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.
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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 ASPIRING, 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
DIMITRI LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT
KEEP ASPIRING.
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 Dimitri’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.
5/12/20 9:36 AM
voice
georgia VOL.11 • ISSUE 8
GUEST EDITORIAL
TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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BUSINESS
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EDITORIAL
Deputy Editor: Katie Burkholder
kburkholder@thegavoice.com
Editorial Contributors: Demarcus Austin, Cliff Bostock, Melissa Carter, Dallas Anne Duncan, Aidan Ivory Edwards, Jim Farmer, Vandy Beth Glenn, Jeff Graham, Ryan Lee, Rose Pelham, J.Tebias Perry,
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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. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject, or edit any submission. Guidelines for freelance contributors are available upon request. A single copy of Georgia Voice is available from authorized distribution points. Multiple copies are available from Georgia Voice office only. Call for rates. If you are unable to reach a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 24-issue mailed subscription for $60 per year. Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Tim Boyd, tboyd@thegavoice.com Postmaster: Send address changes to 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 July 3, 2020
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK
Creating a “Happy Place” for Pets on 4th of July William Campbell Piedmont Bark It is that time of year, when the sun sets on the horizon and the sounds of pops, bangs, and booms disturb the silence of evening. It is at this moment that many people realize their pet’s sensitivity to loud sounds and explosions as it becomes apparent that they are extremely nervous and scared. Dogs instinctively start looking and searching to find shelter from the noise. At a moment’s notice, we are tasked with doing anything we can to alleviate their anxiety and come to their aid to bring about calm. Those of you who have prepared for this moment strike into action. Those who have never experienced seeing their dog so stressed are left asking, “what can I do to help calm my beloved canine child?” Set up a safe quiet area for your dog in advance. Choose a spot in your house where your pet usually likes to relax. An ideal space will buffer the sights and sounds of the fireworks; spaces such as a walk-in closet, a
basement, a room with blackout curtains, or their usual resting area. Help make the space serene and peaceful by drawing the blinds. Creating this “happy place” for your pet to retreat to will allow your pet to feel more secure and safe. Placing familiar items such as their bed, favorite toys, and treats in the space can be beneficial as well. Drown out the sound coming into your home. Playing soothing music or white noise throughout the entire house during the firework display will help block out the booms and loud sounds. Closing all the windows and doors in the house will help with this as well. Ensure your dog’s gear fits properly and ID tags/microchips are current. Collars and harnesses often get loose over time on daily walks and can slip easily off your dog’s head with a gentle tug. In case your pup gets loose during this stressful time, it is vital that their ID tags and microchips are updated. Microchips are proven to be one of the most effective tools we can use to get our dogs safely back home! Stay calm, do not make a fuss! Dogs mirror
whatever energy you put out there. When your pet is anxious or stressed, it is hard to ignore the desire to coddle and comfort them. It is found that excessive comforting and pampering may reward your pet’s behavior or and, in some cases, confirm their fears. Besides a few calm strokes or pats, you should carry on as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening. If your pet has a history of severe reactions to noise in the past, it is best to consult with your veterinarian prior to the holiday. Your veterinarian can recommend several natural supplements designed to reduce anxiety in pets. Giving them to your dog before the fireworks start may help relax your pet and reduce their stress. Additionally, your veterinarian can provide you with advice on the use of an appropriate short-term antianxiety medication to help your dog to relax and get through this stressful time. Everyone agrees that preparing your dog for July 4th is crucial to you and them having an enjoyable holiday. Start planning now, and you will be assured that you and your pooch have a safe and fun time together! TheGeorgiaVoice.com
CELEBRITY CLOSE-UP!
(PHOTOS VIA FACEBOOK)
Celebrity Brief
(THE BLACK LIVES MATTER EDITION)
In the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, black LGBTQ celebrities are speaking out against police brutality and educating on the intersections of race, sexuality, and identity.
“Pride needs to be linked to Black Lives Matter. We need to be linked to a movement for poor and working people. They need to be deeply connected. It needs to be connected to a feminist movement as well. They all need to be connected because if we can really bring all of these movements together, then that is the coalition we need to really have the revolution that we need.” —Laverne Cox (Variety)
“ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER! IT IS ANTI BLACK WHEN WE DO NOT PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY SUPPORT AND PROTECT OUR TRANS FAMILY!” —Janelle Monae (Twitter)
TheGeorgiaVoice.com
“This breaks my heart as a human and a father. Remember [18-year-old security guard Andres Guardado] as you continue to hear conversations about defunding the police, which is NOT dismantling the police—it’s about reallocating funds for more social services and better training.” —Karamo Brown (Twitter)
“Our fight for black lives will not be in sacrifice of you or our sisters. We must stop centering cisgender heterosexual men and their needs. If black lives matter then black trans lives should matter as well. We are here. We been here.” —Janet Mock (Instagram)
July 3, 2020 Celebrity Close-Up! 5
NEWS BRIEFS
SCOTUS Blocks Ending DACA and Atlanta Pride Releases Anti-Racism Resolution Staff Reports
“We are calling for reformation and transformation and support the following policies to move our communities forward:
Supreme Court Blocks Trump Administration from Ending DACA The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 ruling blocked the Trump administration from ending a program that allows young undocumented immigrants to remain in the U.S. and obtain work permits. More than 600,000 immigrants have benefitted from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program since the Obama administration enacted it in 2012. The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law notes this figure includes 39,000 LGBTQ “Dreamers.”
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 18, 2020, in a 5-4 ruling blocked the Trump administration from ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The Trump administration in 2017 announced it would end the Obama-era program, but this effort was challenged in court.
