05/22/20, Vol. 11 Issue 5

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

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

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:  Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.  BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

BVYC0218_BIKTARVY_B_10X10-5_Georgia-Voice_Chad_r1v1jl.indd All Pages

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

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

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP CREATING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0218 04/20

CHAD LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP CREATING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

See Chad’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

4/21/20 10:52 AM

voice

georgia

GUEST EDITORIAL

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

PO Box 77401 • Atlanta, GA 30357 P: 404-815-6941; F: 404-963-6365

The Business of Advancing Equality

BUSINESS

Jeff Graham, executive director, Georgia Equality

VOL.11 • ISSUE 5

Principal/Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com

Chris Lugo, executive director, OUT Georgia Business Alliance

EDITORIAL

Deputy Editor: Katie Burkholder

kburkholder@thegavoice.com

Editorial Contributors: Cliff Bostock, Melissa Carter, Dallas Anne Duncan, Aidan Ivory Edwards, Jim Farmer, Vandy Beth Glenn, Jeff Graham, Ryan Lee, Rose Pelham

PRODUCTION

Art Director: Rob Boeger rboeger@thegavoice.com

SALES

Sales Executive: Dixon Taylor dtaylor@thegavoice.com

Sales Executive: Jim Brams jbrams@thegavoice.com

Business Advisor: Lynn Pasqualetti Financial Firm of Record: HLM Financial Group National Advertising: Rivendell Media 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com

Publisher Emeritus: Chris Cash

FINE PRINT

All material in Georgia Voice is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Georgia Voice. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. We also do not accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by Georgia Voice, but we do not take responsibility for its return.

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Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Tim Boyd, tboyd@thegavoice.com Postmaster: Send address changes to Georgia Voice, PO Box 77401, Atlanta, GA 30357. Georgia Voice is published twice a month by Georgia Voice, LLC. Individual subscriptions are $60 per year for 24 issues. Postage paid at Atlanta, GA, and additional mailing offices.

The editorial positions of Georgia Voice are expressed in editorials and in editor’s notes. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Georgia Voice and its staff.

To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words and commentary, for web or print, should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address, and phone number for verification. Email submissions to editor@thegavoice.com or mail to the address above.

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4 Editorial May 22, 2020

In the coming weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court will issue one of the most important rulings to date regarding the status of LGBTQ rights in this country. Two gay men, Donald Zarda of New York and Gerald Bostock of Clayton County, and a transgender woman, Aimee Stephens of Michigan, assert that their respective firings violated the employment protections in Title VII of the 1964 federal Civil Rights Act. Specifically, they have argued that the prohibition of sex discrimination within Title VII covers LGBTQ people because discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity cannot be separated from the long-held precedent that stereotyping based on sex is covered by this law.

Regardless of how the Supreme Court ultimately rules, we know that we have a long way to go before the promise of equal protection under the law becomes a reality for the estimated 420,000 youth and adults who identify as LGBTQ in Georgia. That’s one of the primary reasons that Georgia Equality and the OUT Georgia Business Alliance have formed a partnership. The goal of this partnership is to strengthen the missions of both organizations and employ our networks and relationships to build meaningful community connections and impact across the State of Georgia.

In a time of economic insecurity, it is imperative that people know that the law will protect them against discrimination in employment and that LGBTQ business owners know their businesses will be treated fairly when it comes to governmental assistance, loans and contracts.

Many people are surprised to learn that Georgia, despite our heritage of civil rights advocacy, is one of only three states in the country that has no state law protecting any group of people against employment discrimination and one of only five states that offers no protection when it comes to public accommodations. Surveys of

LGBTQ Georgians indicate that 45% of us, including 33% of people who identify as transgender, have experienced discrimination or harassment on the job. Additionally, 48% percent of us, including 33% of transgender Georgians, have been denied services, intimidated, or have been verbally abused while shopping, receiving health care, or visiting a governmental agency.

And it’s not just LGBTQ Georgians who have little recourse when it comes to legal protections.

While federal law does protect people against discrimination based on race, nationality, religion and disability, it can be a costly and timeconsuming effort to file a federal lawsuit.

It is well documented that religious minorities such as Muslims, Sikhs and Jews experience discrimination, often because they are targeted due to their dress. For the past several months, we’ve heard stories of Asian Americans, including many Asian American businesses, being targeted for harassment and abuse for the baseless notion that the COVID-19 pandemic was intentionally spread by those of Chinese descent. While laws cannot stop such misguided and biased actions, they do serve as statements of community values and can serve as a powerful deterrent to those who would act upon their bias to harm others.

Faith leaders and social justice organizations have long argued for the need to address discrimination by passing state laws and local ordinances. And while the business community has broadly condemned efforts to enshrine discrimination into the Georgia Code by opposing overly broad religious exemptions that allow someone’s religious beliefs to excuse discriminatory behavior, the business community has been reluctant to support efforts to pass nondiscrimination laws on the state or local level.

Despite being home to 25 large businesses, including 14 with a score of 100, that participate in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)’s annual Corporate Equality Index, not a single corporation with a presence at the legislature has prioritized passage of a statewide civil rights law in its work at the Capitol. These companies, most of whom are leaders when it comes to LGBTQ diversity and inclusion in the

workplace, are still reluctant to take a position on this issue. This is regardless of the fact that various polls show that between 65–74% of Georgians support such legislation and that research by groups such as Out Leadership and the Williams Institute clearly make the economic case that such laws will enhance Georgia’s business climate.

It’s not just the voice of big corporations or large chambers of commerce that is needed to advance a legislative solution to the discrimination many of us face. Two of the three cases currently before the US Supreme Court all originated from the actions of small businesses. The 2018 SCOTUS ruling in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, which affirmed the right of states to enact nondiscrimination laws, was decided on a case involving a small business. Those who work against LGBTQ rights are quick to argue that the enactment of anti-discrimination laws threatens small businesses and the rights of small business owners.

Much like the power of having an individual rabbi or pastor speak out against discrimination, a small business owner who speaks to counter the argument that such laws hurt them can actually move the conversation in extremely powerful ways. The majority of us work for small businesses, and small business owners are often the ones who have personal relationships with lawmakers at all levels of government. When small business owners stand up for equality, they are not only asserting the tradition of serving the public, but also taking a stand for their own employees, customers and the diverse communities in which they do business.

That is why OUT Georgia Business Alliance is supporting Georgia Equality’s call for businesses to sign the Local Business Owner’s Pledge on the Georgia Equality website.

