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Know the when, where, and how. Then vote. Voting is your most important right. It gives you the power to decide what our future looks like. But you have to be in the know to vote. Election laws and voting places can change. Thatʼs why AARP Georgia has collected all the most up-todate election information to make sure that the voices of voters 50-plus are heard on May 24. Make sure you know how to register to vote, where to vote in person, what the rules are for absentee or early voting, and all the key voting deadlines. Get the latest voting information for Georgia at aarp.org/GAvotes
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georgia VOLUME 13• ISSUE 5 About the cover:
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ABORTION, MORALITY, AND MANIPULATION Katie Burkholder
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4 EDITORIAL MAY 20, 2022
EDITORIAL
As an abortion-rights advocate, what can I say about abortion that hasn’t already been said? “Pro-life” attempts to ban abortion are actually ploys for control over women’s (and all pregnant people’s) bodies, they’re representative of the Christian disinterest in separation of church and state, yadda yadda yadda. The most apt “gotcha” abortion-rights folks like to employ is the argument that if people were truly “pro-life,” they would advocate for paid parental leave, welfare, and other social programs benefiting children and their parents. While this is true, it’s also the whole point. The point of banning abortion, to those who actually have the power to do so, is nothing more than to keep poor people poor. Abortion is a morally nuanced topic. If you are someone who truly believes in your heart of hearts that all children are gifts from God, that life begins at conception and is intentional, part of God’s plan, then it makes perfect sense to be morally opposed to abortion. I deal blackjack with an event company as a side gig, and I recently worked a fundraiser for an anti-abortion pregnancy clinic. And although I obviously did not get a glimpse at the vulnerable women who may have felt manipulated or taken advantage of by this organization, it was clear the organization valued giving mothers financial and emotional support, something I think is a net good. Even “Jane Roe” herself, Norma McCorvey, became anti-abortion after the Roe v. Wade decision. As someone who favors abortion rights, I believe in the choice to be anti-abortion. If all people were forced to abort, I would be just as opposed to that as I am forced birth.
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / JIM_BROWN_PHOTOGRAPHY
The problem is that people in power are abusing morally coded language in the pursuit of empowering themselves. Obviously, having babies costs money, so it stands to reason that financial inability has an influence on abortion. According to a 2005 study published in “Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health,” 73 percent of women undergoing an abortion — and 81 percent of women living below the federal poverty line — said not being able to afford a baby now was a reason for the abortion. Having money and affluence puts one above the law in a way poor people aren’t — meaning, wealthy people will still be able to access abortions, or at least won’t have to heed the consequences that poor people will. Banning abortions directly and explicitly impacts the poor. There is a reason why so-called “pro-life” Republicans advocate against social safety nets. Banning abortion is just a way to cloak their interest in sustaining the economic subjugation of the poor in a message of Christian “morality.” This is not a fallacy of logic, something they are overlooking or had
not considered. It is intentional. It’s the same with anti-LGBTQ legislation. Republican legislators are simply vying for votes by creating a scapegoat of the LGBTQ community so they can get reelected by their homophobic supporters and maintain their political power and masking it as some “moral obligation” to the children they consistently legislate against. The solution to the abortion debate is a simple one. You can believe what you want and do what you want with your own personal life, but the government should not be involved. Christian ideals of morality are not, nor should they be, the law of the land. And if you are an anti-abortion Christian, I respect and understand that. But I implore you not to allow people who have power and control over you to take advantage of that, to virtue signal and manipulate you for their own benefit. Instead, heed the words of Proverbs 14:31: “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
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NEWS BRIEFS Staff reports Read these stories and more online at thegavoice.com
Brian Kemp Signs Bill Modernizing HIV Criminalization Laws Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 164 into law, modernizing the state’s HIV laws. The bill, which was introduced by Sen. Chuck Hufsteler and received nearly unanimous support in both the Senate (502) and House (124-40), requires prosecutors to prove that a person living with HIV had “intent to transmit” and posed a “significant risk based on scientifically supported levels of risk transmission.” The bill also eliminates legal penalties for people living with HIV who share needs, engage in sex work, donate blood, or use bodily fluids on police and correction officers. Georgia follows in the trend towards modernizing HIV criminalization laws behind at least nine other states, including California, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, and Virginia. “With the passing of SB 164, Georgia residents living with HIV can rest a little easier and awareness can continue to expand on HIV as survivable, treatable and ultimately untransmittable,” Serena Sonoma, GLAAD’s Regional Media Lead for the U.S. South, said in a press release. “Most laws criminalizing people living with HIV do not reflect the incredible scientific advancements in treating HIV that makes the virus undetectable and therefore untransmittable, U=U. Reforming outdated laws is a key step in eliminating the misinformation and stigma that drives new infections. With an estimated 1.2 million Americans living with HIV who are often not seen, represented, or discussed, we must ensure every state in this nation has equal laws to end the decriminalization of HIV, fight discrimination against marginalized communities that restricts access to lifesaving medical care and treatment, and work together to end the HIV epidemic.” The Counter Narrative Project (CNP), an Atlanta organization dedicated to shifting the narrative around Black gay men, responded to the bill’s passage, recognizing the cause for celebration but acknowledging the work that remains to be done.
6 NEWS MAY 20, 2022
Biden announces Karine Jean-Pierre as White House Press Secretary. “This is a very heavy moment,” said CNP’s Executive Director Charles Stephens. “There is certainly much to celebrate, certainly. And I am happy that the work that so many of us have been engaged in over the years, has led to the passage of this historic legislation. But I also recognize that the fight for justice is not even close to being over. There is joy, but also extraordinary rage. That being said, I remain more than anything, truly grateful to be a part of the amazing movement of HIV advocates and organizers in Georgia who worked so very hard for this.” Approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV. According to the CDC, the South experiences the greatest rates of HIV and lags behind other regions in providing quality HIV prevention services and care.
