GEORGIANEWS
Pride School counting down to opening Details
First LGBT school in the South is two years in the making
Pride School Atlanta Family Festival Fundraiser Saturday, July 30 from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta 1597 Frontage Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30329 www.facebook.com/ events/1296909553660520
By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com When walking through the parking lot on the way into Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, you’re quickly alerted to the fact that they do things a little differently. The “Flamboyant Minister Parking” sign in one of the spots is a dead giveaway. Upon entering the lobby, you’re greeted by seven-foot tall signs with messages like “No one left out” and “Whoever you are, whatever path you are on, you are welcome here.” “When you walk in, there’s nothing in here that would typically push out folks, especially those in the LGBT community,” says Christian Zsilavetz, executive director of Pride School, a K-12 school for LGBT educators, students and families. That’s one of the reasons that, after two years of planning, hustling, connecting, fundraising and more, Zsilavetz chose UUCA as the first home for Pride School, the first of its kind in the South. And Zsilavetz and all those families and educators he’s gotten to know are counting down the final days until the first day of Pride School. ‘Families are coming from all over the place’ For Zsilavetz, a transgender educator, Pride School is personal. He came up with the idea in March 2014 while working at a small private school. He realized that even though he had transitioned eight years prior to that, he was not out to families and most of the staff. “I realized that it was inhibiting my ability to be the best educator I could be because I could not be authentic on the job and be the best educator,” he said at the time to Georgia Voice, the first media outlet to report on Pride School. He currently has four students signed up to start school next month with a goal to start the school year with seven—they’re hoping to open on August 8 to follow the Dekalb County school calendar. “We may back the start date up a few www.thegeorgiavoice.com
Pride School executive director Christian Zsilavetz hopes to start the school year on August 8. (Photo by Patrick Saunders)
“I’ve been around people in my life who have a great idea, and it’s a great idea for five minutes, and then they move on because they realize that 350 other people have already done the same thing. To be here two years later, and going, ‘Wow, we’re still doing this,’ is really something else.” —Christian Zsilavetz, executive director of Pride School weeks to continue to get everything in alignment, but we as a community have already been together building the community in the last two years,” Zsilavetz says. “Families are coming from all over the place—Alpharetta, we’ve got somebody in Vinings, we’ve been talking to someone in Woodstock.” The current four students range from 13 to 16 years of age, but they also have a 10-year-old part-timer and they have a 17-year-old they want to bring on board. The $13,500 tuition can be a hurdle for some, but some students are on partial tuition and some are doing volunteer work. “The amount of tuition that people are paying is varying because we really want to make this accessible,” he says. ”We also have rolling admissions, which is really nice, especially for once you start school and you realize things ar-
en’t working well, we can be someone’s backup plan. That’s one of the reasons we exist.” Fundraiser scheduled for July 30 Luckily for Zsilavetz and the families and educators at Pride School, they got their first choice of locations in UUCA. The North Druid Hills area church has incubated three other schools in recent years, each of which branched out and now have their own facilities around town. Plus the location had to be LGBT-friendly and UUCA had that in spades. “They have a huge allied community, a huge presence at Pride,” Zsilavetz says. “They’re really about social justice, which I think is unusual for a lot of faith communities.” Pride School is renting out three rooms totaling 1500 square feet, which Zsilavetz says is more than enough room for 10 to 15 students. And the
amenities were hard to pass up, including a keycoded door, a fenced-in playground that’s wheelchair accessible, a large patio, a vegetable garden and a butterfly garden. The school will use the rooms during the day on weekdays while the church will use them for various functions on nights and weekends. “So we pay very little rent for the use of this space knowing that we were sharing the space,” he says. “And we knew as a fledgling school, that was how we needed to start.” The fact that he’s gotten to that point— starting—is a fact that Zsilavetz calls “absolutely frightening.” “I’ve been around people in my life who have a great idea, and it’s a great idea for five minutes, and then they move on because they realize that 350 other people have already done the same thing,” he says. “To be here two years later, and going, ‘Wow, we’re still doing this,’ is really something else.” But to get where they need to be, they need to keep raising money. They just got their 501(c)3 status, they are actively seeking grants and have a big fundraiser coming up on July 30 at the school. As the school’s status has grown, Zsilavetz occasionally fields questions about the need for a school for LGBT students, educators and families. He directs the answer at the parents of LGBT kids. “There’s a difference between being openly affirming and acting as if everybody has a great time with your kid being gay or gender diverse. We know that every parent struggles. All of our parents have struggled. And if you hang out with people who get it, then you’ll get it faster. You can be upset about it for the next 50 years but we can take care of your kid in the meantime.” July 22, 2016 News 3
GEORGIANEWS
Two openly LGBT candidates competing in runoff elections July 26 runoffs in state House seat, Fulton County judgeship
Here are the full lists of endorsements issued by Georgia Equality and Georgia Stonewall Democrats for the July 26 runoffs:
By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com
Georgia Equality Endorsements
Historically, there is low voter turnout in runoff elections, making the impact of the vote of those who do turn out that much greater. Here are the two races to watch featuring LGBT candidates on July 26. Vie has eye on choice committee seat Openly gay community activist and flight attendant Rafer Johnson missed out on nabbing one of the top two slots in the May 24 primary in House District 62, which includes portions of College Park, Douglasville, East Point, and portions of Fulton and DeKalb counties. But lesbian family law attorney Valerie Vie did make the cut and faces off against attorney William Boddie, Jr. on July 26. Vie lists public education, increasing the minimum wage and Medicaid expansion as the major issues of her campaign, but a win would also nab her a choice seat on the House Judiciary Committee—the site of much drama in the fight over so-called “religious freedom” legislation the last three years. “It would be a first to have an LGBT person on the Judiciary Committee, so there will be a huge voice for us when we’re talking about these things that have a negative impact on our community,” Vie tells Georgia Voice. Vie, a political newcomer, is trailing Boddie in fundraising. She has $27,773.41 in contributions with $14,458.14 on hand versus $82,486.04 in contributions with $23,897.30 on hand for her opponent as of the latest campaign disclosure report on June 30. There is no opposition in the November general election, so if Vie outshines Boddie, she’ll join Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), Rep. Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) and Rep. Park Cannon (D-Atlanta) as the only openly LGBT members of the Georgia legislature. Alembik leads in fundraising The other openly gay candidate in the July 26 runoffs is Gary Alembik, who is
STATE SENATE District 43: Rep. Dee Dawkins Haigler (D) STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES District 62: Valerie Vie (D) FULTON COUNTY Superior Court Judge: Gary Alembik Superior Court Judge: Sterling Eaves Solicitor General: Clinton “Clint” Rucker GRIFFIN District Attorney: Rudjard Hayes (R)
Openly gay family law attorney, Fulton County magistrate and hearing officer Gary Alembik is running for Fulton County Superior Court judge. (Courtesy photo)
“In the context of family law, I have a little more appreciation for the dynamics that come with a gay divorce or gay adoption. Does that create a bias? Absolutely not. Does my being gay define me as a judge? Absolutely not.” —Gary Alembik, candidate for Fulton County Superior Court running for Superior Court judge in Fulton County. This is the family law attorney, Fulton County magistrate and hearing officer’s first run for public office. He tells Georgia Voice that he hadn’t considered running for office until the retiring Judge Wendy Shoob suggested that he run. He notes the size of Fulton County as one of the challenges he’s faced, saying that while he’s been knocking on doors as much as he can, he’s had to rely on mailers and robocalls to reach people.
“We’re talking a million people from top to bottom in 75 miles,” he says. “So it’s difficult to touch everybody on a personal level. With a House race it’s more achievable because you have a defined area and it’s very achievable to go to every neighborhood but I just can’t. So it’s a challenge because people frankly don’t know who they’re voting for when they vote for a judge.” He also notes another difference when looking at judicial races versus legislative— to retain impartiality, a judicial candidate
Stonewall Democrats endorsements STATE SENATE District 43: Rep. Dee Dawkins Haigler (D) STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES District 59: Janine Brown (D) District 62: Valerie Vie (D) District 91: Rhonda Taylor (D) FULTON COUNTY Solicitor General: Keith Gammage
can’t talk about policies. “I’m a sitting judge so I’m very limited in terms of what I can say. So I talk about things that are important to me like justice reform and the importance of case management,” Alembik says. If elected, Alembik would be the second openly LGBT Superior Court judge in Fulton County (joining Jane Barwick) and the first openly gay male. He understands the focus on CONTINUES ON PAGE 9
4 News July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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Lesbian family law attorney Valerie Vie faces off against attorney William Boddie, Jr. in the House District 62 race. (Courtesy photo) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
his sexuality, saying, “It’s important to have a judge who represents the face of your community. In the context of family law, I have a little more appreciation for the dynamics that come with a gay divorce or gay adoption.” But Alembik adds, “Does that create a bias? Absolutely not. Does my being gay define me as a judge? Absolutely not. I know there are some folks in our community who would like me to speak a little louder about my sexuality but it doesn’t define me. I know who I am and I’m passionate about what I do, especially in terms of being a judge. What the voters should be looking for is the level of experience that comes with a candidate and what change they can bring to whatever position they’re running for.” Alembik has the lead in fundraising over his opponent Eric Dunaway, with $213,542 in contributions and $96,403.70 on hand versus $184,877.24 and $38,867.20 on hand for Dunaway as of a June 30 campaign disclosure report. After the July 26 runoffs it’s on to the general elections in November where, in addition www.thegeorgiavoice.com
Details
2016 runoff elections Early Voting Started: July 5, 2016 Runoff Election Day: July 26, 2016 Find your voter registration status and polling location: www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do to the possibility of Vie and Alembik, there are several other openly LGBT candidates in the running. Those facing no opposition and are guaranteed another term include state Rep. Park Cannon (D-Atlanta), state Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), Fulton County State Court Judge Jane Morrison and Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner. State Rep. Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) faces Republican truck driver Ralph Nobles in House District 60 but is expected to land a third straight term. So the race of interest concerning LGBT candidates is House District 54, where openly gay candidate Bob Gibeling faces a stiff challenge against incumbent Republican Rep. Beth Beskin. July 22, 2016 News 9
NEWSBRIEFS Ex-Atlanta fire chief calls for passage of anti-gay bill on Capitol Hill Kelvin Cochran, the former Atlanta fire chief fired last year after publishing an anti-gay book, was in the spotlight on July 12 at a congressional hearing where he testified in favor of the anti-LGBT First Amendment Defense Act. Cochran said that FADA would protect federal employees from being fired for their beliefs, which he says was what the city of Atlanta did to him. “Please pass the First Amendment Defense Act and send the message that there is a place for me, and others like me, in the public square. In a truly diverse society, no one deserves to be ostracized, marginalized, or driven out of their profession because of their beliefs about marriage,” Cochran said in prepared remarks before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. All 10 GOP congressman from Georgia have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, as well as Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue. The Georgia legislature took up a version of the First Amendment Defense Act in this year’s session. The sponsor of the bill, state Sen. Greg Kirk (R-Americus) later rolled in the most anti-LGBT language of the bill into HB 257, the bill that outraged LGBT activists and led to threats of boycotts from corporations across the country. The bill passed both chambers of the legislature but was then vetoed by Gov. Nathan Deal. Cochran later said that the “the actions of the City of Atlanta do not reflect American values,” and that the city was labeling those who believe that marriage is between one man and one woman as “outcasts.” Cochran came under fire at the end of 2014 when passages of his self-published book, “Who Told You That You Were Naked?” became public. Mayor Kasim Reed suspended Cochran for 30 days while the city investigated the incident, then fired him last January. Cochran filed a federal lawsuit against the city last February and a judge ruled against the city’s motion to dismiss the suit last December. Atlanta Dream athlete uses celebrity to champion LGBT and Black equality When other celebrities remain quiet out of fear of alienating their fanbase or impact-
Ex-Atlanta fire chief Kelvin Cochran speaks at a press conference on Capitol Hill in support of the First Amendment Defense Act. (Photo by Patrick Saunders)
ing their net worth in the wake of anti-gay violence and repeated shootings of unarmed black men by police, Atlanta Dream point guard and lesbian Layshia Clarendon is as outspoken as ever. Now in her first season with the Atlanta Dream after previously playing three seasons for the Indiana Fever, Clarendon describes herself as “biracial, black, gay, female, genderqueer and Christian.” She is also quickly adding activist to her list of identifiers. One scroll through her Twitter or Instagram feed and you’re likely to read her thoughts on feminism, white supremacy and the recent shooting of Alton Sterling, a black man whose final moments were captured on video as he was shot multiple times by police outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “Woke to the news that yet another black man was murdered by the police. Another hashtag, another day, another injustice. #AltonSterling,” she tweeted on July 8. Gonorrhea antibiotic resistance threat looms for gay/bisexual men The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released their findings on July 14 in
the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on the growing threat of resistance to azithromycin, the antibiotic used to treat gonorrhea. “The confluence of emerging drug resistance and very limited alternative options for treatment creates a perfect storm for future gonorrhea treatment failure in the U.S.,” said Jonathan Mermin, M.D., director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention. “History shows us that bacteria will find a way to outlast the antibiotics we’re using to treat it. We are running just one step ahead in order to preserve the remaining treatment option for as long as possible.” The combination therapy currently recommended by CDC still works. To date, no treatment failures have been reported in the United States. “It is unclear how long the combination therapy of azithromycin and ceftriaxone will be effective if the increases in resistance persist,” said Gail Bolan, M.D, director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention. “We need to push forward on multiple fronts to ensure we can continue offering successful treatment to those who need it.”