Some 300 small business owners throughout Georgia have already signed this pledge to support nondiscrimination laws and ordinances in Georgia.

Business owners of all sizes are encouraged to visit georgiaequality.org/business to sign the pledge and to learn more about efforts to ensure that LGBTQ Georgians and others have the legal protections that we all deserve.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

CELEBRITY CLOSE-UP!

Celebrity Brief (THE BACK TO BUSINESS EDITION)

The coronavirus pandemic may continue to rage on, but LGBTQ and allied celebrities are combatting the crisis head on. Here’s what they have to say about giving back and helping those in need.

“Now is the time to phone or email your local LGBTQ centers and ask how you can volunteer and help them get donations at this time for a community that has many members at higher risk for coronavirus.”

—Kathy Griffin (Twitter)

“There is an urgent need, and a special urgent need for the blood I have. I want to help.

I think that the rules should be looked at again by the FDA. There have been strides in testing for HIV since these rules were enacted. You can get an HIV test in 20 minutes. They, I know, screen the blood again, a second time after you donate it to make sure there’s not HIV in the blood. So, I just think this needs another examination.”

—Out TV personality and coronavirus survivor Andy Cohen on the FDA’s gay blood ban (CBS This Morning)

“We’ve been giving, like so many people have been giving, and we’re trying to figure out what maybe are some communities that are falling through the tracks during all this giving. We tend to focus most of our efforts these days on the most marginalized of us.

That oftentimes are marginalized communities within the LGBTQ community. We directed a lot of our giving toward those communities who tend to be forgotten about, especially during a global pandemic.”

—Actress and stepmother to 12-year-old transgender daughter Zaya, Gabrielle Union, on how she and her family are giving back (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon)

“A lot of people have responded very generously and given upwards of $1,000. But it’s been heartbreaking too. I get DMs from trans teens who are 15 or 17 asking for funds to support their moms or their families. A lot of trans people are afraid of losing housing or can’t pay their cellphone bill, which is their only connection to their loved ones.”

—Non-binary actor Indya Moore on their wealth distribution fund started via social media to donate money to Black trans and queer people in need (Vogue)

(PHOTOS VIA FACEBOOK)

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

May 22, 2020 Celebrity Close-Up! 5

COMMUNITY NEWS

Q&A: Organizations and COVID-19 Local LGBTQ organizations share updates on how they’ve adapted amid the pandemic Katie Burkholder The coronavirus has affected everyone from healthcare workers to local businesses.

Atlanta’s LGBTQ organizations are no exception. We sat down with the leaders of AID Atlanta, Positive Impact, and TRANScending Barriers to discuss how they’re continuing to provide their essential services to the local LGBTQ community while keeping members and employees safe.

AID ATLANTA Nicole Roebuck, Executive Director What kind of problems, if any, has COVID-19 posed for your organization?

“COVID-19 has disrupted the normal way we do business in both our sites. Due to the close in person nature of how HIV testing and STI screening is conducted, we had to suspend these services during the height of the outbreak and shelter-in-place orders. We have still been able to provide STI treatment and HIV treatment on a scheduled basis, however, which has worked out well. We had to reduce the majority of our onsite staffing and allow them to work from home instead. We also limited public access to the building itself.”

How has your organization addressed and adjusted to these problems?

We are proud to report that all services except for HIV and STI screenings have continued to be provided via telehealth methods. Case management, medical provider visits, mental health care, ADAP (Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program)/Healthcare Insurance Continuation Program assistance, and housing for current members have continued through use of telehealth ... Medications through the onsite AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation) 6 Community News May 22, 2020

pharmacy are still available in person, and we have also promoted our courier delivery services and mail order options. For those patients who were deemed medically necessary to come in for lab visits, those appointments were provided.

Our Men Engagement Network took to social media to support members virtually. We conduct mandatory COVID screenings and temperature checks and provide masks for all members/patients that have to come to the sites.

What kind of services are you offering during the pandemic?

As indicated, almost all our services continued to be provided using alternative methods and continue to be provided. We are also in the stages of planning our phased reopening which will allow us to reinstate our HIV and STI testing services, but in a controlled and safe manner. Some services

will utilize a combination of telehealth and in-person visits depending on the nature of the service in order to control the volume of people in the space at a time. We will continue to track the COVID case data in Atlanta and in Georgia overall as we continue to make important decisions about the scope and breadth of our phased reopening plans.

assistance. You can help us by spreading the word to who can donate any amount at aidatlanta.org/clientfund.”

How can our readers support your organization and the people you serve during this time?

One of the problems that our members have faced is the impact of loss of jobs that occurred during the height of the epidemic and currently. As a result, we recently launched a Client Assistance fund campaign to assist our members/patients in four specific areas: housing, food assistance, transportation assistance, and medication

What kind of problems has COVID-19 posed for your organization?

“It’s created several challenges and fear.

Closing was not an option for us at all; we’re an essential service, we’re the largest HIV provider in the community. So, it was critical we continue with behavioral health, client services, ADAP programs, and pharmacies. The challenge was to figure

POSITIVE IMPACT Larry Lehman, President and CEO

CONTINUES ON PAGE 7 TheGeorgiaVoice.com

COMMUNITY NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 out how to deliver the same services in a different model [through virtual services like telemedicine]…We did over 600 behavioral health visits last month by Zoom. Isolation and depression are heightened during this epidemic, so we want to reach out more and have more points of engagement with folks.”

How has your organization addressed and adjusted to these problems?

“We’re only seeing by appointments, we don’t do walk-ins, which we really miss being able to do. We’re doing a support group Zoom chat, we added curbside pickup for our pharmacy and moved to a closeddoor model where clients can’t come inside.

We worked with the state to get the AIDS Drug Assistance Program to do 90-day refills instead of 30 days.

We are starting to draft plans for the next transitional phase of moving services back into the building. We have about four or five

phases of what that would look like, so we’re just starting to have these long conversations about how that would work. It all hinges on what’s happening in the community…

There are so many unknowns to juggle.

We’re trying to convince our staff that we’re not going back to normal. We’re going to be new, and we’re going to be different. A lot of clients would love to use telemedicine for behavioral health and PrEP. When you’re working and you’re busy, it’s a thousand times easier. It’ll allow us to see more patients.

It’s a lot of adjustments, and I’m incredibly grateful we have a brilliant staff who has worked really hard toward the best interest of our clients. I want to be very optimistic.

We will get through this; we’ll figure it out.