Atlanta Pride Committee Releases Letter to Mayor Bottoms with Strategic Plan to Combat Racism and Police Brutality
“Undocumented LGBT young adults are a particularly vulnerable population,” said Williams Institute Research Director Kerith J. Conron in a statement. “DACA helps many of them to get an education, find employment, and support themselves and their families while contributing to the U.S. economy.” The National LGBTQ Task Force was among the LGBTQ advocacy groups that welcomed the ruling. “Today, the Supreme Court put a speedbump in the road for Trump’s attempt to use the lives of undocumented immigrants to drive his nationalist agenda,” said National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey. “The Supreme Court did the right thing by upholding the right of hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients, many of whom are LGBTQ, to stay in the U.S. to work, attend school and be protected from deportation.” The Supreme Court issued its DACA decision three days after it ruled Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 6 News Briefs July 3, 2020
Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key
The Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) released a resolution condemning police brutality and authorizing the creation of a complete Strategic Plan for the organization to focus on social and racial justice, human rights and equity. The resolution, co-written and introduced by Executive Director, Jamie Fergerson and Board Chair, Wil Bryant, was unanimously agreed upon by the entire APC board during a virtual meeting held on Sunday. Simultaneously, the board approved an open letter to Atlanta Mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, calling for reformation and transformation of policing and support of a laundry list of policies contained within the letter. The letter and resolution come after the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks by Atlanta police on June 12 during a DUI arrest attempt in the parking lot of the University Avenue Wendy’s. Officers Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan have both been charged. Rolfe was charged with 11 counts, including felony murder, and Brosnan was charged with aggravated assault and three counts of violation of oath. The letter reads, in part:
Community Building. The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Police Department have a responsibility to strength our communities, rebuild broken systems, and earn the trust of its citizens through significant community building endeavors. Police Officers should be seen as an asset to citizens, but that will require a greater commitment to serve and build personal relationships within the communities they protect. Community Investments. We know that citizens of many of Atlanta’s neighborhoods face significant, multi-faceted hardship with limited access to opportunities and that their voices are often unheard. To create lasting change, investments must be made in community programs and centers, health centers, affordable housing, and psychosocial services. Employment and educational opportunities have the greatest capacity to lift people out of poverty and to reduce crime, so it is incumbent upon our leaders to redouble their commitments to these important investments. Training. Officers should have extensive training in de-escalation techniques and must be required to exhaust all opportunities to de-escalate each and every situation using community resources and non-lethal means. Community members should lead the creation of locally relevant and culturally competent training programs to ensure that Officers can serve the unique needs of the communities they serve. Demilitarization. Police Officers should be guardians—not warriors. Police departments should not possess tools of war or have the appearance of occupying forces. 8 Can’t Wait. The City of Atlanta should immediately enact and implement the remaining changes suggested by the 8 Can’t Wait Campaign. Read the rest at thegavoice.com TheGeorgiaVoice.com
NEWS
The Intersectional Atlanta Anti-Racism Protests Rose Pelham
On the afternoon of June 28, the “Beauty in Colors Rally,” led by a group of Black LGBTQ organizers to commemorate the start of the Stonewall Uprising and protest against racism, gathered on the 17th Street bridge before marching to Midtown. The march and rally had a small police escort, and proceeded without incident.
A month after the murder of George Floyd, the movement against white supremacy remains strong. In Atlanta, a distinctive feature of the protest movement has been its emphasis on intersectionality, with substantial LGBTQ participation.
Meanwhile, the Little Five Points protest, held a couple days prior, had only a brief encounter with the police that ended peacefully with no further confrontation.
Just after five in evening on Friday the 26th, a multiracial group of protesters, including many from the LGBTQ community, gathered outside a bookstore near Little Five Points. The crowd contained between one hundred and two hundred people.
At the “Beauty in Colors Rally,” Atlanta NAACP Vice President Gerald Griggs addressed the crowd on the need for intersectionality and the intertwined nature of the fights against racism and homophobia. He spoke briefly with Georgia Voice, saying: “the NAACP is the oldest civil rights organization in the state and we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters that are celebrating pride and we want to be a vehicle to help continue that change and to make change intersectional.”
This was only one of innumerable protests taking place throughout the city of Atlanta on any given day. Georgia Voice reached out to several people who have been involved in the protest movement, in addition to observing two of the numerous Atlanta protests. Brandon Alston has been active in the antiwhite supremacy protests since they began a month ago. He spoke with Georgia Voice about his experiences early in the protest movement and the tactics police and the National Guard used against protesters at that time. When protesting outside the governor’s mansion on the second night of the uprising, he and other protesters faced a tense confrontation with the police and the National Guard. “Everything started off pretty peaceful, we were just chanting [from the sidewalk] across the street [but] it was really crowded, so the sidewalks were packed and some people were trying to move around and stepped into the street and the police started arresting people for it,” he said. That is when police hostility started escalating, according to Alston: “a couple arrests were made, and it made people more antsy.” TheGeorgiaVoice.com
Photo by Rose Pelham
A Black Lives Matter protester holds up a sign during a rally in Atlanta.