10 News July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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12 Outspoken July 22, 2016
“If I’m gonna have a voice politically, I want it to be positivity for Hillary. I don’t want it to be negativity for Donald Trump. Because I feel like people get trapped in that. As soon as you say something negative about Trump that’s all that people post, that’s all that people write. Because he’s a click hole.” — Out actor and “Glee” star Chris Colfer on the 2016 presidential election during a Sirius XM Progress interview. (7/16 Screencap image)
“Although we never did anything sexual to one another it still ruined the family line between us because it obliterated any possible boundaries that he and I could ever have again. It’s been 12 years since it happened and it’s still vivid in my mind as if it happened yesterday. I regret it to the fullest. Because that played a part in me losing the one person who was closest to me.” — Former porn performer Ta’Leon Goffney on filming with his twin brother and the riff it caused in an interview with Queerty. (7/16 Instagram/Jr Christiansen) “The main thing is: We think all human beings, no matter who you are, deserve respect, deserve equal treatment, and should be respected in all that we do, and be respected. We’re still a party that believes that marriage is between one man and one woman, but it doesn’t mean that we’re going to kick people out.” — Gov. Mary Fallin (R-Oklahoma) on the GOP’s anti-LGBT platform during a CNN interview. (7/18 Screencap image) www.thegeorgiavoice.com
IN THE MIDDLE
Creepoftheweek
The road to recovery
Pat McCrory’s appalling move in support of discrimination
By Kim Riggins
Kim Riggins lives in Smyrna with her two incredibly spoiled dogs and an unhealthy obsession with Star Wars.
“Things do not get better. Not on their own. The world does not generally sort itself out. People must aggressively seek change. We must doggedly pursue to correct wrongs and fight injustice. Those things do not just happen. In order for them to happen, we must change first. We must ‘get better.’” It is difficult to explain to people why I live in the South. There are so many other places that are more LGBT-friendly. There are so many other places that have four distinct seasons as opposed to summer, summer, Satan’s sauna and sort of winter. There are places where the people are less backward, more progressive and more intelligent. The list goes on and on. I cannot say that I completely disagree, although I have met many exceptions to these denunciations. But at the end of the day, the South is my home and I’ve come a long way from feeling the need to hide who I am. That really says something. The late Joan Rivers once said, “I wish I could tell you that it gets better. It doesn’t get better. YOU get better.” She was talking about her work as a comedian, but those words are already timeless to me. They are relevant to my life in so many ways as a writer, as a woman and as a lesbian living in the South. Things do not get better. Not on their own. The world does not generally sort itself out. People must aggressively seek change. We must doggedly pursue to correct wrongs and fight injustice. Those things do not just happen. In order for them to happen, we must change first. We must “get better.” Look how far we’ve come because people got better. I used to be a self-righteous, judgmental bigot and then I got better only to find that I became a bitter, angry woman who blamed every church, pastor and Christian for the injuswww.thegeorgiavoice.com
tices faced by my community. Then I got better. There’s still a lot of anger there and I have a sneaking suspicion that I’m not the only one who feels that way, but we are getting better. Every day we are learning that hate perpetuates hate. It spreads like infection from one person to the next and the only way to stop it is to heal the wound. We have presidential candidates (well, a presidential candidate) who seem to invoke the spirit of spoiled, rich frat boys in order to climb up on the only platform they can find: insulting those who have a different skin tone or a different gender or a disability. Who chose as a running mate one of the more current poster boys for discrimination in our nation. The public reaction, as frightening as a Trump/ Pence White House would be, was ridicule. Even from the religious right I’ve seen a copious amount of eye-rolling and face-palming. In short, I live here in Atlanta because this is my home. The South is my home and as Kevin Costner once said, “A free man defending his home is more powerful than ten hired soldiers.” I look around me and I see people who are not like me. They are different genders, different colors, from different socioeconomic backgrounds. They are Christians and atheists and Muslims. They are straight and bi and gay and transgender. They are business owners, janitors, servers and maintenance workers. We are all getting better. We are fighting together for our home.
By D’ANNE WITKOWSKI In a move that only the most hateful and ignorant people will applaud, McCrory asked that $500,000 be taken from the state’s disaster relief fund in order to help pay for the state’s lawsuit supporting HB2, the anti-LGBT bill that has been taking the state by storm. There’s a whole heap of suing going on in North Carolina. First, the Department of Justice is suing the state over HB2 because it violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. But North Carolina didn’t like that much and decided it would sue the federal government right back. North Carolina’s attorney general is Roy Cooper, a Democrat who is hoping to become the state’s next governor. He has refused to defend HB2 because it’s “some bullshit.” Okay, he didn’t really say that. But he did call it a “national embarrassment,” which is
pretty much the same thing. And since Cooper won’t defend the law, McCrory has hired outside lawyers to do it and outside lawyers don’t come for free or Pat McCrory for cheap. Hence the half a million dollars being pilfered from a fund that helps pay for silly things like “relief” from “disaster.” Surely not something the fine people of North Carolina are worried about. It’s not like their state is vulnerable to flooding or hurricanes or tornadoes. And it’s not like the entire state shuts the fuck down if snow sticks to the ground. So I’m sure everything will be fine. HB2 is priority number one, obviously, come hell or high water.
July 22, 2016 Outspoken 13
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GEORGIA VOICE’S
2016 BEST OF ATLANTA AWARDS YOUR VOTES. YOUR VOICE.
YOUR WINNERS. We put out the call for your votes to determine the best Atlanta has to offer in multiple categories—and you voted and voted and voted and then voted some more. As a matter of fact, you set a Best of Atlanta record by casting over 163,000 votes. Some of the finalists let the process take care of itself. Others mounted campaigns through social media to garner votes. And now we present your choices for LGBT Atlanta’s best in Arts & Entertainment, Community, Eats, Nightlife, People, Pets, Services and Shopping.
The Georgian Terrace Hotel once again hosts our annual Best of Atlanta party on July 21. Guests will enjoy complimentary appetizers from HENRY’S midtown, DaVinci’s Pizza, Green Ginger Decatur, and Campagnolo Restaurant + Bar while sipping complimentary Portal del Alto wine and Tito’s Vodka signature cocktails. And DJ Zack Falls will keep partygoers dancing all night long in between crowning our 2016 winners. So without further ado, ladies, gentlemen and everything in-between—your 2016 Best of Atlanta winners. Congratulations!
SHOPPING
of books and magazines and DVDs—and an abundance of toys and other unexpected items—this is the place you want to drop cash.
Bookstore Charis Books & More It’s been around for 40 years and is Atlanta’s favorite bookstore: Charis Books (www. charisbooksandmore.com). With a welcoming home in Little Five Points, a great selection of new and topical LGBT books and established classics, plus a calendar full of community and special events, it’s no real surprise. In second place is Barnes & Noble (www. barnesandnoble.com) with Eagle Eye Bookshop (www.eagleeyebooks.com) rounding out the list in third place. Adult Bookstore Brushstrokes For those not in the mood for “Harry Potter,” Brushstrokes (www.brushstrokesatlanta. com) is your top place for reading material of a more adult, spicy nature. With all sorts
Southern Nights (www.snvonline.com) comes in second place, with Tokyo Valentino (www. tokyovalentino.com) finishing in third place. Tattoo Shop Southern Star When Georgia Voice readers want new ink, Southern Star Tattoo (www.instagram. com/southernstartattoo) is their tattoo shop of choice. The Midtown shop has been a destination for impressive body art for years, with some of the best tattoo artists in town creating simple to highly intricate work. In second place is Liberty Tattoo (www. libertytat2.com), with Timeless Tattoo (www. timeless-tattoo.com/shop.html ) in third place. CONTINUES ON PAGE 20
Clockwise from top: Charis Books has a great selection of new and topical LGBT books and established classics, plus a calendar full of community and special events. Over the last few years the Lost-N-Found Thrift & Consignment store has been a powerful fundraising tool for homeless youth. With all sorts of books and magazines and DVDs—and an abundance of toys and other unexpected items—Brushstrokes is the place you want to drop cash. Lesbian-owned 18.21 Bitters has earned your votes as the best gift store in town. (Courtesy photos)
16 Best of Atlanta July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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GEORGIA VOICE’S 2016 BEST OF ATLANTA AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
Clothing Lost-n-Found Youth Thrift & Consignment Over the last few years the Lost-N-Found Thrift & Consignment store (www.lnfy. org) has been a powerful fundraising tool for homeless youth. Now it has an amazing, sprawling location with all kinds of cool, great clothes. It’s a nice place to spend money for a very worthy cause. In second place is Boy Next Door Menswear (www.boynextdoormenswear.com), with H&M (www.hm.com) finishing third, and surprisingly, a fourth place winner in Finders Keepers (www.fkconsign.com). Florist Foxgloves & Ivy Foxgloves & Ivy (www.foxgloves.biz) has once again been crowned the best florists in town. They’ve been delivering on their promise to provide the best and most affordable flowers to customers for nearly 20 years so this comes as no surprise. TWELVE (www.twelveatlanta.net) claims the second place spot, with Van Jernigan Florist (www.vannjerniganfloristatlantaga.com) finishing in third place. Gift Store 18.21 Bitters Lesbian-owned 18.21 Bitters (www.1821bitters.com) has earned your votes as the best gift store in town. Whether you’re in search of the perfect cocktail or the ingredients to make one, you’ll find what you need here. In second place is Brushstrokes/GCB (www. facebook.com/GCB-685677534888364/), with Barking Leather (www.barkingleather. com) in third place. Furniture/Home Design Intaglia Home Collection The locally owned Intaglia Home Collection (www.intagliahome.com) rose to the top of the competition to claim first place. Intaglia believes in giving their customers options and they continue to return for custom furniture or ready-to-go pieces
Clockwise from top: Intaglia believes in giving their customers options and they continue to return for custom furniture or ready-to-go pieces. Worthmore Jewelers has been supplying Atlantans with the best in quality jewelry since 1994. Paris on Ponce offers the very best from independent curators, collectors and designers. (Courtesy photos)
right off the showroom floor. In second place is No Mas! (www.nomasatlanta.com), with Cantoni (www.cantoni.com) in third place.
and Highland Row (www.highlandrowantiques. com) and Decatur Estate Antique (www.decaturestateantiques.com) rounding out the list.
