HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food. GET MORE INFORMATION This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.
FACTS FOR BIKTARVY® This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment. (bik-TAR-vee)
The most common side e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).
BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, and KEEP BEING YOU are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0085 02/22
IMPORTANT
Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY
Tell your healthcare provider if you: Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. Have any other health problems. Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. BIKTARVY and other medicines may a ect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.
US_BVYC_0085_BIKTARVY_B_10x10-5_GeorgiaVoice-Chad_r1v1jl.indd All Pages
Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.
Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, lightcolored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY
These are not all the possible side e ects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.
BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including: Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.
ABOUT BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including: Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section. Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.
BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: dofetilide rifampin any other medicines to treat HIV-1 BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY
You are encouraged to report negative side e ects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.
IQVIA NPA Weekly, 04/19/2019 through 05/28/2021. #1 HIVPRESCRIBEDTREATMENT* BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. Because HIV doesn’t change who you are. ONE SMALL PILL, ONCE A DAY Pill shown not actual size (15 mm x 8 mm) | Featured patient compensated by Gilead. Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com. Scan to see Chad’s story. CHAD LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT KEEPBEING YOU. 5/26/22 11:23 AM
Tip #2: Give travel the respect it’s due and DREAM about it. What about the world, your country, your city or even your neighborhood do you want to experience or see? Without a vision, your travel can have meaning, but it won’t be as savory.
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Helmut Domagalski sets sail.
COURTESY PHOTO
Whether your fall has you in the colorful leaves of our mountains or escaping to the coast to catch the last bits of summer, your travel can be anything you want it to be: an escape or a recharge. For me personally, travel is one of life’s best opportunities to challenge myself, make dreams a reality, and level up. Last summer, I took a trip to Greece with 15 gay men after the pandemic (postponed by COVID-19). I enjoyed some of my most elevated meditations on my purpose, my future aspirations, and my role in my gay community through intentional reflection, camaraderie with these men, and the beauty of the Earth there.
I worked my ass off for those travel stories, but you don’t have to go to Europe to do these things. Hiking in Blue Ridge, Georgia or Cashiers, North Carolina with friends, visiting charming Charleston or Savannah, or simply strolling down the Chattahoochee can all render you changed if you only use your travel to elevate your mind and your life story!
Helmut Domagalski, founder of The Gayly Dose
Tip #4: Plan. I am a believer in some spontaneity, but the best trips are those where I have put some time in to understand my options and laid out a good mixture of what I love to do. Balance some spontaneity into segments of your adventure, but don’t miss out on views, sights, tastes and sounds because you didn’t plan ahead. And ask friends who have been before you!
Editorial Contributors: Joey Amato, Melissa Carter, Heather Cassell, Helmut Domagalski, Jim Farmer, Buck Jones, Cynthia Salinas-Cappellano, Adalei Stevens
Business Advisor: Lynn Pasqualetti
Financial Firm of Record: HLM Financial Group
Here are some tips for maximizing your vacation’s impact and making your trip the best it can be.
Tip #3: Ask yourself what experience you want? Will you be deepening your communion with nature, learning about another culture, or releasing yourself from life’s burdens with a mental health respite? Perhaps this trip is to strengthen a bond with family or friends or yourself. Travel can change you if you allow it to.
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Tip #1: The first part of travel is the piece everyone underestimates: earning money! That’s right, we work to earn that vacation! And the rule is: Choose your pain, choose your pleasure. For most of us, exciting travel means putting in the hours and employing smart saving techniques.
georgiavoice VOLUME 13• ISSUE 12 THE EXPANSIVE POWER OF TRAVEL GUEST EDITORIAL 4 EDITORIAL SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM
This summer, I fulfilled a longtime dream of taking my daughters through the romantic countries of Italy and France. I felt this would ensure they had these moments to set a benchmark for themselves, we would bond more deeply as a family, and they would awaken more to other ways of living.
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The editorial positions of Georgia Voice are expressed in editorials and in editor’s notes. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Georgia Voice and its staff.
Tip #5: Enjoy! Helmut is the founder of The Gayly Dose, an Atlanta-based podcast that elicits vulnerable and honest dialogue about everyday and taboo topics that LGBTQ people aren’t having with each other ... but should. Purposefully candid and brutally honest, the cast speaks on a range of topics, including gender norms, monogamy, body issues, coming out, dating apps, lesbian breakups, and growing up gay in the church. Listen and watch at thegaylydose.com. Follow @ thegaylydosepod.
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Publisher Emeritus: Chris Cash Fine Print All material in Georgia Voice is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Georgia Voice. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. We also do not accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers.
PREMIER EXHIBITION SERIES SPONSOR PREMIER EXHIBITION SERIES SUPPORTERS ACT Foundation, Inc. Sarah and Jim Kennedy Louise Sams and Jerome Grilhot SUPPORTERSEXHIBITIONBENEFACTORSERIES Robin and Hilton Howell PROVIDEDFUNDING BY HIGH MUSEUM OF ART ATLANTA • OCT. 21–JAN. 15 • HIGH.ORG Rodin in the United States: Confronting the Modern is organized by the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), The Thinker (detail), modeled 1903, cast by Alexis Rudier, 1928, bronze, The Baltimore Museum of Art, The Jacob Epstein Collection, 1930.25.1.
WASHINGTON
Demetre Daskalakis, the Biden administration’s face of LGBTQ outreach for monkeypox and deputy coordinator for the White House monkeypox task force, laid out the details for the new equity-based supplementary initiative in a conference call with reporters.
6 NEWS SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM Staff reports Read these stories and more online at thegavoice.com
U.S. Health Officials Expand Approach to Monkeypox Vaccines as Cases Crest At the end of a summer when the number of cases in the monkeypox outbreak rose sharply, the increase in reported infections now appears to be cresting amid increased public messaging and access to vaccines, prompting U.S. health officials to expand their strategy with a new equity-based effort to combat the disease.
The numbers are also consistent with a new study finding a significant number of gay and bisexual men, as well as other men who have sex with men, have been limiting contact with casual sex partners, which has been the driving force in the spread of monkeypox. The report from the CDC last week found limiting one-time sexual encounters can significantly reduce the transmission of monkeypox virus, while about half of men who have sex with men are cutting down on sexual activity amid the outbreak, including one-night stands and app hookups.
Once these innovative strategies have been reviewed by CDC, vaccines will be supplied to jumpstart these ideas and accelerate reach deeper into communities.”
With Southern Decadence coming up, Biden health officials have given an additional 6,000 monkeypox vaccines for New Orleans. BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY
Although the reported number of cases, according to most data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, has reached 18,417 in the United States, the number of additional cases decreased from the high at the start of the month, suggesting a downward trajectory in the spread of the disease as vaccines become more readily available.
Case in point: The death of a hospital patient in Texas who had monkeypox, but may have to succumbed to other factors, has drawn attention amid a conventional understanding the skin disease isn’t fatal. The case represents the first time in the United States that a patient with monkeypox died while having the condition.