The protesters started demanding the release of those who were arrested for entering the street to get around the crowd, “and that’s when this line of police in full riot gear came storming out of the gates at us firing rubber bullets.” In response, the protesters kneeled down on the ground with their hands up, and the attack stopped. “I guess it was too hard to shoot a bunch of kneeling people,” Alston said. But then news came that the National Guard was about to arrive. An organizer ordered all the white allies to the front in the hopes of protecting the Black protesters from the National Guard. When the National Guard arrived, they
blocked the way for many protesters to return to their vehicles. Alston could see that they were putting on gas masks in preparation for using tear gas on the protesters. “If we wanted to leave, we couldn’t. The organizers were amazing, though; they got us down on our knees, hands up” and the police and National Guard refrained from using tear gas. The organizers then marched everyone around the National Guard back to safety. At other protests he attended, police repeated similar tactics, including surrounding protesters in order to prevent their retreat, leading to the often-violent mass arrests of peaceful demonstrators. In the more recent protests so far observed by this reporter, interactions with the police tended to be less violent.
Other speakers at the rally stressed similar themes, including the need for white and straight allyship, the recent passage of legislation to protect the Black and LGBTQ communities, and the whitewashing of the history of Stonewall. The protest movement shows no signs of abating soon, with many future events scheduled. The organizers of the Little Five Points protest hope that it will become a weekly recurring event with a short march every Friday evening. Larger, one-off protests against racism are also being scheduled for the Fourth of July Weekend, with the national “March for Liberty and Justice for All” planned for the Fourth and a Black Lives Matter protest on the 5th. For those looking to find out when and where protests are happening, the Twitter account @WhereProtest regularly retweets protest announcements for events in the Atlanta area. July 3, 2020 News 7
PETS
Readers and Staff Pet Photos
ARCHIE Owner: Kristy Dermid Archie is a 3-year-old Aussiedoodle mix. He is a trained and registered therapy dog. A proposal was written by Kristy to have him serve in the capacity of a therapy dog at her current school. He comes to work with Kristy three days a week and provides therapeutic support to both middle and high school aged kids. His favorite task is delivering paw-sitive referrals to kids who have earned recognition for their behavior.
BRUNO Owner: Tamer Barsbay Bruno the brown Boston may be four years old, but he is just as much a puppy as he ever was. Bruno spends all day traveling diligently from room to room to find the sunniest spots to lay in. His tightly packed Boston Terrier face makes him prone to snoring and snorting, so Bruno treads a fine line between being precious and quite unsightly to look at. Bruno’s favorite activities include farting, licking other dogs in inappropriate places, and struggling to breathe.
BETTY RIZZO AND ALEXIS CARRINGTON Owner: Jim Brams Riz is a ten-year-old chiweenie (half dachshund, half chihuahua) and was a tornado rescue from Alabama. Seven-year-old Lexi hails from Wetumpka, Alabama, and is a blue Weim (half Viszla, half Weimaraner). Guess who rules the roost?
ASIA BLU AND SOPHIA Owner: Tim Boyd Sophia (right) is a 13 -year-old female, and Asia Blu is a little TJAY less than 2 years old. Sophia is a 13 year old French bulldog Owner: Lex Bridges and her baby sister is a not quite 2 years old. Sophia’s favorite Tjay is from Tijuana, Mexico. He loves traveling, people, activity is taking walks and for chicken bones while her sister treats, parks and backrubs! He never meets a stranger; to is only interested in trying to play with anyone she comes into know him is to love him! contact with on the street.
PUFFYPANTS AND MITTENS Owner: Katie Burkholder Puffypants (right) and Mittens were introduced into their owners’ lives by sheer chance after a stray (and unknowingly, pregnant) cat captured their hearts about nine years ago. The brother and sister haven’t been separated since, growing up together. While both are the most loving cats you’ll meet, Puffypants is definitely the more affectionate (sometimes erring on the side of needy!). Mittens can be standoffish when you first meet her, but once she gets to know you, you’ll fall in love.
8 Pets July 3, 2020
TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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PETS
Birthday Cakes, Parties Always Popular for Dogs Atlanta establishments offer ways to treat your loved ones Jim Farmer LGBTQ individuals adore their pets, and some want to show their affection from time to time with special treats such as cakes and birthday parties. A number of Atlanta locations provide those kinds of amenities. Taj Ma Hound Bakery for Dogs, located in the neighborhood of Oakhurst in Decatur, is one of the chief area locations for specialty treats. Although she has always offered birthday cakes, owner Krista Aversano feels her bakery has really taken off in the last few years. In the early days of running the store, she might have created a cake every three months or so, but these days she is much busier with them, selling roughly 100 a week. She says that since the lockdown began, birthday cake sales have exploded as more and more people have taken to adopting dogs, and she expects next year to be even more robust. Said cakes are only equipped for canines, however. She tried to create cakes for cats, but it didn’t work out. “Cats are too picky,” she laughs. Her cakes are made with natural ingredients. Her top sellers are a customizable “Happy Barkday Cake” with “gourmutt” bones, both in a blue and a pink, and a carob brownie bone shaped cake. Also popular is a “Yappy Birthday” cake with yogurt frosting and a “pawstry” gift box with assorted popular goodies—cannoli, peanut butter cups and peanut butter and yogurt filled sandwich cookies. The cakes have a one week shelf life at room temperature and are best stored in a refrigerator or freezer. Items can be purchased at the store and are also available for shipping. In Aversano’s opinion, dog birthday cakes are cherished equally by LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ pet owners. “You either love your pet or you don’t,” she says. The staff has cakes on hand, but can whip up custom ones as well, since they only take 10 Pets July 3, 2020
Courtesy photos
Left: Taj Ma Hound can create birthday cakes for your pets. Above: What sets Piedmont Bark apart from others is its three separate tiers of birthday parties.
store’s ultimate birthday celebration is the deluxe party package ($85) which offers a take-home birthday cake and various treats for the birthday boy or girl. Parties have to be reserved two weeks in advance.