Antique Store Paris on Ponce Readers chose Paris on Ponce (www.parisonponce.com) for the best in antique furnishings. This chic boutique offers the very best from independent curators, collectors and designers. It’s also home to the dazzling event space Le´ Maison Rouge.
Jewelry Store Worthmore Jewelers Georgia Voice readers turn to Worthmore Jewelers (www.worthmorejewelers.com) first for all of their bling. The Midtown jeweler has been supplying Atlantans with the best in quality jewelry since 1994. A second store in Decatur continues to accommodate customer demand for strikingly beautiful jewelry in a unique atmosphere.
In second place is Behrouz Emami, with Kudzu (www.kudzuantiques.com) in third place
In a strong second place is Jonathan Buckhead (www.jonathanbuckhead.com), with
92.5mx (www.925.mx) rounding out the list in third place. Liquor Store Green’s It’s the weekend (or any other day of the week) and you’re ready to get a little tipsy, your first choice for adult beverages is Green’s (www. greensbeverages.com). The alcohol retailer has been providing the best in beer, wine, and liquor since 1937 at two Atlanta locations. In second place is Tower (www.towerwinespirits.com), with Ansley Wine Merchants (www. ansleywinestoreatlantaga.com) in third place. CONTINUES ON PAGE 22
20 Best of Atlanta July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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SERVICES Doctor Scott Parry Dr. Scott Parry claims the top spot for his medical expertise in HIV, hormone replacement therapy and primary psychiatry care. Parry’s Intown Primary Care (www.intownprimarycare.com) practice has been trusted with the care of thousands of LGBT Atlantans since opening in 2001. He’s worked for over twenty years to assist patients in their quest for a “healthier you.” On the heels of Dr. Parry in second place is Dr. John Perry (www.thedoctorsarein.com), with Any Spine Chiropractic (www.anyspine. com) finishing in third place. Financial Planner Leslie Cook Leslie Cook is the top vote earner in the financial planner category. She has helped clients live their best life through financial literacy and legacy building for over 17 years. Cook breaks down financial goals into doable steps, restoring confidence where there is uncertainty and blazing a path for client success. Jennifer Bell gave Cook a run for her money in second place, with Don Dusick rounding out the list in third place. Dentist Chip Hill Filling first place this year, Dr. Chip Hill (www.chiphilldds.com) is crowned our top dentist! Hill’s “patient first” philosophy is instrumental in the success of his thriving practice, which he has led for nearly 20 years. He proves that when it comes to caring for our readers’ teeth, he really knows the drill. Coming in second place was Bob Feil (www.robertfeildds.com), followed by Restoration Dental (www.restdental.com) in third. Bank Wells Fargo “Show me the money!” Wells Fargo’s (www.wellsfargo.com) banking services and
Clockwise from left: Common Ground Real Estate President Justin Ziegler is closing deals left and right as a successful realtor and is at the top of this category once again. Your top choice to contact and consult with on legal matters/services is veteran Atlanta lawyer Mimi McCain. Dr. Scott Parry claims the top spot for his medical expertise in HIV, hormone replacement therapy and primary psychiatry care. (Courtesy photos)
commitment to earning the LGBT dollar have separated them from the competition, placing the banker first among Georgia Voice readers. The banking giant has also consistently appeared on the list of best places to work for LGBT equality. In second place is Bank of America (www. bankofamerica.com), with BB&T (www.bbt. com) claiming third place. Pharmacy Ansley Kroger Pharmacy Ansley Kroger Pharmacy (www.kroger. com) is your number one choice to have all of your prescriptions filled and to speak with a knowledgeable staff about all of your medi-
cation concerns. It also helps that they’re open for business until 10 p.m. Monday-Friday. Alliance Community Pharmacy (www.alliancecrx.com) proved to be fierce competition in second place, with Target Pharmacy (www.target.com) finishing in third place. Realtor Justin Ziegler Common Ground Real Estate (www.commongroundrealestate.com) President Justin Ziegler is closing deals left and right as a successful realtor and is at the top of this category once again. He’s affable, in-the-know and certainly connected in the community—contributing his time and energy to Lost-n-Found
Youth and Atlanta Pride among others. In second place is Brian Crawford (www.jbriancrawford.yourkwagent.com), with David Ray (www.aboveatlanta.com) finishing in third place. Dermatologist Harold Brody Harold Brody, M.D. (www.atlantadermatology.com) claims the top spot as the most respected and sought after dermatologist by our readers. In addition to practicing medicine, Brody is the author of over 80 book chapters and journal articles. He’s also a frequent lecturer at medical schools across the country and continues to be honored as one of the top doc-
22 Best of Atlanta July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
GEORGIA VOICE’S 2016 BEST OF ATLANTA AWARDS tors in America and the Southeast. In second place is Mack Rachal (www.midtownmed.com), with Jodi Ganz (www.olanskydermatology.com) in third place. Gym LA Fitness LA Fitness (www.lafitness.com) is the gym of choice to maintain that banging summer body year-round. With state-of-the art equipment and dozens of fitness classes to choose from every day of the week, there’s a fitness regimen available for the beginner to the professional bodybuilder. And there’s plenty of eye candy too! Urban Body Fitness (www.urbanbodyfitness. com) comes in second place, with Village Fitness (www.getfitinthevillage.com) claiming third place. Hair Salon Katie Prewitt Master cosmetologist Katie Prewitt of Salon Lofts (www.salonlofts.com) is in first place and wears the crown in this category. Prewitt provides precision haircuts for men, women and children along with makeup application and waxing services. Her goal is to make each client feel fabulous and to enhance their natural beauty. Mint Salon (www.mintsalon.net) comes in second place, with Taper Hair Studio (www.facebook.com/TaperHairStudio) rounding out the list in third place. Spa Bliss W Atlanta Downtown Bliss (www.watlantadowntown/bliss-spa) in Downtown lives up to its name for a majority of readers as it wins this category in 2016. A range of treatments and products can be found there, from massages and facials to waxing to laser applications. Several products are available to purchase for home use as well. In second place is Jeju (www.jejusauna. com), with Blue Med Center (www.bluemedcenter.com) in third place. Lawyer/Legal Mimi McCain Your top choice to contact and consult
com www.thegeorgiavoice.com
with on legal matters/services is veteran Atlanta lawyer Mimi McCain (www.titlelaw. com). An attorney with Ganek Wright Minsk PC, McCain is a founder of the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia and specializes in residential and commercial closings and builder development representation. In second place is Denise D. VanLanduyt (www.vanlanduytlaw.com), with Jennifer Gibbs (www.gibbsmabe.com) in third place. Hotel Georgian Terrace Hotel The beautiful and historic Georgian Terrace Hotel (www.thegeorgianterrace.com) in the heart of Midtown is your pick for top hotel. The Georgian Terrace Hotel has epitomized the elegance and southern charm that is Atlanta since 1911. In recent years, it has become the go-to venue for gay Atlanta nuptials and is also home to our annual Best of Atlanta awards ceremony. In second place is Marriott Century Center (www.marriott.com), with Stone Mountain Manor (www.stonemountainmanor.com) rounding out the list in third place.
PETS Vet Pets Are People Too The caring and professional staff at Pets Are People Too (www.vcahospitals.com/petsare-people-too-atlanta) is among the reasons why this veterinary hospital has claimed the top spot among Georgia Voice readers and pet lovers across the city. Whether your pet requires first-time vaccinations or a lifetime of preventive care, they’re up to the task. In second place is Villages Vets (www.thevillagevets.com), with Ansley Animal Clinic (www. ansleyanimalclinic.com) finishing third. Pet Store The Pet Set The Pet Set (www.thepetset.com) takes honors here, with a wide array of all natural pet foods, pet friendly accessories and everything else for the little ones at home. The Pet Set offers grooming, daycare and a luxury boarding facility for your little furry one at
The beautiful and historic Georgian Terrace Hotel in the heart of Midtown is your pick for top hotel. (Courtesy photo)
two Atlanta locations. In second place is PetSmart (www.petsmart.com), with Pet Supermarket (www.petsupermarket.com) rounding out the list in third place. Daycare The Pet Set The Pet Set (www. thepetset.com) is number one on the list for many Atlantans for pet daycare so it’s no surprise they’ve come in first place here too. Pets have the option of several play areas, an indoor climate-controlled area and an outdoor area rife with opportunities to run and play with other dogs at the Briarcliff Road location.
In second place is Wag-A-Lot (www.wagalot.com), with Doguroo (www. doguroo.com) coming in third. Grooming The Pet Set When it’s time to get Bentley that summer haircut or a new look for that fancy event, The Pet Set (www.thepetset.com) is where you like to go. With two locations, one in Midtown and the other in Buckhead, as well as mobile assistance, The Pet Set offers spa-like services, including foods and treats with all-natural ingredients. CONTINUES ON PAGE 24
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In second place is Wag-A-Lot (www.wagalot.com), with Doguroo (www. doguroo.com) taking the third place spot. Pet Event Angels Among Us Pet Rescue Dedicated to saving dogs and cats from highkill shelters, Angels Among Us Pet Rescue (www. angelsrescue.org) corralled the highest number of votes here. The organization has all kinds of events throughout the Atlanta area and North Georgia to raise money to save pets, including pet adoptions and the annual Pet Parade. Dogtoberfest Stone Mountain (www.bringfido.com/event/14999/) claims second prize honors, with PALS Bingo (www.palsatlanta. org) in third place.