“So, what we mean by an equity intervention is what works in your state, county, or city to reach people who we may not be reaching, especially people of color and members of the LGBTQI+ population,” Daskalakis said. “What it means is: It can be working with a specific group or venue that reaches the right people for monkeypox prevention.
The patient, as confirmed by the Texas Department of State Health Services, was an adult resident of Harris County who was “severely immunocompromised” and state health officials reviewing the case said it is under investigation to determine what role monkeypox played in the death.
The Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE) and Campus Pride have released a report detailing the challenges LGBTQ Southerners experience as they grow up. The report found that, on a scale of 0 (not at all supportive) to 100 (most supportive), participants gave their parents or caregivers an average score of 56.37 for sexual orientation-related support and 51.8 for gender identityrelated support. These scores were lower among transgender participants than their cisgender counterparts as well as among younger participants. Over half of all respondents (58.17 percent) reported experiencing efforts to repress or change their sexual orientation or gender identity by a parent or caregiver. These support issues extended and even worsened outside of the home. Less than five percent (4.74 percent) reported receiving support or resources related to their LGBTQ identity from a faith or spiritual leader. Of the participants who identified as spiritual or religious, 68.82 percent reported being alienated or discouraged from participating in their religious or faith community due to their LGBTQ identity. Nearly half (47.77 percent) of all respondents reported missing days of school because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable related to their LGBTQ identity. More than half reported feeling unsafe at school because of their gender identity (58.08 percent), while near three-quarters reported feeling unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation (73.06 percent). More than half of all respondents reported experiencing suicidal ideation (56.21 percent), and 13.52 percent reported attempting suicide at least once.
Although the number of cases is cresting, concern about monkeypox continues as well as the potential danger of the disease.
With the trajectory of monkeypox on the decline, the Biden administration announced a new initiative with the goal of ensuring vaccine distribution is consistent with the value of equity, including on the basis of geographic, racial, and ethnic lines. A total of 10,000 doses of vaccines in the federal government’s supply will be earmarked for localities that have used 50 percent of their allocated supply to support equity interventions, such as outreach to Black and Latino communities, which have been disproportionately affected by the disease or a specific event and celebration for LGBTQ people, health officials announced Tuesday.
NEWS BRIEFS
N ew Report Details Challenges of Growing Up LGBTQ in the South
“I still have ROXX. So, what’s my next step? I don’t know,” he said. “Can I open up ROXX again in another location? I could. Can someone else come by and franchise or purchase the company and open ROXX again? That’s a possibility. There’s another possibility that I do something totally different, and ROXX doesn’t come back. So, the answer is I don’t know.” Whatever the future holds for ROXX, Chronopoulos made a point to thank everyone who has supported the restaurant for more than two decades.
LOCAL NEWS
Katie Burkholder Back in December 2021, ROXX Tavern temporarily shut its doors as owner Dean Chronopoulos announced that he would be taking a sabbatical. Now, nine months later, Chronopoulos has told Georgia Voice that he has sold the property, and the closure will be “Thepermanent.bridgecaught fire and did damage to a point where they had to not repair it but replace it. They said it would be a year, it’s already past a year now. Food costs were skyrocketing, the labor issue was happening, and I thought it would be a good time to take a sabbatical from the norm of 22 years,” he said. “Nothing seemed to be getting better. What ended up happening was I had kinda gotten used to not working. I enjoyed the break, I enjoyed the relaxation, I enjoyed being able to get up a little later, I enjoyed the fact that I was able to visit my parents who are getting elderly.” While Chronopoulos could not confirm to whom he sold the ROXX property; he signed a confidentiality agreement. He said he believes the restaurant group will be a valuable addition to the neighborhood. “I did get many offers, and I went with the one that I thought would be more fitting with the community, with the neighborhood. I turned down some higher offers, but I think the one I sold to people will enjoy,” he said. “I think it’ll strengthen the neighborhood.”
THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 NEWS 7
ROXX Closure Permanent After Owner Dean Chronopoulos Sells Property
However, this goodbye might be more of a “see you later.” Chronopoulos sold the property, but retains the business, so the restaurant’s future is currently up in the air.
Roxx Tavern PHOTO BY RUSSELL BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD
The location was the original spot of one of the first McDonalds in Atlanta before Chronopoulos renovated and purchased the property. For the last 22 years, ROXX has been a staple on Cheshire Bridge Road and a favorite among the LGBTQ “ROXXcommunity.wasbuilt with the intention of being part of the community,” Chronopoulos said. “That was always the goal. I tried to create a place that was comfortable, safe, and inclusive. It was meant for the community and all of its allies. If someone was accepting of others, they were always welcome. If they were a jerk, I had to throw ‘em out! The community has been a part of me, and I’ve been a part of the community, and this is kind of a goodbye.”
The conference luckily coincided with One Magical Weekend, so I had the opportunity to visit two LGBTQ parties while there, the first being the annual red party at House of Blues and the second being OMW’s Therapy pool party at Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort. People from around the country travel to Orlando for this event, so I ran into many friends during that weekend, some of whom I hadn’t seen in years.
My visit wasn’t all fun and games, though. We all remember where we were when we heard the news of the Pulse massacre on June 12, 2016. A few years ago, the owner of the club opened an interim memorial with a goal of raising the funds to open a permanent space which would pay homage to the 49 beautiful souls lost that day. Located at the site of the original club, the current memorial contains an offering wall where visitors can leave flowers or mementos.
FALL TRAVEL Joey Amato Orlando has always been a place close to my heart. Back in 2002, I attended graduate school there and worked in the music industry for a company that launched the careers of Backstreet Boys, ‘N Sync, O-Town, and other stars. I even managed a boy band of my own around that time. Needless to say, I really enjoyed living in Orlando. It was also the place where I finally admitted to myself that I was gay, although I didn’t officially come out to my family until a few years later. When I heard U.S. Travel’s IPW convention was going to take place in Orlando this year, I knew I had to go. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, which is perfectly situated within minutes of Walt Disney World parks and just a short drive from Universal Studios. The property is massive and contains a separate fitness building, a resort-style pool with bar and live music and a convention area. Epcot was always my favorite park to visit as a child, so I was excited to learn that one of the main events for the conference would take place there. We got to experience the park without the crowds, which was quite pleasant, especially when it came to the newer rides Frozen Ever After and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Seeing the iconic globe lit up at night was as magical as it was when I was a younger.
The memorial also has a Ribbon Wall of Photographs filled with pictures of the community and the world’s response of love and support and artifacts collected from the Orange County History Center. It’s a very emotional experience, but one you need to do if you’re ever in the area.
