. You top it with syrup infused with rosemary. Sounds weird, but it really works with the chicken. Now the warning: three waffle dishes are offered—one daily special, one mildly spiced version, and a hot one. Actually you can get the hot in two levels— mouth-blistering or skull-shattering. Seriously, I love spicy-hot food, but even the milder variety was a challenge for me. A friend at the table ended up scraping the skin off his chicken, which did indeed render it less scorching. There are plenty more chicken-centric menus in town these days. Feel free to recommend your own favorites! Cliff Bostock, Ph.D., is a longtime Atlanta food critic and former psychotherapist who now specializes in life coaching for creative people and those in life transition. cliffbostock@gmail.com

Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

May 15, 2015 Columnists 27

T ES

LGBT

Our Guide to the Best LGBT Events in Atlanta for May 14-22

BETS

A T N TLA

EVENT

SATURDAY, MAY 16

DJ Cazwell brings high energy to the Wacked Out Black Out party at Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com (Publicity photo)

THURSDAY, MAY 14

Bette Midler brings her Divine Intervention tour—and plenty of sass—to Philips Arena, her first tour in a decade. The evening will feature plenty of Midler’s hits and new material from her new album, “It’s The Girls!” a tribute to girl groups through the ages, 8 p.m., www.philipsarena.com

FRIDAY, MAY 15 – MAY 17

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

MAYhem is an explosive program that presents the future directions of dance propelled by the talents and artistic vision of Atlanta Ballet. Performances are at 8 p.m. on May 15 and 16; and 2 p.m. on May 16 and 17, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, www.cobbenergycentre.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21

FRIDAY, MAY 15

Akhaji Zakiya, author of “Inside Her,” is the featured performer at this month’s open mic presented by Charis Books and Cliterati, 7:309 p.m., with a suggested donation of $5, www.charisbooksandmore.com

28 Best Bets May 15, 2015

For more than 12 years, Andy Ditzler has regularly presented Film Love, an ongoing curatorial project dedicated to cinematic works from all eras of motion picture history, particularly those works which are rarely seen and are not easily available on video. This unique event combines a screening

of films with a close look at the Film Love series and its history, as well as the process of curating cinema. Tonight Film Love and Atlanta Contemporary Art Center present: Curation and Cinema, 7 p.m., www.thecontemporary.org

Works, www.facebook.com/tinydoorsatl

Edie Cheezburger presents “The Other Show,” the most unique drag show in Atlanta. Admission is $5, Jungle Atlanta, 10 p.m., www.jungleatl.com

The Miss HSL is a benefit for Hotlanta Softball, hosted by Chad Prosser, with beats by DJ Marc J. Cubs. $10 entry, all tips benefitting AID Atlanta and Lost-nFound Youth, 6 p.m, Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com

SATURDAY, MAY 16SUNDAY, MAY 17

Action Cycling Atlanta presents the annual AIDS Vaccine 200 (AV200), a two-day cycling event to raise funds for Atlanta AIDS service organizations, www.av200.org

SATURDAY, MAY 16

Tiny Doors ATL and Urban Photo Walkers are teaming up to walk to each of the four Tiny Doors located in the city. All photographers are welcome, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., meet at Inman Park Pet

The Atlanta Bucks rugby team dons appropriate attire for the Purple Dress Run, 1 p.m., Mixx Atlanta, www.mixxatlanta.com

Lost-n-Found Youth’s Casino Party fundraiser provides guilt-free gaming and prizes and auctions, live performances, and free drinks and a buffet of culinary delights. A $10 donation grants access to food catered by more than five Atlanta restaurants; free drinks; live music by Atlanta’s Next Legend winner Norwood, a performances by a daredevil fire breather, and a DJ playing music to boost your mood. From 7 – 10 p.m., Lost-n-Found Youth, www.facebook.com/LostNFoundYouth

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LGBT EVENT Submit your LGBT event for inclusion in our online and print calendars by emailing event info to editor@thegavoice.com their own gender, and aspiring allies. This event is co-sponsored by Charis Circle’s Strong Families, Whole Children Program. There is no suggested donation. 7 – 8:30 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

TUESDAY, MAY 19

Get ready for your Tina Turner moment – Angelica D’Paige hosts Drageoke, 10:30 p.m., Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 SATURDAY, MAY 16

HBO premieres the long-awaited film ‘Bessie,’ directed by lesbian Dee Rees and starring Queen Latifah as bisexual legendary blues singer Bessie Smith, at 8 p.m., www.hbo.com (Photo Frank Masi/HBO) Freddie Ashley, artistic director of Actor’s Express, returns to the stage to star in “The Whale,” about an overweight, dying gay man trying to reconcile with his daughter, 8 p.m., with a run through June 14, Actor’s Express, www.actorsexpress.com

Join GLAAD Atlanta at Henry’s Midtown for the Annual Spring Patio Party. A $10 donation gets you a free beverage from Ketel One Vodka. Entertainment from DJ Tora Torres. All proceeds from event will benefit GLAAD Atlanta’s work, 3 – 7 p.m., www.henrysatl.com