a few minutes. “We get a lot of people who just walk in last minute,” she says. “Other people come in every day for muffins. We do a little bit of everything here.” Taj Ma Hound used to offer birthday parties, but no longer does. Piedmont Bark, now in its 18th year, offers dog boarding, day care and grooming, as well as special treats. Owner William Campbell, who is gay, says that treats are popular all through the year. Holidays are big, though, such as New Year’s, Saint Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Easter, and of course, Halloween and Pride. The food base remains the same, but what differs is how the treats are decorated. Outside of cakes, Campbell’s most requested food items are bags of carrots and peanut butter treats. They are smaller in
size so that a small dog can eat them as well as a large dog. Ironically, Piedmont Bark uses Taj Ma Hound—which Aversano launched in the Piedmont Bark lobby—for all its baked goods. Campbell’s patronage is diverse. “When we first opened, in Midtown, our clientele was more heavily LGBTQ, but over the years Midtown has changed and gotten more integrated. It reflects the diversity of Midtown now.” What sets Piedmont Bark apart from others is its three separate tiers of birthday parties. A birthday shoutout package ($30) includes a day of day care, a shoutout on social media, a bandana and a take-home treat, while a birthday party package ($50) adds a play party with selected canine friends. The
Piedmont Bark hosted its first birthday party in 2005. They no longer have the space to shut down the facility for parties, so instead they do them during the day, alongside day care. “The benefit of doing it during the day is that you know the dogs there are going to get along,” Campbell says. He himself is a fan of dog celebrations—and some can be lavish. He himself arranged a soiree for Bobby and J.R., his two dogs named after characters from “Dallas,” where he had cake, an oil well, and both patrons and dogs in cowboy hats. Another patron had a 15-year anniversary party for a dog who wasn’t going to be around much longer and went all out to celebrate. Other area locations worth checking out are City Dog Market in Brookhaven and Dog City Bakery in Marietta and Sandy Springs, which offers a gluten-free, moist, delicious 9” x 6” bone shaped cake and a “woofcake,” a cross between a muffin and a cupcake. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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July 3, 2020 Ads 11
PETS
Ways to Say Goodbye Choosing the best way for you to send your pet into the afterlife Katie Burkholder The unconditional love our pets bring into our lives is priceless, but it comes at a cost when their lives reach a bittersweet end. Saying goodbye to your furry companion can be hard, but putting them to rest shouldn’t be. Your fur babies deserve the best, both in life and after it. There are many ways to send your buddy into the unknown—find the one that’s best for the both of you. BACKYARD BURIAL A backyard burial is perfect if you, well, have a backyard (sorry, apartment dwellers!). This option is the most cost-effective and great for homeowners with firm roots—you don’t want to leave Fido’s grave behind in a year. Just make sure research burial ordinances in your county beforehand. To bury your pet: 1. Wrap them in a cotton sheet or towel and secure using string. 2. Choose a container that your pet fits into easily, like a hat box, wooden chest, trunk, or shoebox. 3. Choose a burial site away from natural water sources or herb and vegetable gardens. Common spots are near trees or along the edges of the yard. 4. Dig up the grave site. Use the container as a guide and add 10 inches surrounding the entire container. Dig the hole at least 24 inches deep. 5. Place the container in the hole and cover with soil. PAWS, WHISKERS, AND WAGS If you’re living in an apartment or prefer urns to graves, cremation might be the way to go for you, and Paws, Whiskers, and Wags is the biggest and the best in the business. The company follows human cremation 12 Pets July 3, 2020
Courtesy photos
Left: Christie Sachse of AquaTransitions. Above: Christine Hunsaker, owner and founder of Paws, Whiskers & Wags.
standards and ensures it’s your animal’s ashes in the urn with their five-point guarantee: 1. 100 percent full disclosure facilities: Each pet is cremated alone and on-site. For proof, the company offers a full tour of the facilities at any time. 2. Pet Tracker 360: The patented tracking system proves each pet is cremated alone. Each pet receives a tracker disc that stays with them throughout the process and comes home in the urn. 3. Pet portal: The web-based portal offers real-time online ordering, tracks movement in the cremation process, and offers visibility into the workflow in real time. 4. Cameras: Everything done is recorded on video and seen by veterinary partners. 5. Exceptional customer service and trusted track record: When you call, you reach an experienced professional who can answer all your questions. “All of our services are completed in a 100 percent full disclosure environment that ensures the integrity of our company and provides peace of mind to pet parents,” Paws, Whiskers, and Wags owner and founder Christine Hunsaker told Georgia Voice. “When someone loses someone you love, they
entrust us with their loved one. We must give them the peace of mind every step of the way. We must honor and protect their memories.” The company offers free grief counseling, athome euthanasia, and virtual pet loss support groups. They even host an annual celebration to honor pets lost with music, a speaker, a candlelight vigil, and a video tribute. Paws, Whiskers, and Wags has also donated $250,000 to animal rescue and veterinary organizations, like Ahimsa House and PALS. Cremation prices are dictated by your pet’s weight, starting at $169 for nonexotic pets. Exotic pets are only $99. Learn more at pawswhiskersandwags.com AQUA TRANSITIONS Aquamation, a water-based cremation service offered by Aqua Transitions, is the best option for the more environmentally conscious among us. Aquamation, or alkaline hydrolysis by its scientific name, is a flameless cremation that uses water to return the body back to nature. According to co-owner Christie Sachse, Aqua Transitions uses a combination of water flow, temperature, and alkalinity to accelerate the natural process of decomposition.