We’re going to have some setbacks for sure, but that always happens. We’ll do it.”

What kind of services are you offering during the pandemic?

“We are offering every service. We haven’t discontinued any services. We have no plans to scale back, we even have future expansion plans that we’re still considering. We need to be there; we don’t want our clients in the emergency room right now or urgent care centers with folks that could possibly be infected with COVID-19.”

TRANSCENDING BARRIERS Zahara Green, Co-founder and Executive Director How has your organization addressed and adjusted to the problems posed by COVID-19?

“To fulfill our mission, we use community organizing as a way to connect and harness the brilliance of each other. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we are using technology, such as Zoom video conference as an alternative space to meet virtually for our Monthly TPEG (Trans Peer Empowerment

Group) meetings. This allows us to continue our programs and social distance to protect our team and community.”

How can our readers support your organization and the people you serve during this time?

“As it was for the rest of the world, COVID-19 came unexpectedly. Our 2020 budget for direct services was small at the beginning of the year. Now with the COVID-19 pandemic, our community needs have increased exponentially.

Unemployment is rampant, which leads to issues with housing and homelessness.

We are having to serve our community with a very small budget relative to the needs of our community. We are needing additionally funding to fulfill the needs of our community. Individual contributions, through grassroots fundraising, is critical to meeting the community needs. Readers can assist with donating to TRANScending Barriers at secure.actblue.com/donate/ transcendingbarriers.”

DEMOCR AT STACE Y EVANS

THE PROGRESSIVE FIGHTER TO MOVE GEORGIA FORWARD ✓ Pass comprehensive civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ ✓ Protect women’s reproductive freedom Paid for by Friends of Stacey Evans

✓ Fight for full Medicaid expansion ✓ Assist families and small businesses get back on their feet after COVID-19

✓ Stand up to Trump and GOP Extremists Stacey is Endorsed By: Georgia Federation of Teachers

ON JUNE 9, VOTE FOR DEMOCRAT StaceyEvans.com

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

StaceyEvansGA

Gun Sense Candidate

Stacey Evans @ Ev a n s f o r G e o r g i a

7 7 0 -7 1 0 - 4 0 8 7

FOR STATE HOUSE 57

Stacey@StaceyEvans.com

May 22, 2020 Community News 7

FINANCIAL NEWS

Accounting for PPP, Disaster Loans—COVID-19 Relief Cody Crowder HLM Financial Group

• You must have made a written offer to rehire in good faith • You must have offered to rehire for the same salary/wage and number of hours as before they were laid off • You must have documentation of the employee’s rejection of the offer • Note that employees who reject offers for reemployment may no longer be eligible for continued unemployment benefits

Business owners, congratulations to those of you who received Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Loans— either Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and/or Economic Injury Disaster (EID) loans. If you were one of the lucky businesses to receive a PPP loan, you currently have eight weeks to use the funds appropriately to meet the criteria for loan forgiveness or face repayment. There is still PPP money available from Round 2 of congressional relief, so if you haven’t yet applied and still need the money, please do so immediately.

Pay Requirements You must maintain at least 75 percent of total salary. This requirement will be individually assessed for every employee who did not receive more than $100,000 in annualized pay in 2019.

There is no “official” guidance issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to account for CARES revenue recognition for the loan forgiveness. The IRS has not issued specific tax codes for loan forgiveness and deduction of the expenses incurred. We are relying on IRS “notices” and the CARES Act for guidance on how to account for the loan forgiveness and the deduction of expenses for tax purposes. In the next few sections of this article, we provide accounting and tax guidance for transactions for CARES PPP and disaster loans received, expenses paid and loans forgiven.

The information included below is from articles and accounting and tax standards, and attempts to provide the most accurate information to date.

Accounting Guidance: Borrowers May Request Loan Forgiveness The IRS, in Notice 2020-32, explained that you cannot deduct a typically deductible expense if paying that expense allows you to qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness. The Small Business Administration (SBA) forgives up to 80 percent of PPP loans if a company’s workforce remained intact and at the same pay. At least 75 percent of the borrowed funds must go to payroll; the remaining 25 percent can be used for certain eligible expenses like utilities and rent.

8 Financial News May 22, 2020

If the employee’s pay over the eight weeks is less than 75 percent of the pay they received during the most recent quarter in which they were employed, the eligible amount for forgiveness will be reduced by the difference between their current pay and 75 percent of the original pay.

Rehiring Grace Period You can rehire any staff who were laid off or put on furlough and reinstate any pay that was decreased by more than 25 percent to meet the requirements for forgiveness. You have until June 30th to do so.

Borrowers must certify that the documents are true and that they used the forgiveness amount to keep employees and make eligible mortgage interest, rent, and utility payments. The lender must make a decision on forgiveness within 60 days.

Record Keeping and Required Documents for Forgiveness These are the required documents you will need to collect to provide with your PPP forgiveness application. (your lender may have additional requirements): • Documents verifying the number of fulltime equivalent employees on payroll and their pay rates for the period used to show you met the staffing and pay requirements • Payroll reports from your payroll provider • Payroll tax filings (Form 941)

• Income, payroll, and unemployment insurance filings from your state • Documents verifying any retirement and health insurance contributions • Documents verifying your eligible interest, rent, and utility payments The 75/25 Rule At least 75 percent of your loan must be used for payroll costs. Payments to independent contractors cannot be included in the payroll costs.

A New Exemption on Re-Hiring Employees Employees who were laid off or put on furlough may not wish to be rehired onto payroll. If the employee rejects your reemployment offer, you may be allowed to exclude this employee when calculating forgiveness. To qualify for this exemption:

Guidance on Keeping Track of Loan Spending Please make sure you clearly break out your PPP expenses paid for two reasons. One, your bank will want to see what the funds were used for, and two, for tax preparation purposes. If you received $X in PPP funds, then your financial statements must also clearly show $X in PPP expenses.

Each expense should be clearly labeled “PPP.” For example: PPP—Officer Salary; PPP—Rent; PPP—Telephone. This will allow everyone a clear view of what the funds were used for.

Our doors are always open to lend a helping hand during these times. Please reach out for a consultation to address your tax, advisory, accounting or payroll needs.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

Let HLM help you navigate through the disaster loan forgiveness process.

We have extensive knowledge of the PPP & EIDL loan programs. # Stay home and save lives

Deloyd Johnson- Jones, Vice-President/Partner Mercedes Pasqualetti, President/Managing

HLMFinancialGroup.com

404.836.1120

YOUR VOICE

Observations From an Uber Eats Driver Jean Bartlett I have been asked to share my experience as an Uber Eats driver during the COVID-19 pandemic—how it has affected me as part of the LGBTQ community.