A few miles away is the new Hall at the Yard development, an upscale food hall venue. One of the highlights is a restaurant called
The Chef & I, which is owned by my friends Erica and Chris Rains from Nashville. Every time I visit their restaurant, I know I’m about to experience something special. The Chef & I is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville, and I’m sure it will be a hit with the Orlando community. The restaurant throws a delicious brunch, featuring menu items like Duck and Waffles, Brined and Smoked Salmon Benedict and their Hot Salt PeopleChicken.often forget that Orlando isn’t just theme parks. There are many beautiful towns in the metro area that are worth visiting. Antique collectors will really enjoy the charm of Mount Dora, while Dr. Phillips has emerged as a culinary center boasting a variety of fine dining restaurants.
However, my favorite neighborhood to visit is Winter Park and more specifically, Park Avenue. The cobblestone street is lined with wonderful boutiques and outdoor cafes and is adjacent to Rollins College, my alma mater. Also in Winter Park is the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Museum’s Tiffany collection includes jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded-glass windows and lamps, and the chapel interior the artist designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in OrlandoChicago.is known for having a wonderful LGBTQ scene. One of my preferred lowkey places to enjoy a cocktail is Savoy, just north of downtown. Every time I visit, I usually end up there with friends. Some other popular spots include Stonewall Bar Orlando and Southern Nights.
Orlando Pride is also one of the largest pride events in the state. This October, Coming Out With Pride will take place on Saturday, October 15, at Lake Eola Park in downtown and will be surrounded by a host of other events throughout the week leading up to the festival. While downtown, try to catch a show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The sparkly new building hosts a variety of touring Broadway shows and performances from major artists in addition to Orlando’s many local performing arts organizations. The next time you visit Orlando, I would encourage you to venture outside the amusement park areas to get to experience the city. I met so many wonderful people when I lived there, so I would love for you to get to know the locals the way I did. Enjoy the Journey!
PRIDE TO Orlando, Florida
JOURNEY
8 FALL TRAVEL SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM
The Annual Orlando Gay Pride Parade. PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / INSPIRED BY MAPS
There are three viewing areas of the building. Visitors will be able to see the waterfall at the entrance of the club, a wall of the building where the 49 names are inscribed, and the area where people were rescued by from the restrooms by first responders.
Voting is your most important right. It gives you the power to decide what our future looks like. But you have to be in the know to vote. Election laws and voting places can change. Thatʼs why AARP Georgia has collected all the most up-to-date election information to make sure that the voices of voters 50-plus are heard on November 8. Make sure you know how to register to vote, where to vote in person, what the rules are for absentee or early voting, and all the key voting deadlines. Get the latest voting information for Georgia at aaarp.org/GAvotes
Thenandwhen,thewhere,how.vote.
Georgia facebook.com/AARPGeorgia@AARPGAaarp.org/GAPaid for by AARP Know
OLIVIA AFFIRMING SPACE FOR LGBTQ WOMEN TRAVELING ACROSS THE GLOBE
Katie Burkholder
Almost 50 years ago, a collective of lesbians came together to create Olivia, a record company producing music by and for women. In 1990, that group had the opportunity to host a concert on a cruise ship. The four-night lesbian cruise quickly sold out and a travel company was born. Today, Olivia produces incredible, worldwide trips specifically catering to LGBTQ women. Its vacations include cruises, riverboats, resorts, and adventure land packages spanning a diverse array of countries and continents. In its 30+ years of travel, Olivia has taken over 350,000 women on over 350 trips across the globe. Olivia trips are specifically designed with queer women in mind, from the entertainment to the activity programming. All entertainment and activities are by and for the LGBTQ community: music, comedy, DJs, dance parties, themed parties, and more, all centered around LGBTQ women. “The minute you step foot on an Olivia vacation, there’s a sense of community, of belonging, of validation,” Tisha FloratosSalano, the Vice President of Travel and Business Operations at Olivia, told Georgia Voice. “We’re all saying hello to one another. There’s this joy and excitement and energy that you feel. For one week, we get to be with one another, create community, and build visibility wherever we go. At the same time, you’re having an incredible vacation that’s filled with entertainment that’s for our Teamcommunity.”Olivialooks after each guest’s needs. There are specific needs coordinators on trips to take care of guests with extra dietary, medical, and mobility needs. There is also specific programming aimed at empowering solo travelers.
“Anywhere from 10 to 30 percent of our guests are solo travelers,” Floratos-Salano said. “So, we create a whole program just for our solo [travelers] so they have an opportunity to connect with other women, so they don’t feel alone on their vacation unless they want to just chill out and be by themselves.”
CREATES
“I think we all live our day-to-day lives, and sometimes we don’t know that we need this space, we need this community, where we can celebrate one another and be with one another,” Floratos-Salano said. “It’s almost a sacred space for our guests. The fact that Olivia can provide this affirming space, it’s transformational for some guests … [T]here are women who still live in places where they’re not really out in their everyday lives or there’s not any community where they live. To be able to provide that space for women is pretty powerful.”
Olivia produces incredible, worldwide trips specifically catering to LGBTQ women.
All of this translates into a vacation that is not only fun, but also affirming. As the Olivia hashtag #YouDon’tKnowUntilYouGo illustrates, the sense of community created on these trips is more impactful than new guests even realize.
10 FALL TRAVEL SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM
PHOTO VIA OLIVIA
FALL TRAVEL
This fall, Olivia is taking LGBTQ women to places like Machu Picchu, Amsterdam, India, and even Antarctica. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, many of these trips have been rescheduled from 2020 and are therefore sold out. However, destinations planned for next year include Switzerland, France, the Galapagos, and Egypt, as well as Olivia’s 50th anniversary Caribbean Cruise and Hard Rock Hotel Cabo trips, both recommended by Floratos-Salano. Olivia will also be announcing vacations for 2024 soon. It is only through the unwavering support of the LGBTQ community that Olivia has been able to provide this life-changing opportunity for both global travel and interpersonal empowerment for so many years. “Olivia has been there for the community because the community has been here for us,” Floratos-Salano said. “We are this small travel company that has grown because friends tell friends who tell friends. It’s been a remarkable journey to see so many women travel around the world, make lifelong friendships, and come back again and again.” Due to limited space, it is suggested to book your trip far in advance. This can also be a more budget-friendly option; through a partnership with the buy-now, pay-later program Uplift, Olivia customers can put their vacation on an extended payment plan instead of paying for it upfront in full. View the entire vacation lineup and book your trip today at olivia.com.
While Olivia advertises specifically to LGBTQ women, the company values diversity and inclusivity. Floratos-Salano told Georgia Voice that nonbinary and genderexpansive guests are welcomed with open arms. There is also programming created by and for women of color with the Sisters at Sea and Sisters at Play coordinators.
THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 ADS 11
Heather Cassell
Colombia is a year-round destination, but the best months to experience the South American country are December to March and June to September.
The South American country offers a lot to travelers. Colombia is home to more than 25 national parks. It is also the only country in South America to boast of beautiful beaches on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Worldrenowned artists call Colombia home. Its coffee is famous. The country is a gastronomic hub. Its LGBTQ community is energetic with creative and culinary endeavors. The country boasts of having South America’s destination LGBTQ nightclub in Bogotá. Mega LGBTQ nightclub Theatron features 16 separate but interconnected dance clubs, including a concert hall, an all-in-one building that takes up an entire city block in Bogotá.