“With aquamation, there are no direct emissions of harmful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,” Sachse told Georgia Voice. “It doesn’t burn any fossil fuels, it’s energy efficient. It uses less water than a single household uses in a day.” The water-based process uses 95% water and five percent alkali. After the process, the alkali has been completely used, making the liquid safe enough to be used as an organic fertilizer. “DeKalb County welcomes it into their water system because it’s so beneficial and organic, and it’s cleaner than most lake water,” Sachse said. After your pet is aquamated, you will receive their ashes—20% more than you would through fire cremation—in a paw print metal canister (or the urn of your choice for an additional charge) as well as a Certificate of Aquamation and an ink paw print. Aqua Transitions also plans to introduce grief counseling for mourning pet parents, and a percentage of proceeds go to no-kill shelters like PAWS and Furkids. Aquamation is priced by your pet’s weight, starting at $199. Learn more at aquatransitions.com. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
PETS
Homemade Treats for Your Pup Katie Burkholder If you’ve found yourself running out of new recipes to try while quarantining—you’ll never be able to eat that much sourdough bread—it might be time to try your hand at dog treats for your furry friend. These recipes are simple and delicious, and they’re sure to make your pup drool. Calming Chamomile Gelatin Gummy Dog Treats via dalmatiandiy.com This recipe is a win-win: your dog gets a yummy treat, and you can get some peace and quiet. The chamomile has an anti-anxiety effect that makes these gummies perfect for a stressed-out Fido: whether you’re doing some traveling, there’s a thunderstorm, or he’s simply a rambunctious pup. Ingredients: • 1 cup cool low-sodium unseasoned chicken stock (or water) • 3 tablespoons gelatin • Sprinkle of powdered ginger (optional) • Chamomile tea bag(s) or dried chamomile with a tea ball/strainer (amount depends on how large your dog is and how sedative you want the treats to be) Directions: Measure the stock/water into a small saucepan. Sprinkle the surface with gelatin powder and let sit for approximately five minutes or longer for the gelatin powder to bloom/gel. Once your gelatin is bloomed and ready, gently stir the bloomed gelatin mixture over low heat until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from heat. Place ginger (optional) and the chamomile tea bag(s) in a suitable container, then add the prepared gelatin. Allow to sit and steep (5–10 minutes). Once you are satisfied with the infusing time, remove and dispose of the chamomile. Pour/spoon the gelatin mixture into silicone molds (or a suitable pan for cut and slice). Chill to set thoroughly. 14 Pets July 3, 2020
Courtesy photos
Clockwise from left: Nulo has launched Hydrate, the first nationally marketed liquid water enhancer for dogs; Your dog gets a yummy treat with Calming Chamomile Gelatin Gummy Dog Treats; For a summer treat for your pup, try this Peanut Butter Banana Ice Pops recipe.
Peanut Butter Banana Ice Pops via Heather Baird on Etsy In the heat of the Georgia summer, a frozen dog treat is a must. These “pupsicles” are perfect for keeping your dog happy and cool, either after a long walk, a trip to the beach, or a romp in the park. Ingredients: • 1 large banana, frozen • 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, no salt or sugar added • 2 tablespoons honey • 17.6 ounces plain Greek nonfat yogurt • Plastic dog bones or sturdy edible dog chews (optional) Directions: Cut banana into pieces, put it in the blender and add the peanut butter and honey. Blend on high for three minutes or until the mixture is smooth. Add the yogurt and blend for three more minutes. Pour the mixture into
ice pop mold or disposable cups. If desired, use dog bones or chews as popsicle sticks by placing them upright in the middle of the cup. Freeze until solid—about two hours— remove from the molds and serve. Cover leftovers in the freezer. Nulo Pet Food Launches New Category in Pet Food While the rest of the pet food industry fights over Fido’s food bowl, innovative Nulo Pet Food has been quietly focused on “the other bowl”; water. Nulo has launched Hydrate, the first nationally marketed liquid water enhancer for dogs, designed to give pet parents the freedom to create a customized and healthy water bowl experience. Hydrate transforms a bowl of ordinary water into a unique flavorful beverage complete with electrolytes, branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and the vitamin B complex. This revolutionary product for dogs was inspired by the mainstream success of human water enhancers, now a $2.5 billion U.S. market. “Hydration for pets is a key element of their
daily health,” said Michael Landa, Nulo’s Founder & CEO. “Many people don’t realize that the most important nutrient a dog requires is water. A dog’s body is 67% water and to feel their very best they need to stay well-hydrated—especially during the summer months when they can quickly become dehydrated. Hydration helps with digestion and circulation and allows for better absorption of nutrients as well as facilitates nutrient movement throughout the body.” While nutrition is a big piece of the Hydrate story, there is a fun element to the experience as well. Landa worked for nearly two years with some of the leading natural flavorists in the world to perfect a solution that uniformly distributes the nutrients in the water and creates an enticing, aromatic experience for dogs—making the water smell and taste like Beef Brisket, Rotisserie Chicken, Roasted Lamb or Pork Tenderloin. “In addition to giving the water a nutritional boost, we wanted them to enjoy the sensory experience as well,” said Landa. Nulo Hydrate comes in portable squeeze bottles; simply squeeze a few drops into your dog’s water bowl and serve at room temperature. For a tasty summer treat, pour it into an ice cube tray, freeze and serve. Suitable for daily drinking for puppies and adult dogs of all ages and sizes, you can find Nulo Hydrate at any PetSmart or online at www.nulo.com. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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PETS