First off, I’m not a writer; I’m a more visual person. I do photography, so bear with me.

Normally my profession is working as a licensed massage therapist (LMT), which is a serious “no go” right now. There is no way to “socially distance” yourself when you must touch soft tissue to perform your job.

However, I had signed up to be an Uber Eats driver to make some extra money even before all this went south.

I will tell you about Sunday. Sunday I was ready to hit the road around 11:30 am. I have learned Sundays are very busy, especially if the weather isn’t the best. The car is fueled up, app open, and I’m ready to hit the first bing I get. I started off close to my home in the Acworth/Kennesaw area and by the end of the day, 18 trips later, I was in Midtown.

You notice things when you’re driving, like a lack of people around, fewer vehicles on the road, shopping centers deserted, places of worship devoid of cars. Things like that.

Mostly people are hungry and sick of their own cooking. Sunday was a little different for me. It’s almost surreal out there, like getting stuck in a bad Lifetime channel movie— you’re waiting for the zombies to attack your car or something along those lines.

Somehow I ended up down on Camp Creek in Atlanta. This customer wrote a screaming message about wanting extra seasoning with her delivery. I’m thinking, “oh hell,” and I have to deliver it to her door instead of doing the standard “ding dong ditch” that is so popular in the COVID-19 era. I’m mentally preparing myself to get bitched out by this customer.

I take a deep breath and ring the doorbell.

The woman who opens the door has on Grady Memorial scrubs. I asked if she is a nurse. She is—part of the COVID-19 10 Community Strong May 22, 2020

“With this job, you get to drive around in areas you don’t normally go to. See things you didn’t know were there. It’s a great way to learn a new area.” response test team at Grady. She wanted a bit of food before her long shift. I thanked her for what she does, knowing it’s a calling, especially in a time like this.

She responds with a thank you and “it’s what I do, it’s what I do.” I left with a smile on my face, knowing I had made this nurse’s day a little more bearable with some comfort food.

With this job, you get to drive around in areas you don’t normally go to. See things you didn’t know were there. It’s a great way to learn a new area.

Another customer was waiting outside for me to get her food—again, not a norm in the current pandemic. You would have thought I brought this woman a million dollars, she was so kind and grateful to see me.

Some of the restaurants I stop at for pickups are overwhelmed and not sure how to handle this new business model. Others have stepped up their customer-service levels. Sometimes other delivery drivers are there also waiting on orders. I’m constantly getting comments on my fancy Uber Eats delivery bag. It’s a big, colorful backpack, insulated to keep the food either hot or cold. Most drivers don’t have these. Several drivers, as well as customers, have tried to buy it from me. It’s important to have this item, since at times you’re delivering 15–20 minutes, sometimes even 45 minutes away from the pickup spot. Nobody likes cold food or melted ice cream. Maintaining the preferred temperature is just part of the customer service I provide.

“Two seven four nine.” I remember this street number, because at this address I was talking

to a really cute dog in the window. The people inside had no clue why I was there and what I had in my bag. After several minutes a man from next door shouted at me that I had his delivery. He apparently didn’t know his own address: it was 2755. After telling him he had entered 2749, he said “it’s a good thing I came out here.” No, Dumbass, I would have called you on my app (thinking to myseIf).

I walked over, opened the top of my bag, and took several steps back so he can grab his food contact-free. He told me to “Have a blessed day,” which is Southern for “no tip.”

My last delivery was to a fancy high rise apartment building in Midtown. It was around 7pm; the weather was starting to turn to rain, it was cloudy and getting dark. I needed to go to the bathroom. My eyes were tired from looking at my cellphone all day and my ass needed to stretch. I was done. Going home.

I captured this image on Peachtree Street waiting at a light. It hit me hard. The whole day wrapped up in this picture with this caption.

I am grateful.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

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LET’S STAY CONNECTED. HIGH.ORG/STAY-CONNECTED Judy Pfaff (American, born England, 1946), Apples and Oranges, 1986, plastic laminates, painted steel, and wood, High Museum of Art, purchase with 20th-Century Art Acquisition Fund Atlanta, 1989.47. © Judy Pfaff/VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

YOUR VOICE

Helping Our Students During COVID-19 Epidemic Dr. Annise Mabry

“I always tell my students, ‘If Plan A doesn’t work, don’t stop. There are 26 letters in the alphabet. Pivot and shift.’”

I’ve been a homeschool mom since 2010, and I’m the founder of The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation. I also operate Tiers Free Academy—Georgia’s only nonprofit alternative high school diploma program for homeless LGBTQ youth, sex trafficking survivors, and high school dropouts.

We have an annual fundraiser called Drag for Diplomas, hosted by the Atlanta and Athens drag community at My Sister’s Room to raise funds for our Thrive with Pride program. Each student who graduates from the program gets an opportunity to apply for a $150 scholarship.

My diploma program went from enrolling four or five students each month to 10 students a week as COVID-19 hit.

People who had been enrolled in GED programs weren’t able to take their tests because they must be taken in person.

The demand for my program increased, but my funding from corporate partners and 12 Community Strong May 22, 2020

private donors disappeared.

When the City of Atlanta issued its shelterin-place order, I lost 20 monthly donors overnight. When I reached out to the performers, they responded with, “We’ll just move it online.” So, we did. Thanks to Atlanta Pride Committee which provided us with access to Crown Media Group, we became the first nonprofit to transition to an online drag show. Living rooms and hallways became stages, and I watched my community do what we have always done: show up.

As I watched all high school graduation ceremonies get canceled, my foundation made the decision to open up our graduation

ceremony to any public school senior who wasn’t getting a ceremony. Our graduating class needs this. We are showing up, because that is what we as a community do.

Yesterday, I did my first COVID-19 payroll.

Everyone on our payroll is an independent contractor, and my foundation made the decision to keep every contractor on payroll at a monthly rate. I applied for the SBA Payroll Protection Program, but received conflicting information regarding whether I could or couldn’t count these contractors in our total employee payroll head count.

Sometimes this just feels so heavy.

Sometimes I can pull myself out of my funk. Yesterday I couldn’t. But then

my community showed up; they made connections for me to the Georgia Center for Nonprofits and through their own personal relationships with the SBA. I still felt heavy, but I didn’t feel so alone.

