Georgia Voice 06/02/23, Vol. 14 Issue 6

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.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. 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, and may give you HBV medicine.

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 a ect 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.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:

 Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.

 Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fi ght infections that may have been hidden in your body. 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 e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%). These are not all the possible side e ects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

You are encouraged to report negative side e ects 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.

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.

(bik-TAR-vee)

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and KEEP BEING YOU are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. © 2023 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0292 04/23

No matter where life takes you,

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.

Person featured takes BIKTARVY and is compensated by Gilead.

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

About the cover:

Cover photo courtesy of Margaret Cho TheGeorgiaVoice.com

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Target and the Emptiness of Rainbow Capitalism

Pride started as an assertion that queer lives are worthy of being lived truthfully and openly. Pride is loud, a riotous demonstration against a state determined to keep us scared, quiet, stuck in the margins. Pride is an exclamation that not only is there nothing wrong with being gay, lesbian, trans, pansexual, nonbinary, HIV-positive, asexual, polyamorous, a drag queen — it’s actually beautiful. To be radically yourself — whatever that may mean — is expansive, exploratory, vulnerable, and honest. It is an escape from denial into sacred, real love: I am not lying. I am not scared. I am not confused. I am myself, and I am proud to be.

What is Pride if not a middle finger to the notion that people and their expression, love, and relationships with themselves and others is not for anyone else to control? What is Pride if not the antidote to shame, the most pervasive weapon used against the LGBTQ community?

I can tell you what Pride is not: a moneymaking strategy, despite corporations like Target treating it as such. As is the inevitability of capitalism, everything that is real and good is eventually commodified and sold back to us plastic, cheap, and hollow. Target and other rainbow-washing culprits have learned the truth: Pride is political, and to stand for it means rooting your feet to the ground or else crumbling.

Target, unsurprisingly, has crumbled, responding to reported threats made against its company and employees by backing down and moving Pride merchandise to the back of the store in some states.

This situation, unfortunately, is a perfect example of how effective shame can be, when

paired (as it almost always is) with violence, and why Pride is necessary. What Target didn’t predict when deciding to turn a rainbow profit was that violent suppression was inevitable and they were taking on a political (and therefore controversial by nature) position that would need to be defended. The LGBTQ community will always be a scapegoat for people grasping desperately for power; this war against the LGBTQ community, while terrifying, frustrating, and disheartening, is not surprising. When Target, Bud Light, and other companies back down to intimidation, they abandon us. They leave us to the wolves, which is so much more dangerous than if they opted to never sell rainbow T-shirts at all.

“If [Target is] going to wade in on this, and they’re going to put support out there for the LGBTQ population, I think once they enter that fray they have a responsibility to stand by that community,” Michael Edison Hayden, a senior investigative reporter and spokesperson for Southern Poverty Law Center, told NPR “As soon as you back down like this, you send a message that intimidation works, and that makes it much scarier than if you had never started to begin with.”

Target gave anti-LGBTQ extremists a win. Their decision will encourage more violence.

Everyone has a right to protest, and that includes boycott. If homophobes and transphobes want to never shop at Target again, it is their right to do so. But homophobia and transphobia aren’t acts of protest; they are, inherently, acts of violence. They will always turn to violence, in one way or another. This was not about just a loss of profit; the company and its employees were being threatened. Safety is the priority above all else, but god damn am I angry that antiLGBTQ bigots now feel like Target sees some value in the bullshit they believe.

What will continually be proven, over and over again, is that corporations who encourage you to love yourself in order to make money off of you will never, ever, ever truly care about you. While Target may back down, we never will. We will continue to fight for each other and ourselves, and we won’t let people who think tucking swimsuits are more threatening than literal violence make us feel small. We are not scared. We are ourselves, and we are proud to be.

Katie Burkholder

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / THE IMAGE PARTY

Target Stores Across the Country Receive Bomb Threats Over LGBTQ Merchandise

Police departments in Utah, Ohio and Pennsylvania aided by assistance from agents from Federal Bureau of Investigation Field Offices in Ohio and Utah are investigating threats made by email to local media referencing the retail chain Target’s LGBTQ merchandise collections celebrating Pride Month.

KUTV CBS 2 Salt Lake City reported that Sgt. John Ottesen with Layton Utah Police said bomb threats were made to Target stores in Layton, Salt Lake City, Taylorsville and Provo. Ottesen confirmed that multiple law enforcement agencies commenced the investigation after the local new stations received the emailed threats.

A Target store in Layton, Utah, was evacuated after police said they were informed of a bomb threat to multiple Utah locations.

The threats specifically mentioned Target’s Pride merchandise, were three sentences long, and came from a “bogus email address,” according to Ottesen.

WOIO Cleveland 19 News received a bomb threat against four Target stores in Ohio and a store in Monaca, Pa., purportedly from a person or persons angry over Target Corporation’s decision to remove some of the LGBTQ merchandise after a series of threats and physical threats against its retail clerks and staff in several Southern states earlier this week.

It was not immediately known if the threats were legitimate, though precautions were quickly taken to ensure staff and customer’s safety according to officials.

A Target spokesperson who spoke with multiple media outlets said: “The safety of our team members and guests is our top priority. Law enforcement investigated these claims and determined our stores are safe. Our stores are currently open and operating regular hours.”

Speaking for the Minneapolis-based retail

giant, spokesperson Kayla Castañeda noted: “Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and wellbeing while at work. Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior.”

Castañeda also released a statement from the company:

“For more than a decade, Target has offered an assortment of products aimed at celebrating Pride Month. Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and wellbeing while at work. Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year.”

DeSantis Stumbles into 2024 Race with Chaotic, Disorganized Announcement

More than 300,000 Twitter users were logged in at 6pm on Wednesday, May 25, to hear Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis begin his 2024 presidential campaign in an announcement address featuring the social media platform’s owner, Elon Musk.

Following reports on Tuesday of DeSantis’ unorthodox plans to announce his run for president, pundits saw a golden opportunity for the Florida governor to generate buzz around his campaign, which seemed to lose momentum leading up to its official launch.

Responding to questions from moderator David Sacks, DeSantis defended Florida’s spate of anti-LGBTQ policies, like last year’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which criminalizes classroom discussion of LGBTQ subjects and, earlier this month, was broadened to cover more grade levels.

LGBTQ groups, Democratic Florida lawmakers, and other critics argue the law was written with discriminatory intent, to create a chilling effect that will discourage educators from creating welcoming environments for LGBTQ students.

Disney came out against the measure, kicking off an ongoing spat with DeSantis, who said on Wednesday that the company “obviously supported injecting gender ideology in elementary school.”

The governor also objected to what he characterized as the media’s misleading coverage of Florida’s adoption of policies restricting the educational materials made available in schools.

In advance of Wednesday’s conversation with Musk, DeSantis filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission formally declaring his plans to enter the race as LGBTQ and other civil rights advocacy groups registered their objections to his candidacy as well as to Florida’s policies under his leadership.