Biden Announces Karine Jean-Pierre as White House Press Secretary The White House announced Thursday that Karine Jean-Pierre has been promoted to be Assistant to the President and White House Press Secretary. Jean-Pierre will replace current Press Secretary Jen Psaki, who will depart from the White House on May 13. “I am proud to announce that Karine JeanPierre will serve as the next White House Press Secretary, President Biden said in the statement. “Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / LEV RADIN
this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people. Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration. “Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room. I want to say thank you to Jen for raising the bar, communicating directly and truthfully to the American people, and keeping her sense of humor while doing so. I thank Jen her service to the country, and wish her the very best as she moves forward.” Jean-Pierre was named to her first role in the Biden Administration as Deputy White House press secretary under Psaki in November of 2020. Although Jean-Pierre is not the first Black woman to hold the position as Deputy White House press secretary — that honor belonging to former President George H.W. Bush’s Deputy White House Press Secretary, Judy A. Smith in 1991 — and not the first openly gay person to brief the press — Eric Schultz served as Deputy White House Press Secretary during the Obama Administration in 2014 — Jean-Pierre’s place in history is cemented as a result of her being the first Black lesbian Deputy Press Secretary.
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LOCAL NEWS
PHOTO BY SPEXELS.COM
Get Ready to Vote: An Overview of the May 24 Primaries Katie Burkholder May 24’s primary election will set the tone for the Governor’s race in November — a race that has already begun to garner national attention. Stacey Abrams is the only candidate on the ballot for the Democratic nomination, but incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp has significant competition for the Republican nomination. His most notable opponent is former Sen. David Perdue, who has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. While Trump has explicitly spoken out against Gov. Kemp after he lost the Presidential election in Georgia, calling him a “complete and total disaster,” Kemp has received an endorsement from former Vice President Mike Pence. Other Republicans vying for Governor include Catherine Davis, Kandiss Taylor, and Tom Williams. Because he was elected in a special election to fill out the term of the late Sen. Johnny Isakson, Raphael Warnock will be on the Democratic ballot against Tamara JohnsonShealey for the nomination for U.S. Senate. Those running for the Republican nomination are Gary Black, Josh Clark, Kelvin King, Jonathan McColumn, Latham Saddler, and Herschel Junior Walker.
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The primaries will also determine the nominees for Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Insurance, State School Superintendent, Commissioner of Labor, and several local positions. Judicial positions will be on the ballot in some counties, as well. “Recent developments from SCOTUS show how important it is to have judges at every level of government that understand the lives of LGBTQ people — that’s one reason why we endorse in judicial races in addition to partisan and local ones,” Jeff Graham, the executive director of Georgia Equality, said in a press release. “It is imperative that LGBTQ Georgians and our allies support and elect officials who are guided by a fundamental belief in equality.” Ahead of the primaries, Georgia Equality endorsed several candidates, including LGBTQ candidates Angela Duncan for Gwinnett County Superior Court; Renitta Shannon for Lieutenant Governor; Matthew Wilson for Insurance Commissioner; Park Cannon, Josh Noblitt, Karla Drenner, Imani Barnes and Bentley Hudgins for the State House of Representatives; Allen Jones for AthensClarke County Commissioner District 7; and Gwinnett County Commissioner District 2: Ben Ku for Gwinnett County
Commissioner District 2. Georgia Equality’s other endorsements are as follows: Cobb County Superior Court Judge: Judge Sonja N. Brown Gwinnett State Court Judge: Erica Dove Senate District 2: Derek Mallow Athens County Commissioner District 5: Matt Pulver DeKalb County Commissioner District 3: Larry Johnson Fulton County Commissioner District 5: Marvin Arrington, Jr. Georgia Supreme Court: Justice Verda Colvin Fulton County Superior Court: Judge Paige Whitaker Fulton County Superior Court: Judge Shalanda Miller Gwinnett County Superior Court: Judge Tracie Cason Governor: Stacey Abrams Secretary of State: Bee Nguyen Attorney General: Jen Jordan Labor Commissioner: William Boddie (D), Kartik Bhatt (R) State School Superintendent: Alisha Searcy Senate District 6: Jason Esteves Senate District 7: Beth Moore Senate District 33: Michael Rhett Senate District 36: Nan Orrock Senate District 37: Titus Nichols Senate District 38: Horacena Tate
Senate District 55: Gloria Butler House District 40: Doug Stoner House District 43: Solomon Adesanya House District 50: Michelle Au House District 51: Ester Panitch House District 74: William Harris House District 97: Ruwa Romman House District 163: Anne Westbrook Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Chairman: Robb Pitts Fulton County Commissioner District 1: Maggie Goldman Dekalb County Board of Education District 2: Candice McKinley Fulton County Board of Education District 6: LaTonya Rogers Fulton County Board of Education District 7: Dr. Michelle Morancie An LGBTQ issue has also found its way onto the Republican ballot. One of the Republican Party advisory questions regards trans inclusion in school sports, but includes transphobic language. Instead of being asked if transgender students should be included on gender-affirming sports teams, Republican voters will be asked if Georgia schools should “allow biological males to compete in female sports.” Election Day is on May 24, but early voting is going on now. You can find polling locations and hours, as well as sample ballots, online at My Voter Page.
MAY 20, 2022 NEWS 7
COMMUNITY
Mental Health Awareness Month and the Negative Impacts of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation “There are some kids with two moms or two dads, so even mentioning your daily normal life becomes a target for these kinds of bills. Yes, it impacts LGBTQ youth specifically, but it also impacts people who are children of LGBTQ couples. Also, a lot of the assumption is that heterosexual and cisgender people don’t have sexual orientation or gender identity; they do.” — Dr. Maurice Gattis, Ph.D.