I always tell my students, “If Plan A doesn’t work, don’t stop. There are 26 letters in the alphabet. Pivot and shift.” So, here’s to my community for holding me so tightly in their arms as those silent tears rolled down my face yesterday. Here’s to living the pivot and shift. COVID-19 killed our way of life, but it also rebirthed my community.

We have a PayPal fundraiser going right now to help us with all the unexpected costs and losses that COVID-19 created for us: paypal.com/us/fundraiser/ charity/216979 If you know a public school senior who wants to participate in the 2020 Graduation Ceremony, complete this quick Operation Graduation information sheet: forms.gle/ YnNwrBNHdNTpiCqEA TheGeorgiaVoice.com

BUSINESS NEWS

Restaurants , Stores Continue to Offer Services Amid Pandemic Staff Reports

The staff of Agave Restaurant PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Atlanta restaurants and small businesses are offering a variety of methods for providing services, whether it’s reopening, offering curbside pickup, or allowing for online orders. We have the complete guide to what local Atlanta businesses are continuing to offer patrons during this health crisis.

King of Pops: Available for Delivery Kingofpops.com Krog Street Market: Open for Take Out and Delivery Krogstreetmarket.com Kyma: Open for Take Out and Delivery Buckheadrestaurants.com/restaurant/kyma La Hacienda: Open for Take Out and Delivery Lahamidtown.com

RESTAURANTS

5 Church: Open for Curbside Pickup and Delivery 5churchatlanta.com

Lazy Llama: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Lazyllamacantina.com

57th Fighter Group: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery The57restaurant.com

Little Rey: Open for Take Out Littlerey.com

10th & Piedmont: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery 10thandpiedmont.com Agave: Open for Take Out and Delivery Agaverestaurant.com Aria: Open for Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Aria-atl.com Atlanta Fish Market: Open for Dine-in, Curbside Pick Up, and Delivery Buckheadrestaurants.com/restaurant/ atlanta-fish-market Bacchanalia: Open for Curbside Pickup and Delivery Starprovisions.com/bacchanalia Bantam and Biddy: Open for Take Out and Delivery Bantamandbiddy.com BeetleCat: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Beetlecatatl.com Bistro Niko: Open for Take Out and Delivery Buckheadrestaurants.com/restaurants/ bistro-niko Buckhead Diner: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Buckheadrestaurants.com/restaurant/ buckhead-diner

14 Business News May 22, 2020

Buttermilk Kitchen: Open for Take Out and Delivery Buttermilkkitchen.com Café Intermezzo: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Cafeintermezzo.com Chops Lobster Bar: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Buckheadrestaurants.com/restaurant/ chops-lobster-bar-atl

El Ponce: Open for Take Out and Delivery Elponce.com Empire State: Closed Empirestatesouth.com Escobar Restaurant & Tapas: Closed Escobaratlanta.com Family Dog: Open for Take Out and Delivery Thefamilydogatl.com

The Colonnade: Closed 404-874-5642

Fox Bros.: Open for Take Out and Delivery Foxbrosbbq.com

Cooks & Soldiers: Open for Take Out and Delivery Cooksandsoldeiers.com

Grand China: Open for Take Out and Delivery Grandchinaatl.com

Corner Café: Open for Take Out and Delivery Buckheadrestaurants/com/restaurant/ corner-cafe

Grindhouse Killer Burgers: Open for Take Out and Delivery Grindhouseburgers.com

Crazy Cuban: Open for Take Out and Delivery Crazycuban.com

Havana Sandwich Shop: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Havanaatlanta.com

Ecco: Open for Take Out and Delivery Midtown.ecco-atlanta.com

Home Grown: Open for Take Out and Delivery Homegrownga.com

El Azteca: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Aztecamex.com

Houston’s: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Houstons.com

Maggiano’s: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Maggianos.com Manuel’s Tavern: Open for Take Out and Delivery Manuelstavern.com Marcel: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Marcelatl.com Marlow’s Tavern: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Marlowstavern.com Mary Mac’s: Closed Marymacs.com Mediterranean Grill: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Mediterraneangrill.com Mellow Mushroom: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Mellowmushroom.com MetroFresh: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Metrofreshatl.com Midtown Moon: Open for Take Out and Delivery 404-343-6514

CONTINUES ON PAGE 15 TheGeorgiaVoice.com

BUSINESS NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

To go orders prepared at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

Miller Union: Open for Take Out and Delivery Millerunion.com/site

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

Murphy’s: Open for Take Out and Delivery Murphysatlanta.com

—Boy Next Door Menswear

Nakato: Open for Take Out and Delivery Nakatorestaurant.com

Hours: Thurs.-Sun. 10a-6pm, Fri.-Sat. 10am-9pm Brushstrokesatlanta.com

Nowak’s: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Nowaksrestaurant.com

Charis Books & More: Temporarily Closed, Available for Online Orders Charisbooksandmore.com

Papi’s: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Papisgrill.com Parker’s on Ponce: Open for Curbside Pickup Order online or call 404-924-2230 Parkersonponce.com Pricci: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Buckheadrestaurants.com/restaurant/pricci Roaster’s: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Roastersfresh.com Roxx Tavern: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery 404-892-4541 Sotto Sotto: Open for Take Out Sottosottoatl.com Souper Jenny: Open for Take Out and Delivery Souperjennyatl.com

The Cook’s Warehouse: Open Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-8pm, Sun. 11am-6pm Cookswarehouse.com Taverna Plaka: Open for Take Out and Delivery Tavernaplakaatlanta.com Taqueria del Sol: Open for Take Out and Delivery Taqueriadelsol.com Ted’s Montana Grill: Open for Take Out and Delivery Tedsmontanagrill.com Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours: Open for Take Out Daily and Delivery Tues., Thurs., Sat., and Sun. Twistedsoulcookhouseandpours.com Varsity-North Avenue: Open for Take Out and Delivery Thevarsity.com

South City Kitchen: Open for Take Out Midtown.southcitykitchen.com

Varuni Napoli: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Varuni.us/midtown

Star Provisions: Open for Take Out and Delivery Starprovisions.com

W.H. Styles Fish Camp: Open for Take Out and Delivery Starprovisions.com/fishcamptogo

STK: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Stksteakhouse.com/venues/atlanta

Waffle House: Open for Limited Dine-in and Take Out Locations.wafflehouse.com

Tabla: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Tablaatlanta.com

Wahoo Grill: Open for Take Out and Delivery Wahoogrilldecatur.com

Taco Mac: Open for Limited Dine-in, Take Out, and Delivery Tacomac.com

Wisteria: Open for Take Out and Delivery Wisteria-atlanta.com

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

“We ship free—always.