Thrift Store Gives Pets a Second Life Second Life breathes new life into donations and animals alike Katie Burkholder Since its inception in 2011, Second Life has been harnessing the power of “resale therapy” to help animals in need. The partthrift store, part-organization is dedicated to providing grants to local animal rescues that saving homeless pets and preventing unwanted animals from being born through spaying/neutering services. The idea came to co-founders Tanya Mahrous Tobias and Toby Tobias after they were inspired by their late rescue Dalmatian, Lucky. “Lucky was deemed unadoptable by a rescue group after being returned twice,” Tanya told Georgia Voice. “One of the volunteers thought that was crazy and asked us to foster him. We soon knew he wasn’t going anywhere; we just fell in love with him.” Lucky inspired the couple to dip their toes into animal rescue, but they realized that founding another rescue organization wasn’t the way to do it. “We looked at the animal rescue landscape and realized the biggest need out there was financing, and every consequent animal rescue that’s formed takes away from the financial pie,” said Toby. “We wanted the pie to be bigger.” When Tanya happened to stumble upon a store with a similar concept in her hometown in Nebraska, the idea came to full fruition; thus, Second Life was born. Almost a decade later, Second Life has donated over $1.6 million in the form of grants to more than 70 animal charities across Georgia, including PAWS Atlanta, Pet Buddies Food Pantry, Furkids, and LifeLine Animal Project. While the main goal of the stores is to donate these proceeds, the couple also wanted to create a great shopping experience for their loyal customers, one that could rival nice retail shops. The “upscale thrift stores” offer more than 6,500 square 16 Pets July 3, 2020
Photos courtesy of Second Life
Above: Second Life co-founders Toby Tobias and Tanya Mahrous Tobias. Left: For almost a decade, Second Life has donated over $1.6 million in the form of grants to more than 70 animal charities across Georgia, including Paws Atlanta, Athens Canine Rescue, Furkids, and LifeLine Animal Project.
feet of shopping, from gently used clothing and accessories to housewares, home décor, books, and furniture, and all of it benefits the environment. “The store is a way to keep things out of the landfill for me,” Toby said. “It keeps stuff from having to be recycled if it still has life left in it. Second Life not only gives animals a second life, it gives items a second life, too.” The organization also makes physical donations, fosters, and educates. “We collect pet food, litter, and supplies for a pet food pantry, we’ve fostered over 150 kittens and cats in our store, we offer space for rescues to do adoption events, we donate old blankets to shelters, and we educate through signs across the store that promote spay and neuter, pet adoption, and Black Dog Syndrome [the phenomenon that black cats and dogs get adopted less often than lighter animals],” Tanya said. However, like many organizations, the help they provide has been impeded by COVID-19. Second Life distributes grants on a quarterly
basis, but since the store was forced to close from mid-March to the beginning of June, funds that would have gone to grants this quarter had to be used for the organization to stay afloat. “It was a huge loss,” Tanya said, “and it really hurts … It’s going to take a while to build our finances back up so that we can get back to doing what we love to do.” The pandemic did bring a silver lining, however. “Everyone is staying home and cleaning out their closets,” Toby said, “so we’ve had an outpouring of donations.” Due to the coronavirus pandemic, only their main store is open (at 1 N. Clarendon Avenue in Avondale Estates) during limited hours— Wednesday–Saturday noon–5 pm—and they are currently only accepting donations on Saturdays. Besides continuing to donate and shop, the couple urges those who wish to help to volunteer and spread the word. “We always need volunteers, especially now,” Tanya said. “Our team members are the heart and soul of the organization. They don’t get the credit they deserve.”
“Another big way people could support us is to promote, to let people know we’re here,” Toby said. “We try to do minimal marketing, so we can keep costs down and generate more revenue for grants, but if people can promote us on their own, through whatever means they have, that’s how we really grow.” And grow, they plan to. The couple has dreams to eventually open stores across the Southeast to help even more animal organizations. For now, though, they simply want to invite any and all animal lovers to experience what Second Life has to offer. “We are a very welcoming and inclusive place for anyone who is friendly and welcoming,” Tanya said. “We would love to see more animal lovers and bargain hunters in our stores, from the LGBTQ community and any community. We know that your support makes a difference.” For more information, visit secondlifeatlanta.org TheGeorgiaVoice.com
PETS
Animal Therapy and the LGBTQ Community Rose Pelham Animals help relieve stress and heal injuries to mental health caused by a discriminatory society. Prejudice takes a toll on the LGBTQ community and our mental health, but dogs, provided one is not allergic to them, can be stress relieving. While the phrase, “animal therapy,” may conjure images of reclining on a couch while talking to a dog psychologist, most of us are more likely to encounter an animal therapy team in less stereotypically psychological settings. Georgia Voice interviewed Melissa Saul of CAREing Paws to find out more about how animal therapy works.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MELISSA SAUL
CAREing Paws engages in two types of animal therapy. The first is when they visit facilities to help relieve the stress of people there. The second is the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program, in which children read out loud to dogs.
doctors and the nurses and the [hospital] staff. We just had to restructure our visits. We were outside versus inside, we practice social distancing, good hand hygiene. It was just so needed because the doctors and nurses were certainly stressed.”
Before the pandemic, therapy dog teams would visit facilities like hospitals and nursing homes, where the opportunity to pet a dog could help patients feel more comfortable or remind elders of beloved pets at home. Therapy dog teams would also go to elementary schools and libraries to encourage students to read.
When asked about the risk of zoonotic COVID-19 transmission, Saul said: “The virus does not live on the pet’s fur, so it cannot be transmitted from a pet to a human.”