“Dangerously out of step with average Americans’ views on freedom and equality, DeSantis has weaponized his position as governor to target and punish anyone he considers his political enemy, including LGBTQ families,” Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in a statement Wednesday.

Following Tuesday’s statement from the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which called DeSantis a “transphobic bigot” who has “no place in government — let alone the White House,” the LGBTQ Victory Institute on Wednesday said his entry into the race is “bad news for America — and even worse for anyone who’s part of a community he’s targeted while in office as governor.”

Screenshot from YouTube COURTESY OF 11 ALIVE ATLANTA

IF YOU WANT A SINGING CAREER, STAY AWAY FROM SECONDHAND SMOKE.

Ellie’s severe asthma attacks were triggered by secondhand smoke at work. She and her partner have to live with its effects forever. If you or someone you know wants free help to quit smoking, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

#CDCTips

Her partner, Karen Florida

Ellie, Age 57

National Center for Civil and Human Rights Releases Second Southern LGBTQ Report

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights LGBTQ Institute, in conjunction with Emory University, has released the results of an online survey conducted between June 2021 and March 2022 aimed toward LGBTQ Southerners.

The survey covered various topics, such as an individual’s experiences in school and work, the discrimination they have faced, their political leanings and voting behavior, and activities individuals do with their free time outside school and work, such as travel and leisure. All individuals who participated in the survey were at least 18 years of age and lived in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, or West Virginia.

The 2022–2023 survey saw an increase in the representation of transgender and nonbinary respondents, as well as a more proportional representation of white versus BIPOC and multiracial respondents. Transgender and nonbinary respondents represented 25 percent of the total surveyed population, while in the 2017–2018 survey, they represented 17 percent. While the percentage of BIPOC respondents remained mostly the same between the two surveys, the percentage of white respondents decreased from 83 percent to 79 percent, meaning the results of this year’s survey more proportionately represented the BIPOC LGBTQ community. The majority of respondents were Georgia residents, with many of them living in urban areas and havind fulltime employee, student, or retired status.

According to Dr. Giacomo Negro, one of the primary authors of the survey, the first version or wave of the survey conducted between 2017–2018 was by the Center in conjunction

with Georgia State University, led by primary authors Eric R. Wright, Joshua Simpkins, and others. Dr. Negro said the surveys had some similarities in their content, but the second rendition was revised to include more questions and cover different topics. While the first version emphasized experiences in health care, the 2022 survey had more of a focus on school and work experiences. He also said the changed questions were not the result of an information gap or deficiency in the last article, but rather a reflection of the specific areas of interest the lead authors had when the second survey was written.

The survey revealed much about how members of the LGBTQ community are perceived and how they feel, what they experience, and how politically aware and active they are, among other topics.

Key findings:

• 10 percent of respondents reported having experienced some form of conversion therapy

• 23 percent of multiracial respondents, 22

percent of Black respondents, and 21 percent of transgender respondents reported having been the subject of targeting, harassment, or abuse from law enforcement due to being perceived as LGBTQ+

• 12 percent of young respondents (18–29) were denied bathroom access

• 20 percent of respondents reported having no perceived allies in their place of work or school

• 52 percent of trans respondents reported trying to “pass” as being non-LGBTQ to avoid discrimination

• 59.6 percent of respondents reported their political awareness as “knowing what is going on most of the time”

Tim’m West, the director of the LGBTQ Institute, said the center hopes to continue to conduct a similar survey in a few years. He noted one point of interest with future surveys will be having a more proportional representation of BIPOC and transgender

or nonbinary respondents. West said one cause of this is the fact that many traditional LGBTQ spaces are white-led.

“My expectation and my commitment is that, if it went from 82 [percent of white respondents] to 78 [percent of white respondents], next time it can be 75 or 72 or 70 until it’s far more representative of what the population looks like,” he told Georgia Voice

West said in the future he also wants to continue to use these surveys as a tool for advocacy. One way he’s already doing this is through activities like the LGBTQ Symposium, which will be part of the NAESM Conference happening in June.

“All of the panels and the discussions that we are going to do are going to relate back to the survey,” he said. While in previous years the Center has been seen as an academic and data-driven institution, West said he wants to flip the script by “letting the advocates lead the conversation and having academics respond.”

West said another initiative that has used survey data is the “You(th) Belong Program” from the LGBTQ Institute, which is meant to help educate, empower, and provide mentorship to LGBTQ youth.

West said he is committed to finding ways to continue to use data to create positive change for the LGBTQ community.

“Great data’s nice to have,” he said, “but if it’s not really leading to people experiencing more freedom, experiencing more equity in their lives, it doesn’t have any value to me in and of itself.”

You can read the full survey online at thegavoice.com.

Sukainah Abid-Kons

Tim’m West, the director of the LGBTQ Institute COURTESY PHOTO

All of Us is a research program from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is seeking one million or more people from across the U.S. More than 431,770 people have already signed up to take part, 42,876 of those identify as LGBTQ+. Joining the All of Us Research Program is your chance to help speed up medical research that will benefit you and your community.

All LGBTQ+ Americans deserve to be seen, heard, and understood— especially when it comes to medical research. #JoinAllofUsLGBTQ

To learn more:

Visit: JoinAllofUs.org/GeorgiaVoice

Email: allofuslgbtq@stanford.edu

Call: (650) 498-5010

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @AllofUsLGBTQ

There’s a gap in medical research that only you can fill.

First Doraville Pride to Affirm All Members of the Community

Doraville Pride was founded in 2018 to march in the Atlanta Pride parade. Five years later, Doraville Pride will not only still be marching in this year’s parade — they will also be hosting their own Pride celebration for the first time on June 3.

Ashley Marshall and Angela Werner, the copresidents of Doraville Pride, reached out to the City of Doraville to see if the June edition of the withstanding Movie Under the Stars summer event series could be Pride-themed.

“Being that [Doraville Pride is] community led, and it aligns with the vision behind the city of diversity, vitality, [and] community, we definitely were excited about the partnership,” Crystal Dawson, the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs for the City of Doraville, told Georgia Voice

The theme of the event is “Celebrate All Love,” and along with the movie — “Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt),” an Australian rom-com about a 17-year-old who enlists her dead lesbian aunt’s help in finding the courage to ask her classmate to the formal — there will also be face painting, games, art activities led by DArt (Doraville’s art center), a staged reading of a Pride play put on by Merely Players, Doraville Pride T-shirts, and more. The event, which is sponsored by Yelp, Gray Television, and Assembly, will be family friendly and open to everyone.

“This is a city-sponsored event where we are trying to open up to all families,” Dawson said. “We’re not trying to target only one group in our community, we want the entire community to attend and to feel welcome

and feel like there’s something that they can gain from it. So, making sure that it was family-friendly was important.”

Because of its vibrant and diverse LGBTQ community, Doraville has made LGBTQ history. The city elected the state’s first openly trans elected official, Stephe Koontz, in 2017, and its current mayor, Joseph Geierman, is gay. The city’s first LGBTQ member of the city council, Brian Bates, was elected in 2007, and current member of the council Andy Yeoman is openly gay.