In order to travel to Colombia, travelers aged 18 and older need to provide proof of “complete vaccination” or a negative COVID-19 test 48 hours in advance of travel for an antigen test or 72 hours in advance of travel for a PCR test, according to Colombian and United States government websites.
EXPERIENCE THE
12 FALL TRAVEL SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM CONTINUES ON PAGE 13
Colombia is famous for its beauty queens, coffee, beaches, tropical jungles (35 percent of the Amazon rainforest is within the country’s borders), and its darker side with its drug lords. The country’s drug lords have been pushed deep into the Amazon on the Brazilian and Colombian border with the U.S.’s help, Sebastian Fernandez Leal, a representative with ProColombia who formerly worked at the United Nations in New York, told me in the car from Cartagena’s airport to our host hotel, Estelar Cartagena de Indias.
My journey through the country with Out in Colombia began in Cartagena and took me to Barranquilla, Medellin, and Bogotá, four of Colombia’s largest cities. I was taken by the country and people. Colombia’s dark and violent past has given way to a vibrant and welcoming country with a spirited culture, warm people, and natural beauty, particularly ADVENTURE AND WARMTH OF Colombia
Read the full article online at thegavoice.com.
View of the St. Peter Claver church and the old town in Cartagena, Colombia.
PHOTO BY ADOBESTOCK/SONJA NOVAK
MY JOURNEY
FALL TRAVEL
Colombia’s LGBTQ movement has made great strides in gaining rights since 1999, according to the Astraea Foundation’s 2021 report. The South American country’s capital, Bogotá, became one of the first cities in the world to establish a government office focused on LGBTQ issues, the Sexual Diversity Department, in 2013. Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2016. This year, Colombia’s constitutional court advanced gender diversity, reported Human Rights Watch. Before my trip to Colombia, Bogotá elected its first openly lesbian mayor, Claudia López Hernández, in 2020. López Hernández’s swearing-in to the office established her as the first openly LGBTQ person to lead a major South American city. Lopez Hernandez married her longtime partner just before she took office in January 2020.
Colombia is an amazing country rich with art and culture, food, history, outdoor adventures, beautiful sandy beaches, and warm people.
WHY COLOMBIA?
I learned this when I traveled to Colombia as a guest of award-winning sustainable LGBTQ travel company, Out in Colombia, and the country’s tourism bureau, ProColombia, right before the pandemic shut down the world and tourism.
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It’s challenging to be LGBTQ in the community, Gutierrez said. Homophobia remains, but two weeks before our visit a stairway was painted in rainbow colors in C13. Gutierrez said no one had defaced the steps. Instead, the community was enjoying it.
BOGOTÁ South America’s fourth largest city, Bogotá is bustling with a thriving LGBTQ community, our LGBTQ history tour guide Juan Camilo told us as we walked through the city, stopping at historical points.
The Theatron in Bogota.
Colombians were starting to embrace café life, odd as it may seem since Colombian coffee is known around the world. At Café San Alberto, our group enjoyed a coffee and rum tasting that made Irish coffee seem boring. The coffee energized us, and the rum gave us liquid courage for our salsa lessons.
PHOTO VIA THEATRON in Cartagena, Medellin, and Bogotá.
On our last night in Colombia, our group enjoyed an elegant evening dining at B.O.G. Hotel and more dancing at Theatron.
Cartagena was dazzling and sophisticated. Medellin was gritty, bursting with creativity in the mountain city. Our group enjoyed shopping at a local market and cooking and making cocktails with gay Chef Esteban in the morning. In the afternoon, we went to the notorious neighborhood, Comuna 13, locally just C13, that was once under the control of drug lord Escobar.
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MEDELLIN
Today, artists have taken over the hilltop neighborhood and transformed it. Cata Gutierrez, our tour guide, grew up during Escobar’s reign of terror in the neighborhood. A gang murdered her family in front of her eight-year-old eyes as they were taking her to school. Her uncles took her in. She started earning money rapping on the subway while going to school when she was 13 years old. She later joined Casa Kolacho, an artist collective where she found community and thrived. Gutierrez had just launched C13 Brewing Company as a part of the Comuna Project at the time our group toured C13.
CARTAGENA In Cartagena, “palenqueras,” the community’s women, stand out in the crowds with their traditional colorful dresses and head wraps balancing bowls of fruit on their heads. They can easily be found in the squares, like San Pedro Claver Square, in Cartagena’s historic walled city. Our group enjoyed tasting the “palenqueras,” traditional fruit snacks sold from one of the women’s stands. The women also pose with tourists for pictures for pay. Cartageneras lesbian tour guide Belkin Chico of La Mesa, a tourism company that works with Out in Colombia, guided our group from Castillo San Felipe de Barajas to the walled city while telling us the city’s history. In the walled city around the memorial honoring Colombia’s beauty queens, she explained what the crowned beauties mean to OurColombians.eveningwas spent relaxing on a private sunset catamaran cruise on Cartagena Bay and enjoying a gourmet meal at the stylish Club de Pesca.
Smoky Mountain Rail Adventure starts in Nashville, with a guided sightseeing experience, including many landmarks of the Music City, such as the Grand Ole Opry and RCA Studio B where legends like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton have performed/ recorded. The nine-day trip includes three scenic rail excursions and sights of the Great Smoky Mountains and Biltmore Estate. The ticket price, $2,895 per person, includes hotel accommodations for eight nights and ten meals. The trip, concluding in Asheville, offers transportation to the airport to help you get home safely. This trip is perfect for Southerners and anyone who wants to know the mountainous region of the Smokies better. Buy tickets and learn more at Therevacationsbyrail.com.arevariousways to travel in style, and trains are as classic as they get. As the lowest emitting way of transportation, you’ll be able to enjoy your travels without hurting the environment. If you’re planning a trip for this fall (or next), consider a train trip to get you there.
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Environmentally, trains are responsible for less than three percent of all gas emissions from transportation, emitting 75 percent less greenhouse gas than cars. Rail travel is also the most reliable method of transportation.
TRAVELING BY TRAIN: EXPLORE THE COUNTRY IN Style
The Denali in a Day package offers a guided drive from Fairbanks to Denali, a visit to the Murie Science and Learning Center, a guided nature walk (or snowshoe), and a visit to the river community of Nenana on your way to Denali National Park. Denali National Park encompasses six million acres of wilderness, including the tallest mountain in North America. You’ll ride back to Fairbanks on the Aurora Winter Train for breathtaking sights of The Last Frontier. At only $315 per person, this is an affordable option for anyone visiting Alaska. Buy tickets and learn more at alaskarailroad.com.