Katie Burkholder May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, and you can’t discuss mental health without discussing the LGBTQ community. That’s because mental health is an LGBTQ issue. The LGBTQ community faces disproportionate risk of negative mental health outcomes like depression, anxiety, and suicide. These risks are especially pertinent among LGBTQ children. According to a 2022 survey from The Trevor Project, 45 percent of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, 73 percent of LGBTQ youth experienced symptoms of anxiety, and 58 percent experienced symptoms of depression. LGBTQ acceptance from peers and loved ones has been proven to reduce this risk, but with new anti-LGBTQ bills being introduced in legislatures across the country, this acceptance may be more difficult for LGBTQ children to find. Dr. Maurice Gattis, Ph.D., is an associate professional in the School of Social Work and senior advisor to the Queer Research and Advocacy Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. He spoke to Georgia Voice about the potential negative impacts anti-LGBTQ bills like Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill will have on the mental health of the LGBTQ community. So, why is the LGBTQ community at higher risk for negative mental health? It’s not biology or genetics; the minority stress theory suggests that, because we live in a heteropatriarchal society that automatically gives precedence to straight, cisgender identities, being LGBTQ creates unique societal stressors that can have negative psychological outcomes like depression or anxiety. One of the stressors, says Dr. Gattis, is concealment, or the necessity of concealing one’s sexual orientation or gender identity for safety or social acceptance. Because we live in a society where gender is assigned
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Dr. Maurice Gattis, Ph.D.
Eighty-three percent of transgender and nonbinary youth surveyed by The Trevor Project said that they have worried about transgender people being denied the ability to play sports due to state or local laws. PHOTO VIA VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
and straightness is presumed unless proven otherwise, this is a stressor unique to the LGBTQ community.
The Trevor Project, LGBTQ youth who found their school to be LGBTQ-affirming reported lower rates of attempting suicide.
While the culture we live in is more LGBTQ accepting than ever before, with more and more LGBTQ stories and role models existing openly in the mainstream culture, antiLGBTQ bills like the Don’t Say Gay bill, which prohibits discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida’s public schools from kindergarten through third grade, encourages teachers and other authority figures to conceal their identities. While most children are not yet aware of their sexuality at such a young age, LGBTQ or otherwise, this translates into a lack of visible LGBTQ acceptance that could foster a foundation of positive self-image for queer kids — as well as a more LGBTQ accepting generation overall — down the line.
“We know that the presence of a caring adult and acceptance matters,” said Dr. Gattis. “In many cases, that caring adult could’ve been a teacher, could’ve been a principal, it could’ve been a school counselor. The presence of a positive influence could prevent some of these negative outcomes. So now these kinds of bills are taking away those potentially lifesaving influences.”
The unfortunate truth is that many LGBTQ kids grow up in homes without supportive adults, which is why LGBTQ support in school can be so important. According to
This concept of affirmation is particularly important to transgender youth, which is why anti-trans sports bills preventing transgender kids from participating in gender-affirming sports teams are dangerous as well. When trans identities are not affirmed, when they are treated as “biological males or females,” they are given the impossible choice between misgendering themselves or being excluded from the activities and community their cisgender peers are able to engage with.
The repercussions of these bills extend beyond LGBTQ youth, according to Dr. Gattis. “There are some kids with two moms or two dads, so even mentioning your daily normal life becomes a target for these kinds of bills,” he said. “Yes, it impacts LGBTQ youth specifically, but it also impacts people who are children of LGBTQ couples. Also, a lot of the assumption is that heterosexual and cisgender people don’t have sexual orientation or gender identity; they do.” Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill was signed into law last month. Earlier this month, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed HB 1084 into law, which creates an athletics committee with the authority to ban trans youth from playing on gender-affirming sports teams. A bill similar to Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill was introduced in the Georgia Senate earlier this year, but it was not passed. However, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia’s 14th District has indicated that she is working on a federal Don’t Say Gay bill.
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SPORTS
Catching Up with All Stripes, the Queer Supporter Group for Atlanta United Divine Ikpe All Stripes was created to “support Atlanta United FC and eliminate discrimination by engaging members of the LGBTQ+ community to create an inclusive atmosphere in the soccer culture,” according to their mission statement. They’re one of six official supporter groups for the team, all of which have a different niche. I spoke to All Stripes President Matthew Mitchell to find out more about what the group is doing to amplify LGBTQ inclusivity in the world of major league soccer. Answers have been edited for clarity. Read the full interview online at thegavoice.com. What does All Stripes do and what does membership money go toward? At the start of the pandemic, a lot of our extracurriculars were down, but we did do a couple of web series educating people about the Black Lives Matter movement and other areas that, even in the queer community, some people struggle with. More recently, we’ve been planning more in-person events such as drag shows, partnering with the organization “Soccer in the Streets” to play a tournament and raise money for them, creating a queer presence at Atlanta United events that would normally not be queer spaces, and marching in various parades. The donations help to run the organization, and we give back a lot to the community as well. Each year we donate money to different partners. For example, this year one of our partners is “Soccer in the Streets.” Aside from that, we don’t get a lot of money donations, usually we get donated spaces to host drag shows and watch parties for away games. Georgia Beer Garden is one of those places for us, which happens to be queer-owned.