“I am thrilled the City of Doraville is

partnering with our local Pride group for an LGBTQ movie screening,” Mayor Geierman said in a press release. “In Doraville, we don’t just talk about diversity — we live it, inviting everyone to join in our celebration of love, acceptance, and pride.”

To further affirm Doraville’s commitment to the LGBTQ community, Mayor Geierman is set to issue a proclamation officially declaring June as Pride Month for the city.

Despite being the city’s first Pride, Doraville

Pride promises to be an impressive kickoff to what Werner hopes will become a mainstay for queer and allied Doraville residents.

“We’re hoping that it’ll be an annual event moving forward and just get bigger with each year,” she said. “So, I think for the first year, we already have quite a bit going on.”

Doraville Pride will be held at Honeysuckle Park (3037 Pleasant Valley Drive) on June 3 at 6:30pm. To learn more, visit facebook. com/DoravillePride.

Katie Burkholder

Doraville Pride was founded in 2018 to march in the Atlanta Pride parade, and now will be having its own very first Pride. PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

Get the family caregiving support you need.

No matter where you are in the journey of caring for a family member or a loved one, having a solid plan to guide you and your loved one will make the process easier.

The LGBTQ Community Caregiving Guide is a FREE caregiving resource guide that provides straightforward information, steps to make a plan, forming a team and caring for yourself, and checklists that help guide family conversations.

Pride NATIONWIDE

Katie Burkholder

Atlanta’s Pride festival isn’t for a few months, but if you’re hankering to don your rainbow gear and celebrate Pride month with most of the nation, have no fear! Whether you want to take a drive or hop on a plane, there are fabulous Pride festivals, parties, and parades happening all over the country.

Washington, D.C.

Now–June 11

Two hour flight

Washington turns out for Pride. The iconic Idina Menzel is headlining this year’s Capital Pride and other events include a trans pride pool party; an opening party with Alaska, Tatianna, and Beaux Banks; a parade brunch, and so much more! Learn more at capitalpride.org.

Key West, Florida

June 6–11

Two hour flight

If you’re looking for a LOT to do, Key West Pride is a great choice. Pride kicks off with a “Real Men Do Drag” charity event on June 6 at 6 p.m. and the event lineup includes the 20th Anniversary of the Seato-sea Diversity Flag Bash, vibrator races for charity, a local bartender competition, pool parties, laser light shows on Duval Street, glow parties, a pajama party, a disco party, the Pride parade, the street fair, and SO much more. You can learn more about Key West Pride and view the entire schedule at gaykeywestfl.com/pride.

Los Angeles, California

June 9–11

Five hour flight

Unsurprisingly, L.A. Pride is going to be a star-studded event. Mariah Carey and Megan Thee Stallion are headlining, and other performances include Fletcher, King Princess, Symone, Gigi Goode, Dorian Electra, G Flip, The Scarlet Opera, Violet Chachki, Sasha Colby, and more. Learn more about the entire weekend at lapride.org/ la-pride-2023.

New Orleans, Louisiana

June 9–11

Seven hour drive

Bourbon Street during Pride? Sign us up! Along with PrideFest and the Pride parade on June 10, the weekend includes a concert from the New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus, Family Equality Day, and a drag brunch and Britney Spears burlesque brunch. Learn more at neworleanspride.org.

Chicago, Illinois

June 17–18, 24–25

Two hour flight

You’ll have two opportunities to celebrate Pride in the Windy City. There’s PrideFest, the two-day street festival on June 17 and 18 with three stages of entertainment, including the best of Chicago’s drag and DJs; and Pride in the Park, a musical festival headlined by Zedd and Saweetie. This year’s parade will be on June 25, so if you want to see the parade, opt for Pride in the Park. Learn more at chicagopride.gopride.com.

Nashville, Tennessee

June 22–25

Five hour drive

Nashville Pride weekend kicks off on Thursday with an evening of live entertainment: Vidalia Anne Gentry, Trey Alize, Kennedy Ann Scott, Venus Ann Serena, and DJ Manrelic. Following the parade and festival, the weekend ends with the Sweet Tea Dance at Basement East. Learn more at nashvillepride.org.

Raleigh, North Carolina

June 24

Seven hour drive

While there isn’t a Pride parade, Raleigh Pride has gone strong for 12 years and is one of the biggest Pride celebrations in North Carolina. This year’s theme is Love 365, as a reminder that we are our true selves every single day of the year, not just in June! Keep up with Raleigh Pride on Facebook at facebook. com/outraleigh.

New York, New York

June 24–25

Two hour flight

There truly is no Pride quite like the home of Stonewall. The highlight of this year’s NYC Pride is Pride Island, which caps off the weekend with an array of dancing, lights,

interactive experiences, and music at Brooklyn Army Terminal. This year’s headliner is Christina Aguilera. Other events include Bliss Days, NYC Pride’s annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ womxn at The DL Rooftop & Lounge, and Teaze, the annual celebration of diverse queer existence centering BIPOC individuals at Club Lambda BK. The street fair will be in Greenwich Village and the march starts from 25th Street and 5th Avenue. This year’s Grand Marshals are Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Hope Giselle, and Randolfe “Randy” Wicker, and Angelica Ross will co-host. You can learn more at nycpride.org.

San Francisco, California

June 24–25

Five hour flight

There is arguably no gayer city than San Francisco. This year’s celebration will honor the history of Stonewall with a Looking Back and Moving Forward theme. Buy a Pride Pass to get Pride Grandstand seating at the Pride Parade, access to the VIP Party at the Asian Art Museum and the official SF Pride afterparty, and a goody bag — and if you pay extra, you’ll get a retired rainbow flag that once flew along the parade route (a true piece of history — the rainbow flag was first unfurled at San Francisco Pride in 1978!). Learn more at sfpride.org.

NYC Pride PHOTO BY SHUTTEROCK.COM / RAPHAEL RIVEST

GREAT VIBES &

Human Rights Campaign Launches Leadership Program for Trans Mascs in Atlanta

Adalei Stevens

On May 12 and 13, the Human Rights Campaign’s Transgender Justice Initiative held an inaugural event in Atlanta for their new leadership cohort, Motivate, a program for trans-masc individuals seeking to “combat stigma and discrimination, help end trans violence and HIV, promote sexual health and equity, and provide access to work opportunities, professional development, and education.” The program comes four years after ELEVATE, a “fellowship advancing public health leadership for trans women of color.”

Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative, Tori Cooper, prioritizes “economic empowerment, capacity-building programs, public safety, and expanded public education campaigns” to provide trans people with opportunities for equity and to educate non-trans, or cisgender, individuals on trans issues. Cooper’s career in advocacy spans 30 years of service, from volunteer roles to founder and executive director of Advocates for Better Care Atlanta, LLC, and was the first Black trans woman to serve on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.

In 2021, Cooper told NPR, “My goal as an individual who’s part of a collective is to make sure that we are bringing more equitable health outcomes and even the playing field [to] increase people’s capacity to live healthily and happily.”