COMMUNITY LGBT Nonprofit Lost-n-Found Youth Atlanta homeless LGBT youth organization Lost-n-Found Youth ran away with this year’s race for best LGBT nonprofit. The group has continued to capture the state (and the nation’s attention) and is looking forward to opening up a new, larger shelter in Midtown to address the problem of LGBT youth homelessness. The Counter Narrative Project (www. thecounternarrative.org) took second place while Latino LinQ (www.latinolinq.weebly. com) placed third. HIV/AIDS Nonprofit AID Atlanta Atlanta has one of the highest rates of new HIV/AIDS infections and AID Atlanta (www.aidatlanta.org) continues the ongoing fight. The group named longtime employee Nicole Roebuck as executive director in April and their annual AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run is always a huge draw for the city’s LGBT community and allies. Positive Impact Health Centers (www.positiveimpacthealthcenters.org) placed second this year and Living Room (www.livingroomatl.org) is third.
Clockwise from top left: The East Point Possums show beat out some tough competition to take first place in the LGBT Charity Benefit category again. Angels Among Us Pet Rescue has all kinds of events throughout the Atlanta area and North Georgia to raise money to save pets, including pet adoptions and the annual Pet Parade. The Pet Set offers grooming, daycare and a luxury boarding facility for your little furry one at two Atlanta locations. (Courtesy photos)
LGBT Event Atlanta Pride Atlanta Pride is back on top of this category again after coming in second to Out On Film last year. The annual event attracts hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors from around the country every October, highlighted by Sunday afternoon’s Pride March through downtown and Midtown Atlanta. Coming in second was Out On Film (www.outonfilm.org) and rounding out the list in third was Morehouse Pride Week (www.facebook.com/morehousesafespace). Sports Team/League Atlanta Bucks The boys in purple win this game. Gay
rugby team the Atlanta Bucks (www.atlantabucksrugby.org) have been battling it out on the pitch since 2003 and they’re not stopping anytime soon. Plus the community loves their various fundraisers put on around town throughout the year, especially the annual Purple Dress Run. The Decatur Women’s Sports League (www.decaturwomenssports.com) placed second this year, while the Atlanta Team Tennis Association (www.atta.org) takes home the bronze. LGBT Charity Benefit East Point Possums What’s better than 30 or so drag queens and kings lighting up the night for charity
every summer? Nothing if you ask Georgia Voice’s readers. The East Point Possums show beat out some tough competition to take first place in this category again. The event, put on in partnership with Atlanta Pride, raised funds for Lost-n-Found Youth this year. The annual pool party fundraiser Joining Hearts (www.joininghearts.org) placed second this year and the holiday shindig The Toy Party (www.forthekid.org) landed in third. House of Worship New Covenant Church of Atlanta Bishop Randy Morgan and Apostle Johnny Layton lead this LGBT-inclusive church CONTINUES ON PAGE 27
24 Best of Atlanta July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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GEORGIA VOICE’S 2016 BEST OF ATLANTA AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24
just off Cheshire Bridge Road. And they should be used to leading in this category as they were picked first last year as well. Atlanta’s LGBT community can’t seem to get enough of New Covenant Church of Atlanta (www.newcovenantatlanta.com). Second place goes to Just As You Are (www. justasyouare.org), and Saint Mark United Methodist Church (www.stmarkumc.us) takes third. LGBT Blog or Website Project Q This category might as well be named the Project Q Atlanta award. Project Q (www. projectqatlanta.com) lands on top of this category yet again and it’s no surprise why with their mix of breaking news, pictures of hunky guys and more.
Clockwise from left: U.S. Rep. John Lewis has spent a lifetime fighting for the rights of the underprivileged and shows no signs of stopping. Transgender activist Alissah Brooks has worked closely with GLAAD to highlight and fight instances of discrimination. Birdcage Bingo host at Hideaway Atlanta, Ruby Redd, is also busy working with Lost-n-Found Youth or any number of other city groups. (Courtesy photos)
Wussy Mag’s (www.wussymag.com) coverage of queer nightlife, art and culture earned second place while category mainstay Equally Wed (www.equallywed.com) rounds out in third.
PEOPLE Business Person Bob Fawcett, The Pet Set Bob Fawcett (thepetset.com) has been a stalwart of Atlanta’s LGBT community since he opened the doors to his first location of The Pet Set in the ‘80s. He’s since gone on to operate locations in Midtown and the Briarcliff area, in addition to offering mobile grooming services for coifed canines and kitties around the city. Visit either location for trims and facials to leave your fur baby looking and smelling fabulous. Coming in second and third place were Gabrielle Claiborne and Craig Bates. Party Promoter Bill Kaelin Georgia Voice columnist Bill Kaelin (www.billkaelin.com) wins this category again in 2016, as he has done in multiple years past. His company, Bill Kaelin Marketing, provides “one stop” shopping for “all your marketing, branding, consulting www.thegeorgiavoice.com
and event needs.” He has been making the scene(s) in Atlanta for nearly a decade now. In second place is Lando Gonzalez, with Barry Brandon (www.barrybrandonmarketing. com) rounding out the list in third place. Politician U.S. Rep. John Lewis A former Freedom Rider and peer of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis (https:// johnlewis.house.gov/) has spent a lifetime fighting for the rights of the underprivileged and shows no signs of stopping. His efforts have earned him a special place in your hearts as the top LGBT-friendly politician in Atlanta. Lewis is a longtime supporter of LGBT rights and even in his ‘70s, continues to speak out for a broader, gay-inclusive concept of civil rights in America. In second place is Alex Wan, with Nathan Deal and Park Cannon coming in third and fourth place respectively.
Icon Ruby Redd With a name like Ruby Redd (www.facebook.com/therealrubyredd), you can’t help but be iconic! Maybe that’s why you all voted this popular drag performer and long-time LGBT philanthropist a bonafide city treasure. When she’s not spitting one-liners as a manager and host of her hilarious Birdcage Bingo at Hideaway Atlanta, Redd is busy working with Lost-n-Found Youth or any number of other city groups dedicated to making Atlanta a better place for queer men and women.
the Buford Highway restaurant she said denied her entry because her ID didn’t match her gender appearance, instantly catapulting her into the local discussion of transgender rights. This local activist has worked closely with GLAAD to highlight and fight similar instances of discrimination. When she’s not advocating, Brooks can be found turning gender rules on their head as a popular drag performer at bars like Burkhart’s.
In second place is Baton Bob, with Jeff Graham earning the third place spot.
Female Activist Sheila Merritt She’s been a runner up in the past, but this year Sheila Merritt’s work in Atlanta’s LGBT community claims the top spot as your choice for female activist. Merritt is a visible and formidable force, lending her time and talents to Atlanta Pride and
Transgender Activist Alissah Brooks When a night of celebration ended in discrimination, Alissah Brooks (www.alissahbrooks.com) decided to do something about it. The transgender woman spoke out against
Second runner up was Gabrielle Claiborne, followed in third place by Estrella Sanz.
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atlanta-ga) location as their favorite spot for coffee in the city. Tucked in the Ansley strip mall, this cozy location of the international coffee mecca offers all the standards the chain is known for - from iced lattes and tall mochas, to tasty pastries and seasonal treats. Grab an outdoor seat and sip your drink while watching the gym boys go by.
most recently as the newly appointed Corporate Partner Relationship Manager of the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber Commerce (AGLCC), where she previously served as Vice President and President of the organization. Runners up for the city’s top female activist include Jami Atlanta, Raquel Willis, Laura Gentle and Vandy Beth Glenn.
Stone Mountain’s Cafe JAYA (www.cafejaya. com) and Dancing Goats Coffee Bar (www. facebook.com/DancingGoatsCoffeeBarPonceCityMarket) earned a close second and third place.
Male Activist Jeff Graham When equal rights are in question, one name is top of mind in Atlanta – Jeff Graham (www. georgiaequality.org), voted top male activist in the city. The Georgia Equality executive director landed on Atlanta Magazine’s list of the 55 most powerful people in the city for a long slate of activist efforts, including pushing to defeat so-called “religious freedom” legislation and ensuring local officials obeyed the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage. After 30 years in activism, Graham remains humble yet outspoken.
Breakfast Flying Biscuit With to-die-for brunch dishes and, of course their delicious namesake offering, it’s clear to see how the Flying Biscuit (www.flyingbiscuit.com) earned the number one spot for best breakfast. To be sure, the biscuits are amazing! But there’s much more to this breakfast hotspot, including southern-inspired omelets and award-winning shrimp and grits. Choose from three Atlanta-area locations, including one just steps from Piedmont Park.
Runners up included Charles Stephens, Leo Martinez and Jamie Allen.
Coming in second was Carroll Street Café (carrollstreetcabbagetown.com), with Radial Cafe (radial.us ) a close third.