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All Stripes, an official supporter group for United FC Some other sponsors include Urban Tree Cidery and Atlanta Brewing Company. I saw that the organization has a membership now! What are some perks of the membership? Memberships have a one-time annual fee of $25 for adults, $10 for kids. It gives you an “official part” of the organization. You’ll in turn receive newsletters, a $5 discount on tailgate tickets (which occur at every home game except for Wednesday ones), a membership scarf (which has a different design each year and is a collector’s item), and access to tickets in the supporters’ section of the stadium to specifically sit with other All Stripes members. The tailgates act as an inclusive space where people can congregate before the show to feel comfortable to be themselves and to feel safe in what can be a very masculine space. We don’t make any money off of the tickets we sell to our members; we sell them at face value in order to, again, provide that safe space for our community. Having that bloc in the stadium is so impactful even to nonmembers; at a recent game, a mom whose child had just
PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK / RYAN KEESEE
come out as trans came up to us and told us how much it meant to her child to see that representation at a place that they expected to see it. Every halftime we do a queer meetup behind the Terrapin bar and take a huge picture with all of us together so that even if you’re not able to make it to the tailgate and even if we can’t all sit together, we’re still able to interact with each other and take up space. How has Atlanta United affirmed its LGBTQ support? They have always been cordial, but they have more recently truly embraced us. There was never pushback, but over the last two to three years, there has definitely been a lot of engagement with us. On their end, it wasn’t the fact that we were queer, it was the fact that we were a new group and they needed to see if we were able to function as an organization. If you’ve noticed, in the past, they did not have a Pride night … they had a “Unity” night. That has now been changed. They’ve really been trying to work with us, I’ll give you a little example. They wanted to schedule the Pride match in October to
celebrate Atlanta Pride and the only home game in October is the same Sunday as the Atlanta Pride Parade and they didn’t catch that when they scheduled it. The moment I brought it up to them, they immediately jumped into action and tried to fix their mistake. The only match in June, which is normally when everyone else does Pride, is on Juneteenth … we were like, no, we can’t do that, and ultimately agreed to host a big queer watch party on June 25 with Atlanta United’s assistance. We’re going to invite the other five supporter groups (Footie Mob, Resurgence, Terminus Legion, The Faction and LA 12), our partners and some queer youth organizations to come and watch the match with us. There will also be a drag show and other engaging activities. We’re also talking to them to provide a safe way for people to go from the Pride Parade to the game if they choose to and also to potentially put up a blowup screen showing the game at Piedmont Park. Those last two things are not confirmed yet, but yeah, they’re really partnering with us to help make sure we have a great experience.
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SPORTS
Atlanta Braves playing at the SunTrust Stadium.
PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK
An LGBTQ Look at Atlanta’s Spring Sports Katie Burkholder Spring sports are underway in Atlanta! Here’s a brief LGBTQ look into the world of Atlanta sports, from the major league to recreational teams.
Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves began their 2022 season on April 7 with a loss against the Cincinnati Reds. At the time of writing, they are third in the National League East with 16 wins and 19 losses. Their next home game is on Saturday, May 21 at 6:10pm against the Miami Marlins. The Braves also have a special LGBTQ game coming up. The team’s Pride Night will be on June 22. The Pride ticket package includes entrance to the pregame party at the CocaCola Roxy at 5:20 pm, which will feature DJ Kimber from Nonsense ATL, a ticket to see the game against the San Francisco Giants, and a 20 oz Tervis tumbler with a rainbow Braves logo to take home. The price of each ticket also includes a $3 donation to Lost-N-Found, an organization
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working to end LGBTQ homelessness in Atlanta. To purchase your ticket, visit mlb. com/braves/tickets/specials/pride.
Atlanta United
At the time of writing, Atlanta United has a streak of 13 games unbeaten at home with 2-2 draw against New England Revolution. The team will continue its regular season on May 28 against Columbus Crew at 7 pm. Atlanta United is currently ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference with four wins, three draws, and four losses.
Gottesdiener after the Women’s National Basketball Association and the NBA board of governors unanimously approved the sale in 2021. Kelly Loeffler, a former anti-LGBTQ U.S. Senator who lost her seat to Raphael Warnock, previously owned the team.
which all teams will play two, begin on May 28. Double-elimination continues into May 29. Learn more at hslbigpeach.org.
The Dream began their season on May 7 with a win against the Dallas Wings and is ranked second in Eastern Conference with three wins and one loss. Their next home game is on May 24 against the Washington Mystics at 7 pm.
Ho Sho Atlanta is Atlanta’s only live-singing, choreographed drag troupe in the city. Ticket sales will benefit Atlanta Bucks Rugby, as well as PALS Atlanta. The show will be held at City Winery and will start at 6:30 pm. Buy tickets at citywinery.com and learn more at hoshoatlanta.com.
All Stripes, Atlanta United’s LGBTQ supporter group, hosts tailgates before every regular season home game in Lot 17. $10 to $15 gets you three drink tickets and a fun group of people to get you warmed up for the game. For more information, visit allstripesatl.com/events.
Atlanta’s LGBTQ Sports Calendar
Atlanta Dream
Big Peach Softball Weekend
The Atlanta Dream is partly LGBTQ-owned and the only WNBA team co-owned by a former player. Renee Montgomery became co-owner of the team alongside Suzanne Abair, who is also LGBTQ, and Larry
Outside the world of professional sports, there are several upcoming events among Atlanta’s LGBTQ recreational leagues.
May 26-29
Big Peach Softball returns to Atlanta this Memorial Day Weekend! The weekend begins with the official kickoff party on May 26 at The Hideaway. Round robin games, of
Ho Sho: Whored Immunity June 4
Pride Run 5K June 5
Atlanta Pride Run, hosted by Front Runners Atlanta, is a 5k through Piedmont Park benefitting LGBTQ charities such as AID Atlanta, Jerusalem House, Joining Hearts, Lost-N-Found Youth, Out of the Closet, Positive Impact, and Track Georgia. This year’s theme is “Stronger Together.” Check in starts at 7 am and the race starts at 8:30 am. There will be a post-race celebration at Guac y Margys Midtown at 11 am.
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SPORTS
Atlanta’s LGBTQ SPORTS No matter what your sport, from soccer or football to bowling or board games, there’s an LGBTQ-friendly league for you. Play on!