The U.S. leaves much to be desired where train travel is concerned, but the original choice of cross-country transportation can still satisfy one’s desire to feel like a classy, well-traveled individual. There are sights to be seen across the country, and there’s nothing like a domed observation car to give you a 360° view of the Rocky, Smoky, or Grand Teton Mountains.
ALASKA RAILROAD (ALASKA) Alaska Railroad offers a variety of summer and winter packages. Ranging from one- to 11-day trips, you have your choice of sights and experiences.
NEW ENGLAND
Amtrak Train crossing through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / JACOB BOOMSMA
Adalei Stevens
The New England Autumn Foliage Tour is an eight-day round-trip experience, departing from Boston to Kancamagus Highway, Vermont, and Mystic, Connecticut. Before returning to Boston, you’ll ride the Conway Scenic Railroad, Cog Railway, Amtrak’s Vermonter, and Cape Cod Central Railway. This package includes dinners, sightseeing, and ample time for self-guided and group tours at Mystic Seaport Museum and Newport Mansion. This trip is perfect for viewing New England’s enviable fall foliage display, which remains unmatched on the Kancamagus Highway. Tickets start at $2,495 per person and include hotel accommodations for seven nights and twelve meals. Buy tickets and learn more at vacationsbyrail.com.
AMTRAK (CROSS-COUNTRY)
Amtrak, the primary operator of passenger rail services, offers more wheelchair-accessible accommodations than independent railway companies. Offered on a first-come, firstserved basis, Amtrak guarantees wheelchairaccessible bathrooms in Coach cars and overnight rooms in Sleeper cars. Amtrak also automatically applies a 15 percent discount for guests requesting a wheelchair seating space.
ONE-DAY
Amtrak has several packages allowing you to visit the most beautiful sights America offers. The Northern Rail Experience begins in Chicago, stopping in Seattle, Northern California, and San Francisco before returning to Chicago. Over the nine-day trip, you will experience the Pacific Coast and Midwest like never before. This rail trip follows significant portions of the historic Lewis and Clark trail and many sightseeing opportunities in Seattle, Northern California, and San Francisco. The ticket price per adult starts at $1,849 and includes three nights of hotel accommodations, five nights on board Amtrak, and one dinner. Buy tickets and learn more at amtrakvacations.com.
SMOKY MOUNTAINS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST & MIDWEST
THE SOUTH If you love the Coastal South and weeping willows, Amtrak offers a six-day experience of two beautiful Southern cities: Savannah and Charleston. At $1,199 per adult, this trip includes sightseeing in Charleston and Savannah, where you will visit Rainbow Row, the Battery, Andrew Low House, and River Street. This trip also offers a riverside plantation tour and sightseeing cruise, with overnight accommodations via hotels. If you want to feel refreshed and well-fed, this Southern tour is the remedy to your postsummer blues. Buy tickets and learn more at amtrakvacations.com.
Adverse weather and environmental factors that affect alternative modes of transport are less likely to set back rail trips. The original way of American cross-country travel guarantees beautiful sights and plenty of time to relax (along with some of the best sleep of your life).
VACATIONS BY RAIL (CROSS-COUNTRY/REGIONAL)
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Italy’s Relaxing Cinque Terre
Ciao bello ragazzo!
Buck Jones The thing about Italy — besides the pasta, the beauty of the men and landscape, and the occasionally frustrating disorganization of the Italians — is the sensuality of the place that subsumes everything. The expressiveness of its people, with their gesticulating even when talking on the phone, reveals a passion for living life to the fullest that inspires one to pause and take stock of one’s own priorities. Whether it is savoring the delight of a freshly baked pesto focaccia at lunch in a standingroom-only focacceria or appreciating the lithe cappuccino-colored bodies of young men walking back from a day at the beach, the Italian Riviera teases the senses. Dotting the coastline of the Ligurian Sea east of the port of Genoa are the five ancient villages that make up the Cinque Terre. Improbably perched on the steep cliffsides that plunge into the azure waters of the Mediterranean, these picturesque towns began as tiny harbors for fishermen and hamlets for the farmers who tended their terraced vineyards that step up the surrounding hillsides. The tiny towns were originally connected only by a shepherd’s path that has since been expanded and developed into a more modern hiker’s crosscut through the forest that is today a protected national park. Stunning landscapes of the sea on one hand and vineyards on the other greet the adventurer. For those less inclined to make the hour-long trek from village to village, there is the train, which comes regularly and makes a whistle-stop tour as it passes from Levanto to La Spezia. But the best way to navigate back and forth between the towns is via boat; there is a ferry that provides a shuttle each hour and a day pass is relatively
A village in a small valley at sunset, Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre National Park, Liguria, La Spezia, Italy PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / KELLYSHUTSTOCK
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Whileinexpensive.the
Cinque Terre villages are overwhelmed by tourists during the July and August vacation months, things settle down considerably by early autumn. With temperatures exceeding ninety degrees and little access to air conditioning aside from one’s hotel room, the best time to visit these charming seaside jewels is off-peak season — there are fewer tourists, but the sea remains warm and crystal clear. Fresh seafood daily in the many family-owned restaurants along with the local white wine in plentiful supply quickly becomes a new routine, with lazy evenings after a long day of dozing under a parasol at the beach habit-forming. The Cinque Terre offer a relaxed alternative to the equally breathtaking Amalfi coast in Southern Italy. During my stay, I had the sensation of stepping into a gay literary treasure trove. As I walked the narrow streets shaded by the mustard and ochre-hued buildings, I was transported to the world of Thomas Mann’s “A Death In Venice” as I surreptitiously glimpsed beautiful young men, often shirtless, standing together in small groups laughing and regaling one another with their exploits. Or while hiking the country path linking the villages, I saw my own living and breathing Elio from “Call Me By Your Name” riding his bike to Monterosso. The languid giddiness brought on by the heat, the wine, and overwhelming physical beauty constantly fuels inspiration for the creative soul. The Cinque Terre are not, however, a classic gay destination in the same category as Capri, for instance. These are small towns that have changed little from generation to generation. There are no big global retail chains or luxury boutiques selling Italian leather and fashion goods, and the internet is hit or miss. Instead, one is transported back to a simpler time, forced to disconnect from the outside world and enjoy each moment of la dolce vita. For those seeking a bit more of a raucous gay scene, Milan is the natural gateway to Cinque Terre and offers everything a gay traveler could want in terms of nightlife, fashion, and excitement. While staying in Milan, the logical center of gravity is in the city center, near the old fort of the Castello Sforzesco. The subway or street trams provide easy access to the chic Brera district, as well as quick jaunts to the gay neighborhood near the Porto Venezia or to the lively Navigli district near the university. Don’t forget to grab an Aperol Spritz at the grandiose Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II overlooking the intricately spired cathedral of the Duomo. Flying in and out of Milan with a three or four day stay in Cinque Terre during early autumn is a perfect excursion.