Speaking of therapy dog teams’ work in nursing homes before the pandemic, Saul said “It brings a smile, it brings joy to their day, physically, it helps to calm them and make them feel happy.”
Very little research has been conducted on the effectiveness of R.E.A.D. programs in promoting children’s literacy.
The pandemic has, however, changed the opportunities for animal assisted therapy. According to Saul: “The pandemic has impacted us more than any other time I can remember [with the closure of most of the places we go to], but during the pandemic we were able to provide support to the 18 Pets July 3, 2020
CAREing Paws now also offers online R.E.A.D. appointments, which can be scheduled through their website.
According to a 2016 review of the literature base (journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/ journal.pone.0149759) published in the academic journal, PLOS ONE: “To date there exist no systematic reviews on the effects of [human-animal interactions] in educational settings specifically focusing on the perceived benefits to children of reading to dogs. With rising popularity and implementation of these programmes [sic] in schools, it is essential that
the evidence base exploring the pedagogic value of these initiatives is well documented.” While the scientific community has yet to seriously study the effectiveness of Reading Education Assistance Dogs, R.E.A.D. programs have become a major part of animal therapy organizations throughout the nation. What is clear from scientific research is that therapy dogs do generally reduce people’s stress levels, and from this it may be reasonable to hypothesize that this could be beneficial to students struggling with anxiety over their reading performance. According to Saul: “It makes the child feel confident to be able to read aloud to a dog, because the dog will not make fun of them, will not laugh at them. It’s a very safe and comfortable environment they can feel completely comfortable just reading to the dog.” The ability of therapy dogs and other therapy animals to help reduce stress and promote calm and relaxation could also be beneficial to helping people recover from the psychological anguish caused by prejudice. According to the 2015 U.S. Transgender
Survey (USTS) by National Center for Transgender Equality, transgender people face significantly more psychological distress than the general population. This is particularly true of younger transgender people. The survey authors note: “while all age groups of USTS respondents reported substantially more distress than their counterparts in the U.S. population, younger survey respondents were more likely to report current serious psychological distress. Fifty-three percent (53%) of USTS respondents aged 18 to 25 reported experiencing current serious psychological distress.” The psychological distress transgender people face as a result of transphobia translates into a higher rate of suicidal ideation: “nearly half (48%) of all respondents reported that they had seriously thought about killing themselves in the past twelve months, compared to 4% of the U.S. general population.” Such psychological distress is sadly only more prevalent for transgender people of color, who face both transphobia and racism. Perhaps we should request therapy dog teams at LGBTQ community centers. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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JIM FARMER ACTING OUT
New Documentary Looks at Terrors Facing LGBTQ Community “Welcome to Chechnya,” the latest from acclaimed director David France Oscar-nominated director David France has been at the helm of some of the most noted LGBTQthemed documentaries ever made. His “How To Survive a Plague” looked at the AIDS crisis, and his “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson” chronicled the late trans activist. France’s latest film— “Welcome to Chechnya,” which debuted at Sundance earlier this year and is now airing on HBO—is a powerful examination of the thousands of LGBTQ individuals dealing with the anti-gay leadership of the southern Russian republic of Chechnya. France was stunned when he first heard about the area’s queer purge, even moreso when he read a 2017 The New Yorker article written by Masha Gessen. “It’s ongoing, a fundamental campaign to round up and liquidate every LGBTQ Chechnyan,” says France. “It is entirely parallel to Hitler’s campaign for the queer community.” What surprised the director the most was why no one was doing anything about it. “Where are the reporters, the world leaders, the international bodies brought together to respond to this kind of crime against humanity? That started me on my process.” Formerly an investigative reporter, France blames the lack of attention to the subject on the media and their obsession with Donald Trump and his Twitter feed, especially in 2017. “His first year dominated and entertained them in a way that caused them to spend so much time dissecting tweet after tweet. The mainstream press began to belittle 20 Columnist July 3, 2020
Photos courtesy of HBO
Left: Grisha l) is a survivor of Chechen abduction and torture. Although he is not himself of Chechen origin, he traveled to the southern republic for work. When his ethnicity was established, he was released on condition of remaining silent, but was nonetheless pursued by agents of the Chechnyan government—as were his family members. Eventually they were forced to flee Russia altogether. His boyfriend Bogdan (r) also went into exile.