According to Emory University, Metro Atlanta has the fourth highest rate of HIV across major U.S. cities, and “some zip codes in the Atlanta area have rates of HIV/AIDS that are six to eight times higher than the national average.” The epidemic in our city indicates a lack of access and support for its residents, a problem that the Motivate

leadership cohort hopes to correct. As a part of the Transgender Justice Initiative, Motivate has the goal to provide access to healthcare for people with HIV/AIDS with the help of Black and Brown trans-masc advocates in the South.

The Transgender Justice Initiative has four pillars: public safety, capacity building, strategic communications, and economic empowerment. According to HRC, the Motivate program “is advancing the next group of Black and Brown trans advocates in Atlanta,” and it arrives during an unprecedented and increased hostility against trans individuals. While conservative and antitrans legislators claim they are “protecting the children” from learning about queerness and transgenderism, their ideology causes violence and ends innocent lives.

Ashley Burton, a 37-year-old Black trans woman, was tragically killed earlier this year on April 11 in Atlanta, GA. While

Fox 5 reports that Ashley’s family believes “her being transgender had nothing to do with her murder,” a 2022 report from HRC found that “approximately one-third of trans and gender non-conforming people with known killers had their lives taken by” someone they knew.

As of May 25, 549 anti-trans bills have been introduced in 49 states, where 76 have already passed according to Trans Legislation Tracker. Compared to the 26 bills passed of the 174 bills proposed in 2022, there has been a 15 percent increase in passed anti-trans bills. Georgia legislation passed SB 140 on March 23, which bans gender-affirming care for minors and prohibits certain surgical procedures.

Following the destruction of property in their stores and threats of terrorism on employees, Target released a statement announcing they would be “removing items that have been at the center of the most significant

“The Human Rights Campaign’s Transgender Justice Initiative held an inaugural event in Atlanta for their new leadership cohort, Motivate, a program for trans-masc individuals seeking to ‘combat stigma and discrimination, help end trans violence and HIV, promote sexual health and equity, and provide access to work opportunities, professional development, and education.’”

confrontational behavior.” Bud Light also faced immense and bigoted backlash after featuring Dylan Mulvaney, a trans woman who rose to fame for documenting her transition on TikTok, in an ad campaign.

The Human Rights Campaign writes, “The transgender community is beautiful, strong, and one of the most resilient in the LGBTQ community. HRC’s Transgender Justice Initiative works with communitybased advocates across the country to make impactful changes for trans people.” The importance of openly supporting and advocating for trans people cannot be understated, especially as we celebrate Pride Month in June.

To learn more about advocacy and the Transgender Justice Initiative, visit hrc. org/resources/trans-justice-initiative. You can also watch the most recent installment of “Trans Talks” where Derek Baugh and Sybastian Smith join Tori Cooper to discuss transmasculinity and queerness.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HRC

Celebrate STONEWALL MONTH

Heyday: Pride Kickoff Edition

JUNE 3, 9PM

Atlanta Pride may not be until October, but that doesn’t mean Atlanta doesn’t show out for Pride month. In commemoration of the Stonewall Riots in 1969, June is a time for honoring the activism of the past by celebrating who we are and who we love — and what better way than to party?! From family-friendly festivals to cabarets and clubs, there’s something for everyone this Pride month.

Doraville Pride

JUNE 3, 6:30PM

HONEYSUCKLE PARK

Kick off Pride month in Doraville with the “Celebrate All Love” movie night. This family-friendly event will feature games, art, food, merch, and an LGBTQ-friendly movie! Learn more on page 10.

Family Fun Day

JUNE 3

THE TOWN GREEN

Join Atlanta Pride for games, face painting, food trucks, and more! All ages welcome — bring blankets, coolers, and the whole family!

Pride Month Kickoff: Art Market and Drag Party

JUNE 3, 1PM

WILD HEAVEN BEER

The House of ALXNDR and Wild Heaven Brewery are hosting a free Pride kick-off you don’t want to miss: we’re talking 20+ art vendors, a family-friendly drag show, drag bingo, music, and more!

THE BASEMENT

Come kick off Pride month with an epic night of sing-alongs, dancing, make outs, rainbows, good friends, confetti, and your fave ’80s music! Tickets via Eventbrite.

Pride Run

JUNE 4

PIEDMONT PARK

What better way to celebrate Pride month than by supporting a good cause! 5k registrations and donations support the fight against HIV and AIDS. Learn more and register at raceroster.com/events/2023/67142/ atlanta-pride-run-and-walk.

Queernival

JUNE 4, 2PM

OUT FRONT THEATRE COMPANY

Kick off Pride Month at the fabulous Queernival. Join for drinks, games, food trucks, performances, and more for a celebration of the LGBTQ community at this one-of-a-kind extravaganza. Bring your friends and family for the perfect event to start the summer season. This is a free familyfriendly event. $15 VIP tickets available. Sponsored by Atlanta Pride Committee.

Second Friday Pride Party

JUNE 9, 8PM

ALCOHALL AT PULLMAN YARDS

Second Friday ATL is celebrating Pride Month with their first ever ‘Black & White Party’ at a brand-new venue, ‘Alcohall’ in Pullman Yards. Dress to impress in your

The Picture of Dorian Grey

JUNE 9-11

NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH – GATHERING PLACE

Merry Cat Productions, a local Atlanta based production company, will be putting on a gender nonconforming presentation of Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Grey” for the Atlanta Fringe Festival. This show puts a modern, gender twisted take on the old Oscar Wilde classic in an attept to highlight and uplift queer and gender nonconforming voices and artists. Tickets at atlantafringe.tix. page/e/the-picture-of-dorian-grey.

Smyrna Pride Weekend

JUNE 16-17

VINEYARD WINE MARKET AND SMYRNA MARKET VILLAGE

Smyrna Pride kicks off with a party at Vineyard Wine Market on Friday from 6-8pm, featuring an open bar, complimentary appetizers, and performances from Kitty Love Antoinette and Medusa the Body. Then the festival takes place on Saturday from noon to 6pm, featuring a DJ, kids’ activities, food, vendors, and more! Learn more at smyrnaisfabulous.org/2023-pride-festival.

Southern Fried Queer Pride

JUNE 19-25

LITTLE FIVE POINTS

SFQP is celebrating nine deep fried years with a whole week of events! The week kicks off with Get Me Bodied: A BlaQueer Movement Workshop; TRANSISTANCE, a trans cabaret and open mic; F*ck Around and Find Out: A Self-Defense and Community Safety Workshop; the 2023 Peach Pit Pageant; HAWT SAUCE, a queer dance party; and SWEET TEA, a queer variety show before the festival and artist market, workshops, a pop-up thrift shop, and film night are all held on June 24-25. Full festival details and individual events can be found at southernfriedqueerpride.com/ sfqpfest2023.

Drag Me to Church

JUNE 25

ST LUKE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Immerse yourself in a family-friendly worship service like no other and experience the sheer talent and artistry of Atlanta’s finest drag queens as they grace the worship space, all in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots.