Historically, the Netherlands was one of the first countries—if not the first—to decriminalize queerness. In 1993, the Netherlands enacted an equal rights law that banned discrimination on the basis of sexuality when receiving public services and retaining housing (these are rights still not enacted in the U.S. on a federal level, despite decades of fierce attempts by queer advocacy groups and liberation movements).
Because of this, the Netherlands is home to many queer-owned and -patronized hotels, cafes, clubs and gay bars in Rembrandt Square, one of the city’s gay districts. The atmosphere is queer friendly and best experienced in the summer months.
This starts with sticking to countries with histories of decriminalizing queerness and doing research on safe locales. Note, these are usually not tropical, “fun in the sun” destinations. Countries like the Netherlands, France, Spain, Norway, and Germany benefit from these legal privileges because of their exploitation of countries in the “global south”: Mexico, Jamaica, Dubai, Egypt, Singapore, etc.
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In an era where trans women and queer people are often detained to be made political examples — sometimes indefinitely in the case of Brittney Griner—queer Americans must be proactive about their travel destinations.
Most recently, the LA Times reported American expats wreaked havoc on Mexico City this summer. Locals reported that Americans largely occupy the city now and refuse to speak Spanish. Some go as far as entering verbal altercations when restaurant staff and cashiers do not speak English. Yoga studios occupy space where panaderias and bodegas once stood. Americans have made it difficult for locals to afford rent in the area and have driven inflation upward. At the same time, Indigenous Hawaiians are being arrested for protesting the construction of a $1.4 billion telescope on Mauna Kea, a mountain integral to their creation story and spirituality. So, how do we as queer people have our Y tu mamá también moment without participating in gentrification and neocolonialism?
Amsterdam is the quintessential travel destination, providing art, nightlife, history, and culture to experience. Visitors can enjoy extremely affordable fares and excursions, and it is one of the safest places for queer people to travel and exist freely at no financial hardship to locals.
SAFETY, RESPONSIBILITY, AND AWARENESS
OKAY, BITCH, SO WHERE DO WE GO?
Each year more and more people—largely Indigenous and Black populations—are pushed out by the tourist economy.
As the capital of the Netherlands, it’s also home to the Van Gogh Museum and trippy, kaleidoscopic exhibits at the Moco Museum.
I truly believe Amsterdam was made for the queers. And I mean, all the queers: the art girls, the sad girls, the party ‘til 4am girls. It functions wholly as the gay capital of Europe.
One of the stops is the world’s first known openly gay bar, established in 1927: Café ‘t Mandje, opened by lesbian Bet van Beeren. Obviously, Amsterdam is best known for its red light district, but there’s more there than an autonomous sex work zone and glass cases. Cannabis coffee shops allow you to smoke inside before a red-lit canal ride or take a walk through the Museum of Marijuana/Hash. A host of strip clubs and sex shops is also available. Most of these activities are priced around 10 to 30 euros per ticket. Getting around is affordable as well, since the city is very walkable. Train and bus fares to and from the Schiphol airport range five to 10 euros.
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Cynthia Salinas-Cappellano Read the full article online at thegavoice.com.
Traveling to these countries only exploits them further when they are still healing the wounds of Western exploitation. At times, Western white queerness simplifies this as “being illegal in [x] number of countries” without recognizing homophobia is a forcibly imported product—one that queer people born in these countries must deal with permanently.
Outside, there are plenty of canal tours day and night to showcase the rich Gothic architecture. Gay walking tours occur regularly to discuss iconic queer nightlife.
ETHICAL TRAVEL WHILE Queer
As a queer Mexicana on my reconnection journey, I struggle between the lines of responsibility, safety, and fun when traveling. I love the coastal beaches of Acapulco, but I also know the harm of an influx of U.S. dollars and bumbling tourists on already exploited Indigenous lands. Acapulco’s residents were the first victims of neocolonial gentrification.
First, we must recognize that not everything is intended for us — especially when it comes to Indigenous lands, no matter their status of protection. Furthermore, research is the best way to protect ourselves. As queer people traveling for study abroad, honeymoons, or the holidays, we need to be aware of local laws and cultural customs in our travel destinations. No one wants to plan for the worst, especially on vacation, but we must be prepared. This means knowing how to find the nearest US Embassy in our host country; considering the European Health Insurance card if in Europe; and being aware of the nearest hospital in the event of an emergency. Also, traveling in a group of well-trained friends keeps everyone safe and happy with their ‘gram photos.
AVOIDING THE PERPETUATION OF NEOCOLONIALISM
Historically, the Netherlands was one of the first countries—if not the first—to decriminalize queerness.
PHOTO BY ISTOCK.COM DRAZEN_
“[Lonesome is] about contemporary sex in the gay male world and the way sex is used, sometimes transactionally, sometimes to relieve boredom, sometimes to manipulate,” writer, director, and producer Craig Boreham told Georgia Voice. “It interrogates that landscape and how our community connects these days, often through hookup apps. [It’s also about] the way gay men perform masculinity and the problems that arise because of that.”
This love is clear when watching this film, a passionate and emotional story about the universality of love itself.
Out On Film STARTS STRONG ON SEPTEMBER
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18 A&E SPOTLIGHT SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM Katie Burkholder
Following the shorts blocks is the Swedish film, “So Damn Easy Going” at 7. The film, one of my favorites not only of the festival but of the year so far, follows the romance between anxious, soft-spoken 18-year-old Joanna and charming and confident Audrey. Despite being complete opposites, they have a chemistry between them that is natural, endearing, and a joy to watch.
‘Bros’ PUBLICITY PHOTO
While Joanna and Audrey are falling for each other, however, Joanna is struggling with her mental health. Her father, in a deep depression mourning the loss of her mother, has been struggling financially, which means Joanna can’t afford her ADHD medication. The film follows her hunt for money as she runs out of pills and becomes overwhelmed, not only with ADHD symptoms, but also with shame.
This film was a labor of love for writer, producer, and director Juan Jose Frausto.
If the first two nights of Out On Film are indicative of the overall quality of the festival, then audiences are in for a treat. The opening lineup is made up of films that are tender, emotional, erotic, heartwarming, and unapologetically queer, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the festival has in store.
Opening night closes with “Amar Sin Miedo (or Love Without Fear)” at 9pm. This intimate and erotic romance follows Josh Adams and his journey of love and self-discovery in Taxco, Mexico, where he meets musician Leo and his life completely changes.
Read the full article online at thegavoice.com. Out On Film, the renowned Oscarqualifying LGBTQ film festival, makes its return to Atlanta for its 35th anniversary this fall, kicking off with its opening weekend on Thursday, September 22 at Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema. Opening the night is “Bros” at 7pm, a highly anticipated and gay as hell romantic comedy about how hard it is to find another tolerable human being to go through life with. “Bros” opens the festival with a blockbuster bang. The film is backed by big names like Nicholas Stoller, Judd Apatow, and Joshua Church. It also features an entirely LGBTQ principal cast. Billy Eichner stars as Bobby Leiber and is also a co-writer alongside Stoller, cementing himself in history as the first openly gay man to co-write and star in his own major studio film. The film also includes the star power of Luke Macfarlane, TS Madison, Monica Raymund, Guillermo Diaz, Guy Branum, Amanda Bearse, and Bowen Yang. The film follows Bobby, a podcaster who loves his independence. That is, until he meets Aaron, his complete opposite. Whereas Bobby is dorky and cerebral, Aaron is, as Bobby puts it, “gay Tom Brady.” In classic rom-com fashion, Bobby struggles to learn how to love after being unattached for so long. “Bros” promises to be a strong start to this year’s Out On Film festival.