Billiards
APA-Atlanta Pool League The American Poolplayers Association - known as APA Pool Leagues - is the world’s largest amateur pool league with more than 275,000 members competing in 8-Ball and 9-Ball Leagues, as well as numerous other specialized formats such as no-handicap Masters, 8 and 9 ball Doubles, Ladies 8 ball, Juniors, and our extremely popular National Singles Program! You can register as an individual or as a team. 770-667-1105 atlanta.apaleagues.com
Bowling
Dixie Invitational Bowling Tournament This gay bowling tournament is held every April over Easter weekend. Dogwood is conducted in accordance with United States Bowling Congress rules and is open to all eligible bowlers, regardless of sexual orientation, and features a handicap scoring process. dixiebowl.org
Dance
This gay square dancing club meets at Peachtree Baptist Church (2108 Briarcliff Rd NE) on Monday and Tuesday evenings. hotlantasquares.org
Football
National Flag Football League of Atlanta The NFFLA is the Atlanta chapter of the
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National Gay Flag Football League, which promotes competition and camaraderie among LGBTQ athletes and allies. nffla.com
Gaming
Gay Gamers of Atlanta and Friends This group meets monthly on the third Saturday of the month to play cards, board games, trivia, etc. and share a potluck lunch. meetup.com/gaygamers
Kickball
GO Kickball Pride League This LGBTQ kickball league meets for spring, fall and summer seasons. gokickball.com/prideatlanta
Outdoors
Atlanta Bucks Rugby Club
PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK
Running
Front Runners Atlanta Front Runners Atlanta is a running, walking, and social club for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Their annual Pride Run 5k will be held this year on June 5. frontrunnersatlanta.org
Soccer
All Stripes If you’re a fan of Atlanta United, this LGBTQ supporter group is perfect for you. allstripesatl.com
Wilderness Network of Georgia
Hotlanta Soccer
WNG is a non-competitive volunteer driven gay men’s outdoor recreational group. meetup.com/wildnetga/
This LGBTQ soccer league competes locally in the Atlanta Sports and Social Club league and LGBTQ soccer tournaments in other cities. facebook.com/groups/34244209984
Women’s Outdoor Network WON is an LGBT-friendly, membership-based organization that has been serving the Metro Atlanta women’s community for over 30 years by providing a fun and safe environment for indoor, outdoor and volunteer opportunities. wonatlanta.com
Rugby
Atlanta Bucks Rugby Club The Atlanta Bucks is Georgia’s only inclusive gay rugby team. atlantabucksrugby.org
Softball
Hotlanta Softball League The Hotlanta Softball League was founded in 1981 by the LGBTQ community of Atlanta that were looking for a place that would let them play recreational softball in a safe inclusive environment. hotlantasoftball.org
Southern Softpaw League The Southern Softpaw League is an allinclusive, fun, friendly, competitive and
charity-minded softball league. League donations are made to local animal charities, and games are played at Nickajack Park (5500 Nickajack Park Rd SE) in Mableton. southernsoftpaw.com
Swimming and Diving Atlanta Rainbow Trout
The Atlanta Rainbow Trout offers swimming, triathlon, and water polo. Not sure if you’re interested? You can do a trial and attend two free practices. atlantarainbowtrout.com
Tennis
Atlanta Tennis Team Association The mission of ATTA is to promote and develop the growth of tennis in the LGBTQ community of Atlanta. They offer open play on Saturdays from 1 pm to 5 pm at Glenlake Tennis Center in Decatur. atta.org
Volleyball
Hotlanta Volleyball Association HVA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote goodwill, understanding, and fellowship within Atlanta’s LGBTQ community through the sport of volleyball. Open play is on Fridays at 7 pm, and advanced open play is on Tuesdays at 8 pm. hotlantavball.leagueapps.com
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FOR THE Pride Night JUNE 22
Includes a pregame party at the Coca-Cola Roxy, Braves Tervis Tumbler and a $3 donation back to Lost-N-Found.
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SPORTS
Where Are All the Gay Golfers? Sukainah Abid-Kons Sports are becoming more and more diverse and LGBTQ inclusive. As of 2022, around 20 percent of WNBA players are openly gay. A poll conducted by Pink News found that participants ranked tennis as the most gay-friendly sport. So in an age of inclusion, why is golf lacking, and how is the lack being addressed? Though an estimate from New Zealand Golf Magazine states that anywhere from 10–14 percent of golfers are likely to be gay, the number of out professional golfers is low. In 2006, at just 15 years old, Tadd Fujikawa became the youngest player to qualify for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) U.S. Open. In 2018, Tadd once again made PGA history, becoming the first male player to openly come out as gay. While other players have come out since then, they are very much a minority in the sport.
Tadd Fujikawa
at a golf course.’” Look no further for proof than professional Justin Thomas saying a homophobic slur at a tournament in 2021.
Kyle Winn — a PGA member and golf course employee — spent years in the closet, fearing how being outed might impact his career.
There is a history of exclusion and hate in golf, and arguably a culture that still perpetuates these attitudes today, but there are also signs of progress and inclusion.
“Every time I started a new position at a golf course, the first few months were always hard. Not only was I getting used to a new facility, I was also trying to figure out which co-workers I could trust and which members might be OK with me being gay. It was emotionally draining.” Winn wrote for a piece in OutSports.
“Some of us golf professionals have been lucky to work in progressive areas, but at its core it is a conservative, white, straight, cismale dominated industry,” he wrote. “It has gotten better, but we have a long way to go.”
Fujikawa and Winn did come out, and they are helping to make professional golf a more inclusive place. However, there have still been no openly gay men to play in the PGA Tour or Masters. We’ve had out athletes in professional baseball, soccer, tennis, and the Olympics, so why is golf, and men’s golf in particular, so far behind? Winn speculates in his article that the conservative culture in golf may be a contributing factor.