When we return, you’ll also have the option for curbside pickup in addition to delivery or shopping in store.”

Yeah! Burger: Closed Yeahburger.com

Eco Denizen: Temporarily Closed Ecodenizengiftshopatlanta.com

SHOPPING

Intaglia Home Collection: Open Hours: Wed.-Sat. 11am-5pm, Sun. Noon-5pm Purchase, schedule an appointment, pickup, or arrange delivery: 404-607-9750 or atlanta@intagliahome.com Intagliahome.com

Atlantic Station: Partially open Open retailers, restaurants, and services: BGR, California Pizza Kitchen, Great American Cookies/Pretzelmaker, Kilwins, NaanStop, Poké Bar, The Pig and The Pearl, Yardhouse, The Athlete’s Foot, AT&T, Cellairis, Dillards, DSW, Express, Fab’rik, Francesca’s, Pandora, Publix, Target, Dermalogica, Fuju Floral Design, Gyn Care, Liz Cleaners and Alterations, Piedmont Physicians Group, Tony’s Barber Studio Find individual hours and more information at atlanticstation.com/covid19 Barking Leather: Open Hours: Tues.-Sun. Noon-9pm Barkingleather.com Book Nook: Open Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11am-7pm, Fri.-Sat. 11am-9pm Booknookbookstoredecaturga.com Boy Next Door Menswear: Available for Online Orders Boynextdoormenswear.com Ansley Wine Merchants: Open for Curbside Pickup Hours: Mon.-Sat. Noon-6pm Place orders: 404-876-6790, 404-872-8326, or wineguru@ansleywine.com Ansleywine.com Brushstrokes Pleasures: Open

Lost-n-Found Thrift Store: Open Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10am-4pm Lnfy.org Out of the Closet Thrift Store: Open Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-7pm, Sun. 10am-6pm Outofthecloset.org Park Pet Supply: Open for Curbside Pickup, Dog Wash Closed Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11am-8pm, Sun. 11am-6pm If you know what you need: email parkpetsupplyy@gmail.com or text 404-936-7947 If you don’t know what you need: Call 404-588-0140 or 678-705-3066 Parkpetsupply.com Piedmont BARK: Open with Limited Lobby Hours Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7-10am and 4:30pm7:30pm Daycare, boarding, and grooming dropoffs and pick-ups only Tower Beer, Wine, and Spirits: Open for Curbside Pickup Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9am-8pm, Sun. 1-8pm Order online at towerwinespirits.com

May 22, 2020 Business News 15

BUSINESS NEWS

Covid-Related Business Innovations Rose Pelham

company Aviointeriors calls for the middle seat to face backwards and for all seats to be surrounded by plastic barriers to prevent the spread of the virus. Other proposed designs call only for plastic barriers between seats.

The Cheapest Ventilator Ever Made The “Vermontilator” is likely the simplest, and cheapest, ventilator ever made for mass production, costing only “a few hundred dollars per unit in parts and materials” according to Jason Bates, the lung expert who led the University of Vermont team that invented the device. A standard ventilator could cost in the area of twenty to thirty thousand dollars.

It should be noted that reversing the middle seat on hundreds, if not thousands, of passenger aircraft would likely be very expensive and may prove impractical for airlines.

The Long Arm of the Law By now you may have seen images of a prototype “social distancing clamp” used by the police in India to arrest people suspected to have COVID-19. Resembling nothing so much as a comically oversized theme park gift shop toy, it is unclear how much use the prototype has actually seen despite news coverage. Nonetheless, many understandably find the idea of the device being used to arrest people concerning, with some on Twitter criticizing it as dehumanizing.

Much of the reason for the high price of a standard ventilator is that it is designed to be versatile, much like a Swiss Army knife, with numerous settings requiring complex electronics and many different parts. The Vermontilator, by contrast, has only one setting, “airway pressure release ventilation,” or APRV for short, which some doctors, like Bates, believe helps to prevent injury to the lungs of COVID-19 patients.

3D Printed PPE To help combat global shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE), some people with 3D printers have begun manufacturing PPE components at home. The movement has been spurred along by the release of free, open-source PPE design files online from companies like Prusa Research in the Czech Republic and schools like Rowan University.

Clockwise from top left: 3D Printed PPE; The Vermontilator; Boston Dynamics’ dogshaped robot, “Spot”; The Janus design airplane seating; Cotton face mask.

There are, however, certain limitations on what PPE can be 3D printed. Significantly, it is not possible to 3D print the kinds of porous materials needed to filter air. As a result, 3D printed face masks and respirators rely on makeshift filter materials.

covid-19-pandemic, as well as the relevant information provided with the files. If you plan on printing PPE to donate to hospitals and other medical providers, you should contact them first to learn the necessary requirements.

The Prusa Research face shield design file can be downloaded at www.prusa3d.com/ covid19, and Rowan University’s face mask can be found at engineering.rowan.edu/ research-centers/mask/index.html.

The Robot Dog of the Present Before the pandemic, you may have seen videos online featuring Boston Dynamics’ dog-shaped robot, “Spot,” demonstrating feats of agility and balance—or, infamously, being kicked and shoved by its creators. Today, Spot has been modified to help in the response to the pandemic, but we probably will not be seeing Spot run any time soon in Atlanta.

According to Boston Dynamics’ webpage, Spot is being used to provide telemedicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Before printing PPE at home, you should consult the FDA FAQ on 3E Printing of Medical Devices at www.fda.gov/ medical-devices/3d-printing-medicaldevices/faqs-3d-printing-medical-devicesaccessories-components-and-parts-during16 Business News May 22, 2020

The pandemic has forced changes in policing throughout the world and the social distancing clamp is only the tip of the iceberg. In Tunisia, police are using a drone resembling a miniature tank to question people out in public.

Boston Dynamics is also developing additional medical applications for Spot during the pandemic, including checking patients’ vital signs and disinfecting indoor spaces.

Flying Backwards The pandemic will doubtless change air travel forever, and one of the more innovative proposed changes has been backward-facing middle seats.

Currently, social distancing while flying is nearly impossible, and airlines are keeping middle seats empty on the few jets that are still flying.

Airplane design firms have sought to find ways of changing airplane seating to better comply with the imperative of social distancing while allowing the middle seat to remain occupied.