EATS Asian Little Bangkok It’s no-frills, unassuming and – according to our readers – absolutely delicious. Little Bangkok (littlebangkokatlanta.com) earned your votes for top Asian restaurant in the city. Tucked in a shopping center off Cheshire Bridge Road, this casual Thai eatery may not look like much from the outside. But what it lacks in outdoor décor, it makes up for inside, with generous portions of genuine Asian dishes at prices that make your wallet as happy as your belly. Runners up included Su’s Chinese Cuisine (www.suschinese.com), Green Ginger (www. greengingerdecatur.com ) and Gecko Sushi and Lounge (www.gekkosushiatlanta.com). Bar Food My Sister’s Room Surviving relocations from Decatur, to www.thegeorgiavoice.com
From the top: With to-die-for brunch dishes and, of course their delicious namesake offering, it’s clear to see how the Flying Biscuit earned the number one spot for best breakfast. My Sister’s Room has earned the top spot as the go-to place to grab great bar grub, and maybe even a date. (Courtesy photos)
East Atlanta and now Midtown, My Sister’s Room (www.mysistersroom.com) has earned the top spot as the go-to place to grab great bar grub, and maybe even a date. This isn’t just any standard bar food. While the extensive menu includes traditional late-night snacks like wings and tacos, mouth-watering peach cobbler and a slate of seven types of tasty, baseball-themed sliders take your taste buds to the next level. Visit this lesbian-centric staple on a Saturday night to fill your
dance card and your stomach. Burkharts Pub (burkharts.com) and Woofs (woofsatlanta.com) came in second and third. Coffeehouse Starbucks Ansley Sometimes the old standards are the best! So say our voters who selected Starbucks’ Ansley (www.starbucks.com/store/14958/ us/ansley-mall/1544-piedmont-rd-ne-232-
Sunday Brunch Roxx Tavern Brunch is serious business in Atlanta, and if you’re ready for the best the city has to offer, Roxx Tavern (www.roxxfanclub.com) is apparently the place to be! So say our readers, who voted this American comfort food staple tops for lazy Sunday Funday noshing in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Fill your belly with a melt-in-your-mouth tender steak and wash it down with a choice from their vast and diverse menu of Bloody Mary cocktails and beers. First, second and third runners up in this category included Henry’s (www.henrysatl. com), Carroll Street Cafe (carrollstreetcabbagetown.com), and The Shed at Glenwood (www.theshedatglenwood.com) CONTINUES ON PAGE 34
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Local Chef Alexis Hernandez When the hands preparing the meal matter to you as much as what’s on the menu, there’s only one top choice, and that’s Alexis Hernandez, at Union Hill Kitchen (www. unionhillkitchen.com). A deft touch and playful interpretation of New American cuisine has earned this Food Network alumnus the title of top local chef among our readers. Stop by the Chamblee eatery for an eccentric menu packed with everything from salmon burgers to gourmet deviled eggs. In second place is BoccaLupo’s Bruce Logue (boccalupoatl.com), with Bridge Catering’s Keith Hand (www.bridgecatering.com) in third place. Bakery/Sweets Café Intermezzo For a sweet city treat, Cafe Intermezzo (www.cafeintermezzo.com) can’t be beat. This Midtown cafe, popular as much for its French cafe-style outdoor seating as its late-night hours, specializes in rich cakes, decadent pies and other desserts our readers love. Modeled in the vein of a European coffee house, Cafe Intermezzo is an easy choice for a solo chocolate run or an intimate coffee chat with a special friend. Second and third place go to Highland Bakery (highlandbakery.com) and Southern Sweets (www.southernsweets.com) respectively. Late Night My Sister’s Room When the party don’t stop - and neither does the appetite - My Sister’s Room (www. mysistersroom.com) is our readers’ top choice to fill their bellies late at night. The number one women’s bar for nearly 20 years, this Midtown favorite also secured our top spot for best bar food, so you know it’s good! Fill up on bar standards like hot wings and chicken fingers, or bump it up a notch with flat bread pizzas or creative sliders. First place runner up was Joe’s On Juniper (joesonjuniper.com), followed by R. Thomas Deluxe Grill (www.rthomasdeluxegrill.net), Octopus Bar (octopusbaratl.com) and Su’s
Clockwise from left: A deft touch and playful interpretation of New American cuisine has earned Food Network alumnus Alexis Hernandez the title of top local chef among our readers. When awesome patio seating is a priority, our readers say Henry’s Midtown Tavern is hands down the place to be. No foodie city is complete without a wide range of high-end Mexican dining options – and No Mas! Cantina is your unanimous pick. (Courtesy photos)
Chinese Cuisine (www.suschinese.com). Best Mexican No Mas! Cantina No foodie city is complete without a wide range of high-end Mexican dining options and No Mas! Cantina is your unanimous pick for Atlanta’s best of the bunch. You have to have been hiding under a rock not to know about this Atlanta favorite, known for its colorful décor and its amazing artisan craft market. But make no mistake: It’s the authentic-tasting and expertly crafted entrees and little plates that keep people coming back. First and second place runners up: La Hacienda (www.lahaciendamidtown.com) and Mi Cocina (www.micocinarestaurants.com). New Restaurant M572 Atlanta’s emerging identity as a foodie town has turned up the competitive heat
when it comes to success for new restaurants. But M572 (www.fiveseventwo.com) has risen above the pack, according to our voters who deemed this Tucker hot-spot the best new restaurant. Executive chef Jon Allen—a Georgia native—whips up his own brand of inventive southern comfort food served in a farmhouse-style setting. Runners up, in order, include La Hacienda (www.lahaciendamidtown.com), Superica (supericaatl.com), Gusto (whatsyourgusto. com) and Herban Fix (herbanfix.com). Best Patio/Deck Henry’s It’s no secret that in Atlanta, a restaurant’s patio or deck can be just as important as the menu - if not more so. When awesome patio seating is a priority, our readers say Henry’s Midtown Tavern (www.henrysatl.com) is hands down the place to be. It’s not hard to see why: A sexy, modern/industrial indoor
dining room opens onto a sprawling patio facing one of the busiest intersections in Midtown. Dine on a diverse menu ranging from seared salmon to gourmet frankfurters while taking in the street sights. Second and third runners up were Roxx Tavern (www.roxxfanclub.com), and Tacos & Tequilas (www.tandtatlanta.com). Best Italian Campagnolo Atlanta isn’t necessarily known as hotbed for Italian cuisine. But when our readers want a taste of Italy that stretches beyond spaghetti, Campagnolo Restaurant Bar (www. campagnoloatl.com) is at the top of the list. The name roughly translates to “country bumpkin” - a moniker that perfectly captures the down-home authenticity of this menu, a seasonal slate of Italian favorites with creative CONTINUES ON PAGE 37
34 Best of Atlanta July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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36 Ads July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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twists. Filling entrees like lemon herb Cornish hen and hearty fish stew will leave you as full as a trip to your Italian grandma’s house. Runners up included Nino’s (ninosatlanta. com), Alfredo’s (alfredosatlanta.com) and BoccaLupo (boccalupoatl.com). Most Romantic Après Diem You’ve scored the date – now where do you take your dream girl (or boy) for dinner? According to our readers, there can be only one answer: Après Diem (apresdiem.com)! Voted the city’s most romantic restaurant, this spot offers a trifecta of dining perfection: Centrally located near Piedmont Park, this sofa-strewn spot also offers intimate ambiance and a menu loaded with tasty, Mediterranean-inspired fare. Enjoy a movie at the theater next door and dine the rest of the night away. Campagnolo (www.campagnoloatl.com) came in second, followed by The Livingston (www.livingstonatlanta.com). Takeout Doc Chey’s When you want it good and fast, Doc Chey’s (doccheys.com) is the go-to spot according to our readers, who voted this regional chain specializing in Pan-Asian cuisine number one for local takeout. Chey’s offers the rare combination of higher-end, Asian-inspired food fast. Visit locations in Grant Park, Virginia-Highlands and Emory for favorites like Vietnamese street tacos or cashew stir-fry. The next best thing: Runners up Su’s Chinese Cuisine (www.suschinese.com), Green Ginger (www.greengingerdecatur.com) and Simply Seoul (www.simplyseoulkitchen.com). Vegetarian Café Sunflower The days of limited vegetarian options are truly in the past – but there remain stalwarts for the best veggie-centric cuisine, and Cafe Sunflower (www.cafesunflower.com) is the leader, according to your votes. This award-winning casual eatery features vegan as well as vegetariwww.thegeorgiavoice.com
Left: The days of limited vegetarian options are truly in the past – but there remain stalwarts for the best veggie-centric cuisine, and Cafe Sunflower is the leader. Above: When you want it good and fast, Doc Chey’s is the go-to spot according to our readers, who voted this regional chain specializing in Pan-Asian cuisine number one for local takeout. (Courtesy photos)
an fare that blends Caribbean, Asian and even Mediterranean influences. Stop by the Buckhead or Sandy Springs locations for fried avocado tacos, eggplant caprese and even “chicken” lollipops to make your mouth water. Runners up included R. Thomas Deluxe Grill (www.rthomasdeluxegrill.net), Green Sprout (www.greensproutga.com), Simply Seoul (www.simplyseoulkitchen.com) and The Livingston (www.livingstonatlanta.com). Cheap Eats Roxx Tavern If eating on a budget is a priority, it’s time to take a trip down to Roxx Tavern, according to our readers who voted this American comfort food tavern tops for tasty dishes with wallet-friendly prices. Keep it simple with a veggie burger, or get fancy with a mouthwatering steak. Whatever your choice, expect to spend less than $30 on average for your meal, earning this spot the top vote for cheap eats in Atlanta. Second place was Eats (www.eatsonponce. net) and third was Simply Seoul (www.simplyseoulkitchen.com). Best Overall Roxx Tavern And taking the prize for best overall
restaurant according to our readers is Roxx Tavern. The Cheshire Bridge Road establishment is the ultimate neighborhood restaurant with an expansive patio and friendly waitstaff. And they keep things fresh with their daily specials—the blackened chicken fettuccine on Thursdays is a favorite. Coming in second place was Campagnolo (www.campagnoloatl.com), followed by The Livingston (www.livingstonatlanta.com) in third.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Comedian Brent Star Funnyman Brent Star (brentstar.com) just barely eked out a win in one of the closest votes of this year’s awards—just 20 votes separated first and second! Star can be found at events throughout the year, whether it’s hosting the Fun Bingo Show at Cowtippers, doing stand-up at The Laughing Skull and more. In second is Brian Moote (www.q100atlanta.com/brian-moote/), while Candace Weslosky (https://www.facebook.com/candace. weslosky) nabs third.
Actor Hugo Donis Newcomer Hugo Donis (www.facebook. com/thehugodonis) takes the prize for best actor this year. The actor and filmmaker is currently casting for a local horror web series called “Don’t Give In” so keep an eye out for that project coming soon! David Moretti (www.facebook.com/ David-Moretti-74323814048/) finishes second and DeWayne Morgan (www.facebook.com/ dewayne.morgan) third. DJ Liz Owen The reader’s choice for best DJ for the second year in a row is Liz Owen. Owen throws down beats at various locations around town but is perhaps best known for spinning at My Sister’s Room. You can also spot her at the Sexacola parties in Pensacola during Memorial Day Weekend. Rachel Ryan (www.q100atlanta.com/ rachel-ryan/) and Vicki Powell (www.facebook.com/djvickipowell) are your second and third choices, respectively. CONTINUES ON PAGE 39
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DRAG KING Jordan Michaels McCord Atlanta’s Jordan Michaels McCord (www.facebook.com/Jordan-Michaels-McCord-590711617721675/) wins again! The entertainer is a popular figure who hosts and performs at My Sister’s Room, and McCord dabbles in acting and modeling as well.
In second is the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus (www.voicesofnote.org/agmc), followed by Freiberd (www.freiberd.com/) and Nadia Vaeh (www.nadiavaeh.com).
Writer/Playwright Topher Payne The best writer/playwright category was loaded this year with five finalists facing off
for the prize, but no one could outlast perennial favorite Topher Payne (www.topherCONTINUES ON PAGE 40
Owen McCord (www.facebook.com/owen. mccord.77) is your second favorite, and Hayden Fury (www.facebook.com/ HaydenFury138) third. Drag Queen Evah Destruction Evah Destruction (www.facebook.com/ EvahDestruction) is the drag queen you adore the most—for the second year in a row. She can be seen on Fridays at Jungle’s “The Other Show” and frequently at Burkhart’s and Lips Atlanta as well. Evah defeated fierce competition from the likes of Bubba D. Licious (www.facebook. com/BubbaDLicious), who took second, and Edie Cheezburger (www.facebook.com/theediecheezburgerpage) who took third. LOCAL RADIO STATION Q-100 Q-100 (www.q100atlanta.com) wins it again. There have been some shakeups in the DJ lineup in the last year but readers hung in there with the station that plays a mix of today’s top pop artists in rotation throughout the day. Q100 has long supported the LGBT community and is a regular presence at Pride. WABE (www.wabe.org) comes in second and B98.5 (www.b985.com) third. Musician J. Tyler It’s a threepeat! Young Atlanta rapper J. Tyler (jtylermusic.com) bested some fierce competition from our three other finalists to be named best musician again this year. And keep an eye out for J. Tyler’s new single “Live Out Loud” coming out Aug. 1. www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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payne.com). Keep an eye out “My Summer Prince,” a Hallmark Channel original film written by Payne premiering Aug. 6. Darrell Grant finishes second, followed by Jericho Brown, Charles Stephens and Michael Wynn. Performance/Visual Artist Baton Bob Atlanta’s “Ambassador of Mirth” wins in this category populated by a number of people in various art forms. You never know where you’ll run into the always-stylish Baton Bob but keep your ears peeled for that telltale whistle to get a hint. Coming in second is Alli Royce Soble, third goes to Corian Ellisar, fourth to Darionce Jackson and fifth is Antron Reshaud. Theater The Fox Theatre Readers opted for a night under the stars at The Fox Theatre (foxtheatre.org). The Fabulous Fox hosts a variety of concerts, movies, musicals and more throughout the year to keep LGBT fans happy. Upcoming events include a screening of “Some Like It Hot” and performances from Bonnie Raitt and Alan Cumming. Actor’s Express (www.actors-express.com) came in second while the Alliance Theatre (alliancetheatre.org) placed third. Attraction Atlanta Botanical Garden Best attraction was a brand new category for this year’s Best of Atlanta, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden (atlantabg.org) got the win. Whether it’s the current Chihuly in the Garden exhibition or the annual Garden Nights, Holiday Lights, they keep the city’s A&E fans coming throughout the year. The Georgia Aquarium (www.georgia aquarium.com) placed second and the Atlanta History Center (www.atlanta historycenter.com) rounded out the category in third.