When polled, professional golfers have more often than not supported conservative or Republican politicians and ideals. A poll conducted by Sports Illustrated in 2016 showed that more than 50 percent of participants would not vote for Hillary Clinton, even if she guaranteed tax cuts. A different survey conducted by the Irish Times found that 89 percent of respondents would accept an invitation to golf with
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Kyle Winn
PHOTO VIA FIRST TEE COACHELLA VALLEY
Donald Trump. In short, conservatism is the name of the game in golfing politics. So, is it so shocking that homophobia would also be prevalent on the course and in the country clubs? Homophobic and anti-trans sentiments seem to be a staple in traditional conservative values, as shown by recent legislation such as the “Don’t Say Gay” bills pushed by Republican leaders like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In his article, Winn describes the golf course as “a place some people can congregate and use racist, misogynist and homophobic terms and get away with it because ‘they’re
PGA released a statement in 2021, committing to taking action to make golf more LGBTQ inclusive and welcoming. Out players such as Fujikawa have spoken about the future they want to see in golf, telling Athlete Ally, “I just hope that all LGBTQ athletes can feel like we are a part of a safe place; where we can play the sport we love; and can still be authentically ourselves” during an interview from 2019. Maybe in the future, the golf course will be, not a place where hateful comments and sentiments are allowed, but instead a place of sportsmanship, where golfers congregate to be around each other and foster a community to appreciate the sport they all love.
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MAY 20, 2022 ADS 15
THE GAYLY DOSE DIANE CROW
TRANS KIDS AND SPORTS: A HOT TOPIC Diane Crow, Cast/Crew, The Gayly Dose Last month Georgia House Bill 1084 was passed. The legislation creates an athletics committee with the authority to ban transgender youth from playing on sports teams aligning with their gender identity. There are many sides to the subject of transgender youth and whether they should be allowed to participate in school sports teams based on their gender identity versus the sex on their birth certificate. I am a trans woman, and I am now taking HRT to continue my journey. Some people think what I am doing is a choice, and in a way they are right: I choose to be my authentic self and to live my life to my full potential and joy. I am living my best life so far! So, to understand this complicated issue better, I’ve taken the liberty of summarizing some of the varying points of view surrounding the discussion, including those of parents of cisgender kids, parents of transgender kids, politicians, schools, and the kids themselves. Today, some parents of cisgender girls are speaking out against transgender kids competing in their children’s sports. Their fear, it appears, is that their children will have unfair competition from children who were assigned male at birth. They also seem to be concerned that their children could potentially miss out on scholarship opportunities due to this “unfair competition.” Parents of transgender kids just want their children to be happy, healthy, loved and accepted. They have seen how their children have struggled with their identity and how challenging it is for them to be accepted
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in a society where being different is rarely rewarded, but often suppressed. Throughout history, politicians have used marginalized people to strike fear into their constituents, and to bring them to the polls and get them reelected. Today, the group used to stir up fear is the transgender community. When I was a kid, there was outrage when a white team of basketball players was scheduled to play against a Black team of basketball players. All the same arguments were made then that are being made today against transgender athletes: They are too big. They are too fast. They are too strong. We cannot compete with them, and we need protection! These arguments have not withstood the test of time. Schools are in a very tough spot here. They want to do what is right by their children, but they also want to satisfy the parents who are involved in the sports for their children. Public schools are obligated to follow the laws that are set forward. Cisgender and transgender kids themselves are being manipulated the most. A child will play with another child regardless of who they are, until some parent or other adult tells them they can’t. Children do not want other children to hurt or to be in pain. Sadly, the suicide statistics for transgender kids are alarming. I would be remiss if I did not share some data. The following is according to The Trevor Project survey conducted in 2021 among nearly 34,000 LGBTQ youth, ages 13–24, living in the U.S. Of those who wanted mental health care, 60 percent responded that they were unable to access resources. Depression and anxiety are on the rise with this group, with 73 percent
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GAYLY DOSE
reporting symptoms of anxiety; 58 percent experiencing depression symptoms; and 21 percent surveyed say they attempted suicide in the past year. Rates of suicide attempts were generally higher among LGBTQ youth of color and particularly high among Indigenous LGBTQ youth. The founder of The Gayly Dose, Helmut Domagalski, shared a remarkable idea with me on this topic. His concept is that for trans kids to feel included in a team, perhaps trans kids could have their own category of success and be recognized for their achievements in the category of being trans, while still participating in the sport as their correct gender. This would show acceptance of who they are and recognize their achievements without “shorting the others” and without instilling fear in who they are while removing the “unfair advantage” argument all together. They could all play together as children should,
even into high school and college. As people become more familiar with trans people and trans issues, and activists and allies continue to advocate on behalf of transgender youth, we will eventually see a resolution to this issue. One day, hopefully, trans and cis kids playing alongside one another will be common and accepted. Diane is both cast and crew of The Gayly Dose, an Atlanta-based podcast that elicits vulnerable and honest dialogue about everyday and taboo topics that LGBTQ+ people aren’t having with each other ... but should. Diane co-hosts “Hues for Humanity,” a segment with TGD founder Helmut Domagalski. Purposefully candid and brutally honest, the cast speaks on a range of topics, including gender norms, monogamy, body issues, coming out, dating apps, lesbian breakups, and growing up gay in the church. Listen at thegaylydose.com.