The “Janus” design proposed by the Italian

The Humble Cotton Face Mask It is often the simplest technologies that have the greatest impact on daily life, and this is certainly true of the cotton face mask, which has become a mandatory household item and a passport for entering public spaces. While the cotton face mask offers limited personal protection against the virus, it does a good job of protecting others by catching droplets of saliva or mucus when we speak, cough, or sneeze.

That said, cotton face masks can be modified to become more effective for protecting one’s self. Scientists have found that using thicker materials, multiple layers of fabric, and nylon stockings to ensure a tight seal can substantially improve the effectiveness of homemade facemasks, according to NPR. For those looking to make cotton face masks at home, CDC guidelines can be found here: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/preventgetting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

JIM FARMER ACTING OUT

New Queer Offerings Available on Netflix Netflix has long been known as an LGBTQ friendly streaming service, but queer offerings seem to have really taken off this year. This spring alone has seen the release of gay-themed documentaries “Tiger King” and “Circus of Books,” and Netflix also recently launched Ryan Murphy’s popular “Hollywood.”

Smaller in nature, but both worth checking out, are two new films with lesbian themes.

“The Half of It” is directed by Alice Wu, who many remember from her lesbianthemed “Saving Face” in 2004. In this film, newcomer Leah Lewis stars as teenager Ellie Chu, a bookish Chinese American living with her dad. Ellie seems to be the only Asian in her school in the (fictional) town of Squahamish, Washington. She makes money by writing essays for her classmates, but one day gets another kind of offer. Paul Munsky, played by Daniel Diemer, is a goofy football player who falls for Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire), who is new in school but has been embraced quickly by the popular clique.

Paul wants Ellie to write a letter to win Aster over—and she does. But while Paul swoons over Aster for her physical beauty, Ellie— who has never experienced love—looks behind the surface at who Aster really is.

18 Columnist May 22, 2020

Netflix releases new LGBTQ content with “The Half of It” (above) and “A Secret Love” (left). (Publicity photos)

It’s “Cyrano de Bergerac” through a Young Adult filter. The film can be bit predictable and I wish some of the supporting characters had a bit more depth, such as Becky Ann Baker, who plays a protective teacher of Ellie. The heart of the film, surprisingly, is not either love relationship, but the unlikely bond that develops between Ellie and Paul.

For Ellie, it’s a friendship she never could have predicted. Chu anchors her character’s growth from someone who is shy and afraid to take risks to someone more accepting of herself.

“The Half of It” becomes a film that is sweet and empowering without being annoying.

was 18 and Terry was 22. They became a couple and largely kept it to themselves over the years, living together and pretending to be cousins. Donahue was a catcher for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which inspired the hit film, “A League of Their Own.”

The more than 65-year relationship between Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel is at the heart of the documentary, “A Secret Love.”

The two women, both born in Canada, wound up in Chicago, meeting when Pat

The documentary is produced by Ryan Murphy, who is particularly ubiquitous these days. As the film opens, Terry’s niece, Diana, suggests that the two women enter a retirement facility. With plenty of archival

footage, the film is full of wonderful moments looking back at the women’s lives. Terry’s baseball days were groundbreaking, and she carries around signed cards that fans eat up. She’s the one most people fall for first.

“Everybody loves Terry. They put up with me only because of Terry,” Pat observes. Pat is the more serious of the two, but her feelings for Terry are never in doubt, as seen in the letters she writes to her true love. Pat looks back at her life lovingly, knowing the two women lived the life they wanted to in an era they weren’t supposed to. The central pair—full of charisma—easily carries the film.

“A Secret Love” was scheduled to premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival before that event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it’s available to the masses. It’s poignant and beautifully directed by Chris Bolan, who is Diana’s son.

“The Half of It” and “A Secret Love” are currently streaming on Netflix.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

May 22, 2020 Ads 19

CLIFF BOSTOCK OLD GAY MEN

Inspirations From a Drag Queen There’s a problem with drag queens. Before I explain that, let me explain me.

When I was five—in the ’50s—my mother took me to a psychologist in downtown Charlotte. I remember playing in a sandbox where I promptly buried the mommy and daddy dolls. Looking down the hall into another room, I saw my mother standing in front of the doctor’s desk. With one hand touching her chest, she wailed in her heavy Southern accent, “Do you mean my little boy’s going to grow up to be a fay-yy-ry?”

After that trauma, my mother took it upon herself to man-up the five-year-old me. She put me in a gym to take tumbling lessons. By the time I was 12, she had me lifting weights in the attic, as if I were producing enough testosterone for it to matter. She made me protein shakes. I had a tanning lamp. I had a military haircut. In other words, in her futile pursuit to make me musc and masc, she prepared me perfectly for eventual life as a homosexual. Meanwhile, I remained in the closet and, at the age of 20—giving up a Yale fellowship—I got married. I dragged my wife to rural Georgia, where I edited weekly newspapers. All of this was to hide within a fantasy of normality that lasted less than five years.

After divorce, my penis more and more steadfastly refused to point where my mother wanted it to. One night, I went to Hollywood Hots on Cheshire Bridge Road.

Soon after I arrived at the nightclub, this outrageous, punkish queen came out of the shadows. Her name was Lily White. She and her two friends, the Grease Sisters, lipsynced “Summertime Blues” by the Flying Lizards. I’ve told this story many times, but I basically woke up during their performance.

I realized that being gay—being an outlaw— was going to be a fabulous adventure.

Now, back to my first sentence here. Drag queens have always been a problem. As the first to hurl rocks at Stonewall, they were the ultimate outlaws of that time. Their success as performers depended on sabotaging norms.

20 Columnist May 22, 2020

The many faces of Lily White (Photos via Facebook)

Because of that, many gay men marginalized them as embarrassing stereotypes who stalled the path to full acceptance. Whatever. I didn’t get awakened by a drag queen at 25 to turn my vestigial fear and self-loathing back on my liberator.

This attitude persisted among many for years. Every gay pride, queens (and boys in leather) were reviled by the masters of masc.

When AIDS arrived, it was drag queens like the Armorettes who raised money and took the edge off our suffering with their campy, black humor. Ultimately, RuPaul, who lived

on Juniper Street, emerged as a drag queen who has turned the very thing that so many insecure gay men regarded as shameful into a global metaphor for exactly what Lily White revealed (more creatively) to me in the late ’70s: Cultivating eccentricity, not hiding it, is our real task.