Clockwise from top left: Atlanta’s “Ambassador of Mirth” Baton Bob wins in the Best Performance/Visual Artist category populated by a number of people in various art forms. The Fox hosts a variety of concerts, movies, musicals and more throughout the year to keep LGBT fans happy. Whether it’s the current Chihuly in the Garden exhibition or the annual Garden Nights, Holiday Lights, the Atlanta Botanical Garden keeps the city’s A&E fans coming throughout the year. (Courtesy photos)
NIGHTLIFE Overall Bar My Sister’s Room Touted as the longest-running lesbian bar in the South, My Sister’s Room (www.mysistersroom.com) soared past its competition in the polls to reign as Atlanta’s best overall bar. Now settled in a two-story building located in Midtown, the hot-spot bar serves up a satisfying lineup of weekly activities including live drag king shows, dancing, karaoke and Sunday Funday shenanigans. The nearby Blake’s on the Park (www. blakesontheparkatlanta.com) took second place honors, while Mary’s (www.marysatlanta. com) came in third place. Bartender Chad McDaniel – Oscar’s
When Atlanta wants a good cocktail, they overwhelmingly go to Chad McDaniel at Oscar’s (www.oscarsatlanta.com). His style of mixing is almost legendary status around town. Factor in his cute baby face, his love for everything ’80s and his encyclopedic showtune knowledge, and you’re definitely on your way to martini heaven. Also be sure to raise your glasses to our runner-ups. Kim Bell at BJ Roosters (www.bjroosters. com) came in second place, with Brett Lanning at Blake’s on the Park (www.blakesontheparkatlanta. com) in third place. Lesbian Theme Night My Sister’s Room It’s always “ladies’ night” at the lesbian-operated My Sister’s Room (www.mysistersroom. com), but that doesn’t mean their theme night’s stagger on the shores of the status quo.
With MSR’s Wig Out parties, Flirt Fridays, fancy Girls Night Out celebrations and celebrity theme shows, Atlanta lesbians are treated with a slate of nightlife options. Ladies Country Night and Powder Room, two lesbian themed nights at Heretic (www. hereticatlanta.com), took second and third place honors, while Rolo Entertainment’s 3rd Saturdays at Mixx (www.mixxatlanta.com) came in fourth place. Gay Bar Atlanta Eagle The social dating and hookup apps may be in high-demand, but that hasn’t stopped the towering leather bar on Ponce De Leon Avenue from remaining ground zero for Atlanta gay men. Atlanta Eagle (www.atlantaeagle.com) boasts a kinky roundup of weekly theme nights (Underwear Night, #TMITues-
40 Best of Atlanta July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
GEORGIA VOICE’S 2016 BEST OF ATLANTA AWARDS
With a whopping majority of this year’s vote, the camp drag of the Armorettes continues to win Atlanta’s happy gay heart as the city’s best drag show. (Courtesy photo)
days! and Blackout Night) that explore the depths of homoeroticism and masculinity.
(www.atlantaeagle.com), last year’s winner, landed in the third place slot.
In second place is Blake’s on the Park (www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com), with Mary’s (www.marysatlanta.com) landing in third place.
Drag Show Armorettes With a whopping majority of this year’s vote, the camp drag of the Armorettes (www. armorettes.com) continues to win Atlanta’s happy gay heart as the city’s best drag show. Part of this drag queen troupe’s public appeal comes with the hours of community work and fundraising they provide for Atlanta’s HIV/ AIDS services. So far they’ve raised a whopping $2.1 million for charity. You can catch them regularly at Burkhart’s (www.burkharts.com).
Dance Floor Heretic When it’s time to dance the night away, readers clamor towards the Heretic (www.hereticatlanta.com). The dancer’s favorite, which won in 2014, returns to reclaim its throne. Along with booking stellar local DJs and national EDM pros, the venue packs in a number of multigenre options on a regular basis, including a night dedicated to country line-stepping. Coming in second place was Jungle (www.jungleatl.com). Atlanta Eagle
comwww.thegeorgiavoice.com
The colorful cast at Lips (www.lipsatl.com) showed up with a second place finish. The highly entertaining The Other Show (www.facebook. com/TheOtherShow), a mainstay at Jungle, arrived with a close third place.
To Meet Women My Sister’s Room Now nestled in their bi-level palace in Midtown, My Sister’s Room (www.mysistersroom. com) is continuing the rich tradition for being a popular destination for Atlanta’s lesbians to connect. The smoke-free venue comes with a marble-covered patio, kitchen and an intimate dance floor, all endless portals for the casual girl-to-girl chit-chat or late-night flirting. Mary’s (www.marysatlanta.com) came in second place and Mixx (www.mixxatlanta. com) landed in third place. To Meet Men Atlanta Eagle After being in business for almost thirty years, men of all kinds and sizes continue to show their gratitude to the Eagle (www.atlantaeagle.com). Whether you’re in the market for bears, cubs, staunch leather gods or
mere admirers, the Eagle is where the grown and sexy men have laid their nest. In second place is Blake’s on The Park (www. blakesontheparkatlanta.com), with The Heretic (www.hereticatlanta.com) finishing in third place. Afterhours Flex Atlanta When the night is done but not quite ready to retire, Flex Atlanta (www.flexspas.com) is where Atlanta ends up. The private gay men’s club located in the heart of Midtown comes with deluxe amenities (Jacuzzi, sauna, lounge, an outdoor pool and a rooftop sundeck) and a world of afterhours adult leisure. The hip adult store Tokyo Valentino (www. tokyovalentino.com) came in second place, Best of Atlanta 2015 afterhours winner Xion (www.cariocaproductions.com) took third place. July 22, 2016 Best of Atlanta 41
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DORIA ROBERTS: MUSIC AND FOOD JUSTICE WARRIOR Atlanta musician and restaurateur feeds the body and soul By SHANNON HAMES For the last 20 years, Doria Roberts has been singing, feeding and serving in the Atlanta community. Not only is she an accomplished vocalist, she also co-owns three Atlanta eateries with her wife, chef Calavino Donati. Her annual birthday show has become a mainstay in Atlanta musical circles and with her upcoming show at City Winery on August 7, this year is no different. We caught up with her to talk about her musical career, her advocacy work and her work feeding the ATL. You are really well known in the Atlanta community. One of the things that has become a tradition is your annual birthday CONTINUES ON PAGE 44
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July 22, 2016 A&E 43
DORIA ROBERTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 party show. How did that get started? Doria: I used to be on the road for 10 months out of the year. I tried to always have my Atlanta show around my birthday so I could play and celebrate with my friends. It was one of the ways that I could have a little bit of a social life. It sort of became a fun idea that I did year after year and it became a tradition. This year, it will be at City Winery at Ponce City Market. Yes, I wanted to acknowledge the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood and all of its wonderful development. We do a lot of food justice work through Urban Cannibals and we are hoping to announce our beneficiary for the show very soon. I’m very passionate about the unbelievable amount of food waste, the use of unsustainable ingredients and the lack of access poor people have to fresh, organic foods. The show will also include my band, the Blackeyed Susans. What a great idea to use shows to raise funds for charities! I started doing that about two years ago. Fans would show up at my birthday shows with these little gifts that were so sweet. But I thought, “What if they took that $10 or $20 that they spent and put it towards this much needed thing.” It also made me feel better about not being able to actually volunteer in person. I was either on the road so much or working at our restaurants all of the time—I couldn’t always be a physical presence. Asking my fans to mobilize for a cause and seeing them rally was much more meaningful to me than receiving a gift. You’re not a native Atlantan. How did you wind up here? I actually came to be my cousin’s birth partner. The baby came early and I was still here and went to Eddie’s Attic’s open mic night. This was 20 years ago but even back then, Eddie’s Attic had a reputation outside of Georgia for being “the” place to play. I won that night and went back 2 weeks later to compete with all of the other winners in the semi-annual “shootout” and I wound up 44 A&E July 22, 2016
Details Doria Roberts and
the Blackeyed Susans Sunday, Aug. 7 at 8 p.m. City Winery Atlanta Reserved: $15 VIP: $20 www.citywinery.com/atlanta winning that. The prize was a thousand dollars and I used the money to move here. I was 24 and it was a huge boost for me. I immediately found community. I was also kind of intrigued by the cultural tension. It was around the Atlanta Olympics bombings in the park and at the women’s clinic. There was less acceptance for anything LGBT. It felt important to be a part of working to change things. My mom was scared for me and wanted me to come home. She knew I was political, vocal, young and hard-headed. It scared her but it was right for me. You and your wife feed Atlanta, too. Tell me about that. We own a restaurant group called We Feed People. We met shortly after I got here – I was moving into the apartment that she was moving out of. She still had the key so she showed it to me. Years later, we wound up living across the street from each other and wound up spending time together. Then, we realized that we made a great team and we opened Urban Cannibals together. It was just a little sandwich shop to get us up and running. But then, Food Network called and we started really taking off. I made the conscious decision to take a touring hiatus until we could hire other people to run it. It just never got to that point. We opened a bigger Urban Cannibals, then two more spaces came open. She’s at Madre + Mason and I’m running the Tipple + Rose Tea Room in Virginia Highlands. Do you see yourself more as a musician or a restaurateur? I am squarely both. I really try. When you get older, you have to make some really tough decisions. I’ve learned a lot from my wife about that. I love the fact that I have these two things that I can do and am doing well. www.thegeorgiavoice.com
Discover Atlanta’s DeKalb!