“Love Without Fear is a love story,” Frausto said. “It’s not a gay or straight movie, it’s about being human. Love comes in all shapes and sizes, and it’s about who makes you happy. If [you have someone who] makes you happy, you have it all. It’s a blessing, and that’s what the whole movie is about.”
The second day of the festival closes with Australian film “Lonesome” at 9. Expect lots of steamy sex scenes in this Western-inspired drama that follows country boy Casey as he ventures into the big city to avoid a small-town scandal. Through his forays into hookup apps in Sydney, he meets Tib.
Friday kicks off with two short film blocks: “Everything Under the Rainbow Shorts” at 3pm, featuring seven films, and Transexcellent, a collection of five films, at 5.
The film follows their sexual and emotional relationship, revealing both the intimacy and toxicity that can be shared while navigating sex, relationships, and masculinity.
The film explores the theme of familial disconnect, with both Casey and Tib experiencing issues with their parents. This conflict provides the emotional heart of the film, this pain manifesting in traditionally masculine invulnerability and aggression.
The film is six years in the making, funded and backed entirely by Frausto, who took a step in a different direction from his usual action, horror, and drama catalog. “It was the most spiritual, the most emotional, the happiest time I ever had working on a movie,” he told Georgia Voice. “It was godsent, I felt like the angels were there protecting us to make this movie. There was some divine intervention that everybody felt, not only me. This movie had to be made.”
Out On Film runs through October 2 — you can find reviews of the remaining films in our next issue, out September 23. For the full schedule and tickets, visit outonfilm.org.
“For me personally, [mental health shame] is a relatable subject,” Sandler said. “I can’t speak for everybody, of course, but at that age I was very sensitive about how people perceive me and what kind of information I was willing to give people around me … The core subtext or message is about not trying to hide who you are, be proud of who you are and your faults, warts and all. It’s not an easy thing to do, especially when you’re young.”
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I did and when the tour came up, it was the perfect opportunity at the perfect time. They asked and here I am.
Because it’s a Cinderella story and people love Cinderella stories. It’s a story about an underdog and Vivian is an underdog. She ends up taking control of her own life and destiny, with a little help from my character. In the movie, it’s a little more he saves her, and in this version, she saves herself a little more. It’s a love story where people from different sides of the track fall in love and people love that. It has all the elements that appeal to a broad audience.
Did any of the cast have any idea “Rent” would take off like it did? You can never anticipate that kind of success and longevity. We knew it was special, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to success. The fact that this thing we were working continues to be so successful is mind blowing. I remember being in the room learning “Seasons of Love” on the first day of rehearsal. We knew this was something special. If it never went beyond the four weeks off-Broadway, it [still] would have been a life-changing experience.
We are in a time now where making adaptations from films to musicals is very common. I think one of the trickiest things that people face when they do that is how much to keep from the original film and how much to expand or change. The attempt here was to keep as much as possible because so much of it is iconic. There are a number of scenes that are line for line from the film and a decent amount adapted but the big difference is that the story is being told in large part by music, an original score by Bryan Adams.
I would say the tone is different. It’s different than when I did the show on Broadway, and for the better. I think we have found, through a combination of intent and luck, a much lighter, funny comedic tone, and I think it lends itself to this story. On Broadway, it was a little darker and didn’t have the happy air our production does. I have noticed the audience reaction from what it was on Broadway is much different. I think people are having more fun. We are telling it in a brighter, cheerier way.
It’s organically me. I didn’t make any specific attempts different than Richard Gere did. As theater actors, you play parts that other actors have played before. The key is bringing yourself and energy and your charisma and personality to the part. I try and bring whatever it is about my personality that people occasionally find appealing
Jim Farmer As part of the original 1996 Broadway cast of “Rent,” Adam Pascal and his co-stars knew they were part of something special, but none of them had a clue the work would become so iconic. The rock musical became not only a critical sensation, but also one of the longest-running shows on Broadway, making stars of its cast. For his role as HIVpositive songwriter-musician Roger Davis, Pascal was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. Since that time, he’s starred in the film version of “Rent,” as well as such highprofile Broadway productions as “Aida,” “Cabaret,” and “Memphis.” These days, he’s starring as Edward in the touring version of “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” courtesy of Broadway in Atlanta. It’s a musical take on the popular 1990 film that made a star of Julia Roberts about a businessman who hires a hooker for the weekend. Pascal spoke to Georgia Voice about his involvement with the musical and what audiences can expect. How did the show come up? I’ve had somewhat of a history with this show. When [the producers] were doing an out-oftown tryout in Chicago, and then went to New York, the lead actor was not going with them, and they called me to see if I was interested in the part. I was still on tour with “Something Rotten,” and I had been on tour the last year and a half. My family lived in Los Angeles. I could not justify being on tour, going to New York and then not going home. I couldn’t do it. During the run, there were some one-week engagements, and they asked if I could do it.
Why does this story resonate with audiences?
How does the musical compare to the film?
What have been the most significant changes in the show since its early days?
Can you describe your take of Edward?