and diminish Trump and it took so much of the news angle that few other stories were able to break through. If it weren’t for Masha and her ongoing work in The New Yorker, no one would know what’s going on there.” Through Gessen, France was able to reach out to a network of queer activists who offer a shelter for Chechnyan evacuees. “We had a video call in which I proposed that I come and tell their story and bring it out to the world. They accepted right away, but said I might have a problem with the people who are fleeing because their identities cannot be revealed. This campaign is one that will chase and hunt them down around the globe. I promised everyone I would disguise them and they had to trust it would work.” He was able to digitally alter the subject’s faces and voices in the film with help from VFX supervisor Ryan Laney. The project took almost 20 months to film. He was able to gain access to Chechnya the same way activists did—he snuck in. “There
is no true border. Chechnya has its own security forces and checkpoints. They don’t stop everybody and the hope is that they won’t stop you on the way in or out.” One time when he was leaving the capital, the car he was in was pulled over. “When they saw I was an American they detained me and asked what I was doing there,” France recalls. “It could have gone poorly, but they luckily let me on my way.” It was vital for France to protect the evacuees and the activists. During the film, there was constant worry that someone might be following him. “Every time I carried footage with images on it out of the shelter I worried that it could be intercepted in terms of who and where (the evacuees) were. We developed strict protocols and had some unusual security measures.” The day to day life for LGBTQ people in Chechnya is quite severe. “In order to hide,
everyone must go through the ceremony of heterosexuality. They marry and if they are lucky they marry within the community. They have children and live in a lie in order to keep themselves alive. They cannot safely reach out to each other. A security system broke into a phone and found a circle of friends. Some people have been discovered and hide in absolute isolation. They are not able to escape because of COVID. The borders have been shut down and people are living in conditions you can only imagine.” While Canada has granted asylum to some of the evacuees, the Trump administration has not. The hope for the film, says France, is to get the word out about the atrocities in the area, tell the stories of those who’ve fled and find a way to help those still there. “Welcome to Chechnya” is now airing on HBO. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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MELISSA CARTER THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
The Keys to Keeping Activism Alive With so much passion for a variety of causes lately, I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about activism and keys to keeping it alive in your life for the long haul: There’s always bad news to find. If you’re a part of a movement of any kind, you get in this routine of constant fight and struggle because there is always bad news to find. Yes, something bad could be happening right now, but at the same time, something good is happening too. There is a balance to life. You have to learn your passion and continue living it no matter how you’re feeling in the moment, or even if you fall into the trap of thinking that all is lost. Focus on the good. Stop thinking in terms of “War” and “Fight.” I don’t think those are the right words to motivate. War is not something people want to do for the rest of their lives, and that’s where the impatience comes in. If it’s a war on something, a fight for something, you think there’s going to be an end and there’s not. Evolution is a constant thing. I encourage you to change your mindset to thinking you’re married to activism, meaning it’s a lifelong journey you’re committed to. Embrace the relationship, good and bad. True activism is trying to make the world a better place, not you a better person. What you’re trying to achieve may not happen in your lifetime; are you OK with that? Another thing to consider is you’re fighting for people in your community who don’t care about the cause, yet will benefit from your efforts. Are you OK with that? You have to change your mentality from “What am I going to get out of this?” to the idea that you’re doing this for the greater good, which will benefit everyone including yourself. Benchmarks and goals. The way I keep my momentum up is by not forgetting to 22 Columnist July 3, 2020
PHOTO BY ISTOCK
celebrate the victories. The problem with activists who run out of steam is that they never stop and enjoy their work. If you pause to revel, you gain confidence, momentum, and the understanding that your work is worth something. On a long road trip, you have to stop and rest; it’s the same with activism. Once you form those goals and celebrate their achievement along the way, the possibilities are endless. You can’t feel you are lesser-than. It doesn’t matter what you’ve gone through. It doesn’t matter who beat you down or cautioned you not to be too ambitious. You can’t have a self-perception of lesser-than. There is a certain section of each community that truly believes they are lesser-than and have grown comfortable in the victim role in whatever they are doing. I am the victim, the world has done this to me, it’s not going to get any better no matter how hard I try, and that mentality has had a negative effect on all causes. Remember that the people we admire, the people who’ve made real change in this world, never have that attitude. I vowed never to be an old, bitter activist whining about what I didn’t get. No one wants to hear from such an individual anyway, so strive during these times to encourage and inspire younger people to continue working for your cause. In turn, you’ll end up inspiring yourself. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
CREEP OF THE WEEK
Creep of the Week: Donald Trump
By D’Anne and Gavin Witkowski
This week I asked my 10-year-old son to write my column for me. Here is what he has to say: Hi, my name is Gavin, and I’m almost 11. This is what I can tell you about Donald Trump: he is the president of America, and he’s racist, he’s anti-LGBTQ and he is a threat to the criminal justice system. My mom says I would make a better president than Donald Trump. But I’d have no idea what to do. It’s not just about being smart. It’s about knowing which decisions will affect others, and which will help others, and which will give to others, and which will keep our country in peace. One thing Trump says is that he wants to make America great again. America has
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almost never been great. There have always been problems, from wars, to corruption in our system, to racism and discrimination. We’ll never be perfect, but I hope that we can be good. If I were in charge of America, in order to make it a better place, I would take away police forces’ lethal weapons. They could have a Taser instead. Because there’ve been too many killings where the police just shoot without caring about who they’re shooting at. I would also suggest, instead of blocking immigrants, help them and keep them in healthy conditions.
The way Trump acts is he’s often rude to people. He does not care what other people think. He doesn’t care how other people feel. When he sees immigrant kids in cages
he thinks of it as a dog pound. There’s just a bunch of wild animals sitting in there wasting away for their mistakes, which they didn’t really make.
I live with my two lesbian mothers, D’Anne and Stacy. Being raised by two moms just seems normal, but without a dad. I found out that I live in a country that doesn’t support my family at 7am on Nov. 9, 2016, when I woke up and my mom said, “Trump won, honey.” She was sad. If it were up to Donald Trump, I would not even exist. My parents would not be married. They would not have decided to have me, and they would both be living by themselves, if not with a guy, because you’re “supposed to” marry a man. Some kids call other kids gay to be mean. It’s really hurtful when people call you gay
even though at the same time it’s not hurtful because you know it doesn’t mean anything except that you love who you love. It can be hurtful because you know it was meant as an insult. But it’s technically an insult to yourself if you call someone gay, because it shows that you don’t know anything about love, because love is love. When Donald Trump sees a Pride parade he does not think that people are strong and independent, he thinks, “What the heck are you nutcases doing? You’re disrespecting our country’s history,” when, in reality, he’s the one disrespecting the world. For all of you who want to celebrate Pride even though we have such a corrupt president, who cares? Celebrate. Go ahead. Live your life. Be yourself. You are you. But you should still wear a mask.
July 3, 2020 Columnist 23