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MAY 20, 2022 ADS 17
OLD GAY MAN CLIFF BOSTOCK
A PERSONAL HISTORY OF
EXERCISE, MACHISMO, AND CHARLES ATLAS Cliff Bostock Read the full column online at thegavoice.com. Were you a 97-lb. pencil-necked bag of bones? When you went on the beach, did bullies with massive pecs kick sand in your face and scream, “Hey, skinny! Yer ribs are showing!”? If you’re old and read comic books as a kid, you recognize those words from years of countless advertisements by Charles Atlas, a skinny Italian immigrant who turned himself into the iconic muscle man of the last century. Daddy Atlas sold an exercise program called “Dynamic Tension,” basically isometrics combined with movement. The idea was to provide strength training using the body’s own weight with extreme muscle contraction, so no weightlifting equipment was needed. It’s the training you were supposed to be doing at home for the two years COVID-19 kept you from the gym. I was a pencil-necked, rather girly kid who hated sports and got called “sissy” as often as “skinny,” so my mother enrolled me in the mail-order Dynamic Tension training plan. Every month, I received a blank blue envelope containing new, secret instructions for becoming the most muscular 10-year-old alive. I’m sure you can deduce that if your mother is demanding that you transform your body to avoid cruel torment, she is effectively shaming you herself. Adding extra muscle to the explicit shame, I was forbidden to disclose the reengineering of my body, somewhat the way my mother later in life would hide in the Caribbean after countless cosmetic surgeries. I had no interest in this, but I enjoyed hiding in the attic, where my mother had
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installed weightlifting equipment. I rattled a dumbbell with my feet while I read books my mother had banned. Millions of pencil-necks turned Charles Atlas into the first fitness guru. Like most gurus, his training program’s ultimate goal wasn’t so much about muscle development as it was about making a man out of you. If you could punch out another man, you were a real man. As such, the marketing was largely indoctrination in the “toxic masculinity” that created and still runs America. Atlas himself was also a loyal Catholic who never drank. In fact, after his wife died, he tried to become a priest. My mother lost control of my body when puberty arrived and I stopped the pretense of working out (my tongue was muscular enough to eviscerate any enemy). Then something totally unexpected happened when I turned 16. I asked my shocked parents for a membership in the Buckhead YMCA. My goal, I realized in retrospect, was not to build muscles and cultivate masculinity. It was to relax. I lifted weights above my head and, like I’d later learn, I entered the “zone” of total presence and near-elation. I did this throughout the last two years of high school, not telling anyone and without creating any significant change in my appearance, although I was a lot stronger. Basically, I was meditating. Then there was exercise-free college as a hippie and getting married at 20, followed by divorce after five years and beginning my journey out of the closet at 25. Once again, I returned to exercising. I bought equipment that I put in a spare bedroom, and I swore my partner to secrecy about my strange hobby. By this time, deciding that I had to be muscular to have sex with other men, I
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also joined the YMCA in Augusta for more rigorous workouts. By the time I was back in Atlanta in the late ’70s, every gay man was expected to be building muscle. I was well primed to fall into that mania, going full-on Charles Atlas. When AIDS appeared, the gym became a huge desperate metaphor for invincibility. That’s why one writer of the time noted that the “gay gaze” shifted from the crotch to the pecs. When I went back to school to study psychology after discovering meditation almost 30 years ago, I did also move back into that space of linking the gym to the experience of brilliant presence. In fact, whether you’re aware of it or not, when you are lifting a weight or running on a treadmill you are fully present; otherwise, you’re on the floor with a concussion. Full presence of mind and body is what makes suffering tolerable and exercise addictive. I began talking to clients about this, especially ones with depression like me, urging them to give
the gym a try. A few did, a few stuck with it, most took a pass. It’s admittedly difficult to summon the energy to exercise when you are paralyzed by depression. I think acquiring somatic presence of mind — without Charles Atlas’ equalizing of super-size and super-masculinity — remains a huge problem for gay men. We’ve been vilified for our bodies’ desire and gender defiance, no matter how subtle. We get very careless. I saw that repeatedly in gyms that barely enforced any protections during the COVID crisis. If you’re a gay man, you likely want to be a macho-macho-macho man, a milder version of Charles Atlas’ manly man, but, please, pay attention to your thoughts and feelings when you throw that kettlebell upward. They have a lot to tell you. Cliff Bostock, Ph.D., is a former psychotherapist who now offers life coaching, primarily to older gay men and creative artists of any genre and age. CliffBostock. com, cliffbostock@gmail.com.
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MAY 20, 2022 ADS 19
ACTING OUT JIM FARMER
Revival of Gay-themed ‘Take Me Out’ a Solid Hit, Onstage Atlanta’s ‘Sordid Wedding’ Reunites Beloved Characters Jim Farmer As if the normal ups and downs of a long season aren’t trying enough, the fictional professional baseball team the Empires has to deal with the unexpected coming out (and the aftermath) of one of its players in Richard Greenberg’s Tony Award-winning play, “Take Me Out,” now getting a strong Broadway revival. Said player is Darren Lemming (played by “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jesse Williams), a multiracial center fielder star who has decided to tell the world he is gay. His teammate and friend, Kippy Sunderstrom (Patrick Adams), lets him know that his fellow players might be uncomfortable around him moving forward. As the Empires go into a slump, they hire pitcher Shane Mungitt (Michael Oberholtzer), who reveals in an interview that he is uncomfortable with the people of color on his team and having to shower with a “faggot.” The character of Mungitt has drawn parallels to former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker. “Take Me Out” premiered off-Broadway in 2002 and then made it to Broadway the following year, winning three Tony Awards, including Best Play. For gay men of a certain age (including me), it’s a revered work, one that
is exceptionally written and groundbreaking. When I heard that a revival was being planned, my initial thought was, “Why?” My next thought a few seconds later, though, was, “When can I see it?” As it turns out, no one was able to see it for a while. The staging was delayed a few years by COVID-19, but the play officially opened last month. “Take Me Out” is a complex drama that focuses not only on Darren’s coming out. but also on how it affects others on his team and around him. No relationship is richer in the show than that of Darren and his gay accountant, Mason Marzac (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), who knows nothing about baseball before Darren comes out. The two bond and share how neither feels part of their community. Directed this go-round by Scott Ellis, “Take Me Out” has a very tight ensemble and is nominated for four Tonys this year, including Revival of a Play and Williams, Ferguson and Oberholtzer for Featured Actor in a Play. Ferguson can’t quite reach the heights that original Mason Denis O’Hare (who won a Tony for his work) did, but it’s nonetheless a showy, very funny performance. He also gets the play’s sharpest monologue. Former Atlanta actor Brandon J. Dirden, who played Darren in a 2005 Theatre of the Square version of “Take Me Out,” is in the cast, playing a different character, that of Darren’s friend Davey Battle.