Los Angeles DJ Paulo spins at the Heretic and makes the crowd dance to celebrate the birthday of Heretic General Manager Alan Collins, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., www.hereticatlanta.com

The May Atlanta Radical Faerie and Queer Geek Picnic/Potluck is today at Connally Nature Park, 3 - 7 p.m., 2277 Mulberry Street, East Point, GA 30344

SUNDAY, MAY 17

Wake up and make joyful noise with the Sisters of Sequin at Gospel Brunch with performers Bubba D. Licious and Justice Counce, 12:30 p.m. followed by a 1:30 p.m. show, Lips Atlanta, www.lipsatl.com The Young Democrats of Georgia— Stonewall Caucus and the Democratic Party of Georgia LGBT Caucus will hold an afternoon of activism and community in honor of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, 1 p.m. in Piedmont Park, www.facebook.com/YDGStonewall Thinking of starting a family or adding a new member? The Maybe Baby workshop is designed to help people thinking about starting or growing their family, from 2 – 4 p.m., Feminist Women’s Health Center, 1530 DeKalb Ave. NE, Suite A., Atlanta, GA 30307. Registration is free but space is limited so sign up at: action.familyequality.org/site/ Calendar?id=103742&view=Detail

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

The Health Initiative’s annual Garden Party returns with food, drinks, dancing, and the presentation of the Healing Angel Awards to Paul Plate, retiring executive director of Positive Impact, and the Equality Clinic of Augusta, 4 – 7 p.m., Phillip Rush Center, thehealthinitiative.org/spotlight/garden-party Oscars hosts Sunday Funday Beer Bust for the Hotlanta Softball League, 4 – 8 p.m., www.oscarsatlanta.com Regina Simms emcees the New Faces event with singers, dancers, musicians, drag kings and queens and more, 9 p.m., Friends on Ponce, www.friendsonponce-atl.com

BJ Roosters’ new Amateur Night is every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. with a $100 cash prize, 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324 Ruby Redd’s Birdcage Bingo starts at 8:30 p.m., with $3 well drinks all night, The Hideaway, www.atlantahideaway.com Voyeur Wednesdays with Blake’s hot go-go guys starts at 10 p.m., www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21

My Sister’s Room hosts Traxx Girls and Blue Diamond Ent. Ladies Lounge 2.0 with a dance party and shows until 3 a.m., www.mysistersroom.com Registration for the 30th annual Big Peach Softball Tournament is from 5-10 p.m. on the 27th floor of the W Hotel and includes a 80s party featuring Ruby Redd and DJ Neon the Glowgobear, www.facebook.com/hslbigpeach Topher Payne and DeWayne Morgan star in Charles Busch’s “Die! Mommie! Die!” at Onstage Atlanta, showtime at 8 p.m. and running through Saturday, May 23, www.onstageatlanta.com Join B.I.G. Productions for the third annual Bear Invasion Memorial Weekend Kickoff. DJ Sean Mac spins. Doors open at 9 p.m. and there’s no cover before 10 p.m. (and with Big Peach Softball credentials) and a $10 one after, Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce holds its Business Builder Luncheon on the third Thursday of each month at 11:45 a.m. with a $20 cash preset menu, Henry’s Midtown, www.henrysatl.com Come and find out more about the Georgia LGBTQ Archives Project and connect with professionals at MAAP’s Third Thursday Networking at Mixx Atlanta, 6 – 8:30 p.m., www.mixxatlanta.com The 30th annual Atlanta Big Peach Softball Tournament weekend kicks off at F.R.O.G.S. today with a $10 beer bust and DJ, 6-8 p.m., www.facebook.com/hslbigpeach

Monday Mingle at Blake’s is an opportunity to network, with a free buffet and prizes, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Write Club Atlanta and Listen Up Audiobooks celebrate the release of the new audiobook “Funny Story: The Incomplete Works of Topher Payne” by award-winning playwright and author Topher Payne. A cast of Atlanta actors, including Payne, will entertain with live readings from the book, from 9-10:30 p.m., at Highland Ballroom, admission is $5, www.facebook.com/ListenUpAudiobooks

Trans and Friends: a Project of the Feminist Outlawz is a youth focused group for trans people, people questioning

Phoenix spearheads Dance Floor Divas starting at 11:30 p.m. at Burkharts, www.burkharts.com

MONDAY, MAY 18

FRIDAY, MAY 22

EVENT SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY, MAY 17

Bless Yer Heart: An All Day ParTEA is a fundraiser for the upcoming Southern Fried Queer Pride fest. Hosted by Koochie Koochie Ku and beats by King Atlas. Pre-sale tickets are $10, but no one will be turned away, 3 p.m. to midnight, My Sister’s Room, www.facebook. com/sfqpride