JIM FARMERACTING OUT THEATER ICON ADAM PASCAL HEADLINES TOURING MUSICAL VERSION OF ‘PRETTY WOMAN’MORE“PrettyINFOWoman: The Musical” September 13–18 Fox Theatre ‘Pretty Woman’ PUBLICITY PHOTO 20 COLUMNIST SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM
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Onstage Atlanta presents Topher Payne’s “Evelyn in Purgatory.” A claim of improper behavior by a failing student lands New York City public school teacher Evelyn Reid in the rubber room: a Reassignment Center, one of a series of empty offices in the Department of Education Building. There she encounters a group of fellow teachers, some guilty, some not, waiting for their cases to be reviewed. Some have already lost any hope of returning to a classroom. Over the course of the school year, these colleagues form an unlikely alliance, reminding each other of forgotten passions, and learning to embrace the possibilities of a life outside the classroom. Tonight at 8pm through October 1 StartOut is excited to present the 3rd Annual StartOut Equity Summit today, a virtual event that will focus on ways for underrepresented entrepreneurs to thrive across geographies and industries regardless of their background. RSVP for Free: https://bit. ly/3oKJ3LC
The PFLAG support group for parents and families of LGBTQ children meets in person today from 2:30 – 4pm, Spiritual Living Center
It’s an annual tradition. AIDS Walk Atlanta Music Festival and 5K Run is a great way to give back to your community. Come together for a 5K walk, run, food trucks, and an epic concert headlined by Wale and Trina. Proceeds raised from the walk and festival go to local AIDS service organizations that fight to end the epidemic in our community every day. 9am,
FRIDAY, SEPT. 30
FRIDAY, SEPT. 9
EVENT SPOTLIGHT 9, 2022 THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM
22 BEST BETS CALENDAR SEPTEMBER
LMAO is a comedy drag fundraiser for Georgia Equality with Willam Belli from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and other drag performances. 9pm, Venkman’s
Piedmont Park
SATURDAY, SEPT. 17
B-12! PALS Atlanta hosts Drag Queen Bingo –Country and Western Night. 7:30pm, Lips Atlanta
The Queer Romance Book Club is a group of adults that reads and discusses queer romance stories of all kinds. From new releases to older stories, contemporary to historical settings (with even some fantasy on occasion), the books read will also feature diverse pairings/configurations, sexualities, and gender expressions. This Month’s book is “The Companion” by EE Ottoman. Register in advance for this meeting: 7tZEvce6gpz8oGdGoBCFvWTle8syozvZT09vn,us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ https://–8:30pm.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 10
Put on your Melissa Etheridge and don’t miss Maryoke! 9pm, Mary’s
FRIDAY, SEPT. 16
BEST BETS THE BEST LGBTQ EVENTS HAPPENING IN SEPTEMBER
Come out to Woofs and root on the national champion Georgia Bulldogs as they take out Samford. 3pm, Woofs Bears will be out in force at Chunk—Atlanta, with DJs Vicki Powell, Marceaux Marceaux, Thcktanker, and hot gogo bears all night long, 10pm, Heretic Atlanta TUESDAY, SEPT. 13
MONDAY, SEPT. 19
A blue crayon, mislabeled as Red, is having a tough time. As hard as Red tries, his drawings look strange … and everyone is noticing. His mother and brother want to help, his teachers and coach push him in different directions, and his fellow crayon students think he’s just plain weird. Red will try anything in order to be normal. Then, Red makes a new friend who opens his eyes to the possibility that what others see as strange could possibly be what makes him special. Based on Michael Hall’s children’s book, this family musical is about community, self-discovery, and being true to oneself. 8pm tonight through Sept. 11, Out Front Theatre Company (Photo via Facebook)
THURSDAY, SEPT. 15
Skewl is back in session, and you aren’t Josie Grossie anymore. At the Never Been Fist: Back 2 Skewl Photo Party, take some photos upstairs in the Boozy Cougar before you dance all night with Band Leader, DJ Neon Horror. Photos from 9pm to 1am If you don’t want to be put in the WUSSY Burnbook, come out to Mary’s in your most creative high school fantasy outfits—jocks, goths, preppies, normies, freaks, geeks, and janitors all welcome for some good ol’ yearbook style portraits. Mary’s SUNDAY, SEPT. 18
In the late 1990s, Southern states continued to fiercely resist a growing nationwide acceptance of justice and equality for LGBTQ people and everyone living with HIV. Recognizing the extraordinary challenges facing LGBTQ southerners, Lambda Legal opened its Southern Regional Office in Atlanta in 1997. Join Lambda Legal’s Atlanta Leadership Council today to honor 25 years of legal advocacy to advance rights for LGBTQ people and everyone living with HIV in the South. 11am, The Intercontinental Buckhead
Trans and Friends is a youth-focused group for trans people, people questioning their own gender and aspiring allies, providing a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources and activism around social issues. 7 –8pm for youth and 8 – 9pm for adults, Charis Books and More THURSDAY, SEPT. 22
Laugh silly at Femme Friday with Kia Comedy. My Sister’s Room
The LGBTQ+ Book Club is a group for LGBTQ+ folks and allies to read queerthemed books and books by queer authors. The goal is to have diverse thought-provoking discussions about queer identity, history, and topical issues. This month’s book is “ The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe. Register in advance for this meeting at 10tZEkcO2rpzojGdANXXiqdPgA0TsjdZcs_rYe,us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/https://–11:30a.m.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 14
SUNDAY, SEPT. 24
Out On Film celebrates its 35th anniversary LGBTQ film festival with Billy Eichner’s romantic comedy “Bros,” tonight at 7pm at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema , with additional screenings through Oct. 2 at Out Front Theatre Company and streaming nationwide.
You spend your adulthood either embracing or unlearning things from your youth, and traveling is certainly something I am still working on enjoying. Just don’t sign me up for any frequent traveler program just yet, because I need to pull over. TRAVELER’S RELUCTANCE
The festivities would last a few hours, and when complete, we would get right back in the car to do it all over again.
THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID MELISSA CARTER THEGEORGIAVOICE.COM SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 COLUMNIST 23
MY CONDITIONED
Wait, you ask, you wouldn’t spend the night?
No! We would drive four hours to get there, stay for the afternoon, then travel back home in the same conditions for four more hours. And we took that trip a couple times a year, even more if someone died.
I have to be coerced into traveling. I have friends who begin planning for their next trip the day they return from their last one. Granted, once I am on the trip, I enjoy myself, but I’m afraid I have always needed someone to initiate travel for me to begin planning and packing. I thought about why that is, and realized traveling is truly a learned behavior. I grew up outside Nashville. We were only a day’s car ride—and an even faster plane ride—from Chicago, yet it wasn’t until my 30s that I was introduced to that wonderful city. I was also in my 30s when I first visited New York and fell in love. My thirties also contained new experiences in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Portland, Oregon and Madison, Wisconsin. In my 40s I visited Hawaii, Arizona, and Key West. Why did I begin traveling so much as I got older? Work and girlfriends pushing me along the way. So, where did I go as a kid? There was one educational trip that took me to Williamsburg, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. My dad’s company allowed us to go along on a convention trip to Miami when I was little, and we took the arduous journey through the length of Alabama to get to Panama City, Florida, a few times. Mostly, though, my travel experience was to family reunions in Kentucky that shaped my reluctance to go on a long car ride again until I was the one driving. My father and mother smoked. It was acceptable for them growing up to do so, and when my father was in the military, they gave cigarettes out as part of their rations. My father had even grown up on a tobacco farm, so to him smoking was as natural as breathing fresh air. So, when you’re the youngest of three and all the children shared the backseat, smoke filling the car with the windows rolled up was standard practice. Roads to my relatives’ homes in rural Kentucky were mapped out like asphalt finger painting. They were curved and bent in an unreasonable fashion, and with my diagnosis of IBS and a tendency to have motion sickness, I had to alert my father more than once to pull over.
Frustrated—as if on a military time schedule— he’d slam the brakes and make sure I hadn’t done anything to soil his car seat.
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / ZABAVNA Melissa Carter
The trip was four hours to our destination. It would take me a minute to adjust to the solid ground and fragrant breeze upon arrival, but eventually I would reset myself and enjoy my family and the feast that came with reunions.