Writing Workshop: Your Queer Story

JUNE 27, 6PM

TOCO HILL-AVIS G. WILLIAMS LIBRARY

Unearth your queer story this Pride month with writing prompts and expert advice from author and writing coach Lyn Millner. Space is limited, so register now through Instagram @ WriteYourQueerStory.

Katie Burkholder

black and white attire! Tickets via Eventbrite.

Participants run to raise money to help end HIV at the 2021 Atlanta Pride Run.

PHOTO BY RUSS BOWEN YOUNGBLOOD

AS A QUEER PERSON, I’M ASHAMED OF THE UNITED STATES

certain protections and rights, like inclusive universal health care.

affected by our egregious economic and foreign policy decisions.

support violence and attack democracy itself.

As mainstream culture becomes queerer, more diverse, and more progressive, Republicans in power have responded by becoming more extreme, posing a threat to queer rights nationwide and embarrassing our country on a global scale.

I often say that two contradicting things can be true at the same time, like how as a gay man I experience oppression and as a white man I experience privilege. This nuanced intersection of justice and injustice, of privilege and oppression, is currently on full display in the United States.

On the one hand, we have more queer representation in media, more queer politicians, and significantly more queer people living openly than ever before. We have the legal rights to exist freely in public and online, gather and protest, be represented in media, marry, transition, and adopt.

On the other hand, many of these rights — some of which we haven’t even had for a full decade — are under an unprecedented assault from Republican politicians. Violence and hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people have increased, and we have always lacked

So, while queer U.S. citizens have more freedoms than queer people in Iran, Russia, North Korea, and Eritrea, we also have fewer rights than queer people in Canada, Uruguay, Iceland, and Spain, according to Equaldex.

The Equality Index by Equaldex details and ranks LGBTQ rights across the world, ranking the U.S. as number 10 on the list of 197 countries. Each country is given a score between 0 and 100, with the U.S. receiving an 83. This number is likely to fall due to the hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills being filed in Republican-led states across the country.

As multiple states move to ban access to gender-affirming health care, ban trans children from sports, erase queer people from the classroom, separate trans kids from their parents, and ban books and drag, queer lives are in grave danger.

Despite how often politicians in the U.S. position our country as the ‘freest,’ this has never been the case for queer people, people of color, the working poor, people with uteruses, or the billions of people globally

It is a dangerous cult of ignorance that allows a nation to boast about freedom after stealing land, decimating cultures, toppling democracies, stripping reproductive rights, creating enormous amounts of pollution, allowing children to be massacred at school, and funding war while denying health care to millions.

The U.S. has always been a right-wing nation, and it is not reasonable to suggest we were ever in a position of moral authority. As people start questioning racist and homophobic ideologies and oppressive structures like the prison system, militarism, and billionairebacked crony capitalism, Republicans face a challenge unlike any they’ve seen.

Indeed, the U.S. is becoming more queer, more Black, and more ready for change. Republicans are scared, and they should be.

As conservative capitalists face this legitimate threat of losing their grip on power, their tactics have become increasingly authoritarian and extreme with defining traits of fascism. The U.S. government and the conservatives within it have always held dangerous platforms, but they have never been so willing to openly

Republicans have attempted a literal coup, pushed election conspiracies, tried to silence and expel democratically elected officials in Tennessee and Montana, advocated violence at Trump rallies, empowered ‘strong men’ figureheads in Trump and DeSantis, supported and platformed Kyle Rittenhouse and Daniel Perry — who both murdered peaceful protestors, and created boogeymen by scapegoating trans people and pushing the narrative that queer people are dangerous to children.

As the right continues to ironically espouse ridiculous narratives about freedom while they take freedoms away, it is important to remember that almost all of our freedoms were won by protest, not given to us by the rich and powerful. With every headline, every protest, and every election, the world is watching. Let us continue defending our rights and advocating for those in nations who can’t do the same.

To learn more about LGBTQ+ rights around the world, visit www.equaldex.com/equalityindex. For information, organizations, and resources for supporting trans rights, visit glaad.org/transgender/resources.

Luke Gardner

The CHOsen One: AN INTERVIEW WITH MARGARET CHO

Gregg Shapiro

It’s been a few years since queer comedian, actor, and activist Margaret Cho has done a stand-up comedy tour. In the interim, she’s been acting in a variety of well-received movies (including “Fire Island”) and TV shows (such as “Hacks” and “The Flight Attendant”). In other words, she’s never far from our sight — and that’s a good thing! This year, Cho is embarking on a multicity comedy tour, “Live and Livid,” that promises to be the live performance event of the year (sorry, Madonna). Cho sat down with Georgia Voice to discuss her career and the upcoming tour before heading out on the road.

Read the full interview online at thegavoice.com.

Margaret, I interviewed you last spring just before the movie “Fire Island” premiered. Since that time, the movie won the Gotham Awards’ Ensemble Tribute, and was named on several end-of-the-year “best of” lists. Additionally, “Fire Island” is Certified Fresh on RottenTomatoes.com with a 94 percent rating. What does it mean to you to have been associated with such a well-received project? I love it! I loved making it. I love the cast. I love Joel [Kim Booster]’s vision. I love Andrew [Ahn]’s directing. We are a family, and we’ve got to make sequels, prequels, a

whole cinematic universe. I think that would be so valuable. Hopefully, we’ll get to see that. I love them, they’re my babies. I knew that everybody would love this movie. I loved this movie so much. I’m very proud of it and proud of everybody that worked on it.

Your 2023 North American tour is titled, “Live & Livid.” We certainly have a lot to be livid about, especially in the years following the 45th President, as well as the events of January 6, and the deadly rise of white nationalism. Were these sources of inspiration, and what else are you livid about?

Yes! Also the attacks on drag queens, the attacks on queerness, the attacks on trans folks, the continual attacking of different parts of our community who are so important to us. Whether it’s our athletes, like Brittney Griner, whether it’s trans kids. Drag queens, to me, are front and center, the heart and joy of our community. It’s where we celebrate, with drag. That’s the most heartbreaking part of this. They’re taking down the really important part of community. The cheerful ones, the ones that we need. Well, not Bianca Del Rio. [Laughs] Bianca’s my favorite! They should be scared of drag queens! They will get read to filth. They should be afraid! Children are way safer at a drag show than they are in church!

As of now, when we’re talking, “Live &

Livid” is scheduled to run through September with stops in 20 cities, including San Francisco. What does it mean to you when you get to perform for the hometown crowd?

Oh, I love it. It’s sort of still my hometown in a lot of ways. I have deep roots there. I spent so much time there, so it’s still home in a lot of ways. It’s meaningful and a cherished thing. But, also, I think I’m a citizen of everywhere. I’ve been everywhere, so it’s all my home.

It’s been six years since you launched your previous tour, “Fresh Off the Bloat.” What are you most looking forward to about returning to performing live again?

I think we had a really difficult time

throughout the pandemic and through this resetting of this idea of what the world is. It’ll be great to greet people again in this new space. The gratitude that I have for live performance, and going to live shows and performances as it is, is a really special thing. I’m very excited.