It’s no secret that Atlanta is the LGBT capital of the South. Atlanta’s DeKalb is rich in diversity and progressive communities, just east of downtown. Dine and drink at one of Decatur’s award-winning restaurants and cocktail bars and attend some of the best festivals the South has to offer throughout DeKalb. Whether you are shopping, dining, or looking to enjoy the city nightlife, DeKalb has it all. Atlanta’s DeKalb is just a short drive away from Midtown Atlanta, Piedmont Park and a host of LGBT nightlife, restaurants and shops. Discover more at AtlantasDeKalb.com/lgbt
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Each year, Brian Clowdus – the out artistic director of Serenbe Playhouse - takes a musical and gives it his own distinctive spin, from “Hair” to “Evita” to “Carousel” to “Oklahoma!” Now Clowdus is directing an outdoor version of the classic, Tony Award-winning “Miss Saigon.” We caught up with Clowdus on the eve of his new production to talk about the casting, the infamous helicopter landing and why the LGBT community will enjoy this. Why “Miss Saigon?” It’s always been a passion project of mine. It was one of the first shows I saw as a kid. That was over 20 years ago. It’s one of those shows that has stuck with me and haunted me in a way that I have never had theater do. The story is so epic, so heartbreaking. It’s larger than life. It’s also so beautiful and romantic and I love the score. Was it hard to get? You apply and you wait and wait. So when we applied we were hopeful, but regional theaters do not produce this show very often, because it is so hard to cast. It’s never been produced in the state, by a professional company. It’s always been on my shortlist to produce and the stars all aligned. How did you find your cast? We cast locally first, but we did not find (some of) the principals locally so we cast that net nationally. We literally had hundreds and hundreds of videos to go through. That is how we chose our Kim and our Engineer. Kim is played by Niki Badua, who was just in the national tour of “Mamma Mia.” The really cool thing is that, hers is the first video we got. We had it the next day. When I saw it, I said this is her. I wanted Kim to be believably 17. She is incredible. We are lucky to get her early in her career. The Engineer is played by Eymard Cabling, who has played the Engineer several times in national tours, and Chase Peacock, who is local, is Chris. Tell me about your take on this? The characters all have this idea of a movie in their minds. So we have moments that are very dreamlike and cinematic, grand times when they are using their imagination, where we can really change the color and tone. Then we come out
The cast of Serenbe Playhouse’s production of ‘Miss Saigon,’ extends its run through Aug. 14.
Details ‘Miss Saigon’
Through Aug. 14 Serenbe Playhouse Wild Flower Meadow at Serenbe 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road, Chattachoochee Hills, GA 30268 www.serenbeplayhouse.com of it and have some simple, real, intimate scenes. Are there any gay cast/crew members? Two of the actors are gay and one of the ensemble members. Of course, I am gay, as is choreographer Bubba Carr and the musical director Chris Brent Davis. Tell us about the helicopter. We are having our first rehearsal today. We’ll be landing it every night. I think it will be a very cool moment. It’s important to note - the show would be incredible without the helicopter. The helicopter is a cherry, but it’s not a play about a helicopter. What can LGBT audiences get from the show? Gay, straight - we are always looking for true love and hope. We are at a point in our country right now where it can be hard to have hope anymore. Every day we take one step forward and then 25 miles back—like Orlando. The one thing we do have is hope and the ability to fight. In the show, the characters have to have this hope, and fight, because some things you have no physical control over.
46 A&E July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
EATING MY WORDS By CLIFF BOSTOCK
Good Luck Gourmet is ‘pretty damn hot!’ When Gu’s Bistro closed about a year ago, Atlanta lovers of Chinese cuisine wept. That’s not to say they weren’t weeping when the restaurant was open, since its menu featured Sichuan cuisine, China’s spiciest. The restaurant moved to a pared-down booth at Krog Street Market, mainly featuring its popular dumplings. Alas, it’s not been very well received. Meanwhile, a new restaurant opened in the old Gu’s location and I’m tempted to call it every bit as good as Gu’s, maybe better. Good Luck Gourmet (5750 Buford Hwy., 770-451-8118, www.goodluckgourmet.com) emphasizes the cuisine of China’s Shaanxi Province, which borders Sichuan. So it’s not surprising that Good Luck also makes use of hot peppers, if more moderately, and sometimes combined with the numbing, tingling peppers also popular in Sichuan. I might as well warn you at the outset that this is a restaurant with a menu of more than 100 items. Moreover, the staff speaks quite halting English, so you’re not likely to get an explanation of dishes any more elaborate than you’ll find on the menu. I confess that when I visited a few weeks ago with friends, I was not in a very adventurous mood. So, I bypassed pig ears, tripe, and, above all, the tofu and fish head casserole. We started with an order of super-tender pork dumplings afloat in mild chili oil and a plate of the restaurant’s famous dry-fried string beans that furnish a bit of crunch, a moderate tang, and a melting saltiness. The beans were actually not on the appetizer menu, but listed under vegetables. It’s hard to find anything here over $15, so give yourself plenty of liberty with the menu when sharing. The best dish on our table was a “dry” bowl of spicy lamb with some veggies, which appears in quite a few dishes here. I’m loathe to order lamb in many Chinese restaurants, because it’s often mutton, the meat of older sheep with a gamey taste and tough texture. But this was lamb for real, cut into bone-in chunks, and served brothless, but mysteriously and mildly spiced. My prejudice did www.thegeorgiavoice.com
Good Luck Gourmet’s super-tender pork dumplings afloat in mild chili oil. (Photo by Cliff Bostock)
keep me from ordering the mutton that leads the list of chef ’s recommendations. I later learned I was stupid. It’s the house specialty – a bowl full of lamb broth, noodles, sliced lamb, and pieces of a Chinese flatbread. Friends told me it’s not gamey. My own entrée was a plate of fried jumbo shrimp heavily scattered with crispy chili pieces, tossed with some onions and red bell pepper. Our server repeated at least three times “hot, very hot, you like hot?” Yes, I like hot and, oh my, it was pretty damn hot, but way too delicious to come close to inedible. A friend ordered another shrimp dish, “Argentina red shrimp with ginger and scallion.” To my taste, it was the blandest dish on the table, resembling something you’d find in a Chinese American spot. We also ordered bone-in braised chicken with noodles – another winner. After dinner, we waddled to the car and drove to the nearby White Windmill (5881 Buford Hwy., 770-234-0914, www.whitewindmill.com), a Korean bakery and cafe with several locations in the suburbs. The dry pastries are super-crumbly and low on flavor. The cakes and tarts, however, hit the spot. Cliff Bostock, PhD, is a longtime Atlanta food critic and former psychotherapist who now practices life coaching for creative types; 404-518-4415. July 22, 2016 Columnists 47
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Our Guide to the Best LGBT Events in Atlanta for July 22-Aug. 5
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FRIDAY, JULY 22
“Absolutely Fabulous” opens today in area theaters, much to the delight of gay fans, www.foxsearchlight.com/absolutelyfabulous/ (Publicity photo)
FRIDAY, JULY 22
Join the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) for the 4th Friday Networking Night to mix and mingle with LGBT and allied business professionals at Henry’s Midtown Tavern, hosted by Mass Mutual. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., henrysatl.com
EVENT SPOTLIGHT
It’s time to boogie again, ladies, at Women’s Outdoor Network’s Disco Night, complete with some old favorites and some new ones. This is open to all women and no admission fee is required. 7 – 11 p.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com
SATURDAY, JULY 23
SATURDAY, JULY 23
Lydia Prim spins at Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com (Courtesy photo)
48 Best Bets July 22, 2016
Atlanta Pride invites LGBTQ families and kids of all ages to enjoy a day of picnic, games, kids’ yoga, painting, and more! This event is free and open to the public. Dona-
tions are welcome. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Glenlake Park, 1121 Church St, Decatur GA, 30030. Please call (404) 377-7231 with questions
“Looking: The Movie” premieres on HBO at 10 p.m. tonight, wrapping up the beloved series starring Jonathan Groff, www.hbo.com
The Human Rights Campaign invites you to their inaugural tennis social Serving for Equality. Players of all skill levels are welcome to participate in this doubles event, and will receive a gift bag with a retail value of over $40. Don’t have a doubles partner? HRC will pair you up with other players and you can make some new friends along the way. Each ticket purchased goes towards HRC’s important mission of LBGTQ equality in Atlanta and across the country. The event will have a DJ, food, cocktails, a silent auction, and a photo booth to enjoy while you cheer on your friends as they serve aces for equality. 6 – 10 p.m., Sharon Lester Tennis Center, www.hrc.org/sfeatlanta
SUNDAY, JULY 24
For the Kid in All of Us invites you to the 11th annual Backpack in the Park. This summer garden party collects backpacks filled with school supplies to help Georgia’s most vulnerable students start the school year on the right foot. The back-toschool benefit returns to Cator Woolford Gardens at the Frazer Center, where the afternoon will include a delicious brunch buffet by Zest Catering, festive beverages, live entertainment, a raffle drawing and garden games. To attend, simply donate a backpack ($30 at forthekid.org, $40 at the door) or sign up to become a VIP donor, which will allow entrance to Backpack in
www.thegeorgiavoice.com
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LGBT EVENT Submit your LGBT event for inclusion in our online and print calendars by emailing event info to editor@thegavoice.com the Park, Toy Party & Silent Auction, plus exciting member benefits throughout the year. 12 – 3:30 p.m., The Cator Woolford Gardens, 1815 S Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 Join the staff and Board of Directors of Out Front Theatre Company for a Sunday Funday Fundraiser filled with cold drinks, unbelievable food (provided by Bridge Catering) and live performances by Robert Ray and featuring songs from the upcoming production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical,” 4 p.m., 29 Peachtree Circle, Atlanta, GA 30309
MONDAY, JULY 25
In the mood for cards? Play Texas Hold’ Em at 8:30 p.m., Friends on Ponce, www.friendsonponce-atl.com
TUESDAY, JULY 26
Join Sibling Rivalry Press authors Theresa Davis, Brent Calderwood, Jessie Carty, Collin Kelley, Megan Volpert, Kaveh Akbar and special guest SRP publisher Bryan Borland for an evening of poetry. The writers will be reading from new and favorite works, as well as talking about their experiences with the award-winning small press. Borland will discuss SRP’s exciting transition to a nonprofit, which will create even more opportunities for authors. This event is presented by Poetry Atlanta and Georgia Center for the Book. Books will be available for sale. 7:15 – 8:30 p.m., Georgia Center for the Book, 215 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA 30030 Join The Hideaway tonight for Tuesday Trivia w/ Jason Walker, 8:30 p.m., atlantahideaway.com J’s Lounge is the home for Rainbow Tuesdays, with Dymond Onasis and Nicole Paige Brooks leading the fun and DJ Destin providing house music, 1995 Windy Hill Road #1, Smyrna, GA 30080
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27
Enjoy free pool at Bulldogs, 893
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FRIDAY, JULY 22
Out director Brian Clowdus presents the musical “Miss Saigon” tonight at Serenbe Playhouse at 8 p.m., running through Aug. 14. Yes, a live helicopter will land every night! www.serenbeplayhouse.com (Publicity photo) Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309 Monica Van Pelt and Bubba D. Licious host Bitchy Bingo tonight, with all sorts of drag performances, Lips Atlanta, www.atldragshow.com
THURSDAY, JULY 28
SAGE Atlanta’s social hour begins at 10 a.m., followed by a program/meeting at 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org Join Atlanta Pride and Outworlders for a night of gaming. The event will offer more than 50 games from strategy to charades, 6- 10 p.m., Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org On Thursday, June 2, 70 members of the Atlanta LGBT community came together to talk, disagree, give and get going on some action after Orlando. A lot of important first steps came out of the meeting and Charis continues that tonight. The event name has been changed to “Strategies for a Trans Queer Future Following Orlando” to reflect the collective understanding of the