Jesse Williams (l) and Brandon J. Dirden star in ‘Take Me Out.’ Williams and Ferguson have received the bulk of the headlines, but the best performance comes from Adams. His Kippy is really the glue that holds the show together. This revival isn’t quite as gripping as the original Broadway production, but it’s still a remarkably relevant and impactful piece of theater. Ironically, even though the show opened almost 20 years ago, no professional baseball players have since come out. DeWayne Morgan is directing “A Very Sordid Wedding” at Onstage Atlanta, a co-production with The Process Theatre. It’s a sequel to Del Shores’ “Sordid Lives,” which has become a cult classic. Shores’ play became the film version of “Sordid Lives” while “A Very Sordid Wedding” has been adapted from a film into a play. Part of the appeal of both shows is the universal characters, including LaVonda and Brother Boy.
The cast of ‘Take Me Out.’
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“I think the characters resonate so much because these are characters we see, especially if you grow up in the South,” Morgan said. “Everyone is someone in your family and
COURTESY PHOTOS
someone you went to church with.” He likes “Wedding” because it gives the audience a chance to see all these beloved characters together, whereas in “Sordid Lives” they were all compartmentalized. “All the stories intertwine in ‘Wedding’ and you also see a lot of emotion here,” Morgan said. This is only the second version of the play that has been produced, the first directed by Shores himself. At the root of the comedy is an important message. “It’s about loving one another and accepting people for who they are,” Morgan said. “You’d think that because gay marriage has passed, people would be over that, but they are not, even today.”
MORE INFO “Take Me Out” is running through June 11 at New York’s Second Stage Theater “A Very Sordid Wedding” runs at Onstage Atlanta through May 29
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MAY 20, 2022 ADS 21
SOMETIMES ‘Y’ RYAN LEE
Roe Loss, HIV Win Expose Society’s Split Personality Ryan Lee Few folks talk about their personality type as frequently as selfidentifying introverts. You’d think social butterflies would be the more outgoing demographic, but extroverts aren’t flooding the internet with memes about how strong, sincere and misunderstood they are. I attribute the population boom among introverts to a collective confusing of that word with “introspective,” and folks misallocating the virtues of the latter until being a loner is considered a deeper, more authentic existence than enjoying social situations. There’s also a vogue identitarianism that explains the popularity; and like a supposed vegan who loves eggs, dairy and enough animal flesh to start calling themselves a pescatarian, there’s also been a creep among introverts toward identifying as an “extroverted introvert,” or ambivert. I think all of this used to be known simply as “having a personality,” as most people are able to balance public interactions and privacy without profoundly affecting either their emotions or their energy levels. So, too, does our body politic have a personality, and many feel a similar urge to pathologize current affairs and politics, to interpret mood swings as indelible character traits. Admittedly, the last half decade has felt exceptionally shitty, but it’s peculiar how both sides in the political and culture wars self-identify as losing ground. From the left, it feels like a conservative revolution is occurring, with the open carrying of guns and imminent closing of abortion clinics, strategic disenfranchisement and the cleansing of school libraries and curricula; and, from the right, they seem convinced we are lawless invaders of the American way,
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IMAGE BY SHUTTERSTOC.COM / GrAL
committed to redefining reality and consigning children to sexual exploitation if they are lucky enough to escape death in utero. Then there are diagnoses about our zeitgeist that both sides accept: crime is out of control and partisanship is so intense that a vote on the color of the sky would break down by party lines. All of which makes it all the more astounding for Georgia’s GOP-controlled legislature and Republican governor to have delivered one of the biggest LGBTQ wins in the history of our state this month. Long overshadowed by more palatable goals, the decriminalization of people living with HIV/AIDS has been as much a pillar of the LGBTQ agenda as workplace equality or same-sex marriage. It is overwhelming to comprehend how this victory was achieved during such toxic times, but passage of Senate Bill 164 — which finally allows science to be a factor in determining whether someone is at risk for spreading HIV — by margins of 50-2 in the state senate and 170-0 in the house must be celebrated, and should make us wonder whether hope is as lost as it often feels. I do not mean to downplay the trauma being inflicted by the heightened assaults on women’s rights and transgender children, nor am I naive to what they foreshadow for other minorities. However, as a progressive I have been on the “winning side” of numerous major court cases, and I’ve laughed as the dire predictions of those who lost failed to materialize. I can only hope our fate maintains that personality.
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CELEBRITY BRIEFS
LGBTQ Athlete Edition
Professional LGBTQ athletes, from Atlanta and beyond, speak out about Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ representation, and living authentically in the world of sports.
“Deep down, on a human level, I think everyone knows that it is better to live an authentic life. It’s better to live a life where you can just be yourself, you don’t have these filters, you’re natural.” —Former Atlanta Hawks player Jason Collins (Yahoo)
“I think that as we move into a new and more understanding world, people are starting to realize that people like me are just people, we are human. And as such, I hope that just by being here that’s enough.” —Transgender Olympic weightlifter Laurel Hubbard (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
“Imagine your friend overwhelmed with grief, tears flowing down her cheeks, confiding in you that she has breast cancer. How good of a friend would you be if you crossed your arms and replied, ‘All cancers matter’? This year, I don’t need more friends who tell me, ‘Everyone matters.’ I already know that. I need someone to tell me, ‘You, Renee, matter.’”
—Former Atlanta Dream player and current co-owner Renee Montgomery in an open letter to former Atlanta Dream owner Kelly Loeffler (Medium.com)
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“I was convinced from a young age that my family would never love me if they knew who I really was. The things you hear as a child—every time you hear someone say ‘f----t’ or talk bad about a gay guy, or see something on TV and make fun of that. If you have a closeted kid, he hears every one of those times you say something. It sticks with him. This was 25 years ago. Most of the things they said were out of ignorance, not hate.”
—Former NFL player Ryan O’Callaghan (NBC Sports)
MAY 20, 2022 CELEBRITY BRIEFS 23