Are there any upcoming projects about which you’re excited that you’d like to mention? Nothing that I can mention, as yet. But I’m really looking forward to this year. I have things that I’m working on that I’m really thrilled about. Things that are starting to come up that I’ll be able to talk about soon. I’m working a lot, so I’m really happy about that.

Margaret Cho

Jeffrey Lofton’s New Book Brings Readers a ‘New Literary Hero’

Sukainah Abid-Kons

“It was like an exorcism by exposition.”

Released in January 2023, Jeffrey Lofton’s fiction debut, “Red Clay Suzie,” offers readers a charming and heartfelt story of living on the fringes and self-acceptance in Georgia in the middle and late 20th century. Spanning three decades, “Red Clay Suzie” tells the story of Philbet, a gay boy with a physical deformity living with a conservative family in Georgia, and how his life and self-perception change as he grows up through the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.

Philbet spends his younger years hiding his identity and his misshapen chest, finding happiness when he helps his grandfather in the vegetable garden. But after certain events take Philbet’s innocence and test his resilience, he begins to find acceptance in unlikely places.

Author Jeffrey Lofton says the book is semiautobiographical, and he unknowingly began the book in college as he began putting his experiences and memories onto paper.

“I started writing as a natural impulse,” Lofton told Georgia Voice. “it wasn’t something that was conscious, it just naturally felt right to get it out of me. I didn’t know at first that I was writing a novel.”

Lofton said parts of the book are taken from his childhood and parts are fictionalized, yet the whole novel is reminiscent of his experiences growing up in Georgia. Even the title, “Red Clay Suzie,” is in part an homage to the iconic red clay found in Georgia.

Lofton said after starting what would become “Red Clay Suzie,” he took a break

from writing for a few years while he focused on school and his career. It wasn’t until he read two particular books, “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Call Me By Your Name,” that he felt inspired to get back to his project. Lofton said the character of Scout in “To Kill a Mockingbird” and his overall love of “Call Me By Your Name” convinced him it was time to tell his story, so he started revisiting his old journals and got back to writing.

“At first it was for me, it was for me to heal,” Lofton said, adding that at first the experience was cathartic, but about halfway through writing his first draft, he realized he wanted to finish the novel for his “fellow fringies” — a name Lofton uses to describe people who are living on the outside or are excluded because of how they look or who they are.

Lofton said much of his writing occurred on his commute to work every day at the Library of Congress. He even finished the final sentences of the story while sitting on the train, typing on his cell phone. Lofton said finding his routine helped him work on his book regularly, whether he was feeling motivated or not.

Lofton’s first novel was ultimately a successful project, receiving glowing reviews and a few awards, including the Seven Hills Literary Prize for Fiction and the YABC Buzzworthy Book Award. It was also a finalist for the Foreword INDIES LGBTQ+ Fiction Book of the Year and the Somerset Literary & Contemporary Fiction Award.

Still, Lofton found that his author journey did not come without its challenges.

“I’ve always been a writer, but I’ve just never

told anybody,” Lofton said. He found that one of the greatest challenges was opening up and sharing his writing with people, be it his editors, his family, or his readers. “But the biggest challenge was being brave, because I think that to be creative is to be courageous.”

Lofton says that he hopes to continue writing and working on future projects and has even considered continuing Philbet’s story in future installments of what could become a series. Ultimately, Lofton wants to continue telling stories that make an impact and help show young people on the outskirts of society that happiness can be found, even if life is difficult for them at that moment. He also hopes that his writing inspires young readers to become active in their communities and politically, especially during a time when so much anti-LGBTQ legislation is being introduced across the country.

“I want this to stand for something, I want it to say something.”

You can purchase “Red Clay Suzie” online at jeffreydlofton.com/aboutrcs.

‘Queer Eye’ and ‘The Ultimatum: Queer Love’ Now Playing on Netflix, Director Idan Haguel Talks Gay-themed Drama ‘Concerned Citizen’

The new season of “Queer Eye” is streaming now, with the Fab Five — Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, and Tan France — In a new locale. New Orleans is the setting for season seven, with the first episode set in a fraternity house that definitely needs a makeover.

The performers all enjoyed the new city.

“Filming in New Orleans is amazing,” Berk said. “It’s one of the most unique cities in America, in the world, architecturally, culturally food wise, people.”

Berk said the program continually shows audiences that love, compassion and connection are what the world needs.

“It’s what they are yearning to see,” he said. “There is such negativity in the world, and we can show people that no matter where you are from, what culture, what political affiliation, you can all come together and help each other.”

According to France, the five have a conversation with the producers every season to say they want to evolve and do more than they did last time.

“We never want to be a caricature of ourselves,” he said. “We all push ourselves to offer something new each season. We have the same categories but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something new.”

Whenever Porowski feels in a rut, he leans into the personal questions the show presents.

“There are always stories to tell; we just have to do the digging,” he said.

Being executive producers this year for the first time was a lot of fun for the five, Berk said.

In the new Netflix series, “The Ultimatum: Queer Love,” five new couples consisting of women and nonbinary people are facing an important junction in their relationship: while one partner is ready to get married, the other isn’t quite there. An ultimatum is issued, and over the span of the series some get married, some split, and others find new mates. According to host JoAnna Garcia Swisher, some of the contestants made some startling discoveries about themselves.

“I got an opportunity day one to meet them as they came and I stepped away and there was so much that went on,” she said. “I met them later at different moments, and the stakes were higher, the emotions were stronger. Some were cruising through it and others were having some personal journeys that I thought were compelling and interesting.”

Contestant Vanessa Papa says someone slid into her Instagram account and suggested the show to her. At the time, she and Vander Boger were a very public lesbian couple, in what Papa calls a wonderful relation.

“But there was this lingering,” Papa said. “This experience was weirdly perfect for us. It felt too serendipitous to pass up on, but throwing your personal life and emotions and intimate moments [on TV] is a risk for everyone involved.”

Most reality projects such as this one deal with men, so the cast found it refreshing to see a series full of women and nonbinary individuals.

“I find queer representation is amazing in all aspects,” Papa said. “You don’t see a lot of that on dating shows and if you do it’s typically one bisexual (person) there or two and maybe they’ll fall in love. In reality, just because this person is bisexual and so is this person doesn’t mean they are each other’s type.”

When Netflix asked Swisher about hosting, she jumped right in.

“Even though I was there for it, I tore through it [when I watched it later] and binged up,” she said.

After a successful festival run, the film, “Concerned Citizen” is now out theatrically

and on streaming. Directed and written by Idan Haguel, it’s about a liberal gay man who plants a tree outside his house in an effort to improve the neighborhood. The deed leads to an act of violence and some self-discovery. It’s a personal project for Haguel, who moved into South Tel Aviv, where the idea for the film began to bubble up. After two years in the new location, he started writing the script.

Haguel describes the film as a “white guilt trip dark comedy about gentrification.” It’s a complex film with many themes. Ben (Shlomi Bertonov) is in a relationship with Raz (Ariel Wolf) and has an identity crisis, making some discoveries about himself morally and politically.