Drag’s phenomenal popularity does make me wonder whether the normalization of something radical disempowers it. About 35 years ago, I left a Halloween party with a painted, bearded face in a torn black slip, a jock strap, a purple wig, and Doc Martens. I

had a flat tire on Ponce. The homeless circled the car like moths. Two cop cars pulled up behind me, their blue lights swirling. One cop got out of his car, looked in my window, and froze. I’d done nothing illegal. Feeling full-on Lily White and ready to go psycho, I looked at him and said, “Don’t.” He got back in his car, waved at the other car, and both drove away.

Several of the homeless applauded. I wonder: would that happen today?

You can find Lily White, who is in nursing home care, on Facebook. She has two pages, Lily White and Lily White II. TheGeorgiaVoice.com

MELISSA CARTER THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

The Art of Language: Music’s Valuable Teacher I was about 10 years old when music really entered my soul. That was the time when I would constantly replay songs to master the lyrics so I could stand in front of the mirror with a brush in hand, giving a passionate concert to the toiletries that covered the bathroom counter. Besides providing inspiration and plenty of daydreaming, music also served a valuable teacher in the art of language.

The other day I was texting with a friend and used the phrase “it’s a moot point” if she didn’t do something. Every time I use that word I think back to the time Rick Springfield taught me the true meaning of moot.

In “Jessie’s Girl,” Mr. Springfield says: I play along with the charade There doesn’t seem to be a reason to change You know, I feel so dirty when they start talking cute I wanna tell her that I love her But the point is probably moot I thought he was singing mute and simply saying it incorrectly so it would rhyme.

Frustrated, I checked the sleeve of “Working Class Dog” and found the lyrics printed right there for me to see … moot. I then checked the dictionary for the meaning.

The Police also helped me broaden my vocabulary. In “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” the men offer: It’s no use, he sees her He starts to shake and cough Just like the old man in That book by Nabakov I couldn’t figure out what the hell they were singing, so again I checked the album sleeve on “Zenyatta Mondatta” to solve the mystery, which led me further to research who Nabakov was and the book the band referenced. In case you never knew, they are 22 Columnist May 22, 2020

talking about novelist Vladimir Nabokov, who wrote the book, “Lolita,” about a middle-aged man who becomes obsessed and sexually involved with a 12-year-old girl.

Not my favorite discovery, since I hoped the girl in the song was somewhat older than prepubescent.

One song was so full of history references, teachers across the country used it in their classrooms. “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel still lives on eBay, where you can find all sorts of lesson plans and activities revolving around that one song.

Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray South Pacific, Walter Winchell, Joe DiMaggio Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, Studebaker, television North Korea, South Korea, Marilyn Monroe Rosenbergs, H-bomb, Sugar Ray, Panmunjom Brando, “The King and I” and “The Catcher in the Rye” Eisenhower, vaccine, England’s got a new queen Marciano, Liberace, Santayana goodbye All that before the chorus. That’s a whole semester of activity for a cool teacher to present to otherwise bored students.

There are other lessons one can learn from music, of course, some not quite appropriate for a younger audience. When Mr. Carter is jamming out to Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” or Maroon 5’s “Sugar,” I am grateful he’s not yet asking what they mean, since those are subject matters for an older time.

It has been proved that music can be a healing tool for those with mental disabilities. I’m not surprised, since music has been expanding my mind for decades and will always be a source of comfort—a habit Julie Andrews taught me in “The Sound of Music:” I go to the hills when my heart is lonely I know I will hear what I’ve heard before My heart will be blessed with the sound of music And I’ll sing once more.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

RYAN LEE SOMETIMES ‘Y’

Harvey Milk’s Fortuitous ‘Last Dance’ Harvey Milk would’ve turned 90 years old this week, although the pioneering LGBT activist and politician probably wouldn’t have reached that age even if he hadn’t been assassinated. While his death and the subsequent leniency a homophobic jury granted his killer remain painful four decades later, the richest gift Milk received in his life was his murder.

Most birthday tributes won’t contemplate the benefits of Milk’s killing, and the mere suggestion seems to disturb his legacy and its importance to LGBT history. Some of that reflects queer folks settling on a convenient narrative offered by events as they occurred, and in fairness, most non-LGBTQ people would also struggle to see the bright side of being executed at point-blank range by a demented colleague.

Milk himself had a lifelong fatalism that convinced him he would not age into his golden years, according to biographer Randy Shilts, who quoted Milk as telling a friend: “I’ve known it since I was a kid. I’ll never make it to 50. There’s just something sinister down the road. I don’t know what it is, but it’s there.”

Rather than fear what felt to him inevitable, Milk used his hyper-awareness of the limited time we all have on this earth to abandon his “pretend” life as a closeted Wall Street Republican for a more authentic one where he shed guilt over his desires and became a warrior for queer dignity and liberation. That his captivating voice and viewpoint were snuffed from this world prematurely at age 48 is terribly sad—until you consider the alternative.

Had Dan White never gone berserk and gunned down Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone in 1978, the “something sinister” Milk had worried about would have come a few years later in viral form. History has tended to treat assassinated freedom fighters with more reverence than it has shown the earliest waves of AIDS patients, and it is TheGeorgiaVoice.com

Harvey Milk PHOTO VIA WIKICOMMONS

likely our plague would have swallowed Milk’s achievements and memory as greedily as it devoured so many others of his generation.

Becoming a martyr has more lasting power than becoming a medical statistic, which someone with Milk’s tenacity for attention would undoubtedly appreciate. None of this lessens the grief felt from the violence perpetrated against one of our icons, but it illustrates how easily lore overwhelms nuance.

I thought about Harvey Milk when pondering whether there is a Michael Jordan of the LGBTQ movement. This curiosity was sparked

by ESPN’s “The Last Dance” docuseries chronicling No. 23’s final year with the Chicago Bulls. The program exalts Jordan as the greatest professional athlete of all time, while delving into the darker side of his competitiveness that led to violence against teammates and gambling losses in the tens of thousands.

Only in fairy tales are heroes and endings uncomplicated, which is worth keeping in mind when dealing with peers, partners or parents who inevitably veer from the storyline we expect. Some of my more loving friends express affection and gratitude by deifying me as the embodiment of certain ideals— perseverance and authenticity, for example– and it feels vital to remind them that I can be as selfish and confused and contradictory as people they think they despise.

Milk’s story is also a valuable reminder, especially during these confusing times, that silver linings can be mined from every struggle, no matter how dark or hurtful things initially feel. The slain leader’s mantra—“You gotta give ‘em hope”—is his richest, eternal gift to us.

May 22, 2020 Columnist 23