need to not subsume trans identities under the queer umbrella and re-enter trans voices in this conversation. All are welcome, whether or not they could attend the first meeting. 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com The Pretty Girl Hideout Thursdays is tonight, hosted by Mook Dahost, Soul Bar at Pal’s Lounge, 254 Auburn Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.traxxgirls.com
FRIDAY, JULY 29
Stage Door Players is mounting a version of “Kiss Me, Kate,” featuring a celebrated score by Cole Porter, tonight at 8 p.m. running through Aug. 7, www.stagedoorplayers.net Zaida and the rest of the Wussy Mag team are back to bring you Queer Atlanta’s biggest FU femme-fest! Special guest NYC-based queer rapper Mister Wallace will be on hand. The event, hosted by Hydrangea Heath, Melissa Coffey, Nicolette Ulta and
CONTINUES ON PAGE 50
EVENT SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, JULY 23
DJ extraordinaire Vicki Powell starts a new monthly party, Deep South, tonight, with special guest Nark from Seattle, 10 p.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com (Courtesy photo)
July 22, 2016 Best Bets 49
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 Pity Soiree, will feature a LEWk contest, photobooth portraits and music by DJ College Lesbian (Chris Neutral) and Ree de la Vega, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com
SATURDAY, JULY 30
Join Woofs Atlanta as participants raise money for Pets Are Loving Support as part of Push Ups for P.A.L.S, 2 – 6 p.m., www.woofsatlanta.com Actor’s Express opens Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” tonight, with a cast including Libby Whittemore, 8 p.m., through Sept. 4, www.actorsexpress.com What’s your fantasy? RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Phoenix kicks off your Saturday night in style with Fantasy Girls, including a diverse cast of amazing performances. Doors open at 8 p.m., Jungle Atlanta cabaret room, www.jungleatl.com DJ Tommy spins at 9 p.m. at BJ Roosters, 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324 The Atlanta Eagle hosts Kinked, presented by Southeast Black and Blue and featuring DJ Chris Kind and all sorts of kinks and BDSM demos, 10 p.m., www.atlantaeagle.com
SUNDAY, JULY 31
Stan Jackson spins at 3 a.m. at Xion Atlanta, www.facebook.com/ events/221621694857244/ Come enjoy brunch at My Sister’s Room, with doors opening at 12:30 p.m., with mimosa specials and $4.99 all you can eat pancakes, www.mysistersroom.com Team Friendly Georgia’s Sports Gear Theme Party is today from 3 – 7 p.m. at the Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com Join Raquell, Evah, Peaches, Shawnna and Nichelle for Midtown Rouge, tonight at 8:30 p.m. at Blake’s, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com
MONDAY, AUG. 1
PFLAG Atlanta hosts its support group meeting tonight, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.uuca.org
TUESDAY, AUG. 2
Belt out your best Cher at DRAG-eoke with Angelica D’Paige, 10:30 p.m., Burkhart’s. www.burkharts.com
50 Best Bets July 22, 2016
SATURDAY, AUG. 6
NYC-based gay musician Jay Brannan has been writing and performing his own sweet and sad folk songs, with a healthy dose of cynical humor, around the globe since 2006. This international touring is what inspired his newest release “Around the World in 80 Jays”, an acoustic collection of nine international cover songs. 7 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com (Publicity photo)
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3
Join Atlanta Pride for It Happens to Us, Too, a presentation and facilitated discussion on the dynamics of intimate partner violence in LGBTQ relationships. The discussion will touch on experiences, challenges and barriers involved, as well as current services available to help. This event is free and open to the public. 6 – 8 p.m., Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org
THURSDAY, AUG. 4
Building on the activist tradition of consciousness raising groups, each month Charis Books invites community members to join The Personal is Political, a lightly facilitated group to talk about issues in their personal lives or in society as a whole that they are trying to process or deconstruct. The group will then use intersectional feminist strategies as tools to help talk through those issues, 7:30 – 9 p.m.,
www.charisbooksandmore.com
UPCOMING SATURDAY, AUG. 6
Come find your daddy at the DILF night at Woof’s Atlanta, www.woofsatlanta.com
TUESDAY, AUG. 9
Out actor Anthony Rapp is part of the cast of the Tony-nominated musical “If/Then,” opening at the Fox Theatre tonight at 7:30 p.m. and running through Aug. 14, www.foxtheatre.org
THURSDAY, AUG. 11
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of homeless or at-risk LGBTQ youth in Atlanta? Lost-n-Found Youth needs your help! Join them today to learn about the organization, its youth and volunteer
opportunities, Lost-n-Found Youth. 2585 Chantilly Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
FRIDAY, AUG. 12
Atlanta Pride presents the Stride into Pride event at Six Flags today, beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting until midnight. Enjoy a day of fun by watching live show entertainment, eating tasty snacks and riding some of your favorite thrilling coasters! Once you have sufficiently screamed your heart out, then get ready for an exclusive party at 7 p.m., www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia/specialevents/stride-into-pride
THURSDAY, AUG. 18
The Alliance Theatre opens the highly anticipated musical “The Prom,” about a high school student who wants to bring her girlfriend to the prom with her – and all hell breaks loose. 7:30 p.m., through Sept. 25, www.alliancetheatre.org
www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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Series on the Alliance Stage
A MODICUM OF DECORUM By SHANNON HAMES
Connecting to community When I came out at age 38, I didn’t know a single gay person. I had lived my life in an evangelical bubble and my life was largely made up of church members. It was a scary prospect to get out there and start to meet people and develop friendships but I was hell-bent on creating a life for myself that I wouldn’t regret at the end of it. The first “gay” thing I ever did was go to a local gay bar. I’m not a big drinker and hadn’t been to many bars in my life up to that point. I didn’t even know what a bar tab was. Everyone there seemed to know each other already, it was very smoky so I couldn’t breathe and the music was too loud for me to actually try to engage in conversation with anyone, even if I possessed the courage to (which I didn’t). I sat in a dark corner, nursing a horrible cocktail, hoping that an attractive, feminine woman would walk up to me and start an interesting conversation about books, politics or ‘80s hair bands. Needless to say, I left disappointed but not discouraged. I told a straight friend about my negative gay bar experience. She took me to downtown Decatur and informed me that it was the “lesbian capital of the nation.” I remember walking around Decatur Square looking for lesbians and not knowing how to identify them (my gaydar is still non-existent). Ironically, I work in downtown Decatur now and each time I walk through the square, it takes me back to that day when I was searching the faces of the women there looking for some sign that she was like me. I wanted someone to see that I was gay and acknowledge it somehow. Finally, I decided to stop wishing someone would approach me to be my friend and just started being myself. I did what I’ve done my whole life: I volunteered. I found several LGBTQ nonprofit groups and asked them what I could do to help. I organized at the Rush Center. I worked at the silent auction at the annual HRC dinner. I manned registration tables at various events and, as a
“I work in downtown Decatur now and each time I walk through the square, it takes me back to that day when I was searching the faces of the women there looking for some sign that she was like me. I wanted someone to see that I was gay and acknowledge it somehow.” result, I began meeting my gay self as well as my queer community. Throughout the years, I have been able to connect with the most amazing men and women that make up the queer community in Atlanta. I have developed quality friendships with people who work every day to make the world a better place for others to live in. They speak for those who don’t have voices, resources or abilities to effect change for themselves. They show love in ways that I could never conceive of. When I think back to my first gay bar experience when I didn’t know a soul, it makes me happy to know that I made my life into what I had spent so many years yearning for it to be. I work on a (largely) gay real estate team, freelance write for Atlanta’s local LGBT bi-weekly, a gay law firm and a gay-owned olive oil tasting room. I also just finished a year of being the president of my local PFLAG chapter. Steeping myself in my community as a volunteer and then as a professional not only gave me the opportunity to help alleviate some of the problems that our queer community faces, but it gifted me the family that I always yearned for but was never able to participate in. I’m happily a part of LGBTQ Atlanta and here to stay. Shannon Hames is a mom, writer, realtor, volunteer, rocker chick, world traveler, and ’80s hair band aficionado. She loves babies, observing people, reading great books and taking hot baths. She has been writing for Georgia Voice since 2010.
52 Columnists July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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July 22, 2016 Ads 53
SOMETIMES ‘Y’ By RYAN LEE
Home away from home I’m in Chicago for my annual visit with family, and this year for the specific purpose of celebrating my maternal grandmother’s 90th birthday. I suggested a party and brunch for her birthday weekend because I thought it was important to honor her and I missed the family gatherings that were such a happy part of my childhood, but I soon appreciated why my family hasn’t had any functions in more than a decade. There haven’t been any reality TV-level blowups or drama yet, but the party is still five days away. Most unfortunately, there’s been unnecessary angst for my grandmother as she tries to keep her celebration a minimalist affair, both in terms of guest list and menu. She’s obsessed with keeping costs down, since my cousin and I agreed to pay for catering and decorations (I originally envisioned all five grandchildren splitting expenses, but three won’t be attending). We’ll be dining on cold cut sandwiches and chips, and missing folks who I always assumed were family because they were at every holiday or celebration we had when I was younger. “It’s your party, grandma, and whatever makes you happy is what I want,” I recently told her while we were planning over the phone. “But I don’t want you to feel like you have to pare things down because you don’t want to be a burden to me and Lance. We’re adults, grandma. We’ll always be your little grandsons, but I am 35 years old, and I understand the expenses of doing something like this, and it’s something that we want, and can, do for you,” I said, gaining concessions on the guest list but the menu remains festively restrained. Since that conversation, I’ve turned 36, and it dawns on me that I’m approaching the day when I will have lived outside of my hometown longer than I lived there. I left Chicago when I was 18, and remember missing the city – its hustle and exalted skyline, its grit and chaotic streets – as much as I missed my friends and family. My family remains here, and I still feel the
“I’m not renouncing my birthplace, and even if I were, there is no cure for being a Chicagoan. But the city has become my most frequent vacation destination, and a place where I’m aware that I’m away from home.” South Side of Chicago coursing through my veins, calcifying in my bones and shaping the way I understand and interact with the world. It still feels like home when I visit, both the parts of the city I enjoy and the things that keep me away, and so I’m also reminded that I am a visitor, and will soon have been a visitor for longer than I was a resident. I’m not renouncing my birthplace, and even if I were, there is no cure for being a Chicagoan. But the city has become my most frequent vacation destination, and a place where I’m aware that I’m away from home. The Georgia Voice celebrates some of the best parts of our hometown in this issue, and many of the honorees kindle my love for Atlanta. The best parts of the city for me have been growing into adulthood; the longterm friends and pilgrims who simply passed through the gay mecca; the romance and sex that have enlightened and bewildered me; the MARTA crushes and bumping into your MARTA driver at the club; the wimpy snow days and sitting under the ceiling fan in the screened-in dining room at Woody’s Cheesesteaks on a hot summer day. Still, it’s an uneasy part of adulthood to be with family while missing home. Ryan Lee is an Atlanta writer.
54 Columnists July 22, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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