“You can say it’s about the bourgeois life of gay couples in Tel Aviv and their heteronormative lifestyles,” the director said. “You can say it’s about racism in Israeli society or hidden racism in liberal leftist people. The major theme is about this guy who doesn’t want to be a racist.”

As he was putting his cast together, he thought it would be nice to have a real-life couple in the film. Bertonov and Wolf fit that bill. Haguel was watching films such as “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” and “Eyes Wide Shut” and the idea came up. “The intensity between those couples and in Woody Allen films are not couples who are sweet to each other. You have a sense that there is an intimacy between the actors here that is ready made.”“Concerned Citizen” is now available on Apple and Amazon

MORE INFO

“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” Season 7 and “The Ultimatum: Queer Love” are now streaming on Netflix

Jim Farmer

The new season of “Queer Eye” is streaming now. PUBLICITY PHOTO

Jim Farmer

Kink Down South

June 2-4

Various Ansley Square locations

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable celebration of the diverse kink and fetish communities taking inspiration from renowned events like Folsom Street Fair, IML, Off Sunset Festival, and Austin Kink Weekend. Kink Down South Weekend is set to be a thrilling experience for both seasoned kinksters and newcomers alike. Local DJs will keep the energy flowing. 15 kink classes, a vendor market and three dance parties are on tap as well. Learn more and buy tickets at kinkdownsouth.com.

“Hairspray”

June 2, 7:30pm, through June 4

Fox Theatre

You can’t stop the beat! “Hairspray,”

Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon, is back on tour. Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960’s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world?

Tell Your Story

June 3, 2-4pm and 7-9m

Lassiter Concert Hall

Voices of Note presents Tell Your Story. Sometimes Broadway songs propel the story forward and other times they add dimension and perspective to the story. This show by the Atlanta Women’s Chorus focuses on songs from Broadway that tell a story.

Local Shorts Encore

June 5, 7pm

Out Front Theatre Company

Out On Film hosts a free encore of its Local Shorts program from the 2022 festival, as well as a queer filmmaker celebration, 7pm, Out Front Theatre Company

Trans and Friends

June 5, 7-8pm for youth, 8-9pm for adults

Charis Books and More

Trans and Friends is a youth-focused group

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

PALS Bingo

Lips Atlanta

June 13, 7:30pm

for trans people, people questioning their own gender and aspiring allies, providing a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources and activism around social issues.

Returning to the Root

June 9-10, 7:30pm

Atlanta City Hall

The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus’ “Returning to the Root” is a concert about the golden rule that is central to both religious and secular communities. The concert will focus

on the concept of a loving relationship between people within a sacred context (particularly LGBTQ+ loving relationships), rather than on the more traditional religious concept of a personal, loving relationship with a higher power.

Drag Down South

June 10, 7pm

2757 E Point Street

Grammy and Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday is the special guest for Drag

Down South. Adding to the excitement, original Possum Prissy Cilla and Shenita Lott will also be there, showcasing their iconic charm and energy. The lineup of Atlanta legends includes Mr. Charlie Brown, Shawnna Brooks, Bubba Dee, Amber Divine, Chucky Deville, Charmaine Sinclair Dupree, Misti Shores, Lena Lust, Myah Ross Monroe, and Tatianna Tuesday Dickerson.

“4 Old Broads on the High Sea”

June 10, 8pm, through June 25

Onstage Atlanta

Onstage Atlanta presents “4 Old Broads on the High Sea.” Your favorite broads are back again and ready for a Sassy Seniors cruise to the Bahamas.

Sista x Sista

June 11, 1pm

Best End Brewing

Sista x Sista is a new drag brunch hosted by your favorite sistas Canzara SZN & Tyra Rex, brought to you by the House of ALXNDR.

PALS Bingo

June 13, 7:30pm

Lips Atlanta

Hostesses Bubba D. Licious and Erica Lee and special guest performers will delight, amaze, and shock you as they call bingo, put on a show, and help raise money for Pets Are Loving Support (PALS). Tonight’s theme is “DIVAS — Too Hot Handle Bingo.”

Atlanta Freedom Bands

30th Anniversary Concert

June 17, 8pm

Church at Ponce and Highland Atlanta Freedom Bands celebrates its 30th anniversary with a concert tonight, charting a course through a galaxy of music inspired by space and science fiction. The mission includes music from “Star Trek,” “Star Wars,” and “Doctor Who,” paired with pieces that evoke the mystery and beauty of what we will find as we explore the great

CONTINUES ON PAGE 27

Hostesses Bubba D. Licious and Erica Lee and special guest performers will delight, amaze, and shock you as they call bingo, put on a show, and help raise money for Pets Are Loving Support (PALS). Tonight’s theme is “DIVAS — Too Hot Handle Bingo.” (Photo by Just Toby via Facebook)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

beyond. The concert includes two premieres.  AFB commissioned a new work from conductor and composer Dr. Erika Svanoe of Augsburg University in Minneapolis.  “Where no one has gone before” is her tribute to her love of science fiction.

PFLAG Support Group

June 18, 2:30pm

Spiritual Living Center

The PFLAG support group for parents and families of LGBTQ children meets in person today from 2:30 – 4pm, Spiritual Living Center

The Power of Connection

June 21-22

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

OUT Georgia Business Alliance is proud to hold the Power of Connection: 2023

LGBTQ Business Summit, presented by Morris, Manning & Martin. This special two-day experience will be held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, with networking, keynotes, and sessions exploring impact for LGBTQ businesses, employees, organizations, and communities across Georgia.

LGBTQ Book Club

June 24, 10am Virtual

The LGBTQ+ Book Club, sponsored by Charis Books and More, is a group for LGBTQ+ folks and allies to read queerthemed books and books by queer authors. The goal is to have diverse thought-provoking discussions about queer identity, history and topical issues. All are welcome to join. This month’s book is 100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell. RSVP in advance for this meeting -  https://us02web. zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclcGorD4rEtyIqhO2YmNJzhURDxyg_p5y.

Out in the Park

June 24

Six Flags Over Georgia

Celebrate Stonewall month with Atlanta

Pride at Six Flags Over Georgia today

Angela Davis in Conversation with Sheree L. Greer

June 25, 4pm

Charis Books and More, virtual

Join Angela Davis for the ZAMI NOBLA

Pßodcast in conversation with writer Sheree L. Greer as they talk about writing, building community, and the release of Greer’s latest book, the 10th anniversary edition of “Once and Future Lovers.”  In this provocative, anniversary edition collection of short fiction, characters grapple with the courage it takes to love once while discovering the inherent challenge put to all lovers: embracing or denying the possibility of loving again, and again. Online viewers can register at https://www.crowdcast.io/c/once-andfuture-lovers

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

Out in the Park

Six Flags Over Georgia

June 24

Celebrate Stonewall month with Atlanta Pride at Six Flags Over Georgia today

(Photo via Facebook)

Katie Burkholder

Kink Down South Kickoff

June 2, 6:30pm

The Hideaway

Time to get Kink Down South weekend started! Passholders can pick up their wristbands, enjoy complimentary cocktails, and meet some of your favorite Fort Troff Grunts. Tickets at kinkdownsouth.com.