May 15, 2015 Best Bets 29

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID By MELISSA CARTER

Gay back then They don’t understand how it was to be gay back then. That was a comment recently made to me by an older gay man. We were discussing the gay pool party, hosted by Impulse Group South Florida, where people over 40 were asked to pay while the younger men got in for free. Seeing the fee as a deterrent to having older men “gawking” at the younger men, my friend defended his generation by pointing out the naiveté of younger ones. I certainly don’t think you should treat your patrons differently at any public event, but I caution my friend and any other critic of youth to hold their tongues. We are here to help each other, not compete for Best Victim. I was asked to speak at Mill Creek High School’s Gay Student Association, and was honored to go. I must admit, however, that I thought the number of people that would show up for the talk would be small. When I arrived to find over 60 students in the room, I was quite surprised. Plus, not everyone in the audience was part of the LGBT community; there were also straight students there to show support. I realized my expectations were based on my own small town high school experiences, and I’ve been out of high school a long time. I was brought in to help these kids see that, as a gay adult, they could be happy. It seems that despite our generation gap the insecurities that come with being a young gay kid remain, and I needed to broaden their perspective. So I opened my talk by asking if anyone was a fan of history. Most of them raised their hands, and I explained that I thought history was the most important subject in school. Despite the grind of having to learn dates, history is the only way we get a sense of how far we’ve come as a society. We fail to realize that we are caught in the vacuum of our own experience, and can easily lose sight of our privileges. Only by looking over our shoulders at who came before us can we truly get a sense of how far ahead on our paths we are. I told the class that they were my heroes, and that it shouldn’t be the other way

“Many people forget that to fight for the rights of others is a selfless act, meaning you make the sacrifice of your time and energy—and even your life—so that others may live better.” around. I explained that at their age I was in the closet. There was no gay student union or straight friends proud to stand beside their gay brothers and sisters. Rumors about me at my school forced kids I had grown up with to refuse to give me rides to school and to pick up their trays from the lunch table to keep clear of my lesbian leftovers. I started dating guys to quell that rejection, and lied to maintain my reputation. These kids are much better people than I was at their age. I then held up a picture of my son. I asked them to imagine what the world will be like when he is in high school. How will his world benefit from their efforts on that day, at that meeting? We are constantly moving forward, I explained to them, and they are an important part of that process. Once I saw them brighten at the thought of being important, I reminded them they were perfect just the way they are. Some had never heard those words before, and they teared up at the sound of them. Many people forget that to fight for the rights of others is a selfless act, meaning you make the sacrifice of your time and energy— and even your life—so that others may live better. That often means someone else gets the benefit of your work. If that makes you bitter, pick up that history book. You’ll soon be glad you don’t understand how it was to be gay back then.

30 Columnists May 15, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

OBITUARY

Charles Stevens riding at the front of the 2014 Atlanta Pride parade with members of the Georgia chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights. (Photo courtesy AVER)

War vet, gay activist Charles Stevens dies at 88 Charles Stevens, 88, of Decatur, a beloved Georgia gay activist and military veteran, died May 4 peacefully in his sleep. A memorial service was set for Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center. Stevens was a United States Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict. He was a life member of the Georgia Chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) and also a longtime member of Atlanta Prime Timers, an organization for older gay and bisexual men and their loved ones. Stevens was also well-known for riding in a jeep with other members of AVER at the front of the Atlanta Pride parade as part of the color guard. Many friends posted to social media and to Stevens’ Facebook page to express their love and admiration, including Danny Ingram, past national president and past Georgia president of AVER. “I have never met a more honorable, generous, or dedicated individual,” Ingram wrote. Stevens is also being praised for his dedication to community activism, which included the fight to overturn the ban on gay people serving in the military. Georgia Voice spoke to Stevens several times over the years. In 2011, for a story about Atlanta’s aging LGBT population, Stevens spoke about growing old and staying active in the community. From that story: [Stevens] pulls out a yellow Post-It note from his worn brown leather wallet to show a handwritten list of all the organizations www.thegeorgiavoice.com

he’s involved with: American Veterans for Equal Rights, Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund, Atlanta History Center, Atlanta Botanical Gardens (he volunteers on weekends), Atlanta Prime Timers (for older gay men), and he’s on the board of his condo association as well. “I can’t remember them all,” he said with a smile. Stevens moved to Atlanta in 1958 while working for the fabric manufacturer Scalamandré, a high-end fabric and textile company based in New York. “It was a gay-friendly industry so it was easy to be gay,” he said. “I didn’t come out until I was 25, but by the time I was 13 or 14 I knew there was something different.” With Prime Timers, Stevens created a buddy system so everyone has a buddy to check in on every day, whether through the internet or by phone. “There was one time when a member was hurt for several days in his home before someone inquired about him and he was checked on,” Stevens said. He worries for other older LGBT people, especially those without much money. “I’m concerned housing is too costly for many on a limited income. I live alone in a condo complex where there are 246 units and there are 30 gay people living there, I’m guessing,” he said. “Most of us live alone.” Stevens is happy to grow old as an openly gay man. “I wouldn’t want to be younger again,” he said.

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