Grunt: Kink Down South Opening Party

June 2, 10pm

Heretic

Gear up in your best military realness –leather, camo, and dog tags – to kick off Kink Down South with DJ Ryan Willing. Tickets at kinkdownsouth.com.

Cash Cash

June 2, 11pm

District Atlanta

Tickets at bit.ly/CASHCASHATL2023.

DJ Gabo Montero

June 3, 10pm

Heretic

Tickets at hereticatlanta.com/ticketlinks.html.

InvAsian: Moulin Rouge

June 3, 10pm

District Atlanta

This Moulin Rouge-themed extravaganza will transport you to a world of decadence and spectacle, with circus acts, aerial performances, and music from Alex Ahn, Mihoy, Pj Lin, Jus Luv b2b Helix, and DJ the DJ. Tickets via Eventbrite.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament

June 4, 7pm

Joystick Gamebar

Every Sunday, Joystick hosts a knockout Smash tournament. Sign up starts at 6:30pm.

Cartridge ATL

June 7, 8pm

Joystick Gamebar

Every Wednesday, Black-owned gamer lounge Cartridge ATL takes over Joystick with live DJs, food, gaming tournaments, and karaoke!

Warp Zone Pup Night

June 7, 10pm

Heretic

On the first and third Wednesdays of the

month, the Heretic is pup’s favorite play pen! With DJ Tracy Levine. No cover!

Open Mic Comedy

June 8, 8pm

Joystick Gamebar

Spend Thursday nights laughing at the best local comedians in town! Hosted by Travis Allen.

Country Night

June 8, 9pm

Heretic

Enjoy country two-step, line dancing, and more with the LGBTQ community every Thursday. Don’t know how to dance? Show up at 8pm for a free dance lesson!

House of Definition: Peach Party XII

June 8, 10pm

Future Atlanta

This special Thursday edition of House of Definition kicks of the 12th annual Peach Party! With Oscar G and Karsten Sollors. Tickets at peachpartyatlanta.com.

Peach Party XII

June 9, 10pm

Heretic

With Tom Stephan. Tickets at peachpartyatlanta.com.

Noizu and Otica

June 9, 11pm

District Atlanta

Tickets at bit.ly/NOIZUATL2023.

XION: Peach Party XII

June 10, 3am

Future Atlanta

With Nina Flowers. Tickets at peachpartyatlanta.com.

XION: Peach Party XII

June 11, 3am

Future Atlanta

With Micky Friedmann. Tickets at peachpartyatlanta.com.

Peach Party XII Sunday Tea Dance

June 11, 3pm

Underground Atlanta

With Cindel and Shane Marcus. Tickets at peachpartyatlanta.com.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament

June 11, 7pm

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

Peach Party XII Main Event

The Masquerade

June 10, 10pm

Joystick Gamebar

Every Sunday, Joystick hosts a knockout Smash tournament. Sign up starts at 6:30pm.

Peach Party XII Closing Party

June 11, 9pm

Future Atlanta

With DJs Deanne and Paulo. Tickets at peachpartyatlanta.com.

XION: Peach Party XII

June 12, 3am

Believe Music Hall

With Eddie Martinez. Tickets at peachpartyatlanta.com.

Wussy Presents: The Peachies Awards

June 12, 8pm

City Winery

Wussy Mag is awarding Atlanta’s LGBTQ community, from the drinks to the DJs to the drag. Doors at 6:30pm. Tickets at citywinery.com.

WussyVision: The Best Little

Whorehouse in Texas

June 14, 7pm

Plaza Theatre

Wussy Mag is showing “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” starring Dolly

Parton and Burt Reynolds. Come in costume for the chance to win a prize! Tickets at plazaatlanta.com.

Cartridge ATL

June 14, 8pm

Joystick Gamebar

Every Wednesday, Black-owned gamer lounge Cartridge ATL takes over Joystick with live DJs, food, gaming tournaments, and karaoke!

Open Mic Comedy

June 15, 8pm

Joystick Gamebar

Spend Thursday nights laughing at the best local comedians in town! Hosted by Travis Allen.

Country Night

June 15, 9pm

Heretic

Enjoy country two-step, line dancing, and more with the LGBTQ community every Thursday. Don’t know how to dance? Show up at 8pm for a free dance lesson!

Loco Dice

June 16, 11pm

District Atlanta Tickets at bit.ly/LOCOATL2023.

With Abel and a performance by Phoenix from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Tickets at peachpartyatlanta. com. (Photo via Facebook)

Rely on Yourself

Melissa Carter

I knew I was gay in junior high school. Many people who have that certainty so young usually experience the anxiety of being different and the dread of rejection from family and friends. What aren’t discussed are the positive things that come with growing up gay. In the case of lesbians in particular, self-reliance is something we use far more often than straight women do.

I was picking up my son from his grandmother the other day, and she had a long-sealed box lying on the floor near a table. When I asked about it, she said it was a coat rack, but that she was waiting on her adult son to come visit and he’d put it together for her.

I offered my assistance, and she immediately expressed doubt that I could achieve this kind of thing. I assured her I had put together plenty of furniture, but she said she didn’t want to cause me any trouble. She later tried the task herself. Impatient to follow directions, she broke a piece, then sent it back.

Another straight friend purchased a cat tower for her fur baby, and let it sit in the box for weeks. I again offered my assistance, but her response was that she didn’t want to cause me any trouble. Tempted to hire someone to complete the project, she eventually opened the box and became overwhelmed by all the parts. I am happy to report that she did eventually assemble the tower successfully.

I’m not sure if I embarrassed these women by offering to help, motivated them, or a combination of both. But the truth is, neither had the confidence to immediately do it for themselves. However, each had no problem with the thought of a man coming to do it for them. I have seen these same scenarios play out time and again.

As a lesbian, I knew I would never marry a

man. With that understanding, I also knew I wouldn’t have someone to rely on to do everything that required “strength” or “tools.” Thus, I learned through trial and error how to fix things in my life, gaining experience with furniture, electronics, mechanical items, and simple problem-solving. And I enjoy it.

Can straight women do these things? Of course. Have they been trained to defer to men without giving themselves the opportunity to learn? Absolutely.

Pride has often been associated with our community banding together to show strength against adversity. But this year Pride month should also allow us to see what great role models we can be for other communities.

Lesbians offer straight women the example that they can do for themselves without apology. They are capable of big tasks around the house and yard, but not having practiced most of their lives, they just need a little patience and belief in themselves. We can also prove — to the more than one straight woman I know like this — that they don’t need a man in the house to be able to sleep alone at night. No intruder will get them while their boyfriends or husbands are out of town.

I am very proud of who I am and how far I’ve come in my life. I’m also proud of the contributions all our LGBTQ community members have to offer, making the world a better — and more functional — place because of them.

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / NEHOPHOTO